Recaps

Aaron discovered that the Azeroth he met was the already-awakened Azeroth, who planned to spend over ten thousand years integrating the timelines and wanted him to deal with the remaining Old Gods after returning. With a rune Azeroth placed on his forehead, Aaron opened a passage through time and prepared to take Vereesa home.

• Azeroth told Aaron she would need over ten thousand years to integrate the timelines and warned that she could be corrupted if born before the remaining Old Gods were dealt with.
• Azeroth pushed Aaron out of the Maker's Hall, and he returned to find Chromie waiting while Vereesa slept.
• Aaron comforted Vereesa and used Holy Light to heal her, revealing that he had regained the power without the Tear of Elune.
• Chromie explained that Aaron could use the rune on his forehead to open a one-use passage back through time.
• Vereesa woke, and Aaron gathered her up and opened the passage with Holy Light, telling her they were going home.

Aaron returned to Mount Hyjal with Vereesa and Chromie, recovered the Silver Hand, and learned that Illidan expected him to honor a promise from another timeline. Aaron decided that joining Illidan’s campaign to Draenor could help gather allies while Azeroth’s forces recovered, and the group prepared to leave for the Broken Isles first.

• Aaron, Vereesa, and Chromie emerged at Mount Hyjal, and Chromie soon flew away while Aaron and Vereesa made their way to Nordrassil.
• Aaron discovered that Illidan had recruited Night Elves to fight the Burning Legion and was waiting for him to repay a debt.
• Aaron retrieved the Silver Hand Warhammer, and Illidan reminded him of a promise made by another version of Aaron to help fight the Legion.
• Illidan described his plan to seek artifacts in the Broken Isles and Draenor before building an army to attack Argus.
• Aaron weighed Illidan’s plan against Azeroth’s need to confront the Old Gods, then decided that traveling to Draenor could secure allies while Azeroth recovered.
• Vereesa asked to accompany Aaron, and Illidan said his ships were ready as Aaron agreed to head first for the Broken Isles.

Illidan summoned Lady Vashj and the Naga to take him and Aaron to the Broken Isles, promising them power to resist Azshara’s influence. Their fleet set sail after three days, while a group of Night Elves arrived at the port and pursued them, claiming they had found proof of Illidan’s crimes.

• Illidan left Mount Hyjal with Aaron and his followers, explaining that he had waited because Aaron had warned him about Kil'jaeden and Maiev.
• Aaron entrusted letters for himself and Vereesa to merchants at the port in Azshara before preparing to sail with Illidan.
• Illidan summoned the Naga, and Lady Vashj agreed to help him reach the Broken Isles in exchange for power to resist what had transformed them.
• Lady Vashj recognized Aaron, and the Naga resolved the fleet’s ocean-voyage problems with their knowledge of the sea.
• The fleet departed on the third day after the Naga were summoned, and a group of Night Elves chartered ships to pursue Illidan, saying they had proof of his crimes.

Aaron and Illidan reached the Broken Shore, where Illidan entered the Tomb of Sargeras and retrieved the Eye of Sargeras. When Watchers led by Maiev attacked, Illidan opened a portal to Outland, but Maiev and her followers pursued him through it.

• Aaron learned that Lady Vashj had joined Illidan because she wanted to escape her monstrous form and the control of Azshara and the Old Gods.
• Lady Vashj warned that the fleet was near the waters where an Old God slept, and Aaron suspected it was N'Zoth.
• The fleet reached the Broken Shore, where Illidan ordered his followers to camp and entered the Tomb of Sargeras with the Skull of Gul'dan.
• Illidan overcame the fel-corrupted spirits in the tomb and obtained the Eye of Sargeras.
• Illidan used the Skull and the Eye to open a portal to Outland as Maiev and the Watchers attacked, then escaped through it with Aaron and Vereesa.
• Maiev and the Watchers leapt through the fading portal after Illidan, pursuing him to Draenor.

Aaron and Illidan arrived in Outland through the Dark Portal, where Illidan captured Maiev's Watchers and Aaron persuaded the group to head for Honor Hold. The party encountered gryphon riders overhead, who mistook them for enemies and raised the alarm.

• Aaron emerged in Hellfire Peninsula with Illidan and their followers, then watched a separate portal form beneath the Dark Portal.
• Maiev and the Watchers came through the new portal and were trapped in nets before they could escape the Naga witches.
• Illidan ordered the Watchers kept alive and said he would imprison them once the group had settled.
• Aaron identified Hellfire Citadel and directed Illidan toward Honor Hold, where the old Alliance Expedition had established a camp.
• The group traveled along the Path of Glory and turned onto the road to Honor Hold.
• Gryphon riders spotted the Naga and Night Elves, shouted that enemies were attacking, and alarmed the party.

Aaron convinced Danath Trollbane that he came from Azeroth, and Danath explained the situation in Outland to Aaron and Illidan. After learning that Magtheridon ruled from the Black Temple, Illidan declared he would become Outland’s new master and use it as a base against the Burning Legion.

• Aaron showed Danath Strom'kar and explained its history, earning the commander’s reluctant trust.
• Danath let Illidan’s followers rest outside Honor Hold and described the barren Hellfire Peninsula, where the Orcs of Hellfire Citadel plundered other races.
• Danath explained that the Orcs in Hellfire Citadel had drunk Demon Blood, while Aaron noted that other Orcs might not have been corrupted.
• Illidan asked about the Black Temple and learned that Magtheridon, a powerful Pit Lord, ruled Outland from it.
• Illidan declared himself Outland’s future master and promised to make the land a base for fighting the Burning Legion, leaving Danath worried he might attack Honor Hold.

Illidan led his army against Hellfire Citadel, defeating its Fel Orc defenders and breaking through the fortress gates with the Eye of Sargeras. As the invaders swept inside, Aaron waited for Vereesa to locate Kargath.

• Illidan marched openly toward Hellfire Citadel, while Danath told Aaron he had come to see his old enemy Kargath meet his end.
• Illidan ordered the Naga witches to unleash a massive lightning storm, driving the Orcs from the fortress walls.
• Fel Orcs charged from the gates but were overwhelmed by the Naga and their allies; some were captured and others were killed.
• Illidan used the Eye of Sargeras and the Skull of Gul'dan to blast down the gates and breach the passage into the fortress.
• Illidan watched his army fight inside Hellfire Citadel while Aaron waited for Vereesa to find Kargath.

Aaron searched Hellfire Citadel for Kargath Bladefist and found the Orc chieftain fighting in a berserk state. Danath defeated Kargath, but Illidan stopped him from killing the Orc and subdued him, completing his conquest of Hellfire Citadel.

• Aaron and his companions searched Hellfire Citadel for Kargath while avoiding Illidan's troops.
• Aaron found Kargath fighting a Naga brute in the citadel's deepest basement and watched him kill it.
• Kargath challenged Aaron's group, and Danath accepted the fight with Strom'kar, which Aaron lent him.
• Danath dodged Kargath's attacks and severed one of his arms with Strom'kar.
• Illidan intervened before Danath could kill Kargath and used a spell to force the Orc to the ground.

After taking Hellfire Citadel, Illidan led his forces toward Zangarmarsh, where Aaron and Vereesa encountered a Draenei scout. The scout agreed to take them to Prophet Velen in Telredor, giving Aaron a chance to meet the Draenei before the main force continued on.

• Illidan left Kargath Bladefist in charge of Hellfire Citadel under the supervision of Night Elves and Naga, while its allegiance remained tied to Illidan defeating Magtheridon.
• After resting for two days, Illidan's force traveled toward Zangarmarsh, where the Naga and other aquatic races welcomed the marshland and its waters.
• Illidan noticed the independent Sporeling and fungal giant communities but recognized that removing them from their environment could kill them.
• Aaron and Vereesa left the rear of the column and captured a Draenei tracker who had been following the group.
• Aaron asked the Draenei where Prophet Velen was, and the scout revealed that Velen was in Telredor.
• After Aaron displayed the Holy Light, the Draenei trusted him and agreed to guide him and Vereesa to Velen.

Aaron and Vereesa reached Telredor and met Prophet Velen, who confirmed that the Draenei’s ships had power for only one more deep-space voyage. Velen said the Holy Light had revealed that great changes were coming to Outland, and Aaron offered the Draenei a portal to Azeroth as another way out.

• A Draenei scout told Aaron that many Broken had recently left Telredor for an unknown destination.
• The scout brought Aaron and Vereesa to meet Velen in his temporary temple.
• Velen welcomed the visitors and said the Holy Light had shown him that Outland faced great changes and that the Draenei’s future lay with them.
• Velen confirmed that the Draenei ships had enough power for only one deep-space voyage, which required them to choose their destination carefully.
• Aaron offered the Draenei the option of traveling to Azeroth through a portal.

Aaron explained that relocating the Draenei through a portal would require Illidan’s help and would be difficult to arrange, then asked Velen to stop secretly tracking their army. Velen agreed to meet Illidan and accompanied Aaron, who found the army still in Zangarmarsh, where Illidan was holding a group of expedition soldiers under guard.

• Aaron explained to Velen that Illidan might be able to open a portal for the Draenei, but moving them would take considerable effort and a new settlement would need to be found.
• Aaron asked Velen to stop the Draenei from secretly following Illidan’s army, warning that the surveillance was making Illidan unhappy.
• Velen agreed to end the surveillance and decided to travel with Aaron because the Holy Light had given him no warning and urged him to meet Illidan.
• Aaron and Velen caught up with Illidan’s army in Zangarmarsh, where Illidan asked Aaron to reassure the guarded expedition soldiers that he meant them no harm.

Aaron and Velen went ahead to Shattrath to explain Illidan’s arrival after Illidan’s forces captured the Alliance Expedition soldiers guarding the city. As Shattrath’s walls came into view, Velen reflected on returning to the city he had once abandoned.

• Alliance Expedition soldiers guarding Shattrath’s southern entrance tried to stop Illidan’s approaching Naga and Murlocs, but the force beat and bound them.
• Illidan nearly killed the captured soldiers when they refused to cooperate, but Aaron returned and prevented him from doing so.
• Aaron explained that he needed to clear up the misunderstanding with Shattrath’s leaders before Illidan brought his army past the city.
• Velen offered to help Aaron contact Shattrath, while Illidan showed little interest in the Draenei and Velen warned Aaron that vengeance might cause trouble.
• Aaron and Velen approached Shattrath’s outer walls, and Velen sighed as he recalled having once abandoned the city.

Aaron brought Illidan’s forces to Shattrath and secured A'dal’s permission for them to pass through on their way to Shadowmoon Valley. After answering questions from Khadgar and the expedition veterans, Aaron left with dozens of Gryphon Riders who planned to witness the coming battle.

• Aaron explained to Vereesa that the Naaru could turn into shadow creatures after exhausting their Holy Light.
• Khadgar welcomed Aaron’s party to Shattrath and heard his account of events in Azeroth.
• A'dal allowed Illidan’s army to pass through Shattrath but declined to provide support.
• Vereesa learned that Turalyon and Alleria had vanished in spatial disturbances.
• After spending two days answering questions, Aaron received word that Illidan was preparing to march on Shadowmoon Valley.
• Dozens of Gryphon Riders joined Aaron as expedition representatives to witness the battle.

Aaron’s expedition crossed Terokkar Forest and entered Shadowmoon Valley, where Illidan prepared to capture the Black Temple. After ordering his army to attack, Illidan led the charge as the temple’s demons formed up to meet them.

• Illidan accepted Aaron’s suggestion to lift the Arakkoa’s curse, gaining their aerial fighters for his army.
• Aaron visited Alleria Stronghold with Khadgar and Vereesa, and the rangers told him that Shadowmoon Valley was a Burning Legion outpost.
• The expedition entered Shadowmoon Valley and saw the devastation caused by Gul'dan’s Hand, the fel volcano Gul'dan had raised.
• Illidan camped his forces near Gul'dan’s Hand, climbed to its summit, and ordered his soldiers to seize the Black Temple.
• Illidan flew down to lead the advance as the demons at the Black Temple formed ranks to face the attackers.

Illidan’s forces advanced on the neglected Black Temple, where Magtheridon had grown complacent in his rule of Outland. Magtheridon confronted Illidan, mistook him for a Legion agent, and prepared to crush him.

• Green Infernals and demonic artillery struck as Magtheridon watched the battle from the Black Temple’s walls.
• Illidan’s disciplined Naga forces pushed back the demons and advanced to within a hundred meters of the temple.
• Magtheridon noticed Illidan challenging him and decided to attack the demon he thought resembled a Dreadlord.
• Magtheridon leaped from the wall, scattering nearby fighters, while Illidan remained standing.
• Magtheridon asked Illidan if the Legion had sent him to test his strength, then threatened to crush him.

Illidan defeated Magtheridon and bound him with the Eye of Sargeras, becoming the new king of Outland. As Illidan prepared to announce his victory, an assassin attacked, but Aaron shielded him from the dagger.

• Magtheridon sent his elite Doomguards to attack Illidan, who killed them with the Warglaives of Azzinoth.
• Magtheridon fought Illidan while the Naga army and the demons resumed battle around them.
• Illidan wounded Magtheridon, subdued him with a binding spell, and used the Eye of Sargeras to imprison him.
• An assassin hurled a dagger at the exhausted Illidan, but Aaron blocked it with a Divine Shield.

After Illidan captured Maiev during her failed attempt to assassinate him, he let Aaron decide the fate of the Watchers. Aaron visited Maiev in the Black Temple’s dungeon to ask why she continued to pursue Illidan and whether their hatred could be resolved.

• Maiev threw a dagger at Illidan, but she missed, and he restrained her with runes and ordered the Watchers guarded.
• Illidan and his forces spent more than half a month clearing demons from the Black Temple before he took control of it.
• Illidan agreed to leave the Watchers’ fate to Aaron, though he threatened to kill them if Aaron’s decision displeased him.
• The Watchers languished in the dungeon beside demons, where harsh conditions and fel exposure weakened them.
• Aaron met Maiev in her cell and asked her why she pursued Illidan, saying he wanted to resolve their hatred.

Aaron used Xal'atath to stop Maiev from pursuing Illidan, allowing Illidan to begin training Night Elf recruits as Demon Hunters. After witnessing the lethal fel ritual, Aaron prepared to leave Outland and plan a connection between it and Azeroth.

• Aaron summoned Xal'atath, who implanted the idea that Illidan's work was unfinished and Maiev should not arrest him until the Burning Legion was destroyed.
• Illidan sent Maiev and her Watchers through a portal to Azeroth, then began training the Night Elves who had followed him.
• Illidan ordered the recruits to defeat demons, tear out their hearts, and eat them before drinking demon blood.
• Illidan used the Eye of Sargeras to transform the recruits with fel, and at least a tenth of them died during the ritual.
• Illidan explained that Demon Hunters had to become demons before they could become effective hunters, while Aaron decided not to interfere with the training.
• Aaron confirmed that Illidan was avoiding conflict with Outland's powers and began planning a connection between Outland and Azeroth.

Aaron proposed reopening the Dark Portal so the expeditionary force and Draenei could return to Azeroth and maintain a connection between the worlds. Khadgar warned of the portal’s dangers, but Aaron gave him Azeroth’s coordinates, and A'dal suggested the Draenei ships could carry them there directly.

• Aaron explained to Khadgar that reopening the Dark Portal was necessary to bring the expeditionary force and Draenei home and connect Azeroth with Outland.
• Khadgar warned Aaron that the portal’s excessive power and Outland’s continuing collapse could damage both worlds.
• Aaron said he would ask Azeroth whether the effects could be controlled, then gave Khadgar a scroll containing Azeroth’s coordinates.
• Khadgar recognized the coordinates as a possible route home, and A'dal said the Draenei ships could take them to Azeroth.
• Khadgar rushed off to find Velen.

Aaron and Khadgar sought Velen in Shattrath to confirm whether Draenei ships could use coordinates to reach Azeroth. Velen agreed to consult chief technician Romuul at Tempest Keep, and they set out through dangerous Netherstorm.

• Aaron caught up with Khadgar in Shattrath's Lower City, where Velen was helping injured Broken children alongside Nobundo.
• Khadgar told Nobundo that A'dal believed the Draenei ships could use coordinates to travel to Azeroth, and Nobundo recognized that the plan might work.
• Velen listened to Khadgar's explanation and said they needed to ask Romuul, the chief technician watching over the ships in Netherstorm.
• Velen decided to take Aaron and the others to Tempest Keep to consult Romuul, and his guards began preparing for the journey.
• Aaron learned after they set out that the route through Netherstorm was far more dangerous than Velen's warning had suggested.

Aaron's party traveled through Blade's Edge Mountains, where a group of Gronn attacked them with boulders. After fighting while retreating, they escaped to the border of Netherstorm, and the Gronn abandoned the chase.

• Aaron asked Khadgar about Gruul's strength, and Khadgar explained that Gruul had slain black dragons but could not withstand Deathwing.
• Vereesa spotted Gronn gathering on a ridge, and the creatures hurled boulders at Aaron's party.
• Khadgar warned the party that the Gronn would charge after their volley, and the melee fighters moved to hold them back.
• Khadgar urged the party to drive the Gronn off before they attracted Gruul, so the group fought while retreating toward Netherstorm.
• Aaron's party reached the border of Netherstorm, and the Gronn stopped pursuing them.

Aaron's party struggled through Netherstorm's dangerous, shattered landscape and used Khadgar's magic to locate Draenei manaforges. Guided by the Draenei, they reached the fleet and were welcomed aboard Tempest Keep.

• Aaron's party endured Netherstorm's chaotic gravity, turbulent energy, and mutated beasts while becoming lost.
• Velen said his connection to the Holy Light was disrupted, and Khadgar failed to determine their position with spells.
• Aaron suggested searching the ground for Draenei facilities that harnessed energy from the sky.
• Khadgar sensed two nearby manaforges, and the party followed his directions to one of them.
• Draenei guards guided Aaron's party from the manaforge to the fleet, where Romuul welcomed them to Tempest Keep.

The Draenei prepared to leave Outland for Azeroth aboard the Exodar and Mechanar, with Aaron helping choose a landing site. The ships arrived in orbit over Azeroth, and Aaron welcomed the returning expeditionary forces and Khadgar home as they prepared to land in Northrend.

• Romuul confirmed the Draenei ships could reach Azeroth, and Velen decided to move his people there despite concerns about how Azeroth would receive them.
• Romuul prepared the Exodar and Mechanar for departure while Aaron returned to Shattrath to inform Illidan and the Draenei and expeditionary forces organized their move.
• After two months of preparations, the Draenei and other passengers boarded the ships in Shattrath, and Romuul launched the Exodar with the Mechanar beside it.
• Romuul confirmed both ships had completed their jump to Azeroth and asked Aaron where they should land.
• Aaron chose the Borean Tundra in Northrend, and he welcomed Khadgar, Danath, Kurdran, and the expeditionary soldiers home.

Aaron brought the Exodar safely down in the Borean Tundra, where the Draenei began settling into their new home and the expeditionary soldiers prepared to return to Azeroth. The soldiers arrived in Covenant City and learned that the Alliance had arranged a ceremony to welcome them home.

• Aaron chose the Borean Tundra as the Exodar's landing site, and he calmed an approaching blue dragon through the ship's broadcast system.
• The Exodar landed safely, and Aaron's appearance dispelled the onlookers' hostility as the Draenei and expeditionary soldiers disembarked.
• Azeroth sent Val'kyr to deliver a message, while Xal'atath went to report on the journey to Outland and the Draenei remained in the Borean Tundra to adjust.
• Aaron, Khadgar, and Vereesa traveled through a blue-dragon portal to Covenant City, where Aaron explained that portals there led to the Alliance nations and that Zul'Aman had become the home of the High Elves.
• Illucia welcomed the expeditionary soldiers and told them to stay for a ceremony, which the Alliance was preparing for the following day.
• The Alliance's leaders and representatives of other allied races gathered for a grand ceremony honoring the returning expeditionary army.

After the expedition returned, Aaron helped the Draenei settle in the Borean Tundra and join the Alliance, then worked with Khadgar to reopen the Dark Portal. The portal linked Azeroth and Outland, and after a year of relative calm, Aaron learned that Scourge activity had reappeared in Stormwind City.

• The Draenei established a homeland in the Borean Tundra and joined the Alliance, hoping to show goodwill to Azeroth’s inhabitants.
• Aaron secured Azeroth’s approval to reopen the Dark Portal and spent most of the following months in Stormwind City preparing the plan.
• Khadgar received coordinates for Draenor from Medivh, who had recovered in Karazhan and agreed to help.
• The Dark Portal reopened, allowing Northrend’s orcs to seek contact with their surviving kin in Outland, though the Draenei remained wary.
• Illidan began conquering Outland while Aaron stayed out of his plans and enjoyed a relatively peaceful year.
• During a remote Alliance meeting, Aaron learned that signs of Scourge activity had appeared again in Stormwind City.