Beyond the Dark Portal #22: the portals

August 28, 2026•Lore•Brendo Arruda

"Beyond the Dark Portal" series — Beyond the Dark Portal #22. The story of Beyond the Dark Portal, from the internment camps to the end of Draenor. The episodes are listed in order at the end of the post.

The end of the war came at the Black Temple, in Shadowmoon. The Alliance cleared the orc strongholds along the coast and stormed the temple. Turalyon killed Teron Gorefiend, but it was too late: Ner'zhul had opened the portals. The orc Obris, who protested against abandoning the Horde, was killed and handed the Book of Medivh to Khadgar. Ner'zhul went through the first portal with his followers.

The road to the Black Temple

Khadgar's group cleared the orc strongholds on the coast of Shadowmoon and reached the Black Temple, the old draenei fortress the Horde had taken. That was where Ner'zhul was casting the summoning spell.

The death of Teron Gorefiend

Inside the temple, Turalyon faced Teron Gorefiend, the first death knight, and killed him. Gorefiend's spirit, however, did not rest: he returns in TBC as a boss of the Black Temple itself.

The portals open

Ner'zhul finished the spell. Several portals opened in the sky of Draenor, and the energy released began to tear the planet apart.

The orc Obris protested: Ner'zhul was abandoning the Horde. Ner'zhul struck him down with magic. Dying, Obris handed the Book of Medivh to Khadgar. Ner'zhul and his followers from the Shadowmoon clan went through the first portal.

What this changes in the story

Ner'zhul's spell at the Black Temple is the moment Draenor begins to end. The portals opened, but the energy released was too much for the planet.

The Black Temple has a long history. It was a draenei temple, was taken by the Horde, became Ner'zhul's base, then Magtheridon's fortress and, in the end, Illidan's. In TBC it is the raid where Illidan falls.

Obris, the orc who protested against abandoning the Horde, stands for the orcs Ner'zhul left behind. The Horde that stayed in Outland became the Fel Horde that players face in TBC.

Episode timeline

The Alliance clears the orc strongholds on the coast of Shadowmoon.
The heroes storm the Black Temple.
Turalyon kills Teron Gorefiend.
Ner'zhul opens the portals.
Obris dies and hands the Book of Medivh to Khadgar.
Ner'zhul goes through the first portal.

Who's who in this episode

| Name | Who they are | |------|--------| | Ner'zhul | The Chieftain who opened the portals and fled. | | Teron Gorefiend | The first death knight, killed by Turalyon. | | Turalyon | The commander who killed Gorefiend. | | Obris | The orc who protested against Ner'zhul and handed the book to Khadgar. | | Black Temple | The fortress in Shadowmoon where the spell was cast. |

Where to see it in WotLK

Black Temple, in Shadowmoon Valley: the TBC raid, with Teron Gorefiend and Illidan.
Shadowmoon Valley: the orc strongholds and the remains of Ner'zhul's spell.
Netherstorm: one of the regions that suffered most from the destruction of Draenor.