Years later, when Robbie was able to converse with the Dark Titan Sargeras, he learned that he had initially gained attention because of the Battle of Karabor.
The Iron Horde's invasion is imminent, and their target is very clear: the Karabor Temple.
When Robbie arrived at the Karabor Temple, hoping to see the defenses built by the Draenei, he was met with a vast ocean, a clear blue sky, a bare coastline, and a few Seagulls perched on the rocks.
The Draenei demolished the houses by the sea, removed the nursery, flowering trees, and other decorations, leaving a large open space. Then they polished their weapons, prepared their armor, and got ready for a big melee on the beach.
Without constructing fortifications or building defensive positions, the Draenei of Shadowmoon Valley and the adventurers of the Lunarfall seemed eager for a head-on clash with the Iron Horde.
Robbie envisioned a scene in his mind: two groups of people charging towards each other with howls, then clashing violently, a passionate collision of blood and flesh, swords and spears piercing each other's chests, and perhaps some arrows and Fireballs mixed in.
Robbie shook his head after seeing it; it was so unprofessional.
Comparing the combat strength of both sides, judging from their physiques, the Draenei stronger and have a slight advantage over the Orcs, but unfortunately, they are at a significant disadvantage in numbers. Among the Alliance, the Worgen Dwarves are not at a disadvantage in strength compared to the Orcs, Night Elves are only suitable for ranged combat. In close combat, they are slightly stronger than humans, but still much weaker than Orcs.
As for Gnome, let's just forget about them; let's just hope they don't get seen by the Orcs.
Robbie wasn't optimistic about his own side's strength. The Iron Horde, after being reformed by Garrosh, had become a more organized Legion, with standardized weapons and armor, ample training, and strict discipline. Coupled with the Orcs' Bloodlust, their innate thirst for battle, and their never-give-up spirit, their chances of winning were much higher.
The Draenei of Shadowmoon Valley lack sufficient training time, while the adventurers of the Lunarfall are a disorganized mob. When the battle is going well, everyone charges forward fearlessly, but once a setback occurs, they run away faster than anyone else.
Its only advantage is Naaru K'ara, which has the ability to increase various buffs and an aura that can cover the Battlefield. It can increase the courage, strength, and stamina of its own soldiers and also heal injuries, making it a stabilizing force for the army.
After conducting a sand table simulation, Robbie concluded that even if they won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory for their side.
Robbie found Yrel and asked directly, "How much money can the Draenei offer?"
Yrel looked at Robbie warily. The little rascal was a complete miser. She waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "No money, not a single copper coin."
"Oh dear, what are we going to do?" Robbie feigned regret, saying sadly, "I wanted to teach you how to defeat the Iron Horde, at least to reduce the Draenei by half, but it seems that's not going to happen."
Yrel looked at Robbie suspiciously. She was indeed a miser, but she valued the lives of her people even more.
Bearing the weight of the safety of an entire race on her shoulders, Yrel walked on thin ice, trembling with fear. She hadn't slept well for days, and hurriedly asked, "Really? If you really have a way, I promise I won't treat you unfairly. How about I give you a hundred gold coins?"
"You think you can bribe me with a hundred gold coins? This little brat is too stingy!" Robbie shook his head. "You've got it wrong. This money isn't for me, Yrel. Have you ever heard of cannons?"
"Cannons?" Yrel scratched his head.
In the magical and Holy Light Azeroth, gunpowder-based weapons such as firearms have limited power and too many weaknesses.
Weapons like cannons and firearms, composed of various parts, can easily be reduced to scrap metal even by a mage of average skill. Rhonin's simple Lockpicking was enough to disarm Deathwing. This is why gunpowder-based weapons cannot be used on a large scale.
Compared to external weapons like guns and cannons, magic is truly powerful.
However, the Iron Horde lacks mages, which is their fatal weakness and flaw.
"You mean you want me to buy cannons?" Yrel finally understood what Robbie meant.
"That's right." Robbie nodded, his tone rising and falling. "Our Brotherhood's influence is all over Azeroth. As long as the Draenei have enough money, buying a few hundred cannons won't be a problem."
Seeing that Yrel was still hesitating, Robbie pointed to two high points near the Karabor Temple on the sand table:
"Set up hundreds of cannons in these two locations to cover the entire beach. When the Iron Horde arrives, give them a head-on blow. Dig trenches and build fortifications in these areas, then ambush a squad of musketeers. We also need to prepare a portion of cavalry as a mobile force to sweep away any stragglers."
Robbie, with an extremely exaggerated expression, explained to Yrel how to build the defenses of the Karabor Temple.
In fact, Robbie was also an outsider. All he had was some experience from his previous life and knowledge learned from books. It would not be an exaggeration to describe him as someone who only knew theory without practice.
Excluding supernatural forces such as magic and Holy Light, Azeroth's technological level was roughly similar to that of the Napoleon era.
Napoleon's most famous tactic was the use of artillery: a simple and brutal artillery barrage tactic, concentrating all available artillery to bombard a single target or an advancing enemy. It may not sound particularly sophisticated, but in that era it was an invincible and advanced tactic that left European countries in a state of chaos and fleeing in terror.
All life is equally stubborn, accustomed to following the old ways, adhering to the experience of predecessors, and incapable of adapting.
Robbie had absolutely no confidence in persuading important figures like Maraad or Khadgar.
Fortunately, Yrel was a greenhorn with little experience, like a blank sheet of paper. Listening to Robbie's boastful talk, she suddenly felt enlightened and thought it made a lot of sense.
The Draenei very wealthy. Not to mention their centuries of accumulation, the Wealth they plundered from the Shadowmoon Clan alone has made them incredibly rich. In addition, Yrel's financial management skills are absolutely superb. Under her meticulous calculations, the ores and herbs produced in Shadowmoon Valley have been sold for exorbitant prices.
"Alright, we'll do it your way." Yrel put on a pitiful look. "We Draenei are very poor; we've given away all our savings, so you'll have to be careful with your money."
Robbie knew the Draenei's reserves well; buying a few hundred cannons wouldn't be a serious blow.
In the Azeroth Continent, the most valuable items are those related to magic, such as various gems and enchanted weapons; cannons and firearms are actually worthless. Dwarves and Gnomes have ample stock in their warehouses, Brotherhood acted as middlemen, reselling these items to the Bloodsail Buccaneers.
With Robbie's reminder, Yrel finally understood the importance of fortifications. The Draenei busied themselves on the beaches of the Karabor Temple, sinking ships in necessary waterways, setting up obstacles on the beach, and digging a network of trenches—it finally looked like a proper operation.
The last question is, what if the Orcs don't land at the Karabor Temple?
After a thorough investigation, Robbie realized he had been worrying unnecessarily.
With its long coastline, Shadowmoon Valley is only suitable for large-scale Legion landing operations at the Karabor Temple. It's no wonder the Iron Horde chose this place as their primary target.
On this day, Yrel summoned Robbie, looking quite mysterious.
Inside the storeroom of the Karabor Temple, Yrel showed Robbie a strange cannon.