Chapter Summaries

Veronalara recorded how the freed undead refugees gathered in Darrowshire and were saved from the Crusaders by the Witherer, who became their leader and named them the Forsaken. The Forsaken set out south from Lordaeron, seeking a place by the sea where the living would accept them for a price.

• After Nathanos died, Veronalara led the freed undead refugees away from Lordaeron’s hostile factions and settled them in abandoned Darrowshire.
• Veronalara ended Saloren’s suffering after he broke down over Nathanos’s death, while the refugees searched for shelter and gathered more lost souls.
• A Crusader patrol discovered the refugees, but a mysterious archer killed the attackers and ordered Veronalara’s group to hide as reinforcements approached.
• The archer revealed himself as Nathanos, declared himself the refugees’ leader, and persuaded them to take up arms as the Forsaken.
• The Witherer told the Forsaken to seek revenge against the Scourge, then led them out of Lordaeron toward a coastal land where the living might accept them for money.

Nathanos led the Forsaken into Stranglethorn Vale to establish a hidden base and seek a way to leave the continent. After rescuing the injured Tauren fleet commander Kala Cape, he revealed his plan to negotiate with the Goblin Rivigaz in Booty Bay.

• Nathanos ordered Veronalara to establish a temporary camp in Troll territory while Enya secured it and Liana patrolled the coast.
• Nathanos told Belmont to memorize his map of their route and prepare to manage a future intelligence network.
• Liana returned with the badly wounded Tauren Kala Cape, whom Nathanos recognized as a Bloodsail Pirates fleet commander.
• Nathanos explained that the Forsaken needed ships and planned to make a deal with Rivigaz, the Goblin in charge of Booty Bay.
• Belmont questioned whether Rivigaz would work with the Undead, but Nathanos continued treating Kala Cape instead of answering.

Rivigaz feared losing his fleet commander and his territory to Farivell’s Bloodsail Pirates until Digg brought news that Kala Cape was alive and in an Undead stranger’s hands. The stranger’s letter offered to help Rivigaz fight the Bloodsail Pirates, and Rivigaz learned the mysterious “friend” was an Undead.

• Rivigaz posted a reward for information about the missing Kala Cape while worrying that Farivell’s Bloodsail Pirates would take Booty Bay.
• Digg rushed into Rivigaz’s office and told him that Kala had been found.
• Rivigaz read a letter from an unnamed “friend” claiming Kala was alive and offering to meet and help him oppose the Bloodsail Pirates.
• Digg told Rivigaz that the letter’s sender was an Undead.

Rivigaz met Nathanos in Mistvale Valley, confirmed that his first mate was alive, and agreed to provide a large cargo ship after hearing Nathanos's offer. Back at camp, Nathanos released the unusual Troll Zul and ordered the Forsaken to leave Stranglethorn Vale before dawn, suspecting he recognized Zul from Medivh's book.

• Rivigaz met Nathanos in Mistvale Valley and asked to see his first mate before discussing their deal.
• Nathanos showed Rivigaz his rescued first mate and offered terms that persuaded the Goblin to provide a large cargo ship.
• Veronalara told Nathanos that the Forsaken had captured a strange Troll while he was away.
• Nathanos learned the Troll's name was Zul, ordered the Forsaken to leave before dawn, and had Zul released.
• Veronalara organized the Forsaken's departure as Nathanos wondered whether Medivh's book had mentioned Zul.

Nathanos heard a whispering voice that drew him into a dream, where Za'tar asked him to free his soul from Maraudon by defeating Theradras. After learning that Maraudon was tied to the Centaur and the earth elemental princess, Nathanos weighed the risks and decided the Forsaken needed to pursue the opportunity.

• Nathanos reviewed Medivh's Book and recalled his plans to use a Kul Tiras native to turn Daelin Proudmoore against the Bloodsail Pirates.
• A voice lured Nathanos into a dream and revealed itself as Za'tar, a descendant of Cenarius whose Centaur children were at war.
• Za'tar told Nathanos that Theradras had imprisoned his soul in Maraudon after the Centaur killed him, and asked Nathanos to defeat her in exchange for anything he could offer.
• Nathanos awoke aboard the ship and learned from Medivh's Book that Theradras was the daughter of Therazane and the Centaur's mother.
• Nathanos considered the danger of opposing the earth elementals and decided the Forsaken needed a territory of their own.

Nathanos led the Forsaken toward the Wailing Caverns and prepared to seize the Alliance outpost at Nijel's Point. In Silvermoon, Alleria reflected on her estrangement from Sylvanas and rejected calls to reclaim Eversong Forest.

• Belmont reported that four hostile Centaur tribes occupied the Wailing Caverns and identified a nearby Orc cult and an Alliance camp called Nijel's Point.
• Nathanos decided the Forsaken would attack Captain Bendigas's outpost that night.
• Bendigas sensed an attack, raised the alarm, and encountered a red-eyed figure as yellow eyes watched from the darkness.
• Alleria recalled her fractured relationship with Sylvanas and her sister's visits to Belorell.
• Vareesa warned Alleria about rumors surrounding the Windrunner family and pressure to reclaim Eversong Forest, but Alleria refused to send troops.

Nathanos led the Forsaken toward claiming Wailing Caverns, eliminating the Satyrs of Sargron while Jaina awaited Night Elf envoys in Theramore. The chapter ended with Nathanos ordering his Blight Hounds to attack Kaelen after the Satyr refused to explain his ritual.

• Nathanos rejected Belmont’s suggestion to ignore the Satyrs and urged the Forsaken to seize Wailing Caverns and its resources.
• Jaina learned that the Alliance outpost in Wailing Caverns had missed its scheduled report, but chose to wait while preparing to receive the Night Elf delegation.
• Jaina discussed the Night Elves’ dislike of magic with Isulia, who clarified that they did not dislike High Elves themselves.
• Nathanos and his two Blight Hounds killed the Satyrs in Sargron, leaving Kaelen as the last survivor.
• Nathanos questioned Kaelen about the ritual he had performed, but Kaelen refused to answer, so Nathanos set his Blight Hounds on him.

Nathanos led the Forsaken in a night assault on Thunder Axe Fortress, where Orc warlock Zug'ka summoned a Doomguard. Nathanos used the Bow of the Lich King to kill Zug'ka and cripple the demon, leaving the fortress battle in the Forsaken's favor.

• Nathanos ordered the Forsaken to attack Thunder Axe Fortress at the Orcs' midnight guard change.
• Liana questioned Nathanos's leadership, and Belmont confronted her before Veronalara intervened.
• Nathanos and the Forsaken attacked the fortress, where he killed Orcs while Veronalara fired from the high ground.
• Zug'ka emerged and summoned the Doomguard Azre'sok by sacrificing fallen soldiers' souls.
• Veronalara struck Azre'sok in the eye, and Nathanos killed Zug'ka with an arrow from the Bow of the Lich King.
• Azre'sok succumbed to the arrow's agony and crashed down beside Zug'ka, and both corpses rapidly decayed.

Nathanos gathered beast hides and ordered Forsaken tailors to copy their patterns as part of a plan against the Centaur tribes. Belmont revealed that the patterned hides were Centaur tribal banners, while the Forsaken prepared to enter the Centaur camp.

• Nathanos returned to Thunder Axe Fortress with beast hides and asked Veronalara whether she had found tailors.
• Veronalara introduced three female Forsaken tailors, and Nathanos ordered them to make at least twenty copies of each hide pattern by the following night.
• Nathanos told Veronalara to assemble the Dark Rangers and Forsaken reconnaissance veterans, then assigned them to Belmont.
• Veronalara questioned Belmont about Nathanos's trust, and Belmont said Nathanos allowed them to leave but would not abandon them unless they betrayed him.
• Belmont told the assembled Forsaken that the patterned hides would let them eliminate the Centaur threat without bloodshed.
• Belmont revealed to Liana that the patterned beast hides were banners of the Centaur tribes.

Nathanos led the Forsaken’s assault on Maraudon and killed Theradras, freeing Za'tar’s soul and learning that the Old Gods had used her to threaten the Emerald Dream. In Theramore, Jaina prepared for talks with the Night Elves while Shandris revealed that Darnassus was in trouble; the chapter left Maraudon under Nathanos’s control, with a warning of retaliation from the earth elementals.

• Nathanos ordered Belmont to switch the Centaur tribes’ banners and stage killings, then prepared a surprise attack on Maraudon.
• Nathanos and the Forsaken fought Theradras at Za'tar’s grave, and Theradras fell as the Dark Rangers suffered heavy injuries.
• Jaina welcomed Shandris to Theramore and learned that Tyrande had stayed in Darnassus to stabilize its troubled situation.
• Jaina’s adviser Tervosh told her that Aegwynn wanted to see her, but Jaina asked him to have Aegwynn wait.
• Za'tar’s freed spirit told Nathanos that the Old Gods had controlled Theradras and sought to use his power against the Emerald Dream, where Sargeras was sealed.
• Za'tar ceded Maraudon to Nathanos and warned him that the earth elementals would retaliate.

Jaina recounted the unresolved dispute between Shandris and Bolvar to Aegwynn, who then welcomed Medivh and learned he planned to leave for the astral realm. In Spear Valley, Nathanos organized the Forsaken's expansion around Maraudon and prepared to recruit more Forsaken in Lordaeron.

• Jaina told Aegwynn that Shandris and Bolvar had failed to agree over the Night Elves joining the Alliance and the Alliance's right to know about Darnassus's troubles.
• Medivh arrived at Aegwynn's home, said matters in Wailing Caverns were settled, and announced he was leaving for the astral realm.
• Nathanos outlined plans for Maraudon's districts, assigning areas for alchemy, mages, Ranger training, intelligence, and military meetings.
• Nathanos ordered Belmont to build Undead Fortress in Spear Valley and begin construction of Shadow's End Fortress and a port.
• Nathanos told Belmont they would leave for Lordaeron in two days to recruit more Forsaken.

Lilian Voss escaped execution after discovering that her father, Benedictus, had ordered her death, and she sought answers from Nathanos. After killing Benedictus, Lilian swore loyalty to Nathanos and joined the Forsaken.

• Captain Gabler and Vasong discussed using Lilian's fate to test Benedictus, while Lilian received a letter that appeared to show her father wanted her executed.
• Gabler prepared to kill Lilian, but she escaped her cage and killed him before fleeing to an abandoned inn.
• Belmont gave Lilian weapons and a notice bearing Benedictus's signature, then told her where her father was; Lilian went to confront him.
• Nathanos found Benedictus dead and killed the Crusaders who accused him, while Belmont left to follow Lilian.
• Nathanos met Lilian near a dead tree, and she swore an oath of service and joined the Forsaken.

Gizzlok, a Goblin craftsman imprisoned by the Forsaken in Maraudon, negotiated to join them and lead the renovation of their territory. Veronalara released him and made him Chief Engineer of the Forsaken, with the Abomination as his assistant.

• Gizzlok recalled how the Forsaken had captured him after his expedition to Maraudon was wiped out and kept him in a cage under an Abomination’s guard.
• Veronalara repeatedly visited Maraudon, and Gizzlok tried to persuade her to hire him as a craftsman while criticizing the Forsaken’s construction work.
• Veronalara showed Gizzlok a blueprint of Maraudon and offered him a place among the Forsaken, explaining that their leader, The Witherer, had called him a genius craftsman.
• Gizzlok agreed to join despite receiving no wages, accepting Veronalara’s conditions to keep the Forsaken secret, never leave them, and serve The Witherer.
• After Veronalara opened his cage, Gizzlok chose the Abomination as his strong, obedient assistant and received the title Chief Engineer of the Forsaken.

Taresa Foxglove sold her wares in Goldshire and received mysterious gold coins from an unseen benefactor before Theo Vess broke into her home during a blizzard. Lilian Voss killed Theo, and Nathanos revealed himself to Taresa, who recognized him as the man who had once saved her.

• Taresa Foxglove sold powder boxes and perfumes in Goldshire and earned three silver coins and twelve copper coins.
• Taresa found a note and an extra gold coin in her hidden cash box, then discovered more gold coins in her home over the next few days.
• Theo Vess broke into Taresa's home during a blizzard and forced liquor into her mouth.
• Lilian Voss killed Theo with a dagger and revealed that she had delivered the gold coins to Taresa.
• Nathanos arrived, told Lilian to dispose of Theo's body, and revealed himself to Taresa as the man who had rescued her from Blackmoore.
• Taresa recognized Nathanos, and he asked her to forget his name and speak with him.

Nathanos and Lilian intercepted the Cult of the Damned’s coffin carrying Rassuvios and Nathanos raised the executed instructor as Forsaken. Rassuvios accepted Nathanos as his master and prepared to train his soldiers in Maraudon.

• Lilian and Nathanos killed the Cult of the Damned acolytes transporting Rassuvios’s corpse toward Naxxramas.
• Nathanos decided to raise Rassuvios to serve the Forsaken and began casting a spell over the corpse.
• Duke Boresh and Earl Remington framed Rassuvios for conspiring with the Scourge, and the authorities sentenced him to hanging.
• Taelan Foxglove witnessed the public condemnation and planned to report Rassuvios’s fate to Nathanos.
• Nathanos raised Rassuvios, who embraced his hatred of his betrayers and pledged to serve Nathanos and train his soldiers.

Belmont and Lilian Voss uncovered North Abraham’s history as a Scourge necromancer and discussed why The Witherer wanted to recruit him. Meanwhile, Nathanos sought out Tirion Fordring and asked about North, leaving their purpose unresolved.

• Belmont and Lilian Voss found North Abraham’s ruined estate and recovered a farmer’s diary describing North’s marriage to Farina and his transformation into a Scourge commander.
• Belmont explained that North had led Lordaeron’s Necromancers’ Association and suggested that his sudden allegiance to the Scourge might have been forced.
• Darian Mograine returned through the Plaguelands after his companions died, reflecting on Tirion Fordring’s advice that love might save his father’s soul.
• Nathanos visited Tirion Fordring at his secluded home, revealed that the Lich King had transformed him but could not control him, and asked about North Abraham.

Nathanos questioned Tirion about North Abraham and learned that North had secretly helped Darian Mograine, while the Scourge prepared to reclaim Ashbringer. Nathanos entered Naxxramas to find North as Kel'Thuzad ordered Farina to imprison the Plaguebringer and his companions waited outside.

• Nathanos urged Tirion to reconnect with his son Taelan and asked him about North Abraham.
• Tirion revealed that North and Heigan had helped spread the plague, and that Farina's pursuit of eternal beauty had led her to the Scourge.
• Tirion told Nathanos that Ashbringer had fallen to the Scourge and hinted that they would attack Light's Hope Chapel to reclaim it, leaving Naxxramas vulnerable.
• Kel'Thuzad discovered that North had secretly helped Darian find his father and ordered Farina to imprison him until Ashbringer was recovered.
• Belmont and Lilian waited outside Naxxramas, debating whether to follow Nathanos inside.
• Nathanos entered the nearly half-empty fortress and went into the Arachnid Quarter, where Farina was known as the Black Widow.

Nathos recalled how Farina seduced him, cursed him, and led him into the service of the Lich King, as he confronted the truth that his powers had not given him what he truly wanted. After another Undead warned him that the Lich King offered only death, Nathos vanished from his imprisonment, and Farina returned to find the Arachnid Quarter strewn with corpses.

• Nathos endured the Arachnid Quarter’s foul stench while waiting for Farina, fearing her control over him and remembering their former intimacy.
• Farina’s arrival rekindled Nathos’s memories of their courtship, marriage, and the night he learned she served a god who promised him power.
• Nathos recalled waking with white hair after accepting the Lich King’s bargain, and recognized that his strength and immortality had not fulfilled his hopes for Lordaeron.
• An unknown Undead told Nathos that the Lich King would give him nothing but death, and Nathos saw that figure where Farina had stood.
• Farina returned after feeding Maexxna and found Cult of the Damned members and spiders dead, while Nathos was missing from his prison.

Nathanos returned to Maraudon and convened the first Wither Council to assess the Forsaken districts and their problems. After the supervisors argued over their own needs, he urged them to cooperate and rely on one another as the Forsaken prepared for the future.

• Nathanos arrived at Wailing Caverns, inspected the harbor and Shadow's End Fortress, and called the district supervisors to a Wither Council.
• Rassuvios reported that the Military District needed an armory, while Belmont said Shadowblade lacked enough spies.
• Veronalara requested varied terrain for Dark Ranger training, and Gizzlok sought permission to recruit Goblin engineers; Nathanos instead authorized him to establish an outside company under strict secrecy rules.
• North Abraham reported that the Alchemy District needed more herbs and alchemy books.
• The supervisors argued over their districts' needs until Nathanos urged them to cooperate, reminding them that the Forsaken could rely only on themselves.

Nathanos led a procession through the Forsaken districts while Belmont delivered intelligence reports from across Azeroth. News of the Gurubashi and Zandalari Trolls pleased Nathanos, who saw an opportunity for the Forsaken to act while the Horde and Alliance were occupied elsewhere.

• Nathanos agreed to appear before the Forsaken and began a procession from the Shadow District to Shadow's End Fortress.
• Belmont reported that spies had found signs of demons beneath Orgrimmar and that Varian had vanished after setting out for Theramore.
• Nathanos suspected Varian's disappearance was not the work of pirates and dismissed the idea of involving the Forsaken in the search.
• Belmont reported that Gurubashi Trolls had appeared in Stranglethorn Vale and that Zandalari Trolls were contacting both factions to deal with them.
• Nathanos welcomed the news and planned to strengthen the Forsaken while the Horde and Alliance turned their attention elsewhere.