Recaps

After Falstad left, Aaron chose to travel to the Broken Isles and Northrend, then accepted Vereesa’s invitation to visit Quel'Thalas. Krasus brought Aaron, Vereesa, and Rhonin to Dalaran, where they planned to rest at an inn while Krasus reported to the Council of Six.

• Aaron considered his next destination and told Vereesa he planned to visit the Broken Isles and Northrend.
• Vereesa invited Aaron to visit Quel'Thalas after they took Rhonin back to Dalaran, and Aaron agreed.
• After spending the night at the mountain dwarves' camp, Aaron, Vereesa, and Rhonin flew with Krasus toward Dalaran.
• Krasus teleported the group to Dalaran after landing beyond the Wetlands, then went to report their mission to the Council of Six.
• Aaron and Vereesa admired Dalaran, and Aaron agreed to stay at an inn with them, telling Rhonin to pay.

Aaron, Vereesa, and Rhonin met Dalaran’s Council of Six after completing their mission and recounted what had happened at Grim Batol. The council thanked them, and they left the Chamber of the Sky with their mission complete.

• Rhonin brought Aaron and Vereesa to an inn, where Krasus invited them to meet the Council of Six.
• Krasus led the three through the Violet Citadel’s ceiling into the Chamber of the Sky, where five cloaked councilors awaited them.
• Krasus introduced Rhonin, Aaron, and Vereesa as the heroes who had completed the mission, and the council congratulated them.
• Aaron and the others described the mission while concealing that Krasus was a red dragon.
• Rhonin explained how Deathwing had used him to deceive Nekros and how Nekros had beaten and imprisoned him before the Dragonmaw Orcs’ evacuation.
• The councilors questioned the three and thanked them, then Krasus led them out of the chamber.

After finishing their mission, Aaron planned to travel to the Broken Isles to seek the artifact Truthguard, while Vereesa and Rhonin discussed their own plans. A royal summons delayed Aaron and Vereesa’s departure, and they stayed in Dalaran as Vereesa asked Rhonin to show them around.

• Aaron told Rhonin he planned to seek Truthguard on the Broken Isles, and Rhonin and Vereesa explained possible routes from Kul Tiras and Quel'Thalas.
• Rhonin said he intended to keep studying magic, and Aaron warned him to learn more defensive spells.
• A mage sent by Antonidas told Aaron and Vereesa that the king of Lordaeron wanted to meet them, so they agreed to remain in Dalaran until a portal was ready.
• Aaron asked Rhonin why portals were not used to transport troops, and Rhonin explained their high mana costs, preparation requirements, and vulnerability to interference.
• Vereesa suggested that Rhonin show them around Dalaran while they waited.

Aaron, Vereesa, and Rhonin toured Dalaran, where Aaron searched for Kael'thas and Jaina before visiting the Wishing Well. After making a wish for world peace, Aaron encountered Kel'Thuzad, a mage whose future threatened that peace.

• Rhonin guided Aaron and Vereesa around Dalaran as Aaron searched for Kael'thas and Jaina.
• Aaron asked Rhonin to take him to the Wishing Well and briefly considered fishing coins from its pool.
• Rhonin gave Aaron and Vereesa coins and a special pen so they could write wishes; Aaron wished for world peace.
• Rhonin recognized Kel'Thuzad and bowed as the mage passed, leaving Aaron startled by the encounter.

Aaron followed Kel'Thuzad to his laboratory to learn about the mage’s forbidden necromancy research. After Kel'Thuzad raised a ghost rat that quickly vanished, Aaron learned that he had been developing the magic to fight the orcs.

• Rhonin told Vereesa that Kel'Thuzad was researching forbidden magic and catching rats in the sewers.
• Aaron left Rhonin and Vereesa and persuaded Kel'Thuzad to show him his research.
• Kel'Thuzad cast a spell on a rat, killing it and briefly raising its ghost.
• Aaron questioned the usefulness of the ghost rat, and Kel'Thuzad admitted he had hoped to use such magic against the orcs.

Kel'Thuzad explained that fear of the Orcish Death Knights had driven him to resume studying necromancy, and Aaron revealed the origins of their souls and suggested that Val'kyr could help with his research. Kel'Thuzad decided to prepare for a journey to the Broken Isles.

• Kel'Thuzad recounted how the Death Knights had overwhelmed Alliance troops and how the mages' research into necromancy had been halted after the Dark Portal was closed.
• After the Orcs returned and the Death Knights helped seize the Eye of Dalaran, Kel'Thuzad resumed his research to prepare for their eventual return.
• Kel'Thuzad told Aaron he could separate rats' souls from their bodies but could not stabilize them, and he hoped to create Death Knights of his own.
• Aaron explained that the first Death Knights contained the souls of Shadow Council Warlocks, and Kel'Thuzad worried that his work would produce only walking corpses.
• Aaron told Kel'Thuzad about the Val'kyr and said they could be found in the Broken Isles, not Northrend.
• Kel'Thuzad decided to prepare for a journey to the Broken Isles, and Aaron wished him success.

Aaron reunited with Rhonin and Vereesa before Kael'thas invited them to Lordaeron at King Terenas's request. As Kael'thas led them toward a portal, Aaron learned of his awkward history with Vereesa's sister and met Antonidas and the young Jaina.

• Aaron returned to the inn and rejoined Rhonin and Vereesa after speaking with Kel'Thuzad.
• Kael'thas arrived and said King Terenas wanted to hear about their experiences firsthand, so Aaron, Vereesa, and Rhonin accepted the invitation.
• As Kael'thas led them out of the inn, Vereesa told Aaron that Kael'thas had once pursued her second sister.
• Kael'thas brought the group to a portal, where he introduced them to Antonidas and his pupil, Jaina.

Aaron and the other envoys traveled from Dalaran to Lordaeron, where Jaina immediately went to find Arthas. Back in Dalaran, Antonidas granted Kel'Thuzad leave to visit the Broken Isles, unaware that Aaron had prompted his decision.

• Antonidas sent Aaron, Kael'thas, Rhonin, Vereesa, and Jaina through a portal to Lordaeron as envoys for King Terenas.
• After the envoys departed, Antonidas granted Kel'Thuzad time off to visit the Broken Isles.
• Aaron and the others arrived safely in Lordaeron and were led to their guest rooms ahead of the king's banquet.
• Jaina learned that Arthas was training with Uther and left to find him herself.
• Aaron joked about Jaina's youthful ardor, and Rhonin pointed out that Aaron looked younger than eighteen.

Aaron, Kael'thas, Rhonin, and Vereesa attended King Terenas's banquet in Lordaeron, where Kael'thas handled diplomatic formalities and hinted at a separate investigation. Aaron observed tensions within the royal family as Princess Calia left the hall after a strained exchange with Terenas.

• After Jaina left to find Arthas, Aaron worried that he had no suitable clothes for the banquet, and Kael'thas told him he could wear his armor as long as he brought no weapons.
• Aaron, Kael'thas, Rhonin, and Vereesa entered Lordaeron's palace and were greeted by King Terenas, who exchanged formal pleasantries with Kael'thas.
• Terenas invited the four guests to enjoy the banquet and later recount their adventures, while Kael'thas told Aaron he was also investigating other matters but did not explain further.
• Aaron watched Terenas speaking with Princess Calia and Queen Lianne and guessed their identities as Arthas's sister and mother.
• After a tense conversation with Terenas, Princess Calia reluctantly left the banquet hall, and Terenas sat pensive.

Terenas considered how to expand Lordaeron’s influence by making Alterac a vassal and cultivating allies in Stromgarde, while weighing the strengths and weaknesses of the other human kingdoms. He imagined his son Arthas continuing his ambitions before Arthas and Jaina entered the banquet hall.

• Terenas recalled how Daval Prestor had won his favor and the other kings’ approval to become Alterac’s king, and how Terenas had betrothed his eldest daughter to him.
• Terenas planned to use Lordaeron’s aid to cultivate pro-Lordaeron forces in Stromgarde, despite his friendship with King Thoras.
• Terenas considered how Dalaran, Kul Tiras, Gilneas, Stormwind, and the northern elves might affect Lordaeron’s ambitions.
• Terenas imagined his son Arthas eventually extending Lordaeron’s influence, then Arthas and Jaina entered the banquet hall.

Aaron and his companions attended a state banquet where Terenas introduced them to Arthas, Uther, and several human kings. After the feast, the kings summoned the four to report on their mission, beginning a discussion that left their next steps unresolved.

• Aaron watched Lordaeron's nobles crowd around Kael'thas and Vereesa before Jaina and Arthas arrived with Uther.
• Terenas introduced Aaron and his companions to Arthas and Uther, who scrutinized Aaron warily.
• Genn Greymane, Thoradin, and Daelin arrived, and Aaron learned the kings had gathered to discuss the Orcs in Khaz Modan and the Alliance's next military operation.
• Calia returned looking relieved, and Terenas began the banquet after sending a court attendant away.
• Aaron and Rhonin focused on the food while the nobles socialized, then the kings summoned Aaron and his companions to describe their mission.
• The kings exchanged pleasantries with Kael'thas and began questioning Aaron and the others about their mission.

Terenas sent Uther and Kael'thas to investigate Daval Prestor's abandoned residence after hearing that Prestor had vanished and that magic had been detected there. Aaron, Rhonin, and Vereesa joined them, where they met Arthas and Muradin; Kael'thas broke the magical defenses and knocked down the entrance with a fireball.

• Terenas announced that Daval Prestor had left without warning and asked Uther and Kael'thas to investigate his residence.
• Aaron followed Kael'thas with Rhonin and Vereesa, while the kings stayed behind and began arguing about their plans.
• Uther explained that Prestor's lodgings belonged to the Lordaeron royal family, and Kael'thas revealed that Dalaran had been monitoring Prestor for signs of magic.
• The group found Arthas, Muradin Bronzebeard, and others waiting outside the magically sealed residence; Arthas explained that he had come with Jaina and Calia's encouragement.
• Kael'thas dispelled the protective magic, then heeded Aaron's warning by having everyone move back before blasting the entrance with a fireball.

The group entered Lord Prestor's residence and discovered evidence that Deathwing had revealed his true form before fleeing. Aaron and the others then faced three Blackscale Dragonspawn hidden inside, and the fight continued as the knights pressed their attack.

• Kael'thas destroyed the gate, revealing a courtyard whose stone paving had been crushed.
• Uther led the adults into the courtyard while Muradin stayed behind to guard Arthas, Calia, and Jaina.
• Aaron opened a door and was attacked by three Blackscale Dragonspawn, which the Silver Hand knights moved to contain.
• Kael'thas engulfed the dragonspawn in fire while Vereesa and Rhonin attacked, but the creatures survived and tried to retreat indoors.
• Aaron pierced one dragonspawn's scales, and the knights joined the attack as the dragonspawn fought back with heavy weapons.

Aaron and Uther’s group discovered that Lord Prestor’s home had been occupied by dragonkin and scarred by powerful magic, prompting Uther and Kael'thas to report the matter to their authorities. Aaron then found a notebook among the surviving magical implements and became absorbed in its rambling human-language notes.

• Uther’s knights and Aaron defeated three dragonkin, captured them, and sent them away for interrogation.
• The group searched the rest of Lord Prestor’s home and found a magically sealed room scorched by intense heat and filled with magical implements.
• Kael'thas suspected Lord Prestor was connected to an Archmage and left with Rhonin to report the discovery to the Kirin Tor.
• Uther departed to inform the king and question the captured dragonkin, leaving two knights on guard.
• Arthas and Muradin asked Aaron about the dragonkin, and Aaron explained that they were people with some dragon characteristics.
• Aaron searched the magical implements, found a notebook written in human language, and began reading its rambling notes with growing interest.

Aaron and Vereesa found Natalie Selin’s notebook, which exposed Lord Prestor as Deathwing and revealed the tragic history of Xal'atath. After helping Uther prepare for war against the Orcs, Aaron traveled with Vereesa toward Quel'Thalas and reached Marris Stead, where he hinted that someone she knew was nearby.

• Aaron showed Vereesa Natalie Selin’s notebook and explained how Xal'atath had driven the former bishop mad before her followers killed her.
• Aaron gave the notebook to Uther as evidence against Lord Prestor, and Uther began preparing a coordinated war against the Orcs.
• Aaron urged Uther to send Stormwind a report warning that Deathwing might use Lord Prestor’s identity to deceive them.
• Aaron decided to return to Quel'Thalas with Vereesa and considered seeking the shield Truthguard after reaching the Broken Isles.
• Aaron and Vereesa traveled through Andorhal and arrived at Marris Stead, where Aaron told Vereesa that someone she knew was there.

Aaron and Vereesa visited Nathanos Marris at his farm and learned why he had left the Quel'Thalas ranger forces. Nathanos warned them about suspected Orc spellcasters nearby, leaving the pair to investigate a threat they had not known about.

• Vereesa told Aaron that Nathanos had become the only human ranger lord through Sylvanas's support, but had eventually left the rangers after being ostracized.
• Aaron and Vereesa found Nathanos at his remote home, where he confirmed he had returned to farming after the defense of Silvermoon City.
• Nathanos recognized Vereesa and asked whether the Trolls of Zul'Aman were causing trouble before noticing Aaron's paladin-like appearance.
• Nathanos told them he had found signs of profane rituals and suspected Orc spellcasters were making plans nearby.
• Nathanos's younger cousin let Aaron know that a High Elf lady had once stayed in an empty, carefully maintained room in the cottage.

Nathanos told Aaron and the others about shadow-wielding cultists near Marris Stead and led them to the traces and altar he had found in the woods. Aaron noticed something at the altar and raised a hand for everyone to stay quiet, leaving the group poised to investigate.

• Nathanos explained that he had tracked shadow spellcasters near Marris Stead but lacked the equipment and time to identify their plans.
• Aaron learned that Nathanos's younger cousin was a squire of the Knights of the Silver Hand and considered whether the cultists might belong to Twilight's Hammer.
• Nathanos led Aaron, Vereesa, and Stephen into the wilderness to inspect a refuse heap, campfires, and other traces of the cultists.
• Vereesa inferred that fewer cultists had been at the second campsite, and Nathanos led the group to their stone altar.
• Stephen condemned the altar and its remains, but Aaron raised a hand to silence everyone after noticing something.

Aaron and his companions destroyed a shadow altar, but shadow cultists ambushed them and summoned a Faceless One. As Aaron attacked the motionless cultist leader, black light blinded him, leaving him in danger.

• Aaron heard a faint sound near the altar, but Nathanos found no useful tracks, so Stephen smashed the altar and Aaron cleared away its shadow smoke with Holy Light.
• A hidden cultist leader and four hooded spellcasters attacked the group, and Vereesa and Nathanos disrupted the spellcasters with their arrows.
• The leader summoned a Faceless One, which charged Aaron and regenerated its severed tentacle after he cut it off.
• Aaron realized the leader was controlling the Faceless One and rushed to attack him, but black light engulfed Aaron's vision before he could strike.

Aaron resisted a Shadow Priest’s attempt to turn him to the Old Gods, then defeated the transformed Faceless One with a sudden burst of power. As Aaron questioned the source of his Holy Light, Stephen picked up the priest’s discarded dagger despite Aaron’s warning.

• A voice within Aaron dispelled the black mist and the influence that was nearly drawing him into the Old Gods’ faction.
• Aaron attacked the Shadow Priest, who transformed into a huge Faceless One and knocked Aaron down before a golden radiance healed and empowered him.
• Aaron leaped onto the Faceless One and drove his sword into its head, then Stephen pulled him away from its violent death throes while Vereesa arrived.
• Stephen explained that he had defeated the smaller Faceless One with a pitchfork while Nathanos and Vereesa fought the spellcasters.
• Aaron studied the faintly glowing sword hilt and grew wary of the Holy Light’s unknown source, then warned Stephen away from the discarded dagger after Stephen picked it up.

Aaron seized Xal'atath, and the Holy Light inside him erupted into a struggle that trapped him in a series of horrific visions. After a powerful being subdued the dagger, Aaron woke in bed with Stephen keeping watch.

• Aaron grasped Xal'atath, and the dagger's influence triggered an uncontrolled surge of Holy Light through his body.
• Aaron lost consciousness and endured a chain of nightmares in which he faced disasters and repeatedly died.
• Xal'atath cursed as the Holy Light overwhelmed it, and a powerful being pulled its shadow from the dagger and swallowed it.
• Aaron's visions stopped as he witnessed Xavius tormenting Ysera, then heard a gentle voice tell him to wake up.
• Aaron opened his eyes, and Stephen called for his cousin and Lady Vereesa to tell them Aaron was awake.

After waking from a three-day unconscious spell, Aaron discovered that Xal'atath had been transformed by the Holy Light into a hilt that could form a rapier blade. Once his health recovered, he and Vereesa continued toward Quel'Thalas.

• Aaron learned from Stephen that he had been unconscious for three days while Holy Light poured into Xal'atath, and that Nathanos and Vereesa had killed the Shadow Priests.
• Aaron worried that the Holy Light might one day overwhelm his will, then discovered that Xal'atath's blade had vanished and its hilt had turned gold and white.
• Aaron infused the hilt with Holy Light and formed a stable, slender rapier blade, which he tested before Vereesa found him out of bed.
• Aaron told Vereesa that he had destroyed the soul inside the weapon and reforged it, and she urged him to rest.
• Two days later, Aaron and Vereesa said goodbye to Nathanos and continued toward Quel'Thalas.

Aaron and Vereesa waited at Quel'Lithien Lodge for a supply convoy while learning that the neglected outpost was threatened by Jungle Trolls. When the convoy finally appeared under attack, Aaron flew out to help the wounded elves, but the Trolls focused their axes on keeping him from intervening.

• The ranger captain explained that dwindling trade and renewed Troll activity had led King Anasterian to reduce supplies to Quel'Lithien Lodge.
• Vereesa and Aaron waited for the delayed supply escort, which the captain said could take them back safely through Troll-held mountains.
• Vereesa spotted figures approaching, and Aaron flew ahead on his gryphon to investigate.
• Aaron found wounded elves escorting floating crates while more than twenty Trolls pursued them, then knocked down one Troll with a Hammer of Judgement.
• The Trolls' leader ordered his warriors to keep Aaron occupied with thrown axes while they continued attacking the elves.

Aaron was forced from the sky by a Troll who summoned Jan'alai, then crashed into the elves’ cargo and faced the Trolls alone. Rangers from Quel'Lithien Lodge arrived and drove the Trolls into retreat, leaving Aaron to heal the wounded elves.

• Aaron dodged the Trolls’ coordinated barrage of throwing axes until their supply began to dwindle.
• The Troll leader summoned Jan'alai, whose flames destroyed Aaron’s gryphon and sent him crashing through an elf cargo crate.
• Aaron shielded himself as more than a dozen Trolls prepared to attack him on the ground.
• Rangers from Quel'Lithien Lodge arrived, killed several Trolls with arrows, and forced the survivors to retreat.
• Aaron healed the wounded elves while they finished off fallen Trolls to prevent them from regenerating and escaping.

Aaron healed the elves escorting Liadrin and learned that she regretted not being able to become a paladin. After the party continued toward Quel'Lithien, Vereesa reunited with Liadrin, whom Aaron recognized as the future leader of the blood elf paladins.

• Aaron healed the injured elves and reassured Liadrin, who blamed herself for being caught off guard by the trolls.
• Aaron examined an elven shield, then demonstrated Consecration when Liadrin asked whether he was a paladin.
• Liadrin explained that conservative leaders in the elves' Church of the Holy Light had rejected proposals to learn from human paladins.
• Aaron considered offering to teach Liadrin but stopped because he did not know how to train a paladin.
• The rangers returned from pursuing the trolls and led the wounded onward toward Quel'Lithien.
• Vereesa reunited with Liadrin, and Aaron learned that the military priest was stationed at Farstriders' Camp while Lor'themar planned revenge after the Farstriders' costly attack.

Aaron, Liadrin, and Vereesa learned that the Trolls had withdrawn from the area and were gathering near Farstriders' Camp, prompting them to investigate. Aaron flew Liadrin toward the camp while Vereesa continued through the forest with the rangers.

• Liadrin complained to Vereesa that she had been assigned to escort grain after being injured, and Aaron suspected Lor'themar had arranged it to keep her safe.
• Vereesa explained that Sylvanas was in Silvermoon City handling the Ranger-General's duties, while Lor'themar prepared the retaliation against the Trolls.
• After the convoy reached the outpost, its members set out for the Elfgate under ranger protection, but scouts reported that the Trolls had withdrawn and gathered northeast near Farstriders' Camp.
• The rangers decided to send scouts to confirm the situation, and Aaron accompanied Vereesa and Liadrin toward the camp.
• Unable to keep pace in the dense forest, Aaron summoned his gryphon and flew with Liadrin toward Lake Elrendar while Vereesa continued on foot with the rangers.