Thoras Trollbane

Thoras Trollbane was the human warrior king of the kingdom of Stromgarde,Tides of Darkness, pg. 45 and a founding member of the Alliance of Lordaeron during the Second War. Years later he withdrew from the Alliance due to disagreements with his friend King Terenas Menethil II. Thoras was ultimately murdered by his son, Galen, who sought the throne of Stromgarde for himself.
Buried in his family tomb at Stromgarde, he was resurrected by the Deathlord of the Knights of the Ebon Blade during the third invasion of the Burning Legion, on the orders of the Lich King Bolvar Fordragon, in order to join the ranks of the new Four Horsemen and protect Azeroth once more.
==Biography==
===Before the Second War===
Before the coming of the orcs, the human kingdoms of Lordaeron faced challenges and obstacles from each other as the games of politics played out.Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, pg. 27 & 31 Amidst those nations, there were no two rivals like Alterac and Stromgarde. The proximity of the two and the apparent ambiguity of their mountain borders had led to several wars and skirmishes. On more than one occasion, Thoras Trollbane led the armies of Stromgarde into battle against the honorable General Hath of Alterac.Tides of Darkness, chapter 16 
===The Second War===
He was one of the human leaders who met at the councils to form the Alliance of Lordaeron. Thoras was quick to agree to form the Alliance as he was a good friend of King Terenas and had a close relationship with Lordaeron. Genn Greymane didn't want to form a combined army but Thoras and his friend Admiral Proudmoore accused him of cowardice so Greymane relented to form the Alliance.Tides of Darkness, pg. 72 Once the Alliance was formed, each king argued in favor of them gaining command of the new unified army. Thoras claimed the role should be his, considering he had the most actual fighting experience. The role was eventually given to Anduin Lothar instead.Tides of Darkness, chapter 5
Following the start of the Second War, Stromgarde sent half of its standing army to the main Alliance forces,Tides of Darkness, pg. 260 for Trollbane felt that battle was to be had with the orcs in order to stop their threat. Stromgarde had little chance to show its offensive capabilities, as half of their army (the one that didn't go with Lothar) was defending the North lands from the Horde's invasion through the dwarven realm of Khaz Modan: which the Old Horde led by the Blacktooth Grin had already expanded into.Tol Barad (WC2 Orc)Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, pg. 43
Stromgarde came under heavy assault and losses. They lost their island citadel of Tol Barad but continued to battle through. They tried to ambush Cho'gall and kill him but they failed.The Badlands (WC2 Orc) The Horde managed to destroy a good deal of Trollbane's kingdom, and continued its march towards the elven kingdom of Quel'Thalas.The Fall of Stromgarde (WC2 Orc)
During the Siege of Lordaeron, Trollbane personally led his troops to cut the Horde reinforcements through the Alterac Mountains, rendezvousing with General Hath who confirmed Perenolde's betrayal and sent his troops to join Trollbane's in defending the mountain passes, and preventing the entire Horde from overwhelming Lordaeron's Capital City.Tides of Darkness, pg. 266-267 As the Alliance forces made their push to the south, Thoras sent a Stromgarde force under his nephew, , to retake Khaz Modan.Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual
===After the War===
Two years after the war ended, Thoras alongside other kings was present in Nethergarde Keep to discuss the signs of the Dark Portal reopening. Back in Capital City, Thoras and Terenas were visited by the goblin Krix Wiklish who wanted to seal a deal with them. After the goblin left the two kings with Muradin Bronzebeard and Daval Prestor were discussing the matter of Alterac and Lord Perenolde.Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 7 Thoras was also then present in the Capital City's religion service.Arthas: Rise of the Lich King
Following the destruction of Alterac after its deal with the Horde became known, Thoras Trollbane petitioned King Terenas to annex the eastern portion of Alterac's territory to Stromgarde in recognition of the latter's sacrifices and valor during the Second War.Day of the Dragon Years later, he attended the ceremony in Stormwind where Arthas became a paladin.
===The Alliance splinters===
After the defeat of the orcs in the Second War, much of the Horde was wiped out and most surviving orcs were placed in internment camps. Trollbane, however, fervently disagreed with this policy, believing that the orcs were simply too dangerous to be kept alive, and he openly called for every orc in the camps to be executed. He argued with Terenas about this which was bitter for both as it was an argument between very close friends. In addition, the higher taxes, along with the high expense of maintaining and operating the numerous orc internment camps, led many leaders to believe that their kingdoms would be better off seceding from the Alliance. After the high elves left the Alliance, so did Gilneas and Stromgarde.The Alliance Splinters When Lordaeron refused to mass execute the orcs, a few years before the Third War, Trollbane sadly withdrew his support from the Alliance.Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, The Aftermath of the Second War
After Terenas was killed by his own son Arthas Menethil, someone added a second part on the plaque adorning Terenas' empty tomb in Lordaeron's palace. The SI:7 believes it to have been done on the order of King Thoras.World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 114 Similarly, someone recovered Terenas' crown and buried it in an unidentified grave on an island in Stormwind Harbor. Mathias Shaw and Flynn Fairwind believe that it was refugees from Lordaeron,World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 120 - 121 but given the involvement of Thoras with Terenas' tomb, he could also be involved.
At some point after the death of his friend Terenas,World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 68 Thoras was murdered by his son, Galen. However, before he died Thoras was aware Galen was the one responsible, and Galen was aware that Thoras knew it was him. His body was laid to rest in his family tomb along with the mighty family sword Trol'kalar, and he was succeeded as Stromgarde's ruler by the prince. A single, secret plaque with a memorial verse was placed inside the coffin at eye level with Thoras' body:
Years later, Flynn Fairwind believed that several of the epitaph lines hinted at the Stormwind Harbor Lighthouse burial site of Terenas' crown.
===Legion===
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Knights of the Ebon Blade sought out Thoras Trollbane's crypt and raised him as a member of their new Four Horsemen. Believing that he failed as a father for being murdered by his son, and as a ruler for his kingdom falling to ruin, Thoras left Stromgarde and joined the Ebon Blade to preserve peace on Azeroth.The King Rises
His first mission with the Ebon Blade was to join their assault on the Scarlet Monastery, where he lingered just outside the Chapel Gardens to condemn the Scarlet Crusade for preying upon innocent people.The Scarlet Massacre He later aided the Ebon Blade in attempting to retrieve the body of Tirion Fordring from the Sanctum of Light beneath Light's Hope Chapel. After Darion sacrificed himself to allow them to escape, Thoras remarked that in an entire lifetime of warfare he had never seen such sacrifice.The Fourth Horseman
====Legionfall====
Thoras later participated with his fellow Horsemen, with the Deathlord and Minerva Ravensorrow mounted on Daumyr, to battle the demons on the Broken Shore.
===Battle for Azeroth===
Throughout the Fourth War, Bolvar had Thoras and his fellow horsemen acquire fallen champions of both the Horde and Alliance,We Ride Forth and following its completion witnessed the new generation of death knights being raised. Darion personally sent the new death knights to travel to Orgrimmar if they were of the Horde, or to Stormwind City if they were of the Alliance, and make a choice from the Hero's Call Board.Defender of Azeroth
===We Ride Forth===
Believing that Bolvar had fallen to the powers of the Lich King, Darion attempted to kill him. However, Bolvar forcibly controlled the former's body and made him return to Acherus: The Ebon Hold, while taunting him about requiring his fellow horsemen. Though wary of it being a trap, the horsemen agreed to kill the Lich King, and decide who would wield the Helm of Domination after Bolvar was slain, with Thoras believing the new owner would be the last one standing. However, en route to Icecrown Citadel, the Four Horsemen, using their connection to the Lich King, discovered him locked in combat with Sylvanas Windrunner, and learned that this was all part of Bolvar's gambit to have the horsemen arrive and kill the winner of the conflict.
Thoras and the others were stunned when Sylvanas won and destroyed the helm instead of claiming ownership of it. With the Scourge no longer under control, Darion ordered Nazgrim and Sally Whitemane to rescue Bolvar, while he and Thoras Trollbane fought to keep Acherus under their control.
===Shadowlands===
In the Shadowlands, Thoras and the other horsemen accompanied Bolvar and the heroes of Azeroth during the attack on the Sanctum of Domination, creating Death Gates through the fortress' various levels.
==Locations==
==Personality==
Thoras Trollbane was a natural-born warrior, one of the greatest Azeroth has known. His people's lands were in the heart of troll-populated areas, and so being ready for battle was simply a way of life. Due to this, he is easily the largest and physically the strongest human king in the Alliance.Tides of Darkness, pg. 71 - 72 Thoras was a man of few words only speaking those needed - but when he spoke, only ever spoke truth, often saying the words others were afraid to speak. Although Thoras opted for the execution of the orcs when they were held in internment camps, he was willing to admit he'd been wrong, which might have been one of the traits that had made him so beloved by his people when he ruled.
However, his gruff exterior hid a very sharp mind.Beyond the Dark Portal, pg. 97 This often gives him an advantage when dealing with arrogant men. Trollbane was an old friend of King Terenas Menethil of Lordaeron,Beyond the Dark Portal, pg. 21, 96 likely known each other ever since they were young and was his closest ally. Though their relationship soured after the war, they still respected each other greatly. Trollbane was also a rival and an enemy of King Perenolde of Alterac, leading the armies of Stromgarde into battle against the honorable General Hath of Alterac on more than one occasion.Tides of Darkness, chapter 16 He wielded a mighty axe into battle during the siege of Lordaeron but he was also known to wield the dreaded sword Trol'kalar.Trol'kalar (quest)
==Quotes==
===Tides of Darkness===
*"We honor your memory, nephew, and your sacrifice. Since the founding of our glorious empire, the path to valor has always been drenched with the blood of heroes." - dedication to his nephew, Danath, in the Valley of Heroes in Stormwind
*"That fool! What did he do, let them through?" - upon learning of the Horde's passing through Alterac
*"King! Bah. The word sits ill in my mouth. It's an outrage! He betrays us all, damn near destroys us, and this is all he gets? I say prison, if not outright execution!" - referring to Perenolde's house arrest after the Second War
===World of Warcraft===
*"These Knights of the Ebon Blade are a powerful order, Deathlord. That you command such respect amongst their ranks speaks to your accomplishments and leadership. During my life, I always fought to preserve my kingdom and people. But for my failure as a father, their blood now stains my hands. So, I will wash the failure from my hands with the blood of demons. The time has come for me to return to the fray. My sword is yours to command."Champion: Thoras Trollbane
;Greetings
*"This war will not be won with words."
*"We alone stand vigilant in the night."
*"I am ready."
;Farewell
*"Victory without sacrifice is only an illusion."
*"My heart still beats with the drums of war."
*"We do what the living cannot."
==Notes and trivia==
*Thoras wrote the inscription on Danath's statue in the Valley of Heroes at Stormwind City.
*When Bolvar Fordragon was a boy, Thoras heard how he impressed his paladin mentors.
*An unused NPC representing Thoras Trollbane as a normal human is situated in the same ID range as other legendary warriors presumably meant to appear in Skyhold. This, along with the original plan of Tirion Fordring being raised as one of the Four Horsemen, means that the idea of raising Thoras as one of them might have been a late addition to Legion's development cycle.
*In the Knights of the Frozen Throne expansion for Hearthstone, Thoras appears as one of the Four Horsemen that can be summoned by Uther of the Ebon Blade's Hero Power.
*He has an invisible Follower recruiting spell with the following description: The spell is associated to a buff that says "Thoras Trollbane is a powerful frost death knight, who uses the icy and unforgiving winter of undeath to obliterate his enemies."
==Speculation==
The axe he wielded may have been the Trollbane.
==Gallery==
File:Thoras Trollbane Unused model.jpg|Unused Thoras NPC as seen in Wowhead.
==Patch changes==
*
==References==
==External links==
Category:Human characters
Category:Warrior characters
Category:Death knight characters
Category:Aristocrats
Category:Stromgarde (kingdom)
Category:Knights of the Ebon Blade
Category:Tides of Darkness characters
Category:Beyond the Dark Portal characters
Category:Day of the Dragon characters
Category:Hearthstone legendary cards
Category:Arathi Highlands NPCs
Category:Scarlet Monastery NPCs
Category:Eastern Plaguelands NPCs
Category:Broken Shore NPCs
Category:Acherus: The Ebon Hold NPCs
Category:Sanctum of Domination NPCs
Category:We Ride Forth
es:Thoras Aterratrols
pl:Thoras Trollbane