Battle on the Broken Shore The Battle on the Broken Shore is a pre - expansion event before and ongoing with the " " expansion . Adventurers take the fight to the Burning Legion in the Broken Isles , the site of the Legion ' s newest incursion and primary foothold on Azeroth . The pre - event quest chain starts with the automatically offered quest . This event is available to all players who are level 98 and above as part of the legion pre - patch , with pre - order or purchase of the expansion not required . Details . The Battle on the Broken Shore differs slightly between Alliance and Horde players . Although each faction is united in their assault on the Legion in these lands , each group separates and takes a slightly different approach at various stages during the assault . Each faction ' s perspective on the actions of the opposite faction are dramatically different , however . Both sides shared a similar approach to preparing for the encounter by gathering adventurers and heroes from wherever they could be found and putting them aboard vessels on their respective assault fleets . Alliance . Varian Wrynn and the Stormwind fleet arrived at the broken shore several hours before adventurers and the second regiment . There were reports of heavy fighting , but it was unknown exactly where Varian and the first regiment were . The second regiment of alliance forces consisted of several alliance heroes , Jaina Proudmoore , Genn Greymane and Gelbin Mekkatorque . When the second group of ships arrived at the broken shore , its forces cleared the beach of demons and legion structures , culminating in the slaying of . Alliance forces fought through countless demons , realizing the number of legion forces was far beyond anything they had previously encountered . After finally reaching Varian and what remained of the first regiment , the two Alliance forces combined to push forward and shut down a demon portal which had been supplying legion reinforcements . Jaina spotted Tirion Fordring in the distance , being held captive by Gul ' dan , so the alliance forces pushed forward even further to assist the paladin . As the alliance forces approached Gul ' dan , Tirion warned that it was a trap . Suspending Tirion above a lake of fel lava , Gul ' dan summoned a massive demon named , who used his fel - breath to burn Tirion to a crisp . Horrified , the alliance forces ( with the help of a host of Horde forces on a nearby platform ) defeated the massive demon . The alliance forces pushed forward , toward the final encounter with Gul ' dan , while Sylvanas Windrunner and the horde forces positioned themselves atop a nearby ridge to cover the Alliance ' s flank . Just as the Alliance force was about to launch their attack on Gul ' dan directly , he summoned a massive host of demons , including many familiar Legion lieutenants and commanders . Gul ' dan sent wave after wave of demons at the alliance forces , which were gradually defeated one by one . For a time , it appeared as though the combined forces of the horde and alliance were holding their ground . However , as a surprise to the alliance forces , it appeared as though the horde had abandoned them , retreating from their position atop the ridge . This left the alliance forces exposed and likely to soon be overwhelmed by the legion forces . In order to save what remained of his forces , Varian called for all of the Alliance forces to retreat . The alliance forces boarded an airship and it began to ascend . However , Gul ' dan summoned a colossal Fel Reaver in front of the Tomb of Sargeras , which grabbed hold of the airship . Handing Genn Greymane a letter to his son , Varian leaped atop the fel reaver to destroy it , as the remaining Alliance forces retreated aboard the airship . After destroying the fel reaver , Varian fought through several demons . However , just steps away from Gul ' dan he was stabbed , perhaps fatally , by two Felguard s . Gul ' dan mocked Varian , telling him that he would be remembered as " the king who died for nothing " . Defiant to the end , Varian ' s last words were : " For the Alliance ! " , before Gul ' dan tore his body apart by infusing him with a fatal dose of Fel magic . Horde . During the assault , Sylvanas Windrunner and her archers fired from atop the rise to cover the Alliance ' s advance . Hearing a commotion behind her , she looked down the rise to see the heroes of the Horde hopelessly outnumbered . Baine Bloodhoof helped a fallen Thrall rise from his knees even as Vol ' jin rallied the troops . Halfway through his sentence , however , he was struck from behind and fell . Sylvanas ran from her position to hold him , and it was obvious he was on his way to death . With what remained of his strength , Vol ' jin told her to make certain the Horde was not destroyed . With no other option left to her , and with the Legion closing around them , Sylvanas raised her horn to her lips , sounding the retreat . Her Val ' kyr swooped down from above , taking hold of whomever they could to carry to safety . The Legion overran the rise , looking down upon the scattered and now hopelessly outnumbered Alliance forces . Back at Orgrimmar , Vol ' jin sat atop the throne for the last time . Though bandages covered his wound , he was quickly dying . With the leaders of the Horde gathered , he told them the spirits revealed a future to him that he could scarcely believe , but he had no choice but to follow their vision . With his dying breath , he handed leadership over to Sylvanas , making her Warchief . Sylvanas stood before the gathered Horde later that day and asked who would follow her in avenging Vol ' jin ' s death . Their response was unanimous . Notable demons . During these events the largest assemblage of major demons was likely ever seen on Azeroth at one time .