Tides of Darkness missions This page is on the Tides of Darkness missions . This text was featured in the second Warcraft game , . Note : According to the Alliance Player ' s Guide , while the kingdom was renamed sometime after the third war to the current name Stormwind , at the time of the First War , the kingdom was known as Azeroth . For a discussion of what parts of this game ' s two interweaving storylines became part of the lore of the Warcraft universe , see the discussion of retcons . While the two stories interweave for the most part there is some divergence towards end of each campaign . A game demo also exists . " See : Tides of Darkness missions ( demo ) " . Introduction . Six years have passed since the First War between man and orc . . . " The once mighty army of Azeroth lay among the blackend and charred remains of Stormwind Keep . Those that escaped fled across the great sea bringing tales of the suffering they had faced at the hands of the Orcish Hordes . " Eager to engage in battle once again , the Orcs constructed ships of war to bear them across the Great Sea . " The Orcish warriors yearned for the sounds of battle to fill the air and looked to the far horizon for new blood to spill . Using the weapons forged by their new allies , the human s made haste to prepare for the onslaught . While Dwarven cannon were being loaded , others armed themselves with Elven steel and mail . " " Now , united in arms with new allies against a common foe , Mankind stands at the shores of destiny and awaits the coming of The Tides of Darkness . " Orc Campaign . Act I Seas of Blood . I . Zul ' dare . " The Horde is preparing to launch an assault against the mainland of Lordaeron . " " Orgrim Doomhammer - War Chief of the Orcish Hordes and Ruler of the Blackrock clan - has ordered you to establish a small outpost on Lordaeron ' s southern shores . " " To secure the Zul ' dare region as Doomhammer demands you will need to construct a Barracks and several Farms to feed your troops . Your success may help us determine the extent of the pathetic Human defenses and what resistance they can offer against our forces . " II . Raid at Hillsbrad . " Our spies report that a band of Human soldiers have captured a war party led by Troll commander Zuljin and have taken them to a secret prison near the township of Hillsbrad . " " Seeing an opportunity to place these captives in debt to the Horde , Doomhammer sends you to ransom Zuljin and his Trolls and return them to their own encampment nearby . " " The War Chief believes that this raid upon the unsuspecting prison will strike terror into the hearts of those who would dare resist the Horde . " III . Southshore . " In preparation for a final strike on Hillsbrad , the War Chief directs you to begin construction of facilities for the Orcish Armada near the Southshore region . " " Zuljin and his Trolls , eager to take revenge upon the Humans who imprisoned them , have agreed to aid the Horde by supplying Axethrower s and Destroyer s to assist in defending your Southshore operation . " " A Shipyard must be constructed in order to build our wave rider s and you will need much of the black liquid known as oil to build your fleet . " IV . Assault on Hillsbrad . " Now that the Armada is well supplied with the precious black substance that your Tankers have amassed , Doomhammer feels it is time to make a gruesome example of Hillsbrad . " " With the aid of new Foundry sites that allow you to construct more advanced ships , you may build Transport s to deliver your forces across the channel to the cowering Human settlement . " " All who oppose the Horde must be taught a harsh lesson - leave no one alive ! " Act II Khaz Modan . V . Tol Barad . " The township of Hillsbrad has been decimated , and throughout the Human kingdoms the rumors of impending doom spread like wildfire . War Chief Doomhammer is pleased with your success and has deemed you worthy of a more difficult task . Troubles have arisen in the Dwarven lands of Khaz Modan . A taskforce of Stromgarde warriors have laid siege to Dun Modr - a vital staging area for Horde troops . You are to retake Dun Modr and then bring your forces to bear against Stromgarde ' s nearby island citadel of Tol Barad . " VI . The Badlands . " Doomhammer has sent word that the Ogre - Mage Cho ' gall , chieftain of the Twilight ' s Hammer Clan , is personally inspecting the Refinery at Grim Batol . Cho ' gall and his convoy will be traveling through the badlands of khaz Modan , and an ambush by Stromgarde warriors is expected . The War Chief expects you to safeguard Cho ' gall and his minions through this region . Should he die , your life will be forfeit as well . . . " VII . The Fall of Stromgarde . " Cho ' gall reports that the Khaz Modan Refineries are well maintained and fulfilling their quotas . The Horde will now have more than enough oil to mount a fierce campaign in the lands far to the north . Only the troublesome Human defenders of Stromgarde remain to be dealt with before sending the Horde on its next sojourn . The Human fleet has captured a group of our Transports just south of Stromgarde . Recapture these vessels and then lay waste to their capital . " Act III Quel ' Thalas . VIII . The Runestone at Caer Darrow . " Your forces have been assigned to an area along the southern border of the Elven kingdom of Quel ' thalas . Gul ' dan , hoping to sow the seeds of chaos among the Human and Elven allies , has located a mysterious Elven artifact near the Keep of Caer Darrow . This huge , monolithic Runestone is guarded by a Human Castle on the small island located in the middle of Darrowmere Lake . You must destroy the forces that guard this relic and gain control of the Runestone for use by the Horde . " IX . The Razing of Tyr ' s Hand . " With the capture of the Elven Runestone , Gul ' dan has been able to warp the power it contains to mutate an entire legion of his loyal and ruthless Ogres into wielders of arcane magiks . Along with this transformation these Ogre - Magi have been granted deadly magiks and a malicious cunning rivaling that of Gul ' dan himself . You are to employ the Ogre - Magi in the creation and defense of a Fortress at the mouth of Tyr ' s Bay , cutting off the Human supply lines into Quel ' thalas . " X . The Destruction of Stratholme . " Stratholme , the chief source of Alliance oil in the north , is preparing to deliver massive amounts of oil to the kingdoms in western Lordaeron . You must sabotage their Refineries and Platforms to halt this shipment . Once Stratholme ' s ability to gather and process Oil is destroyed , proceed to crush any and all resistance offered by the Alliance . " XI . The Dead Rise as Quel ' Thalas Falls . " With the destruction of Stratholme , the Alliance supply lines to Quel ' thalas have been severed . Only a handful of Human and Elven defenders remain to safeguard the ancient Elf kingdom from the onslaught of the Horde . The enchanted domain of the Elves has inspired Gul ' dan to unleash his most perverted creation - the Death Knight s . Formed from the corpses of the fallen Knights of Azeroth , these once proud defenders of Humanity now serve the Horde in a blasphemous state of eternal undeath . Conjuring dark spells of necromantic horror upon their terrified foes , these Death Knights seek to unleash their wrath upon any foolish enough to stand in their way . " Act IV Tides of Darkness . XII . The Tomb of Sargeras . " The Northlands have fallen , and now only the western regions of Lordaeron stand defiant before the ultimate supremacy of the Horde . As the Orc clans prepare for their final , massive campaign against the weakening Alliance , the War Chief sends you ill tidings . . . Gul ' dan and his Stormreaver Clan have betrayed the Horde and coerced the Twilight ' s Hammer Clan to set sail and search for an ancient tomb said to be buried beneath the waves . An infiltrator under the direction of Doomhammer reports that Gul ' dan has indeed raised volcanic islands from the ocean floor and thus has opened a hidden vault . While it is unknown what the great Warlock has released from this tomb , the War Chief has issued this command - Destroy the renegade clans and return with the head of Gul ' dan . " XIII . The Siege of Dalaran . " The hour of judgment is close at hand as the Orcish Hordes stand ready to sweep across this domain like a pestilence and seize the capital of Lordaeron . Standing vigilant above the plains like the descending arm of twilight itself , is the Violet Citadel of Dalaran . The Citadel - serving as sanctum and haven to the Mage s of Lordaeron - is the last barrier between the Orcs and their subjugation of Humanity . Manifested in the combined magical prowess of all Mages within the Alliance , this place must fall for the Horde to conquer Lordaeron . Fortunately , Orgrim Doomhammer has saved his greatest weapon , ready to unleash it upon the unsuspecting Alliance at just this moment - Dragon s . " XIV . The Fall of Lordaeron . " The alabaster parapets of Lordaeron ' s capital loom before you in the distance . The proud , defiant armies of the Alliance stand resolute in their final , fleeting moments . All that remains is the shrill , clarion call to battle and the fulfillment of our destiny . The tides of darkness are now at hand ! " Victory for the Horde . " The victory pyres burn high into the twilight skies covering the ruined capital of Lordaeron . Your success has led Orgrim Doomhammer - War Chief of the Orcish Hordes - to elevate you to the station of Warlord , thus giving you power and the command of your own clan . The Alliance has finally been crushed , with all those surviving being slain and cremated as is dictated by the rituals . At long last Azeroth and all of its lands belong to the thunderous force known to those foolish enough to stand in its way as the Horde ! " Human Campaign . Act I The Shores of Lordaeron . I . Hillsbrad . " Due to your position as regional commander of the southern defense forces , Lord Terenas commands that you raise an outpost in the Hillsbrad foothills . It is rumored that Orcish marauders have been raiding coastal towns in the area , but whether these attacks are part of a greater Horde offensive is , as yet , unknown . Your outpost is to provide food and information for Alliance troops and , as such , should be a community consisting of at least four Farms . You must also construct a Barracks in order to safeguard the Hillsbrad operation . " II . Ambush at Tarren Mill . " The mysterious Elves of Silvermoon have sent a contingent of Archers south to survey the supposed Orcish threat for themselves . Our spies report that shortly after passing through the Alterac grasslands the Elves were ambushed by Horde troops . It is believed that these Elves are now being held in a small prison camp near the northwest region of Tarren Mill . Lord Terenas , fervently hoping to enlist the Elves into the Alliance , has asked that you search for the missing warriors and deliver them to safety . The Elves have sent a cadre of Archers to assist in your quest . You will also be provided with plans to construct an Elven Lumber Mill and the sylvan craftsman to operate it . " III . Southshore . " With the safe return of the Elves from the loathsome clutches of the Orcs , the Council of Silvermoon has resolved to combine the armies of Quel ' thalas with those of the Alliance of Lordaeron . As a show of their support , a mighty fleet of Elven Destroyers have been sent to help safeguard the Lordaeron mainland . In preparation for the arrival of these ships , Daelin Proudmoore - Lord of Kul Tiras and Grand Admiral of the Lordaeron Fleet - has ordered that you begin the construction of naval facilities near the township of Southshore . There is some suspicion that the Horde has constructed a secret base near the mainland , so it is imperative that you begin building your defense with haste . " IV . Attack on Zul ' dare . " Having established some order in the region with a display of naval power , Admiral Proudmoore advises that the time has come to search out the secret lair of the Orcs . Scouts report that this base is located somewhere within the Zul ' dare region of the Channel Islands , just south - east of Hillsbrad . Lordaeron artificers have completed designs for a Foundry . With this new innovation , you will be able to construct Transport ships that can ferry your troops across large bodies of water . These vessels should provide great assistance in the completion of your task . " Act II Khaz Modan . V . Tol Barad . " Although the Horde has been driven from the shores of Lordaeron , it has left the townships of Hillsbrad and Southshore in ruins . It is clear that the war will cost the Alliance dearly . . . Impressed with your victories against the Horde and the destruction of the Zul ' dare base , the High Command has decided to dispatch you and your troops to the main battleground . The forces of Stromgarde and Kul Tiras are stationed along the northern border of Khaz Modan , fighting to keep the Orcs from advancing into southern Lordaeron . An Orcish outpost , nestled near the ruins of the ancient Dwarven city of Dun Modr , has repeatedly beaten back Alliance troops and ravaged the surrounding farmlands . You must reclaim the nearby island Keep at Tol Barad and then launch an attack upon the outpost . " VI . Dun Algaz . " Following their defeat at Dun Modr , the Orcs were forced to retreat south , across the Thandol Valley to a secondary outpost at Dun Algaz . Lord Lothar , hoping to push the Orcs even further back into Khaz Modan , has ordered that you destroy this newly discovered encampment . To aid you in your mission , you will be able to employ Knights who are eager to engage the Horde in glorious battle . " VII . Grim Batol . " Advance scouts report that they have located Grim Batol - the primary base of the Horde ' s Refinery operations in Khaz Modan . Seeing a chance to strike a decisive blow against the Horde , Lord Lothar has ordered that you infiltrate Grim Batol and put an end to all Orcish activity there . Once Grim Batol has been destroyed , Lothar believes that the Orcs will have no further use for Khaz Modan , thus pulling their forces back to the mainland of Azeroth . Victory could secure the shores of Lordaeron and greatly impede the Horde offensive . " Act III The Northlands . VIII . Tyr ' s Hand . " With the destruction of Dun Modr and the downfall of Grim Batol , the Orcs have completely withdrawn their armies from Khaz Modan . While your victories have been notable , the menace of the Horde still hangs over the head of the Alliance . Lord Lothar has stationed your troops in the northlands to protect the borders of Quel ' thalas . Troubles have arisen in the township of Tyr ' s Hand , with the local peasant population in a state of minor revolt . You must quell this uprising and then summon the Knights of the Silver Hand to watch over the populace . To maintain order in the region , you must search out all of the Horde forces in the area and destroy them . " IX . The Battle at Darrowmere . " With his Paladins keeping vigilant watch over the northlands , the Archbishop ' s assistant Uther Lightbringer of Lordaeron has come to offer comfort to those who are suffering the misfortunes of war . Lord Lothar has entrusted you with the protection of the Paladins ' Commander and his entourage as they travel to the island township of Caer Darrow . " X . The Prisoners . " Following the battle at Caer Darrow , a number of renegade Alterac soldiers were captured . A crew of Alterac sailors were also caught assisting the Horde during the battle and have been placed under close guard . Under the edict of Lord Lothar , you are to restrain the prisoners until they can be escorted to the capital of Lordaeron for interrogation . " XI . Betrayal and the Destruction of Alterac . " Lord Lothar sends word that the Alliance has been betrayed . Lord Perenolde - sovereign ruler of Alterac - has been working with the Horde since the beginning of the war . It was Perenolde who provided the Orcs with the routes of the Elven strikeforce passing through Tarren Mill . The rebellion at Tyr ' s Hand was also started by Alterac spies in hopes of concealing the Orcish mining facility located there . The High Command has decreed that the nation of Alterac has committed treason against the Alliance and their union with the Orcish Hordes must be broken . You must free those unjustly held by Perenolde and enlist their aid in launching an attack against Alterac ' s capital . " Act IV Return to Azeroth . XII . The Battle at Crestfall . " With the destruction of Alterac , the Orcish armies in the north have staged a massive retreat . Admiral Proudmoore sends word that Gnomish Submarine s have located the Horde ' s main naval base near Crestfall . Proudmoore believes that the Orcs plan to launch the remainder of their armada and retreat to the mainland of Azeroth . Lord Lothar has ordered that you destroy the base at Crestfall before the fleet can escape . " XIII . Assault on Blackrock Spire . " The remnants of the routed Orcish fleet have managed to reach the northern shores of Azeroth . Admiral Proudmoore believes that the Horde will attempt to reinforce their main Fortress at Blackrock Spire . Leading a large strikeforce of Lordaeron troops , Lord Lothar was sent to attempt a parlay with the Orcish Chieftain Orgrim Doomhammer . No reports have been heard in days . . . Assuming the worst , Admiral Proudmoore and King Terenas agree that it falls upon you to stage a final siege upon Blackrock Spire . The feral Dwarves of the Northeron wildlands have offered the service of their Gryphon Rider s to assist in the decimation of the foul Orcs that have desecrated their homeland and slain the leader of the Alliance forces . " XIV . The Great Portal . " The Orcs have been driven from the Northlands as the hulking remains of Blackrock Spire lay silent amongst the freed lands of Azeroth . The battered remains of the once mighty Horde have rallied to protect their last bastion of hope - the Great Portal . With Lord Lothar dead , you have been given the duty of leading the forces of Lordaeron to ultimate victory over the Horde - a victory that lies with the destruction of the Great Portal itself . . . " Victory for the Alliance . " Quiet settles over the Black Morass with the blackened , burning remains of the cursed Portal serving as a solemn reminder of the evil that once stood here . After the long and savage battle , you stand victorious over the tattered remnants of the once mighty Orcish Hordes . Those Orcs that survived the conflict have fled to the northeast in hopes of escaping your vengeance . You allow them their reprieve , knowing that the power of the Horde has been forever broken and that the lands of Azeroth belong to its native sons and daughters once again . "