- "Fel Horde (alternate universe)" redirects here. For main timeline organization, see Fel Horde.
- For other uses, see Horde (disambiguation).
“Our bond is iron. Our will unbreakable. Who will stand against us?”
- — Grommash Hellscream in the Warlords of Draenor announcement trailer
The Iron Horde (later referred to by some of its members as the Fel Horde[4][5] and Gul'dan's Horde)[6] was formed initially as an union of the uncorrupted orcish clans of a parallel Draenor and created by Garrosh Hellscream and his father, Grommash Hellscream, who was convinced by his unknown son's (who was never born in the alternate universe) knowledge of advanced machinery and the existence of a different world in order to attain orcish supremacy in the universe. The clans were united under a single leader, Grommash Hellscream of the Warsong clan. Bent on the conquest of Draenor and Azeroth, the Iron Horde is an enemy to be feared. It is the main antagonist faction of the Warlords of Draenor expansion and a successor to the True Horde, which was also Garrosh's creation.
Later in the story, the Iron Horde ultimately fell under the effects of the Blood Curse, with Kilrogg Deadeye being the first to drink the blood of Mannoroth. After this, Gul'dan assumed control of the organization, while Grommash was imprisoned.
Tanaan Jungle is the main area of operations of this organization, and their headquarters are situated in their own counterpart of Hellfire Citadel.
History[]
Formation[]
Garrosh Hellscream's intent to create a world ruled wholly by the orcish race alienated most of the non-orc members of the New Horde during his reign. He eventually decided to eliminate or enslave every non-orc, no matter if they were members of the Horde or not. This move brought an entire rebellion and the Alliance to his doorstep. The tenuous coalition ultimately deposed and captured Garrosh, who was then incarcerated by the Shado-Pan in Pandaria. However, at the end of his trial, Garrosh escaped with the help of the bronze dragon Kairoz, who brought him to a parallel-timeline Draenor before the orcs could drink the blood of the pit lord Mannoroth. Kairoz's plan was for Garrosh to create an uncorrupted Horde to be the vanguard against the Burning Legion in the prime timeline, along with all other counterpart Hordes from different timelines. However, Garrosh didn't want to become a puppet for someone else's machinations. He killed Kairoz with a shard of the Vision of Time and set out to convince this timeline's counterpart of his father, Grommash, to form the Iron Horde.
Showing Grommash events from the prime timeline, Garrosh persuaded him not to drink Mannoroth's blood. Garrosh introduced modern technology from the prime timeline, courtesy of Blackfuse Company engineers and Blackrock clan smiths to arm the orcish clans of this parallel Draenor. Using this new technology, they set out to ambush the pit lord Mannoroth, and overthrow the Burning Legion's efforts to enslave the orcs.
When Grommash's refusal to drink Mannoroth's blood caused the pit lord to reveal himself, Garrosh signaled the hidden Iron Horde to burst forth, firing catapults and chains at Mannoroth. The mighty demon quickly countered their attempts to trap him and lay waste to the orc army. He was ultimately defeated when Grommash lept through the explosion from one of the orcs' iron stars to drive Gorehowl directly into the pit lord's forehead.
With the Legion's plot foiled, the orc clans were united under the single banner of the Iron Horde. Grommash proclaimed a glorious future for their people, with Gul'dan's original plans to invade Azeroth repurposed to suit the new Iron Horde lust for conquest.
Garrosh also encouraged Grommash to begin construction of a massive stronghold at the heart of Tanaan Jungle to serve as the staging ground for the assault on Azeroth.[7]
Warlords of Draenor[]
By the time the events of Warlords of Draenor begin, the Iron Horde had existed on Draenor for two years[8] and consisted of a legion of 10,000 orcs from Draenor's united clans.[9]
Eventually, the Dark Portal was completed and the Iron Horde began their invasion of the unsuspecting Azeroth. In just a few short days the Ironmarch, the force of Iron Horde sent ahead into Azeroth managed to conquer the Blasted Lands and destroy Nethergarde Keep. By the time word got to the forces of Azeroth, the Iron Horde was pushing deeper and deeper into the Eastern Kingdoms and the Alliance and Horde scrambled towards the Blasted Lands to defend against the new threat.
A large force of Iron Horde led by Commander Tharbek managed to rendezvous with Warlord Zaela and the Dragonmaw clan and take control the of the Upper Blackrock Spire to build a weapon that, if unleashed, would destroy a large portion of the Eastern Kingdoms including Stormwind, which would pave the way for the conquest of the rest of Azeroth. Luckily the champions of Azeroth stormed the spire and prevented the weapon form being used.
The retaliating forces of the Alliance and Horde, led by Khadgar, Thrall, and Maraad launched a naval attack on the Blasted Lands, quickly retaking the shores from the Ironmarch forces and pushing closer and closer to the Dark Portal. Eventually, the allied forces managed to pave a road to the portal, and stormed it once it stopped fluctuating, pushing most of the Iron Horde forces back through the portal. Despite the great threat of the Iron Horde being temporarily disabled, the remaining Ironmarch forces still occupy large sections of the Blasted Lands and the Eastern Kingdoms.
The combined Azerothian forces quickly surged through the Dark Portal to a parallel version of the Stair of Destiny and held the base against the Iron Horde while the operation's commanders freed the imprisoned members of the Shadow Council and shut down the portal. However the Azeroth vanguard fell just as Gul'dan escaped, and the remaining forces, including the commanders and Khadgar, were forced to retreat through the jungle to escape the Iron Horde's wrath. During their flight through the jungle they freed Frostwolf and draenei slaves and prisoners, including Maladaar and Drek'Thar, and met with each of the Iron Horde's warlords, but managed to evade them each time. At last Thaelin spotted The Worldbreaker, a giant tank, and with the commanders' help reached the controls. They fired the tank at the Dark Portal and destroyed it, but were subsequently forced to flee as the warlords and Grommash appeared on a ridge and ordered the full might of the Iron Horde after the invaders. The Azerothian forces fled to the docks and split into two ships; the Alliance going with the draenei and Horde going with the Frostwolf.
Shadowmoon Valley[]
The Alliance forces and their commander took their ship to Shadowmoon Valley, and met with Prophet Velen. Khadgar temporarily opened a portal to Stormwind, allowing Alliance workers and soldiers to pass through and begin construction of a base of operations. The garrison became the center of the Alliance's operations in Draenor which were initially concerned with the threat of the Shadowmoon clan.
After accompanying Prophet Velen, Yrel and Maraad across the region and stopping Shadowmoon aggression at every point, as well as learning their reasons for falling to corruption, the commander, Velen and Yrel discovered that Warlord Ner'zhul intended to summon the Dark Star to the surface of Draenor to use as a weapon in the Siege of Karabor. To prevent Karabor's fall from coming to pass, Velen, Yrel and the commander confronted Ner'zhul at Light's Fall and, when he refused to turn from darkness and accept the draenei's help, Velen sacrificed his life to purify the Dark Star into its original form; the naaru K'ara. With the naaru's backing, the commander and Yrel quickly made for the Temple of Karabor where, aided by her power, they routed the invasion and destroyed the invading fleet.
For his failures, Ner'zhul and the Shadowmoon clan fled to the depths of Anguish Fortress. Some time later the Alliance and Horde commanders assaulted the depths of the fortress and ultimately ended the mad chieftain's life.
Frostfire Ridge[]
The Horce forces and their commander took their ship to Frostfire Ridge, and met with Durotan and Draka, the leaders of the Frostwolf Clan. Khadgar temporarily opened a portal to Orgrimmar, allowing Horde workers and soldiers to pass through and begin construction of a base of operations. The garrison became the center of the Horde's operations in Draenor which were initially concerned with the threat of the Gorian Empire and the Thunderlord clan.
After joining the Frostwolf in a successful siege of Bladespire Citadel, the Frostwolf used their new fortress as a base from which to defend against Thunderlord aggression. However the Thunderlord took advantage of the Frostwolf's siege to attack Wor'gol, quickly forcing the Frostwolf and New Horde forces into a defense. When the Thunderlord were pushed out of the village, Ga'nar took many of the Frostwolf's strongest warriors to Daggermaw Ravine to exact vengeance. His vengeance was aided by the Horde commander who assisted him in killing the three sons of the Warlord of the Thunderlord, the Iron Wolf, who also served as strong commanders. The blow Ga'nar struck severely crippled the Thunderlord clan, and led him to proudly attempt to usurp control of the clan. However, after a brief stand-off between himself and Durotan, the two brothers reconciled, with Ga'nar once again swearing loyalty to his brother.
Shortly afterwards, the Horde commander assisted a Frostwolf tracker named Lokra and her wolf Asha in hunting down the captors of Lokra's life-mate Karg, with the hope of rescuing him and any other orcs who the Thunderlord had taken prisoner. En route they were intercepted by the Iron Wolf himself who killed Asha as a display of power. Saddened, but not deterred, Lokra and the Horde Commander arrived at Grom'gar where they rescued many Frostwolf prisoners and their wolf companions, including Karg and his wolf Nerok, as well as slaying one of the Thunderlord's beastmasters and a Blackrock siegesmith.
Upon returning to the Horde garrison from this venture, the combined forces had to endure an assault from the Thunderlords before they could lay siege to Grom'gar. Upon reaching the warlord's throne room in Grom'gar, both Durotan and Ga'nar were shocked to discover that the Iron Wolf was in fact their elder brother Fenris who had forsaken the Frostwolf. After slaying him, the Frostwolf and Horde forces pushed onwards to the ridge's entrance and held the line against the invading Iron Horde long enough for Drek'Thar to bring down the cliffs around the ridge's entrance, forming a barricade against further invasion. However, Ga'nar sacrificed his life to buy Drek'Thar the last few seconds he needed, allowing himself to be buried as well as his enemies.
Gorgrond[]
The Iron Horde are seen very little in Gorgrond as the Alliance and Horde find themselves in the center of the ancient, eternal battle between the Primals and the Breakers. However the goal of the defenders of Azeroth and Draenor is to capture the Iron Approach and assault the Iron Docks at the northern end of the region. After several battles with the Primals in the southern jungles and the Breakers in the northern wastelands, they manage to acquire artifacts that can call upon the might of these mighty beings of nature. Wielding this power the defenders attack and conquer the Iron Approach, though lose the artifacts in the process. They are too late, however, to stop the Iron Fleet from departing for Talador. Nonetheless the commanders of the operation successfully assault the Iron Docks and kill one of the enslaved sons of Gruul, as well as preventing the last ship from leaving.
Talador[]
By the time the Alliance and Horde reach Talador, the Iron Horde is nearly finished with their attack on Shattrath City and have successfully moved further south into Tuurem. The commander and their allies, however, succeed in hampering the Iron Horde's lumber operations, destroying their siege weapons, and utilizing a re-engineered shredder to cripple their occupation of Tuurem. Afterwards the defenders of Azeroth and Draenor once again fight alongside Khadgar to push into Shattrath and remove the Iron Horde's occupation of it. During this counterattack they witness Orgrim Doomhammer turning on his chieftain, denouncing his bloodlust and thirst for power. The commander is sent to take out a massive, iron star launching cannon while the draenei and Frostwolf leaders aid Orgrim in fighting Blackhand. Khadgar arrives soon after the commander has secured the massive cannon's ship and sends them to aid their allies.
However even the combined forces are no match for Blackhand's fury-powered armour and he utilizes a powerful burst of fire against his attackers. This attack kill Maraad, and incapacitates Durotan and the commander, while Yrel is saved thanks to Maraad's dying intervention. Blackhand proceeds to torture Durotan, but is stopped from killing him by Yrel. While he moves to attack her she heals Durotan and the two work together to drive a Light-infused axe into Blackhand's shoulder; severely injuring him. Khadgar teleports his allies to safety just as Thaelin launches the cannon's remaining payload at Blackhand's flagship, destroying it, while the cannon's ship self-destructs seconds later. Blackhand is thrown into the sea by the explosion and is forced to retreat to Blackrock Foundry.
Nagrand[]
In Nagrand the Warsong clan already has a tight control on the region. However that doesn't stop the Alliance and Horde from establishing outposts in the region and begin working to loosen the Warsong's grip and take out the Iron Horde's allies in the Gorian Empire. The Iron Horde's occupation of Telaar was crippled, their attempts to assassinate one of the commanders in Lok-rath failed, and most of the strongest of the Gorian Empire were forced to retreat to Highmaul to avoid death. Ultimately the Alliance and Horde laid siege to Grommashar, the base of the Warsong, and confronted the escaped war criminal himself; Garrosh Hellscream. He seemed to be losing initially, but lashed out with a raging fury of attacks that almost immediately turned the tables. The commander and their allies were saved by the intervention of Thrall who challenged Garrosh to a mak'gora at the Stones of Prophecy.
In the intense battle that followed, Garrosh initially has the upper hand and blames Thrall for all that had happened and denouncing him as lacking the strength of a true warrior. However Thrall reminds Garrosh that he's a shaman, and that his strength lies in the elements. Thrall summons a fist of rock from the ground that incapacitates Garrosh and states that all that has transpired was Garrosh's choices, after which Thrall uses a bolt of lighting to end Garrosh's life.
Dismantling the Iron Horde[]
With the creator of the Iron Horde dead, the defenders of Azeroth and Draenor set their sights on dismantling the Iron Horde. They first attack Highmaul, the capital of the Gorian Empire and the center of powerful allies to the Iron Horde. Their assault is aided and inhibited by the arrival of Cho'gall and his pale orc armies, as well as a fungal giant from the Sea of Zangar. After killing Warlord Kargath in the Coliseum, the partially insane Butcher, the fungal giant, and a pale orc enslaved earth fury, the adventurers invaded the Imperator's palace. During their subsequent showdown with Imperator Mar'gok, Cho'gall abruptly arrives and uses his void powers to kill the ogre emperor and take control of his runestones. Cho'gall is killed shortly afterwards by the adventurers.
With Highmaul sacked, the defenders of the two worlds turn their attention to the Blackrock Foundry. Their battles through its twisting, sweltering corridors bring them face-to-face with a parallel version of Gruul, an enslaved fire fury, and a giant magnaron. They fight on its assembly lines and in its bestiary, before ultimately confronting Warlord Blackhand. The warlord is killed in the ensuing battle and the Foundry is captured by the invaders.
An Inside Job[]
At Bladefury's Command in Talador, Gul'dan confronted Grommash and Kilrogg and mocked the former for his Iron Horde's failures and losses; which had included the death of Grommash's son. Gul'dan renewed his offer of the demon blood, only for Grommash to still refuse and attempt to attack him. Gul'dan effortlessly incapacitated the Iron Horde's Warchief and elaborated on his offer, promising power like his to any orc who drank. Ultimately it's Kilrogg who decides to agree, stepping forwards despite Grommash's protests and drinking the container's contents. He quickly mutates into a monstrous fel orc, while Gul'dan assumes control of the Iron Horde and pledges to remake it into an unstoppable weapon of conquest.
Fury of Hellfire[]
Thousands of Iron Horde orcs accepted the blood of Mannoroth, following in Kilrogg's footsteps, and became a parallel version of the Fel Horde. Gul'dan recalled all Iron Horde forces to Tanaan Jungle to prepare for the arrival of the Burning Legion's field commander; Archimonde the Defiler. Once he'd reached Draenor, the Legion and the Iron Horde intended to invade Azeroth once again, using their combined mystical, demonic and mechanical power. Iron Horde siege engines were retrofitted to use fel energy instead of elemental fire, and Siegecrafter Blackfuse's ultimate masterpiece, the Iron Reaver, was completed, with hundreds more in production. With the use of fel magic the Iron Horde even made progress with subjugating the magnaron of Gorgrond, including their leader Kormrok.
Flushed with the thrill of success, Gul'dan brought the imprisoned Grommash back to the Throne of Kil'jaeden where the Iron Horde had first began. Gul'dan once again mocked Hellscream's failures; choosing machines over demonic empowerment and constructing a citadel lacking in grandeur. To show Grommash what a "true seat of power demands" he allowed the copious amounts of lava-like blood left behind by Mannoroth's death to flow down from the mountain and form a moat around Hellfire Citadel, causing massive spikes of tainted rock to pierce parts of it and causing corruption to every part of Tanaan it reached. Dismissing Grommash's threats of retribution from the heroes of Azeroth and Draenor, Gul'dan had Grommash placed in the "care" of Fel Lord Zakuun.
Seeking allies, Gul'dan contacted the disgruntled Arakkoa Outcast Shadow-Sage Iskar, who was frustrated at the unwillingness of his kin to bring Terokk back to Draenor fully, and the truce the Outcasts and Skyreach had reached. Iskar was tasked with searching for Apexis artifacts to aid the Iron Horde, with a promise of power if he succeeded. Iskar began searching the Ruins of Kra'nak for an Apexis cipher, and managed to discover half of it. This success, on its own, was enough for Gul'dan to reward him; removing the Curse of Sethe and restoring his wings and High Arakkoa form, though tainted with fel energy. Gul'dan then set the newly elevated Shadow-Lord Iskar with the new task of rallying an army of arakkoa to aid the Iron Horde.
To summon Burning Legion forces to Draenor, Gul'dan summoned a Void Revenant named Xhul'horac from the depths of the Twisting Nether and fed him overwhelming fel energy. The void revenant, in return, used his powers to open portals to summon hordes of demons to Draenor.
Discovering the survival of his old apprentice Teron'gor, Gul'dan had the loyal Sargerei, now also allies of the Iron Horde, retrieve the mutated orc called Gorefiend from the depths of Auchindoun.
By the time the Alliance, Horde, Draenei, and Frostwolf clan assaulted Tanaan, the jungle was firmly under the rule of the twisted remnants of the Iron Horde and their Burning Legion masters. Not deterred by this the Horde and Alliance established base camps and quickly took to battle against the Iron Horde. After striking at Iron Horde operations throughout Tanaan adventurers would storm Hellfire Citadel in an final effort to stop the Iron Horde and Gul'dan. While storming the citadel the Iron Horde leadership would suffer the loss of the Hellfire High Council and Kilrogg Deadeye, a fate that befall the leadership of their Sargerei and arakkoa allies as well. The assault of Hellfire Citadel would ultimately end with Mannoroth and Archimonde slain, though Gul'dan would ultimately escape by being sent through the Dark Portal by the Defiler in his last moments.
Upon the demon lords' death Grommash proclaimed that Draenor was free,[10] and he, Yrel, and Durotan turned their attention to rebuilding their world.
Aftermath[]
The survivors of the Iron Horde would unite with the Frostwolves and Laughing Skull under Grommash's leadership into a single clan known as the Mag'har, orcish for "uncorrupted". They would initially live in peace with Yrel and the draenei and drive the remnants of the Burning Legion from Draenor. Years after the Legion was gone, however, several naaru arrived on Draenor and turned the draenei into fanatics of the Light, beginning a crusade to convert the orcs to their faith; those who would not submit willingly would be made to do so by force.[11]
Membership[]
Main clans[]
- Warsong clan: Led by Garrosh Hellscream, this orc clan makes their home in the lush land of Nagrand. The mounted raiders of the Warsong favor speed and maneuverability in battle—they move quickly, strike swiftly, and are away before their enemies know what hit them. Their war cries inspire their allies and strike fear into all those who dare get in their way.
- Shattered Hand clan: Led by the twisted Kargath Bladefist, these orcs make their home among the Spires of Arak. These former slaves have been drawn together through a macabre joy of pain both self-inflicted and imposed upon others. It is through this pain that they believe they gather strength, and their reputation as relentless and dirty fighters is well-earned.
- Bleeding Hollow clan: Led by Kilrogg Deadeye, this clan makes their home in the Tanaan Jungle. They are a fanatical and crude clan who fight with a berserker fury and gain the boon of prophecy from their elders, who sacrifice an eye to see into the future.
- Blackrock clan: Led by Blackhand himself, these orcs make their home within Gorgrond. The Blackrock are a disciplined, organized, and militaristic clan who boast expert smiths and metalworkers. Well armored, they utilize brute strength and weaponry to destroy their foes.
- Thunderlord clan: Led by Fenris Wolfbrother, it is an orc clan that lives within the Frostfire Ridge. The clan is known for their excellent hunters, which specialty is hunting down the giants of Draenor. They use the skeletal remains of the killed giants as settlements. Like the other orc clans, the Thunderlord clan has received the call for orcish unity from the Iron Horde, and they are enemies of the Frostwolf clan that live in the same area.
- Burning Blade clan: Led by Azuka Bladefury, this orc clan makes their home in the lush land of Nagrand. They are best known for their deadly blademasters.
- Shadowmoon clan: Led by their chieftain Ner'zhul, these orcs make their home within Shadowmoon Valley. They are profoundly linked to the spiritual world and have many seers, astrologers, and speakers of the dead among their ranks. Their strength lies within their mastery of the dark arts.
- Dragonmaw clan: The only clan that did not exist on this Draenor during the rise of the Iron Horde, the Dragonmaw clan is the sole member clan hailing from and operating in Azeroth. Led by one of the staunchest allies of young Hellscream, Zaela.
Lesser groups and associates[]
- The Ironmarch: Led by Commander Tharbek, the Ironmarch is an expeditionary force of the Iron Horde to Azeroth. They have managed to rendezvous with Warlord Zaela at the Azerothian side of the Dark Portal and advance from the Blasted Lands into Blackrock Mountain, where they have set up a base within the upper spire. Acting upon the orders of Garrosh Hellscream, they are tasked with the construction of a doomsday device capable of erupting the volcano, which would unleash widespread destruction around the continent - including Stormwind.
- The Grom'kar: Led by Orgrim Doomhammer, the Grom'kar is some of the finest warriors the Iron Horde has to offer.
- Blackfuse Company: A goblin mercenary organization specializing in a construction of siege weapons, formerly associated with Garrosh Hellscream's True Horde. Most of their technologies serve as the heart of Iron Horde's war machines and infrastructure, and several of their members lead an excavation in Shadowmoon Valley. After the death of Siegecrafter Blackfuse during the Siege of Orgrimmar, Pauli Rocketspark has been appointed the head of the company.
- Venture Company: Some of them are serving the Iron Horde as well.
- Defector Dazgo: The Iron Horde has at least one individual member in its ranks that doesn't belong to any of the major racial categories in the form of Dazgo. When attacked, however, the troll's pleas for aid are ignored by his newfound "allies", so the validity of his membership is highly questionable.
Allies[]
Although not officially part of the Iron Horde, the following groups have allied themselves with the Iron Horde:
- Gorian Empire: Is the nation-state of the ogres encompassing various holdings around the continent of Draenor and a continent located on the other side of southwestern Barrier Sea. It is notable to be one of the few empires on the world, but has recently lost their former dominance after the Iron Horde's rise, which forced the emperor to align himself with the orcs to ensure his empire's safety, although he would turn himself against the orcs if the situation was favorable.
- Remnants of the Black Dragonflight: Led by Kyrak, a number of black dragonkin including dragonmen, drakonid, and dragonspawn inhabit the Blackrock Spire. They allied with Zaela and the Ironmarch in an effort to save and preserve black dragon eggs.
- Dreadmaul ogres: This clan of ogres settled in the Blasted Lands after they came through the Dark Portal. Taking Rockard from the orcs after its reconstruction, the Horde eventually retook the village and enslaved part of the clan. When the Ironmarch came to Azeroth Toothsmash allied his clan with the Iron Horde and liberated Dreadmaul Hold and the ogres there.
Through Gul'dan and the Shadow Council the Iron Horde has gained a number of new allies since accepting the Blood Curse.
- Sethekk: A group of arakkoa including both high arakkoa and Outcasts have followed Shadow-Sage Iskar and joined the Shadow Council. They now reside at the Ruins of Kra'nak in Tanaan and within Hellfire Citadel, where Gul'dan has promised them power and the ability to fly again in exchange for their servitude.
- Sargerei: The Draenei cult under leadership of Socrethar have previously worked closely with the Shadow Council, and now with the Iron Horde as well through their devotion to the Burning Legion.
- Burning Legion: While acting more as the masters of the Iron Horde under Gul'dan than an actual ally, the Burning Legion is represented in large numbers at the Throne of Kil'jaeden in Tanaan Jungle and within the Hellfire Citadel.
Mounts and transportation[]
In addition to traditional wolf mounts, the Iron Horde use a variety of native beasts when riding into battle.
- Iron Horde beastmaster breed rylaks for war and gird them for battle in black steel and smoldering flame.[12]
- It is rumored that the Thunderlord clan orcs torment and twist terrified elekk into vicious weapons of war, covering them in armor plating and inciting them to rampage when turned loose on their foes.[13][14]
- Blackhand is said to have personally designed the armaments used on the Iron Horde's clefthoof battle mounts.[15]
- After the Iron Horde succumbed to the Blood Curse, they began to ride the [Infernal Direwolf] instead of regular wolves.
The larger part of the Iron Horde's naval might seems to be based on the dreadnaughts, immense battleships seen in almost every zone with an Iron Horde presence in Draenor. They seem to be based mainly in the Iron Docks and in Ironfist Harbor.
The Grimrail is an armored train operating in Gorgrond.
Technology[]
The foundation of all Iron Horde technology is the iron star: a primitive, coal-fired centrifugal engine which can be used to turn wheels, belts, and chains, allowing for the construction of crude vehicles and siege weapons including tanks, cannons, and chariots. It was initially used as a massive rolling bomb designed to wipe out whole legions with its explosive power, and was unleashed against the Dwarven invaders under Moira by Siegecrafter Blackfuse, and later against the adventurers during their fight with Garrosh. It's this weapon that Garrosh smuggled to the alternate Draenor, and that was redesigned as an engine.[8] However, it is still frequently used as a weapon as well. Many Iron Horde soldiers, mostly from the Blackrock clan, were also trained how to use firearms and explosives.[16]
Solog Roark was responsible for the construction of the Iron Fleet and Iron Docks.
Despite the technology brought by Garrosh, several orc clans were still using military units similar to those in their alternate counterpart: the spearmen of the Thunderlord and Bleeding Hollow, the necrolytes of the Shadowmoon, and the raiders of the Warsong.
The Iron Horde also lacked air support despite all their armaments, and had to rely on tamed rylaks for their air fleet.[17]
They frequently made use of iron capsules; armored spherical cages that could be occupied by several orcs at once, even dire orcs, to deliver soldiers swiftly to the front lines.[18]
Leadership of the Iron Horde[]
The figures below were part of the Iron Horde leadership at different points over the course of its history.
The clans of the Iron Horde[]
Notes and trivia[]
- At one point, Iron Horde forces attempted to unearth long-lost ogre artifacts in the Broken Spine in Gorgrond.[19]
- During the course of the war in Draenor, several members would defect,[20] including important figures like Morketh Bladehowl, and others even deserted after the Iron Horde became fel-corrupted.[21]
- A sole sand troll, Defector Dazgo, also joined the Iron Horde.
- Most shaman loathe the Iron Horde.[22]
- The Kor'kron Iron Star was incorporated into the final encounter with Garrosh during the Siege of Orgrimmar specifically to foreshadow the Iron Horde.[8]
- Iron Horde cuisine in general was described as revolting,[23] while its rations were described as "bland and dry; completely utilitarian".[24] It didn't seem possible, but following Gul'dan's takeover of the Iron Horde, the rations got even worse.[25]
- It appears that the formation of the Iron Horde has broken numerous traditions and taboos which existed among Draenor orcs:
- The orcs of main-universe Draenor were said to not have been seafarers, as most of the superstitious clans feared the open sea.[26] The Iron Fleet and the Bonefleet may prove that the orcs of alternate Draenor have no such dread. Much like with the original Horde, this might be an ogre influence, as the design of Iron Horde dreadnaughts resembles that of the Old Horde juggernaughts from the Second War.
- Until Thrall came to power and reformed the main universe's Horde, females were not considered equals to males in it.[27] This discrimination ended under the Iron Horde,[28] which may be a social progress introduced by Garrosh Hellscream.
- The Iron Horde recruited at least some of its members with propaganda claiming that orcs who didn't join the faction would die under draenei rule,[29] similar to how fear of the draenei led to the formation of the Old Horde in the main universe.
- Initial planning for Warlords of Draenor began prior to the launch of Mists of Pandaria, with developers considering several different possibilities for Garrosh's new Horde, including a "Dark Horde" and a "Mongrel Horde", which would have been comprised of displaced races such as gnolls, kobolds, troggs, and centaurs.[30]
- This concept is similar to the humorous Axis of Awful.
- It was at the time theorized that some of the Iron Horde may defect to the Horde at the end of the expansion to level out the Horde and Alliance power-wise.[31] This theory would later be confirmed in Battle for Azeroth with the arrival of the Mag'har allied race.
- In the original version of Blackrock Spire there were Blackrock orcs called Blackhand Iron Guards.
- The Iron Horde share similarities with the British Empire and the Seljuk Empire.
- Like the British Empire, the Iron Horde was the first in their world to industrialize, which they used against former rivals. They also made use of slavery, utilized steam power extensively, including with ships and trains, yet had descended from a pretty primitive, Celtic-ish people. The Iron Horde phrase "We will never be slaves!" also calls to mind "Rule Britannia!".
- The Iron Horde and Seljuk Empire were both militant and expansionist, clashing particularly with the Draenei just as the Seljuk's clashed with the Byzantine Empire. As the Seljuk Empire fell due to internal conflicts and external pressure from invaders like the Mongols and conflicts with the Crusaders and Arabs, the Iron Horde fell due to conflicts with the Draenei, Orcs outside the Iron Horde and forces from Azeroth. The Seljuk remnant's defeat and subjugation by the Ottoman Empire also happens with the remnants of the Iron Horde, with Yrel's Lightbound faction in the position of the Ottoman Empire.
Gallery[]
Speculation[]
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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With both the Dragonmaw and the Blackfuse Company apart of the Iron Horde it can be reasonably assumed that the rest of Garrosh's followers, the True Horde, were also assimilated into the organization.
References[]
- ^ Hellfire High Council
- ^ Alex Afrasiabi on World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
- ^ [10-40] Altar Altercation
- ^ Hellfire Assault#Quotes
- ^ Iron Reaver#Quotes
- ^ Khadgar#Draenor
- ^ Adventure Guide entry for Hellfire Citadel
- ^ a b c Blizzcon 2013 - The Art of World of Warcraft
- ^ Warlords of Draenor: Adventuring from 90 to 100
- ^ [100R] Darkness Incarnate
- ^ [40-70] Bonds Forged Through Battle
- ^ Mount Journal entry for [Iron Skyreaver]
- ^ Beasts of the Savage Lands - Shadowmoon Valley
- ^ Mount Journal entry for [Armored Irontusk]
- ^ Mount Journal entry for [Ironhoof Destroyer]
- ^ Cluster Bombs (Wowhead)
- ^ [Shadowmoon Mission Orders]
- ^ [10-40] The Fate of Karabor
- ^ Backbreaker
- ^ A Way Out
- ^ Felsworn Deserter
- ^ Fury of the Elements
- ^ Iron Horde Chef
- ^ [Iron Horde Rations]
- ^ [Fel-Smoked Ham]
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 151
- ^ [12] Crossroads Conscription
- ^ Iron Maidens#Adventure Guide
- ^ Iron Horde Propaganda
- ^ WoW Source: Warlords of Draenor
- ^ BlizzCon 2013
External links[]
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