Story guide Interested in reading some of the Warcraft publications , but unsure where to start ? Here ' s the answer ! Your very own story guide . This guide presents all novel s and short stories that are considered canon in Warcraft lore . For reference , the books are listed under the titles of game releases and expansions of Warcraft games , so you know which stories occur in which general time period . Some stories appear twice in the timeline . This is because these stories take place partially as " flashbacks " to earlier events . The timelines of these stories have been noted in their descriptions . These novels cover the ancient history of Azeroth , and depict the War of the Ancients , the first invasion by the Burning Legion , the fall of the Highborne , and the destruction of the Well of Eternity . The Sundering was the first great cataclysm , and was responsible for the sinking of Vashj ' ir , the creation of the Maelstrom , and the very shape of the world today . The majority of the novels take place during the War of the Ancients . However , it ' s the War of the Ancients as viewed by travelers sent by Nozdormu 10 , 000 years into the past . This " short story " takes place at two points in the timeline . The flashback sequence tells the story of the original War of the Shifting Sands , 1 , 000 years before the orcs first arrived on Azeroth . It depicts the original struggle to contain the swarms of Ahn ' Qiraj by the Dragon Aspects , aided by the Night Elves . This story depicts the native orcs of Draenor and their fall from spiritual warrior traditions into demonic depravity . This book features the rise of Ner ' zhul and Gul ' dan , as well as the fall of the draenei . It ends just before the First War . This " short story " tells the tale of , former Vindicator ( paladin ) of the Light , and his transformation into a shaman . It takes place just after the corruption of the orcs in Rise of the Horde and follows Nobundo ' s journey through the shattering of Draenor . This book takes place during the beginning of the First War and tells the story of Medivh ' s origins , his apprentice Khadgar , and the mysterious half - orc Garona . This story depicts the events of " Warcraft II : Tides of Darkness , " mainly from the Alliance perspective . Historical events include the destruction of Stormwind , and the siege of Lordaeron . This novel tells the story of " Warcraft II : Beyond the Dark Portal " , largely from the Horde perspective . Taking place just after the Second War in the cursed dwarf city of Grim Batol , where the Dragonmaw Clan , a leftover from the Horde of Blackhand , hides a terrible secret . There , a young Rhonin aids the Dalaran Arch - Mage Krasus in finding out the source of the orcs ' true power , but run into complications in the form of Lord Daval Prestor . This novel focuses on the story of Thrall , from his humble beginnings as a slave and gladiator in the Alliance prison camps , to his eventual escape and rise to glory as the Warchief of the Horde . The Caverns of Time : Durnholde Keep instance depict many of the characters and events in the novel . Also featured , Drek ' thar , the last orc Shaman , Grom Hellscream , leader of the rebellious Warsong Clan , and Teretha Foxton , Thrall ' s adoptive older sister and friend . This mini - novel takes place sometime between Warcraft II and Warcraft III and recounts the tale of the paladin Tirion Fordring and Eitrigg , a self - exiled orc warrior of the Blackrock Clan . Fans of Tirion will definitely want to check this one out . This short story takes place just before Warcraft III and tells the story of the mage Kel ' Thuzad , his fallout with the Kirin Tor , and his alliance with Ner ' zhul , the first Lich King . While the events of this novel end just before Wrath of the Lich King , the majority of the novel itself takes place just before and during the events of Warcraft III , up to and including The Frozen Throne . It appears here chronologically because so much of it involves Warcraft III ; however , readers may want to keep in mind that the prologue and epilogue to the book take place just before Wrath of the Lich King . ( The Third War ) . Illidan Stormrage is one of the most powerful beings ever to walk the lands of Azeroth . He is also one of the least understood . Behind his legend , beneath his enigmatic mission , lies a brilliant mind whose machinations are comprehended by few — and trusted by even fewer . Illidan ’ s righteous reign of justice and vengeance has begun . Long ago , the night elf sorcerer Illidan infiltrated the demonic Burning Legion to ward off its invasion of Azeroth . Instead of hailing him as a hero , his own kind branded him the Betrayer , questioning his intentions after he appeared to aid the demon lords . For ten thousand years , he languished in prison — vilified , isolated , but never forgetting his purpose . Now the Legion has returned , and there is only one champion who can truly stand against it . Released from his bonds , Illidan prepares for the final confrontation in the alien realm of Outland , gathering an army of grotesque fel orcs , serpentine naga , cunning blood elves , and twisted demon hunters to his side . He alone knows what deeply hidden motives guide his hand ; he alone understands the price that must be paid to defeat the enemies of creation . Yet as before , he is assailed by those who see his schemes as a cynical quest for power , including the night elf Maiev Shadowsong , his former jailor . Warden Shadowsong and her Watchers have pursued the Betrayer to Outland to exact retribution for his crimes , and she will not rest until Illidan is in her custody . . . or in his grave . While the majority of the novels take place during the War of the Ancients , it is the experience of three heroes of the modern age ; the dragon mage Krasus , the young wizard Rhonin , and the grizzled orc veteran , Broxigar Saurfang . The travelers are sent by Nozdormu 10 , 000 years into the past through a mysterious and potentially dangerous rift that has opened up in the mountains of Kalimdor just after the Third War . This novel takes place three years after the Third War , and depicts the events of the bonus campaign of Warcraft 3 : the Frozen Throne . It involves the struggles of Thrall and Jaina Proudmoore as they attempt to keep alive the tentative peace between the orcs and humans of Kalimdor , a peace hard won with blood and victory over the Burning Legion during the three years prior . This short story takes place at two points in the timeline , with the modern setting depicting the in game event : The Scepter of Celebras and reopening of the Gates of Ahn ' Qiraj . Krasus , Rhonin , and Vereesa Windrunner return in this sequel to Day of the Dragon . The Netherwing dragonflight that were introduced in The Burning Crusade , become involved in an insidious plot by Lady Sinestra . Once the prime consort of Deathwing , she uses all her power to bring about the birth of a threat that will plague Azeroth for years to come : the Twilight Dragonflight . The corrupton of the Emerald Dream , first introduced in World of Warcraft , has reached cataclysmic proportions , and threatens to consume the world ' s sentient races within an eternal nightmare . Only the return of Malfurion Stormrage , with the help of heroes from both the Horde and the Alliance , stand a chance of turning the tide of the Nightmare War . This book takes place just prior to World of Warcraft : Cataclysm . The War in Northrend is over , but Azeroth is in turmoil . The elements themselves tremble in terror , and lash out against the mortals of the world . Amid the chaos , political struggles within both the Alliance and the Horde erupt into devastation , and threaten to leave the proud defenders of Azeroth divided and weakened against the coming storm . The Worgen of Gilneas seek to join the Alliance , but one imposing figure stands in their way : King Varian Wrynn . Meanwhile , the Night Elves struggle for acceptance , as the Highborne of Eldre ' Thalas return to Night Elf society after more than 10 , 000 years in exile . Elsewhere , Ashenvale comes under attack by a ferocious new enemy ; Garrosh Hellscream . The new leader of the Horde seeks the bountiful resources of the elven woodlands to fuel his war machine , and will stop at nothing to attain them . Former Warchief Thrall continues his efforts to mend the world after Deathwing ' s explosive return to Azeroth . But the task seems insurmountable , and the faith of the world ' s most powerful shaman wanes . Yet , a random task requested by Ysera , Aspect of the Green Dragonflight , sends Thrall on a sojourn across the face of the world . What he discovers along the way will affect not only his own future , but the future of the Dragon Aspects and of Azeroth as a whole . Jaina Proudmoore , protector of a beseiged Theramore , the last major outpost of the Alliance on mainland Kalimdor . She faces perhaps her greatest challenge as a leader when the Horde targets her small realm for destruction . How will she react ? Can she maintain or stance as a promoter of peace between the Alliance and Horde in the face of such a catastrophe ? Aided by the renowned brewmaster Chen Stormstout , Vol ' jin takes refuge in a remote mountain monastery to recover from his wounds . His time there , however , is far from peaceful , as intense visions of the past assault the Darkspear chieftain , and the ancient Zandalari tribe mounts a series of attacks on Pandaria . In his struggle to make sense of what ’ s happening , Vol ' jin must ultimately decide where his allegiances lay — a choice that could save or doom his people . . . and forever alter the fate of the Horde . The brutal siege of Orgrimmar is over . Garrosh Hellscream , the most infamous orc on Azeroth , now sits in chains . His tyrannical leadership of the Horde has been ended by his many enemies , and he must answer for his crimes . Renowned leaders from across the world gather in Pandaria to witness Garrosh ' s trial . Visions of his past atrocities are presented in vivid detail for all to see . But as history is revisited , old grievances and bitter memories come back into the light , and those in attendance begin to wonder if anyone among them is truly innocent . Mounting tensions and rising enmity steer the court to the brink of chaos . . . as the world waits with bated breath for the verdict on the war crimes of Garrosh Hellscream .