<name>, As the Legion's presence wanes from our world, a new threat has arisen. It is with a heavy heart that I must ask you to lay your life down for the Alliance once more. I have received a disturbing message from our operatives stationed in Orgrimmar. It seems that the Warchief has already began spinning the gears of war. I await your arrival at Stormwind Keep to discuss matters further.

Reports have indicated that the Horde is mobilizing an army towards Silithus. Given the potential that azerite has to change the face of war, it should come as no surprise that the Warchief would want to lay her claim to it. The only surprise is that it has begun so soon. The Horde and the Alliance have both suffered unimaginable losses in Argus. Speak with Mathias Shaw. I want you to oversee Stormwind's presence in Silithus.

The Horde! They diverted at the North fork of the Barrens! They have marched on Ashenvale! Most of Malfurion's troops have already set sailed for Silithus, but Darnassus has sent its city guards to help reinforce Astranaar. Their captain goes by the name of Delaryn Summermoon. Find her, <name>. Hold the city for as long as you can. King Anduin and I will send a fleet as soon as we can muster.

My sisters lie slain on the soft earth of Ashenvale. We are trained to expect losses in battle, but I have never seen something so horrific -- something so -- cowardly. The Horde have sunk to a new low in this war. We do not have time to grieve, but we are not savages as the horde have proven to be. Please, <name>, will you help me say a prayer to Elune so that we may honor the fallen? Their wisps deserve the light of her blessing.

I... it was too late. I... I couldn't save them...

Anaris... what did they do to you?

%s wipes a tear and stands up.

By the location of the bodies, I think the town was taken by surprise. The guards were poisoned where they stood. Rogues.

Then, they rounded up the civilians in the center of the city and... it is such a horrific thought.

I'm sorry, who are you again? Are you the one that Malfurion spoke of?

This light of the wisps... it is all around us. Why does the forest awaken? I hear... something. That sound -- could it be our Shan'do? Quickly, <name>, Malfurion beckons!



Malfurion: You will make it no further, Banshee Queen!

Sylvanas: There will be nowhere to run next time we meet, Malfurion!

Delaryn: Shan'do! I came as quickly as I could! I saw the Warchief headed towards Zoram'gar outpost.

Malfurion: She has come for us, Delaryn. The Warchief has come to capture the World Tree.

Delaryn: Our troops, Shan'do -- Tyrande sent them to defend our outpost in Silithus days ago.

Malfurion: Then there is still time! Delaryn, go forth and muster as many troops as possible from our nearby outposts.

Malfurion: $n, travel to Darnassus. Gather as many able-bodied soldiers as you can, but do not leave the city unguarded.

Malfurion: I will intercept our fleet and bring them back to Darnassus.

Malfurion: Now, make haste! This wall will slow them down, but it will not hold forever.



The Warchief has come for us. I knew this day would come. Our forces have been gathered in Darnassus, though many of them have already set sail for Silithus. Meet with Shandris Feathermoon and alert her of the Warchief's presence. Elune be with you, <name>.

General Feathermoon, the Horde have invaded Darkshore!

We must take action! Sentinels, forward face!

Fourth Fleet, you are to reinforce the southern border of Darkshore! Bring the Glaive Throwers!

Fifth Fleet, create a ley line at the Wildbend River! Rouse our allies at the Grove of the Ancients!

Hippogryph Archers, come with me -- we will regroup in Lor'danel and remain vigilant as a mobile response unit!

That leaves you, hero. Report back to Captain Summermoon and reinforce that border!

Collector's Edition Novella - Elegy

The cruel glee faded from his rotting features as he realized she was not making an idle threat. “You cannot win,” he said. “We are everywhere. Have you not yet grasped that it’s all of your posts that are under attack? Dozens like me have descended upon them with our painful poisons. And your clever hunters, your vaunted Sentinels, your slinking druids—none had the slightest idea.”



Delaryn thought of the druid who had flown to Silverwind Refuge with his message. Some outposts had indeed reported a surprise attack. But there was something in the Forsaken’s words that felt forced.



“You are bluffing,” Delaryn snapped. “What is your plan? The Horde was marching on Silithus. Why divert to Ashenv—”



And then the answer presented itself, so blindingly obvious that she felt as though she’d been stabbed in the gut.



The night elven fleet was en route to Feralas.



Tyrande was in Stormwind.



“You are clearing a path,” she murmured, horrified.



The Forsaken made no answer but laughed again.

Collector's Edition Novella - A Good War

Saurfang leapt forward, axe swinging, as vines and roots tore apart the inn. Malfurion stepped clear of his blow effortlessly, and the metal claws strapped to his hands darted toward Saurfang’s head. The orc batted them away with his axe shaft. Barely.



Saurfang roared, his axe whistled, and Malfurion’s second strike snaked between a gap in his armor around the shoulder. Blood dripped to the floor. Roots, countless roots, a whole forest of roots grabbed at Saurfang’s ankles. He danced away, chopping the plants whenever they tried to snare him.



When pieces of the inn started to fall around the orc’s head, he accepted his death. Against a creature like Stormrage, there was no dishonor in failure. Saurfang simply had to meet his end without surrender.



A sudden blast knocked him from his feet, dazing him. Saurfang closed his eyes. It is done. His hands went numb, tingling from the dark power that roared through the ruins of the inn—



Dark power?



Saurfang opened his eyes. Malfurion was not looking at him. His arms were crossed in front of his face as an arrow, wreathed in shades of violet smoke, exploded just before him. Emerald light rose against the darkness, and Malfurion charged to fight Sylvanas Windrunner, who had another arrow nocked and drawn at point-blank range.

Datamining Hints

<Shandris's keen eyes scan the horizon. She nods at you in acknowledgement.>

What is your strategy, Shandris?

Shandris, keep a low profile. Stay in the shadows... if you can find any.



Shandris, it's been... two, three thousand years? To think we'd meet again like this.

It's a shame you're fighting alongside this filthy human, Shandris! Such short, insignificant lives.

I am destined to live for eternity, I will not die here!

You should have died a long time ago, Areiel. We're here to see that happens.

Even in your final moments, you fail to see the true potential of humans.

Darkness... Sylvanas... is this what you saw... what you wished to save us from?