Chapter Summaries

As war devastated Gilneas, Lord Vincent Godfrey used a Teleportation Stone to reach Lordaeron and warn Queen Caliea that naga were invading the coast. In Northgate Forest, Lairal gained the upper hand over Velinde and threatened to kill her.

• Timmy rescued the wounded Leonid from worgen, but Gilnean knights led by Godfrey intercepted them in the forest.
• Godfrey learned that Leonid's Teleportation Stone led to Southshore, crushed it, and told Shude to take the agents to Flintstone Quarry and blow open the Greymane Wall.
• Godfrey reached Lordaeron, told its officers that naga were invading Gilneas, and requested an audience with Queen Caliea.
• Velinde used her speed to wound Lairal, but he trapped her claw in his abdomen and seized her by the throat.
• Lairal lifted Velinde from the crater and declared that he would make Goldrinn regret choosing her.

Ralaar Fangfire overwhelmed Velinde and drowned her in the river while the distant Dick could not reach her through their severed-feeling bond. After killing her, Ralaar declared that he would lead the Bloodfang to hunt across the world and challenge Goldrinn.

• Ralaar dragged Velinde toward the river, killing Bloodfang and Moonrage Worgen who tried to stop him while Liadrin fought elsewhere.
• Velinde struggled against Ralaar, but Dick’s absence left her without the familiar comfort of their soul connection.
• Ralaar held Velinde underwater until she lost her worgen form and died.
• Ralaar released Velinde’s body into the river and claimed she had failed because she remained mortal.
• Ralaar vowed to lead his pack to hunt and destroy everything, and sent Velinde’s death as a warning to Goldrinn.

Dick sensed Velinde’s death through their linked souls and, unable to interfere with the laws of Order, freed her from their bond at the cost of part of his own soul. Goldrinn entered Velinde’s soul and revived her as a Worgen, leaving her empowered to face Lairal.

• Dick witnessed a world system ravaged by the Burning Legion and feared Azeroth would suffer the same fate.
• A sudden pain led Dick to use the Scepter of the World to find Velinde drowning and her soul aboard the Soul Ferry.
• Dick realized Goldrinn’s power could save Velinde if he released her from their soul connection, and he tore away the connected part of his soul.
• Goldrinn joined Velinde’s soul, revived her, and restored her Worgen form as his howl stopped the fighting across the Worgen battlefield.
• Velinde emerged from the river with Goldrinn’s wind power, and Lairal challenged her to show what she could do.

As Naga and endless Murlocs attacked Gilneas, Lord Valden led exhausted soldiers and civilian volunteers in a desperate defense of the southern coast. George Marin revealed that he was a Worgen and called on others hiding among the people to join the fight, leaving the battle line reinforced by their transformed allies.

• Naga and Murlocs overran much of southeastern Black Forest and destroyed Whisperwind Valley Fortress as Lord Valden prepared to defend the coast with his remaining forces.
• Valden and shopkeeper George Marin shared a cigar and agreed that they were soldiers now as the Murlocs charged the defensive line.
• Valden led the spear-bearing soldiers in a countercharge, but a Naga warrior knocked him down and raised its trident to kill him.
• George transformed into a Worgen and blocked the Naga’s attack, urging Valden to return to the defensive line.
• George called for the Worgen hidden among Gilneas’s civilians to reveal themselves, and others answered with howls and joined the battle.

Velinde killed Lairal in a brutal duel, freeing the Bloodfang Worgen from his control, but she collapsed after realizing Dick was gone. As the fighting spread across Gilneas, Genn faced a choice between protecting the fleeing civilians and hiding his worgen form.

• Velinde fought Lairal with the power of the storm, endured his blood spear, and killed him in a blood-red tempest.
• Velinde took the Scythe of Elune, searched for Dick’s presence, and collapsed; the Bloodfang Worgen lost Lairal’s control and fell into chaos.
• Liam declared that the Head Wolf was dead, while Iva Bloodfang and the remaining elite worgen fled toward the Greymane Wall.
• Liadrin reached Velinde and realized that their shared perception had vanished and Velinde was free.
• Genn arrived at Greymane Manor as civilians fled a naga assault, then resolved to fight beside Logan in worgen form to protect them.

Naga forces launched coordinated tidal assaults on coastal cities, devastating Menethil Harbor and Stormwind while Jaina and Thrall helped defend Theramore and Orgrimmar. Tyrande learned that Azshara had returned and that a vast naga force was gathering off Ashenvale.

• Gibbs sensed an unnatural wave approaching Menethil Harbor, but it smashed the port and overturned the Northlands Spear before he escaped into the city.
• Jaina used Bobo’s power to stop the wave attacking Theramore and ordered the mages to attack the naga beneath the sea.
• Thrall and the orcs repelled the assault on Bladefist Bay, though the naga escaped with captives.
• Varian joined the battle to reclaim Stormwind’s devastated port, while Onyxia burned the naga and sea beasts from the sky.
• Tyrande ordered troops to defend Feathermoon Stronghold, and Malfurion reported that at least thirty thousand naga had gathered off Ashenvale with Azshara among them.

Alliance and Horde leaders met in Theramore to discuss the Naga attacks, and Tyrande revealed that Azshara had returned. Jaina and the others argued that a higher being controlled the Naga, leaving the rulers to consider the continuing war in Gilneas.

• Magni, Gallywix, Daelin, Thrall, and Varian described the Naga attacks and demanded answers from Tyrande.
• Tyrande said Azshara had returned and appeared on Ashenvale’s coast, but she did not know why the Naga had attacked.
• Jaina revealed that Theramore had captured a Naga leader, whose soul vanished when extracted.
• Kael'thas and Velen concluded that a higher being controlled the Naga, and Jaina noted that the attacks continued only in Gilneas and Darkshore.
• Caliea shifted the conference’s focus to the war in Gilneas.

Queen Caliea brought the leaders’ argument over the Horde and Alliance border conflicts to a halt by turning the conference to Gilneas. Lord Godfrey revealed that Gilneas faced destruction from Worgen and Naga attacks, and pleaded for help to save 1.2 million civilians; Genn offered everything, including his life and all that belonged to Greymane.

• Caliea introduced Lord Godfrey and explained that he had brought news and a message from Genn after his plan failed.
• Varian and Magni confronted Thrall over Horde-related forces and incursions, and Thrall accused the Alliance of violating Horde territory.
• The leaders’ accusations escalated into a near-brawl until Godfrey transformed into a Worgen and Caliea ordered everyone to stand down.
• Godfrey reported that the Bloodfang and Moonrage Worgen had devastated Gilneas City and that the Naga had landed on its southern coast, leaving 1.2 million civilians in danger.
• Godfrey knelt and begged the leaders to save Gilneas’s civilians, then said Genn would surrender everything, even his life and all that belonged to Greymane.

At the leaders’ conference, Daelin and the others arranged aid and evacuation for Gilneas’s civilians while discussing the Naga’s power. The assembled leaders succumbed to a magical sleep, and Daelin realized the Naga had lured them together so an unseen enemy could strike.

• Daelin proposed evacuating Gilneas’s civilians, and Magni, Caliea, and Varian offered ships, troops, and places for them to resettle.
• Godfrey thanked the leaders, and Daelin sent him to join the Third Fleet’s mission to Gilneas.
• Caliea fell asleep, and Jaina had Moam carry her to a guest room while the conference continued.
• Tyrande located the Naga capital at Vashj'ir, and Kael'thas suggested the Naga had used an artifact or powerful being to attack ports worldwide.
• Daelin, Varian, Jaina, Tyrande, Magni, Thrall, and Vol'jin were overcome by drowsiness as fighting erupted at the hall’s entrance.
• Daelin lost consciousness and realized the Naga had gathered the world’s leaders to let their hidden allies strike.

General Hawthorne learned that Varian had been ambushed at Theramore just as the Horde attacked Vanguard Camp, while the Dragonmaw Orcs began a war against the Wildhammer Dwarves. After Major Samuel confirmed the attack and other fronts reported battles, Anduin ordered Alliance forces to reinforce Nethergarde Keep and led the response toward Theramore to rescue his father.

• A wounded Stormwind guard delivered Varian’s insignia to General Hawthorne and warned that the king had been ambushed at Theramore.
• The Horde attacked Vanguard Camp, and Hawthorne ordered the Alliance soldiers to fight.
• Malkorok declared that the Dragonmaw Clan had joined the Horde and launched an assault on the Wildhammer Dwarves, while Zaela suspected someone was manipulating him.
• Major Samuel told Anduin that Varian was gravely wounded, other leaders had been wounded or captured, and Theramore was besieged by the Naga.
• Anduin ordered Marshal Leoric and General Gryan Stoutmantle to reinforce Nethergarde Keep, then took the Seventh Legion and warships toward Theramore to rescue Varian.

Amani trolls, Blackrock orcs, and other forces launched attacks across Quel'Thalas, Ashenvale, and Menethil Harbor, leaving the defenders and survivors consumed by grief and calls for revenge. Rogelio Starstrider and Rommath arrived to aid Halduron Brightwing and question Zul'jin about Kael'thas, while Gibbs prepared his crew to strike back at the orcs.

• Zul'jin led a vast Amani force against Quel'Thalas, surrounded Halduron Brightwing with four beast priests, and taunted him about Kael'thas.
• Rogelio Starstrider shot at Zul'jin, and Rommath arrived through a portal to demand information about Kael'thas.
• Blackrock orcs burned Talrendis Camp and killed the 347 elves inside, prompting Barnes and the defenders to launch a furious counterattack.
• Muradin found Menethil Harbor in ruins after orcs riding proto-dragons attacked it, and he vowed to make them pay.
• Gibbs ordered the Siren Fleet, Tony, and Shattrath to prepare for a campaign against the orcs across several regions.

Anduin and Fina met Baine, Garrosh, and Dranosh in secret to share evidence that a third party was inciting war and that an Old God might be behind the crisis. Dick returned to Azeroth, saw the world engulfed in conflict, and ordered the Iron Burning Legion to prepare for war against the entire world while demanding an explanation from Odyn.

• Anduin and Fina traveled in disguise to the Barrens coast, where Marshal Windsor blocked Baine and the other Horde leaders from approaching.
• Baine, Garrosh, and Dranosh denied plotting against the Alliance and described the efforts they were making to contain fighting among their people.
• Fina confirmed the leaders were still alive but said Theramore was sealed off, while Anduin suspected the remaining Old God was behind the war and asked the Horde leaders to cooperate secretly.
• Anduin gave the Horde leaders plans for a hidden passage into Theramore and said they needed to keep an agent of chaos unaware of their cooperation.
• Dick returned to Azeroth with Rhonin and his wife, saw the worldwide war through his World Manager powers, and ordered the Iron Burning Legion to prepare for war against the entire world.

Dick summoned Odyn to Ulduar, confronted him over his handling of the mortal war and his treatment of souls, and argued that neither Guardian had the right to dictate mortals’ fates. When Algalon arrived and began preparing Azeroth for Planet Reorigination, Dick and Odyn restrained him so they could continue their dispute.

• Dick showed Odyn the destruction of Mardum and asked him to help restrain Algalon, whom he planned to summon.
• Dick told Odyn he had chosen to join a war against the Burning Legion and offered him freedom to build his Spirit Legion in Draenor, but forbade him from using those methods on Azeroth.
• Dick accused Odyn of ignoring N’Zoth’s influence and letting mortals die, while Odyn defended his plan to take in their souls and prepare the valorous to protect the world.
• Dick argued that neither of them had the right to decide mortals’ fates and urged Odyn to consider their choices and lives.
• Algalon arrived, diagnosed Azeroth as corrupted, and initiated the Planet Reorigination directive.
• Dick shattered Algalon’s portal with a Solar Lance, and he and Odyn bound the Observer so they could continue their discussion.

Anduin and Fenna infiltrated Theramore to find their missing family members, but were separated from the rescue force and led into a trap by Major Samuel, who revealed himself as a Twilight's Hammer agent. As the traitors attacked, an unknown figure arrived and called on Kil'ruk the Wind-Reaver to clear the hall.

• Khadgar explained that the secret passage led into the royal palace, and Fenna refused to abandon the search for her father and sister.
• In the passage, Anduin asked Major Samuel about Varian and learned that Prophet Velen had hidden the wounded leaders; Samuel also mourned Corporal Gemmerson, who had died seeking help.
• Naga attacked the team, scattering its members, and Samuel found Anduin and Fenna and claimed he could lead them to the others.
• Samuel lured Anduin and Fenna into the deserted meeting hall, where he revealed that he was a Twilight's Hammer agent and said the real Samuel had died two years earlier.
• Samuel ordered his black-robed followers to attack, but an unknown figure appeared and asked Kil'ruk the Wind-Reaver to clear the hall.

Varian and the other leaders awoke imprisoned in an underwater palace, where Azshara revealed herself and confronted Tyrande over the fall of her empire. Azshara left after threatening Tyrande, and the prisoners found a key that might help them escape as Tyrande wept in the darkness.

• Varian, Magni, Daelin, Cairne, and Thrall awoke weakened and discovered they were trapped beneath the sea.
• Azshara revealed herself, healed Queen Caliea's injured arm, and confronted Tyrande with accusations about the destruction of her empire.
• Azshara threatened Tyrande but spared her after Varian, Magni, and Thrall shouted for her to stop.
• Azshara left the hall, and Tyrande secretly dropped a key for the prisoners.
• Varian recognized the key as a possible means of escape while Tyrande curled up and cried in the dark.

Varian and the other leaders escaped their prison beneath the sea and learned that Azshara had helped them flee, while Dick prepared to enter the deepest trench to rescue Velen. Azshara drank World Essence to break N’Zoth’s influence, then joined Dick as they set out to save Velen.

• Varian and the other leaders used Tyrande’s key to escape their prison and recovered some of their strength while evading Naga patrols.
• Jaina and Kael'thas suspected the Naga were being controlled, and the leaders worried that war had spread while they were imprisoned.
• Jaina heard Dick’s voice and told the others that Tao Shi and Sylvana were waiting ahead and that Dick would find Velen.
• Dick waited outside the deepest trench until Azshara arrived, then gave her World Essence to free her from N’Zoth’s mental shackles.
• Azshara returned to her original form, accepted a robe from Dick, and prepared to accompany him into the trench to rescue Velen.

Dick and Azshara traveled through the chaos-corrupted trench toward N'Zoth’s lair while Azshara explained how N'Zoth transformed the Highborne into the Naga and admitted she had planned the Naga’s expansion onto land. Dick warned her against massacres and ordered her to prepare the Deep Sea Empire for service on Draenor, while Azshara left plotting to claim more territory.

• Dick and Azshara crossed the trench as Dick explained that Velen was likely trying to seal it and Azshara described how Velen’s presence had eased N'Zoth’s pressure on the Naga.
• Azshara told Dick that N'Zoth had trapped the Highborne underwater for centuries with a Darkness Veil, twisting their bodies and souls into Naga.
• Azshara explained that she had allowed revenge-minded Naga to act and identified Nazjatar as a leader planning to conquer Gilneas.
• Azshara admitted that she had planned the land campaign, and Dick agreed not to interfere with the war against Gilneas as long as she prevented massacres.
• Dick told Azshara to reorganize her kingdom and send Deep Sea Empire soldiers to Draenor, then entered N'Zoth’s lair.
• Azshara returned to her Naga form and headed back to Vashj'ir, considering claims in both Gilneas and Tol Barad.

Dick reached Velen in N’Zoth’s undersea domain and helped him defeat Ozumat, the Old God’s giant octopus pet. He spared Ozumat for the coming war, and Velen told him the object he sought lay in a cave before Dick raised the question of the supplies needed to reach Argus.

• Dick fought through chaos-corrupted sea monsters and found Velen battling a giant creature while the Prophet’s mind was being eroded by N’Zoth.
• Dick struck the hidden Ozumat with silver lances and lightning, exposing the enormous octopus and driving it to flee.
• Dick summoned the waters of Vashj’ir to seize Ozumat, then struck it down and severed most of its tentacles while leaving it alive for the coming war.
• Azshara witnessed Dick’s display of power and feared the force he wielded.
• Velen told Dick that Ozumat had held Neptulon captive, that the Tidehunter had escaped, and that Dick’s target was in a nearby cave.
• Dick told Velen he had found a way to reach Argus but would need some of Velen’s possessions; Velen urged him to deal with the trouble at hand first.

Dick and Velen found N'Zoth's body dying as its soul fled into the Emerald Dream, where it planned to corrupt the world through nightmares. Elune wounded N'Zoth and Ysera began evacuating the Dream, but Dick was left facing a threat that could survive as long as living beings dreamed.

• Dick warned Velen about the Old Gods' corruption before they reached the sealed cavern and saw N'Zoth's grotesque body.
• Dick discovered that N'Zoth's soul was leaving its dying body, then attacked it and forced it to flee into the Emerald Dream.
• N'Zoth revealed its plan to corrupt the Emerald Dream and spread through mortal nightmares, so Dick ordered Ysera to evacuate its inhabitants.
• Elune struck N'Zoth with moonlight from the World Source, badly wounding it, while N'Zoth escaped deeper into the Emerald Dream.
• Dick watched N'Zoth's body burn and realized that the war's end had moved farther away.

The Guardians ended the eight-day war by forcing the combatants to stop fighting, though the slaughter had shattered trust between the Alliance and Horde. In Gilneas, Liam was crowned king and rallied his people, while Genn left with Velinde to return home.

• Thorim arrived in Eversong Woods with Iron Vrykul, struck down Trolls who ignored his order to stop, and captured Zul'jin for exile to Draenor.
• The Iron Burning Legion intervened at Theramore and Gilneas, and Odyn's forces halted battles elsewhere, bringing the World War to a temporary end.
• Zaela led Dragonmaw Orcs in a massacre at Dun Modr, was sentenced to death, and escaped when her followers stormed the execution ground.
• Gavinrad crowned Liam king of Gilneas, and Liam vowed that his people would never surrender.
• Velinde told Genn that they were going home, and Genn followed her.