Queen Azshara and her Highborne, drunk on the Well of Eternity, opened a portal for Sargeras. The Burning Legion poured into a world that had never seen war.
What Happened
- The Highborne's reckless spellcraft draws Sargeras's attention across the Twisting Nether.
- Azshara agrees to unmake the world in exchange for godhood. Her court begins widening the portal.
- Malfurion Stormrage, taught by Cenarius, leads a resistance of night elves, Dragons, Furbolg, and earthen.
- Illidan Stormrage — jealous of his brother, in love with Tyrande Whisperwind — betrays the resistance to Sargeras, and is scarred and given his demonic sight.
- Neltharion forges the Demon Soul, drains the other four flights, and turns on everyone. He becomes Deathwing.
- The resistance destroys the Well of Eternity to close the portal.
Why It Still Matters
Everything after is aftershock. The Sundering, the Naga, the exile of the Highborne, the founding of Quel'Thalas, the broken Dragon Aspects, Deathwing's existence, and the night elves' ten-thousand-year isolation all begin here. It is also the Legion's first failure — and they do not forget.
