Galen's reluctance to establish the first Paladin Order of the Holy Light stemmed from more than his usual aversion to being the first to step forward.
In the millennia since the Holy Light Church emerged in human society, priests had earned widespread respect for their healing and charitable acts. Alonsus Faol was a paragon of this benevolence, his reputation extending even to the dwarven and high elven kingdoms.
An Archbishop-led Paladin Order was more likely to attract potential Paladins. Aragorn had only been in Azeroth for four years. While Galen had sent thousands of priests from the Arcane Sanctum to promote the Holy Light and Aragorn, the new Bishop of the Arathi Highlands, it was still a relatively short time.
The Holy Knights hadn't yet gained significant prestige in the Second War, and this new group couldn't compare to the established priests.
Therefore, leveraging the Archbishop's reputation was a sound strategy.
As for why Galen didn't merge his forces with the Silver Hand, that involved political considerations he disliked.
The Knights of the Silver Hand, while nominally a Paladin Order of the Holy Light Church with religious affiliations, was based in Lordaeron, with its diocese headquarters in Stratholme!
King Terenas of Lordaeron, a capable and ambitious ruler, would inevitably seek to influence and control the Silver Hand. The Archbishop wouldn't, and couldn't, prevent this.
For instance, the Archbishop had already designated Uther as the leader of the Silver Hand.
Uther was not only a devout believer but also King Terenas's confidant, the chief of the Royal Guard, and loyal to Lordaeron.
Future events confirmed this. After the Second War, Terenas directly controlled the Silver Hand, making them a powerful force within Lordaeron!
Galen would be foolish to merge his Holy Knights with the Silver Hand. It was far better to establish his own order.
As the cradle of the Holy Knights, White Sanctum, with Galen and Aragorn, the founders of the Holy Knights, had surpassed Uther and Fordring in understanding the Holy Light. His Paladin Order would soon eclipse the Silver Hand in both numbers and strength.
With Lothar's military council concluded, the generals received their assignments. Galen's defense zone was the Thandol Span in his kingdom of Stromgarde, where he would block the orcish advance.
The Silver Hand's preparations were not yet complete, and the Archbishop hadn't officially announced its existence. Galen could return to White Sanctum to prepare his own Holy Light Knight Order.
"Archbishop, the Arathi Highlands will also establish a Paladin Order. Please grant your approval!" Galen requested before his departure.
Galen's actions could be seen as schismatic, but bishops in each diocese traditionally held autonomy, especially Alonsus, known for his benevolent and gentle approach to managing the Holy Light Church.
Moreover, Alonsus believed Aragorn's understanding of the Holy Light equaled his own, and Aragorn, in his prime, was more suited to succeed him than his disciple Benedictus.
"Proceed, Galen. As long as the Holy Knights follow the path of the Holy Light, they are its guardians!"
The Archbishop's kind demeanor reassured Galen.
The Arathi Highlands played an indispensable role in the birth of the Paladins, and the Archbishop understood that Stromgarde couldn't allow such a powerful force to be controlled by outsiders!
"Please name the Arathi Highlands Paladin Order, Archbishop!"
In return, Galen showed the Archbishop due respect, affirming the Arathi Highlands' continued reverence.
"The Paladins were born in the Cathedral of Minas Tirith, which deserves to be called the Hall of Holy Light! In my name, I declare the Paladin Order of the Arathi Highlands to be the Knights Templar!"
(bruh keeps changing names xd)
"Thank you, Archbishop!"
At the end of the fourth year of the Dark Portal, the Knights of the Silver Hand were established under Archbishop Alonsus, with Uther, Tirion Fordring, and Saidan Dathrohan at its core, supplemented by the first batch of combat priests from White Sanctum. Their headquarters were located in Stratholme Cathedral, where a new round of recruitment and training began!
Galen faced fewer challenges. For the past two years, Aragorn had been selecting suitable candidates from across Stromgarde for Paladin training, simplifying preparations.
Those who didn't pass the initial trials weren't abandoned. As high-level professionals, their failure to become Paladins only meant they were better suited for other roles.
Galen's army lacked capable junior officers, and many positions needed to be filled.
Soon after the establishment of the Silver Hand, White Sanctum announced the formation of the Knights Templar!
Galen had nearly four hundred Holy Knights trained by the Cathedral, while the number of officially transferred Arathi Paladins was less than one hundred.
The Silver Hand had only two hundred official Paladins, mostly trained by Galen in White Sanctum. Galen added the Arathi Paladins and some Cathedral-trained Holy Knights, totalling two hundred, to the Knights Templar.
The remaining two hundred Holy Knights would serve as Galen's personal guard.
As the Alliance prepared for the impending war, Orgrim led the main Horde force into the Wetlands.
The Horde was stationed near the high ground south of the Wetlands. The terrain there was relatively dry. Even the orcs, who had adapted to the Swamp of Sorrows, disliked the Wetlands' swampy environment. Besides, crocodile meat wasn't very palatable.
The Thandol Span, the only land passage between the Wetlands and the Arathi Highlands, presented a challenge to Orgrim.
Moreover, tribal warlocks had used reconnaissance spells to reveal the presence of Stromgarde's army!
Orgrim, a skilled commander, estimated the defending force at a mere 8,000 regular soldiers!
Why so few defenders? Is it a trap?
He decided to test their strength first.