8.0-8.1
Alliance and Horde go to Kul Tiras and Zandalar for their fleets and the questing experience is pretty much the same with both factions trying to gain favors so that nation will give it’s navy to the Fourth War.
The War Campaign instead of being a buildup to the Battle of Dazar’alor is instead focused on the various warfronts springing up across Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. The big narrative hook is the continued r&d of more devastating Azerite weaponry in an attempt to turn the tide of the war. In one battle, the Horde is researching a plague that is super charged with Azerite making it far more deadly, or the Alliance is developing a gnomish super laser. As the war continues more horrible weapons are made by both factions and over time it becomes noticeable that the Azerite seems to be getting stronger making the weapons all the worse.
After level cap, the War Campaign shifts to both Zandalar and Kul Tiras joining the war and the Alliance decides now would be a great time to show off their new toys in battle. They pick Dazar’alor to a) knock the Horde’s newest allies out the war before they become a problem and b) gain superiority over the seas. Instead of a diversion like in Canon, the Alliance fleet, led by Grand Admiral Jaina Proudmoore just blow up the docked fleet with one of their Azerite weapons and attack the city. The battle goes about the same way with Rastakhan dying and Talanji taking his place. The Horde counter attack destroys the Alliance’s Azerite cannon. After the battle the Jaina takes a moment to wonder why the usually golden azerite weapon was for the briefest of moments black.
But to the fantastic luck of the Horde, the entire fleet docked at Dazar’alor and was instead engaging battle around the Great Sea (think Pearl Harbor). This ends up being to the Horde’s advantage as the Alliance thinking they could have easy pickings in Kalimdor now, attempt to invade Darkshore only to have their route blocked forcing the Battle of Darkshore to effectively the Battle of Normandy for the Alliance invaders. Tyrande lead the charge, gains Night Warrior power and the Battle of Darkshore continues until the end of the war. Anduin is growing increasingly worried about the tactics the Alliance are willing to use to win the war, but believes that despite his misgivings if they can win the war quickly they can figure out a way for everyone to live in peace.
During all of this Sarufang (who did NOT defect) continues to voice his concern over the actions of this war in particular the ever increasing production of azerite weapons that blur the lines of what he believes is a “good war” but Sylvanas ain’t having none of that. With the surprise attack on Dazar’alor, many within the Horde want blood and Sylvanas is all to happy to appease them. Saurfang and Baine worry that Sylvanas is leading the Horde right back into the darkness Garrosh led them too and plan to do something about it. It is then that they also notice that more of the azerite that Sylvanas has been keeping around has gotten darker. Sarufang decides to go to Outland to find Thrall, and Baine keeps an eye on the increasingly dark Dark Lady.
8.2
Pissed that how Dazar’alor went Sylvanas decides to go about raising fallen Alliance dead across all battlefields to replenish the Horde forces and hurt Alliance moral. Baine understandable disagrees with this, but it goes along anyway. Sylvanas has a bunch of Alliance raised in Darkshore including Delaryn. While most join her because undead is weird, some choose to remain dead. Delaryn in particular is resistant but because Sylvanas has developed an unhealthy obsession with her in particular wants Summermoon to become a mirror of herself so she plans to dominate her mind by force, using the now black azerite to amplify her power. This is where Baine draws the line.
Alliance Side, the War Council, consisting Jaina, Genn, Malfurion (Tyrande is off Night Warrioring across Kalimdor and can’t be reached to the concern of her husband) want to make a final push into Kalimdor and crush the Horde once and for all. Anduin is starting to become worried that the now black Azerite might be a little bit corrupty, but he’s finding his voice means little when he’s being out voted by the others. After receiving word from Baine that Sylvanas is using black Azerite to dominate risen Alliance soldiers, Anduin tries to organize a rescue mission. This instead becomes a straight up assassination attempt to knock out all the Horde leaders at Darkshore at once. And because it involves murdering Sylvanas, Tyrande shows up to lead the fight. They do battle in Darkshore, Sylvanas loses one of her val’kyr but both sides are forced to back off when the dark azerite starts reacting violently and summons a massive void monster.
As things go sideways, Baine (and Horde players) and Anduin (and Alliance players) releases the risen undead and they vanish. Baine tells Anduin that the Horde’s supply of azerite has all turned black and with it, the methods the Horde has gone to win the war have gotten increasingly darker. Anduin notes the same thing with the Alliance and starts thinking this all connected. Anduin decides to take the risk and follow Saurfang to Outland and hopefully speak with both the orcs about the situation.
