Second War #17: the last stronghold

August 6, 2026•Lore•Brendo Arruda

"Second War" series — Second War #17. 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.

With the sea lost and Khaz Modan freed, the Horde fell back to the only place that was still its own: Blackrock Spire, in the Burning Steppes. That is where Orgrim decided to make his last stand. The Alliance marched after him, and the final battle of the Second War began at the foot of the mountain.

The Horde's retreat

After the siege of Lordaeron, Gul'dan's betrayal and the defeat at Crestfall, the Horde had lost a lot. Orgrim gathered what was left and took everyone back to Blackrock Mountain, the fortress where the war had begun.

The Alliance advances

The Alliance, led by Anduin Lothar, chased the Horde all the way to the Burning Steppes. Humans, dwarves, elves and gnomes marched together, with the paladins of the Silver Hand and the mages of the Kirin Tor.

For Lothar, it was the chance to finish what had begun with the fall of Stormwind. For Orgrim, it was the Horde's last chance.

A fortress hard to take

Blackrock Spire was one of the strongest fortresses on the continent. Built by the Dark Iron dwarves and occupied by the orcs, it had high walls, tunnels and lava on every side. Attacking it would cost dearly.

The battle that followed is one of the most famous in Warcraft, and its outcome is in the next two episodes.

What this changes in the story

The march to Blackrock Mountain shows the Alliance at its peak. In just a few months, it had gone from a group of rival kingdoms to an army chasing the Horde to its last stronghold.

Blackrock Spire also becomes the stage for battles again after the war. In Classic, Rend Blackhand's orcs are there, and players climb the fortress in the Blackrock Spire dungeon. At its top is the lair of Nefarian, the son of Deathwing.

In the Burning Steppes, at the foot of the mountain, players today find the statue of Anduin Lothar and the ruins of the final battlefield.

Episode timeline

The Horde loses the sea and Khaz Modan.
Orgrim falls back to Blackrock Mountain.
The Alliance chases the Horde to the Burning Steppes.
Lothar prepares the attack on Blackrock Spire.
The final battle of the Second War begins.

Who's who in this episode

| Name | Who they are | |------|--------| | Anduin Lothar | The Supreme Commander of the Alliance, who led the final attack. | | Orgrim Doomhammer | The Warchief who made the last stand. | | Blackrock Spire | The Horde's fortress in the Burning Steppes. | | Burning Steppes | The scorched lands around Blackrock Mountain. |

Where to see it in WotLK

Burning Steppes: the final battlefield, with Lothar's statue in the game.
Blackrock Spire: the dungeon at the top of the mountain, still held by Rend's orcs.
Blackrock Depths: the city of the Dark Iron dwarves, inside the mountain.