With early copies of WotLK going out to various sites (seems like mostly German site atm) we are starting to learn a bit more about the install process. Instead of the boring old “insert-a-disk-and-go-make-a-sandwich” deal, this install will feature the story line that tells how Arthas became corrupted.

The images are from another German website, GameStar, so of course the images’ text will also be in German. Lucky you if you can read, if not we are working on a translation.

Also note that I am trying a new gallery system with this group of images, if something seems borked that is why. Check back on this post often for image updates and translation updates.

Once again, thanks to Mathias for the heads up and translation help.

Partial Translation, check back for more!

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Prinz Arthas Menethil was born 4 years before the first war. King Terenas II and Queen Llane were overjoyed and the whole of Lordaeron celebrated Arthas’ birth.

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At the young age of 19, Arthas fulfilled the hopes of his father and was accepted into the Knight Order of the Silver Hand. The Paladin Uther Lightbringer became the Mentor of Arthas

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5 years later, Arthas and the sorceress Jaina Proudmoore investigated a deadly plague. The victims turned into the fighters of an undead army, later to be known as The Scourge.

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Arthas and Jaina found and killed Kel’Thuzad, the necromancer spreading the plague. Tragically, the city of Stratholme was already infected and Arthas ordered her to be “cleansed”.

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At last, Arthas met the Dreadlord Mal’Ganis, who is claiming to be the driving force behind the plague. After escaping imprisonment, Mal’Ganis challenged the prince to a final battle on the continent of Northrend

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After landing on the icy shores of Northrend, Arthas met a band of dwarfs being attacked by the Scourge. The Leader of the dwarfs, Muradin Bronzebeard, was searching for the legendary Runeblade Frostmourne.

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On the urge of Uther, King Terenas sent missive to Northrend to immediately recall the remaining Fleet to Lorderon. Arthas’ soldiers were only too eager to comply.

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However, Arthas, increasingly being driven by thoughts of revenge, did not want to let Mal’Ganis go. So he secretly hired mercenaries to sink his own ships.

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As the ships were burning, Arthas publically accused the mercenaries to be responsible for it, upon which they were killed by Arthas’ enraged soldiers.

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The armed forces, now stranded in Northrend, had to defend against the attacks of the undead. In the meantime, Arthas and Muradin found the blade Frostmourne being encased in ice.

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Although the blade was laden with a curse, Arthas swore he would pay any price for victory. The ice around Frostmourne broke and a stray ice splinter killed Muradin.

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With the runeblade in his hands, Arthas lead his troops to victory, but Mal’Ganis remeined confident. He explained that the Lich King, the Lord of the Scourge, manipulated Arthas into taking Frostmourne to himself.

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Mal’Ganis claimed to be in league with the Lich King. However, the Lich King, speaking through Frostmourne to Arthas, denied that. With malicious joy, Arthas slew the surprised Dreadlord.

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Afterwards, Arthas wandered through the frozen desert of Northrend. Being haunted by the torturing voice of Frostmourne, he finally succumbed to the bane of the Lich King.

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Driven by the dark will of the blade, Arthas returned, where he received a hero’s welcome. Despite the questionable decisions he made, the king welcomed his son with open arms and trust.

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Arthas murdered his father and lead the Scourge to laying waste to Lordaeron. Then he took the remains of Kel’Thuzad and brought them to Quel’Thalas, the Kingdom of the High Elves.

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The elves waged a fierce battle, but without success. Arthas defeated the Ranger General Sylvanas Windrunner and transformed her into a banshee as punishment for her opposition to him.

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As one of the undead, Sylvanas was subject to the iron will of the Lich King. With her forced support, the Scourge took hold of the Sunwell, the source of the elves’ arcane power.

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With the powers of the Sunwell, Arthas turned Kel’Thuzad into an undead Lich. The Demonlord Archimonde ordered Arthas and his new ally to find a magical book. The book of Medivh.

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The Scourge invaded the citystate of Dalaran, whose mages guarded the magic book. At last, Dalaran was overrun and Kel’Thuzad used the book to call Archimonde to Azeroth.

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While Archimonde’s troops began the invasion of Azeroth, Arthas convinced the demon hunter Illidan Stormrage to stop Archimonde’s plans by stealing an important magical artifact: The Skull of Gul’dan.

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Illidan’s theft sealed the defeat of Archimonde in Azeroth. Still, the victory was of short duration as the Lich King ordered Arthas to return to Northrend.

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In Northrend, Arthas was ambushed by elves surviving the attack of the scourge on Quel’Thalas. Now they were allys of Illidan and planned an attack on the Lich King.

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Undead Nerubians under the command of the Crypt Lord Anub’arak helped Arthas defeat the elves, but the main force of Illidan’s army already marched onto the Icecrown glacier, the base of the Lich King.

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Arthas feared he would not reach the Lich King in time. So he and Anub’arak took a shortcut throught the ancient underground Kingdom of Azjol-Nerub.

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The Shortcut fulfilled its purpose and Arthas intercepted Illidan on the peak of the Icecrown glacier. After defeating him in a duel, Arthas commanded him to leave Azeroth and never return.

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Arthas entered the Icecrown Citadel and melted with the Lich King by uniting both their Spirits and Powers. A new Lich King now took possession of the Frozen Throne.

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5 Years the Lich King has dreamed and waited. Now he has awakened… and his wrath will wipe the living off the face of Azeroth.