On the eastern coast of Central Kalimdor, a dazzling new commercial hub was emerging—Galen Port, constructed under the leadership of Galen.
Galenport was situated in a region with unique terrain, reminiscent of Chile on the blue planet from Galen's previous life. To the east lay the ocean, while to the west, towering cliffs stretched from north to south. Between them, a narrow strip of land served as the port's gateway.
The cliffs themselves sloped down toward the Barrens, providing a natural route into the heart of the region. This was where Galeport's land entrance and exit had been built. Following human custom, Galen opted to construct city walls and gates, unlike Ratchet in the game, which was simply an open market with no defenses.
In a flash of white light, Galen and his party appeared in the newly established military camp on the southern side of the city. This camp, a traditional Azerothian military fortress, had been painstakingly built brick by brick by the villagers, with Gandalf at the helm. It was designed to serve as a stronghold within the city.
The military camp had its own separate walls and gates to distinguish it from the commercial area. Inside was a standard human-style square military base, similar in layout to the barracks in the Heart of Origin. In addition to the barracks, there were numerous stone houses, adding to the camp's imposing structure.
At the gates of the military camp, Gandalf awaited their arrival, and Galen approached with Marcus Fordragon by his side.
"Gandalf, long time no see. This is Marcus Fordragon, former Duke of Stormwind," Galen introduced.
"Oh, long time no see, my duke. I remember you well," Gandalf responded with a grin. "You were the one the Orcs stripped down to nothing, only to be carried back to Minas Tirith by my soldiers with your bare ass showing to the whole world!"
"Hiss!" Galen gasped, taken aback. "Gandalf, did the gnolls eat your IQ? Aren't you afraid the old duke will be so mad that blood will splash three feet when you say that?"
Indeed, Marcus's face shifted between green and white, struggling to contain his emotions. To prevent any conflict, Galen quickly intervened.
"This is Gandalf, my arcane mentor, a legendary archmage!" Galen announced.
The underlying message was clear: This is my close confidant, our bond is strong, and his strength surpasses yours. Whether you want to draw your sword is entirely up to you.
True to his noble upbringing, Marcus recovered swiftly, his face breaking into a warm smile. He stepped forward to shake Gandalf's hand, responding graciously, "Ah, so you are Grandmaster Gandalf! Thank you for saving my life."
"Oh, it was nothing," Gandalf replied nonchalantly. "I just collect corpses. Aragorn is the one who actually saved you."
"Hiss!" Galen gasped in shock. What has gotten into Gandalf? Who taught him to speak like this? If I find out, I'll beat him senseless.
"Alright, alright," Galen interjected, shaking his head. "You two are colleagues now. Let's move on. We're heading to the town hall. Marcus, you'll be taking over the city's governance from now on. Gandalf can focus on other matters. Everybody wins!"
Galenport, being an open commercial city, wasn't difficult to run. The operations boiled down to two primary focuses.
The first was trade—grain, weapons, and treasures from the Arcane Vault. Galen kept the prime shops in the commercial district for himself, selling these goods.
The second was tax collection. The city had many merchants, with the majority of buyers being goblins, though a few Tauren and Kul Tiras traders were mixed in.
The problem? Goblins were notoriously tight-fisted with their gold. They only wanted to make money and never seemed willing to part with any of it, making tax collection a massive headache. Gandalf had tried diplomacy, but it wasn't getting him anywhere. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Now, however, a new figure had arrived to help manage things.
With the handover complete, Marcus remained in Galen Port to oversee operations, while Gandalf would join Galen on the trip to Thunder Bluff for the Tauren's celebration.
After teleporting to Friendship Fortress, the journey to the Mulgore gate was quick. The paladins traveled with Galen, and Dezco of the Skychaser tribe awaited them at the gate.
When Dezco and the Tauren saw the paladins, they were immediately struck by the display of unity. It was as if the light itself had guided them here.
"Welcome, Envoy of the Gods!" Dezco exclaimed, dispelling his curiosity and greeting Galen with respect. Since Galen had been recognized as a messenger of An'she, the Tauren had learned human common language, making communication far easier.
"Long time no see, Dezco," Galen replied with a smile, noting the group of Tauren behind Dezco.
"Are these Tauren Sunwalkers?"
"Yes, Envoy of the Gods," Dezco confirmed, his expression full of pride. "We used the divine power of An'she, given to me and my father, to help our people awaken and become Sunwalkers."
Dezco and the Tauren warriors behind him looked at Galen with gratitude and reverence. Their eyes sparkled with awe as they spoke of their transformation.
"You can just call me Galen," Galen said warmly. "Though we are different races, I feel we're much the same at heart, my friend."
"Haha, Galen! Come, let's head to Thunder Bluff, the new home of our Tauren people!" Dezco exclaimed, leading the group toward the Mulgore gate.
The momentum was palpable as Dezco mounted his kodo, followed by a group of Sunwalkers and more than two hundred paladins on horseback. The vast, endless grassland stretched out before them as they galloped toward Thunder Bluff, which loomed in the distance like a towering citadel.
As they neared the city, the towering stone pillars of Thunder Bluff rose majestically into the sky. The sight was peaceful, with the smoke drifting lazily under the bright blue sky, creating an atmosphere of calm and serenity.
Thunder Bluff had been under construction for over a year, and now, with Galen's help in relocating the Tauren, the city was nearly complete. Galen suspected the Tauren just liked to settle on high ground—every major Tauren city he'd visited seemed to follow this pattern. Perhaps it was for better defense, he thought.
While it wasn't as grand as Stormwind or Dalaran, Thunder Bluff exuded a quiet beauty that suited the peaceful, grazing nature of the Tauren.
Today marked the celebration of the city's completion. Dezco, using a special token from Cairne, was able to bypass the crowds and secure spots at the elevator to the top of the city.
Galen, Gandalf, and Dezco ascended the elevator, while the paladins followed the Sunwalkers. The elevator took them up to a massive platform at the heart of the city. Dezco began leading the way as he pointed out key areas.
To the northwest was the Spirit Rise, to the northeast was the Elder Rise, and to the southeast stood the Hunter Rise—each serving as hubs for training various professions. The high platform where they were now stood as the center of daily life for over 100,000 Tauren.
As they walked through the city, Tauren merchants hawked their goods, peddling traditional delicacies from baskets. When the Tauren spotted Galen, they immediately recognized him as the envoy of An'she and expressed their gratitude for his role in leading them to their new home.
By the time they reached the High Chieftain's council, the atmosphere had shifted.
"The quillboar of the Southern Bristleback have been causing trouble," one Tauren elder said. "Our tribesmen in the south have clashed with them several times. The construction of Bloodhoof Village and Narache Camp has been repeatedly delayed due to their harassment."
"Why hesitate?" another Tauren grumbled. "Thunder Bluff is complete. We can now shift our focus to dealing with these quillboar. Cairne, we've already defeated the centaurs—are we afraid of these pigs?"
The blunt words came from a black-furred Tauren, who Galen immediately recognized. Dezco leaned over and whispered to Galen.
"This is Magatha, the chieftain of the Grimtotem tribe. She's recently taken charge."
Magatha. Galen's mind flickered with recognition. She was the future villain who would betray Cairne Bloodhoof, poison his weapon, and eventually ignite the rebellion that would lead to the fall of Thunder Bluff.
A formidable leader, and yet, a villainess through and through.
"Magatha, Thunder Bluff has only just been completed," Cairne Bloodhoof said firmly. "Our priority must be to let our people rest and prosper, not wage war on every front."
Magatha Grimtotem bristled. "But the quillboar have already attacked us! Are we to sit here and take their blows? Cairne, if you lack the will to fight, I'll lead the Grimtotem alone!"
Born of tragedy—a family slain by centaurs—Magatha's fury was legendary. She embodied the most hawkish faction among the Tauren, driven by vengeance and a thirst for battle.
Galen watched the arguing chieftains. Then another voice cut through the hubbub:
"Chieftain Magatha is right," Hamuul Runetotem—Cairne's trusted shaman and old friend—said gently. "We cannot allow the quillboar to see weakness. They must know the strength of our wrath, lest they dare to step into our lands again."
A dozen Tauren murmured agreement.
"We escaped the centaur pursuit only to find new enemies," Hamuul continued. "Kolkar centaurs press eastward in Stonetalon; they could discover our new home at any moment. Facing both centaurs and quillboar would be ruinous. We cannot fight on two fronts."
His logic swayed several chieftains. The Tauren numbered only a million—brave, but outmatched if attacked by both tribes simultaneously.
"We must build our strength," one chieftain agreed. "Our people have just settled—war is not their desire."
"But to cower behind barricades?" another roared. "My Stonehoof warriors cannot abide passive defense!"
Galen, standing by the entrance, suddenly wondered if it was proper for him to eavesdrop on such a confidential council.
"It's all right, Galen," Dezco of the Skychaser tribe assured him. "The High Chieftain invited you here to meet our clan leaders." As emissary of An'she, Galen's counsel was sought by all.
Just then Magatha turned her glare on the druid Muen. "Where is this so-called Emissary of An'she? You promised he would aid us Tauren! Now that we face peril, why is he absent?"
Cairne, who had been listening in silence, finally opened his eyes. His voice carried the weight of his office and silenced the room. "I have invited Galen to our ceremony, and he stands among us now."
"Cairne, my friend, he is here!" Hamuul called.
"Divine Envoy!" others chimed.
Galen strode in. At fifteen, he towered over many seated chieftains, his presence radiating confidence and Ninth level power. Even the old shamans—Cairne, Hamuul, Muen—were the only ones whose auras matched his.
Taking his place between Hamuul and Muen at the council table, Galen spoke clearly: "I understand the Tauren warriors face difficulties. But I've seen your valor firsthand—your skill in battle is unmatched on this continent. What is it you cannot overcome?"
His praise, sincere yet pointed, warmed the hearts of the pro-war faction. Several of Magatha's allies nodded respectfully.
"Hamuul explained it," Cairne said, gesturing to his friend. "Our camps to the south are beset by quillboar, and the centaur host gathers. We simply cannot spare the warriors to drive back the boar right now."
Galen's eyes narrowed with thought. "Quillboar?" he repeated.
"I fought them myself a year ago," one chieftain offered. "Why not form an alliance, Tauren and humans together, and clear them from the Barrens once and for all?"
In that moment, the council hall fell silent—an alliance proposal that could change the fate of both peoples.
"I command the eastern Barrens, where Galen Port thrives under my banner, and your people already trade and settle there. In the central Barrens, the Razorback quillboar have sworn fealty to me, and with my aid, they now oppose the Bristleback tribe to the north. Soon, the quillboar and centaurs will be our only real foes on this land!"
Galen addressed the assembled Tauren chieftains with the poise of a born leader.
"My port supplies ample grain, and I command nearly 50,000 armored soldiers—only a fraction of my might. The Tauren are brave warriors, peerless in battle. United, we can secure the Barrens and reshape the future of central Kalimdor!"
A murmur ran through the hall. The chieftains had tried to repel the quillboar north of Mulgore's Gate—only to see them scatter under Tauren arms, then vanish again. Rumors of clear roads to Galenport now made sense: those boar had been subdued by this man himself.
But thirty thousand quillboar and centaur forces could not be ignored. And here was Galen, claiming 50,000 troops at his command. For a people of barely a million, fielding 100,000 warriors was a stretch—yet half that number, under one banner, was a staggering revelation.
A broad-shouldered Tauren chief named Cairne Bloodhoof rose and slapped Galen's shoulder in hearty approval. "I did not expect such power, Galen!" he bellowed. "Your light of justice shines brighter even than Hamuul's wisdom or Magatha's fury."
Cairne's endorsement carried weight. Many chieftains, long weary of fighting alone, exchanged hopeful glances at each other. An alliance might finally free them from ceaseless border skirmishes.
Cairne surveyed the room, then called out, "On behalf of the Tauren tribes, I propose we join forces with Galen—advance and retreat as one! Who stands with me?"
Not a single chieftain dissented. Even Magatha Grimtotem, fiery as ever, nodded her consent. They had paid a price in countless lost ancestors; now they needed allies, especially against centaur incursions and quillboar raids.
"Agreed!"
"I stand with this alliance!"
"A wise choice!"
With unanimous approval secured, Cairne turned to Galen.
"I formally welcome this alliance," Cairne declared.
Galen rose, voice ringing with conviction: "I, Galen, on behalf of the Pheonix Order of Kalimdor, pledge this alliance with the Tauren—united, unbroken, and unwavering!"
A warm cheer rose from the chieftains, the hall filled with the sense of kinship.
"Now," Cairne said, "let us discuss our strategy and resources."
Galen nodded. "First, the quillboar are our shared enemy—complete agreement there. Next, the quillboar are entrenched throughout the Barrens. Left unchecked, they threaten our rear. I can lead forces to clear them away, but I have one condition..."
He paused, and Cairne's massive eyes met his, urging him onward.
"Once we drive back the quillboar, I request permission to establish a mining camp on their former territory," Galen continued. "I will share a portion of the profits with Thunder Bluff each year."
A collective breath rippled through the council. Profit-sharing was unusual, but Cairne spoke first:
"The Tauren value peace and friendship," he said. "Land we share with allies is not ours alone. Instead of a share of your profits, supply us annually with grain and fine weapons suited to our warriors."
Galen smiled. "It's a deal."