WarCraf III:The Frozen Throne

Illidan Stormrage has gained the allegiance of the Naga, former Night Elves who adapted to underwater life. The Warden Maiev Shadowsong pursues her former prisoner, Illidan, across the sea, first to the Tomb of Sargeras. However, Illidan gains an artifact known as the 'eye of Sargeras' and wipes out some of Maiev's best women. Forced to call for help, she sends a messenger back to the mainland of Kalimdor. She asks the assistance of Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind, but Maiev holds a grudge against Tyrande for her actions in releasing Illidan. Although they are able to chase Illidan to Lordaeron, while helping the Blood Elven prince Kael'Thas, she lies about Tyrande's death to Malfurion. Malfurion and Maiev prevent Illidan from using the artifact called the Eye of Sargeras, but in the process, Maiev's treachery comes out, and the brothers Stormrage join forces to save Tyrande. At this point, Kael'Thas supposedly takes a few more days to meet up with the human forces in the city of Dalaran, the exact same city in which they stopped Illidan. Malfurion then pardons Illidan after they save Tyrande, though he does not revoke his exile. Illidan then states that he could not join the Night Elves even if Malfurion did permit it, because his master will be enraged by his failure to use the Eye properly, and will hunt him down. Illidan departs for Outland, followed by Maiev. Malfurion then remarks that she has become 'vengeance itself'.

In the next campaign, the Alliance Campaign, the Humans are not the main focus unlike in previous games. Instead of the full Alliance, only the Blood Elven units are available (after the first mission), with the addition of the Draenei and Naga(who join forces with the Blood Elves throughout the game). Prince Kael'thas is the leader of the Blood Elves, a group of High Elves that survived the invasion of Quel'Thalas by the Scourge. Originally helping the Alliance, the Blood Elves are imprisoned by a racist Human leader, Garithos, for taking the help of the Naga to defend Dalaran. In the dungeons, however, they are eventually rescued by Lady Vashj and her Naga. There is a Secret Level after this, which is like a mini Tower defence. Regardless of the outcomes of the Secret Level, Vashj then takes Kael'thas to Outland, the remnants of the Orc realm Draenor, to meet their master Illidan. After fending off Maiev and gaining the allegiance of the native Draenei, Illidan is able to conquer Outland, where he hopes he will be safe from his failure to use the Eye of Sargeras to destroy the Frozen Throne in which the Lich King was imprisoned. His master, the demon warlock Kil'jaeden, catches them nonetheless, and Illidan renews his vow to destroy the Lich King, who had betrayed Kil'jaeden.

In the lands of Lordaeron, now known as the Plaguelands, Arthas returns to take his throne. After purging the capital city of humans once more, a civil war takes place. The Undead forces splinter into three major factions: Arthas and Kel'Thuzad, loyal to the Lich King; the Forsaken, led by the Banshee Queen Sylvanas Windrunner; and the Dreadlords, loyal to the Burning Legion, unaware of the Legion's defeat. Although it is speculated that Arthas would dominate all factions, he is forced to journey to Northrend. In the end, Sylvanas defeats the Dreadlords to become the nominal ruler of the Plaguelands, while Arthas travels to Northrend to defend the Lich King, battling the subterranean Nerubian race and Illidan's forces. After wounding Illidan in a duel, Arthas ascends to the Frozen Throne and becomes one with the Lich King. The new Lich King's further plans will be explored in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.