The War of the Ancients

Sargeras whispered to Azshara and her Highborne, promising a world remade in their image. They believed him, and through the Well of Eternity they opened a gateway for the Burning Legion. Demons led by Archimonde and Mannoroth poured into Kalimdor and began to slaughter the very kaldorei the queen ruled.

Resistance gathered around unlikely leaders: Malfurion Stormrage, the first night elf to learn druidism from Cenarius; his twin brother Illidan, a gifted sorcerer; and Tyrande Whisperwind, a priestess of Elune. The demigods of the wild and most of the dragonflights fought beside them. The black Aspect Neltharion offered a weapon, the Dragon Soul, but turned it on his allies; that betrayal would earn him the name Deathwing.

When Sargeras himself tried to step through the portal, Malfurion and his allies disrupted the Highborne's spell. The unstable Well imploded, and the Great Sundering followed: the sea swallowed Zin-Azshari, Kalimdor broke apart, and a storm called the Maelstrom began to spin where the Well had been. Azshara and her court vanished beneath the waves, to return one day as the naga. From one continent came the lands now known as Kalimdor, the Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend.