Lore ·
What Happened to Lordaeron? The Fall of a Kingdom Explained
Lordaeron fell because a plague of undeath spread through its northern towns, its own prince turned against it, and the Scourge destroyed its capital. From the survivors came the Forsaken, undead who broke free and settled beneath the ruins. That is why WoW Forever has an undead city under Tirisfal Glades and a dungeon, the Ruins of Lordaeron, above it.
Quick answer: Plague, then the Culling of Stratholme, then Arthas's march into Northrend and return with Frostmourne, then the Scourging of Lordaeron, where the king died and the capital fell. The Forsaken later claimed the ruins.
Spoiler note
This is history, not Forever story. It happens before the time Forever is set. If you want to meet these events fresh through quests, read just the first section.
The kingdom before the fall
Lordaeron was the strongest human kingdom and the heart of the Alliance of Lordaeron, formed during the Second War. King Terenas II ruled from the capital, and his son Arthas was a paladin, trained in combat by the dwarf Muradin Bronzebeard and in the Light by Uther the Lightbringer. The continent takes its name from Lordain, a general of the Empire of Arathor.
How it fell
- The plague. Reports of plague in the northlands began and Arthas, Jaina Proudmoore and Captain Falric investigated. They traced the plague to the necromancer Kel'Thuzad and watched it turn townsfolk into undead.
- The Culling of Stratholme. Arthas ordered the city purged, relieved Uther of command and burned Stratholme after the slaughter.
- Northrend. He pursued the demon Mal'Ganis north, burned his own ships and took the runeblade Frostmourne. He then slew most of his own troops and raised them as undead.
- The Scourging of Lordaeron. Arthas killed his father Terenas in the palace and unleashed the Scourge on the capital. He took the urn holding Terenas's ashes and dueled Uther, who fell.
- Beyond Lordaeron. Quel'Thalas and Dalaran were destroyed in the same war. The Third War lasted from year 20 to 21.
Read the personal story in Who Is Arthas Menethil?, and the bigger picture in the three wars recap.
After the fall: the Forsaken
After the war, much of the human population of Lordaeron had turned undead. Sylvanas Windrunner, once a ranger-general of Quel'Thalas whom Arthas had turned into a banshee, broke away from the Lich King and led the Forsaken. They hold Tirisfal Glades, and the Undercity lies beneath the ruined capital.
In Forever, Sylvanas rules the Forsaken from the Undercity, and the Forsaken Kingdom campaign in Warcraft III: Reforged explores the founding of the Undercity. Forever adds Undead Paladins, which fits that story. See the lore primer for how the pieces fit.
The ruins today
The Capital City is listed as a major ruin on the continent. Tirisfal Glades remains under Forsaken control. In Forever the Ruins of Lordaeron dungeon (levels 15 to 20) sends adventurers into the former capital outside the parts the Forsaken turned into Undercity. Knowing the history above makes its undead, banshees and ghosts much more meaningful.
See it in the game
The free Lore Forever add-on gives you readable background for Tirisfal Glades and the Undercity as you stand in them, and narrates stories where recorded. The optional Willo Windows companion lets you ask questions by voice. Both are fan-made, and quest text and Blizzard announcements still decide what is canon in Forever.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Lordaeron?
A plague of undeath spread through the kingdom, Arthas Menethil destroyed Stratholme and later killed King Terenas, and the Scourge overran the capital during the Third War.
Who destroyed Lordaeron?
The Scourge, led by Arthas Menethil, with Kel'Thuzad serving as its necromancer.
Who are the Forsaken?
Undead people who broke free from the Lich King's control. Sylvanas Windrunner leads them from the Undercity.
Where are the Ruins of Lordaeron in WoW Forever?
In Tirisfal Glades, outside the Undercity. The entrance is just outside the city's front gate, up the stairs on the left before the keep.
Is Arthas still alive in WoW Forever?
Forever is set before the events of Wrath of the Lich King, in the first year of World of Warcraft. Arthas's death comes later in the timeline and is not part of Forever's story.
Sources
Reviewed October 23, 2026. This article covers history before Forever's setting and does not treat later events as Forever canon. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.