n the southern sands of Silithus, the Gates of Ahn'Quiraj, the only entrance through the Scarab Wall, which had been closed since its creation, have been opened.

The consequences of this have spread across the whole world: large crystal formations appeared in Tanaris, Feralas, The Barrens, Thousand Needles and Un'Goro, vomiting Silithid and Anubisath creatures to our world, once again.

And I say once again, because, though many have forgotten, this is not the first time that our world has to face their threat.

History: the War of the Shifting Sands.

More than ten thousand years ago, the Night Elves stood up to defend their lands from the armies of Ahn'Quiraj. Arch-Druid Fandral Staghelm and his son, Valstann, leaded their troops to Silithus, where the War of the Shifting Sands took place. After months of unending battles, and Valstann's death, they realized that, not even with the help of the bronze dragonflight, they had no chance to win.

It was then when Fandral and the dragons decided to create a magical barrier around the Quiraji city, to contain their enemies. Anachronos, heir to Nozdormu the Timeless One, called upon ancient powers and summoned the Scarab Wall, an impenetrable force field with only one entrance, the Gates of Ahn'Quiraj. From a scarab, the mighty dragon created a Gong, and the Scepter of the Shifting Sands from a limb of one of his fallen brethren.

But when Anachronos handed the Shift to Fandral, the Arch-Druid, overwhelmed by the loss of his son, smashed it against the Gates, where it broke into pieces.

With the menace contained, and new threats spreading across the world, the Night Elves returned to their lands. The memories of the Silithid faded, and finally fell into oblivion.

Dragonslayers, the Cenarion Circle, and the restoration of the Scepter.

Some months ago, disturbing news started to spread across the world: Silithid hives were appearing in many territories around Silithus. They seemed to be expanding from there across Feralas and Un'Goro, to the deserts of Tanaris and Thousand Needles, even reaching the far away lands of The Barrens.

The druids of the Cenarion Circle, who hadn't forgotten the ancient War of the Shifting Sands, saw the signs and understood their meaning: the time of peace is over, and the time of war has arrived, again.

They started searching through the world, for someone powerful enough as to accomplish the dangerous, titanic task of restoring the Scepter of the Shifting Sands. Though many brave souls tried, only a group succeeded: those known as the Dragonslayers, leaded by their Night Elf champion, Teliviel.

The Opening of the Gates

With the Scepter restored, Teliviel and the Dragonslayers' army arrived at the Scarab Wall. But they were not alone: a legion of brave warriors had listened to the Cenarion Circle's cry for help, and gathered to give their last drop of blood in the fight to protect the world from the Silithid.

When Champion Teliviel hit the Gong with the Scepter, and the Gates of Ahn'Quiraj

opened, hell went loose. A tide of bloodthirsty creatures, from Quiraji to Anubisath, rushed across the Gates, like an unstoppable wave.

But this time, they didn't face a Night Elven army... Human paladins charged with Tauren hunters, Dwarven warriors and Troll priests advanced as a team, Gnome warlocks and mages stood side by side with Undead Rogues, while Elven druids and Orc shamans called together upon the nature's powers.

The battle lasted ten long hours, and many brave fighters lost their lives in the battlefield. Those who fought that day, will not be forgotten by History, for in the end, the Silithid were forced to retreat within the Scarab Wall.

This day, the 6th of July, will be remembered as the day when the Second War of the Shifting Sands begun.

A Future of War awaits...

The Opening of the Gates has forced every citizen of the world to face the Silithid threat. It affects us all, both Alliance and Horde.

Some blame the Cenarion Circle and Dragonslayers for what they've done: they fear that this time, the Silithid will win the battle, and wipe us from the world, once and for all.

Others offer their support to the decision of opening the Gates, maybe those who have seen with their own eyes how the Silithid hives were springing like tumors on the earth.

Only time will disclose if the Cenarion Circle and Dragonslayers did the right thing. Until then, prepare yourselves for war.