Chapter Summaries

Dick and his companions left the Temple of Atal'Hakkar, and he flew with Velinde toward Karazhan while discussing her Worgen form and their plans to seek herbs in the Northern Frontier. Elsewhere, Illidan confronted Maiev at the Tomb of Sargeras, then collapsed the prison and left Maiev rushing to find Naisha.

• Dick warned Eranikus that Hakkar's worship might have returned among the Gurubashi Trolls, and Eranikus said Hakkar was no threat while away from the temple.
• Dick, Velinde, Demitier, and Das exchanged farewells, and Dick flew with Velinde toward Karazhan while the Green Dragons stayed behind for a feast.
• Dick told Velinde they would seek Moonleaf and other herbs in the Northern Frontier to change her out of her Worgen form, and Velinde grew cheerful after learning that her tail and upright ears made her unique.
• Illidan fought Maiev at the Tomb of Sargeras and refused to give her what he had found there.
• Maiev summoned a Spirit of Vengeance to attack Illidan, but he crushed a black orb and caused the prison to collapse.
• Maiev abandoned her pursuit of Illidan and ran toward the ruins, where Naisha was buried.

Dick returned to Karazhan, where Meryl revealed that an Inverted Tower beneath it was spreading Dark Energy and sent Dick and Med'an away while he reinforced a barrier. Half a month later, Dick met Liadrin at Stormpike Camp, learned that the Northern Frontier had deteriorated and the Scarlet Crusade had formed, and decided to recall his loyal paladins to Southshore before traveling to Ironforge.

• Dick gave Med'an the enchanted Embrace of the Wind Serpent robe, and Meryl explained that the Inverted Tower beneath Karazhan was the source of the spreading Dark Energy.
• Meryl began reinforcing an Anti-Magic barrier and sent Dick, Med'an, and Velinde away from Karazhan to keep Med'an safe with his grandmother.
• Half a month later, Dick and his party arrived at Stormpike Camp, where the dwarves welcomed them with a feast and drinking contest.
• Liadrin told Dick that Lord Korth'azz had fallen to Arthas, the Silver Hand had lost more territory, and the Scarlet Crusade had been established despite her opposition.
• Dick told Liadrin to recall the paladins loyal to the Argent Dawn to Southshore and said he would join them after going to Ironforge.

Dick met Maiev at the Dalaran Plains and tried to purge the strange energy in Naisha’s wounds, partially succeeding but suffering severe injuries. After Maiev left to pursue Illidan, Dick sent Das to summon Ashbringer Mograine and contacted an ally about trapping Arthas at the Dalaran Ruins.

• Dick sent Velinde and Liadrin toward the Hillsbrad Foothills defensive line to gather herbs while he rode on with Das and Demitier to meet an old friend.
• Maiev brought the gravely injured Naisha to Dick, explaining that only his powers might purge the strange energy in her wounds.
• Dick’s contact with Naisha unleashed a burst of power that injured him, but it removed some of the black energy from her wounds.
• Maiev left to capture Illidan, while Dick arranged for Demitier to take Naisha to Southshore.
• Dick sent Das to summon Ashbringer Mograine to the Dalaran Ruins and contacted an ally to help surround and kill Arthas.

Dick planned to let Illidan complete the ritual that would destroy the Lich King, while rival forces converged on the Dalaran Ruins. The chapter ended with Arthas being urgently summoned there as the Northern Frontier’s fate hung in the balance.

• Dick resolved to ensure Illidan’s bombardment ritual went uninterrupted so the Lich King would die and Arthas could be eliminated.
• The Ashbringer led his strongest forces out of Chillwind Camp, while Kael'thas prepared the Firewing Guard and other allies to collect a blood debt.
• Illidan agreed to give Lady Vashj water from the Well of Eternity after two years of service, and her Naga soldiers located the Dalaran Ruins.
• Maiev, Malfurion, and Tyrande set out to stop the Naga and Illidan after Maiev recognized Vashj as Azshara’s handmaiden.
• Thassarian reported Naga, Paladin, and elven activity to his lord, who ignored the possible trap and focused on Arthas and Apocalypse.
• A message reached Arthas, ordering him to hurry to the Dalaran Ruins because they would both die otherwise.

Illidan began channeling the Eye of Sargeras to bombard the Frozen Throne, but Arthas and his undead forces arrived and battles erupted across the Dalaran Ruins. As Maiev tried to kill Illidan, Dick intervened and stopped her from disrupting the ritual.

• Illidan activated the Energy-Gathering Magic Circle and began drawing on the Eye of Sargeras, while its power tempted him and the Naga.
• Arthas arrived with Frost Wyrms but was dragged from Invincible and challenged by Uther, while the Bone Lich and Anub'arak led undead forces toward the ruins.
• Vashj ordered the Naga to defend Illidan, then attacked Tyrande after the Moon Priestess killed four Naga Royal Guards.
• Malfurion transformed into an Ironhide Grizzly and blocked Anub'arak and the Nerubians from reaching the Dalaran platform.
• Maiev emerged from Illidan's shadow and tried to strike him, but Dick shielded Illidan and confronted her.

Dick and Old Mograine concealed themselves beside Illidan as the battle across the Dalaran Plains intensified, while Kael'thas arrived with reinforcements to confront Kel'Thuzad. With Uther overwhelming Arthas and the Frost Wyrms approaching, Dick used his silver card, leaving his final gamble about to unfold.

• Dick and Old Mograine used the Shadow of Flourishing Leaves to stay hidden near Illidan, with Mograine wrapping the Ashbringer to conceal its Holy Light.
• The Paladins charged the Nerubians as battles spread across the Dalaran Plains, and Kael'thas appeared with a force of Blood Knights, Rangers, and Mages to trap Kel'Thuzad.
• Uther relentlessly attacked Arthas, forcing the Death Knight King to retreat while their battle drew toward the Dalaran Platform.
• Kael'thas and his allies fought Kel'Thuzad, who raised his defenses against the assault.
• Dick saw Frost Wyrms approaching and, with no one left to help him, tapped the silver card he had saved as his trump card.

Dick summoned the Giant of Light and destroyed the Scourge’s Bone Dragons and Nerubians, while Illidan’s beam pierced the barrier protecting the Frozen Throne. As the Lich King cried out in pain and Arthas turned to stop Illidan, Uther stabbed him from behind.

• Arthas used Frostmourne’s blizzard to slow Uther and gain the upper hand in their duel.
• Dick summoned the Giant of Light, which placed the Bone Dragons and Nerubians on its scales and marked them for destruction.
• Dick killed the Bone Dragons and Nerubians with two sweeping strikes of Holy Light.
• Illidan unleashed a black beam from the Amber Stone that shattered the barrier above the Frozen Throne and pierced the tower.
• The Lich King’s cry of pain reached the undead, and Arthas rushed toward the Dalaran Platform.
• Uther, encased in ice, stabbed Arthas from behind and said the strike was for Uther.

Illidan’s use of the Eye of Sargeras triggered a cataclysmic clash with the Titans’ defenses, destroying most of Dalaran’s platform and interrupting the attempt to kill the Lich King. Dick survived the blast but saw Anub'arak escape with Arthas and Kel'Thuzad, leaving Ner'zhul alive.

• Illidan unleashed the Eye of Sargeras while Uther struck Arthas, and Anub'arak and Kel'Thuzad attacked the defenders as the battle grew desperate.
• Old Mograine fought Anub'arak, while Maiev shattered Dick’s Divine Shield and knocked him off the Dalaran Platform.
• The Red Dragon Queen prepared to stop the beam, but three pillars of light from Uldaman, Uldum, and Ulduar formed a barrier and struck the Eye of Sargeras.
• The collision blasted away the platform and opened a vast rift that swallowed two-thirds of it, while Dick escaped the shock wave on Astral Steed.
• Dick saw Anub'arak flee underground carrying Arthas and the badly wounded Kel'Thuzad, and realized the Lich King had survived.

After the battle on the Dalaran Plains, Illidan recovered enough to leave for Northrend and confront the Lich King, while Dick recognized the Scarlet Crusade’s emergence as a dangerous new threat. With the undead scattered and Stratholme assigned to the Argent Dawn and Sin’dorei Knights, Dick prepared to leave the Northern Frontier and persuaded Darion to stay and protect his father, Mograine, from plots.

• Dick found Illidan recovering in Southshore and learned that he still planned to go to Northrend to kill the Lich King.
• Illidan warned Dick that Kil'jaeden had marked him as a target, and Dick gave Illidan an item to help him survive before Illidan slipped away.
• A Silver Hand messenger announced victory on the Dalaran Plains, and Dick recognized the blood-red insignia on the knight’s armor as a sign of the Scarlet Crusade.
• Dick concluded that Arthas’s scattered undead could no longer threaten the Northern Frontier and accepted the division of territory between the Argent Dawn and the Silver Hand.
• Dick told Darion that a Dreadlord might target Mograine with schemes, and Darion agreed to remain in Stratholme to protect his father.

Dick rested in Ironforge, accepted Brann Bronzebeard’s mission to rescue Princess Rhaella from Shadowforge City, and received information about the Twilight Cultists. As he prepared to leave, new threats emerged across the region, while Maiev’s departure and the Young Lady’s image left him reflecting on the dangers ahead.

• Brann Bronzebeard told Dick that his niece Rhaella had disappeared and was now believed to be held in Shadowforge City, then offered information on the Twilight Cultists in exchange for her rescue.
• Dick accepted Brann’s mission and warned him that the Twilight Cultists served an ancient evil and were planning something in Silithus.
• An assassin attacked Dick in the Stonefire Tavern, and Dick knocked him unconscious and identified him as a member of the Assassin’s Alliance.
• Dick sold his collected spoils at Ironforge’s Auction Hall and received five gold coins for the Argent Dawn.
• Liadrin told Dick that Black Dragons and Dark Iron Dwarves were active in the Searing Gorge, Blackrock Orcs had returned to the Burning Steppes, and Maiev had left an Owl Pendant before departing.
• Dick prepared to leave Ironforge the next day and lay awake thinking about the threats ahead while holding the Young Lady’s pendant.

Dick and his companions crossed Searing Gorge to investigate the Twilight Cultists and entered Blackrock territory under the pretext of attending a music festival. The chapter left them at the Dark Iron Dwarves’ gate, warned that Blackrock Spire was dangerous and that the Orcs would charge them again if they went south.

• Dick learned the basics of smithing in Ironforge, then led his Paladins west through Dun Morogh and Loch Modan into the heat of Searing Gorge.
• Demitier and Das returned from scouting and told Dick that Twilight Cultists were active in Searing Gorge and the Burning Steppes, while Dark Iron Dwarves and Blackrock Orcs sheltered them.
• Das and Demitier revealed that they had entered Blackrock Spire by claiming they were visiting the Grim Guzzler, and Das gave Dick five tickets to a Tauren Chieftains performance.
• Dick, Liadrin, Velinde, Das, Demitier, and forty soldiers approached the Dark Iron gate dressed as a noble party and guards.
• Dick introduced himself as Sir Onyx, Earl of Theramore, and the Dark Iron officer demanded passage fees while warning the group to avoid Orc territory.

Dick and the Paladins entered the Dark Iron Dwarves’ underground realm and reached The Grim Guzzler, where Baron Ebonlocke recognized Dick as an old friend. Before that, he had tried to recruit Gakoin into the Council of the Black Harvest.

• Dick explained the Dark Iron Dwarves’ history and their enslavement to Ragnaros as he and the Paladins traveled through Shadowforge City.
• Dick spotted Blackrock Orcs in the mountain’s passages and told Velinde to send her black cat to scout Blackrock Spire.
• Dick carried Liadrin across the Chain Bridge, and the group took a Dark Iron Mole Machine to The Grim Guzzler.
• Baron Ebonlocke urged Gakoin to join the Council of the Black Harvest, offering him access to its gains from Mount Hyjal.
• Baron Ebonlocke saw Dick arrive, dropped his wineglass, and left Gakoin to greet his old friend.

Dick visited The Grim Guzzler with Liadrin and Velinde, where he learned it was a protected outpost of the Dark World and reunited with Kanrethad. He offered Kanrethad a deal involving Twilight's Hammer, the Black Dragons, and Princess Bronzebeard, but Kanrethad balked until Dick urged him to inspect the payment.

• Dick entered The Grim Guzzler with Liadrin and Velinde and kicked Captain Rok'nah into a wall after he tried to touch Liadrin.
• Dick paid Plugger generously for the damage and drinks, then met Baron Ebonlocke, who was Kanrethad in disguise.
• Kanrethad warned Dick that The Grim Guzzler was one of the Dark World's Five Outposts and that many patrons might try to kill him for a bounty.
• Dick persuaded Kanrethad to meet privately and offered Plugger two high-grade items in exchange for the room and information about Twilight's interest in him.
• Dick presented Kanrethad with a large wooden box and named Twilight's Hammer, the Black Dragons, and Princess Bronzebeard as the targets of his proposed deal.
• Kanrethad called Dick's plan madness and rose to leave, but Dick urged him to examine the payment first.

Dick persuaded Kanrethad to join a plan to rescue Princess Bronzebeard and eliminate the Twilight's Hammer in Blackrock Mountain, but Kanrethad refused to confront the Black Dragons. After learning that Reginald Windsor was imprisoned by the Dark Iron Dwarves, Dick headed to rescue him and changed his third request into a message for Duke Ravenholdt.

• Kanrethad accepted Dick's deal after recognizing the valuable item in the box, then killed his two Warlock escorts and captured their souls in crystals.
• Dick and Kanrethad agreed that the Council of the Black Harvest would help rescue Princess Bronzebeard and wipe out the Twilight's Hammer forces in Blackrock Mountain, the Burning Steppes, and Searing Gorge.
• Kanrethad refused Dick's request to drive out the Black Dragons, warning that Nefarian's powerful backer could defeat the Council and Plugger's forces.
• Kanrethad told Dick that Reginald Windsor had been exiled to the Burning Steppes and imprisoned by the Dark Iron Dwarves, who planned to send him into the Ring of Law.
• Dick set out to rescue Windsor and asked Kanrethad to tell Duke Ravenholdt that the Syndicate would move to Kalimdor and serve the Theramore Royal Family.

Reginald Windsor was imprisoned by the Dark Iron Dwarves, but a Black Cat delivered him food, a dagger, and instructions for escape. He survived a staged death during a prison riot and reached The Grim Guzzler disguised as a wounded Dark Iron soldier.

• Windsor recalled his military career and his fear of Black Dragons before killing three hungry Dark Iron prisoners who attacked him.
• A Black Cat brought Windsor an enchanted disc that produced food, a flask, a dagger, and a note directing him to escape during the chaos and find supplies beneath seat 24 in the Grand Colosseum.
• Windsor wounded himself with a bone dagger and was carried from his cell, where guards expected him to fight in the Grand Colosseum.
• Twilight Cultists went berserk and set fire to the guards’ quarters, and the riot led the Dark Iron soldiers to believe Windsor had burned to death.
• Windsor arrived at The Grim Guzzler disguised as a wounded Dark Iron soldier and told Plugger that he liked the password, “Black Dragons must die!”

Dick met Marshal Windsor in a hidden room and learned that Windsor’s capture began after he found an encrypted letter on a black dragon, which the Dark Iron Dwarves took. Windsor also explained why he distrusted Katrana Prestor, but his faith in Archbishop Benedictus blocked Dick’s attempt to expose her; Dick decided to retrieve Princess Bronzebeard and take everyone home.

• Namara led Windsor underground, where he met Dick, Liadrin, and Kanrethad, and Demitier emerged from camouflage after Windsor tossed him a dagger.
• Dick asked why Windsor had come despite knowing he might die, and Windsor said he wanted to meet his fate fighting on a battlefield.
• Windsor explained that he found an encrypted Draconic letter on a black dragon, then returned to discover Morgan’s Vigil occupied and the letter missing; he believed the Dark Iron Dwarves had taken it.
• Kanrethad said the Dark Iron Dwarves’ hostility toward black dragons meant they might keep the letter from Nefarian, while Dick lamented that recovering it would be difficult.
• Windsor blamed Katrana Prestor for Stormwind’s decline but said Archbishop Benedictus had verified her as human, leaving Dick unable to persuade him of the truth.
• Dick told Liadrin to gather the knights and announced that he would retrieve Princess Bronzebeard and then send everyone home.

Dick secretly entered Shadowforge City to obtain a Flame Crown for Jaina, while Emperor Thaurissan considered a desperate alliance with the Twilight's Hammer to free the Dark Iron Dwarves from the Firelord. The chapter ended when Dick exposed the cult's allegiance to the Firelord before Thaurissan and his pregnant wife, Rhaella.

• Dick slipped out of the Grim Guzzler, killed a Fire Elemental in a hidden cave, and took its Flame Crown for Jaina.
• Dick destroyed the Fire Elemental's remains with Holy Light and order power, then continued toward the Dark Iron Palace.
• Gest promised Emperor Thaurissan that the Twilight's Hammer would help defeat the Fire Elementals in exchange for access to the Molten Core.
• Thaurissan told Rhaella that he planned to fight the Firelord to protect their unborn child and the future of the Dark Iron Dwarves.
• Dick appeared before Thaurissan and Rhaella, threw down a bloody head, and warned them that the Twilight's Hammer served the Firelord.

Dick confronted Thaurissan about the Twilight’s Hammer and the Firelord, then negotiated a plan to protect Rhaella and the Dark Iron kingdom. Thaurissan agreed to let Dick take Rhaella to Ironforge in exchange for Dick’s Pendant as collateral for the forging plans.

• Dick appeared before Thaurissan and explained that the Twilight’s Hammer served the Old Gods, making the Firelord a dangerous ally for the Dark Iron kingdom.
• Rhaella recognized the book Dick cited and urged Thaurissan to hear him out; she then read Magni’s letter and withdrew to the inner chambers.
• Dick warned that the Firelord might discover Thaurissan’s plans and insisted that Rhaella return to Ironforge for her safety and their unborn child’s.
• Dick proposed turning the Firelord against the Twilight’s Hammer and seeking help from the air and water Elemental Lords to drive the Firelord out.
• Thaurissan offered Dark Iron forging plans as collateral for Dick’s Pendant, and Dick accepted the exchange.

Dick discovered that Thaurissan’s blueprint could let him forge Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros, and escaped Blackrock Mountain with Windsor after receiving a letter that exposed the Black Dragon plot. At Morgan’s Vigil, Dick decided to take Windsor to Theramore, while Windsor recovered his resolve to protect the Kingdom of Stormwind.

• Dick found the complete blueprint for Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros and suspected Thaurissan had secretly been behind the Thorium Brotherhood.
• Dick and Windsor left Blackrock Mountain disguised among Dark Iron prisoners, and Dick gave Windsor a decoded letter from Nefarian.
• Windsor read that Katrana was cooperating with the Twilight Prophet, that Nefarian planned to deal with him, and that a powerful voice was calling from the Northlands; he collapsed in despair.
• Dick and Liadrin reached Morgan’s Vigil with the surviving militia and decided to take Windsor to Theramore rather than risk returning to Stormwind City.
• Dick told Liadrin about the stone tablets that could dispel illusions, unaware that Windsor overheard them from his room.
• Windsor took Marshal Lothar’s medal, remembered his oath, and vowed to protect Stormwind and the Kingdom of Stormwind.

Dick learned that Marshal Windsor had escaped with the tablets and was heading back to Stormwind City, so he raced after him while Liadrin prepared the knights to follow. In Goldshire, Windsor gathered support from Sheriff Duhan and the townspeople and rode toward Stormwind City, determined to confront the city’s rulers.

• Dave told Dick that Windsor had attacked him during the night and taken the tablets, prompting Dick to fly toward Stormwind City on Astral Steed.
• Dick told Liadrin to lead the knights to Lakeshire and follow by gryphon, and warned her to retreat to Stranglethorn Vale if she heard bad news.
• Windsor arrived in Goldshire, asked Sheriff Duhan for armor, a weapon, and a horse, and said he was returning to Stormwind City.
• Duhan told Windsor that Stormwind’s leaders had neglected the kingdom as trouble spread through nearby regions.
• Goldshire’s residents cheered Windsor and urged to join him, but he told them to stay and promised to restore Stormwind City’s light.
• Duhan mounted up beside Windsor, and the two rode toward Stormwind City.