Darkspear Clan Joins the Horde

"Yes, Rend. The Horde has finally found a home of its own. We are no longer outsiders." The elements around Thrall cheered most fervently. This land had never rejected him, and now the elements welcomed him even more. One way for shamans to grow stronger was through their contributions. Thrall had changed the quillboars' vines' devouring of the land and saved this land. The elements were grateful for his contribution and grew more attuned to him, making it easier for him to gain their aid. Naturally, his strength grew greater as well. This was why shamans established the Earthen Ring to save the world: it was their duty, a duty given to them by the elements. Shamans could be called the elements' messengers, and through their constant acts of salvation, they strengthened themselves.

"Congratulations, Thrall, and Orc brothers. This land has accepted us. The Orcs and Darkspear have truly become masters of Durotar. And thank you for your selfless help. I, Vol'jin, chieftain of the Darkspear Clan and son of Sen'jin, am willing to lead the Darkspear Trolls into the Horde." The Darkspear Clan had also fled from Stranglethorn Vale. Previously, they too had never been fully accepted by this land. This time, the Orcs and Darkspear Trolls had truly become masters of Durotar, accepted and acknowledged by the land. Vol'jin was grateful for Thrall's help, and he had also seen the Horde's future. This Horde was worthy of his loyalty and his devotion.

"Welcome, friends of the Darkspear. Welcome to the Horde." The newborn Horde naturally needed allies. Although the Darkspear Clan was one of the weaker clans even among the many Troll clans, the Zandalar Empire was the strongest branch of Trolls. The frost Trolls, the Drakkari, had continued to prosper in Northrend, and with the decline of the forest Trolls, they had become the second strongest branch of Trolls. The forest Trolls of Ghostlands had once flourished and stood shoulder to shoulder with Zandalar, but they had been suppressed by the combined forces of high elves and humans. Now, they were barely clinging to life. Yet under Zul'jin's leadership, they were still stronger than the Darkspear. However, too many had been wiped out and scattered during the Second War. Like the Burning Thorn Clan and Firetree Clan, after being scattered, they had now followed Rend to Durotar. To the south, the Sandfury Trolls lived in the harsh desert. Though they had a relatively large population, they lacked the protection of true Loa gods and had produced no powerful warriors. The jungle Trolls were still locked in internal warfare, constantly weakening themselves. As one of the more civilized branches, the Darkspear were qualified to join the Horde. Besides, they had the protection of two powerful figures, Vol'jin and Rokhan, while the most mysterious death god, Bwonsamdi, watched over the clan from the shadows.

"Chieftain Vol'jin, on behalf of the Blackrock Clan, I welcome the Darkspear Trolls into the Horde. From now on, we are truly one family." Rend had always held Vol'jin in high regard. Originally, Vol'jin had been a rather insignificant figure in the Horde, but ever since he said, "The Horde is my people," Rend had begun to like him. Vol'jin truly regarded every member of the Horde as his own people. Even toward the Blood Elves, whose relationship with Trolls was poor, Vol'jin had resolutely led his finest personal hunters (forgot what they were called, the ones outside Zul'Aman) to help the Blood Elves attack the Amani Trolls of Zul'Aman. Yet after that stirring line, "The Horde hears your voice," High Chieftain Vol'jin had had no presence throughout Warlords of Draenor, and he had even died a humiliating death in Legion. Both were leaders of the Alliance and Horde respectively, yet Blizzard arranged for Varian to die a glorious, heroic, worshipped death. In comparison, Vol'jin's death was far more humiliating. People only remembered Varian's heroic sacrifice; few spoke of Vol'jin, who had also lost his position as High Chieftain. This was Blizzard's injustice, but Vol'jin's contributions could not be erased.

Though the Darkspear Clan was only a small-to-medium-sized clan, under Vol'jin's leadership, it had flourished. The Darkspear Clan appeared in every expansion, doing their utmost despite their small numbers.

With the Horde accepting the Darkspear, only the Tauren remained to form the Horde's iron triangle. Compared to the Forsaken and Blood Elves, the Orcs and Darkspear were likely the most loyal to the Horde.

"Chieftain Rend, the Darkspear Clan thanks the Blackrock Clan for its goodwill." Vol'jin had naturally heard of Rend Blackhand, a rather famous Orc, but all he had heard were bad impressions of the old Rend. Vol'jin had not expected this Blackrock chieftain to welcome the Darkspear Clan's entry with such joy. He had originally thought that, based on Rend's reputed character, he would look down on the Darkspear Clan. It seemed rumors could not be fully trusted. Only by meeting someone in person could one know what they were truly like.

"Warchief, north of Durotar, I discovered a vast valley. I think it would be an excellent place to build a city. We might as well settle the Horde's people there first. It will make it easier to search for Chieftain Grommash and the others afterward." Thrall led the largest group of Orcs among the three factions and urgently needed a safe place to settle them. Rend had told Thrall about the future site of Orgrimmar in advance, allowing the Horde's people to be better accommodated.

"Rend, thank you for all you have done for the Horde. You must know that we are far too unfamiliar with this land. A stable shelter is more important than anything else." Rend had solved Thrall's most urgent problem. Unlike the Darkspear Clan, which had fewer members and only needed the Echo Isles and the future Sen'jin Village, the Orc population was too large and needed a greater place to settle. Otherwise, Thrall had no way to lead so many Orcs in search of Grommash.

"Vol'jin, on behalf of the Horde, I have a gift for you. I wonder if you would accept it." Rend decided to give the Darkspear Clan a gift, so they would owe the Blackrock Clan a favor and be more supportive of the Blackrock Clan in the future.

"I wonder what this gift is, Chieftain Rend. But I thank the Blackrock Clan for its goodwill. From now on, the Darkspear and Blackrock will surely be good friends." Vol'jin sensed that Rend was trying somewhat to win him over, but compared to Rend, he supported Thrall more. In Thrall, he saw what a true leader possessed: great strength and a clever mind.

"The Burning Thorn Clan and Firetree Clan are two branch clans of forest Trolls. During the Second War, Zul'jin led them into the Horde, and they have followed me ever since. But I am not a Troll, after all, and cannot become their true chieftain. I think the Darkspear Clan should be able to take them in." Although the Burning Thorn Clan and Firetree Clan supported Rend, that loyalty was because of Zul'jin. In the future, Zul'jin would become the Horde's enemy, and the Blood Elves, the mortal enemies of the forest Trolls, would also join the Horde. Rend did not want to suppress the Burning Thorn and Firetree Clans, who had followed him all this time, when that day came. It would be better to find them a true Troll leader. As an Orc, he truly had no way to change their hostility toward elves. Undoubtedly, Vol'jin and the Darkspear Clan were better suited for it.