Recaps

Aaron and Vereesa flew to Farstriders' Camp to check on the battle against the Amani Trolls, passing a lightly defended outpost along the way. They reached a camp lit by enormous bonfires and filled with battle-ready rangers, and Vereesa went to find Sylvanas.

• Aaron changed their conspicuous white gryphon for a black one after Vereesa worried that Trolls might ambush them from the woods.
• At Farstrider Lodge, Halduron explained that Sylvanas had sent the mobile forces to the front and said he expected the elves to win.
• Aaron and Vereesa saw a great blaze over Farstriders' Camp; Vereesa reasoned that the rangers had lit the fires themselves because there was no sign of nearby fighting.
• A ranger fired a warning arrow at the approaching gryphon, then welcomed Vereesa after she identified herself in Thalassian.
• Vereesa saw the tense rangers and led Aaron toward Sylvanas after asking where she was.

Sylvanas brooded over her irritability and the tensions surrounding Nathanos, Vereesa, and Aaron while the Trolls besieged the Farstriders' Camp. When an unfamiliar roar sounded outside, she went with Vereesa to investigate.

• Sylvanas reflected on her frustration with the rangers who had opposed Nathanos's promotion and driven him from the ranger corps.
• Vereesa returned with Aaron, and Sylvanas greeted them before listening to her sister recount her recent adventures.
• A Troll attack began, and Aaron rushed out to help while Sylvanas stayed behind to rest.
• Sylvanas recalled how the Amani Trolls had besieged the camp and kept the rangers exhausted with repeated harassment.
• An unfamiliar roar shook the camp, and Sylvanas went outside with Vereesa to see what the Trolls were doing.

Aaron realized he had been transported to Azeroth after recognizing a High Elf and the names of nearby nations. He began trying to determine the era and assess the dangers ahead, while the elf approached him after noticing his staring.

• Aaron recognized the inn’s guest as a High Elf and confirmed that he was in Lordaeron near Alterac and Dalaran.
• Aaron concluded that he was in Azeroth and considered the world’s recurring disasters, deciding he needed to identify the current era.
• Chef Nosh mistook Aaron’s excitement for interest in the elf and encouraged him to go look at her.
• Aaron spotted the elf’s Thalassian Horse and guessed that the Second War might still be underway, with a period of relative peace to come afterward.
• Aaron recalled his former life as a World of Warcraft player and how he woke in the wilderness before finding work at the inn.
• The High Elf, having noticed Aaron staring at her, walked toward him.

Aaron joined the defense of Farstriders' Camp as Trolls and enchanted beasts attacked its walls, gradually overwhelming the rangers. After a gigantic black bear broke through the wall and rampaged into the camp, Aaron advanced to confront it.

• Aaron left the command hall and saw Trolls assaulting Farstriders' Camp while giant eagles attacked the rangers with lightning.
• Aaron learned that the rangers had repelled similar Troll attacks before, though giant bears and eagles continued to harass them.
• Giant bears and fire-breathing Dragonhawks battered the wall and exhausted the rangers as the Trolls pressed their attack.
• A huge black bear smashed through the weakened wall and charged into the camp, swatting elves aside.
• Aaron took up his shield and warhammer and used a Holy Light attack to draw the bear's attention.

Aaron kept Nalorakk occupied during a Troll assault on Farstriders' Camp, but Akil'zon's lightning forced him to the ground before the attackers retreated. With the camp's defenses breached and reinforcements still on the way, Aaron suggested he might know a way to help the rangers escape.

• Aaron discovered that the enormous bear was Nalorakk, a Troll transformed by a Loa's essence, and protected the elves while attacking him.
• Aaron drew Nalorakk's attention, but giant eagles coordinated with the bear to attack him from behind.
• Sylvanas and Vereesa led rangers out of the hall, sealed the breach with arrows, and fought the giant eagles.
• Akil'zon struck Aaron with lightning, then ordered Nalorakk to retreat; the Trolls and eagles withdrew from Farstriders' Camp.
• The rangers warned Sylvanas they could not keep defending the breached camp, and she said she had requested reinforcements from Silvermoon City.
• After Sylvanas said escape would require flight, Vereesa looked to Aaron, who said he might have a way.

Aaron promised Sylvanas that his flying ship, the Dreadwake, could evacuate the people at Farstriders' Camp and flew to fetch it. As Trolls and giant beasts overwhelmed the camp, Aaron arrived at dawn and opened fire on the attackers.

• Aaron told Sylvanas that the Dreadwake could carry the camp's roughly two thousand people away in two trips, and he set out alone for Sunsail Anchorage to retrieve it.
• Vereesa assured Sylvanas that Aaron would return, then joined her sister in reinforcing the camp's breached defenses.
• Sylvanas worried that Silvermoon City's legions might not send timely aid and feared the Trolls' powerful loa-backed forces would overwhelm the camp.
• Three giant beasts joined the Troll assault before dawn, forcing exhausted and wounded rangers to fight as the battle reached a stalemate.
• Aaron arrived overhead and fired a flaming cannonball into the Troll ranks.

Aaron helped the beleaguered rangers hold Farstriders' Camp long enough for the High Elves to evacuate aboard the Dreadwake or escape into the forest. The Trolls seized and burned the abandoned camp as Sylvanas withdrew with pursuers behind her.

• Aaron brought the Dreadwake over Farstriders' Camp and bombarded the Trolls, then leaped into their midst and combined Holy Light with cannon fire to relieve pressure on the defenders.
• Aaron returned safely to camp, where Vereesa checked on him, and the Trolls retreated after their transformed beasts' time ran out.
• The ranger commanders decided to evacuate, and Aaron landed the Dreadwake on Lake Elrendar to take aboard over twelve hundred High Elves.
• Aaron flew the Dreadwake toward Suncrown Village while the remaining rangers withdrew into the forest under their commanders' orders.
• The Trolls occupied and burned Farstriders' Camp, and Sylvanas left along her planned route as a group of Trolls pursued the elves.

Aaron and the High Elves aboard the Dreadwake fled the Troll attack while Sylvanas remained behind, but pursuing birds threatened the ship and its wounded passengers. Aaron asked Xal'atath for help, and she turned the flock against itself, clearing the way forward.

• Vereesa worried about Sylvanas as Lor'themar thanked Aaron and her for rescuing the wounded and lamented the rangers' losses.
• An elven ranger spotted giant eagles and Dragonhawks pursuing the Dreadwake, and the birds attacked with lightning and fire.
• Lor'themar directed the rangers to fight back and sent the wounded below deck, but the ship's defenders struggled against the swift attackers.
• Aaron asked Xal'atath for help, and she projected her golden form and flew toward the pursuing flock.
• Xal'atath made many of the birds attack one another, causing half the flock to fall before she returned to the Dreadwake.

Xal'atath explained that she had easily turned the trolls’ obedient beasts against one another, then argued with Aaron about her past and the destruction of her body. After helping the rangers reach safety, Aaron transported another group across Lake Elrendar and met Dar'Khan Drathir, whom he considered eliminating before the mage could become a future traitor.

• Xal'atath revealed that the birds had been easy to manipulate because the trolls had made them nearly mindless, then said their fate reminded her of how she had been forged into a dagger.
• Aaron tried to question Xal'atath about her sadness, but she grew bitter over the destruction of her body and stopped responding.
• Aaron redirected Lor'themar's questions and brought the Dreadwake to Suncrown Village, where Lor'themar left the severely wounded behind and led the other rangers toward Farstrider Lodge.
• Aaron piloted the Dreadwake to Dawnstar Spire to collect several hundred rangers who had gathered there to avoid the trolls along the lakeshore.
• Sylvanas introduced Aaron to Dar'Khan Drathir, the polite young mage who managed Dawnstar Spire, and Aaron considered arranging an accident for him.

After the fall of Farstriders' Camp, Sylvanas tried to persuade Silvermoon City's leaders to strike the Amani Trolls before they could seize more of southern Eversong Woods, but the council showed little interest. The chapter ended with the trolls unexpectedly landing on the Azurebreeze Coast near Dawning Square, catching Silvermoon City off guard.

• Sylvanas regrouped the scattered rangers at Farstrider Lodge, reinforced its defenses, and sent wounded elves to Silvermoon City for treatment.
• Sylvanas presented a proposal to mobilize Quel'Thalas's forces against the Amani Trolls, but the councilors and Anasterian showed little support.
• Liadrin told Sylvanas that many Silvermoon residents favored abandoning southern Eversong Woods and withdrawing from the Alliance.
• Sylvanas concluded that the council would not understand the danger until the trolls made another move.
• The Amani Trolls landed on the Azurebreeze Coast near Dawning Square instead of attacking the weaker settlements in southern Eversong Woods.

After Trolls attacked Azurebreeze Coast, Sylvanas learned from Aaron that the Zandalari were supporting the Amani Trolls and secured the forces needed to strike at Zul'Aman. Aaron obtained the prospect of an arms deal with Quel'Thalas and prepared to return to Gnomeregan to develop weapons for the elves and improve the Dreadwake's defenses.

• Sylvanas questioned where the Amani Trolls who attacked Azurebreeze Coast had come from, while Halduron reported no unusual activity near Tor'Watha.
• Vereesa told Sylvanas that Aaron had mentioned Zandalari support for the Amani Trolls, so Sylvanas called Aaron in to explain.
• Aaron said the Zandalari were helping Troll tribes rebuild the Troll Empire and had thirteen Loa and a fleet comparable to Kul Tiras's, though he expected them not to fight directly.
• The Sun King ordered several legions to follow Sylvanas, giving her more than half of Quel'Thalas's military strength to drive the Amani Trolls back into Zul'Aman.
• Sylvanas agreed to let Aaron arrange an arms deal through the Ya-Mei Trading Company, provided his weapons performed well and arrived before the war ended.
• Aaron prepared to return to Gnomeregan to produce weapons for Quel'Thalas and improve the Dreadwake's defensive firepower.

After returning to Gnomeregan, Aaron found the Ya-Mei Trading Company running smoothly and began preparing weapons for the elves. Sicco Thermaplugg reviewed his designs, and Aaron settled on a limited production plan before asking for help upgrading the Dreadwake.

• Aaron checked the Ya-Mei Trading Company's operations, encouraged its employees, promised them bonuses, and told them about his preliminary cooperation agreement with Sylvanas.
• Aaron spent several days revising weapon designs, while Sicco Thermaplugg arrived to supervise the company's work on behalf of the Tinkers' Court.
• Thermaplugg questioned Aaron's revolving gun and rocket designs, and a test showed that the rocket's stabilizing stick still needed more evaluation.
• Thermaplugg rejected most of Aaron's proposals because they would take too long to develop, so Aaron decided to prioritize the rotary machine gun, make minor rocket improvements, and buy other weapons for jungle combat.
• Aaron asked Thermaplugg for advice on adding firepower to the Dreadwake, and Thermaplugg agreed to inspect the flying ship.

Aaron had Sicco Thermaplugg modify the Dreadwake with additional cannons and planned future defenses against airborne enemies. As Aaron tested the ship, Vereesa and Falstad arrived with news of an emergency, leaving him worried about what had happened in Quel'Thalas.

• Aaron told Sicco Thermaplugg that the Dreadwake's cannons lacked power and that the ship needed defenses against airborne enemies.
• Aaron decided to add cannons that the Dreadwake could operate and reload automatically, and he planned to install rotary machine guns once they were ready.
• A gnomish craftsman spotted a gryphon approaching the Dreadwake from the east.
• Vereesa and Falstad landed on the Dreadwake, and the breathless Vereesa told Aaron that something had happened.

Vereesa told Aaron how Quel'Thalas's inexperienced legions lost most of their strength after a reckless assault on Zul'Aman, leaving the Trolls free to ravage the kingdom. Sun King Anasterian sought aid from the human kingdoms and other allies, and Vereesa arrived in Gnomeregan with Falstad to deliver the request.

• Sylvanas struggled to coordinate Quel'Thalas's legions as Troll raids disrupted coastal settlements and Silvermoon City officials withheld the navy.
• Sylvanas led a successful counterattack that retook Farstriders' Camp, but the Silvermoon City Council recalled her and appointed a new commander.
• The new commander launched a premature attack on Zul'Aman, where empowered Amani Trolls ambushed and routed the High Elf force.
• Quel'Thalas lost most of its mobile forces, and the Trolls ravaged the territory outside Silvermoon City.
• Sun King Anasterian sent messengers to seek aid from the Alliance and other kingdoms, while Vereesa and Falstad traveled to Gnomeregan with help from Wildhammer Gryphon Riders.

Aaron advised Mekkatorque and Sicco Thermaplugg on how the gnomes could support Quel'Thalas, arguing that the Alliance should attack Zul'Aman and that Lordaeron would likely send aid to keep the High Elves in the Alliance. The chapter ended with Vereesa questioning whether Lordaeron would help and Aaron admitting his prediction was only a conjecture.

• Aaron and Vereesa discussed the High Elves' defeat and Sylvanas's view that Silvermoon City's Archmages could turn the war around if they fought at the front.
• Mekkatorque and Sicco Thermaplugg visited Aaron to ask how much support the gnomes should send to Quel'Thalas.
• Aaron advised that the Alliance should attack Zul'Aman to draw the Trolls away from Eversong Woods, while the gnomes provided useful support to the Alliance.
• Aaron predicted that Terenas would send troops because helping Quel'Thalas could keep the High Elves in the Alliance and strengthen its cohesion.
• Vereesa asked whether Lordaeron would truly help, and Aaron said he could only guess at Terenas's intentions.

Aaron traveled to Lordaeron with Vereesa while Sicco Thermaplugg accompanied them to judge the kingdom’s position on aiding Quel'Thalas. Aaron pitched the Alliance mission as a showcase for the Ya-Mei Trading Company’s weapons and asked Sicco to help present his proposal to Terenas as the Dreadwake headed for Lordaeron.

• Aaron questioned why Sicco Thermaplugg was traveling with them, and Sicco explained that Gnomeregan wanted to assess Lordaeron’s stance firsthand.
• Aaron showed Sicco the weapons loaded aboard the Dreadwake and argued that the human kingdoms offered a far larger market than Quel'Thalas.
• Sicco speculated that Gilneas and Stromgarde might leave the Alliance and that Terenas could respond with war, but Aaron doubted Terenas would attack them.
• Aaron explained that the Alliance’s operation to help Quel'Thalas could demonstrate the Ya-Mei Trading Company’s weapons to potential human buyers.
• Aaron asked Sicco to pitch his plan to Terenas, and Sicco agreed to try as Aaron guided the Dreadwake toward Lordaeron.

Aaron waited in Lordaeron while the Alliance conference continued, then learned that Uther wanted him to travel with the elven envoys to Stormwind City and meet Archbishop Faol. After discovering that Uther knew he had proposed inviting military observers, Aaron agreed to join the mission, which departed with Vereesa and the assembled envoys.

• Aaron stayed in Lordaeron with Vereesa while Sicco Thermaplugg told him that Terenas had accepted his proposal.
• A Knight of the Silver Hand delivered Aaron a letter inviting him to travel to Stormwind City with the elven envoys.
• Uther explained that Archbishop Faol wanted to meet Aaron and confirmed that Terenas approved his joining the mission.
• Uther revealed that Sicco Thermaplugg had told him Aaron proposed inviting Stormwind military observers to the campaign.
• Aaron agreed to travel with the envoys, and Uther escorted him and Vereesa to join them.

Aaron and the Lordaeron delegation traveled aboard the Dreadwake to Stormwind City, whose harbor remained in ruins despite the city’s reconstruction. When the ship approached the city walls, Stormwind’s guards raised the alarm and aimed their defenses at it, leaving Aaron to halt and wait as knights advanced.

• Aaron discovered that Lordaeron’s delegation consisted of fewer than ten official travelers, while Falstad, Sicco Thermaplugg, Liadrin, and others joined the voyage for their own reasons.
• After four days, Aaron brought the Dreadwake to Stormwind City, where the group saw that the harbor district had not been rebuilt.
• The messenger explained that Stormwind had little need for a harbor before the Orc invasion and that reconstruction plans had stalled after the Stonemasons’ Guild left over unpaid wages.
• Aaron steered the Dreadwake around the ruined harbor and saw Stormwind City’s rebuilt walls, watchtowers, and armed guards.
• Stormwind’s guards sounded the alarm, aimed ballistae at the Dreadwake, and sent an elite knight unit toward the city gates as Aaron halted the ship.

Aaron and the Dreadwake received a heavily armed reception in Stormwind City before the city’s duke escorted them to dock in the Valley of Heroes. The group viewed the statues commemorating the heroes who had crossed the Dark Portal, and the chapter left them preparing to enter the city.

• Stormwind’s guards and knights mobilized against the Dreadwake until Lordaeron’s messenger identified the visitors.
• The duke invited the party inside and directed Aaron to take the Dreadwake to the lake in the Valley of Heroes.
• Aaron guided the flying ship through Stormwind’s gates while the locals and knights watched it pass.
• The group saw the statues of Kurdran, Danath, Khadgar, Alleria, and Turalyon in the Valley of Heroes.
• Falstad remembered Kurdran, while Vereesa joked that Alleria’s statue looked younger than the others.
• The duke urged the visitors to follow him into the city.

Aaron guided Vereesa through Stormwind City before joining the group at the Cathedral of Light, where preparations for a Paladin promotion ceremony were underway. A Priest named Benedictus came to escort Aaron to meet Alonsus Faol.

• Aaron explained Stormwind City's layout to Vereesa, and the duke led the group toward the Cathedral of Light to find King Varian.
• The group saw the cathedral's unfinished exterior and learned that the busy square was crowded for the upcoming Paladin promotion ceremony.
• Inside the cathedral, the Lordaeron messenger followed the duke to meet Varian while Aaron and his companions waited amid preparations.
• Benedictus introduced himself as a student of Alonsus Faol and told Aaron that his teacher was waiting in the back, prompting Aaron to stiffen briefly.

Aaron met Alonsus Faol at the Cathedral of Light, where Alonsus explained that he had simply wanted to meet him after sensing a trustworthy soul. Liadrin asked to study paladin training under Alonsus, who invited her to observe a promotion ceremony before deciding.

• Benedictus escorted Aaron and his companions through the cathedral, while Aaron explained that Benedictus's name reminded him of someone who had colluded with Deathwing.
• Vereesa realized Aaron meant this Benedictus would later serve Deathwing, and Aaron signaled her to keep the suspicion quiet.
• Benedictus brought the group to Alonsus Faol, who dismissed Benedictus and spoke casually with Aaron before saying he had wanted to meet him because he sensed a trustworthy soul.
• Liadrin asked Alonsus to teach her how to become a paladin, and he warned that human methods might not suit High Elves because of differences between the races.
• Alonsus invited Liadrin to watch that afternoon's paladin promotion ceremony before deciding whether to study under him, and Liadrin agreed.

Aaron and his companions watched Alonsus Faol induct new paladins into the Silver Hand, while two squires failed to earn the Holy Light’s recognition. As the ceremony continued, Holy Light suddenly appeared in Aaron’s hand and settled on Liadrin, who sensed something unusual.

• Aaron and his companions returned to the chapel and watched Alonsus Faol prepare for the promotion ceremony.
• Alonsus Faol led Jorad through his vows and the blessings of the priests and paladins, and Jorad joined the Silver Hand.
• Several more squires received the Holy Light’s favor, while two failed and withdrew from the ceremony.
• Vereesa asked Liadrin whether she had gained any insight, but a burst of Holy Light appeared in Aaron’s hand and settled on Liadrin.

Aaron attempted to use the Holy Light to help Vereesa and Liadrin, and Liadrin underwent a lengthy transformation. She awoke with a new sense of what it meant to be a Paladin.

• Aaron tried to use the Holy Light on Vereesa, but she only felt warmth and no special change.
• Aaron directed the Holy Light toward Liadrin, who closed her eyes as the power within her began to change.
• Onlookers gathered in the cathedral while Archbishop Alonsus watched Aaron and Liadrin without explaining what was happening.
• Liadrin opened her eyes and wondered aloud what it felt like to be a Paladin.

Aaron discovered that his Seed of the Holy Light could transform a Priest’s Holy Light into a Paladin’s, as Liadrin became a Paladin before witnesses. Alonsus trusted Aaron despite the limits of his ability and told Benedictus he saw possibilities in the young man, while assigning Benedictus to lead the next day’s ceremony.

• Liadrin used the Holy Light after Aaron’s intervention, confirming that she had become a Paladin.
• Alonsus cleared most people from the cathedral and asked Aaron to explain his ability, then watched him test it on a Priest and a Paladin apprentice.
• Aaron found that Seed of the Holy Light could transform the Holy Light of Priests but could not grant the Holy Light to someone who lacked it, and that stopping the process could make it reverse dangerously.
• Benedictus observed that Aaron’s ability was less efficient than the established Paladin training, while Liadrin considered how it could help High Elf Priests who wanted to become Paladins.
• Alonsus arranged for Aaron’s party to stay in the cathedral and told Benedictus to preside over the next day’s ceremony.
• Alonsus explained to Benedictus that he saw possibilities in Aaron despite the doubts Aaron had once raised about the Holy Light.

Aaron explored the slowly rebuilding Stormwind City with Vereesa after their companions went about their own business. Truthguard detected a nearby monster, leading Aaron to suspect a disguised Onyxia, but she escaped before he could catch her.

• Liadrin asked a young Paladin to teach her combat techniques, while Falstad visited the Gryphon Riders and Sicco Thermaplugg inspected the tram.
• Aaron and Vereesa walked through Stormwind City's ruins, and Aaron decided to check how his company's construction machinery was working.
• Vereesa noticed Truthguard glowing, and Aaron suspected a black dragon might be nearby.
• Vereesa pointed out a black-haired female mage speaking with a craftsman, and Truthguard's glow brightened as Aaron approached.
• The mage fled and Aaron lost her among the ruins, so he returned to the construction site to question the craftsman while Vereesa watched him.