Second War #14: the siege of Lordaeron

August 4, 2026•Lore•Brendo Arruda

"Second War" series — Second War #14. The story of Warcraft II, from the exodus of Stormwind to the destruction of the Dark Portal. The episodes are listed in order at the end of the post.

The Horde reached the heart of the Alliance. With the help of a traitor, King Aiden Perenolde of Alterac, the orcs crossed the mountains and besieged Lordaeron's Capital City. King Terenas defended the walls until Turalyon arrived with the army and Thoras Trollbane closed the passes. In the middle of the siege, Orgrim got news that changed everything: Gul'dan had betrayed him.

Alterac's betrayal

King Aiden Perenolde of Alterac never believed in the Alliance. Thinking the Horde would win, he made a deal with Orgrim and gave the orcs free passage through the Alterac Mountains. It was the shortest route to the capital of Lordaeron.

Perenolde's betrayal was discovered, and Alterac would be dissolved after the war.

The siege of the Capital City

The Horde besieged Lordaeron's Capital City. King Terenas Menethil defended the city with what he had. The walls held, but the situation was hard: the Horde was huge, and help was far away.

Turalyon and Trollbane

Turalyon, who had been chasing part of the Horde in the north, arrived with the army and attacked the orcs. At the same time, Thoras Trollbane of Stromgarde took the mountain passes and cut off the Horde's line of retreat. The orcs were surrounded.

The news that changed everything

In the middle of the siege, orcs of the Dragonmaw clan arrived with the news: Gul'dan had abandoned the war and taken the Stormreaver and the Twilight's Hammer with him. Without those warriors, the Horde did not have the strength to take the capital.

Orgrim ordered a full retreat. The offensive that was supposed to end the war turned into a flight to the south.

What this changes in the story

The siege of Lordaeron shows how close the Alliance came to losing. The Horde was at the gates of the capital of the most powerful human kingdom. If Gul'dan's betrayal had not happened, the story might have been different.

Aiden Perenolde's betrayal also has lasting consequences. Alterac was dissolved after the war, and the power vacuum in the kingdom became a target for disputes. Years later, Deathwing, disguised as Lord Daval Prestor, tries to win the throne of Alterac for himself.

Lordaeron's Capital City survived the Horde, but not the Scourge. In Warcraft 3, it is there that Arthas kills his father, and it is beneath its ruins that Sylvanas founds the Undercity.

Episode timeline

Aiden Perenolde gives the Horde passage through Alterac.
The Horde besieges Lordaeron's Capital City.
Terenas defends the walls.
Turalyon arrives and Thoras Trollbane closes the passes.
The Dragonmaw clan brings news of Gul'dan's betrayal.
Orgrim orders a full retreat.

Who's who in this episode

| Name | Who they are | |------|--------| | Terenas Menethil | The king of Lordaeron, who defended the capital. | | Aiden Perenolde | The king of Alterac, who betrayed the Alliance. | | Turalyon | Lothar's lieutenant, who arrived with the army. | | Thoras Trollbane | The king of Stromgarde, who closed the passes. | | Orgrim Doomhammer | The Warchief who ordered the retreat. |