Story background (Blackstone disaster)
After the invasion of natural disasters, the continent of Azeroth was devastated, and the Fiwood forest became a dead silence. The rotting bodies of the Tirisfa rangers who had already died but stood up again were filled with thick fog all day, and the desert of Cyrus was undercurrent. The kingdom of Lordaeron was destroyed, and Illidan betrayed the night elves and was exiled to Outland.
Former Prince Arthas finally ascended the frozen throne and became Northrend's new Lich King. The war seems to have subsided temporarily, because the fragile agreement reached by the warring tribes and alliances seems to have been gradually forgotten.