Speaking of ogres, their close kinship with orcs is noteworthy.
The evolutionary chain from Draenor is: Rock giants - Magnaron - Gronn - Ogron - Ogre - Orc.
It's surprising! The origins of orcs, humans, and dwarves are so similar!
In Galen's view, this evolution boils down to the ratio of brain to brawn.
Rock giants, Titan creations, fragmented into smaller rock creatures: the Magnaron. Corrupted by spore viruses, Magnaron became the half-rock, half-flesh Gronn. Their brains were mostly muscle, making them dull-witted.
Continued spore virus corruption turned Gronn into Ogron, who were slightly more intelligent. Some Ogron evolved into modern ogres. Elite ogres can learn arakkoa arcane magic. The naturally occurring two-headed ogres are innate spellcasters.
Gul'dan's Altar of Storms aims to artificially transform foolish ogre slaves into elite, two-headed ogre mages!
This is a formidable group, stronger than orcs and capable of spellcasting, possibly even dual-casting. The prospect of facing hundreds or thousands of these "blue fatties" is daunting.
Galen, however, isn't sticking around to find out.
Under the guise of needing rest at the Windrunner camp, he handed command of his three thousand high-ranking knights and seven thousand infantry to Sylvanas. He then secluded himself in his camp, with only his paladin bodyguards for company.
Even a complete high elven grand barrier cannot prevent the use of teleportation scrolls, much less the damaged barrier, now missing several runestones thanks to Gul'dan.
Galen's routine of leaving early, returning late, and briefly appearing at dinner with Sylvanas made her wonder if the death knight's power was unusually potent.
Is even Holy Light struggling to dispel it?
Unintentionally, Sylvanas began to suspect Teron.
For the past two days, Galen had been traveling to Skyreach Citadel, a towering mountain in northeastern Northrend and one of his earliest colonies!
A new Hall of Kings had been established there, and Galen summoned all his important heroic spirits, including Gandalf and Durin.
Aragorn remained in the Hinterlands, secretly moving to seize troll lands from Quel'Danil Lodge and Thoradin's Wall. His efforts were proving successful. The Witherbark trolls had already lost two key outposts: Zun'watha and Revantusk Village.
Except for Shadra'Alor, the main Witherbark city, the territory west of Lake Al'Ameth, east of Aerie Peak, and the central-western Hinterlands was now under Galen's control. Zul'Aman, originally Revantusk territory, had been captured and burned by Sylvanas previously and remained unrebuilt.
Thoradin's troll commando had grown to five thousand, the maximum Galen allowed. Initially, Witherbark Village yielded only six thousand prisoners. With Zun'watha and Revantusk Village, Galen now controlled just over ten thousand trolls. To acquire more troll servants, more prisoners were needed for brainwashing by the heroic spirit Zalas.
Varok Saurfang's army was stationed near the Hidden Refuge on the south bank of the Yago River. He couldn't support the Witherbark because Aragorn's Stonewall Legion blocked him. Furthermore, the Revantusk and Witherbark tribes were hostile, and without Zul'jin's authority, Hex refused to aid the Witherbark. Both tribes had also sent forces north with Zul'jin, leaving them depleted.
The Hinterlands would soon belong to Galen.
"Our purpose is to raid Grim Batol and seize the Dragon Soul. I want that artifact!"
Galen stated his objective directly. Those present were the elite combat forces of the Heart of Origin. As heroic spirits, they were immune to death.
Medivh, Durotan, Draka, and Samuro, the three purple-quality heroic spirits, were Galen's current hidden weapons.
"Highlord, our army is invincible! Let's just charge in and take it!"
Samuro, a skilled blademaster, was more adept at fighting than thinking. His suggestion almost made Galen feel like the Horde Warchief, surrounded by warmongering subordinates!
"Garona, please report on the current situation at Grim Batol Fortress."
First, we gather information, then brainstorm. That's the ideal approach. What's with this 'charge in and fight' mentality?
"Samuro, that's... a spirited suggestion, but perhaps not the most strategic. Let's hear Garona's report."
Garona, in dark red, form-fitting leather armor, emerged from the shadows. Galen wondered about her habit of stealthing in her own territory. Every major figure present could sense her. Was it lingering paranoia from her time in the Shadow Council? A constant readiness to strike?
"Six months ago, as the Horde approached the Wetlands, the last Wildhammer dwarves in Grim Batol, led by Falstad, fled to Aerie Peak. Afterward, the Horde occupied the empty fortress, stationing twenty thousand Dragonmaw clan warriors!"
"Five months ago, an adult red dragon explored the mountains, seemingly searching for something. It eventually disappeared into Grim Batol."
"Over the next three months, more red dragons entered the fortress. A month ago, a large number of them flew north!"
After reporting, Garona sat near Galen, abandoning her stealth. Galen, as her leader, was pleased.
"So," Medivh said, "The first batch of tamed red dragons has left Grim Batol. The fortress now holds twenty thousand orc soldiers and a new group of dragon riders?"
This was unusual for Medivh, who rarely interacted with Garona. What's their dynamic? Galen wondered. Even a one-night stand should leave some lingering affection. And they share a son, Med'an. How can they be so clinical?
Galen didn't dare ask. Officially, Medivh claimed to have "infused life energy" into Garona. But how, exactly? And it made her pregnant?
Galen disapproved. This was the first time Medivh had appeared before Garona as a heroic spirit. I'll give them time to talk later.