Chapter Summaries

Nathanos negotiated with Vol'jin for Forsaken aid in exchange for the Horde avoiding conflict with them after Garrosh's defeat. He then urged Taran Zhu to worry about Garrosh finding Pandaria's hidden evil powers, while the Pandaren arranged to keep Vol'jin's presence secret.

• Nathanos offered Vol'jin Forsaken support against Garrosh in exchange for six months without conflict between the Horde and Forsaken, and Vol'jin questioned what Nathanos stood to gain.
• Nathanos left Vol'jin to persuade his followers to accept the Forsaken's help once he recovered.
• Taran Zhu asked Nathanos about Vol'jin and whether sheltering him would entangle the Pandaren in outside conflicts.
• Nathanos explained how Vol'jin had come to Pandaria, and Taran Zhu arranged to seal off news of his arrival until he healed and left.
• Nathanos warned Taran Zhu that Garrosh was seeking evil powers across Pandaria and might find secrets the Pandaren had hidden.

Taran Zhu and Nathanos learned that Zandalari Trolls had stolen Lei Shen’s body from the Tomb of the Conqueror, threatening to resurrect the Thunder King and reunite the Mogu. Taran Zhu called for the monks to return and prepare for the coming storm.

• Taran Zhu and Nathanos discussed Pandaria’s guarded taboos and the threat posed by Garrosh’s Horde.
• A panicked monk reported that the Tomb of the Conqueror had been robbed and its guards murdered.
• Nathanos recognized a bloodstained Zandalari dagger at the scene, and Taran Zhu realized the Zandalari had taken the Mogu’s greatest treasure.
• Taran Zhu revealed that Lei Shen’s body had been hidden in the tomb and that the Thunder King had taught the Zandalari a secret art of resurrection.
• Taran Zhu ordered every monk summoned back to prepare for the Zandalari and the possible return of Lei Shen.

Nathanos prepared a major assault on the island where the Zandalari and Mogu had taken Lei Shen’s corpse, while Wrathion sought help finding it. In Quel’Thalas, Alleria and Vareesa suspected Garrosh had a hidden objective and considered cooperating with the Alliance, then received a mysterious note that might create an opportunity for contact.

• Tatsel reported that a large Troll fleet and Mogu guarded the island, and Nathanos ordered half the Forsaken fleet and other forces to assemble for an attack.
• Wrathion learned that Nathanos had discovered a spy and ordered his lackey to inform the Kirin Tor and Quel’Thalas while tracking the Order of the Cloud Serpent for Lei Shen’s location.
• Alleria told Vareesa that Garrosh’s true objective might lie beyond the Krasarang Wilds and that Quel’Thalas needed allies, including the Alliance.
• Alleria and Vareesa planned to use Sylvanas’s adjutant Lansber to make contact with Alliance leaders in Pandaria.
• Rommath brought Vareesa a sealed note, and Vareesa suggested that the person in the secret chamber examine it because it might help establish cooperation with the Alliance.

Alleria and Vareesa considered approaching Jaina to build an alliance against Grommash. Nathanos arrived at the Dusk Song and ordered a campaign to Pandaria while preparing a wider war against the Horde.

• Alleria decided that Jaina might help the sisters oppose Grommash, and Vareesa went to find Lansber.
• Belmont questioned whether Nathanos was coming as the Forsaken leaders waited aboard the Dusk Song, while Meryl and Onyxian argued over the Prism of Focus.
• Nathanos arrived and ordered Tatsel, Veronalara, and Onyxian to prepare to go to the Isle of Thunder to seize something he needed.
• Nathanos ordered Belmont to gather military supplies and command forces from Maraudon and Razor Ridge for war.
• Nathanos told Ohan she could pursue her old plan in Feralas and ordered her to offer him Dire Maul.

Nathanos revealed that the Forsaken planned to take back Lordaeron, and Meryl fiercely opposed the invasion. Nathanos dismissed Meryl before revealing the important task he had meant to give him, leaving Meryl determined to stop him.

• Nathanos showed the Eastern Kingdoms map and announced that the Forsaken would take back Lordaeron from the Crimson Crusade.
• Meryl argued that Lordaeron was defensible and that an invasion would devastate its people, while Veronalara supported Nathanos's assessment of the Crusaders.
• Nathanos said he intended to surprise the Crusaders rather than attack the city head-on, and Meryl's anger caused flames to erupt from the map.
• Meryl accused Nathanos of risking innocent lives and said he would watch him to keep him from becoming another Arthas.
• Nathanos said he had planned an important task for Meryl but dismissed him, and Meryl warned that he would find a way to stop the invasion.

Nathanos let Meryl leave after the mage rejected his plans for Lordaeron, while insisting that Meryl’s departure was part of his strategy. In Dalaran, Kalecgos learned that the Prism of Focus and his sister Tethys were in Forsaken hands, then confronted Meryl and discovered the meeting was protected by an anti-magic ward.

• Nathanos told Belmont and Veronalara not to hinder Meryl, explaining that the mage had never considered himself Forsaken and that his departure fit into Nathanos’s plan.
• Kalecgos continued searching for the Prism of Focus and Tethys, reflecting on how the Sunreavers incident had interrupted the investigation and left Rhonin, Khadgar, and Vargoth unable to help.
• Rhonin contacted Kalecgos and revealed that they had learned where the Prism of Focus and Tethys were, prompting Kalecgos to rush to Dalaran.
• Karlain led Kalecgos to the Aerial Courtyard, where Rhonin, Khadgar, and Vargoth were waiting with Meryl Evilwind.
• Meryl told Kalecgos that the Prism of Focus and Tethys were in Forsaken hands and that he was one of the Forsaken; Kalecgos tried to attack, but Khadgar explained that an anti-magic ward prevented him from using his power.

Kalecgos learned that the Forsaken had not masterminded the theft of the Prism of Focus and that his sister Tethys was alive, while Khadgar inferred Nathanos planned to use the artifact to strengthen or replace his body. Meanwhile, Varian accepted Jaina’s proposal to pursue a secret alliance with Alleria against Garrosh, leaving Jaina to prepare for the dangerous mission.

• Meryl told Kalecgos and the Dalaran mages that the Forsaken had prevented the Prism of Focus from being used against Theramore, that Tethys was alive and imprisoned in Maraudon, and that Nathanos would use the artifact soon.
• Khadgar deduced that Nathanos planned to use the Prism of Focus to strengthen or replace his failing body, and warned Kalecgos that Nathanos might have anticipated his attempt to reclaim it.
• Kalecgos sought Dalaran’s diplomatic help, but Rhonin and Khadgar hesitated, so he left alone to pursue the Prism of Focus.
• Lansber delivered Varian a concealed letter from Alleria proposing cooperation between Quel’Thalas and the Alliance to overthrow Garrosh, and explained that Alleria remained in Quel’Thalas rather than Pandaria.
• Jaina urged Varian to accept the proposal and volunteered to lead the mission, arguing that cooperation could end the war sooner and save lives.
• Varian approved Jaina’s mission, promised to intensify Alliance attacks to distract Garrosh, and told her to proceed carefully.

Alleria left for Pandaria to negotiate with the Alliance, leaving Belorell in Quel'Thalas, where Vareesa gave him a mission to inspect the three Rune Stones in the Ghostlands. After finding the first two stones intact and learning they no longer protected the kingdom, Belorell reached Golden Mist Village and discovered it had no sentries.

• Alleria departed for the Isle of Thunder after learning Varian had agreed to cooperate, while Vareesa stayed behind to coordinate with Sylvanas and arrange a preliminary meeting with Jaina's representative.
• Vareesa assigned Belorell to inspect the three Rune Stones and sent him with two Ranger teams; Belorell chose to visit Silvermoon City first to learn about the Ghostlands' defenses.
• Belorell spoke with Orifilos, Marlen, and Frediga in Silvermoon City, then continued to Sun Temple despite Marlen's offer of extra protection.
• At Sun Temple, Vianna explained that the Rune Stones could no longer draw power from the Sunwell, and Belorell found the stone intact but marked by Gul'dan's old damage.
• Belorell inspected the Rune Stone at Moon Temple and traveled toward Golden Mist Village, where he noticed there were no sentries and his Gryphon became restless.

Belorell found Golden Mist Village’s residents and guards unconscious and discovered that the Rune Stone had vanished without a trace. After Vareesa arrived, he concluded that a dragon wielding Sleep Magic was responsible, leaving her questioning why a green dragon would attack them.

• Belorell and Vianna approached Golden Mist Village after a Ranger returned in panic.
• Belorell found the villagers and guards unconscious but unharmed, and the Rangers could not wake them.
• A Ranger reported that the Rune Stone was missing, while the Rangers found no tracks or magical residue.
• Belorell saw trees broken by immense force and sent Vianna to summon Vareesa.
• Vareesa arrived with reinforcements and priests, and Belorell said a dragon that knew Sleep Magic had taken the Rune Stone.
• Vareesa questioned Belorell’s suspicion that a green dragon was responsible, since they had no reason to attack.

Belorell and Vareesa investigated unexplained damage and sleeping villagers in Golden Mist Village, while Onyxian carried the Rune Stone toward Northrend under Nathanos’s orders. As Nathanos approached the Isle of Thunder, he learned that Alliance and Horde forces had joined the battle and realized someone was impersonating the Sin'dorei in the Krasarang Wilds.

• Belorell suggested a dragon had caused the damage near Golden Mist Village, and Vareesa agreed there was not enough evidence to draw a conclusion.
• Vareesa ordered her soldiers and priests to secure the village, then took Belorell back to Silvermoon City without informing Alleria.
• Onyxian told Nathanos he had obtained the Rune Stone and was flying toward Northrend, where Nathanos instructed him to wait for orders before using the Prism of Focus.
• Taran Zhu told Nathanos that Alliance and Horde forces, including elves and people from Theramore, were heading to fight on the Isle of Thunder.
• Nathanos connected the arrival of Alleria and Sylvanas’s departure with the unlikely alliance, then realized someone in the Sin'dorei camp in the Krasarang Wilds was concealing their identity.

Sylvanas met Elisia at Shado-Pan Garrison and revealed she had left Lor'themar to join the Alliance mission to the Isle of Thunder. As Alleria assessed the Troll and Mogu defenses on the island, she ordered an elite aerial assault to establish a foothold.

• Sylvanas arrived at Shado-Pan Garrison and told Elisia that she had warned Lor'themar before slipping away.
• Elisia and Sylvanas exchanged intelligence while flying toward the Isle of Thunder, where they spotted Forsaken ships approaching.
• Alleria surveyed the island and saw a powerful Zandalari Troll army, primal beasts, and Mogu defenses amid the storm.
• Alleria learned that Taran Zhu's monks were trapped behind a barrier and ordered Liadrin to prepare an elite aerial assault.

Nathanos planned to weaken Lei Shen’s forces while bargaining with Bwonsamdi over the souls of Zandalari Trolls. Meanwhile, Tatsel prepared to launch a surprise attack on the Zandalari fleet as reinforcements waited offshore.

• Taran Zhu chose the Lightning Vein Mine as the Order of the Cloud Serpent’s first target, while Tao Ya reported that the Blood Elf fleet was nearby.
• Nathanos told Taran Zhu that his men would attack Zandalari ports and cut off their supply lines, then privately reminded Bwonsamdi of their bargain.
• Bwonsamdi urged Nathanos to hasten the attacks in exchange for the promised reward and warned him that probing death’s secrets was dangerous.
• Tatsel’s seven Undead destroyers approached the Zandalari fleet while Veronalara’s larger force waited offshore for the signal to advance.
• Tatsel ordered his crew to ready the cannons and ballistae, planning to surprise the Zandalari fleet before reinforcements arrived.

Tatsel led the Forsaken fleet in a desperate naval assault against the Zandalari, using a surprise ramming attack to disrupt their encirclement and rescue sailors who had fallen overboard. When Forsaken reinforcements arrived, she ordered the vanguard to retreat into the sea as a cannon barrage struck the battlefield.

• Tatsel used explosive, irritant-filled ballista bolts to scatter the Zandalari pterrordax riders while the Forsaken ships fought against an encircling fleet.
• After Blackfeather sank, Tatsel devised a plan and ordered the Forsaken ships to ram Zandalari vessels near the docks, allowing sailors in the water to rejoin the fight.
• Tatsel joined the close combat, but an Amani Troll knocked her down before a cannonball blasted him away.
• Forsaken reinforcements arrived with more than a dozen warships, and Tatsel ordered the vanguard to jump into the sea and swim toward the main force.
• Five minutes after Tatsel escaped the battlefield, the reinforcements fired a barrage of cannonballs.

After the Forsaken seized Stormsea Landing, Veronalara led a small force to join Taran Zhu and the Order of the Cloud Serpent. They prepared to attack the courtyard before the Throne of Thunder to stop Shan'bu from resurrecting Narax.

• Veronalara learned the Forsaken had lost nine warships while sinking the Zandalari fleet and taking the beach.
• Tatsel told Veronalara that Nathanos had limited the force advancing inland to no more than a hundred troops to avoid appearing to threaten Pandaria.
• A scout reported that the Order of the Cloud Serpent was hiding in a secluded cave, and Veronalara led a little over thirty Forsaken to assist them.
• Veronalara told Taran Zhu that the Forsaken had taken Stormsea Landing and cut the Zandalari supply line, while assuring him they would not start a war in Pandaria.
• Taran Zhu explained that Shan'bu was trying to resurrect the ancient Cloud Serpent Narax, and Veronalara agreed to follow the Order's command in the coming battle.

Alleria's forces joined the Alliance and the Order of the Cloud Serpent outside the Mogu Courtyard, where Shan'bu's ambush and awakened colossi turned the confrontation into a battle. With Troll reinforcements approaching, Taran Zhu entered the reopened palace gates and discovered something that left him stunned.

• Elisia told Alleria that a small Forsaken force led by a hooded female Dark Ranger had joined the Order of the Cloud Serpent, and Alleria ordered her troops not to attack the Alliance.
• Shan'bu opened the courtyard gates, taunted Taran Zhu, then withdrew and ordered Zandalari Trolls to ambush the Alliance and Horde.
• Taran Zhu fought the Trolls as two Mogu colossi awakened, and Jaina and the other Mages brought them down by concentrating their spells on their heads.
• A Monk warned that Zandalari reinforcements were approaching, so Taran Zhu asked Alleria and Jaina to hold them off while he went after Shan'bu.
• Veronalara and the Forsaken joined Taran Zhu as Tao Ya opened the palace gates, and Taran Zhu ran inside and stared in disbelief.

Taran Zhu and his allies fought Shan'bu's Troll guards but failed to stop him from resurrecting Narax the Cloud Serpent. Shan'bu nearly killed Taran Zhu, but Veronalara struck him down with a shortsword, leaving the wounded Pandaren alive.

• Taran Zhu led his allies into battle against Shan'bu's Trolls while Shan'bu continued his resurrection ritual behind a protective barrier.
• Narax awakened and flew out of the courtyard after Shan'bu ordered it to protect the Thunder King.
• Taran Zhu challenged Shan'bu and fought the Mogu warlord, but Shan'bu seized him by the throat and crushed his neck.
• Veronalara reached Taran Zhu and killed Shan'bu with a shortsword as Aria Sunspeaker healed the injured Pandaren.

After Shan'bu's defeat, the Alliance and Horde withdrew while Alleria and Veronalara spoke about Nathanos, who was secretly on the island. Veronalara realized he had returned to the Mogu Courtyard, where he stood over Shan'bu's corpse.

• Taran Zhu, badly wounded, left the Mogu Courtyard with Yalia while Tao Ya stayed behind.
• Veronalara concealed the shortsword she had taken from Shan'bu and learned that the Alliance and Horde were talking outside.
• Veronalara told Alleria that Nathanos was on the island, then led the Forsaken back toward the harbor as Jaina ordered the Alliance to withdraw.
• Veronalara dismissed the Forsaken and ran back to the courtyard, suspecting Nathanos had gone there and recognizing his weapon in the shortsword.
• Nathanos stood atop Shan'bu's corpse and looked up at the palace.

Nathanos ordered Veronalara and Tatsel to secretly encircle the Alliance and Horde camps while their forces attacked the Throne of Thunder. He then faced Lei Shen, who recognized him from a dream, and began questioning the Thunder King's forgotten origins.

• Nathanos told Veronalara that the Forsaken would stay out of the assault on Lei Shen and secretly encircle the Alliance and Horde camps instead.
• Veronalara questioned Nathanos's motives, but he rebuked her and ordered her to obey.
• Nathanos waited in the courtyard where Shan'bu had resurrected Narax as Lei Shen arrived and destroyed Shan'bu's corpse with lightning.
• Nathanos and Lei Shen discussed their shared dream and the Thunder King's fading kingdom.
• Nathanos recounted the records of Thunder Peak and the Mogu ancestor who had lived there, prompting Lei Shen to remember a pivotal event from his past.

Nathanos revealed that Lei Shen's power came from a secret beneath the Throne of Thunder, then summoned Onyxian to bring the Prism of Focus and his bloodline. Elsewhere, Darion Mograine rejected Meryl's plea to defend Lordaeron but agreed with Sylvanas that the Ebon Blade should monitor Nathanos; Alleria learned that the Rune Stone had vanished from Quel'Thalas and feared it could be used to transform Ogres.

• Nathanos confronted Lei Shen with the history of Thunder Peak and claimed he possessed something more valuable than the Thunder King's power.
• Lei Shen struck Nathanos with lightning, but Nathanos re-formed from mist and ordered Onyxian to bring the Prism of Focus and his bloodline.
• Meryl urged Darion Mograine to stop the Forsaken from taking Lordaeron, but Darion rejected him and forced him to leave Ebon Hold.
• Sylvanas persuaded Darion to monitor Nathanos after the Lordaeron operation, and Darion asked who should carry out the task.
• Alleria learned from Vareesa's letter that the Rune Stone had disappeared from Quel'Thalas, and Aethas warned that it might be used to transform Ogres.

Alleria and Sylvanas led an Alliance-Sin'dorei assault toward Lei Shen's palace while Kalecgos abandoned his attempt to rescue Tethys after sensing the Prism of Focus moving toward Pandaria. The chapter ended with Onyxian arriving to help Nathanos face Narax outside the Throne of Thunder.

• Alleria rejected Liadrin's concerns and prepared to lead an elite force against Lei Shen alongside Jaina and her sister.
• Kalecgos infiltrated the Forsaken base, fought off aerial patrols, and turned toward Pandaria after sensing the Prism of Focus.
• Onyxian carried the Prism of Focus and other items toward his father, anticipating Kalecgos's pursuit and preparing for battle.
• Sylvanas commanded the Alliance-Horde force as it captured the Mogu Courtyard and advanced toward Lei Shen's palace.
• Nathanos cleared space for a ritual as Narax blocked the palace entrance, and Onyxian arrived to strike the Cloud Serpent.