The Bitter Taste of Victory (WC2 Human)

The Bitter Taste of Victory is the twelfth and final mission of the Alliance campaign in Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal.

Mission briefing
''Khadgar has discovered that although the Book of Medivh was stolen from Ner'zhul, the ancient Shaman has learned enough of its secrets to conjure his darkest spell. Over the blood red skies of Draenor, huge dimensional rifts appear, crackling with the cosmic energy of the Twisting Nether. Alleria's scouts report that Ner'zhul and his followers escaped through the largest of the new rifts as Draenor felt the first of its death throes. The tremendous energies emitted from the converging rifts have succeeded in breaking down the fabric of reality in Draenor; unleashing massive earth quakes and tidal waves upon its shores.''

Unless the Dark Portal is closed on both worlds, Azeroth will be subject to an enormous backlash of energy resulting from Draenor's catastrophic discorporation.

Using the combined powers of the Book of Medivh and the Skull of Gul'dan, you must return Khadgar to the Dark Portal and seal the rift between Azeroth and the doomed world of Draenor, forever.

Objectives

 * Destroy the Dark Portal
 * Only Khadgar can destroy the Portal
 * Khadgar must survive

Khadgar's Sacrifice
''As the flames die to embers and the arcane energies that once bound two worlds slowly fade, the Dark Portal crumbles into dust as its powers subside and dissolve. The finality of what has been done here becomes manifest. The moment is shattered as volcanoes erupt in fiery fury as the earth begins to shake beneath your feet. The world of Draenor is dying...''

''Khadgar motions toward the remaining rifts created by Ner'zhul and beckons you to follow him. The warriors of Azeroth under your command gaze upon the rifts with uncertainty - but to remain would be suicide. Knowing that their beloved Azeroth is safe from harm, they gather up weapons and wounded companions alike as you lead them into the swirling, unknown reaches of the Twisting Nether.''

Aftermath
The fate of the Expedition and of Draenor itself remained unknown for two decades; to the Alliance, they were all presumed dead, and memorialized accordingly in Stormwind City. But the Expedition had in fact survived the destruction of Draenor, seemingly abandoned on a hostile world. The Sons of Lothar, as they called themselves, continued the fight against what remained of the Horde of Draenor, as well as the arriving forces of the Burning Legion under Magtheridon and, later, the legions of Illidan Stormrage.

Forces

 * Alliance Expedition
 * Footmen
 * Archers
 * Rangers
 * Knights
 * Paladins
 * Ballistae
 * Mages
 * Demolition Squads
 * Flying machines
 * Gryphon riders


 * Horde of Draenor
 * Grunts
 * Axethrowers
 * Berserkers
 * Ogres
 * Ogre magi
 * Catapults
 * Death knights
 * Sappers
 * Zeppelins
 * Dragons

Trivia

 * The Bonechewer clan starts with a massive amount of troops but has no base and can't produce or upgrade units any further.
 * The Shattered Hand clan has no base, but starts with some peons that will build a base if left unchecked.
 * The Thunderlord clan strangely has only two soldiers and nothing else, and even these two do not actually appear in the scenario. Viewing the map in a third party editor shows that they are the heroes Dentarg and Kargath Bladefist. It also shows that the clan is set to human control, which may explain why these units don't appear.