Blizzard Entertainment officially announces the development of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos receives critical acclaim and is awarded Game of the Year by several gaming publications.
The undead Scourge, led by the Lich King Ner'zhul, begins its invasion of Lordaeron, spreading death and decay throughout the kingdom.
The human kingdom of Lordaeron falls to the Scourge invasion, and its capital city is destroyed, marking the collapse of the once-great kingdom.
Prince Arthas Menethil sets out on a quest to defend his kingdom but gradually succumbs to darkness, leading to his eventual corruption and transformation into a Death Knight.
Arthas takes up the cursed blade Frostmourne, sacrificing his soul and becoming a Death Knight under the Lich King's control.
Arthas purges the city of Stratholme to prevent the spread of the undead plague, a brutal act that alienates him from his allies.
The demon lord Archimonde is summoned into Azeroth by the Burning Legion to aid the invasion against the remaining human and elven forces.
The combined forces of humans, night elves, and orcs unite to defend Mount Hyjal, the World Tree, from the Burning Legion's assault.
The city of Dalaran falls to the Scourge forces, weakening the mage order and providing the enemy with powerful magical artifacts.
King Terenas Menethil II, father of Arthas, is killed by his corrupted son, signifying the end of the Menethil dynasty.
Thrall, a young orc chieftain and former slave, rises to leadership and begins uniting the scattered orc clans for a new future.
The invasion severely affects the Night Elf homeland of Kalimdor, leading to significant losses and a desperate struggle for survival.
