Arc 13The Plague at Drak’Tharon

Aaron helped lay Sindragosa to rest, then joined forces with the Furbolgs against the trolls and confronted corruption tied to Vordrassil. The expedition reached plague-stricken Drak’Tharon Keep, where Aaron killed the Lich Novos and met Drakuru, whom he suspected of spreading the plague.

  • Aaron and Xal'atath watched Sindragosa attack Malygos, then helped exhaust her strength so she could speak with Stellagosa before dying.
  • Aaron and the dragons carried Sindragosa’s body to the Azure Dragonshrine, where Saragosa led the blue dragons in a farewell, and Alexstrasza agreed to aid Aaron against the Scourge.
  • Aaron took an expedition to Grizzly Hills, met the Furbolgs of Grizzlemaw, and agreed to work with them against the Ice Trolls.
  • Aaron and the Furbolgs fought the Zandalari Trolls and Infinite Dragonflight at the Heart's Blood Shrine, where Ursoc’s spirit merged with Nalorakk.
  • Aaron pursued the corrupted Ursoc to Vordrassil and, with Ysera’s help, purified him with Holy Light before Ysera revealed that the tree’s corruption threatened the Emerald Dream.
  • Ysera taught Aaron to purify corrupted leaves, while Orsonn prepared to move the Furbolgs to Drak’Tharon Keep and Aaron delayed an attack until the rangers could report on the defenses.
  • Aaron’s party entered the plague-stricken Drak’Tharon Keep, lured King Tyrannosaur Dred outside, and found undead trolls and the Lich Novos within.
  • Aaron and Halduron defeated Novos, and Vereesa told them she and Bolvar had found Drakuru hiding in the raptor pens, and Drakuru urged them to unite against the Undead, while Aaron suspected he had spread the plague.
Chapters 301–325 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 301The Aspect of the Blue's family affairs

Aaron followed the resurrected Sindragosa as her hatred drove her toward Coldarra to confront Malygos. Malygos arrived before they reached their destination, and the chapter ended with Sindragosa attacking him while he began to retaliate.

  • Aaron asked Xal'atath whether she could stop Sindragosa, but Xal'atath said her rage could not be extinguished and argued that fighting Malygos was preferable to attacking other living beings.
  • Aaron suggested redirecting Sindragosa's hatred toward Deathwing, but Xal'atath explained that Deathwing was in Deepholm and Sindragosa could not reach him.
  • After flying for a day and a night, Aaron and Xal'atath spotted Malygos approaching, and Aaron descended into Sholazar Basin to watch from a distance.
  • Malygos recognized Sindragosa and asked what was wrong, but she attacked him with icy breath and accused him of making her suffer.
  • Malygos initially refused to fight back, but Sindragosa's repeated attacks confused him and prompted him to glow with arcane power.

Ch. 302Last words

Malygos redirected his devastating attack before teleporting away, leaving Sindragosa to rampage through Sholazar. Aaron and the dragons subdued her, but she revived enough to call Stellagosa over as she appeared close to death.

  • Malygos blasted the ground instead of Sindragosa, was wounded by her counterattack, and teleported away while muttering that his Sindragosa was dead.
  • Sindragosa attacked fleeing beasts, and Aaron drew her away from Sholazar before Krasus and Itharius joined the fight.
  • Aaron and the two dragons exhausted Sindragosa's strength, and she crashed to the ground as the other dragons and Kael'thas emerged from the woods.
  • Chromie suggested that Sindragosa could fly herself back, but Aaron noticed her eyes open and her head move.
  • Sindragosa, now able to speak more calmly, called Stellagosa over to hear her last words.

Ch. 303Sindragosa's gift

Sindragosa learned what had happened since her death, gave Stellagosa a mysterious gift, and refused Xal'atath’s offer before passing away permanently. Aaron and the dragons then prepared to transport her body back to Dragonblight.

  • Stellagosa told Sindragosa how Senegos had fallen out with Malygos and left for the Broken Isles.
  • Xal'atath showed Sindragosa what had happened in the ten thousand years since her death and invited her to join the Halls of Valor.
  • Sindragosa sent two beams of blue light into Stellagosa, then said she wanted to be left in peace and died for good.
  • Aaron asked how they could move Sindragosa’s intact body, and Kalecgos proposed using a spell to slow its fall.
  • Aaron and the dragons plucked feathers from birds in Sholazar Basin so Kalecgos could cast Slow Fall on Sindragosa’s body.

Ch. 304Return

Aaron returned Sindragosa’s remains to the Azure Dragonshrine, where the blue dragons mourned her and Stellagosa began an unusual coming-of-age rite. He secured Alexstrasza’s agreement to help fight the Scourge, then returned to Utgarde and learned his expedition had clashed with trolls.

  • Aaron and Krasus brought Sindragosa’s remains safely from Sholazar to the Azure Dragonshrine, avoiding Wintergrasp along the way.
  • Saragosa led the blue dragons in burying Sindragosa and sending an arcane farewell into the sky, while Malygos stayed away.
  • Stellagosa suddenly took flight and fell, and Kalecgos explained that Sindragosa’s gift had accelerated her coming-of-age; the blue dragons agreed to watch over her as she slept.
  • Aaron discussed fighting the Scourge with Alexstrasza, who agreed to assist after Aaron mentioned Archaedas, though the Dragonflights needed time to gather.
  • Aaron returned to Utgarde with the Explorers’ League dwarves and learned that his expedition had encountered trolls and fought with them.

Ch. 305First Contact with the Ice Trolls

After Aaron returned from Dragonblight, Liadrin told him that she had led a scouting party through the snowy mountains into Grizzly Hills, where they encountered Forest Trolls, Ice Trolls, and Furbolgs. Her account left Aaron considering how the Zandalari Trolls had contacted the Ice Trolls and what they intended to do.

  • Aaron questioned Liadrin after learning the expedition had already clashed with Ice Trolls, and she clarified that the encounters took place in Grizzly Hills.
  • Liadrin admitted she had taken Blood Knights, rangers lent by Halduron, and several dwarves north to scout the Ice Trolls.
  • The scouting party got lost crossing the snowy mountains and reached the coast, where they saw a large group of Forest Trolls searching for something.
  • Liadrin's party continued north, attacked Ice Trolls in some ruins, and took more than a dozen heads before the survivors returned with reinforcements and beasts.
  • A group of Furbolgs helped Liadrin's party drive off the Ice Trolls and invited them to visit their town; Aaron said the Furbolgs lived in tree hollows and wondered about the Zandalari Trolls' plans.

Ch. 306The broken crown

Aaron delayed a full campaign against the Ice Trolls and planned to scout them while seeking Furbolg allies. He led a group to Blackmaw Hold, where he told them how Yogg-Saron corrupted the World Tree Andrassil, later called Vordrassil.

  • Aaron decided to scout the Ice Trolls and explore an alliance with the Furbolgs before launching a major offensive.
  • Vereesa encouraged Aaron and helped him handle the expedition's administrative work.
  • Aaron briefed the commanders and agreed to take rangers and other interested members on the reconnaissance trip.
  • The group traveled aboard the Dreadwake and spotted Blackmaw Hold inside the remains of Vordrassil.
  • Aaron explained how Yogg-Saron corrupted Andrassil and how the Druids cut it down, leaving Vordrassil for the Furbolgs to inhabit.
  • The listeners' questions distracted Aaron, and he nearly crashed the Dreadwake into Vordrassil.

Ch. 307The Furbolgs of Blackmaw Hold

Aaron and Bolvar visited the Furbolgs of Blackmaw Hold while discussing moving Aaron's base to Grizzly Hills and giving Utgarde Keep to Stormwind. Elder Frostfang welcomed their party, mistaking Aaron and his companions for different kinds of elves.

  • Bolvar urged Aaron to move his base to Grizzly Hills and offered Stormwind's Stonemasons' Guild help in exchange for Utgarde Keep.
  • Aaron agreed that Utgarde might be useful to Stormwind but said he had not decided to move and could not abandon the Dragonflayer Vrykul.
  • Aaron, Bolvar, Halduron, and Liadrin arrived at Blackmaw Hold, where the Furbolg sentries welcomed them.
  • Aaron explained that the Furbolgs were friendly because of their ancestors' ties to the elves.
  • Elder Frostfang greeted the party and called them white-skinned and short-eared elves.

Ch. 308Furbolg hospitality

Aaron and his party visited Grizzlemaw, where the Furbolgs welcomed them with a feast and agreed to help fight the Ice Trolls. After learning that Forest Trolls were nearby, Aaron and Liadrin joined the Furbolgs in going to confront them.

  • Aaron and his party entered Grizzlemaw, where curious Furbolgs crowded around them and the elders welcomed them as guests.
  • A Furbolg elder led the party through Vordrassil's stump to a miniature forest, where Liadrin asked about the Old God beneath the tree.
  • The Furbolgs served the party raw meat, fruit, and honey, and Aaron discussed his plan to make trouble for the Ice Trolls.
  • Elder Frostfang agreed to prepare the Furbolgs to join Aaron's expedition against the Ice Trolls.
  • A Furbolg elder reported that cubs had seen green Trolls nearby, and Liadrin eagerly agreed to go after them with the Furbolgs.

Ch. 309Leave notice

Aaron realized he had transmigrated to Azeroth after recognizing a High Elf and the names Lordaeron and Dalaran. Unsure which era he was in or how to survive the world’s dangers, he went outside to look at the elf, who noticed his staring and approached him.

  • Aaron recognized the visiting elf as a High Elf and identified his location as Lordaeron in Azeroth.
  • Aaron asked Nosh what year it was, but Nosh did not know.
  • Aaron went outside and recognized the elf’s mount as a Thalassian Horse.
  • Aaron reasoned that the Scourge had not yet swept across the Eastern Kingdoms and that the Second War might still be underway.
  • Aaron recalled waking in the wilderness after playing World of Warcraft and finding work at the inn.
  • The High Elf walked toward Aaron after noticing him staring at her.

Ch. 310Traces of the Forest Trolls

Aaron and his companions joined the Furbolgs to investigate Forest Trolls in Grizzly Hills, after learning the Trolls could transform into bears. The Furbolgs discovered the Trolls were heading toward Lord Orsonn, and Aaron recognized the enormous white bear as Ursoc’s son.

  • Elder Frostclaw told Aaron that Forest Trolls had used bear forms to escape a Furbolg ambush, and Aaron suspected Nalorakk was among them.
  • Aaron agreed to accompany the Furbolgs to investigate the Trolls’ purpose in Grizzly Hills.
  • Aaron told Halduron to send rangers to scout, especially along the eastern coast, and warned him that Zandalari Trolls were also in Northrend.
  • The Furbolgs learned that the Trolls were heading for Lord Orsonn, so Elder Frostclaw led them south at a charge.
  • Aaron caught up with the Furbolgs and recognized the enormous white bear at their destination as Ursoc’s son.

Ch. 311Ursoc's Offspring

Aaron arrived as Nalorakk fought Orsonn, drove Nalorakk off, and healed Orsonn instead of pursuing him. Orsonn warned Aaron about Ulduar, offered his help, then rushed to meet the injured Kodian.

  • Aaron approached Nalorakk as the Furbolgs joined Orsonn’s fight, then struck Nalorakk and made him flee.
  • Aaron stopped chasing Nalorakk to heal the badly wounded Orsonn, who woke and urged the Furbolgs to go after Nalorakk and protect Kodian.
  • Aaron explained that the Trolls had transferred Nalorakk’s power into one of their own, and Orsonn recognized Tyr’s weapons.
  • Aaron told Orsonn that he planned to deal with the Ice Trolls and later avenge Tyr, while Orsonn cautioned him about Ulduar and offered his help.
  • Orsonn sensed that Kodian was approaching injured and ran toward her.

Ch. 312The Infinite Dragonflight Reappears

Aaron learned that Kodian had been attacked by the Infinite Dragonflight at the Heart's Blood Shrine, while Orsonn suspected Nalorakk was seeking the shrine and a token connected to Ursoc. Aaron gathered his companions and followed the bear siblings to confront the dragons.

  • Orsonn ran to meet the wounded Kodian, who said dragons had attacked her at the Heart's Blood Shrine and killed its Furbolg guards.
  • Aaron explained how the Amani Trolls had taken loa power and how Nalorakk had escaped north, then identified Kodian's attackers as the Infinite Dragonflight.
  • Orsonn realized the dragons had taken the shrine and the token used to worship Ursoc, and Kodian urged him to help drive them out.
  • Aaron returned to the Fangzahn Shrine and invited Vereesa, Liadrin, Bolvar, and Halduron to join him.
  • Aaron and his companions tracked the bear siblings to the Heart's Blood Shrine, where they found the bears confronting a group of infinite dragons.

Ch. 313The soul of Ursoc

Aaron reached the Heart's Blood Shrine while Orsonn and Kodian fought the Infinite Dragonflight, but found Zandalari Trolls and an adult infinite dragon inside. As the battle spread, Ursoc's spectral form appeared on the altar, and Aaron warned his children that something was wrong with him.

  • Orsonn and Kodian fought the adult infinite dragons while Aaron charged toward the Heart's Blood Shrine.
  • Aaron found Zandalari Trolls inside the shrine and attacked, but a hex barrier stopped his shield.
  • An adult infinite dragon ambushed Aaron with its breath, while Nalorakk joined the fight against Orsonn and Kodian.
  • Aaron fought the dragon outside the shrine as the infinite whelps attacked his companions and the Furbolgs.
  • The shrine burst apart, revealing Ursoc's enormous spectral form on the altar, and Aaron warned Orsonn and Kodian that something was wrong.

Ch. 314Ursoc, the fallen great bear

Aaron defeated a powerful Infinite Dragonflight dragon by using Xal'atath as a feint and striking from above. Meanwhile, Ursoc's phantom merged with Nalorakk, who killed the leading Zandalari Troll and declared that his master would return to the world.

  • Aaron struggled to defend himself against the larger Infinite Dragonflight dragon, whose time-infused breath shattered his Divine Shield.
  • Truthguard suddenly expanded, dragging Aaron to the ground, where he restored the shield and launched himself back into the air.
  • Aaron and Xal'atath tricked the dragon into evading a false charge, letting Aaron stab it from behind with Strom'kar and kill it.
  • Ursoc left the altar as Nalorakk abandoned Orsonn and ran toward it, and the phantom merged with Nalorakk in midair.
  • The transformed Nalorakk killed the leading Zandalari Troll and proclaimed that his master would return to the world.
  • Orsonn and Kodian recognized that Ursoc's presence remained stronger than Nalorakk's.

Ch. 315Zandalar's Scheme

Aaron and the others discovered that Ursoc had been corrupted after the Zandalari Trolls tried to use him to strengthen Nalorakk. The chapter left Ursoc climbing Vordrassil and spreading corruption, as a huge creature arrived demanding to know who had desecrated the Emerald Dream.

  • An Infinite Dragon fled after Ursoc killed its companion, while Ursoc scattered the Zandalari Trolls and raced northwest.
  • Aaron captured a surviving Troll, learned that Lord Zul had sent them to give Nalorakk Ursoc's power, and suspected Vordrassil had corrupted Ursoc through the Emerald Nightmare.
  • The Trolls escaped by transforming into animals, and Aaron pursued Orsonn and Kodian while warning Orsonn not to confront Ursoc recklessly.
  • Aaron and the others found Ursoc climbing Vordrassil and leaving spreading trails of black and red corruption.
  • Aaron ordered the Furbolgs evacuated and flew toward Wyrmrest Temple to seek help from the green dragons, but an enormous creature arrived and challenged whoever had desecrated the Emerald Dream.

Ch. 316Dream Queen

Ysera confronted the corrupted Ursoc near Vordrassil and restrained him while she considered how to handle his corruption. Aaron followed Xal'atath’s instructions to cleanse Ursoc with Holy Light, leaving Ursoc restored but too weak to recover without sleep.

  • Ysera arrived as Ursoc cleared space around Vordrassil, and Ursoc attacked her with roars and thrown trees.
  • Ysera used life-giving breath and a cage of vines and trees to restrain Ursoc.
  • Aaron offered to help and entered Ursoc’s cage after Ysera opened a gap.
  • Following Xal'atath’s instructions, Aaron poured Holy Light into Ursoc and removed his corruption.
  • Ursoc thanked Aaron and Ysera, then closed his eyes to sleep and recover.

Ch. 317The Source of the Corruption

Aaron helped Ysera restore Ursoc and learned that Vordrassil’s stump still held corruption connected to the Emerald Dream. Ysera asked Aaron to speak with her as she prepared to deal with the tree and the spreading corruption.

  • Ysera released Aaron from Ursoc’s vine cage but kept Ursoc restrained while he slept.
  • Aaron showed Ysera the unconscious Forest Troll who had devoured Nalorakk’s essence, and Ysera turned him into fertilizer with her dragon breath.
  • Ysera called Orsonn and Kodian over and explained that Old God corruption had spread through World Trees, including Vordrassil.
  • Ysera revealed that Vordrassil’s stump still contained corruption and likely caused Ursoc’s corruption.
  • Orsonn agreed to move the Furbolgs away, and Ysera asked Aaron to speak with her.

Ch. 318Ysera's troubles

Ysera showed Aaron that Vordrassil’s corruption was still spreading and warned that it could threaten the Emerald Dream and Azeroth. She offered the green dragonflight’s aid against the Scourge and The Betrayer, then asked Aaron to demonstrate what he had done to Ursoc.

  • Orsonn and his sister began organizing the Furbolgs to move from Grizzlemaw before they could be affected by the corruption.
  • Ysera led Aaron through the crowded Furbolgs and down to the bottom of Grizzlemaw, where she tested Vordrassil and saw black-and-red corruption spread into a leaf.
  • Ysera told Aaron the corruption could cause the Emerald Dream to collapse and allow corrupted monsters to enter the real world.
  • Ysera thanked Aaron for freeing Alexstrasza and confirmed that the green dragonflight would help him fight the Scourge and The Betrayer in Ulduar.
  • Ysera handed Aaron the corrupted leaf and asked him to show her again what he had done to Ursoc.

Ch. 319A new home for the Furbolgs

Aaron attempted to teach Ysera how to purify corruption in the Emerald Dream, and after several failures, they managed to cleanse a leaf. He then learned that the Furbolgs planned to move to Drak'Tharon Keep and take it from the Ice Trolls.

  • Ysera explained that she had found corruption in the Emerald Dream and asked Aaron to demonstrate how to purify it.
  • Aaron accidentally burned the first corrupted leaf to ash with too much Holy Light, then struggled through several more attempts while Xal'atath criticized him.
  • Aaron and the power behind the scenes finally purified a leaf intact, and Ysera thanked Aaron before flying off to test what she had learned.
  • Aaron left Grizzlemaw and asked Orsonn where the Furbolgs planned to move.
  • Orsonn told Aaron that the Furbolgs had chosen Drak'Tharon Keep and planned to take the Ice Trolls' houses.

Ch. 320All Quiet in Drak'Tharon

Aaron and Orsonn reconsidered the Furbolgs’ plan to seize Drak’Tharon Keep after realizing the Ice Trolls’ seven Loa might join the fight. When Aaron went to investigate the keep, he found it deserted but ominously threatening, and his shield began to glow.

  • Orsonn hesitated to attack Drak’Tharon Keep after Aaron reminded him that the Ice Trolls’ Loa might fight alongside them.
  • Orsonn agreed to delay the attack and let the Furbolgs find temporary shelter while they waited for ranger intelligence.
  • Aaron considered warning the Loa about the Ice Trolls but set the idea aside when the rangers returned with reports of the Zandalar fleet and enemy defenses.
  • A ranger reported that Drak’Tharon Keep was strange, so Aaron flew there aboard the Dreadwake with Orsonn, Kodian, Furbolgs, and Shamans.
  • Aaron found Drak’Tharon Keep silent and apparently empty, but its open gates seemed threatening, and his shield began to glow.

Ch. 321Shadow of the Scourge

Aaron led his group into Drak'Tharon Keep after Truthguard warned of a nearby abnormal presence. A dying ice troll revealed that a plague had struck the keep, leaving Aaron to decide whether to investigate further despite fearing the Lich King had claimed it.

  • Aaron entered Drak'Tharon Keep with paladins, rangers, and mages after Truthguard reacted to an abnormal presence.
  • Aaron found a weakened, unresponsive ice troll and used Holy Light to revive him.
  • The troll warned Aaron that there was a plague in the keep before collapsing again, and Xal'atath said his life force was already exhausted.
  • Aaron suspected the plague had turned the keep's trolls into Undead and told his companions what had happened.
  • Aaron asked whether they should leave or investigate further, and Orsonn urged them to check the keep because the furbolgs still needed a home.

Ch. 322Saying goodbye to Dred

Aaron and his companions explored Drak'Tharon Keep and decided to lure King Tyrannosaur Dred out rather than risk killing it where the Scourge might raise it again. Halduron successfully drew Dred beyond the keep, leaving Aaron to wonder why he could cast Divine Shield on others.

  • Aaron's group found King Tyrannosaur Dred blocking their path and agreed to lure the beast away instead of fighting it.
  • Aaron explained that killing Dred could let the Scourge resurrect it, and Halduron recounted how the Blood Knights had burned the animated specimens in Utgarde.
  • Aaron persuaded Halduron to act as bait, then cast Divine Shield on him and was questioned by Bolvar about having been a Priest.
  • Halduron calmly led Dred through the keep using obstacles and arrows while Aaron followed and questioned why he could cast Divine Shield on others.
  • Halduron used a phantom to evade Dred near the keep's exit, and Aaron waved goodbye as the beast was lured outside.

Ch. 323Oh, Novos

Aaron and Halduron discovered a hidden chamber of undead Trolls inside the fortress and fought their way through them. As Aaron regrouped with Halduron after a sudden attack, the hidden assailant introduced himself as Novos and threatened to deliver them to his master.

  • Halduron showed Aaron his limited mirror image spell and explained how he used it to escape in the woods.
  • Aaron's glowing shield alerted him to nearby danger, and he and Halduron found and killed oversized spiders that were not causing the shield's reaction.
  • Halduron spotted concealed stone doors, and Aaron opened them to reveal a chamber of undead Trolls.
  • Aaron and Halduron split up to fight the undead, with Halduron charging in with his spear while Aaron battled the larger Trolls with Holy Light.
  • Aaron unleashed Divine Storm, then dodged a streak of black light and regrouped with Halduron as Novos revealed himself and threatened to present them to his master.

Ch. 324Battling a Lich

Aaron and Halduron fought the Lich Novos, who raised the fallen Troll Undead and attacked them with frost magic. Aaron destroyed Novos with Vereesa’s help, and Vereesa told him she and Bolvar had found a Troll who seemed free of the plague.

  • Aaron and Halduron identified Novos as a Lich, and Aaron provoked him into attacking.
  • Novos’s spells failed to break Aaron’s shield, but his summoning spell reassembled the fallen Troll Undead around them.
  • Aaron unleashed Holy Light to scatter the undead, then charged Novos with Halduron while blocking his frost attacks.
  • Aaron used Divine Shield and Blessing of Freedom to reach Novos, and Vereesa’s arrow struck the Lich’s eye socket.
  • Aaron shattered Novos’s skull and purified his soul with Holy Light.
  • Vereesa explained that she had come looking for Aaron and told him that she and Bolvar had found a Troll who seemed uninfected by the plague.

Ch. 325The Ever-Loyal Drakuru

Aaron, Vereesa, and Halduron returned to the raptor pens after joking about finding Halduron a powerful bow, where they discovered Bolvar guarding the Ice Troll Drakuru. Aaron suspected Drakuru had spread the plague through the fortress, but Drakuru insisted they should focus on the greater threat: the Undead.

  • Halduron asked why Vereesa's arrows had struck their target, and Vereesa showed him Titans' Strike and explained how she had obtained it.
  • Aaron teased Halduron with stories of other legendary bows, then promised to keep an eye out for a suitable weapon for him.
  • Aaron considered the complications of acquiring the Spear of the Eagle but decided not to mention it to Halduron yet.
  • Vereesa told Aaron that she and Bolvar had found Drakuru hiding in the raptor pens and had spared him because he showed no signs of plague.
  • Drakuru told the group that he wanted no quarrel with them and urged them to recognize the Undead as their real enemy.
  • Aaron suspected Drakuru had spread the plague, while Bolvar asked whether he could help and Halduron watched him with open hostility.
Arc 13 of 34
Arc 13 of 34