Stromgarde Stromgarde ( Stromguardeor Kingdom of Stromgarde ) is a human nation , settled in the Arathi Highlands located on the site of the original capital of Arathor , Strom . During the Second War , Thoras Trollbane , Lord of Stromgarde , joined his kingdom with the Alliance of Lordaeron . The kingdom declined rapidly following the Third War , losing control of much of its territory and capital city . Its current population sits at a low 1 , 200 . At the time of " World of Warcraft " , it is led by Prince Galen Trollbane . The national colour of Stromgarde is red and is all what remains of the mighty human Empire of Arathor . Stromgarde is often misread as Stormgarde . History . Arathor . The city of Stromgarde was founded by the Arathi tribe of humans in the Arathi Highlands during the Troll Wars . Originally named Strom , the city became the capital of the great empire of Arathor . Following the peak of that empire ' s power many of its citizens left to found other cities , including Dalaran , Lordaeron , Alterac and Stormwind . Many of these newer cities began to attract settlers at an astonishing rate , and it was only a matter of years before the once - powerful Arathi Empire was splintered into seven distinct human nations . Strom was no longer the center of the human lands , and it was during this time that the leaders of the remaining Imperial Guard changed its name to Stromgarde . In Warcraft II . Leader : " Thoras Trollbane " Nation Color : " Red " Background : " The kingdom of Stromgarde retains a strict martial philosophy which makes it a highly regarded addition to the Alliance . Situated amongst the foothills of the Alterac Mountains , Stromgarde serves as a sentinel against any invasion across the Orc - controlled borders of Khaz Modan . Possessing a long history of warfare against the Trolls , the warriors of Stromgarde are well prepared to engage in open combat with all enemies of humanity . " Second and Third Wars . By the time of the Second War , Stromgarde was a harbor city that controlled the Arathi Highlands and the island - fortress of Tol Barad . Though not the largest , it was one of humanity ' s most powerful kingdoms . Led by Thoras Trollbane , it was also a close and loyal ally of Lordaeron , and their mutual friendship would allow it to quickly join the Alliance of Lordaeron to stop the Horde . Following the start of the Second War , Stromgarde sent half of its standing army to join the main Alliance forces . The rest of its army was occupied defending the Northlands from an orcish invasion through the dwarven realm of Khaz Modan . Thoras was the first to become suspicious of Alterac ' s true allegiance , and quickly dispatched a force to investigate what was happening in that kingdom . Thoras was able to discover that Lord Perenolde had allowed the orcs to pass through some unguarded mountain passes , giving them free passage into Lordaeron . Thoras and his troops quickly dispatched the orcs stationed there and prevented further orc reinforcements from passing through . After the end of the war , Thoras Trollbane petitioned King Terenas of Lordaeron to annex the eastern portion of Alterac ' s territory to Stromgarde in recognition of the latter ' s sacrifices and valor during the Second War . Stromgarde left the Alliance soon afterward , upset at King Terenas ' decision to not execute the captured orcs . During the Third War , Stromgarde managed to prevent the undead Scourge from ravaging through its lands , and sent a detachment of troops , the Stromgarde Brigade to accompany Jaina Proudmoore and the Human Expedition across the sea to Kalimdor . Despite this , the darkest hour of Stromgarde was yet to come . Thoras Trollbane was assassinated – by his son Galen Trollbane – under mysterious circumstances , and Stromgarde came under siege by both the Syndicate and the Boulderfist ogres . The two forces won several victories against the now weakened kingdom , and managed to occupy much of its terrain , including most of the capital city . Recent history . Stromgarde is still remembered as the starting point of humanity and still exists , though much weaker than ever before , its population and territory being greatly diminished . Stromgarde ' s armies , however , are far from defeated and still maintain a base of strategic operations at the crevasse known as Refuge Pointe in the Highlands , as well as portions of the devastated capital city itself . After Thoras ' death , his son , the Prince Galen Trollbane , became the leader of the remains of Stromgarde . The forces of Stromgarde formed the League of Arathor , which fights to free the rest of the Arathi Highland , the Arathi Basin , and its many resources , from the hands of the Forsaken Defilers and the Horde forces from the city of Hammerfall . Military . The Stromgarde Defenders are the force protecting Stromgarde . The crimson - clad Defenders are known for the martial discipline in battle and has proven themselves in the Second War which they were able to hold off the entire Horde for quite a while on their own , allowing the rest of the Alliance to mobilize . Their determination and courage are known throughout Azeroth as some of Humanity ' s greatest fighters . In battle , the footmen would march to face the enemy in tight ranks with broadswords and shields . The famed Knights of Stromgarde are used as shock troops to support these warriors especially against ogre and Syndicate forces . The Stromgarde Snipers Company , made up of Dwarven Rifleman , provide them with covering fire . Captain Dathanor Cromwell commands the infantry unit , while Captain Ariana Thesslocke leads the cavalry unit . In " World of Warcraft " , Stromgarde Cavalrymen , Stromgarde Defender s , Stromgarde Troll Hunter s , and Stromgarde Vindicator s can be seen as part of the Stromgardian army . Many of them wear a . In World of Warcraft . Stromgarde Keep . Level 30 - 45 sub - zone . Stromgarde Keep is the ruined capital city of Stromgarde , located on the southwest corner of the Arathi Highlands . It is divided into three sections — one under the rule of the Syndicate , another largely under the control of the Boulderfist ogres ( though the Witherbark trolls control small parts ) , while the last section remains under the control of the Stromgarde military and serves as the headquarters of Prince Galen Trollbane . One of the highest - ranking leaders of the Syndicate , Lord Falconcrest , commands Syndicate efforts in the Arathi Highlands from the ruined city . The Stromgardian army have placed a bounty on his head and sought the help of the Alliance heroes . It is likely that his death would disrupt Syndicate efforts in the region to a great degree . The Alliance , however , is not the only major faction that has interests in Stromgarde . A Horde allied troll named Zengu is seeking the sword Trol ' kalar , legendary bane of trolls and heirloom of the Trollbane family , so that it could be used against the trolls of Zul ' Gurub . The sword , however , has been sealed in Thoras Trollbane ' s tomb since his death , and opening the tomb requires several sigils that are guarded by Stromgarde ' s fiercest warriors , the last one being guarded by Galen himself . Zengu is seeking champions of the Horde to aid him in his quest . As of patch 2 . 3 , many of the Syndicate mobs have had their elite tag removed . In Burning Crusade . Word of Stromgarde ' s current status was quick to reach Thoras Trollbane ' s nephew , Danath Trollbane , through the reopened Dark Portal . Danath was one of the leaders of the Alliance Expedition to Draenor , and was believed to have died after Draenor was destroyed and the Dark Portal sealed off ; however , he was discovered to be alive and well in the land that is now known as Outland . Danath vowed that he would one day return to Stromgarde and restore it to its greatness , but , for the time being , he is bound to his duties in Outland . In Cataclysm . In the third expansion , Galen Trollbane becomes one of the Forsaken . What this may bode for the kingdom is yet to be seen . Warcraft III map . A " Warcraft III " map is spelled " Stromguarde " . This city is controlled by a group of bandit s and wizard s . Entering it as night could be very dangerous . The tileset is called " Cityscape " .