With Kel'Thuzad's success in Lordaeron, the Lich King made the final preparations for his assault against Human civilization. Placing his plague-energies into a number of portable artifacts called plague-cauldrons, Ner'zhul ordered Kel'Thuzad to transport the cauldrons to Lordaeron, where they would be hidden within various cult-controlled villages. The cauldrons, protected by the loyal cultists, would then act as plague-generators, sending the plague seeping out across the unsuspecting farmlands and cities of northern Lordaeron.

The Lich King's plan worked perfectly. Many of Lordaeron's northern villages were contaminated almost immediately. Just as in Northrend, the citizens who contracted the plague died and arose as the Lich King's willing slaves. The cultists under Kel'Thuzad were eager to die and be raised again in their dark lord's service. They exulted in the prospect of immortality through undeath. As the plague spread, more and more feral zombies arose in the northlands. Kel'Thuzad looked upon the Lich King's growing army and named it the Scourge, for soon it would march upon the gates of Lordaeron and scour humanity from the face of the world.

The Alliance Splinters

Unaware of the death cults forming in their lands, the leaders of the Alliance nations began to bicker and argue over territorial holdings and decreasing political influence. King Terenas of Lordaeron began to suspect that the fragile pact they had forged during their darkest hour would not last for much longer. Terenas had convinced the Alliance leaders to lend money and laborers to help rebuild the southern kingdom of Stormwind, which had been destroyed during the orcish occupation of Azeroth. The higher taxes that resulted, along with the high expense of maintaining and operating the numerous Orc internment camps, led many leaders -- Genn Greymane of Gilneas in particular -- to believe that their kingdoms would be better off seceding from the Alliance.

To make matters worse, the High Elves of Silvermoon brusquely rescinded their allegiance to the Alliance, stating that the Humans' poor leadership had led to the burning of their forests during the Second War. Terenas fought back his impatience and quietly reminded the Elves that nothing of Quel'Thalas would have remained if not for the hundreds of valiant humans who'd given their lives to defend it. Nonetheless, the Elves stubbornly decided to go their own way. In the wake of the Elves' departure, Gilneas and Stromgarde seceded as well.

Though the Alliance was falling apart, King Terenas still had allies that he could count on. Both Admiral Proudmoore of Kul Tiras and the young king, Varian Wrynn of Azeroth, remained committed to the Alliance. Furthermore, the wizards of the Kirin Tor, led by the Archmage Antonidas, pledged Dalaran's steadfast support to Terenas' rule. Perhaps most reassuring of all was the pledge of the mighty dwarven king, Magni Bronzebeard, who vowed that the dwarves of Ironforge would forever owe a debt of honor to the Alliance for liberating Khaz Modan from the Horde's control.

• Sargeras and the Betrayal
• Codex Azeroth
• The Birth of Azeroth
• The Birth of Azeroth 2
• The Sundering of the World
• the centuries passed
• Part II - The Doom of Draenor
• Rise of the Horde
• exiled Frostwolves charged
• Lothar and his warriors
• Part III - The Alliance of Lordaeron
• the wayward orcs
• new Orcish
• The Birth of the Lich King
• The Battle of Grim Batol
• The New Horde
• War of the Spider
• The Forming of the Scourge
• The Alliance Splinters
• Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
• Archimonde's Return and the Flight to Kalimdo
• The Battle of Mount Hyjal
• Part VI - The Betrayer Ascendant
• Civil War in the Plaguelands
• The Lich King Triumphant
• Old Hatreds -- The Colonization of Kalimdor