Lich King

Lore & Background

Arthas Menethil, the Lich King, is the primary antagonist of the expansion. The forces of the Alliance, under the command of various leaders including Bolvar Fordragon, brought their armies to Northrend with the goal of avenging the Alliance Kingdom of Lordaeron, whose betrayal and destruction at the hands of Prince Arthas Menethil was engineered by the Lich King. The Forsaken and their Banshee Queen, Sylvanas Windrunner, also arrived seeking vengeance for being subjected to Arthas's magic. The magi of Dalaran relocated their city to Northrend to deal with the rising threat of the Lich King. The Alliance and Horde eventually led a combined offensive on the Wrathgate, a gate in Dragonblight leading towards the Lich King's fortress of Icecrown Citadel. Before they could succeed, Grand Apothecary Putress and his Royal Apothecary Society unleashed a new plague that killed friend and foe alike, and the dreadlord Varimathras seized the Undercity. The usurpers were slain by armies of the Alliance and Horde. At the Wrathgate, many brave Alliance soldiers died, including King Varian's dear friend Bolvar Fordragon, who was presumed dead after the event, secretly taken by the Lich King to be tortured, and only assumed the role of Lich King after Arthas's defeat.

In Their Own Story

In the wake of the Sunwell's purification, a period of suspicious silence swept over the world. The undead Scourge launched a massive assault against the cities and towns of Azeroth, extending its reach far beyond the Eastern Kingdoms. Warchief Thrall deployed an expedition force to Northrend led by Overlord Garrosh Hellscream. The missing human king Varian Wrynn returned to Stormwind City and reclaimed his crown, sending an equally powerful Alliance army commanded by Bolvar Fordragon to defeat the Lich King—and any Horde forces who would stand in their way. The Alliance and Horde, led by Dranosh Saurfang, eventually led a combined offensive on the Wrathgate. Before they could succeed, Grand Apothecary Putress and his Royal Apothecary Society unleashed a new plague that killed friend and foe alike, while Varimathras seized the Undercity. The usurpers were slain for their vile deeds by armies of the Alliance and Horde and the Forsaken capital was restored. The debacle created suspicion among the Horde regarding Sylvanas's loyalties. King Varian, who had always been wary of the orcs, discovered that the Royal Apothecary Society had been developing the new plague for years. The events convinced the human king that the Horde had been left unchecked for too long and he becomes hostile to the Horde for the rest of the campaign in Northrend.

Reader's Guide

The Lich King is the primary antagonist of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. He is the ruler of the undead Scourge and resides in Icecrown Citadel in Northrend. The Alliance and Horde launched a combined offensive on the Wrathgate, the entrance to his fortress. The expansion features the continent of Northrend, home of the Lich King and his undead minions. Players must reach at least level 68 to advance through Northrend, with the level cap being 80. The death knight hero class was introduced, starting at level 55. Death knights are fallen heroes of the Alliance and the Horde, raised by the Lich King to serve as champions of the undead Scourge. The Lich King's forces include the Scourge, and the expansion's plot involves the Alliance and Horde seeking to defeat him.

Did You Know?

• The death knight hero class, introduced in this expansion, starts at level 55 and was originally only available if the player had a level 55 character on the same account.