However, as Thoras' confidant, Galen's elder, and his martial arts instructor, Amor was qualified to question Galen's choice of this distant exclave.
Kalimdor was indeed far from Stromgarde, and the kingdom lacked a large ocean-going fleet. A West Kalimdor colony would strain Stromgarde's resources, hindering both commerce and military support for the Arathi Highlands.
In Amor's view, it was a losing proposition.
Galen understood Amor's concern: the distance.
But in a world with magic, anything was possible. Teleportation portals could bridge vast distances. And if one wasn't enough, they could build two.
"The mineral resources here are abundant," Galen explained. "The Stonetalon Mountains rival the Alterac Mountains in deposits. That alone justifies development. Besides, the quilboar are the dominant force, far easier to handle than the trolls of the Hinterlands!"
Galen emphasized that the Arathi Highlands lacked sufficient resources. Aside from fertile grasslands, only the Alterac Mountains had mineral deposits, and some were controlled by Stromgarde's nobles. Here, Galen could monopolize everything.
Beyond the Barrens, Galen planned to develop Mulgore's mineral wealth. The tauren's primitive smelting technology caused a severe iron shortage. Many tauren warriors still used traditional totem poles as weapons.
The tauren had asked the Crusade to mine in Mulgore, sharing the resulting steel.
Galen's main reason, though unstated, was that if he didn't claim this valuable territory, the orcs would.
"The Hinterlands trolls are formidable," he continued. "They have a long heritage and, while their weapons are primitive, their combat prowess is significant. They also have the Loa gods. Engaging them in a protracted war would endanger Stromgarde."
This was why Galen avoided the Hinterlands. The trolls' regenerative abilities, vitality, and willingness to summon Loa demigods made them a dangerous foe.
The quilboar were comparatively easier to deal with.
"Besides, Amor, have you heard of druids?"
"I've met the high elves of Dalaran and know a little about them, Your Highness."
"Druids believe in nature gods and wield powerful natural forces to maintain balance and protect life. They have an organization called the Cenarion Circle, headquartered in this land's north. We might enlist their help to restore the vegetation and make this land habitable!"
Galen, however, planned to transform the Barrens himself, using farms and the Springs of Life for irrigation.
"Finally," he concluded, "Gandalf has improved permanent teleportation portal technology, reducing material costs. While not as powerful as the Legion's portals, they can transport hundreds at a time!"
"I understand, Your Highness!"
Amor was convinced. The two returned to the newly built town hall in the fortress center, where Omar and the others awaited. Galen prepared to give a pre-war speech.
"Varrokal, Dezco, how is the purge operation progressing?"
"My prince, we've cleared the twenty-nine quilboar villages south of Razorfen Downs. Over 16,000 adult warriors were killed, and over 20,000 captured! Our casualties were negligible!"
"The kodo beast riders are at full strength. All wounded have recovered and are ready for battle!"
"Fral's Fourth Legion is stationed on the western Razorfen Downs mountainside. Kymir is escorting the prisoners and will reach the Crusader Fortress by noon!"
"Excellent! You've done well! You deserve the highest praise for the Razorfen Downs campaign!"
Varrokal was overjoyed. His first command had been a success, proving his ability and pleasing the prince. He knew Fral and Kymir would share his excitement.
"Omar, how has the Crusader Fortress's defense been?"
"The Bristleback quilboar have repeatedly tried to disrupt the wall construction, but they're small groups and haven't significantly impacted our progress!"
"Maintain vigilance and send scouts ten miles east to monitor their movements. Prevent them from hindering the fortress's construction."
The Crusader Fortress's construction had distracted the Bristleback leadership, aiding Varrokal's purge.
Their swift actions and coordinated efforts had also kept the Bristleback quilboar, who were used to dominance, from realizing their southern territory had fallen.
"Heinie, have the northern harpies moved?"
"Scout reports indicate harpy activity at the Forgotten Pools oasis northwest of the fortress, but they haven't crossed it!"
Dezco added, "Harpies are active in spring and summer, their breeding season. They capture creatures of all races then. In autumn and winter, they only hunt for sustenance!"
It was autumn, so the harpies were unlikely to attack en masse. However, a leader-led attack on the Crusader Fortress to disrupt Galen's plans was possible.
Galen listened to the reports, pausing to consider them and allow Amor, Durin, and Rendaen to absorb the information. They were new to Kalimdor.
(seriously I forgot who Randaen guy is, he's a dwarf lord they subjugated lol)
Amor and Rendaen were awed by Galen's power, especially Amor. He had been with Galen since the Scarlet Flame Legion's inception and was amazed by the prince's rapid rise. "How many years has it been? He commands at least seven or eight legions!"
"Where did he recruit so many troops?"
He suppressed his questions, glancing at Gandalf.
"Is he responsible?"
Amor breathed a sigh of relief. The legion commanders were familiar faces: Omar, Varrokal, Fadil, Fral, and Durin were all from Stromgarde. Along with himself, they controlled most of the prince's forces.
Amor was pleased. Despite the archmage's influence, Galen was capable and expanding the kingdom's territory, ending Stromgarde's isolation!
"I've decided to attack Thistle Ridge tomorrow!"
"Yes!"
"Great!"
"Let's fight!"
The generals had been waiting for this. They had watched Varrokal's successful prisoner escorts while they remained behind. Now, they were eager for action.
"Omar, Fadil, advance due east, clearing the quilboar villages, and join Fral's legion to drive them north!"
"As you command, Duke!"
"Heini, Amor, advance south from the north, blocking Thistle Ridge's north, and await Omar's group. We'll launch a full assault on the Grimtotem chieftain's main camp."
"Durin, move with Rendaen. Leave part of the Thunder Legion to watch the Forgotten Pools, preventing harpy incursions. Station the rest at the Northern and Eastern Barrens passages to intercept reinforcements!"
"Durin's Fifth Legion will rest and reorganize upon arrival, then join Omar! Varrokal, Dezco, accompany the army but conserve your strength for the final battle!"
"Gandalf and I will stay at the Crusader Fortress and provide support!"
"As you command, Duke!"
Amidst cheers, the mighty forces vanished.
Galen felt the thrill of commanding a nation. His orders mobilized tens of thousands, shaping the fate of a region.
But he remained grounded. In other worlds, he might have been complacent, but this was Azeroth, with Titans, gods, other worlds, and powerful entities in the Shadowlands. This was just the beginning.
"Bullying quilboar isn't a real achievement," Galen thought. His army heavily outnumbered and outmatched them.
Excluding Varrokal's earlier conquests, the Grimtotem tribe still had over 60,000 members. They could field 30,000 warriors, due to their practices.
They expelled elderly non-combatants and focused on reproduction.
This ensured that nearly every member was valuable. In times of need, half the adult tribe could fight.
The next day, Omar's forces mustered inside the fortress. The First, Third, and Fifth Legions formed neat ranks, awaiting orders.
An army of over twenty thousand marched out, a vast, dark, and impressive sight.
After their departure, the fortress wasn't empty. The Gale and Target Legions began gathering.
Galen returned to the Town Hall, ready to provide support with Gandalf via group teleportation.
"Let's go big this time," Galen thought, excited by the prospect of a large-scale battle.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The Crusader Fortress was only sixty or seventy kilometers from Thistle Ridge. The Grimtotem quilboar lived both on and around the mountains, their villages forming a vast territory. No caravan dared to traverse the area.
In Galen's Origin Heart vision, Omar's forces spread out, each legion five kilometers apart, clearing all villages around Thistle Ridge.
The Crusade's advance was open and undisguised. The Grimtotem quilboar leaders saw smoke rising everywhere in the west, and Amor and Heni pressing from the north. Their border relief teams rushed to the Golden Tent in the Northern Barrens.
Fangtooth, the Grimtotem leader, shattered his prized kettle. "What's happening? Where did this human army come from? How dare they invade our land!"
"Lord Fangtooth, we must ask Broken Spear for help! The enemy is too strong; we can't hold them off!"
"Useless! All useless! What about Razorfen? He has over ten thousand warriors in the south! Why didn't he warn us? How did the enemy reach the heart of Thistle Ridge?"
The warriors below remained silent, guessing that the large village guarding Thistle Ridge's south had fallen, and Razorfen was dead.
Razorfen was indeed dead, his soul collected by Galen. These less-than-heroic spirits would be converted into soul essence to enhance Galen's generals.
Seeing the remaining village leaders, Fangtooth suppressed his anger and gave his final order: "Recall all warriors to the Golden Tent! We will fight to the death! Our tribe will never surrender! We will show them our strength!"
"Send messengers east for reinforcements from the chieftain!"
Fangtooth refused to accept defeat. He had worked hard to become leader of Thistle Ridge and wasn't about to lose it.
"We still have at least 30,000 warriors," he thought. "We might still win!"