The remnants of the living that resided within Stromgarde fought a never ending battle against the War Machine of the Forsaken, which sought to bring them and their fallen city to their vision. Able to hold off the undead forces for years, they rallied around Prince Galen Trollbane and forced the Forsaken out of the Arathi Highlands.
But when a small band of Horde forces made their way to Stromgarde to steal the blade Trol’kalar, the sacred blade of the Trollbane family, they were pushed out of the Arathi Highlands once more. Only this time they took with them the life of Prince Galen Trollbane.
Taking the opportunity to strike at the remaining survivors, Lady Sylvanas resurrected Galen Trollbane and put him at the front of retaking Stromgarde. The Forsaken established a base camp at the location of Galen’s death and named it Galen’s Fall.
The Forsaken, with renewed strength, were pressed on by Galen’s obsession with the retrieval of Trol’Kalar and began their assault on Stromgarde, . The attacks, though ending in stalemates, installed an urgency within the living to strike and build their forces to stand against the menace at their border.
The living of Stromgarde, calling themselves the Keepers of Stromgarde, would more than double their numbers to stand against the Forsaken. Supply trains began to run to the ruins and forges again were lit. But this reinvigorated resolve would not last, as their darkest hour was about to begin.
The Councilor Perenador Shattersword, urging to put less forces to the task of fighting the all but limp force of the Forsaken in Arathi, insisted the forces be put to work dismantling and dissolving the Syndicate. The rebel forces of Alterac, now known as the Syndicate, had made the ruins of the city and nearby farms their home. Regularly robbing, and harassing the locals, as vendetta for evils they brought upon themselves in the Second War.
He demanded the Council place more forces at the towns and patrol the rural areas around the farms,so that it might discourage any additional attacks by the Syndicate. The members of the Council only stated that the rebel forces were nothing more than a nuisance that would burn themselves out before long and could be taken care of once they had weakened themselves. Infuriated, but not defeated, Councilor Perenador continued to push the issue.
Driving the Forsaken force back again to Thoradin’s Wall, the Syndicate were free to pillage the countryside, resulting in the death of a handful of farmers and citizenry, as well as murdering Councilor Perenador. Brushed off as casualties of war, the fight against the Forsaken continued.
The Keepers re-established trade amongst the dwarves of Aerie Peak and Ironforge, making contact with the nobles of Stormwind. Stromgarde’s rebirth seemed not just a possibility but imminent.
The Council of Keepers of Stromgarde began receiving reports of increasing disaster. The Forsaken had broken their front lines, caravans had been sacked,and the enemy had begun to utilize their Deathstalkers in assassinations of commanders and officers. Further reports of sickness spreading through camps began to pour in. Shipments of food being sent to the dwarves in Aerie Peak had been tainted, the pestilence had been caught too late and the dwarves, ever dubious of trade with outsiders, cut ties with the Keepers of Stromgarde. The shipments to Stormwind and Ironforge as well had been tainted, but had been caught before they left the Arathi Highlands.
The troops claimed to the Council that a new regiment had joined the Forsaken force at Galen’s Fall. Garbed in black, dawning a tabard emblazoned with a gold crown, they called themselves the Defilers of Arathor.
It seemed this new regiment, calling themselves the Defilers of Arathor, had extensive knowledge of the movements of the survivors of Stromgarde.
Start of part 3
It should be noted that in the few years to follow the fighting grew ever more brutal. As such many of the records of that time, were either lost or destroyed. Often, letters or information on this time is found on broken remains and salvaged supplies. Despite being such a short time ago, the entropy so great amongst both sides, few things can be put together as a timeline, much of what is remembered is by word of mouth.
Start of part 4
The Defilers of Arathor fell upon the Arathi Highlands, washing over the few remaining troops of the Keepers of Stromgarde. Pushing them further back into hiding and destroying their blossoming hope, the undead patrolled the verdant fields of Arathi looking for any who might join them in undeath, willing or otherwise. With promises of a reborn Stromgarde, stronger and greater than it had ever been, they must only see it in undeath and free of hunger, fear and despair. They claimed with the Fallen Prince Galen to rally behind, they were unstoppable.
Battles uncountable waged across Hillsbrad, Hinterlands, and Arathi. The Defilers, were sent out to retrieve a book from the derelict chapel of Stromgarde. A book known as a Tome of Strom, later to be known as the Tome of the Defiled.
The battle that ensued was known as the Battle for the Tome of Strom, and it marked the first great crushing defeat for the Keepers of Stromgarde, who up until now had only suffered multiple minor defeats by the Defilers. The loss at the chapel and theft of the Tome, would send the dwindling Keepers of Stromgarde into a full fledged civil war.
While the ‘Gaze of Hellscream’ is focused on the new misty lands to the South, Glaen has sought out the graves of powerful heroes. While the Banshee Queen is focused on her new toys. He ahs built his base of power. While Lor’themar has his power plays, Trollbane has been keeping his cards close to his chest. While Vol’jin broods on his Isle, Galen makes allies throughout the ranks of the Fallen. While Baine befriends his enemy, Galen brings his lowe. As Gallywix counts his gold, the Forsaken Prince counts his soldiers. While the Horde thinks of our Lord as a fool, he grows in might.
Meanwhile, the Cult of Forgotten Shadows had grown rapidly in size within Stromgarde. The people seeing the strength of the Forsaken on their doorstep and their beloved shadow, began to believe maybe there was something to this entity. The Forsaken moved forward with the tenacity that the great kingdoms of Stromgarde once had, unstoppable and unwavering.
Priests dressed in dark robes wandered the streets preaching and blessing those who would ask in the shadows. The Church of the Holy Light had watches this and some had fallen themselves to the ways of this cult. Rumor began that some believed they should give themselves to the Forsaken curse. But those who had not faltered in the light began to inform the leadership of what this dark path would lead towards.
Weeks passed and fights began in the street, the followers of Cult of the Forgotten Shadows felt the Church of the Light was going to be the end of Stromgarde. The church answered with swords as the followers of the shadow took up arms to overthrow the leadership of Stromgarde.
The walls of Stromgarde rang with the screams of battle and clash of steel. Shadow priests wove spells that spread fear through the warriors of the light. Paladins crashed through any who stood in their way chasing away the shadow with prayers in the name of the light. By the end of the night, the followers of shadow had been defeated. The remaining survivors put to the sword and buried in a shallow grave.
A few weeks later, near a shallow grave…
“My Prince, as I said, we only had to show them opportunity. Your people call out for the strength Stromgarde once had.” Teirvel pointed at the shallow grave. A Val’kyr came down and began to raise the former Shadow loyalists. “These wil provide the perfect building blocks for a new Stromgarde. A stromgarde cast in shadow with you, Prince Galen as King. What a gift this will make for the Dark Lady if you deliver her Arathi Highlands and with it the Than’dol Span. In time we will control all of the Northern Easter Kingdoms in her name with you as the conquering hero of the Forsaken.”
Prince Galen looked to Teirvel. “You speak boldly in this plan, but I have heard these words before. How do I know you will not fail me again, Stromsbane?” The High Executor, in turn, straightened his robes and spoke firmly. “My Prince.” The Forsaken paused before beginning again. “These people of Stromgarde have died once for our cause, I assure you they will do so again with the heir to the throne at their helm. Besides this time there is something missing from our enemy, I cannot place my finger on it, but I assure you without it, they will fall.” The Prince looked with question at the Forsaken in front of him “I question your intuition, but I trust in your tenacity. I will grant you these newly raised, take them with you Vengeance Landing for your preparation and experimentation. But I expect you to return with success.”
Teirvel straightened his robes once more. :Prince Trollbane, your war machine will feed on courage and emit despair, the remaining few of Stromgarde will fall to oits fires.: Prince Galen nodded at the High Executor and turned away, walking towards Galen’s Fall. As the Prince left, the Forsaken began to armor and check the newly risen. While doing so they sang in raspy voices as thick as mud,
Verdant fields with dancing larch,
Listen now Defilers march.
Ring of anvil wheels of war,
To Stromgarde’s glory we swore.
Kill them all in her sweet name,
Raise the flag our lands reclaim.
Burn their town and clear the way,
Their memory will fade away.
Fight the false with sword and shield,
A forces like ours shall not yield.
Look upon the battlements,
Stromgarde’s malice manifests.
Them all in her sweet name,
Raise the flag our lands reclaim.
Burn their town and clear the way,
Their memory will fade away.
Start of Part 5
From the wreckage of the civil war the Knights of Arathor would arise. A force that would be able to rival the ferocity and cunning of the Defilers of Arathor.
At the urging of their leader Avici Delronde, they would push the Forsaken back to Galen’s Fall. The Knights of Arathor, having garnered favor with innumerous alliances, were victorious in squashing the forces of the Defilers, which were found to be lacking compared to their rivals’. Their lightly armored support were especially susceptible to the heavily armored troops of the living.
The Defilers of Arathor set to rethink their military in this defeat. They developed a different tactical approach, which consisted of forming heavy melee front lines that would carry light armor and smaller shields. The lightly armored shield wall was able to quickly relocate to guard the vulnerable mages, warlocks, cultists and apothecaries in battle.
This new light and more mobile infantry allowed for quick strikes and hit and run attacks with devastating results. Crushing the forces of the Knights of Arathor in the first few months of the campaign.
Start of Part…
The battle for Stromgarde had last for days, the Forsaken forces of Galen alongside the Defilers had crushed the resistance of the living in Stromgarde. Flowing over the rest of the city they made sure to wipe out any Syndicate forces that tried to hide within the ruins.
On the orders of Galen, the fallen Stromgarde soldiers were raised into undeath to serve Prince Trollbane once more.
As the weeks went by and the Forsaken and Defiler forces secured Stromgarde, Galen made a shocking announcement. That Stromgarde was a sovereign kingdom and would no longer fall under the rule of Undercity and The Dark Lady. King Galen Trollbane, reclaimed Stromgarde.
Shock at the declaration the King had made was shocking. The Defilers abandoned Galen and the regiments splintered amongst the lands of Azeroth.
Many headed to Westfall, taking residents in Dagger Hills, others made a their homes in Tarren Mill, Hinterlands, Arathi Highlands, and a small group sought refuge in the Undercity.
Those returning to the Undercity had not realized, they had been marked traitors to the Forsaken. Most have not returned that fled back to the subterranean city, those that did, either do not speak of what transpired, or refuse to return.
The Defilers were however, not without hope. For Galen was destroyed by the Ebon Blade, the foolish king put to rest.
Seen as traitors by the Forsaken near to Undercity and heroes to those West of the river Throndril. They hid any symbol that might associate them with the former Defilers, not wanting to bring whatever punishment that might pursue them.
The Alliance however, did not see fit to allow the Forsaken to rest, and once again began their crusade into the lands of the Banshee Queen. As the word of the Alliance encroachment reached towns, it became apparent the threat was growing.
The flood gate that the Defilers had held closed was open, and the Alliance strove forward to cast their retribution. In response, Defilers began to take up arms once more, driven from hiding by these threats, fearless of the scorn they may receive of their past actions. Coalescing in the place they had called home, Galen’s Fall.