Chapter Summaries

After a soul from another realm took over Prince Galen Trollbane’s body and brought him to hero tier, he rallied Stromgarde to resist the approaching Scourge. The chapter ended with the people answering his call to fight for their kingdom.

• With Stromgarde isolated and facing an undead force of more than one hundred thousand, Prince Galen Trollbane poisoned his father, King Thoras Trollbane, but another soul then took over his body.
• Galen Trollbane emerged as a hero-tier warrior, and Lieutenant Varokar reacted with shock as the prince announced his breakthrough.
• News of Galen Trollbane’s new strength restored hope among the people of Stromgarde after Thoras Trollbane’s death.
• At a gathering in the royal square, Galen Trollbane told the people that their former allies had refused to help and urged them to defend their homeland.
• Galen Trollbane raised Troll'kalar toward Thoradin’s Wall and shouted, “For Stromgarde!” as the militia and citizens joined his cry.

Galen Trollbane prepared Stromgarde to face the Scourge by rebuilding its forces and arranging funding for the war. He left Marshal Oslett persuaded to support a plan that risked the kingdom’s heirloom artifacts to secure a goblin loan.

• Galen Trollbane learned from Marshal Oslett that conscription had restored Stromgarde’s forces to fifty thousand, including veterans and women.
• Galen Trollbane assured Marshal Oslett that the Scourge force was only a secondary detachment and said Stromgarde’s defenses and troops could win.
• Marshal Oslett confirmed that armaments taken from Alterac could equip the new recruits.
• Galen Trollbane proposed a war tax, noble donations, and a loan from the goblins of Booty Bay to finance the war.
• Galen Trollbane decided to use artifacts of Emperor Thoradin as collateral despite Marshal Oslett’s objections, arguing that Stromgarde’s people mattered more than its symbols.

Galen Trollbane captured Blackwater Raiders captain Shax Aubrey and persuaded him to return to Stromgarde, then secured loans from Stromgarde’s nobles and equipment from Ironforge to prepare Thoradin’s Wall for the Scourge. The chapter ended with the restored wall fortified by dwarven weapons as Galen resolved to repay Magni Bronzebeard’s help by finding Muradin.

• Galen Trollbane’s cavalry surrounded Captain Shax Aubrey and his pirates at Faldir’s Cove, and Shax identified himself as a former Stromgarde naval captain who had deserted after the Orcish attack.
• Galen threatened Shax with Trol'kalar and offered him a choice between returning to Stromgarde and dying, and Shax agreed to return.
• Galen abandoned his plan to borrow from Trade Prince Revilgaz and obtained substantial loans from Stromgarde’s nobles by offering the Scepter of Emperor Thoradin as collateral.
• King Magni Bronzebeard arranged for Ironforge to supply Stromgarde with weapons, gunpowder, and defensive equipment, and sent dwarven ships to deliver it to Faldir’s Cove.
• Galen oversaw the restoration of Thoradin’s Wall and resolved to help Magni find Muradin Bronzebeard in return for Ironforge’s assistance.

Galen Trollbane led Stromgarde forces to destroy the Witherbark Troll settlement and seize the narrow route into Witherbark Village. After his warriors broke the trolls’ defenses, the village’s fate remained unresolved.

• Galen Trollbane learned that the Witherbark Trolls had grown numerous and complacent, then rallied the militia with Trol'kalar and attacked their lakeside settlement.
• The Stromgarde militia overwhelmed the settlement, killing the trolls as Galen led a thousand cavalrymen across the lake toward the village.
• Witherbark Trolls threw enchanted wooden spears at the approaching cavalry, killing more than a hundred troopers after Galen ordered them to dismount and raise shields.
• Galen charged the trolls guarding the narrow road, used Bladestorm to break their formation, and terrified more than a thousand with Demoralizing Shout.
• The Stromgarde cavalry surged through the opening and captured the narrow road leading to Witherbark Village.

Galen Trollbane led Stromgarde troops east to give its recruits battlefield experience, but they found Hammerfall orcs attacking Go'Shek Farm. After driving the weakened orcs away, Galen planned to use his soldiers’ heightened morale to attack the Witherbark trolls.

• Galen Trollbane and Marshal Oslett agreed that Stromgarde’s recruits needed real combat experience before facing the Scourge.
• Galen led ten thousand elite militiamen and thirty thousand recruits toward Witherbark Village, choosing the trolls as a weaker target than Hammerfall’s orcs.
• Lieutenant Varokar reported that ten thousand Hammerfall orcs were attacking Go'Shek Farm, and Galen hurried his army there to defend the kingdom’s granary.
• Galen led the charge with Trol'kalar, and Stromgarde’s veterans routed the orcs, who left more than a thousand dead behind.
• Galen stopped Varokar from pursuing the retreating orcs and, keeping their weakness secret, planned to lead the emboldened troops against the Witherbark trolls.

Galen Trollbane defeated the Witherbark Trolls at Witherbark Village and forced Zalas Witherbark to accept his demand that the tribe fight the Scourge. He spared the elderly and children by sending them to the Hinterlands, while the remaining Trolls were bound for Stromgarde’s war against the Scourge.

• Zalas Witherbark threatened Galen Trollbane, but Galen revealed his heroic-tier strength and demanded the Trolls join the fight against the Scourge.
• Zalas refused, so Galen attacked and defeated Zalas, Slayer Nimal, and Beastmaster Kama while the Stromgarde militia overwhelmed the village.
• After seeing his people suffer heavy losses, Zalas surrendered and accepted Galen’s demands.
• Galen ordered the militia to bind the surviving Trolls and sent fewer than twenty thousand elderly and children to the Hinterlands.
• The battle left Witherbark Village with fewer than sixty thousand Trolls, including forty thousand who would be sent to fight the Scourge.

Stromgarde’s forces held Thoradin’s Wall against the Scourge through days of attrition, until Lich summoner Akira joined the battle and threatened the defenders with death magic. Galin Trollbane revealed his newly gained heroic-tier strength and charged Akira, bringing the fight to its decisive confrontation.

• Jorin Trollbane used recruits and artillery to hold off the Scourge while seasoned veterans concealed Stromgarde’s strength and pushed back attacks on Thoradin’s Wall.
• After seeing the Scourge suffer heavy losses, Lich summoner Akira approached the wall and cast Death and Decay, draining the life of the militiamen in its reach.
• Galin Trollbane leaped from the wall, smashed through undead with his landing, and charged toward Akira.
• Akira recognized Galin as a newly risen heroic-tier warrior and attacked him with Frost Nova, but Galin dodged the spell and closed the distance.
• Galin Trollbane declared that Stromgarde was his to protect and charged directly at Lich summoner Akira.

Galen Trollbane gave Hammerfall's orcs the Witherbark trolls' food to prevent them from attacking Go'Shek Farm while Stromgarde prepared for the Scourge. When Summoner Araj's huge undead army reached Thoradin's Wall, Galen rallied the militia to resist and defend the Kingdom of Stromgarde.

• Galen Trollbane ordered Lieutenant Varokar to deliver Witherbark Village's food reserves to Hammerfall and withdraw without fighting the orcs.
• The starving orcs of Hammerfall confirmed the food was not a trap and carried the supplies back to town.
• Summoner Araj led hundreds of thousands of undead from Andorhal toward Thoradin's Wall, frightening the Stromgarde Militia.
• Galen Trollbane addressed the militia, reminding them of Stromgarde's history and urging them to resist the Scourge to the death.
• Galen raised Trol'kalar and called for the glory of the Kingdom of Stromgarde, and the militia echoed his cry.

Galen Trollbane defeated the Lich summoner Akira and reached true Heroic Rank as reinforcements from Aerie Peak arrived. Stromgarde, the Wildhammer gryphon riders, and the Witherbark trolls routed the Scourge, but Falstad Wildhammer pursued Zalas Witherbark toward the Hinterlands.

• Galen Trollbane learned to overcome the Lich summoner Akira's Frost Shield, interrupted his spell, and killed him with Execute.
• Galen Trollbane's strength stabilized at Heroic Rank, and Falstad Wildhammer arrived with thousands of gryphon riders from Aerie Peak.
• Oslett ordered Stromgarde's forces to sortie after Zalas Witherbark and the Witherbark trolls had taken heavy casualties fighting the Scourge.
• Stromgarde's militia, the Wildhammer gryphon riders, and the Witherbark trolls defeated the Scourge detachment.
• Zalas Witherbark fled north with fewer than ten thousand trolls, and Falstad Wildhammer pursued them toward the Hinterlands while Stromgarde's forces fought the remaining undead.

After Galen Trollbane’s forces defeated the Scourge at Thoradin’s Wall, he publicized the victory to attract refugees and strengthen Stromgarde. He then sailed to Booty Bay to recruit former Alliance sailors, while secretly planning to use Shax Aubrey to provoke the goblin port.

• Marshal Oslett ordered the battlefield cleared as Galen Trollbane rode back to Stromgarde with Lieutenant Varokar to spread news of the victory.
• Stromgarde celebrated the defeat of the Scourge, and reports of Galen Trollbane’s rise to Hero spread across the Eastern Kingdoms.
• Garithos, Kael'thas Sunstrider, Magni Bronzebeard, Varian Wrynn, and Rhonin each reacted to the news from their respective locations.
• Galen Trollbane planned to attract refugees to Stromgarde but recognized that accepting them and rebuilding would require more supplies and money.
• Galen Trollbane sailed to Booty Bay with Lieutenant Varokar and Shax Aubrey, then gave Shax gold to recruit former Alliance sailors.
• Galen Trollbane intended for Shax Aubrey to provoke Booty Bay so that Shax would be forced to commit himself to Stromgarde.

Galen Trollbane arrived in Booty Bay and met Trade Prince Revilgaz to discuss a lucrative deal. As Revilgaz welcomed him aboard his lavish ship, a stealthy figure left the Forerunner unnoticed.

• Trade Prince Revilgaz welcomed Galen Trollbane at Booty Bay's docks and offered the services of his goblin port and Blackwater Raiders.
• Galen Trollbane concealed his intentions behind a false smile and suggested discussing deals over local delicacies.
• A highly skilled rogue slipped out of the Forerunner without anyone in Booty Bay detecting him.
• Revilgaz led Galen to his suspended warship, where he displayed his luxurious collection and poured Sunwell Vintage.
• Galen told Revilgaz that their deal would satisfy him, while a gleam flashed in his eyes.

Galen Trollbane hired Duke Jorach Ravenholdt to steal Baron Revilgaz’s treasury from a massive statue in Booty Bay. The next morning, the statue itself had vanished, leaving Galen stunned by the scale of Ravenholdt’s theft.

• Galen Trollbane met with Duke Jorach Ravenholdt aboard Baron Revilgaz’s warship and confirmed that Ravenholdt had completed the mission.
• Ravenholdt agreed to hand Galen the stolen goods in the Arathi Highlands in exchange for items from the buried Arathorian Empire treasury.
• Ravenholdt vanished, leaving Galen unable to detect his departure.
• Baron Revilgaz announced that thieves had struck Booty Bay and that his stone statue had disappeared.
• Galen saw the empty pit where the statue had stood and wondered how Ravenholdt had moved something so enormous.

After failing to recover his missing treasury, Baron Revilgaz sought a major trade deal with Galen Trollbane to protect his position. Galen secured cheap supplies and recruited sailors while leaving Revilgaz eager to offer even more, unaware that Galen intended to fund the deal with Revilgaz’s own money.

• Baron Revilgaz searched Booty Bay for a week for his missing statue and treasury before lifting the blockade under pressure from the Steamwheedle Cartel.
• Revilgaz approached Galen Trollbane and proposed resuming their major business talks, hoping trade would restore his standing and conceal his loss.
• Galen told Revilgaz his order was too large for Booty Bay and suggested dealing directly with the Steamwheedle Cartel, prompting Revilgaz to offer favorable terms.
• Galen signed large orders for supplies and bought Shax Aubrey and the others their freedom so they could serve the Kingdom of Stromgarde.
• Revilgaz offered to transfer human sailors and sell warships to Galen, not realizing Galen intended to use Revilgaz’s money to complete their trade.

Galen Trollbane returned to Stromgarde after acquiring warships and sailors from Baron Revilgaz, appointing Shax Aubrey to command the fleet. He was welcomed by citizens whose renewed pride gave him confidence that the kingdom could be revived.

• Baron Revilgaz sold Galen Trollbane dozens of warships and sailors, including the pirate Caitlin, as he cut costs after losing his vault.
• At Faldir's Cove, Galen Trollbane appointed Shax Aubrey a naval sergeant and placed the warships under his command.
• Galen Trollbane rode from Faldir's Cove back to Stromgarde without delay.
• The militia and citizens welcomed Galen Trollbane as he returned, celebrating the prince who had helped defeat the Scourge.
• Galen Trollbane saw that the people of Stromgarde had regained their pride and believed they could help him restore the kingdom.

Galen Trollbane returned to Stromgarde and learned that Marshal Oslett had kept the kingdom running in his absence. With supplies secured from Booty Bay, Galen began planning Stromgarde’s recovery by reclaiming vacant homes and abandoned land for redistribution to refugees.

• Galen Trollbane returned to the palace, where Marshal Oslett welcomed him and asked whether his trip to Booty Bay had gone smoothly.
• Galen told Oslett that supplies would arrive at Faldir's Cove, giving Stromgarde enough resources to accept refugees and rebuild.
• Galen reviewed Oslett’s administration, approved the fifty-thousand-soldier militia and the defense at Thoradin's Wall, and judged further recruitment unnecessary.
• Galen ordered Lieutenant Varokar to census Stromgarde, reclaim vacant homes and land, and treat nobles and commoners alike.
• Galen decided to confiscate the property of nobles who had fled and redistribute the land, including Northfold Farm, Dabyrie Farm, and Go'Shek Farm, to refugees.

Galen Trollbane traveled to Durnholde Keep to retrieve the treasury hidden inside Trade Prince Revilgaz’s stone statue and brought its riches back to Stromgarde. He also sent troops to occupy the keep, preparing for Stromgarde’s future expansion into the Hillsbrad Foothills.

• Galen Trollbane learned that the cargo had arrived and led a thousand Stromgarde cavalrymen toward Durnholde Keep.
• Galen Trollbane crossed Thoradin’s Wall and entered Durnholde Keep, where the Assassins League had left Revilgaz’s stone statue.
• Galen Trollbane ordered his cavalrymen to break open the statue, load its treasure into carts, and carry it back to Stromgarde.
• Galen Trollbane told the hidden Assassins League members that Jorach Ravenholdt could collect his commission in Stromgarde.
• Galen Trollbane detached 5,000 militia troops to occupy Durnholde Keep.

Galen Trollbane used the royal treasury and confiscated lands to issue a decree offering refugees homes, land, work, and support in the Kingdom of Stromgarde. The decree reached Southshore, where Mayor Henny Mareb encouraged more than one hundred thousand refugees to head for Stromgarde, forming the first wave of arrivals.

• Galen Trollbane filled Stromgarde's treasury with treasure and received a shipment of grain from Booty Bay.
• Galen Trollbane issued a royal decree promising refugees shelter and food, and offering settlers land, tools, tax exemptions, or employment in Stromgarde.
• Marshal Oslett confirmed that Stromgarde had adequate food and funds, while Lieutenant Varokar carried out Galen Trollbane's orders.
• Galen Trollbane's decree spread across the fallen human kingdoms and reached Southshore, where Mayor Henny Mareb read it.
• Mayor Henny Mareb publicized the decree and offered refugees food and an escort for the journey to Stromgarde.
• More than one hundred thousand refugees in Southshore became the first wave to seek refuge in the Kingdom of Stromgarde.

Stromgarde sheltered Southshore’s refugees and offered them land, prompting most to join the kingdom and drawing attention across the Eastern Kingdoms. As Garithos sent more refugees toward Stromgarde, the Kirin Tor reconsidered seeking refuge there, while the Syndicate planned to overthrow Galen Trollbane.

• Southshore’s troops escorted the refugees across the river, and Stromgarde militia took over, providing food and shelter during screening.
• After screening, the militia offered refugees land in exchange for joining Stromgarde, and ninety-nine percent of the hundred thousand accepted.
• Garithos mocked Galen Trollbane’s policy and decided to send Lordaeron’s refugees toward Stromgarde to burden the kingdom.
• A Kirin Tor mage asked Ansirem Runeweaver whether the survivors should seek refuge in Stromgarde, and Ansirem reconsidered his plan to rebuild Dalaran.
• Duke Falconcrest urged Lord Aiden Perenolde to disguise the Syndicate as refugees and seize Stromgarde with help from local nobles, and Perenolde welcomed the chance for revenge.

Galen Trollbane tried to hire Edwin VanCleef to oversee Stromgarde’s reconstruction, but VanCleef refused because he remained committed to destroying Stormwind. VanCleef accepted the ten thousand gold deposit, arranged for former Stonemasons’ Guild members to leave for Stromgarde, and watched their ship depart with regret.

• Galen Trollbane sent an envoy to the Deadmines to offer Edwin VanCleef work rebuilding Stromgarde.
• The envoy presented VanCleef with a ten thousand gold deposit, impressing him and drawing the Defias leaders’ greedy attention.
• VanCleef thanked Galen Trollbane but refused the position, saying he could not leave the Defias Brotherhood or abandon his revenge against Stormwind.
• VanCleef accepted the deposit and decided to secretly send former Stonemasons’ Guild members and their families to Stromgarde.
• VanCleef set aside the gold for the masons and their families, then regretted that he had not met Galen Trollbane years earlier.

After Galen Trollbane offered ten thousand gold to hire Edwin VanCleef and rebuild Stromgarde, King Varian Wrynn moved to stop Stromgarde from becoming Stormwind’s rival. Baroness Alexston escaped Stormwind and headed for Stromgarde, while Varian ordered SI:7 to target guild members who defected.

• Galen Trollbane’s offer drew architects, engineers, and dwarves toward Stromgarde, and Baroness Alexston decided to join them.
• Varian Wrynn smashed his palace furnishings and ordered Mathias Shaw to prevent Stromgarde from rising as a rival to Stormwind.
• Varian ordered Bolvar Fordragon to seal Stormwind City and arrest Stonemasons’ Guild members who tried to leave.
• Baroness Alexston escaped through the sewers and traveled toward Stromgarde despite the city’s martial law.
• After more than ten guild members disappeared, Varian assigned SI:7 to assassinate any who were found in Stromgarde.