Burning Crusade

Lore & Background

In response, both the Alliance and Horde launched expeditions into this fractured dimension, leading to the discovery of the Sunwell's power and the eventual sealing of the Legion's main portal. The conflict saw the rise of new heroes like Thrall's shamanistic mastery and the redemption of Illidan's former lieutenant, Kael'thas Sunstrider, who briefly fought against his demonic masters before falling again.

Reader's Guide

The lore of the Burning Crusade permeates Hearthstone through various expansions that revisit this era. While no expansion is titled 'Burning Crusade,' the events are central to the narrative of 'Goblins vs Gnomes' and 'The Grand Tournament.'

Initially, the invasion sets the stage for the formation of the Shattered Sun Offensive, a coalition that appears in card art and flavor text throughout the game. The conflict's resolution leads directly to the opening of the Dark Portal again, setting up future storylines involving Illidan and the Legion. Later expansions like 'Whispers of the Old Gods' and 'The Witchwood' reference the lingering scars left by this demonic war, showing how Azeroth remains vigilant against such threats. The timeline connects these historical battles to the current state of the world, where heroes must constantly prepare for the next incursion from the Twisting Nether.

Did You Know?

• Outland was originally the planet Draenor before it was shattered by the Dark Portal and magical instability.
• The Shattered Sun Offensive was a joint force of Alliance and Horde players formed specifically to fight the Legion in Outland.
• Illidan Stormrage's actions during this era directly contributed to the fragmentation of his homeworld.