Chapter Summaries

Baron Derylek arrived at the Alliance fortress to join the candidates for the Trial, where Mograine tested his resolve and assigned him a dangerous mission in Azjol-Nerub. Darion volunteered for the Shadow Vault assault and learned that he and the other young leaders would be responsible for holding Dragonblight if the older warriors failed at Icecrown.

• Darion brought Baron Derylek to Mograine, who explained that the final Trial would take place at Wyrmrest Temple and warned that its candidates must represent the civilized world's interests against the Lich King.
• Baron accepted Mograine's challenge to prove himself by bringing back three Crypt Lord Nerubian remains from Azjol-Nerub within a day, with scouts assigned to guide and observe him.
• Darion told Mograine he wanted to join the coming operation, and Mograine assigned him to the team attacking the Shadow Vault rather than Icecrown Citadel.
• Mograine explained that the older warriors would attack Icecrown while Darion and other young leaders would hold the line at Angrathar and take command if the assault failed.
• Mograine told Darion that breaching the Four Ziggurats would open the way to the Dark Cathedral and Icecrown Citadel, where the final battle would decide the world's fate.

Baron reunited with his childhood friend Maximillian and met the womanizing knight Marcus before heading alone into Azjol-Nerub to hunt Crypt Lord Nerubians. After defeating two spellcasters and many lesser enemies, Baron was pinned by a warrior, and Maximillian and Marcus rushed in to save him.

• Baron met Maximillian and Marcus in the quartermaster’s tent, where Maximillian enthusiastically greeted him and Marcus recounted his romantic exploits.
• Baron selected priestly equipment, then rode toward Azjol-Nerub with an SI:7 rogue rather than team up with Maximillian and Marcus.
• Baron found two Nerubians Spellcasters and killed them with Holy Fire, Holy Nova, and Smite.
• Baron used Halo to burn back the surrounding spiders and ordinary nerubians, but lost focus after casting several powerful spells.
• A Crypt Lord Nerubians Warrior sprang from the wall and pinned Baron as Maximillian and Marcus shouted that they were coming to save him.

The Earthen commander Kuren’s forces struggled against the Iron Dwarves at Thor Modan until Das intervened and rescued him. Grand Marshal Vanndar Stormpike then led his cavalry into battle as Das demanded that Thor Modan’s Iron Dwarves abandon Loken and join the new Iron Burning Legion.

• Kuren ordered the Earthen to retreat toward the Mountain Giants while he stayed behind to cover them, but the Iron Dwarves and Iron Golems surrounded him.
• Kuren fought off several Iron Golems and Iron Dwarves, then fell wounded and was about to be executed by the Iron Dwarves’ leader.
• Das descended in a burst of lightning, destroyed the enemies surrounding Kuren, and sheltered the unconscious commander beneath his wings.
• Grand Marshal Vanndar Stormpike signaled his Dwarven heavy cavalry to charge into the battle.
• Das declared that Thor Modan’s Iron Dwarves had to sever their ties with Loken and join the new Iron Burning Legion, or die.

Uther negotiated with Golaya to help the Drakkari trolls fight their Scourge and traitor enemies in exchange for the remains of the Loa Sseratus and Quetz'lun. The deal made Uther the Drakkari trolls' new ally, though he claimed the three Scourge necropolises for the Ebon Blade.

• Golaya explained that Drakkari traitors had stolen Loa power and that Drakuru had joined the Lich King and seized Drak'Salon Keep.
• Golaya spared the priests Slad'ran and Moorabi for the duration of the war, while Uther impatiently demanded a target and a reward.
• Uther asked for Sseratus's corpse, and Golaya offered Quetz'lun's bones as well if Uther helped retrieve them from her prophet at the altar.
• Uther agreed to help defeat the enemies at Drak'Salon Keep and claim the fortress for their alliance.
• Golaya declared Uther the Drakkari trolls' new friend, and Uther claimed the three Scourge necropolises as spoils for the Ebon Blade.

At Ebon Watch, Koltira confronted Thassarian over the death of his brother Falthora, while Uther prepared the Knights of the Ebon Blade to attack Scourge strongholds. Thassarian learned that Lireesa was involved in news from Theoxis and approached Koltira before their first mission together, though he did not explain why.

• Koltira accused Thassarian of killing his brother Falthora and swore he would end Thassarian after they killed the Lich King, but Thassarian dismissed him.
• Uther announced that the Knights of the Ebon Blade would attack Drak'Tharon Keep and the Scourge necropolises, assigning Lor'themar to infiltrate Kolramas alone.
• Theoxis teased Thassarian and revealed she had news about Lireesa and Koltira, then secured a kiss from him in exchange for telling him.
• Thassarian found Koltira preparing for his first battle as a death knight and told him to get ready to move out.

Uther led the Ebon Blade Knights and their summoned undead against Drakuru’s forces at Drak'Salon Keep, breaking through its gates and launching an assault. As Thassarian saved the inexperienced Koltira from Troll warlords, Uther and Drakuru began a decisive duel that would determine the battle.

• Uther summoned towering Necromancer Servants as the Ebon Blade Knights raised their Armies of the Dead, and Thassarian called in Frost Wyrms.
• Uther shattered the gates of Drak'Salon Keep after his first strike weakened them, allowing the Death Knights and undead to charge inside.
• Koltira struggled against five Troll warlords until Thassarian intervened and killed them with Death Strike, Strangulate, Frost Strike, and Frostscythe.
• Thassarian told Koltira he owed him for saving Lireesa, while Koltira insisted Thassarian owed him for his brother Falthora too and vowed to kill him himself.
• Uther and Drakuru joined battle as the fighting spread through Drak'Salon Keep.

Uther defeated Drakuru atop Drak'Tharon Keep, but Drakuru's burning mojo summoned a phantom of Arthas, who struck at Uther and warned that Angrathar would be his final graveyard. After Arthas vanished, Uther saw burning Scourge Necropolises across Zul'Drak and recognized that his side had won.

• Uther fought Drakuru through a fierce battle of darkness and frost, repeatedly wounding the Troll with Apocalypse.
• Drakuru ignited a brazier with mojo, but Uther froze him and pierced his heart with a Bone Runeblade.
• Drakuru died after begging his master to save him, while Uther realized the brazier's power had summoned Arthas.
• Arthas's phantom attacked Uther and warned him that Angrathar would be his final graveyard before vanishing.
• Uther watched burning Scourge Necropolises across Zul'Drak and took their destruction as proof of victory.

Baron, Maximillian, and Marcus completed their final trial by attacking the necromancer excavating Galakrond's Tomb. As dragons struck the camp, Rogelio Starstrider recommended the three for inclusion in “Breaking the Ice.”

• Baron, Maximillian, and Marcus reached their final assignment after rising to ninth place in the trials and were tasked by the Red Dragon Queen with punishing the undead excavating Galakrond's Tomb.
• Baron warned that the necromancer would summon reinforcements, but Maximillian charged the undead Storm Giant and Marcus followed to attack Antiowok.
• Baron protected his companions with Holy Light while Maximillian fought the Storm Giant and Marcus killed Antiowok, causing the giant to collapse.
• Rogelio Starstrider watched the fight, recorded the trio's recklessness, teamwork, faith, and luck, and recommended them for “Breaking the Ice.”
• Marcus sounded the horn, and a dozen dragon whelps flew over the camp and scorched it with their breath as the three watched.

Dick interrupted a battle between Ironaya’s Earthen and the Frost Dwarves after their leader, Yogg Stormheart, wounded Ironaya and proved powerful enough to stop her attack. He recognized Yogg and offered to protect his people and explain his origins.

• Dick worked to reforge Holy Light's Vengeance into Shadow's Edge and realized he needed an assistant.
• Tao Shi reported that Frost Dwarves had attacked patrolling Earthen, and Dick learned Ironaya had gone to confront them.
• Ironaya faced the Frost Dwarves and was challenged by their leader, a Bronzebeard Dwarf named Yogg Stormheart.
• Yogg struck Ironaya, then stopped her earth attack as the Frost Dwarves and Earthen began fighting.
• Ironaya raised the ground to threaten the Frost Dwarves, but Dick caught Yogg's lightning-wreathed hammer and forced the earth back down.
• Dick shattered Yogg's hammer and told him he could keep his people safe and learn his origins if he stopped fighting.

Dick revealed that Yogg Stormheart was Muradin Bronzebeard, though Muradin could not remember his past and chose to protect the Frost Dwarves. After Brann and Magni learned Muradin had been found, they traveled to Frosthold, where the brothers finally faced each other.

• Yogg Stormheart refused Dick’s invitation to visit Frosthold, explaining that his people’s safety mattered more than learning about his past.
• Dick called Yogg by his real name, Muradin Bronzebeard, and promised to send people to meet him; Muradin remained confused but returned home with the Frost Dwarves.
• Brann told Magni that Dick had found Muradin in the Storm Peaks, and Magni decided to go there with him.
• Brann and Magni arrived in disguise at Frosthold and examined the Frost Dwarves’ hidden settlement beneath the ice.
• Yogg entered the Ice Rock Hall and recognized Magni and Brann, while they recognized him as Muradin.

Dick treated Muradin after the dwarf’s memories returned and he collapsed in pain, while the Frost Dwarves learned that Magni and Brann were his brothers. Muradin relived his past with Arthas and Frostmourne, then awoke remembering his family, his homeland, and his enemy.

• Muradin’s memories of Magni and Brann triggered a painful struggle that left him bleeding and unconscious.
• Dick calmed the Frost Dwarves and used Order Power and their herbal medicine to treat Muradin.
• The Frost Dwarf elder recounted how Muradin, known to them as Yogg, had rescued their people and led them back to Frosthold.
• As Muradin slept, he remembered meeting Arthas, seeing him claim Frostmourne, and fleeing into the Storm Peaks.
• Muradin awoke, recognized his family, and confirmed that he remembered everything.

Dick and Muradin discovered a secret route through Echo Valley that could bring the Alliance close to Icecrown Citadel, while Varian and Thrall confronted each other at Wyrmrest Temple and agreed to postpone their feud until after Arthas was defeated. The chapter ended with Varian warning Garrosh that he intended to reclaim Gorehowl.

• Dick asked Muradin about his plans, and Muradin admitted he intended to avenge himself on Arthas before returning to Ironforge.
• Dick urged Muradin to take the Frost Dwarves to Dun Morogh or keep them away from the coming war, which Muradin considered too dangerous for mortals.
• Muradin showed Dick Echo Valley and offered its secret passage, giving Dick a new route for a surprise attack near Icecrown Citadel.
• Varian and Anduin encountered Thrall and the Horde commanders at Wyrmrest Temple, where Varian challenged Thrall over the Horde's preparations and contacts with other orcs.
• Thrall called for the Alliance and Horde to unite against Arthas, and Varian agreed to settle their old grievances after the Lich King's defeat.
• Varian warned Saurfang that they would fight on the battlefield and told Garrosh not to die before Varian could take Gorehowl back.

Dick investigated the corruption spreading through the Furbolgs of Bear’s Maw and found the demigod Ursol bound and infected in the Emerald Dream. After freeing and restoring Ursol, Dick learned that N’Zoth and Yogg-Saron had ambushed the Ursol Brothers and that Ursoc was in grave danger; a new threat struck as Ursol warned Dick to watch out.

• Dick entered Bear’s Maw and discovered that the Furbolgs’ wooden bear statues carried chaotic power from Vordrassil.
• Dick crossed into the Emerald Dream, fought through chaos beasts, and found Ursol bound by corruption-tainted chains.
• Dick shattered Ursol’s chains and used order power to dispel most of the chaos infecting him.
• Ursol told Dick that Yogg-Saron had weakened the brothers through their Furbolg priest while N’Zoth attacked them, and that Ursoc had been summoned into the mortal world.
• Ursol pleaded with Dick to save Ursoc, then warned him as Dick’s arm grew scorching hot and Dick turned to slash at an unseen attacker.

Dick confronted Xavius in Ursol's den and fought to counter the nightmare's spatial jumps. He severed Xavius's arm and sealed the exit, leaving the King of Nightmares trapped and wounded as Dick prepared to finish the fight.

• Dick recognized Xavius, who taunted him and claimed Ursoc might attack his allies.
• Dick and Xavius exchanged rapid attacks, but Xavius's spatial jumps gave him the advantage in speed.
• Dick used Divine Storm to guard himself and baited Xavius into attacking Ursol before grabbing his wrist.
• Dick held Xavius in place and severed his arm with Windfury, inflicting a grievous wound.
• Dick sealed the den's entrance with a silver barrier and challenged Xavius to face death.

Dick freed Ursol from the Emerald Dream, burned the chaos from Bear’s Maw, and confronted the corrupted Ursoc in Ursoc’s Lair. After Ursoc’s soul returned to the Emerald Dream, Dick recovered Ursoc’s Claws and a crystal containing a sleeping starlight bear.

• Dick delivered the weakened Ursol to the Green Dragon Queen’s World’s Sleep and burned Bear’s Maw, sparing Furbolgs who had not fallen to chaos.
• Dick traveled to Ursoc’s Lair and was ambushed by the corrupted Ursoc, whose overwhelming strength sent him crashing into the Drakkari Trolls’ wall.
• Dick fought back with the Aegis of Aggramar and the Fire of Justice, blinding Ursoc and burning the chaos within him with silver flames.
• At dawn, Ursoc’s freed spirit returned to the Emerald Dream after Dick told him that Ursol was waiting there and asked him to fight for him in the future.
• Dick collected Ursoc’s Claws and a starlit crystal, then recognized the bear sleeping inside the crystal as Arcturis.

Twenty-five young champions gathered at Wyrmrest Temple for a trial to prove they could fight together against the Lich King. After Tirion Fordring opened the event, the contestants faced their first opponents, whose identities remained unseen as the doors opened.

• Leaders of the Alliance, Horde, and Dick’s third power gathered at Wyrmrest Temple to watch the finalists’ trial.
• Tuhart announced that the twenty-five contestants would form one team for three challenges before competing in a tournament, and Garrosh accepted the rules after questioning them.
• Garrosh led the first-ranked orc team into the hall, where the Horde cheered them and the Alliance booed.
• Tirion Fordring addressed the contestants and emphasized that the Northern Expedition needed champions with strength, will, wisdom, and teamwork.
• Tirion Fordring opened the doors and announced the contestants’ first opponents, who had soared through the skies since the earliest days of time.

The contestants faced three dragons in a trial designed to teach them teamwork, but Onyxia’s chaotic assault initially left them scattered. Baron seized an opening to organize the fighters, and the team began following his orders as Dick’s deliberate intervention gave them a chance to coordinate.

• Three dragons—Onyxia, Demitier, and Stellagosa—emerged to challenge the contestants, while Thrall explained that the trial tested teamwork for the coming mission.
• Onyxia attacked the disorganized contestants, and Demitier and Stellagosa added to the chaos as the fighters struggled to respond together.
• Dick secretly prompted Demitier to land and create an opening, while Baron used his battlefield insight to issue orders dividing the contestants into teams against each dragon.
• Garrosh and the orc squad followed Baron’s command, and coordinated attacks forced Onyxia to land while the mages and druids began containing the other dragons.
• Kael'thas asked Dick whether he had deliberately created the opening, and Dick confirmed that the rookies needed a chance to begin learning teamwork.

Baron’s coordination helped the contestants drive Demi and Stellagosa from the battlefield, but Stellagosa’s magic paralyzed the fighters and let Onyxia break free. Velen and Tirion protected and evacuated most of the contestants, leaving Garrosh, Dranosh, and Kent on Onyxia’s back as the crowd rallied behind them.

• Maximillian wounded Demitier with the Windmill Spear, forcing the green dragon to leave the battlefield, and Baron reorganized the contestants and replenished the healers’ mana.
• The ranged fighters wounded Stellagosa, who retaliated with blue flames that disrupted the orcs holding Onyxia; the contestants then concentrated their attacks on the Black Dragon Princess.
• Stellagosa burst the flames into a paralyzing storm, allowing Onyxia to scatter her attackers and take flight with Garrosh, Dranosh, and Kent clinging to the chain trailing from her wing.
• Onyxia began to unleash Shadowflame, but Velen’s protection shielded the contestants, and Tirion ordered everyone except Garrosh, Dranosh, and Kent out of the arena.
• Rhonin teleported the other contestants away, and Alliance and Horde spectators joined in cheering for the three fighters left on Onyxia’s back.

Garrosh, Dranosh, and Maximillian defeated Onyxia in the trial of courage, then recovered with Velen’s healing. Tirion Fordring announced the next trial: the competitors had to take a golden horn from Heimdall and four Valarjar spirits, who would match their strength.

• Garrosh, Dranosh, and Maximillian wounded Onyxia with Gorehowl and a steel dragonlance, bringing the dragon crashing down while all three survived with severe injuries.
• Kael'thas cleared the dust, and the arena cheered as the three fighters stood together; Tirion Fordring praised their courage and announced a second trial after twenty minutes of rest.
• Velen healed the competitors, who recovered with supplies and assigned leaders for their group.
• Tirion Fordring announced that fallen champions in the Northern Expedition War could have a chance to enter the Halls of Valor and become spirits.
• Heimdall appeared with four Valarjar spirit warriors and challenged the competitors to take his golden horn, by force or stealth.

The contestants fought Heimdall and his four companions, whose flawless teamwork overwhelmed their larger force despite their equal strength. After Baron rallied the fighters to target the spirit priest, Garrosh wounded him with Gorehowl, giving the contestants their first hope of victory.

• Marcus, Maximillian, Hemet II, and the other contestants attacked Heimdall's team, but the five spirits swiftly countered and badly disrupted their formation.
• Heimdall's team used Mass Dispel and Shadow Wail-Mass Fear to strip the mages' defenses and leave them exposed to Bladestorm.
• Hemet II interrupted the spirit priest with armor-piercing shots, and Baron ordered the defenders to hold off the spirits while the ranged fighters targeted the priest.
• Baron persuaded Garrosh to abandon his charge toward Heimdall and attack the priest instead, despite Garrosh's concern for his wounded brother Jorin.
• Garrosh struck the spirit priest with Gorehowl and inflicted the first serious wound on the spirits.