Many, many years had passed since the rebellion of the Splinterbone and Sin'lathal tribes. The Trolls had begun to recuperate the losses of the two tribes. However, Zam'Thas was prepared to make a bold move.

            Zam'Thas was getting along in his age. He knew undoubtedly that he would die soon, and the crown would be passed to his son, Thas. In addition, Thas' name would become "Zam'Thas". However, Zam'Thas had the idea of retaking Ama'Ray as the Trolls' true homeland, while keeping the Ogres as their allies.

            Zam'Thas spoke to Crushbellow about sending his people on a campaign to retake their lost island. Crushbellow was extremely fond of the thought, and agreed to the idea. He told his people of the plans.

            Months later, the Trolls and Ogres made their way to Cra'man's corrupted isle. When they arrived there, they were shocked.

            The island had become a Hellish wasteland. Demonic figures and carvings rested upon the sand. Bijous with Hellish markings were crudely nailed to trees as a warning to outsiders who would dare enter the island. Despite the Demonic presence, the Trolls and Ogre forces set up camp on the coast.

            Over the next few days, they made relentless strikes on Cra'man's demonic kingdom. Cra'man, who had evolved into a powerful warlock, began to send numerous strike forces on the Trolls. Normally, the Trolls would've been crushed. However, the brute strength of the Ogres managed to give the Demonic Trolls a difficult time, and they succeeded in wiping out the strike force. They began to move further inland.

            Cra'man became aware of the fact that he would be unable to defeat Zam'Thas this time. The entire northern part of the island had been cleared out by the Troll/Ogre alliance. Cra'man realized that he would be unable to defeat this new alliance. He quickly began planning his own escape...

            The Trolls and Ogres ravaged the island. As they went, the Witch Doctors made somewhat successful attempts to heal the blighted, destroyed land. Though they did manage to recreate grass, tree life, and plant growth, the island's earth was not what it once was. Nonetheless, Zam'Thas and Crushbellow led their forces further into the heart of Ama'Ray, eventually reaching the city.

            Cra'man had placed every remaining Demon Troll on the defense of the city, so he could successfully make his escape. Zam'Thas knew that there would be casualties, but was determined to retake his city from Cra'man's evil grasp.

            The Trolls and Ogres attacked the city at the break of dawn. The Demonic Trolls did put up a strong fight, but Cra'man had underestimated the effects of the bloodlust. Trolls inside the city, ones he had put on guard, had become so overwhelmed by the bloodlust over the years, that they went insane and began killing one another. They no longer had self control. Due to this, Cra'man's large army buckled in upon itself.

            Zam'Thas' forces arrived on the Southern coast to attack Cra'man. However, it was too late. Cra'man and his most trusted advisers had set sail, not far from shore, but too far to be reached through swimming.

            Cra'man, desperate to have his revenge, poured a large amount of Demonic energy into a single magical bolt. He launched the bolt at Zam'Thas. While the bolt normally would've badly injured a Troll, Zam'Thas' age worsened the effects. Dying nearly on contact, Zam'Thas relinquished his tiger-skin hood (the equivalent to a crown in Troll culture) to his son, and died a heroic death. Thas donned the hood, and became Zam'Thas. Zam'Thas then led his people to the capital, where they began rebuilding their home.

***

            Cra'man had thought he'd escaped death. He planned to sail to the North, to the Demon stronghold, and beg Remu'Kel for fresh recruits. Then, Zam'Thas would retake the island, and re-corrupt his people. However, he did not expect what happened next.

            Remu'Kel appeared in the water before Cra'man's ship. Cra'man begged the great demon for forgiveness, but Remu'Kel would have none of it. He criticized Cra'man for fleeing like a coward, and leaving his soldiers to be consumed by their bloodlust. Remu'Kel slaughtered Cra'man's followers, and took Cra'man into his hand. He removed Cra'man's soul and spirit from his body, and melded the two. This would leave Cra'man the ability to feel pain as Remu'Kel slowly tore his body apart. Though Cra'man begged to be released, Remu'Kel would not allow him to go so easily. He told Cra'man that he would receive one last chance to serve the Council.

            Remu'Kel transformed Cra'man into one of the Urug. He bestowed Cra'man with incredible powers. Remu'Kel told Cra'man that he would be his right-hand in ruling the Demonic kingdom. In truth, he planned to use Cra'man's great powers for his own good, and then slaughter him.

            However, Cra'man did not trust Remu'Kel either. Remu'Kel's lieutenant, Fireus, the son of Shur'Tgal, did not trust his master either, and the two began plotting to overthrow Remu'Kel.

            Eventually, Cra'man and Fireus set a trap for their master. The entire demon army, more loyal to Cra'man and Fireus (as the two personally trained the Demon armies) than Remu'Kel, agreed to work with the two great Demons. During a siege on an Elven base, Cra'man and Fireus pulled their forces back, while Remu'Kel was left on the frontlines, unaware of the plan. Remu'Kel was attacked by the Elves, and badly wounded, despite his great power. When he confronted his army and both servants about the matter, they all killed him.

            Fireus personally asked Cra'man to take leadership of the Council. Cra'man took Remu'Kel's dagger, which would give him infinite knowledge and magical power. Fireus took up the other dagger, which would allow him to create the Demons that served the army. Doing so, he would continue to train the melee troops, while Cra'man would train sorcerers. As such, the Council became stronger. In addition to Remu'Kel's dagger, Cra'man wore the great, golden armor of Remu'Kel. Cra'man would become known as the single most evil being to ever walk Tirath...

***

            Now, Tirath is a battleground. The Orcs, led by Rand'Drek have started a campaign against the Laramoth Humans, as well as the Zam'Thas Trolls and Crushbellow Ogres.

            The Trolls and Ogres, now a strong, unified force, make war in Tor'Skan with the Orcs, vying for control over the land. They also quarrel with the Humans of Laramoth form time to time, though they are not the primary concern.

            The Laramoth Humans wage a bloody war against the Orcs. Their leader, Lloyd Benecar, hopes to lead his nation to a time of peace and prosperity, though these days seem far off...

            The Mithril Dwarves rule from the Mithron Island. Led by Gornall Mithril, the Dwarves battle against the Elves and Stromadon humans, while lending supports to the Laramoth Humans in their war of the Orcs.

            The High Elves of Sin'lathal, led by Allor Pollux, take up arms with the Stromadon allies, led by Lionel Bartell, in their battle against the Dwarves.

            On the Western Continent of Maldor, the Forest Elves, led by Veroth Starsinger, wage a battle against the evil forces of the Council of the Shattered, led by Cra'man.

            Throughout the land, the Drums of war sound. Soldiers rush to the battlefield in arms, in response to the drums, but only few will truly answer their call...