Second War #18: between Hammer and Sword

August 7, 2026•Lore•Brendo Arruda

"Second War" series — Second War #18. 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.

In the battle of Blackrock Spire, the two commanders met. Anduin Lothar, the Lion of Azeroth, faced Orgrim Doomhammer in single combat. Orgrim's hammer beat Lothar's sword, and the Supreme Commander of the Alliance died. It seemed like the end. But Turalyon picked up the commander's broken weapon and turned the battle around.

The duel

In the middle of the battle, Lothar and Orgrim met. It was the clash between the two men who had led the war since the fall of Stormwind. Lothar fought with his sword, and Orgrim with the Doomhammer.

Orgrim won. Anduin Lothar died at the foot of Blackrock Spire, and his sword broke in the fight.

Turalyon takes over

Lothar's death could have broken the Alliance. Turalyon, his lieutenant, did not let it. He picked up Lothar's broken weapon and rallied the soldiers around it. The sight of the young paladin holding the commander's sword gave the Alliance the strength to keep going.

Turalyon faced Orgrim and brought him down, knocking him unconscious with Lothar's weapon.

The Horde defeated

With Orgrim down, the Horde collapsed. The Alliance captured the remaining orcs. Orgrim was taken prisoner and put in chains. The survivors would be sent to internment camps, the subject of the next season.

Lothar's legacy

Lothar became a legend. Where he died, the humans raised a statue, built with materials carried by orc prisoners. His name lived on in the Sons of Lothar, the heroes who cross the Dark Portal in the following season, and, much later, in Faerin Lothar, from The War Within.

What this changes in the story

Lothar's death is one of the most remembered moments in Warcraft. He is the hero who led the humans since the fall of Stormwind, and he died without seeing victory. His statue, in the Burning Steppes, is one of the oldest tributes in the game.

Orgrim also has a striking fate. Imprisoned after the war, he escapes years later, helps Thrall free the orcs from the internment camps and dies fighting, leaving Thrall the Doomhammer and his armor.

Lothar's name lives on. The Sons of Lothar, the expedition that goes to Draenor, carry his name. And Faerin Lothar, a descendant of the family, is one of the central characters of The War Within and Midnight.

Episode timeline

The battle of Blackrock Spire begins.
Lothar and Orgrim face each other in a duel.
Orgrim kills Lothar with the Doomhammer.
Turalyon picks up Lothar's broken weapon and rallies the Alliance.
Turalyon brings down Orgrim, and the Horde is captured.

Who's who in this episode

| Name | Who they are | |------|--------| | Anduin Lothar | The Lion of Azeroth, killed by Orgrim. | | Orgrim Doomhammer | The Warchief who won the duel but lost the war. | | Turalyon | The lieutenant who took command and brought Orgrim down. | | Doomhammer | Orgrim's hammer, which later passes to Thrall. |