War of the Thorns

The War of the Thorns (also referred to as the Burning of Teldrassil) is a battle that happened between the Alliance and Horde in the Northern Kalimdor and which resulted in the destruction of Teldrassil. It preceded the Battle for Lordaeron. Survivors went to both Stormwind City and Azuremyst Isle

Background
Sylvanas sought to capture the world tree Teldrassil because the Alliance would use it as a safe harbor to transport Azerite from Kalimdor to the Eastern Kingdoms, and she expected that Azerite to be used for weapons to attack Silvermoon and Undercity, and then turn to Kalimdor. By occupying Darnassus the Horde could control the flow of Azerite and the Alliance would not attack the city for fear of hurting the civilians. Knowing the night elves would resist them every step of the way, she also sought to kill Malfurion Stormrage and break their spirits.

Summary
The Alliance champion is about to ship out to Silithus: The Wound to oversee the Azerite-gathering operation when Mathias Shaw interrupts a meeting with Anduin Wrynn: Sylvanas Windrunner has launched a sneak attack on Ashenvale! The majority of the night elf fleet is nearly to Silithus and can't immediately get back to defend, so it's up to the Alliance champion to buy some time.

The Forsaken assassins assisted by the Horde champion have struck hard in Astranaar, killing many of its guards. With the loss of the Sentinels, the only force left to defend the night elf holdings is the Darnassian City Guard.

With the help of the Alliance champion, Captain Delaryn Summermoon is able to briefly stabilize the situation just as Malfurion Stormrage calls for aid. Once Delaryn and the Alliance champion leave, the Horde complete the sack of Astranaar on their way to Zoram'gar Outpost.

On the border between Ashenvale and Darkshore, Malfurion has captured Sylvanas Windrunner and a few Orgrimmar grunts while he tries to set up a wisp wall to prevent infiltrators from the south. Sylvanas falls back to Zoram'gar while Malfurion orders Delaryn to find any defenders she can to rally at Lor'danel.

The wisp wall halts the Horde advance into Darkshore from the south, so Sylvanas orders Saurfang to scale the mountains of Felwood to attack from the north. After a quick aerial scouting mission, Sylvanas takes the champion and a handful of her remaining forces to the wall and uses her banshee abilities to open enough of a gap for the group to sneak through. The Horde forces immediately start attacking night elf defenders at the Master's Glaive.

The Blackwood tribe has gotten caught up in the war and need to be dealt with so both factions are not fighting on multiple fronts. Both sides also attempt to sabotage the other faction's siege weapons. Additionally Azerite has started appearing in Darkshore and is causing distress to the elements. While the adventurer is gathering some to either help the Horde war effort or hinder it, the night elf forces have set up a front at Wildbend River and have drawn the battle into a stalemate.

After some ineffectual fighting at the river, the leaders fall back to Darnassus and Blackwood Den to prepare. As the Alliance champion is rallying the last defenders, Horde warhorns sound from the north! Saurfang's war party has managed to scale Felwood and trapped Lor'danel from both sides. While helping trapped citizens escape and assisting the fight at Lor'danel, Malfurion and Sylvanas have gotten locked in one-on-one combat again. As the adventurer approaches, Saurfang sneaks up behind Malfurion...

(TBC)