Location: Arthas’ landing site, south of Azjol-Nerub, Northrend
Three weeks later, King Arthas’ ragged fleet drops anchor off the icy southern coasts of Northrend.
King Arthas: Northrend. It feels like a lifetime since I was last here. Something out there is threatening the Lich King. We must reach Icecrown quickly.
Necromancer: My king, we’ll need to establish a base here first, but this island is nearly devoid of resources.
King Arthas: What the—
Without warning three Dragonhawks fly above Arthas’ party, and land nearby.
King Arthas: They look like high elves! What are they doing here?
Blood Elf: Prince Arthas, we are the blood elves! We have sworn to avenge the ghosts of Quel’Thalas. This dead land … will be cleansed!
King Arthas: Northrend belongs to the Scourge, elf! You made a terrible mistake by coming here. Slay them!
The blood elves seemed to be a bit of a challenge to Arthas. However, a new unknown ally arrived to offer Arthas assistance.
Anub’arak: Onward for the Scourge! Slay them in Ner’zhul’s name!
King Arthas: Thanks for the assistance, mighty one.
Anub’arak: The Lich King sent me to aid you, death knight. I am Anub’arak, ancient king of Azjol-Nerub.
King Arthas: I welcome your aid, Anub’arak, but we have little time for pleasantries. We must reach Icecrown immediately! They must have a base around here somewhere.
MAIN QUEST
The Landing
– Destroy the Blood Elves’ island stronghold
The Blood Elves are heavily encamped all around the shores of Northrend. You must lay siege to their island stronghold farther off the coast and take its resources for your own.
HINT – Crypt Fiends now have the Burrow ability
MAIN QUEST COMPLETED
The Landing
King Arthas: These elves are pathetic. It’s no wonder we destroyed their homeland so easily.
As Arthas beheld the razed Blood Elf camp, a familiar figure approached Arthas.
King Arthas: Prince Kael’thas. I haven’t seen you since … You lead these elves?
Prince Kael’thas: This group, at least. What you faced here was merely a scouting force. Defeating Lord Illidan’s army will be far more difficult.
King Arthas: Illidan? He’s behind this invasion?
Prince Kael’thas: He is. Our forces are vast, arthas. Even now, they march upon the Icecrown Glacier. You’ll never make it in time to save your precious Lich King. Consider this payment for Quel’Thalas … and other insults.
King Arthas: Aarrghh …
The Lich King: Make haste! My enemies draw near! Our time is almost spent!
Anub’arak: Are you well, death knight?
King Arthas: My powers are weakening, but I’ll be all right. He’s right. We’ll never reach the glacier in time!
Anub’arak: There is another route we might take, death knight. The ancient, shattered kingdom of Azjol-Nerub lies deep below us. Though it has fallen on dark times, it could provide us a direct shortcut to the glacier.
King Arthas: We have little choice. Lead on, Anub’arak.
MAIN QUEST
Breakthrough
– Slay the guardians
Now that you have sufficient resources, you need only break through the pass to Azjol-Nerub. Its guardians are vicious and care only for slaughter and bloodshed. Slay them, and the way through the pass is clear.
Anub’arak: There is a dragon that lives in the hills nearby. The creature may hold artifacts that could protect us on our march.
OPTIONAL QUEST
Dragon Hoard
– Slay the Dragon Sapphiron
The ancient Dragon Sapphiron lies within the nearby caves. There are rumors that he guards a wondrous hoard of powerful items. Slay the Dragon and take them for your own.
Sapphiron: You dare enter my lair? I am Sapphiron, ancient servant of Malygos the Spell-Weaver! Explain yourselves!
King Arthas: Sorry we don’t have time to chat, great wyrm. We’ve come to murder you and steal whatever artifacts you’ve hoarded over the centuries.
Sapphiron: Honesty. How refreshing. None may challenge Sapphiron and live!
After a lengthy fight between King Arthas and Anub’arak against the blue dragon Sapphiron, the ancient dragon fell defeated.
King Arthas: At least I still have enough power to do this.
Anub’arak is surprised by what Arthas next did. Using what power he still had, King Arthas awoke the slain Sapphiron with necromancy, transforming him into an Undead Frost Wyrm.
Anub’arak: Most impressive. But you need to conserve your energies, death knight. We have a long road ahead of us.
OPTIONAL QUEST COMPLETED
Dragon Hoard
King Arthas: Seismic tremors. What tortures this land?
Necromancer: The earthquakes have shatterd a glacial wall and revealed a new waterway! Perhaps our fleet can use this to our advantage.
Using the new waterway, they set sail and continue their journey inward toward the location of the entrance to the underground kingdom of Azjol-Nerub. A new earthquake breaks a wall of ice, uncovering a Tuskarr encamptment.
King Arthas: Another earthquake. This can’t be good.
After slaying the Tuskarr encampment and gathering their resources they continued their journey toward the Guardians: Blue Dragons, drakes and dragonspawns; which are in their way.
MAIN QUEST COMPLETED
Breakthrough
King Arthas: You’re certain we can reach the glacier through these tunnels?
Anub’arak: Nothing is certain, death knight. The ruins will be perilous, but it’s worth the risk.
King Arthas: All right. Let’s go.
