The Third Fall of Kel'Thuzad
The Third Fall of Kel'Thuzad | |
---|---|
Preparing to face the Arch-Lich | |
Start | Baroness Draka [62.2, 41.0] |
End | Baroness Draka [49.7, 50.7] |
Level | 60 (Requires 60) |
Category | Necrolord Campaign |
Experience | 14,200 |
Rewards |
[Armored War-Bred Tauralus] [Emblem of Renown] |
Previous | [60] Calling in All Favors |
Next | [60] Staff of the Primus |
The Third Fall of Kel'Thuzad is the finale of the Necrolords Campaign, featuring the Necrolord Covenant attacking the House of Rituals to defeat their nemesis Kel'Thuzad and rescue the captive Margrave Sin'dane. The quest mostly takes place in a single-player scenario titled Assault on the House of Rituals.
The Venthyr Campaign finale, [60] The Medallion of Dominion, depicts the same battle from the venthyr perspective.
Objectives
Remove Kel'Thuzad from Maldraxxus.
- Remove Kel'Thuzad from Maldraxxus
- Return to Baroness Draka at the Seat of the Primus
- Use portal to exit Exoramas (Optional)
Description
The time has come to purge Maldraxxus of treachery.
Our armies are rallied. Our allies stand ready. The machine of war is in motion.
We must win this battle, or all of the Shadowlands will be lost.
Rewards
You will receive:
- [Armored War-Bred Tauralus]
- [Emblem of Renown]
- 77 22
- 14,200 XP
Progress
Kel'Thuzad must be slain if we are to restore order to Maldraxxus.
Completion
Kel'Thuzad escaped into the Banished One's hands, but at least his evil has been driven from Maldraxxus.
Well fought, <name>. Now we focus on rebuilding our forces and restoring order to our realm.
Notes
Speak with Draka again:
- When you are ready Maw Walker, we will commence the attack!
- Begin the attack.
A cutscene plays:
- Baroness Draka says: Defenders of Maldraxxus! Through deceit and treachery, Kel'Thuzad has turned our great houses against one another.
- Baroness Draka says: He conspires with outside forces and defies the will of the Primus! Today he will answer for his crimes!
You are then automatically placed in the scenario "Assault on the House of Rituals".
Stage 1: Into the Breach
- Confront Kel'Thuzad at the House of Rituals.
- Confront Kel'Thuzad
You start off placed some distance behind Balmedar, Emeni, Draka, Vashj, and Alexandros. Start running and the party will head up the steps.
If you run too far from the scenario area, the screen will fade to black and you'll get teleported back with the words:
- Baroness Draka says: This way, Maw Walker.
Stage 2: Plan of Attack
- Breach Kel'Thuzad's defenses.
- Listen to Draka's Plan [64.1, 35.6]
- Defeat Baroness Ninadar [65.2, 29.8]
At the top, the Necrolord forces are already busy fighting Kel'Thuzad's minions. Siege Artillery is assaulting the walls while Prime Steelskins and Mountain Watchers are dueling Necromancer Ritualists. Aran and Messana are waiting by the side of the road, as is Deathfang (who can be petted). This scenario features a large number of named lich mobs whose names are randomly chosen from "Fel'endae", "Mal'endra", "Rathborne", and "Thultain". Since there are only four possible names, there will oftentimes be multiple liches with the same name in each stage of the scenario. In this article, they will be referred to as just "named liches" for simplicity. In the second stage, two named liches are overseeing the battle from behind a barricade atop some stairs.
When the player's party reaches the top, they are greeted by a huge projection of Kel'Thuzad.
- Kel'Thuzad says: What a measly little army you've scrounged together. Was this truly the best you could muster?
- Baroness Draka yells: Your foul schemes end here, lich!
- Kel'Thuzad says: Hah! You have no hope of stopping what is to come! But by all means, you are welcome to try.
- The image fades away.
- Baroness Draka says: We cannot attack through the main entrance. Those narrow halls would give the liches the advantage.
- Alexandros Mograine says: The side route is barricaded. The enemy holds the high ground and would rain destruction upon us.
- Emeni says: Such pitiful barriers are hardly an obstacle for me! We push forward!
- Baroness Draka yells: Aran, Messana, take your forces over the mountains and harry their back lines.
- Messana says: House of Eyes! We go over the wall.
- Aran and Messana quickly scurry off along the southeastern road to a platform where they remain standing, staring at a cliff wall. Meanwhile, the main party heads northwest and stops in front of the northwestern stairs, near two Prime Steelskins.
- Balmedar says: This is folly! The liches will assail you with sorcery every step of the way!
- Emeni says: A wasted effort! My constructs will weather any storm they can conjure!
- Baroness Draka says: After the wall is breached, we will follow your direction, Balmedar.
- Balmedar says: Once we are inside, we must secure the anima resevoir[sic] lest it be used against us.
- Emeni says: I trust you are ready, Maw Walker. Break those liches apart!
When you start heading to the stairs, the two Steelskins will automatically rush ahead, destroy the Barricades blocking the path, and start fighting their way up. A third Steelskin also spawns to accompany and assist you directly.
- Prime Steelskin says: Attack!
The stairs are guarded by two named liches, Necromancer Ritualists, and Bone Thralls. At the top, Baroness Ninadar waits behind a wall of unattackable Skeleton Bulwarks, continually raining frost magic down on the attackers. Help the two AI-controlled Steelskins clear a path to the top, at which point they'll instantly destroy the Skeleton Bulwarks, but Ninadar proceeds to freeze them in place. Aggro Ninadar with your third, as-of-yet unfrozen Steelskin companion:
- Baroness Ninadar yells: Now you will learn the folly of opposing the House of Rituals!
- Prime Steelskin yells: Got to get through me, first!
- Baroness Ninadar yells: As you wish.
- Ninadar freezes the Steelskin, forcing the player to fight her alone.
- Kel'Thuzad says: Are you still toying with these intruders, Ninadar? Destroy them!
- Baroness Ninadar yells: Yes, master. I exist to serve.
Get her to 10% and she teleports away:
- Baroness Ninadar yells: I will not be defeated by the likes of you!
Stage 3: Storm the Courtyard
- Clear enemy forces.
- Defeat Necromancer Ritualists (8)
- Defeat Ascended Liches (3)
Draka, Alexandros, Vashj, Balmedar, and two more Steelskins run up the stairs and into the Grimoirium (labeled as just "House of Rituals" during the scenario).
- Balmedar yells: That reckless fool! If we do not stop her, she could destroy us all!
- Baroness Draka yells: Everyone! Forward!
The Grimoirium enters a phase in which it is filled with Ascended Liches, Necromancer Ritualists, and Skeletal Defenders, many of which are fighting more Mountain Watchers and Steelskins. At the center of the area, an unattackable Ninadar is absorbing an immense amount of anima from a huge crystal. To the southeast, down at the Prime Arcanum, Kel'Thuzad and three named liches can be seen channeling around the Ritual Bone Pile inside a circular wall of magic.
Kill the quota of enemies. Draka's party will help, but will not kill them on their own.
Stage 4: The Final Lesson of Baroness Ninadar
- Defeat Empowered Baroness Ninadar.
- Defeat Empowered Baroness Ninadar [65.5, 26.9]
Ninadar finishes her channeling and turns into Empowered Baroness Ninadar. Draka and Alexandros run over and start fighting her while Balmedar sits back and watches.
- Empowered Baroness Ninadar yells: At last! All the power I deserve!
Join the fight. Ninadar will periodically cast Ice Fall, whose projectiles create ice blocks where they land, followed by casting Shattering Lance:
- Baroness Ninadar prepares to unleash [Shattering Lance]! Take cover!
- Balmedar yells: Take cover behind the ice!
- Baroness Draka yells: Take cover behind those ice blocks!
At 10% the encounter ends:
- Empowered Baroness Ninadar yells: No! I will have what I was promised! What I have earned!
- Ninadar starts channeling more anima from the crystal.
- Balmedar yells: Ninadar! You cannot control that much anima!
- Empowered Baroness Ninadar yells: I... must have... more!
- Ninadar explodes. The Staff of the Primus is left behind.
Stage 5: The Prime Arcanum
- Stop the Ritual at the Prime Arcanum
- Destroy Stabilization Crystals (2) [66.5, 29.9] [68.1, 32.1]
- Alexandros Mograine says: That blast utterly obliterated her!
- Balmedar says: Wait... The Staff of the Primus! It is still intact!
- Balmedar picks up the staff.
- Balmedar says: If we return this to Margrave Sin'dane, we may yet stand a chance against Kel'Thuzad.
- Draka and Alexandros begin running southeast.
- Baroness Draka yells: Rally to me! Where is Kel'Thuzad?
- Balmedar yells: He has seized the Prime Arcanum! It is where we conduct our most potent rituals.
- Alexandros Mograine yells: The lich has shielded himself! Weapons won't break through that barrier!
- Balmedar yells: We must destroy the shield's stabilization crystals if we are to reach him.
- Baroness Draka yells: Maw Walker, bring that shield down! The rest of you, spread out! Engage their reinforcements!
Draka, Alexandros, and Balmedar (now wielding the Staff of the Primus) join the Steelskins fighting around the area. The Shield Stabilization Crystals are guarded by two named liches. Defeat the guards, then interact with the crystals to destroy them. Destroying the first:
- Kel'Thuzad yells: Your efforts are futile. You cannot stop my ritual!
The second crystal starts a cutscene, advancing the stage.
Stage 6: The Prime Arcanum
- Defeat the Maw Infernous.
- Defeat the Maw Infernous [68.1, 29.7]
A cutscene begins the stage:
- Kel'Thuzad floats away from the Ritual Bone Pile as his three assistants sacrifice themselves to open a portal to the Maw.
- Kel'Thuzad says: You are too late! The way opens!
- The Maw Infernous emerges.
- Kel'Thuzad says: Destroy these meddlers!
- A group of Mountain Watchers and Prime Steelskins rush at the Infernous but are instantly burned to ashes. Alexandros and Draka watch from some distance away with more Watchers and Steelskins.
- Alexandros Mograine says: That beast is incinerating our forces! We'll be overrun!
- Baroness Draka says: Necrolords, hold your ground! We will not fail Maldraxxus!
- Draka and her forces rush at the Infernous. It prepares to unleash more flames, but suddenly General Draven swoops by, interrupting it. The general lands nearby with Kael'thas Sunstrider.
- General Draven says: Hail, baroness. Revendreth stands with you!
On the other side of the cutscene:
- Baroness Draka yells: The beast is exposed! Maw Walker, strike it down! We will keep you covered!
Draven and Kael'thas have now joined the Necrolords in battle at the stairs up to the Reagentry while Sinfall Legionnaires roam the skies above. Kael forgets how to cast spells and tries to punch his way to victory while Draven stands by and watches. Aggro the giant, who is still standing in the center of the Prime Arcanum:
- General Draven yells: Maw Walker! I will weaken the beast on your command!
You are granted a bonus ability:
- Call General Draven — Summons General Draven to attack the Maw Infernous, stunning it and increasing damage taken by 75% for 10 sec. 45 yd range. 30 sec cooldown.
When the ability is used:
- General Draven yells: Strike it now!
Stay out of the telegraphs, use the bonus ability on cooldown, and take out the Infernous.
Stage 7: The Third Fall of Kel'Thuzad
- End Kel'Thuzad's manipulations in Maldraxxus.
- Speak to General Draven [68.1, 29.7]
- Defeat Kel'Thuzad
Draven runs down into the Prime Arcanum:
- General Draven says: Well fought, Maw Walker. Now for Kel'Thuzad.
- General Draven says: Baroness Draka has begun her assault. Give the order, and I will bring you to the battle.
Speak to Draven:
- On your command, Maw Walker.
- Take me to Kel'Thuzad.
Draven grabs you and flies you to the necropolis, Exoramas. Inside, Kael, Balmedar, Draka, Vashj, and Alexandros stand ready to face Kel'Thuzad, who is floating next to the incapacitated Margrave Sin'dane with the Medallion of Dominion on his chest. Rows of Skeleton Bulwarks stand guard in Exoramas' four corners. When you arrive:
- Kel'Thuzad says: What an impressive gathering. So many courageous champions. I am truly honored.
- Kel'Thuzad says: Why Prince Kael'thas, is that you? I never did properly thank you for the use of your Sunwell.
- Baroness Draka yells: Enough! Kel'Thuzad, you have defied the laws of the Primus and conspired to bring ruin upon Maldraxxus. Surrender, or be destroyed.
- Kel'Thuzad says: Fools! It was all too easy to sow chaos and discord within your squabbling houses.
- Kel'Thuzad says: The Jailer's plan unfolds exactly as intended. A pity you will not see it come to fruition.
The battle begins. Kel'Thuzad becomes attackable and the party spreads out to attack the Skeleton Bulwarks—Draven in the northwest corner, Kael and Balmedar in the northeast, Vashj in the southwest, and Draka and Alexandros in the southeast.
- Balmedar says: Kel'Thuzad is siphoning power from Margrave Sin'dane!
- Balmedar says: Weaken him so I might use the staff to release her!
This encounter is an echo of the original Kel'Thuzad encounter in Naxxramas. Soldiers of the Frozen Wastes and Soul Weavers periodically spawn and fixate on the player. Take them out while working on Kel'Thuzad and avoid his variety of AoE attacks.
At 75% health:
- Kel'Thuzad yells: Minions! Destroy these meddlers!
Get him to 10% and the encounter ends.
Final Stage: The Maldraxxian Armistice
- Witness the First Maldraxxian Armistice.
- Listen to Margrave Sin'dane
A cutscene plays:
- Kel'Thuzad says: Interlopers! You will not escape your fate!
- As Kel'Thuzad gloats, Balmedar places the Staff of the Primus in Margrave Sin'dane's hand.
- Balmedar says: We are not the ones you need to fear, Kel'Thuzad!
- The frozen prison holding Sin'dane shatters, knocking Kel'Thuzad back.
- Margrave Sin'dane says: Your cause is lost, usurper!
- Margrave Sin'dane says: Now you answer for your crimes against Maldraxxus... and against me.
- Kel'Thuzad says: Foolish margrave. Your victory is a hollow one.
- Kael'thas begins channeling a fire spell to attack Kel'Thuzad, but General Draven steps in front of him, taking the Medallion of Dominion from Kel'Thuzad's chest.
- General Draven says: The medallion is ours. Let us return to Revendreth.
- Kael'thas Sunstrider says: What?! We cannot simply leave! Not while Kel'Thuzad yet lives. I will have vengeance for Silvermoon!
- General Draven says: His fate is not yours to decide.
- A portal from the Maw opens and five Mawsworn Kyrian emerge, forcing the party back. Two of the kyrian grab Kel'Thuzad's arms.
- Mawsworn Kyrian says: Come, lich. The Banished One calls you to his side.
- The Mawsworn pull Kel'Thuzad through the portal, which closes behind them.
Afterwards, the remaining party meets to discuss the future:
- Margrave Sin'dane says: Kel'Thuzad is gone, yet your forces remain. Were I the suspicious sort, I might believe you were plotting to unseat me as margrave.
- Baroness Draka says: Not if you will agree to join our cause, Sin'dane. Your strength is needed if we are to thwart the Jailer.
- Margrave Sin'dane says: I see now the true threat before us. The House of Rituals stands with you. As proof of my good faith, I offer this staff once wielded by the Primus himself.
- Sin'dane gives the staff to Draka.
- Baroness Draka says: We will return the staff to the Seat of the Primus. It shall serve as a reminder of our victory.
- Baroness Draka says: Though Kel'Thuzad escaped justice, his shadow has been driven from Maldraxxus. And we have gained an uneasy ally in Margrave Sin'dane.
- Baroness Vashj says: I admit I had doubts about you at first, Maw Walker. But you have proven to be a valuable champion of our covenant.
- Alexandros Mograine says: There is much still to be done. Vyraz must answer for his treachery, and Kel'Thuzad as well.
- Baroness Draka says: Indeed. But now let us bring the Staff of the Primus to our sanctum and savor our victory. Maw Walker, your deeds this day will be remembered for all eternity.
- The party goes separate ways: Draka, Vashj, and Alexandros use one of the necropolis' Transport Pads to leave, while Draven and Kael'thas do the same with the other pad. Sin'dane and Balmedar remain.
- Margrave Sin'dane says: Balmedar. You colluded with outsiders to defy your house... and your margrave.
- Balmedar says: Only to expose Kel'Thuzad's treachery and restore your rightful rule.
- Margrave Sin'dane says: Indeed. Then it is only fitting that you atone for your indiscretions... as my baron. From this day forth, you will serve as my liaison to Baroness Draka.
- Balmedar says: I will not fail you, my margrave.
Use the translocation sphere to get to the upper floor, where a Seat of the Primus portal awaits to take you back to Draka.
Progression
- [60] Mobilize Maldraxxus
- [60] Calling in All Favors
- [60] The Third Fall of Kel'Thuzad
- [60] Staff of the Primus
Patch changes
- Patch 9.0.2 (2020-11-17): Added.