The Prison in the Ice

Escaping the destruction of Draenor did not free Ner’zhul. Kil’jaeden captured the fleeing shaman and destroyed his body, keeping his spirit alive to face a new form of servitude. The orc who had tried to find a way out of disaster became the instrument of another invasion.

Confined within the Frozen Throne in Northrend, Ner’zhul could reach beyond his prison with his mind. He began gathering the dead into an army and spreading the plague that would make fresh victims into servants. The Lich King was a captive, but his confinement did not prevent him from conquering the lands around him.

The Price of Frostmourne

Arthas pursued Mal’Ganis to Northrend, where he joined Muradin in the search for Frostmourne. He took the blade despite its warning. Muradin was struck down and believed dead. Arthas gained the power to defeat his enemy, but the sword bound him to the Lich King.

The Forsaken Break Free

As the Lich King’s power weakened, Sylvanas discovered that his commands no longer held her. Freedom returned inside a body and existence she had never chosen. Arthas was still within reach, and she moved to turn that brief opening into revenge.

Her banshees drew him into an ambush. A poisoned arrow immobilized him, but she wanted him to suffer rather than die quickly. Kel’Thuzad arrived before she could finish him and drove her away.

Arthas escaped toward Northrend. Sylvanas remained in Lordaeron, where the dreadlords also sought control. Recovering her will had begun the struggle; holding a place for the undead who would become the Forsaken required another war.

The Ascent to the Frozen Throne

The weakening Ner’zhul called Arthas back to Northrend. Illidan and his allies were moving against the Frozen Throne, and the death knight could no longer assume that the power sustaining him would endure. Reaching Icecrown became a race to preserve his master and himself.

Anub’arak offered a route through the fallen nerubian kingdom. The former king guided Arthas through tunnels haunted by the consequences of the Scourge’s conquest. For Arthas the passage was a shortcut; for Anub’arak it was the ruin of the realm he had once ruled.

At Icecrown, Arthas overcame Illidan and climbed to the prison above. He broke the ice and put on the Helm of Domination, joining himself to Ner’zhul as the Lich King. The prince who had taken a cursed blade to save his people now sat at the center of the power that had destroyed them.

Illidan survived the duel. Vashj and Kael’thas brought him back to Outland, where the failure left him preparing for Kil’jaeden’s wrath. Arthas gained a throne; his opponent returned to a kingdom that could not make him safe.