Chapter Summaries

Meryl Dongfeng traveled to Theramore after Aegwynn summoned him, and she asked him to join a secret Undead faction in Kalimdor, the Forsaken. Meanwhile, Nathanos planned a Forsaken assault on Razor Ridge to kill the Scourge lich Ayalnar, while the Red Dragon Christalyssa investigated signs of extinguished life in Kalimdor.

• Meryl crossed Dusty Swamp and arrived unseen at Theramore, where Aegwynn greeted him and asked him to join another Undead faction in Kalimdor.
• Aegwynn told Meryl that the Forsaken's leader was central to her request and prepared to explain his story.
• Nathanos announced that the Forsaken would target Razor Ridge, and Rassuvios questioned the operation until Nathanos revealed the Scourge had infiltrated the Wildkin home.
• Christalyssa searched Kalimdor for the source of a life flame's extinction and found an abandoned village near Wailing Caverns.
• Belmont identified Ayalnar as a lich enslaving Razor Ridge's Wildkin, and Nathanos assigned the Dark Rangers to attack the lich while Rassuvios and the Terror Guards cleared the thorn forest.

Sylvanas resisted the mana crystals Alleria had sent and told Vareesa that she intended to attack Dalsom to avenge Nathanos. Vareesa warned Alleria, who reacted with fury and grief before leaving her alone in the study.

• Sylvanas fought her Fel Addiction and refused to use the crystals Alleria had sent her.
• Vareesa visited Sylvanas, who accused Alleria of killing Nathanos and warned that an arrow was watching her.
• Alleria showed Belorell the Windrunner family emblem while Halduron and Brightwing accompanied them.
• Vareesa told Alleria that Sylvanas planned to gather supporters and attack Dalsom, blaming Dath'Remar for Nathanos's death.
• Alleria cried that Nathanos had been hers, then left the study as Vareesa lamented the sisters' grief.

Sylvanas confronted Alleria in the Sunstrider Royal Court over her plan to attack Dalsom and kill Dath'Remar. Alleria begged her to stay, but Sylvanas remained determined to avenge Nathanos, even if she died.

• Sylvanas stopped a Sin'dorei guard from indulging in magic and reminded him to keep his use balanced.
• Sylvanas confronted Rommath and Lor'themar, defending her recruitment and purchases as voluntary followers and personal spending.
• Alleria appeared and questioned Sylvanas's plan to attack Dalsom with only a hundred followers against thousands.
• Alleria dismissed Rommath and Lor'themar and pleaded with Sylvanas to stay, revealing their conflict over Nathanos's death.
• Sylvanas rejected Alleria's appeal and vowed to kill Dath'Remar, seek revenge against Arthas, and keep her promise to Nathanos even if she died.

Sylvanas rejected Alleria’s attempt to stop her, returned to the Ghostlands, and led a force toward Dalsom to kill Dath'Remar. Dath'Remar learned that Elves had breached the city gates and believed his forces had surrounded them.

• Sylvanas refused Alleria’s offer of aid, surrendered her Windrunner insignia, and left to pursue her own battle.
• Alleria ordered a Spellbreaker to fetch the Ranger-General after Sylvanas departed.
• Sylvanas found a hidden journal and a new parchment at Morningstar Tower, with runes mentioning anomalies, Lordaeron, the Plaguelands, and incitement to defect.
• Sylvanas confirmed to her soldiers that she intended to kill Dath'Remar, then led them south toward Dalsom.
• Dath'Remar investigated reports of a force inciting Undead to defect and learned that Elves had broken through Dalsom’s gates.

Alleria and Sylvanas fought Dath'Remar, but Alleria killed him first and Sylvanas later slipped away to investigate his unfinished letter. At the Plaguelands outpost, Sylvanas found evidence that Nathanos was still alive and set out to reach him before Alleria could.

• Dath'Remar attacked the Rangers, but Alleria and Sylvanas confronted him, and Alleria killed him with an arrow before Sylvanas could claim the victory.
• Alleria ordered the forces to retreat, while Sylvanas secretly kept Dath'Remar's unfinished letter.
• Days later, Sylvanas traveled to the Plaguelands to investigate the letter's reference to an ambushed Elf outpost.
• At Razor Ridge, Nathanos spared Amnennar's phylactery so the Forsaken could question the lich about the Scourge, then prepared an ambush when scouts reported an Undead visitor and a dragon.
• Sylvanas found Nathanos's handwriting at the outpost and realized he might still be alive; she destroyed the message and burned the outpost to hide her discovery.

Nathanos met the ancient mage Meryl Dongfeng, who warned that the Forsaken’s attacks had drawn the attention of Alexstrasza through the captive Red Dragon Christalyssa. Nathanos took Christalyssa aside and revealed that he had once captured Grot and saved her from him.

• Nathanos recognized Christalyssa and questioned the hooded Undead mage holding her captive.
• Meryl revealed himself as Meryl Dongfeng and questioned Nathanos about the War of the Ancients and the Forsaken’s place in history.
• Meryl warned that the Forsaken’s assault on Razor Ridge had drawn attention and said Christalyssa could reveal their existence to the world.
• Nathanos asked to speak with Christalyssa alone and revealed the Forsaken hidden in the thorn forest.
• Nathanos removed his hood and told Christalyssa that he had captured Grot and saved her.

Meryl tested Nathanos’s character and learned that the Forsaken hoped to recruit powerful mages. After reaching an agreement with Nathanos, Christalyssa returned to the Crimson Bastion, still uncertain what to tell Alexstrasza.

• Meryl concluded that Nathanos had passed his test by sparing Christalyssa and not deceiving her.
• Nathanos told Meryl that he had reached an agreement with Christalyssa and that the Forsaken did not yet have powerful mages.
• Meryl hinted that he wanted to join the Forsaken, and Nathanos realized he needed to announce the news to the others.
• Christalyssa recalled Nathanos’s explanation that the Forsaken sought revenge on the Scourge and did not represent death.
• Christalyssa arrived near the Crimson Bastion and considered how to report what had happened to Alexstrasza.

Nathanos convened the Wither Council to discuss the threat of Haka and organize the Forsaken’s expansion, businesses, alchemy, military training, and armory. After assigning Meryl to interrogate King Ayalnar, Nathanos heard Belmont’s secret intelligence that the Orc Shaman Regar Earthfury possessed something of great interest.

• Belmont reported that the Hakkarai had summoned Haka in Zul'Gurub, where the Alliance, Horde, and Zandalari were moving to stop him.
• Nathanos ordered Belmont to extend the Forsaken’s influence among the Alliance and Horde while Gizzlok established the Venture Company and Nathos began forming the Alchemist Association.
• Nathanos ordered Veronalara’s Dark Rangers to train with Fleet Commander Tatsel and said he would personally seek a master weaponsmith for the armory.
• Rassuvios and Veronalara argued over who should interrogate King Ayalnar, so Nathanos assigned the task to Meryl, who also agreed to train Forsaken mages.
• After the council adjourned, Belmont privately told Nathanos that their Horde spy had reported an Orc Shaman named Regar Earthfury possessed something that would interest him.

Nathanos entered the Valley of Trials disguised as a gladiator to investigate whether the famed human fighter Lo'gosh was Varian Wrynn. He defeated Broll, then faced Broll’s teammate Valishgunar, who vowed to kill him.

• Regar told his gladiators that their next opponent was a lone Undead who had killed an adult Thunder Lizard, and sent Broll to fight first.
• Nathanos learned from Belmont that the gladiator Lo'gosh might be Varian Wrynn and decided to confirm it himself.
• Broll attacked Nathanos in panther and bear forms, but Nathanos parried his blows and dislocated his hand in human form.
• Valishgunar stepped forward as the next challenger and promised to send Nathanos to the grave.

Nathanos defeated Valeera in the arena after a fierce duel, then spared her when she refused to surrender. Valeera conceded, but smiled when Nathanos said he still had another match to prepare for.

• Gizzlok doubled the stakes on Nathanos's match despite Tartuk warning him that Valeera was a skilled rogue.
• Valeera attacked Nathanos after he provoked her, but he disarmed her and held a blade to her throat.
• Nathanos offered Valeera another chance, and she wounded him before he caught her daggers and pinned her down.
• Nathanos released Valeera and spared her, and she reluctantly conceded the match.
• Valeera smiled when Nathanos mentioned his next match and warned him he would not be so lucky again.

Nathanos faced Lo'gosh in the arena to confirm whether the human was Varian, and tested him through their duel. By sunrise, Nathanos had recognized the technique he had sought, though the chapter left the battle's outcome unstated.

• Gizzlok reported that Lo'gosh was a human warrior with a record of twenty-three consecutive victories, but he could not learn what the man looked like.
• Nathanos instructed Gizzlok to continue their plan with slight changes after he noticed something outside the tent.
• Nathanos met Lo'gosh in the arena and recognized his face as possibly belonging to Varian.
• Lo'gosh attacked Nathanos with dual blades and a thrown spear, but Nathanos used a broken sword to block and slash him in one motion.
• Nathanos resumed fighting Lo'gosh to confirm his swordsmanship, recalling a Prince who had trained with a younger companion in Lordaeron.
• Nathanos and Lo'gosh fought until sunrise, when their battle finally ended.

Giznok negotiated with Regar Earthfury to exchange his Undead gladiator for gold and two of Regar’s gladiators, Lo'gosh and Broll. After arranging the trade at an oasis in The Barrens, Giznok returned to report to The Witherer.

• Giznok met Regar Earthfury in the valley, where Regar offered one thousand gold coins for Giznok’s Undead gladiator.
• Giznok countered with five hundred gold coins and two of Regar’s gladiators, Lo'gosh and Broll.
• Regar agreed to the deal and gave Giznok a map marking their exchange site at an oasis in The Barrens.
• Giznok considered killing Regar to take all three gladiators but held back because The Witherer had forbidden it and Regar might guide the Forsaken to their next target.
• Giznok headed back to report the arrangement to The Witherer.

Nathanos arranged a secret exchange at Stagnant Oasis and sent his captives toward Dire Maul, while Ghan'gala received a vision of an ancient city and an overwhelming insect swarm. Ghan'gala resolved to warn the High Chieftain and the Night Elves as Nathanos's wagon continued south.

• Nathanos ordered Gizzlok to message Meryl and have Belmont spread rumors through spies in the Eastern Kingdoms, then asked whether Gizzlok had heard of Dire Maul.
• Ghan'gala performed a ritual and saw a desert filled with Night Elf ruins, strange crystals, insect eggs, and a vast swarm emerging from an ancient city.
• Ghan'gala understood that his vision warned of danger and decided to tell the High Chieftain and the Night Elves.
• Nathanos traveled from Stagnant Oasis in an iron cage wagon with Valishgunar, who questioned him about his plans and the captured Lo'gosh and Broll.
• Nathanos and Valishgunar continued through the night toward the next arena, Dire Maul.

Nas’s patrol found an unconscious man outside Theramore, while Broll Bearskin woke with his memories erased and headed toward Ashenvale. Meryl told Gizzlok that Nathanos was going to Dire Maul to meet one of the Twelve Withered Swords, an organization with only two members so far.

• Nas led his patrol beyond Theramore’s jurisdiction and ordered his men to bring an unconscious, scarred man back to the city.
• Broll Bearskin awoke in the mountains with blurred memories, then left for Ashenvale, Felwood, and Darkshore.
• Gizzlok and Meryl watched Broll depart and confirmed that Meryl had erased his memories of Nathanos after Broll recognized The Witherer from the War of the Ancients.
• Meryl explained that Nathanos had no intention of seizing Dire Maul and planned to meet someone there in its arena.
• Meryl told Gizzlok that the Twelve Withered Swords were Nathanos’s secretly chosen warriors and that only two had been selected so far.
• Meryl teleported to Maraudon, leaving Gizzlok alone to wonder who the second sword was.

At the Dire Maul arena, Nathanos watched an unknown female orc defeat a Naga with swift, human-style swordsmanship. After fighting his own arena matches, he slipped away to meet a woman waiting beneath an oak in Feralas, where she knelt before him.

• Nathanos discussed the arena and his doubts about the Forsaken with Valeera as they watched the opening beast fight.
• A female orc wielding a Greatsword swiftly killed a Naga, and Valeera recognized her swordsmanship as human in style.
• Nathanos and Valeera fought a Furbolg and an Ogre in their own arena matches.
• While Valeera drew Regar's attention, Nathanos left Dire Maul and found a woman waiting beneath an oak in Feralas; she knelt as he approached.

Nathanos reunited with Ohan in Dire Maul and discussed using the city as a future Forsaken base. He ordered Ohan to prevent both the Horde and Alliance from taking control of Feralas by keeping Shandris’s Night Elves at bay without destroying them.

• Ohan recognized Nathanos, reaffirmed her loyalty, and explained that Thrall had made her High Warlord.
• Ohan said she had recruited most of the Stonemace Ogres and offered to give Nathanos control of Dire Maul.
• Nathanos refused to occupy Dire Maul for now because its conspicuous location could expose the Forsaken.
• Ohan told Nathanos that Shandris Feathermoon and a well-equipped Sentinel force had established a fortress in Feralas.
• Nathanos ordered Ohan to keep the Night Elves from taking Dire Maul while ensuring neither the Alliance nor the Horde gained control of Feralas.
• Ohan accepted the mission and declared that Shandris’s arrows could not bring her down.

Belmont confronted Meryl over Nathanos’s disappearance, but Meryl said Nathanos would return after meeting someone. Elsewhere, Fandral Staghelm awoke from a nightmare of Valstann’s death and looked upon Teldrassil with hatred.

• Belmont accused Meryl and Gizzlok of being involved in Nathanos’s disappearance, while Meryl refused to reveal where Nathanos had gone.
• Veronalara intervened and learned that Nathanos had vanished while only Meryl and Gizzlok were with him.
• Belmont said he had three urgent pieces of intelligence to report, including one that might affect Razor Ridge, and stormed off.
• Meryl told Veronalara that Nathanos needed someone like her more than he needed Belmont.
• Fandral relived the memory of Rajaxx tearing Valstann in half during the War of the Shifting Sands.
• Fandral awoke in Darkshore and hated the sight of Teldrassil, which reminded him of Rajaxx and his son’s death.

Nathanos learned that the Alliance and Horde might unite to send an expedition to Silithus after Qiraji appeared there. He ordered Gizzlok recalled and scouts reinforced, recognizing that the Forsaken’s territory lay near the potential conflict.

• At Dire Maul, the Forsaken vanished after defeating a Worgen, and Regar questioned Valeera about whether the Undead had said anything strange.
• Nathanos returned to the Undead Fortress and reflected on the Forsaken’s defenses and their plans for Maraudon.
• Belmont reported that a black dragon had abducted Prince Anduin King Wrynn from Stormwind City.
• Belmont told Nathanos that Qiraji had appeared in Silithus and that the Alliance and Horde might form an expeditionary force against them.
• Nathanos ordered Gizzlok recalled and additional scouts stationed in the Stonetalon Mountains and The Barrens.

Nathanos convened the Wither Council to address the possibility that Alliance and Horde forces would cross Forsaken territory on their way to Silithus. He decided to steer the armies toward Feralas so work at Razor Ridge could continue, and set Shadowfang Keep as the Forsaken’s next target.

• Nathanos told the Wither Council that the Horde and Alliance might form a joint army to confront the threat in Silithus.
• Gizzlok asked whether the Forsaken should halt construction at Razor Ridge, while Meryl warned that the Qiraji threat could force the armies to move quickly.
• Belmont identified a land route through the Barrens, Mulgore, and Feralas that would let the armies avoid Forsaken territory.
• Nathanos pointed out a Night Elf port west of Feralas and decided to send Belmont there with a letter to draw the armies onto that route.
• Nathanos ordered the Forsaken to continue all work and named Shadowfang Keep as their next target.

Veronalara learned that Nathanos had chosen her to command the assault on Shadowfang Keep, while Thrall weighed the Horde’s claim to lead the allied army against the Qiraji. Nathanos explained the fortress’s strategic value and left Veronalara preparing to lead the campaign.

• Belmont told Veronalara that Nathanos had ordered her to command the battle for Shadowfang Keep with the Dark Rangers.
• Thrall learned that Theramore would provide supplies but no troops, while the Night Elves had promised more than a thousand soldiers.
• Thrall and Eitrigg discussed the allied army’s commander, and Eitrigg argued that Varok Saurfang should lead instead of Fandral Staghelm.
• Veronalara questioned Nathanos about choosing her for the assault, and he explained Shadowfang Keep’s value for naval operations, espionage, and raids.
• Veronalara apologized to Nathanos for questioning his judgment.