The Horde emerged in the Black Morass without warning for the people of Stormwind. Early attacks looked like a local threat, but behind the divided clans stood a war machine created on Draenor. Warchief Blackhand was its public leader; Gul’dan and the Shadow Council directed it from the darkness.
Anduin Lothar, Khadgar, and Garona uncovered the other half of the conspiracy. Medivh, the Guardian possessed by Sargeras, had helped Gul’dan open the portal. Inside Karazhan, the apprentice was forced to stand against his master. Medivh’s death broke his link with Gul’dan and left the warlock briefly incapacitated.
Orgrim Doomhammer used that moment to kill Blackhand and seize command of the Horde. Stormwind, however, was already doomed. Garona, compelled by forces beyond her control, assassinated King Llane, and the city fell to the orcs. Lothar led the survivors across the sea to Lordaeron.
The First War ended in a human defeat, but not in the Horde’s final victory. The refugees brought the northern kingdoms a warning—and from that warning the Alliance of Lordaeron would soon be born.
Official Blizzard source: Official World of Warcraft source