Timeline (unofficial)

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

This article provides an unofficial timeline of recorded important events in the Warcraft universe compiled from official timelines and all sources published by Blizzard. Blizzard has used two standards when establishing dates in various official timelines, both based on the opening of the Dark Portal.

Numbering is based on the opening of the Dark Portal, as this is the method used by the latest sources. Some sources have the opening of the Dark Portal as about 25 years before the start of World of Warcraft, and other dates state that it was about 30 years before the start of World of Warcraft. This timeline is based on the 25 year standard because it is the standard used in both official timelines from Blizzard's website in 2004 and 2007.

All dates are considered to be spans of time from one to the next since many events are only given vague ordering and estimated dates. Warcraft products are displayed in italics.

It should not be considered as an official timeline, but should be as accurate as, and more complete than, whatever Blizzard has provided.

The RPG books have been disregarded from official lore and have been removed from this list accordingly.

Mythos

-147,000

•  [Mythology of the Titans]
• Sargeras and the Betrayal (Minus Eredar related events)
• The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth begins»

-65,000

• The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth ends«

-64,001

• Charge of the Dragonflights
• The Waking World and the Well of Eternity

-24,969

• Rise of the Horde (Past) begins»

-16,000

• War between Aqir and Trolls

-14,000

• The first Night Elves or "Kaldorei" appear and found their civilization upon the banks of the Well of Eternity, having evolved from the Dark Trolls.

-13,500

• The Kaldorei begin to actively study and practice arcane magic. They bend magic to their will and use it to build beautiful cities, craft artifacts and reshape the land. Some Kaldorei resist the lure to use the Well of Eternity’s power and warn others of the dangers of abusing it. Their warnings go unheeded.
• A group of upper-class Kaldorei begin to refer to themselves as the Highborne and revel in the use of magic.

-10,250

• The Well of Eternity (Past) begins»
• The War of the Ancients begins»

-10,000

• The War of the Ancients.
  • The Well of Eternity (Past) ends«
  • The Demon Soul (Past)
  • The Sundering (Past) begins»
• The Sundering of the World
• Mount Hyjal and Illidan's Gift

-9,000

• The World Tree and the Emerald Dream
• The Sundering (Past) ends«
• War of the Satyr

-7,300

• Exile of the High Elves begins»
• The Sentinels and the Long Vigil
• The Founding of Quel'Thalas begins»

The New World

-6,800

• Exile of the High Elves ends«
• The Founding of Quel'Thalas ends«

-2,800

• Arathor and the Troll Wars

-2,700

• The Guardians of Tirisfal

-2,500

• Ironforge - the Awakening of the Dwarves
• The Ironforge Dwarves awaken in Uldaman.
• Khaz Modan is founded.

-1,200

• The Seven Kingdoms
  • The human kingdoms of Lordaeron, Alterac, Gilneas, Dalaran, and Stromgarde are formed on continental Lordaeron, north of Khaz Modan. The kingdom of Azeroth (later known as Stormwind) is formed on continental Azeroth. The kingdom of Kul Tiras is formed off of the coast of Khaz Modan.

-1,000

• War of the Shifting Sands

-823

• Aegwynn and the Dragon Hunt

-818

• Cycle of Hatred (Past) begins»
• The Last Guardian (Past) begins»

-370

• Last gnome royalty.

-230

• War of the Three Hammers

-170

• Dwarves meet gnomes.
• Gnomeregan is built.

Doom of Draenor

-100

• Kil'jaeden and the Shadow Pact begins»

-46

• Rise of the Horde begins»

-45

• The Last Guardian

-40

• Kil'jaeden and the Shadow Pact ends«

-19

• Rise of the Horde ends«
• Rise of the Horde (Past) ends«

-1

• Rise of the Horde

Alliance and Horde

First War

0 (Year 592 by the King's Calendar)

• The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind begins»
• The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind ends«
• Warcraft: Orcs & Humans begins»
• The Last Guardian (Past) ends«
• The Last Guardian

5

• Warcraft: Orcs & Humans ends«

Second War

6

• Cycle of Hatred (Past) ends«
• Arthas: Rise of the Lich King begins»
• The Alliance of Lordaeron
• Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
• Tides of Darkness
• World of Warcraft: Ashbringer (Past)

8

• Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal
• Beyond the Dark Portal
• The Last Guardian (Future)
• The Invasion of Draenor
• The Birth of the Lich King
• Icecrown and the Frozen Throne
• The Battle of Grim Batol
• Lethargy of the Orcs
• Gallywix: Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince

10

• Day of the Dragon

18

• Lord of the Clans
• The New Horde
• War of the Spider
• Kel'Thuzad and the Forming of the Scourge
  • Road to Damnation

19

• Of Blood and Honor
• The Alliance Splinters

Return of the Burning Legion

Third War

20

• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
  • The Scourge of Lordaeron
  • Death Knight
  • World of Warcraft: Ashbringer
  • Sunwell - The Fall of Quel'Thalas
  • Archimonde's Return and the Flight to Kalimdor

21

• The Battle of Mount Hyjal
  • The Lunar Festival is created to commemorate the defeat of the Burning Legion by the free races of Azeroth during the Third War. The event is celebrated around its anniversary each January.

Rise of the Lich King

• Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
  • First Brewfest, organized as a beer-tasting contest between Chen Stormstout, Grimbooze Thunderbrew and Coren Direbrew.
• The Betrayer Ascendant begins»
• Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne ends«
  • Rise of the Blood Elves
  • Civil War in the Plaguelands
  • The Lich King Triumphant
  • The Betrayer Ascendant ends«
• Old Hatreds - The Colonization of Kalimdor begins»

• Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (Bonus) begins»

The Founding of Durotar

22

• Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (Bonus) ends«
• Old Hatreds - The Colonization of Kalimdor ends«

23

• Dragon Hunt
• Shadows of Ice
• Ghostlands

24

• Cycle of Hatred

World of Warcraft

25

World of Warcraft

Intent on settling the arid region of Durotar, Thrall's new Horde expanded its ranks, inviting the undead Forsaken to join orcs, tauren, and trolls. Meanwhile, dwarves, gnomes and the ancient night elves pledged their loyalties to a reinvigorated Alliance, guided by the human kingdom of Stormwind. After Stormwind's king, Varian Wrynn, mysteriously disappeared, Highlord Bolvar Fordragon served as Regent but his service was marred by the manipulations and mind control of the black dragon Onyxia, who ruled in disguise as a human noblewoman. As heroes investigated Onyxia's manipulations, ancient foes surfaced in lands throughout the world to menace Horde and Alliance alike.

• King Varian Wrynn is kidnapped. Bolvar Fordragon becomes Regent-Lord of Stormwind. "Varian" later returns to the throne.
• The Events of The Deadmines and Ragefire Chasm occur almost simultaneously.
  • The Defias Brotherhood rises and falls as Edwin VanCleef is defeated and beheaded by the Alliance in the Deadmines of Westfall.
  • Ragefire Chasm is invaded by the Searing Blade Warlocks, but the attack is repelled by the Horde and Taragaman the Hungerer and his cohorts were defeated.
• Naralex leads his Druids of the Fang into the Wailing Caverns in hope to cleanse them. However, he and the other druids were corrupted. Fortunately, Naralex's disciples, Nalpak and Ebru along with some heroes were able to save Naralex and defeat the nightmare's manifestation.
• Due to the efforts of the Forsaken, Shadowfang Keep was assaulted. Archmage Arugal was killed and beheaded and many of his worgen minions were either killed or escaped.
• The events of theStormwind Stockades and the Blackfathom Deeps occur almost simultaneously.
  • In a prison revolt led by Bazil Thredd, The Stormwind Stockades are taken over by bandits and thieves. Thanks to the efforts of Warden Thelwater and the rest of the Stormwind guard, the Stockade was reclaimed for the Alliance.
  • The Blackfathom Deeps were journeyed to by the Twilight's Hammer in search for a strange power. Luckily, the attackers were killed alongside Aku'mai.
• The gnomes and their allies launch an assault on Gnomeregan. In this assault, Mekgineer Thermaplugg is supposedly killed. However, the city is quickly retaken by Sicco's Leper Gnomes and Sicco is later revealed to be alive.
• Attacks on the Scarlet Monastery on launched with the help of the Scarlet Renegades.
  • The first of which is the attack on the Scarlet Monastery Graveyard. Interrogator Vishas and Bloodmage Thalnos are killed in the assault.
  • The next attack was upon The Scarlet Monastery Library. Arcanist Doan was killed and the  [The Scarlet Key] was taken by the attackers.
  • The third attack is upon the Scarlet Monastery Armory. The Scarlet Champion, Herod, is killed in the ensuing confrontation.
  • The final attack is centered on the Scarlet Monastery Cathedral. Darion Mograine, led to the cathedral by the  [Corrupted Ashbringer], confronts Scarlet Commander Renault Mograine. Renault is slain by his father's spirit. High Inquisitor Whitemane is supposedly killed.
• The events of Razorfen Kraul and Razorfen Downs take place.
  • Razorfen Kraul is attacked, the Razorfen and Death's Head quillboar leader, Charlga Razorflank, is killed.
  • Razorfen Downs, capital of the quillboar race, is attacked resulting in the deaths of their Scourge allies led by Amnennar the Coldbringer.
• The secrets of Uldaman are uncovered.
• The Sandfury trolls of Zul'Farrak are decimated. Chief Ukorz Sandscalp is killed.
• The Scholomance, the Scourge academy of necromancy, is attacked. Ras Frostwhisper and much of the school's staff is killed. Darkmaster Gandling, Instructor Malicia, Jandice Barov, and The Ravenian escape.
• The Gurubashi Temple of Atal'Hakkar is assaulted. The corrupted Wardens of the Dream and Shade of Eranikus are put to rest. Jammal'an the Prophet is killed. The Avatar of Hakkar is destroyed.
• Blackrock Mountain is invaded by the Alliance and Horde.
  • The Alliance "rescues" Princess Moira Bronzebeard from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, killing him as they assault Shadowforge City in the Blackrock Depths.
  • The Dark Horde capital, Hordemar City, is attacked in Lower Blackrock Spire. Overlord Wyrmthalak is slain.
  • The Dark Horde leader, Warchief Rend Blackhand, and black dragonflight general, Drakkisath, are killed.
• The events of Stratholme take place.
  • Balnazzar is revealed to be in control of the Scarlet Crusade, possessing the body of Grand Crusader Dathrohan. He is defeated at the Crimson Throne and sent to the Twisting Nether.
  • Baron Rivendare is defeated in the Slaughter House of the Service Entrance. He is later revived at an indeterminate point in time.
• Assault on Molten Core beneath Blackrock Depths. Ragnaros is banished back to the Firelands.
• Onyxia's Lair is assaulted. King Varian Wrynn of Stormwind is responsible for her death sometime within the next two years and her head is taken to Stormwind.

Mysteries of Maraudon

• Princess Theradras, daughter of Therazane and mother of the centaur, is slain at Maraudon.

Ruins of the Dire Maul

• The assault on Eldre'Thalas, better known as Dire Maul, takes place.
  • The satyr Alzzin the Wildshaper is killed in the Warpwood Quarter.
  • The leader of the Shen'dralar, Prince Tortheldrin, is slain and the magic source of the remaining Highborne, Immol'thar, is killed in the Capital Gardens.
  • The Gordok ogre leader, King Gordok, is killed in the Gordok Commons.

Battlegrounds

• Battles break out in Warsong Gulch and Alterac Valley

Assault on Blackwing Lair

Deep within the fiery heart of Blackrock Mountain, the black dragon Nefarian conducted twisted experiments with the blood of other dragonflights. Intent on seizing the entire region for his own, he marshaled the remaining Dark Horde, a rogue army that embraced the demonic bloodlust of the old Horde. These corrupt orcs, trolls and other races battled against the Firelord Ragnaros and the shadowy Dark Iron dwarves for control of the smoldering mountain. Before he was vanquished by fearless heroes, Nefarian created the twisted chromatic dragons and a legion of other aberrations in his bid to form an army powerful enough to control Azeroth and continue the legacy of his infamous father, Deathwing the Destroyer.

• Death of Nefarian at Blackwing Lair atop Blackrock Spire.

Rise of the Blood God

Years ago, in the ruined temple of Atal'Hakkar, loyal priests of the Blood God Hakkar the Soulflayer attempted to summon the wrathful deity's avatar into the world. But his followers, the Atal'ai priesthood, discovered that the Soulflayer could only be summoned within the Gurubashi tribe's ancient capital, Zul'Gurub. Newly reborn in this jungle fortress, Hakkar took control of the Gurubashi tribe and mortal champions of the trolls' mighty animal gods. The Soulflayer's dark influence was barely halted when the wise Zandalari tribe recruited heroes from the Horde and the Alliance and staged an invasion of Zul'Gurub.

• Fighting breaks out at Arathi Basin.

Dragons of Nightmare

• Corrupted green dragons appear around the world from the Emerald Nightmare.
  • Exploration of Silithus begins.

The Gates of Ahn'Qiraj

The great desert fortress of Ahn'Qiraj, long sealed behind the Scarab Wall, was home to the insectoid qiraji, a savage race that had once mounted an assault to devastate the continent of Kalimdor. But something far more sinister lurked behind Ahn'Qiraj's walls: the Old God C'Thun, an ancient entity whose pervasive evil had suffused Azeroth since time immemorial. As C'Thun incited the qiraji to frenzy, both the Alliance and Horde prepared for a massive war effort. A mixed force of Alliance and Horde soldiers, dubbed the Might of Kalimdor, opened the gates of Ahn'Qiraj under the command of the indomitable orc Varok Saurfang. Their charge: lay siege to the ruins and temples of Ahn'Qiraj, and vanquish the terrors of ages past.

• The gates of Ahn'Qiraj are reopened. The Old God C'thun is defeated.
  • The War Effort

Shadow of the Necropolis

In the Lich King's haste to spread the plague of undeath over Azeroth, he gifted one of his greatest servants, the lich Kel'Thuzad, with the flying citadel of Naxxramas, a horrific base of operations for the Scourge. Consistent attacks from the Scarlet Crusade and Argent Dawn factions weakened the defenses of the floating fortress, enabling an incursion that led to Kel'Thuzad's defeat. However, a traitor among the ranks of the knightly order of the Argent Dawn absconded with Kel'Thuzad's cursed remains and fled to Northrend, where the fallen lich could be reanimated.

• Naxxramas appears over Stratholme. Kel'Thuzad is defeated.

Drums of War

• Open violence between the Alliance and Horde begins in Silithus and the Eastern Plaguelands.

The Burning Crusade

26

• Rise of the Horde ends
• World of Warcraft: The Comic begins»

Before the Storm

• War in Outland
  • Blood elves under Kael'thas capture Tempest Keep. Velen leads a raid to liberate the Exodar and escape Outland. Blood elf saboteurs cause it to crash on Azeroth. With the power of the Keep's Naaru, M'uru, the Blood Knights are formed months later, draining M'uru's power to wield its Light.
• The Dark Portal Opens under the command of Lord Kazzak. His forces are defeated by the Argent Dawn and Alliance and Horde forces. The latter create settlements in Outland.
  • The Dragons of Outland
  • Nexus Point
    • Tyrygosa seems to heal Malygos’s insanity.
  • A Legion counterattack fails. The Portal is closed. The Portal is later reopened as Alliance and Horde take the battle to Outland.

The Burning Crusade

The Doom Lord Kazzak reopened the Dark Portal to Outland, flooding Azeroth with the ravenous demons of the Burning Legion. Expeditions from the Horde and Alliance, reinforced by their new blood elf and draenei allies, passed through the gateway to stop the invasion at its source. On Outland's desiccated Hellfire Peninsula, the Alliance discovered several of their heroes who had crossed through the portal many years before, while the Horde made contact with the Mag'har - 'uncorrupted' orcs who had not participated in their race's original invasion of Azeroth. The expedition into Outland dragged Horde and Alliance armies further into conflict with the agents of the Legion and the lieutenants of Illidan Stormrage, who had claimed the shattered realm for his own.

• Gruul, leader of the gronn of Blade's Edge Mountains is slain in his lair.
• Magtheridon is defeated his lair along with the fel orcs of Hellfire Citadel.
• Lady Vashj is killed in the Coilfang Reservoir of Zangarmarsh.
• Kael'thas Sunstrider is defeated in the Eye of Tempest Keep.

The Black Temple

In his quest to reign over all of Outland, Illidan the Betrayer had established a mighty stronghold for his forces within the Black Temple, a former draenei citadel. Yet his influence began to wane after the defeat of his most trusted lieutenants, including the traitorous former leader of the blood elves, Kael'thas Sunstrider. The resulting window of opportunity permitted Akama, an elder sage of devolved draenei known as the Broken, to rebel against the self-styled "Lord of Outland." Along with Illidan's former jailor, the stoic night elf Maiev Shadowsong, Akama helped a group of heroes infiltrate Illidan's seat of power and put an end to the Betrayer's reign once and for all.

• Illidan is killed at the hands of Akama, Maiev and the Ashtongue Deathsworn.

The Gods of Zul'Aman

Following years of battles alongside the old Horde, the troll warlord Zul'jin retired to the city of Zul'Aman, capital of the Amani trolls, where he called upon mysterious dark powers to rebuild his army. While the eyes of Azeroth focused on the fight against the Burning Legion and the expedition to Outland, treasure-seekers invaded Zul'Aman, rekindling Zul'jin's hatred of the outside world - particularly the high elves of Quel'Thalas. Upon hearing that these newly christened "blood elves" had become part of the Horde in his absence, the infuriated Zul'jin declared war on both Horde and Alliance.

• Zul'jin is killed in Zul’Aman. Budd Nedreck is taken by Amani spirits.

Fury of the Sunwell

Fresh from his defeat in Outland, Kael'thas Sunstrider returned to the blood elf city of Silvermoon. Rather than lead his people to glory as he had promised, the disgraced prince betrayed them. Kael'thas plotted to use the legendary Sunwell, source of the blood elves' magical power, to summon the demon lord Kil'jaeden into Azeroth. Aided by a joint task force of blood elves and draenei, the Shattered Sun Offensive, Horde and Alliance heroes narrowly stopped both Kael'thas and Kil'jaeden, purifying the Sunwell with the help of the draenei prophet Velen.

• A resurrected Kael'thas and his felblood minions take M'uru to the Sunwell Plateau. Lady Liadrin and her Blood Knights join the Shattered Sun Offensive, along with the Aldor and Scryer factions.
  • The Shattered Sun Offensive
  • Kael'thas summons Kil'jaeden. Kael’thas is killed at Magisters' Terrace.
  • Kil’jaeden attempts to invade Azeroth through the Sunwell. He is defeated and the Sunwell is revitalized by Velen, using the spark of M'uru, as a font of holy power.

Wrath of the Lich King

27

• Night of the Dragon
• Lor'themar Theron: In the Shadow of the Sun

Echoes of Doom

• The Lich King Arthas reawakens and begins his campaign of conquest anew.
  • Zombie Infestation
  • The Scourge begin regular attacks on Stormwind City and Orgrimmar.

Wrath of the Lich King

In the wake of the Sunwell's purification, a period of suspicious quiet had swept over the world. As if on cue, the undead Scourge launched a massive assault against the cities and towns of Azeroth, this time extending its reach far beyond the Eastern Kingdoms. Under pressure to respond with a full army, Warchief Thrall deployed an expedition force to Northrend led by Overlord Garrosh Hellscream. Meanwhile, the missing human king Varian Wrynn at last returned to Stormwind City and reclaimed his crown. He sent an equally powerful Alliance army, commanded by Bolvar Fordragon, to defeat the Lich King - and any Horde forces who would stand in their way.

• The War against the Lich King begins.
  • World of Warcraft: The Comic ends«
  • Arthas: Rise of the Lich King ends«
  • The Scarlet Crusade moves to Northrend in the wake of devastation, forming the Scarlet Onslaught. The Argent Crusade and Knights of the Ebon Blade are formed at the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel.
  • Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate
    • Glory
    • Battle for the Undercity
  • Broken Front
    • Garrosh Hellscream: Heart of War
  • The Vrykul base, Utgarde Keep is assaulted.
  • Scourge forces at Azjol-Nerub are defeated and Anub'arak is killed. The faceless and Twilight's Hammer forces of Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom are slain.
  • Battle at Drak'Tharon Keep results in the Lich King's victory through the treachery of Drakuru. The Scourge is able to invade Zul'Drak in full force.
  • The final leaders of the Drakkari empire are slain at Gundrak, allowing them to fall to a point of near-extinction.
  • Battle at Ulduar's Halls of Stone and Halls of Lightning end in the defeat of Loken.
  • The Bronze dragonflight sends heroes seven years into the past to prevent the Infinite dragonflight from interfering with the Culling of Stratholme.
  • The battle at Utgarde Pinnacle ends in the deposition of the tyrannical King Ymiron.
  • Kel'Thuzad is defeated once more at Naxxramas. It is unknown whether he survived or not. The  [Key to the Focusing Iris] is recovered from the corpse of Sapphiron.
• Nexus War: The Wyrmrest Accord, the Kirin Tor, and its allies begin full-scale assaults on the Blue dragonflight and Malygos at Coldarra.
  • The Nexus is sieged, ending in the death of Keristrasza.
  • Invading blue dragonflight forces led by Cyanigosa are repelled and slain at The Violet Hold of Dalaran.
  • Mage
  • The Oculus is attacked next, Ley-Guardian Eregos is defeated and the blue flight's dangerous operations with ley-lines are halted.
  • The  [Key to the Focusing Iris], having been recovered from Sapphiron at Naxxramas, is used to invade the Eye of Eternity. Malygos the Spellweaver is slain and the Nexus War comes to a close.
• Alliance and Horde battle for dominance at Wintergrasp.
  • Archavon the Stone Watcher is slain at the Vault of Archavon within Wintergrasp Fortress.

Secrets of Ulduar

The march of Horde and Alliance armies through Northrend led to a number of victories, but these successes paled before a discovery made by the explorer Brann Bronzebeard within the ancient titan complex of Ulduar. This mysterious fortress had long served as the prison of the Old God Yogg-Saron, a being of unfathomable evil whose influence had spread into the continent of Northrend itself. With Brann's assistance, small bands of Alliance and Horde champions infiltrated Ulduar to confront Yogg-Saron, who blasted the invaders with cryptic visions: the millennia-old creation of an artifact known as the Dragon Soul, the assassination of Stormwind's King Llane, and a glimpse of the Lich King's future.

• Brann Bronzebeard informs the Kirin Tor that the Old God Yogg-Saron has reawakened within the ancient city of Ulduar.
  • Yogg-Saron is defeated. Re-origination of Azeroth at the hands of Algalon the Observer is averted.
• The second of the Vault of Archavon's four watchers falls, Emalon the Storm Watcher.

Call of the Crusade

In preparation for the final offensive against the Lich King, the Argent Crusade - a union of holy warriors from the Order of the Silver Hand and the Argent Dawn - assembled a base near Icecrown Citadel to gather resources and identify the champions who would serve at the vanguard of their army. Highlord Tirion Fordring organized a tournament to test potential heroes of the Horde and the Alliance, but agents of the Scourge quickly emerged to sabotage the event. The undead attack culminated with the appearance of the monstrous crypt lord Anub'arak, who attempted to exterminate Tirion's elite force before it could be assembled.

• The Argent Tournament Grounds have been completed. Highlords Tirion Fordring and Darion Mograine have the forces of Alliance, Horde, Argent Crusade, and Knights of the Ebon Blade compete to decide which champions will participate in the final assault on Icecrown Citadel.
  • The Trial of the Champion ends in the death of the Cult of the Damned spy known as The Black Knight.
  • The Argent Crusade's champions are sent to aid the Sunreavers and Silver Covenant against the Kvaldir at Hrothgar's Landing.
  • Alliance and Horde rivalries result in losses on both sides. A resurrected Anub'arak assaults the tournament grounds only to be slain once more.
• Conflict between Alliance and Horde at the Isle of Conquest.
• The third watcher of the Vault of Archavon falls, Koralon the Flame Watcher.

Fall of the Lich King

As the final battle against the Lich King approached, the human sorceress Jaina Proudmoore and the Banshee Queen Sylvanas Windrunner journeyed to the icy heart of Northrend. Both had come for different reasons: Jaina hoped to discover whether a part of her former friend and lover, Arthas Menethil, still lived; Sylvanas longed to take revenge on her old enemy. With the aid of these two heroes, Azeroth's champions stormed Icecrown Citadel and vanquished the Lich King's minions. Their confrontation with the Lich King involved thousands of souls consumed by Arthas's blade, Frostmourne. Ultimately, Arthas was slain, and the heroes who triumphed over him learned a chilling truth about the existence of the undead Scourge.

• The Ashen Verdict makes its final assault on Icecrown Citadel.
  • The Forge of Souls is demolished. Bronjahm, Godfather of Souls, and the Devourer of Souls are destroyed.
  • The Pit of Saron is assaulted and its slaves are set free. Scourgelord Tyrannus is killed.
  • At the Halls of Reflection, Jaina Proudmoore, Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, and their respective forces attempt to destroy Frostmourne only to be forced into a retreat as the Lich King himself appears.
  • The battle of Icecrown Citadel. The forces of the Ashen Verdict destroy the Lich King's mightiest servants. The Lich King Arthas is killed. Bolvar Fordragon is crowned the new Lich King.
• The final watcher of the Vault of Archavon, Toravon the Ice Watcher, is destroyed.
• The Black Dragonflight invades the Ruby Sanctum. They are repelled with the death of the twilight dragon Halion.
• Gelbin Mekkatorque and his gnomes retake Gnomeregan's surface from Sicco Thermaplugg and the troggs.
  • Gelbin Mekkatorque: Cut Short
• The Darkspear trolls and their allies retake Echo Isles from Zalazane.
• The Gilneas civil war ends.
• Pearl of Pandaria
• Stormrage
• War against the Nightmare
• Shaman

Cataclysm

28^‡

• The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm

The Shattering

The victorious Northrend expeditions returned home to find all of Azeroth shaken by erratic elemental forces. This unrest preceded the return of the maddened Dragon Aspect Deathwing the Destroyer, who erupted from his lair in the bowels of the Elemental Plane, shattering Azeroth in the process. With the elemental realms now open to the world, chaotic elemental spirits and their tyrannical lords emerged to help the Destroyer and the nihilistic Twilight's Hammer cult bring about the Hour of Twilight: the end of all life on Azeroth.

• Deathwing returns to Azeroth, scarring it with a great cataclysm.
  • The Council of Three Hammers: Fire and Iron
  • Tyrande & Malfurion: Seeds of Faith
  • Velen: Prophet's Lesson
  • Baine Bloodhoof: As Our Fathers Before Us
  • Invasion of Gilneas
    • Sylvanas Windrunner: Edge of Night
    • Curse of the Worgen ends«
    • Genn Greymane: Lord of His Pack ends«
    • Gilneas is left in ruins; Gilneas re-joins the Alliance.
    • Genn Greymane: Lord of His Pack
    • The Invasion of Gilneas ceases at the Greymane Wall. Though the Forsaken lose their holdings in Gilneas, a truce halts the Gilneas Liberation Front from entering Silverpine Forest.
    • Lady Sylvanas Windrunner is assassinated by Lord Godfrey but resurrected after Godfrey and his allies are forced to retreat.
    • Lord Godfrey, Baron Ashbury, and Lord Walden are killed at Shadowfang Keep.
    • Battle resumes at the Gilnean coast.
  • Wolfheart
  • Varian Wrynn: Blood of Our Fathers
  • Kezan is destroyed; the Bilgewater Cartel joins the Horde.
    • Bilgewater Harbor is built in Azshara. Trade Prince Jastor Gallywix writes his autobiography, Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince.
  • The Defias Brotherhood is reborn under Vanessa VanCleef after roughly five years of inactivity.
  • Vanessa VanCleef, like her father, is killed in the heart of the Deadmines.
  • The noble Randolph Moloch is killed as he attempts to start an uprising in the Stormwind Stockade. His twin brother Mortimer proceeds to fake his own death to steal his brother's identity.
  • Twilight's Hammer agents ally with Ragnaros the Firelord at Mount Hyjal and attempt to burn down Nordrassil.
  • Island at Vashj'ir appears.
    • Neptulon is captured by Ozumat at the Throne of the Tides despite the efforts of adventurers.
  • Uldum is discovered.
    • The Lost City of the Tol'vir is attacked by Ramkahen agents.
    • The Halls of Origination are neutralized by Brann Bronzebeard. Isiset, Ammunae, Setesh, and Rajh are taken out of commission.
  • The Skywall is attacked.
    • Asaad is slain at the Vortex Pinnacle.
    • Al'Akir and his Conclave of Wind are destroyed at the Throne of the Four Winds.
  • Conflict breaks out at Tol Barad.
    • The demons of Baradin Hold are defeated.
  • Wildhammer Clan rejoins Alliance; Dragonmaw Clan rejoins the Horde.
    • The two factions battle one another at the Twin Peaks.
  • The Twilight's Hammer suffers a defeat at Grim Batol.
  • The Bastion of Twilight is sieged, Cho'gall is killed and a heavily ravaged Sinestra is destroyed.
  • The events at Blackrock Caverns occur. The resurrected Nefarian and Onyxia are killed once more at Blackwing Descent.

Rise of the Zandalari

Alarmed by the terrible losses of life among all trolls, the Zandalari tribe traveled around the world to reunite their race and rebuild their once-powerful empire. The Zandalari restored the fallen cities of Zul'Gurub and Zul'Aman, and begun to conduct bloody raids on territories that had once been "theirs." The burgeoning troll force hoped to lead a great war against the other races of Azeroth, but the honorable Vol'jin of the Darkspear tribe stood against their murderous agenda, and recruited champions from both the Horde and the Alliance to invade the ancient cities and stop the onslaught.

• The Gurubashi and Amani trolls unite under the Zandalari.
  • Agents of the Alliance and Horde are enlisted by Vol'jin to defeat Jin'do the Godbreaker and Daakara. The Silver Covenant and Farstriders kill Daakara at Zul'Aman. Jin'do is killed at Zul'Gurub.

Rage of the Firelands

After a ferocious series of battles, Azeroth's heroes banished Ragnaros the Firelord and his elemental minions from Mount Hyjal. Yet, threats to Hyjal persisted, including traitorous druids who had abandoned their allies and joined forces with the elementals. Fearing another elemental invasion, the defenders of Azeroth made a daring assault into Ragnaros' blazing realm: the Firelands. Among the seething flames of this elemental domain, Ragnaros was at his most powerful; only the greatest champions of the Horde and the Alliance, aided by druidic champions like Malfurion Stormrage, could dare hope to defeat the Firelord.

• Ragnaros and his minions try to set Nordrassil to flame. Fighting breaks out within the Firelands itself.
  • The area of Mount Hyjal that was scorched in the Second Battle of Mount Hyjal has been extinguished of flame and the forest has begun to regrow. Agents from the Firelands bypass or destroy the wards and reinvade the area.
  • Ragnaros' holdings within the Firelands are invaded. Sulfuron Keep is sieged.
    • Fandral Staghelm is killed as leader of the Druids of the Flame.
    • Ragnaros the Firelord is permanently defeated in the Firelands.
• Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects

The Hour of Twilight

At the peak of his insanity, Deathwing the Destroyer fought to drive the world into twilight - a devastated future bereft of all life. The Dragon Soul, a powerful artifact lost in the past, was the only weapon capable of truly stopping Deathwing, and so the guardians of Azeroth - the Dragon Aspects - sent a number of valiant heroes racing through time to retrieve it. Despite being attacked by the mysterious Infinite Dragonflight as they travelled the timeways, the champions returned the artifact to the present and delivered it to the wise shaman Thrall. With his aid, the Dragon Soul was deployed against the Destroyer during a brutal battle that began in Azeroth's skies and continued into the roiling heart of the Maelstrom at the center of the world. Through the combined efforts of the Aspects and their allies, the madness of Deathwing was finally brought to an end.

• The final assault on Deathwing and the Twilight's Hammer begins.
  • Charge of the Aspects
  • Agents of the Alliance and Horde are sent by Nozdormu to defeat Murozond and the Infinite Dragonflight in the End Time. The timeways are reopened.
  • Agents of the Alliance and Horde are sent back 10,028 years to retrieve the Dragon Soul from the War of the Ancients.
  • The siege of Wyrmrest Temple. Archbishop Benedictus is revealed to be the "Twilight Father" and is killed.
  • Deathwing is destroyed by Thrall and the Dragon Aspects at the Maelstrom using the Dragon Soul. A second cataclysm is averted. The Aspects are reduced to mortal state and the "Age of Mortals" begins.

^‡ While most sources seem to indicate that Cataclysm occurs a year after Wrath, there are a couple which would suggest it's three years instead. Dave Kosak confirmed on Reddit that the Battle for Hyjal was about seven years ago, and that the sources which suggest otherwise are just estimating.

Mists of Pandaria

29

Mists of Pandaria

With Deathwing's menace ended, Warchief Garrosh Hellscream seized the opportunity to strike at the Alliance and expand the Horde's territory on Kalimdor. His assault completely obliterated the human city of Theramore, causing world-wide violence between the factions to erupt anew. A destructive naval skirmish left Alliance and Horde forces washed ashore on the fog-shrouded island of Pandaria, which had appeared in the open sea, defying modern maps and charts. As both warring factions established footholds on the resource-rich continent, they made contact with the noble pandaren, one of its most prolific peoples. This ancient race worked with the Alliance and Horde in the hopes of dispersing the Sha: dark, ephemeral beings roused from beneath Pandaria by the bloody conflict.

• Quest for Pandaria
• Tides of War
  • Attack on Theramore Isle
  • Alliance-Horde War evolves into a full-scale conflict

• The Skyseeker crashes into the Wandering Isle
  • Pandaren of Shen-zin Su split into two major groups, Tushui and Huojin and join the Alliance and Horde, respectively.

• Pandaria is accidentally discovered by the Alliance and Horde fleets
  • Anduin Wrynn is captured by the Horde but later escapes.
  • Battle of the Serpent's Heart.
  • The sha threat caused by the massive surge of negative energy becomes a grave danger for Pandaria and its denizens.
  • Zandalari and other allied troll tribes rejoin with their ancient Mogu allies, resurrection of Lei Shen.

Landfall

• The Alliance and Horde navies make landfall in the Krasarang Wilds of Pandaria.
• A Little Patience - The Horde is expelled from the Temple of the Red Crane.
• Dagger in the Dark - Vol'jin and a squad of Kor'kron are sent to investigate a Saurok cave. An assassination attempt by the Garrosh's men forces Vol'jin into hiding.
• Lion's Landing
• Domination Point
• Assault on Zan'vess - The island of Zan'vess and its mantid armies are assaulted by Alliance and Horde.