Lothar’s testimony convinced King Terenas that the fall of Stormwind had not ended the war. Lordaeron, Kul Tiras, Gilneas, Stromgarde, and Dalaran joined forces with the high elves and dwarves. The Alliance of Lordaeron was born, and the Church of the Holy Light created the paladins of the Silver Hand.
Orgrim Doomhammer led the Horde north. Forest trolls under Zul’jin, ogres, and goblins joined the campaign. War spread through Hillsbrad, Quel’Thalas, and the Great Sea, but the Horde’s unity was fragile. Gul’dan abandoned the front to search for the Tomb of Sargeras, taking part of the army with him at the decisive moment.
That betrayal changed the campaign. Orgrim retreated and the Alliance advanced. Lothar fell in battle, but Turalyon raised his standard and drove the Horde back to the Dark Portal. The gateway was destroyed from the Azeroth side, and captured orcs were placed in internment camps.
Blizzard’s official retrospective connects the Second War directly to the destruction of Stormwind, stressing both the union of the human rulers and the creation of the paladin order. The invasion had ended, but the passage between worlds had not vanished forever.
Official Blizzard source: Official World of Warcraft source