Kor'kron

The Kor'kron (or the Kor'kron GuardBlood Guard Gulmok#QuotesUnderdev/EscalationUltimate Visual Guide, pg. 123 / Kor'kron guard)News of Victory (Horde)Captain Gort are an elite fighting force of the Horde, serving as the personal bodyguards of the Warchief and enforcers of their command.A Little Field Work With some exceptions, they are fiercely loyal to whoever is leading the Horde, not any particular individual.The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, pg. 179De-Subjugation They can be considered the Horde's closest counterpart to the Alliance's 7th Legion.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 72
Under Garrosh Hellscream's regime, the Kor'kron greatly expanded in power, albeit narrowing its racial composition down to almost universally orcs. They served as the Warchief's primary soldiers during the Siege of Orgrimmar, until Hellscream's forced removal from power. The Kor'kron sustained heavy causalities during the siege, including the death of its leader, Malkorok, and several other celebrated generals. With Vol'jin's ascension as Warchief of the Horde, the surviving Kor'kron were placed in prisons, save for those who had defected such as Gakkorg.War Crimes, chapter 24
During the Burning Legion's third invasion of Azeroth, the Kor'kron seem to have returned, as several members can be spotted in the ranks of the Horde again.
==History==
===Cycle of Hatred===
Thrall originally traveled alone and free. However, after the demonic betrayal of his closest advisor Burx, the warchief decided it would be wiser to be alert at all times and to always have someone watch his back. As such, he began surrounding himself with an honor guard.Cycle of Hatred, epilogue
===World of Warcraft===
After Thrall had revived the order, the elite band of orcs served as his bodyguards.The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, pg. 42 They were stationed in the Warchief's own fortress of Grommash Hold in Orgrimmar.
===The Burning Crusade===
A detachment of Kor'kron have also been dispatched to Outland where they serve as the defenders of Shadowmoon Village in Shadowmoon Valley, the closest Horde outpost to the Black Temple. From there, they wage war against the Burning Legion as well as the legions of Illidan Stormrage.
===Wrath of the Lich King===
More recently the Kor'kron have been deployed in Northrend in full forceMessage from the West as part of the Horde Expedition. The fortress at the base of Angrathar the Wrathgate is called Kor'kron Vanguard and is commanded by Dranosh Saurfang. In many ways, they seem to be the Horde counterpart of the 7th Legion. Both groups consist of their faction's elite forces, and both are heavily involved in their faction's campaign in Northrend.
During the war against the Lich King, Thrall sent a legion of Kor'kron under Bragor Bloodfist to the Undercity to replace the Forsaken forces deployed to the front lines in Northrend; after the events of the Wrathgate, they were tasked to keep an eye on the Royal Apothecary Society to ensure that they discontinued work on the New Plague.
In Dragonblight, the fortress Agmar's Hammer was created as a major Horde base in the region, under the leadership of Overlord Agmar. He was later present to lead the warriors of the Kor'kron on the Isle of Conquest, where they fought the 7th Legion under the command of Halford Wyrmbane.
The Kor'kron under the command of High Overlord Varok Saurfang fought their way through Icecrown Citadel at the side of the Ashen Verdict and engaged the 7th Legion in an aerial battle between the Orgrim's Hammer and the Skybreaker outside of the citadel.
===Cataclysm===
With the coming of the Cataclysm, Varok Saurfang remained in Northrend as commander of a skeleton crew in Warsong Hold.The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, pg. 15 They also had minor involvement in the Twilight Highlands against Cho'gall's forces. They were involved in many of the recent events of the Alliance-Horde war, serving as counterparts of the 7th Legion.
Kor'kron warriors also accompanied the newly-appointed Warchief, Garrosh Hellscream, to Mulgore to fight against the quilboar.As Our Fathers Before Us
Later, just prior to the Ashenvale war, six Kor'kron guards accompanied Garrosh to Bilgewater Harbor to meet with Briln.Wolfheart, chapter 14 Later, they accompanied him to Ashenvale to attack the Alliance. At some point during the ferocious battle, one guard warned Garrosh of the danger the Alliance posed. King Varian Wrynn also managed to kill two soldiers. As the Alliance pushed the Horde, Kor'kron guards realized that the battle had been lost, and went to hold and convince the battle-thirsty Garrosh to retreat.Wolfheart, chapter 28
During the last battle against Deathwing, Ka'anu Reevs of the Kor'kron Air Command jumped on the back of the dragon before being tossed to sea moments later.
===Mists of Pandaria===
Most recently, Garrosh Hellscream granted the Blackrock clan amnesty and a formidable amount of them can be found in the Horde.Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 114 The new leader of the Kor'kron, Malkorok, was also a Blackrock orc. They served as some kind of secret police force to Garrosh, punishing anyone who questions the warchief.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War
Some Kor'kron had dark gray skin and might have been Blackrocks, like the Kor'kron Assassins.
====Landfall====
Two months after the mist collapsed, Garrosh Hellscream, accompanied by his Kor'kron, arrived with the bulk of the Horde fleet and oversaw the construction of Domination Point. However, Garrosh had another clash of opinions with Vol'jin. Garrosh ordered Vol'jin's outright murder, sending him off on a mission with the Kor'kron and one of Garrosh's assassins. Vol'jin survived the attempt on his life, and it was revealed that Garrosh put the Echo Isles under martial law, sending his Kor'kron forces to round up the Darkspear trolls. However, Thrall and Horde adventurers traveled to the Echo Isles and freed them from their control by killing enough Kor'kron so the Darkspear could overwhelm the rest and take them prisoners.
Malkorok and his Kor'kron accompanied Garrosh through his entire search for the Divine Bell. After Garrosh learned of the location of the Divine Bell by Shan Kien, he tasked Blademaster Ishi with acquiring it. Ishi led a small force of Kor'kron into the Ruins of Korune where the bell is hidden, only to discover that the night elves had already found the bell and brought it to Darnassus. Later on, Garrosh amassed Horde forces at Emperor's Reach with the Divine Bell, Malkorok, and his Kor'kron in tow. Garrosh rang the bell, turning some of the present Kor'kron into sha, as they could not control the power of the Divine Bell. The bell was then shattered during a showdown between Garrosh and Anduin Wrynn.
Some Kor'kron were also present at Domination Point, guarding the fortress.
They also participated in the Assault on Zan'vess.
====Escalation====
At some point, Kor'kron Elite have taken over the job of guarding Orgrimmar and have an increased presence throughout town. It was also been discovered that the Dark Shaman working in the Ragefire Chasm were a secret part of the Kor'kron.
As the building conflict between Garrosh Hellscream's loyal Kor'kron and the rebelling forces of Vol'jin's Darkspear Rebellion augmented in intensity, Kor'kron troops wearing what looked like a recolored Warsong clan tabard were now operating all over the Northern Barrens, suggesting that at least some Warsong members were also following Garrosh. Some Kor'kron soldiers dropped Indecipherable Plans, hinting that something darker was going on in Orgrimmar.
====Siege of Orgrimmar====
The Kor'kron composed the Garrosh-loyalists' main army during the Siege of Orgrimmar, joining forces with the Dragonmaw clan to defend the city from the Alliance and the Darkspear Rebellion. Many Kor'kron were slain during the ensuing battles, losing ground to the invaders both above and beneath Orgrimmar. Both Malkorok and General Nazgrim lost their lives in the conflict, as well as many orcs within the Kor'kron's ranks.
Following Vol'jin's ascension as warchief, there were not many Kor'kron left due to most of them having sided with Garrosh, and the handful of survivors were all in prisons (save for defectors such as Gakkorg). During Garrosh's trial in Pandaria, Baine Bloodhoof noted that Vol'jin had not yet selected his own special guards but that they would likely include more than a few trolls.
===Warlords of Draenor===
At the start of the war in Draenor, all of the Kor'kron guards in the Undercity left, leaving only Bragor with the new title of "Hand of the Warchief". Under odd circumstances, the body of Overseer Kraggosh is now found in a cage.
The Warspear Mine Guards on Ashran in wear the Kor'kron tabard.
===Legion===
Following the Battle for Broken Shore, one orc with the Kor'kron tabard was present at the funeral ceremony for Vol'jin seen cheering for his successor, Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner.The Battle for Broken Shore (quest) - cinematic
During the Burning Legion's third invasion, they became a recruitable option for the Valarjar after the freeing of Eitrigg,Return of the Battlelord and a pair of Kor'kron Headhunters could be seen on board The Sunstrider, escorting Lady Liadrin, Aethas Sunreaver and the adventurer on their venture towards Azuremyst Isle to join the invasion of Argus.Two If By Sea (Horde)
Following the end of the Argus Campaign, the Kor'kron continued to act as elite orc guards of Grommash Hold.Before the Storm, chapter 2
===Battle for Azeroth===
During the events of the Fourth War, several Kor'kron members were present, notably Commander Mokor who trained Horde soldiers in Dazar'alor and Lieutenant Akaro who participated in the Battle for Stromgarde.
At some point, two Kor'kron guards, a blood elf, and two jungle trolls were seen escorting a shipment through Darkshore woods to the Horde encampment. With the exception of one of the trolls, they were all killed by Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind.Terror of Darkshore
===Exploring Azeroth===
Following the war against the Jailer, the brothers Bronzebeard reported that the Kor'kron stronghold Agmar's Hammer in Dragonblight is still active under the leadership of Overlord Agmar.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 72
==Members==
===Horde===
Name	Role 	Status 	Location
 	Commander in Northrend, Overlord	 	Agmar's Hammer, Dragonblight
 	Lieutenant 	 	Ar'gorok, Arathi Highlands
 	Hand of the Warchief 	 	Royal Quarter, Undercity
 	Vanguard leader, Warlord 	 	Kor'kron Vanguard, Dragonblight
 	Commander 	 	Grommash Hold, Orgrimmar
 	Guard 	 	Thunder Hold, the Jade Forest
 	Guard Captain 	 	Agmar's Hammer, Dragonblight
 	Guard 	(presumed)	Hellscream's Fist, the Jade Forest
 	Overseer 	 	Apothecarium, Undercity
 	Commander in Zandalar 	 	Hall of Ancient Paths, Dazar'alor
 	Commander in Outland, Overlord 	 	Shadowmoon Village, Shadowmoon Valley
 	Guard 	(presumed)	Hellscream's Fist, the Jade Forest
 	Guard 	(presumed)	Hellscream's Fist, the Jade Forest
 	Wing Commander 	 	Agmar's Hammer, Dragonblight
 	High Overlord 	 	Warsong Hold, Borean Tundra
 	Kor'kron Commander 	 	Lion's Landing, Krasarang Wilds
 	Kor'kron Commander 	 	Lion's Landing, Krasarang Wilds
 	Kor'kron Commander 	 	Lion's Landing, Krasarang Wilds
===True Horde===
Name	Role 	Status	Location
 	Garrosh Hellscream's Right Hand, Leader	 	The Underhold, Siege of Orgrimmar
 	Dark Shaman 	 	Orgrimmar (during Siege of Orgrimmar)
 	Dark Shaman 	 	Orgrimmar (during Siege of Orgrimmar)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
 	Commander 	 	Northern Barrens (during Battlefield: Barrens)
===Ranks and units===
==Mounts==
*The Kor'kron use only the mightiest wolves for their mounts, bedecking them in armor that would break the backs of lesser creatures.Mount Journal entry for Reins of the Kor'kron War Wolf
*Vicious in battle and surprisingly loyal,Mount Journal entry for Reins of the Kor'kron Annihilator the mighty Kor'kron war scorpion served as the inspiration for the Iron Juggernaut,Adventure Guide entry for Iron Juggernaut a mechanical monstrosity that guarded the gates of Orgrimmar during the Siege.
*Bred for their aggressive, unpredictable demeanor by the Kor'kron stablemasters, the Black War Kodos' trumpeting call signifies that blood will soon be shed.Mount Journal entry for Black War Kodo
==Notes and trivia==
*Many members of the Kor'kron wear the Exalted Plate collection. The collection has the same black and gold color scheme as Orgrim Doomhammer's former plate armor, which might imply that the Kor'kron served him before Thrall took the armor and later revived the order.
*Thrall himself was protected by blademasters as his honor guard during the Third War,Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual, pg. 84 though the practice had seemingly ended by the times of Cycle of Hatred.
*The Rallying Banners of the Iron Horde in Gorgrond depict the Kor'kron symbol.
*During the Warlords of Draenor beta, the Warspear Blood Guards wore the Kor'kron tabard.
*During the Battle for Azeroth early alpha, the Horde Vanguards were known as Kor'kron Vanguards instead, and even featured hozen.
*During the Iron Horde Incursion in the Blasted Lands, cut rare elite mobs included orcs wearing the Kor'kron tabard, Champion Logor and Elementalist Utrah.
**Since the incursion, Okrilla now wears the Kor'kron tabard as well.
==Speculation==
*Many orcish NPCs such as the Orgrimmar Elite Infantrymen, the Orgrimmar Elite Shieldguards, the members of the Okril'lon, the members of Hellscream's Vanguard, Shokia and Sergeant Gorrok were depicted as wearing classic Kor'kron armor. It is possible they were all Kor'kron themselves.
==See also==
*Kor'kron Annihilator
*Kor'kron Flare Gun
*Kor'kron Troop Transport
**
*Kor'kron Lumber Crate
*Kor'kron Meat Crate
*Kor'kron Meat Rack
*Kor'kron Oil Barrel
*Kor'kron Oil Drum
*Overturned Kor'kron Caravan
==References==
==External links==
 
Category:True Horde
Category:Orc organizations