The war between the High Elves and their dark kin rages on many fronts, but the invaders are slowly gaining ground in their relentless march toward Lothern. Now, the battle lines have been redrawn yet again, as Prince Tyrion's forces fall back to Eataine to regroup and take on reinforcements. Where they expected to find respite, however, they instead find a very unexpected battle.
While the bulk of his armies engage the High Elves, Malekith strikes a sinister bargain. He invites the marauding hordes of Orcs and Goblins that infest the Old World to join in the conquest of the High Elves' island home. Working in concert with small bands of Dark Elves, the greenskins have cut lumber from the forest of Avelorn and built ramshackle wooden barges to transport their warriors across the Inner Sea to the coast of Eataine, well behind the High Elf positions.
An idyllic and pastoral province of villas, vineyards, and rolling green hills, Eataine is the kingdom to which the nobles of Ulthuan retire to spend their summers. The opulence of Eataine's great manors is unsurpassed in the lands of the High Elves, for Eataine is not only home to some of the greatest poets, scholars and warriors of the Asur, but also to the Phoenix King himself.
The source of Eataine's wealth and prestige is Lothern, a magnificent city-state filled with towers of glittering silver and ringed by plazas of white marble. One of the wonders of the Warhammer world, Lothern is a marvel of High Elf craftsmanship and a sight not soon forgotten by any who visit it.
Lothern is also home to the Phoenix Throne, the prize that is fixed firmly in the mind of Malekith, Witch King of Naggaroth and arch-enemy of the High Elves.
When the proud warriors of the Shining Guard retreat to the supposed safety of Eataine, they find their lands already under siege, and in dire need of aid. As the defenders of Ulthuan rush to confront the savage greenskins, the Dark Elves swarm across the border behind them and begin a gleeful rampage across the countryside.
Flush with victory, the Druchii rush forth into Eataine, greedily laying claim to the spoils of war. Indulging their darkest desires, the twisted Dark Elves burn, loot and pillage at will. Greed leads to petty disputes and treacherous acts, and before long, the spiteful warriors of Naggaroth find themselves embroiled in old rivalries, more concerned with claiming their share of the wealth than with victory in the war. It will take all of the Witch King's merciless strength to organize his forces for one final strike at the heart of the island, and this time, he is determined not to be robbed of victory when the prize is so close at hand.
The Witch King has spent centuries planning and preparing his attack on Ulthuan. Thus far, the great plot has unfolded precisely as envisioned, and all that remains is to drive the High Elves into the sea and break down the walls of Lothern. But even now, when the Phoenix Throne is at last within sight, the Dark Elves' depravity threatens to bring his grand scheme to ruin. Malekith knows all too well that while his followers bicker and plan how best to divide the wealth of Eataine, the High Elves are regrouping.
Though their plight could scarcely be more desperate, the High Elves are not without hope. The excesses of the enemy have bought precious time, and there may yet be a chance to undo the damage Malekith has wrought to the ancient menhirs that channel the magical energies of the vortex. If the balance of magic can be restored, the High Elves will regain their full strength and the tide of battle can at last be turned.