Chapter Summaries

Karin told Khadgar and Kel'Thuzad that Krasus was a red dragon and proposed attacking Grim Batol while the Horde was occupied in Hillsbrad. He then called on Kurdran Wildhammer to gather Gryphon Riders and revealed that they were heading for the red dragons’ lair.

• Karin left Krasus's White Tower with Khadgar and Kel'Thuzad and took them to a secluded room at The Pig and the Whistle.
• Karin explained that Krasus was a red dragon who wanted help rescuing the Red Dragon Queen, and he agreed to attack Grim Batol.
• Karin shared an additional plan with Khadgar and Kel'Thuzad, who both agreed to join it.
• Kurdran brought Jaina a gryphon egg and then went to Karin's study when summoned.
• Karin told Kurdran to select loyal Gryphon Riders and revealed that they were going to Grim Batol.

Orgrim Doomhammer faced mounting losses and daily Alliance air raids, so he ordered Cho'gall to seek the black dragons' help. Meanwhile, Karin Sunfury led a covert squad toward Grim Batol, where he planned to exploit Deathwing's interests to infiltrate the stronghold within three days.

• Dwarven gryphon riders bombed the Horde camp, worsening its supply problems and slowing its northern advance.
• Eitrigg suggested withdrawing to Khaz Modan, but Orgrim rejected the retreat and ordered Cho'gall to contact the black dragons near Grim Batol.
• Kurdran Wildhammer guided Karin Sunfury's mixed squad through former Bronzebeard lands, and Karin ordered them to hide in a forest until nightfall.
• Kel'Thuzad placed protective magic around the camp while Arugal scouted and Ruin prevented Khadgar from lighting a fire.
• Karin concluded that Deathwing had helped the orcs find the Dragon Soul and planned to use the black dragon's interest in Grim Batol to infiltrate it within three days.

Krasus gathered three powerful red dragons to infiltrate Blackrock Mountain and capture Nefarian in hopes of forcing Deathwing to release the Red Dragon Queen. They reached Nefarian’s lair, where they found the wounded Vaelastrasz and confronted Nefarian.

• Korialstrasz told Caelestrasz, Nostrastrasz, and Tederastrasz that he had failed to reach the Red Dragon Queen at Grim Batol and proposed capturing Nefarian as leverage against Deathwing.
• The four red dragons found and destroyed the Orb of Command in Blackrock Spire, then used it to enter a hall inside Blackrock Mountain.
• The disguised dragons killed the black dragonkin Razorgore after he challenged them.
• Krasus found Vaelastrasz gravely wounded beside Nefarian and recognized that Nefarian had tortured him.
• Krasus confronted Nefarian, who transformed into a black dragon and realized he faced five red dragons.

Karin’s party waited for the black dragons to leave before setting out to attack Grim Batol. At Blackwing Lair, Deathwing arrived in time to rescue Nefarian from the red dragons, then realized Grim Batol had been left vulnerable.

• Karin spotted black dragons flying south and ordered his party to prepare to strike Grim Batol once they had passed.
• Nefarian was cornered by Krasus and the other red dragons, who demanded his surrender and planned to exchange him for Alexstrasza.
• Onyxia arrived to help Nefarian, and Deathwing soon joined them.
• Nefarian summoned Chromaggus, but Deathwing defeated the red dragons and offered them to Nefarian as experimental subjects.
• Deathwing realized that the attack on Blackwing Lair had been a distraction and that Grim Batol was under threat.

Karin led a group of mages and Wildhammer dwarves into Grim Batol through a secret tunnel while a diversion attacked the main gate. As Zuluhed learned of the invasion and went to move Nekros and his artifact, Karin’s group pressed deeper into the city to find their target before Deathwing returned.

• After the group killed a black dragon that had raised the alarm, Karin sent Ruin and Arugal with mages and gryphon riders to attack Grim Batol’s main gate while he led the others into a secret entrance with Kurdran.
• Kel'Thuzad silenced an approaching orc patrol with magic, and Khadgar moved the corpses out of sight.
• The attack at the main gate drew Grim Batol’s red dragons and Dragonmaw warriors away from the city’s interior.
• A scout told Zuluhed that humans and dwarves had attacked the gate and some had infiltrated Grim Batol, so Zuluhed ordered forces to defend the entrance.
• Worried that the intruders might reach Nekros and his artifact, Zuluhed headed deeper into Grim Batol to move them.

Karin’s group outmaneuvered the Dragonmaw Clan, stole the Dragon Soul, and freed Alexstrasza. The chapter ended with Karin holding the artifact and asking the All-Knowing Eye to examine it.

• Zuluhed rushed to warn Nekros that humans and dwarves had entered Grim Batol, but Nekros trusted the Dragon Soul and Tiranastasz to protect him.
• Khadgar appeared from invisibility and took the Dragon Soul from Nekros, prompting Tiranastasz to burn Nekros and nearly all his subordinates to ashes.
• Zuluhed realized the intruders had deceived him and ordered the Dragonmaw Clan to retreat.
• Karin explained that his group had disguised themselves as orcs and tricked Zuluhed into leading Khadgar to Nekros.
• Khadgar passed the Dragon Soul to Karin as Alexstrasza was freed, and Karin asked the All-Knowing Eye to examine the artifact.

Karin used the Dragon Soul to subdue Alexstrasza and the red dragons, then confronted the Red Dragon Queen over the deaths caused by her offspring. As he anticipated the arrival of Deathwing, Naxxramas appeared in the sky.

• Karin learned from the All-Knowing Eye that the Dragon Soul could subdue dragons but would not corrupt mortals, then used it to weaken Tiranastasz and the red dragons.
• Alexstrasza begged Karin to stop, but he accused her of allowing the orcs to use her offspring to kill his people and a dear friend.
• Ansirem Runeweaver killed a young red dragon who tried to defend Alexstrasza, and Karin smashed a red dragon egg in front of the queen.
• Karin dismissed Alexstrasza's warnings about the other Dragon Aspects and predicted that Deathwing would appear.
• Khadgar heard something approaching, and Kel'Thuzad identified it as Naxxramas.

Karin refused Alexstrasza’s warning and remained determined to avenge Derek and obtain the Dragon Soul. As Naxxramas hovered over Grim Batol, Deathwing arrived and confronted Karin, who revealed that he knew the black dragon’s scheme was aimed at the dragon eggs.

• Karin recalled Derek’s death and resolved to punish the red dragons responsible, despite Alexstrasza’s threat.
• Naxxramas hovered above Grim Batol while the defeated Dragonmaw Clan fled toward the Wetlands and red dragons remained trapped near the city.
• Kel’Thuzad teleported the human mages onto Naxxramas, where Ansirem Runeweaver, Arugal, and Khadgar marveled at the floating fortress.
• Alexstrasza emerged from Grim Batol and faced Deathwing, who admitted the orcs had acted on his orders.
• Karin spoke to Deathwing from Naxxramas and said he knew Deathwing wanted the dragon eggs.

Deathwing threatened Alexstrasza’s dragon eggs and captured red dragons to force her to surrender them, while Karin tried to prevent a battle. The chapter ended with Karin bringing the Eye of Dalaran close to the Dragon Soul, forcing Deathwing and Alexstrasza to confront the danger of both artifacts being destroyed.

• Deathwing revealed that he intended to steal Alexstrasza’s eggs to replenish the Black Dragonflight and threatened Korialstrasz and three of her other offspring.
• Karin offered to broker a compromise, but Alexstrasza and Deathwing both rejected his proposal.
• Onyxia flew toward Karin’s Floating City, but he raised the Eye of Dalaran and made her retreat.
• Kel'Thuzad explained that Karin had been chosen as the Council of Six’s future successor, granting him the right to use the Eye of Dalaran.
• Karin brought the Eye close to the Dragon Soul, and Deathwing and Alexstrasza shouted for him to stop as they realized the explosion could destroy the dragons and eggs nearby.

Karin used the threat of the Dragon Soul and the Eye of Dalaran to force Deathwing and Alexstrasza into a compromise over the Red Dragon eggs. He then demanded that Deathwing release the captured Red Dragons, leaving the exchange unresolved.

• Karin considered how to keep Deathwing from falling under the Old Gods’ control and recognized that the arcanite bars holding Deathwing together could be shattered with an Unlock spell.
• Deathwing weighed the threat to the Dragon Soul and the survival of the Black Dragonflight, then agreed to leave with his kin if Alexstrasza gave him her Dragon Eggs.
• Karin asked Alexstrasza to choose, and she agreed to hand the Dragon Eggs to Neltharion to protect her family and flight.
• Karin demanded that Deathwing release the captured Red Dragons, suggesting Alexstrasza exchange her Dragon Eggs for them.

After Deathwing handed over the dragon eggs and revealed that the Burning Legion was behind the orcs, Karin refused Alexstrasza’s appeal and used the Dragon Soul to punish the red dragons who had fought for the Horde. He allowed the surviving dragons to live near Grim Batol, but required them to supply flames as energy for the Floating City and future machines.

• Deathwing returned the six dragon eggs to Alexstrasza, then warned that the Burning Legion was present among the orcs and departed with the Black Dragonflight.
• Alexstrasza urged Karin to put down or destroy the Dragon Soul, while Krasus and Tiranastasz argued that the red dragons had acted under threat.
• Karin rejected their pleas, ordered Ruin to kill every red dragon that had fought for the Horde, and gained the support of Ansirem Runeweaver and Kurdran.
• Karin had the red dragons’ heads cut off for transport to Quel'Thalas, Dalaran, and Aerie Peak.
• Karin promised the surviving red dragons freedom and food near Grim Batol, but demanded that they provide flames to power the Floating City and future machines under the Dragon Soul’s watch.

After the Black Dragons destroyed the Horde’s Wetlands outposts, Orgrim Doomhammer faced mounting defeats, war-weariness, and a nearly trapped army. Drek'Thar arrived with news that the Frostwolf Clan had survived and had saved Durotan’s infant son, Go'el.

• Black Dragons burned the Horde’s peons and outposts in the Wetlands, and Eitrigg told Orgrim Doomhammer that Cho'gall had lost contact with the dragon.
• Varok Saurfang warned Orgrim that Grommash, Kilrogg, Kargath, and other clan chieftains wanted to know how the Horde would continue the war as its warriors grew weary.
• Orgrim studied the map and realized the Horde was trapped in the Hillsbrad Foothills, with its Wetlands base destroyed and the Alterac Mountains blocking its retreat.
• Eitrigg brought Drek'Thar to Orgrim, who recognized his old friend and learned that the Frostwolf Clan had survived beyond the mountains.
• Drek'Thar told Orgrim that the Frostwolf Clan had suffered heavy losses but had saved Durotan’s son, Go'el.

The Horde launched a desperate assault on Thoradin’s Wall, forcing the Alliance to rush to defend it. Kilrogg Deadeye continued the attack despite devastating losses, buying time for the Warchief’s operation as the battle intensified.

• Anduin Lothar ordered the Alliance army to pursue the Horde and join Stromgarde at Thoradin’s Wall, while Hass and Alterac’s army stayed near the Alterac Mountains.
• Fandral Staghelm Stormpike and King Thoradin Trollbane led the wall’s defenders as the Horde advanced through cannon and rifle fire without slowing.
• Thoradin spotted Lothar’s approaching forces, while Kilrogg Deadeye ordered Kargath Bladefist and Mug’thol to delay the Alliance troops behind the Horde.
• After learning that several clan chieftains and their forces had been lost, Kilrogg committed the Bleeding Hollow Clan to the assault to buy time for the Warchief’s operation.

Thoradin Trollbane killed Kilrogg Deadeye during the fighting at Thoradin’s Wall, while Anduin Lothar realized the Horde was using the battle to hold the Alliance in place. Orgrim Doomhammer led the Horde’s hidden army through the Alterac Mountains toward Lordaeron for a final attack.

• Kilrogg Deadeye fought Thoradin Trollbane atop Thoradin’s Wall after the Bleeding Hollow Clan’s assault was driven back.
• Thoradin wounded Kilrogg and ran him through, but Fandral Staghelm Stormpike shot the dying chieftain before he could strike again.
• Anduin Lothar suspected the Horde was trading lives for time and ordered Turalyon to warn Hass to watch the Alterac Mountains.
• Led by Drek’Thar’s Frostwolf Clan, the Blackrock and Warsong clans crossed the snowy mountains and reached Lake Lordamere.
• Orgrim Doomhammer urged the Horde army to seize Lordaeron and plant its battle standard in the heart of the Alliance.

King Terenas learned that the Horde had reached Lordaeron after crossing the Alterac Mountains, and he went to the walls to steady the city’s inexperienced defenders. As Orgrim ordered the death knights to kill Terenas, Talon Bloodmaw’s group debated how to reach him, and a female death knight volunteered to try.

• Terenas received Mollef’s warning that the Horde had reached Lake Lordamere and was approaching Lordaeron.
• Terenas went to the city walls, saw the Horde army, and drew his sword as Mollef urged him to raise the defenders’ morale.
• Orgrim spotted Terenas on the wall and ordered the death knights to eliminate him before the Horde attacked.
• Talon Bloodmaw discussed how to kill Terenas with his subordinates, and a female death knight volunteered to make an attempt.

The Horde attacked Lordaeron, and King Terenas died when an Infernal struck the city wall. As fear weakened the defenders, Grommash Hellscream led the Warsong Clan onto the wall and raised a Horde banner.

• A messenger informed Anduin Lothar that the Horde had crossed the Alterac Mountains and was advancing on Lordaeron, so Lothar ordered the Alliance cavalry to ride there at full speed.
• King Terenas rallied Lordaeron's defenders and refused to leave the wall as the Horde began its assault.
• An Infernal landed on the wall and engulfed Terenas in flames, killing him before the defenders could destroy it.
• The Death Knights' skeletal steeds spread fear among Lordaeron's soldiers, while Grommash Hellscream climbed the wall despite being burned by boiling oil.
• Grommash killed the warrior who poured oil on him and planted a scarlet Horde banner atop the wall.

After the Horde broke through Lordaeron’s walls and King Terenas died, Varian Wrynn refused to retreat and took command of the city’s defense. He rallied Lordaeron’s forces and civilians to fight the Horde in the streets while allowing Queen Lianne, Calia, and Arthas to leave.

• Orgrim Doomhammer watched the Horde pour through Lordaeron’s breached defenses and saw the city’s fall as a chance for the Horde to survive.
• Guard Captain Mollef told Queen Lianne and Calia that King Terenas had died and urged them to evacuate; Arthas learned he had become king.
• Varian Wrynn recalled his family’s history of dying in battle, rejected retreat, and ordered Mollef to rally his soldiers.
• Varian told Arthas to take Queen Lianne and his younger sister to safety while he stayed to fight for them.
• Varian imposed strict orders, armed Lordaeron’s adult men, and sent soldiers and civilians to resist the Horde throughout the city.

The Horde struggled to conquer Lordaeron as Alliance defenders delayed them and reinforcements closed in. Orgrim Doomhammer reached the Royal Palace and attacked Varian Wrynn, while Uther Lightbringer and the Silver Hand fought the Horde in the south as Lothar arrived with more cavalry.

• Orgrim Doomhammer learned that the Alliance commander was near the Royal Palace and led Blackrock warriors there.
• Varian Wrynn ordered his forces to avoid pitched battles and buy time, then prepared to face Orgrim's approaching troops.
• Orgrim and Varian confronted each other as the Horde attacked the Royal Palace and a fierce battle began.
• Uther Lightbringer and twelve paladins charged into the Horde position south of Lordaeron while Alterac's soldiers made way.
• General Merrick Hass welcomed Lothar's arriving cavalry and urged them to attack before Lordaeron fell.

Anduin Lothar arrived with Alliance reinforcements as Varian Wrynn fought Orgrim Doomhammer, then defeated Orgrim in a duel. Varok Saurfang told Grommash that the Warchief was dead and ordered the Horde to retreat and survive.

• Anduin Lothar led Uther and the Silver Hand, followed by tens of thousands of cavalry, into Lordaeron to drive out the Horde.
• Orgrim Doomhammer wounded Varian Wrynn and nearly defeated him, but Lothar arrived on horseback and rescued the boy.
• Varian asked Lothar whether he had proved himself a true king of House Wrynn, and Lothar affirmed that he had.
• Lothar and Orgrim fought a brutal duel, and Lothar ran Quel'Zaram through Orgrim's chest after Orgrim faltered from exhaustion.
• Varok Saurfang pulled Grommash away from the battle and told him that the Warchief had died in Lordaeron and ordered the Horde to survive.

After the Alliance defeated the Horde at Lordaeron, Karin and the Dragon Queen destroyed the Dark Portal to cut Draenor off from Azeroth. Khadgar then Blinked into the ruins to search for something.

• Anduin Lothar defeated Orgrim Doomhammer, and Uther Lightbringer killed Talon Bloodmaw as the Horde fled.
• The Alliance crushed the Horde across the North and South, while Grommash Hellscream and Varok Saurfang escaped with scattered survivors.
• Karin, Alexstrasza, Kurdran, and the gryphon riders reached the Blasted Lands and cleared the orcs guarding the Dark Portal.
• Alexstrasza unleashed her flames on the Dark Portal, which exploded and shattered.
• Khadgar cast Blink into the ruins of the Dark Portal to search for something.