Best Laid Plans:
The Prophet had a plan.
He would convince the people of Lordaeron, orc, and humans to go over the sea to Kalimdor to face the Legion there. Making common cause with the Night Elves, they would unite and put aside the old hatred.
But it didn't work because old hatreds die-hard, and you can't sail an entire nation across the sea.
King Terenas had a plan.
His son, Arthas Menethil, would marry Jaina Proudmoore. It would cement the Alliance between Kul'Tiras and Lordaeron. As an apprentice to Uther, Arthas would become Grandmaster of the Paladin Order in time.
Then he would reign with justice and mercy.
But it didn't work because his son was human, and the land of Lordaeron was already lost.
The High Elves had a plan.
The humans could settle this plague alone. It was no concern of theirs, and they had already paid in blood-fighting the Horde. What did it matter if a few thousand humans had died defending them? They'd be back in a few generations, and an elf would have thought of something better.
But it didn't work because the ghosts of the dead remembered and took their revenge with joy.
The demon Mal'Ganis had a plan.
Cooperating with Ner'Zhul, he would lure Prince Arthas to him and corrupt him. With his power and Ner'Zhul's support. He would take Tichondrius' place as the chief Nathrezim.
But it didn't work.
Because Arthas held a grudge, and Ner'Zhul decided he'd outlived his usefulness.
Thrall had a plan.
He would take his people across the sea away from senseless conflict. There he would start over without demons or humans.
But it didn't work because the orcs brought their own demons with them. And though the Horde had many weapons, no sword can slay self-delusion.
Mannoroth had a plan.
He would find the orcs and discipline them, bringing them back into the fold. Then he would finish destroying the world using his favored pets. Their fury and hatred would lay waste to the world.
But it didn't work.
Because Arthas exterminated the Blackrock Clan. And Grom Hellscream unleashed his rage on Mannoroth.
Cenarius had a plan.
He would kill these malignant orcs and wipe their impure feet from the world. The woods would be as they were.
But it didn't work.
Because Cenarius had not heeded where the orcs came from. And he did not see Mannoroth walking in the woods...
Tyrande Whisperwind had a plan.
The orcs and humans who were intruding in her lands had to be wiped away for killing Cenarius.
But it didn't work.
Because they were running from something worse and soon they were all dying on the same hill.
Malfurion had a plan.
He would reawaken the spirits of the ancient past and stop Archimonde. As was foretold, the Reign of Chaos would come. And he would stand against it.
But it didn't work.
Because Tyrande didn't have faith in him. And Illidan always did lust for power.
Illidan had a plan.
Someone had to save the world. The demons were coming in all around them, and the Druids had failed. Tyrande was not able to defeat this power, and his brother did not understand their enemy. But he did.
He would consume the Skull of Gul'Dan.
He would slay the demon Tichondrius; he would destroy the Frozen Throne and save the world.
Someone had to save the world.
But it didn't work.
Because Malfurion wouldn't let him.
Maive had a plan.
She would recapture Illidan and return him to his cell.
But it didn't work.
Because the Naga wouldn't let her.
Tichondrius had a plan.
Mal'Ganis had meant nothing in the long run. Ner'Zhul would not dare double-cross his efforts now. The human, Arthas, was a suitable intermediary commander. He would serve to summon Archimonde. Once Lord Archimonde walked the world, Tichondrius would come into his own.
There would be no need for a middleman.
But it didn't work. Because Arthas was a Prince, not a middleman, and did not appreciate being cut out of his rightful due.
The Burning Legion had a plan.
They would destroy all life on Azeroth and wipe it clean of defiled creations.
But it didn't work.
Because life had something to say about that.
Lord Garithos had a plan.
He'd exterminate the elves after using them to weaken the undead. Once done, he would destroy the Dreadlords and gain victory.
But it didn't work. Because numbers did not cooperate with his worldview. And alliances with undead rarely go well.
Kael'thas had a plan.
He would save his people and seek service under Lord Illidan to cure their addiction to magic. He would save the High Elves.
But it didn't work;
Because they'd already lost everything. And there was nothing else for them to seek but revenge.
Sylvanas had a plan.
She would slay Arthas, gain her revenge, and rest.
But it didn't work.
All she killed were hie enemies, while his forces recovered in Stratholme. And in the end, she was never anything but a hated regional power.
Balnazzar had a plan.
He would maintain the flow of undead to Kalimdor. They would keep order in the Eastern Kingdoms until the time came to move on. It was his duty.
But it didn't work. Because Arthas returned and the undead hailed him as a hero. They were overthrown in moments, and their means of gaining power was trusting a traitor.
Detheroc had a plan.
They were the Nathrezim! They would not let some human get the best of them!
But it didn't work. Because they failed to kill Arthas, and their own tool destroyed them.
Arthas had a plan.
He would bring honor to his Father and his people. He would stop the undead, slay Mal'Ganis and see the glory of Lordaeron restored.
But it didn't work because his friends abandoned him and the Light provided no salvation. His people were already dead, and he was left to bear the burden alone.
The undead were too many.
And Ner'Zhul broke his deal. After that, he had no will left in the matter.
Jaina Proudmoore had a plan.
She would reconnect with her old flame, Arthas. They would marry and have three beautiful children. She'd be known as one of the most powerful sorceresses of all time, and they would grow old together.
But it didn't work because nobody cared. And this wasn't that kind of story.
Varimathras had a plan.
He would survive, no matter what humiliation or treachery he had to stoop to.
But it didn't work. Because on a long enough timescale, the probability of death becomes certain.
Arthas had a new plan.
He was going to kill every single person who betrayed him. And then he was going to kill Ner'Zhul.
That and no less was the price Azeroth paid for its treachery.
Ner'Zhul had a plan.
He would use Arthas as a tool to destroy his enemies, then possess his body and gain control to rule as a god.
But it didn't work.
Because Arthas killed him the second, he outlived his usefulness, just like Mal'Ganis.
Kel'Thuzad had a plan;
He always wanted to start his own religion.
So he did.
The Paladins had a plan;
They would never stop defending Lordaeron.
They would never give up.
