True Horde

*For other uses, see Horde (disambiguation).*

“The True Horde takes what it wants!”

— Earthbreaker Haromm
The **True Horde** (or the **true Horde**, **Hellscream's Horde**, and the **Orcish Horde**) is the organization formed by those members of the Horde who remained loyal to Garrosh Hellscream after Vol'jin led a rebellion against him. They are devoted to the conquest of Azeroth and orcish supremacy, and as such there are very few other races in it. It is the main antagonistic faction of the final story arc in *Mists of Pandaria*. After their defeat in Orgrimmar, they were led by Zaela and entered an alliance with Kairoz and the Infinite Dragonflight in order to free Garrosh from custody (or rather buy time in order to transport him to alternate Draenor of the past). Many later joined the Iron Horde formed by Grommash Hellscream.

## History

### Origins

Garrosh Hellscream has frequently advocated that the Horde takes what it needs, even if they need to wage war against the Alliance to do so. Although Garrosh's disregard for a more diplomatic approach is applauded by many of the orcs, who view his uncompromising attitude in regards to securing his people a future to be inspiring, his warmongering has tested the bonds of the other Horde leaders — especially when it comes at the expense of the other Horde races. Ever since Garrosh was named Warchief, the Horde's unity has gradually begun to fracture.

The True Horde has its very beginnings linked to two incidents: Cairne Bloodhoof's death at the hands of Garrosh, and Vol'jin's subsequent threat of assassination towards the new, barbaric Warchief. Although Garrosh managed to hold the Horde together and lead it through the Cataclysm, a number of altercations with his fellow Horde leaders — including the above-mentioned incidents as well as an argument with Sylvanas Windrunner over her use of the val'kyr — bred tension amongst the Horde ranks. After the defeat of Deathwing, Garrosh turned his attention towards claiming total dominion of Kalimdor for the Horde and towards demoralizing the Alliance. He chose to use a mana bomb, an invention of the blood elves who served under Kael'thas, to obliterate Theramore. The march on Theramore was fraught with the Horde leaders discussing their skepticism of Garrosh's harsh and brutal methods, which the Warchief responded by accusing them of approaching treason. Those within the Horde who expressed disapproval of Garrosh's leadership were met with assassination or violence by the Kor'kron under the command of Garrosh's bodyguard, Malkorok. The destruction of Theramore, long considered semi-neutral territory, horrified Baine Bloodhoof and Vol'jin. The attack had the opposite effect Garrosh had hoped for, and the Alliance devoted themselves completely to war with the Horde.

Later on during the Horde's campaign across the newly revealed continent of Pandaria, Garrosh showed increasing signs of megalomania and recklessness. His particular fascination with using the sha and mogu flesh-shaping techniques to create monstrous super soldiers proved to be the last straw for Vol'jin, who denounced Garrosh's intentions and was subsequently forced to fake his death after an assassination attempt by one of Garrosh's loyalists. Garrosh took the opportunity to move against the Echo Isles and place it under strict martial law to oppress the trolls and to prevent an uprising. Vol'jin returned from hiding and with help from Thrall, pushed the Kor'kron out of the Echo Isles. At this point, Vol'jin declared open rebellion against the brutal dictator, though much of this internal strife became of decreased importance when the Thunder King began his own campaign of conquest once again.

After the Thunder King's death, the Darkspear Rebellion began in earnest and many dissatisfied Horde leaders joined it. SI:7 and Alliance adventurers also covertly aided the Darkspear Rebellion to further weaken Garrosh's forces for the Alliance's planned assault on Orgrimmar. Due to their combined efforts, the Darkspear Rebellion managed to wrest control of Razor Hill and the Northern Barrens from Garrosh's Kor'kron. The True Horde made preparations of their own and secretly started hatching proto-drake eggs, proliferating weapons, and dealing with dark shamanism. All evidence found by Vol'jin's spies pointed to Garrosh planning some sort of invasion and also searching for some sort of artifact in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.

When even Jastor Gallywix and the Bilgewater Cartel joined the Darkspear Rebellion due to Garrosh's refusal to pay them for excavating the Heart of Y'Shaarj, Garrosh re-organized his orc forces into the True Horde and began the final phase of his plans.

Garrosh and his forces later went to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. At the Vale, Garrosh fought Taran Zhu and used the energy of the Vale's pools to revive the Old God's heart. Once the revitalized Heart of Y'Shaarj was his to utilize, Garrosh planned to use it as his ultimate weapon against his enemies.

With the power of Y'Shaarj, the True Horde began a genocidal campaign to conquer Azeroth, subjugate all non-orcish life, and brutally crush all who oppose them.

Some time prior to the Siege of Orgrimmar the True Horde was bolstered by the Paragons of the Klaxxi and their mantid followers, due to Garrosh reviving the Heart of Y'Shaarj and following the will of their Old God master.

### Siege of Orgrimmar

*Valiant Horde, cry out for the fallen Warchief! Let anger fuel your rage and propel your vengeance for the enemies who stand before you. Our strength shall be the axe, and the power of the Horde will rain down destruction on the puny Alliance. FOR THE HORDE!*
—A rallying cry of Garrosh's loyalists
With both the Darkspear Rebellion and the Alliance preparing to strike at Orgrimmar, the True Horde rallied to defend Orgrimmar by having forces present outside the gates and throughout the city itself. Orgrimmar was placed under martial law and any civilian dissent was met with violence by the Kor'kron. Furthermore at some point prior to the Siege of Orgrimmar, the True Horde under orders of Warchief Hellscream culled nearly every Warlock trainer from the city for consorting with demons. With Orgrimmar seemingly secured from all inner threats, the True Horde prepared themselves for battle against the joint Alliance and Horde (the latter under the name 'Darkspear Rebellion') attack. However, despite their best efforts the True Horde suffered heavy casualties and lost many of its leaders; such as Malkorok, General Nazgrim, Helix Blackfuse, and their mantid forces — the Paragons included. Ultimately, the True Horde was defeated, and Warchief Garrosh Hellscream was captured and given to pandaren custody so that he could be put on trial in Pandaria.

While the True Horde suffered a major defeat, members of the organization such as Zaela and her remaining Dragonmaw were able to escape.

### The Untamed Valley

File:WoW-novel-logo-16x62.png **This section concerns content related to the *Warcraft* novels, novellas, or short stories.**
While the True Horde was defeated at the Siege of Orgrimmar, remnants of the True Horde were still at large such as Mashok and his group of Kor'kron Dark Shaman, who sought to use the elements of Pandaria to strike at the Alliance and Horde. However Mashok and his forces eventually engaged Lyalia, Maraad, and a group of pandaren in battle, and most of them would be slain. Mashok, however, was spared in the interests of justice and was taken into the custody of the Alliance at Lion's Landing.

### War Crimes

File:WoW-novel-logo-16x62.png **This section concerns content related to the *Warcraft* novels, novellas, or short stories.**
Meanwhile with Garrosh remanded at the Temple of the White Tiger and being put on trial, Zaela would serve as the leader of the free True Horde remnants, of whom her Dragonmaw clan consisted the bulk of and were in hiding within the fortress of Grim Batol. While licking their wounds, a message from a dragon would send Zaela to recruit others loyal to the True Horde such as the orc Shokia and the blood elf Thalen Songweaver. Soon after, Zaela and her forces launched an attack on Westguard Keep in Northrend, where they freed the goblin Harrowmeiser and subsequently hired the services of the Northsea Freebooters.

Under Zaela's commands, the True Horde and their pirate allies journeyed to Pandaria with the goal of causing a distraction to last long enough for Kairoz to free Garrosh and escape. At some point prior to the attack on the Temple, Zaela had allied her forces with the Infinite dragonflight who aided in the attack on the temple; during which Thalen dropped mana grenades across the battlefield while Harrowmeiser piloted the zeppelin carrying Shokia. When Zaela discovers that Garrosh was able to escape thanks to Kairoz, she calls for the True Horde to retreat from the battle and abandoned her pirate allies to their fate.

### Warlords of Draenor

Warlords of Draenor **This section concerns content related to *Warlords of Draenor*.**
Zaela remained a warlord of the Dragonmaw clan in Blackrock Spire and was joined by the Ironmarch invasion force. In the Mountain, they intended to unleash a weapon of mass destruction capable of destroying Stormwind City and large swaths of land surrounding Blackrock Mountain.

The Blackfuse Company became a main supplier of technology for the Iron Horde, led by Pauli Rocketspark, who replaced Helix Blackfuse after his death. The company is responsible for the creation of nearly the entirety of the Iron Horde's infrastructure and advanced siege weapons they are using.

Ultimately Zaela, Pauli Rocketspark, and their followers were slain by Alliance and Horde champions during the war in Draenor. Garrosh Hellscream was also slain by Thrall during a mak'gora.

## Leadership

File:IconSmall Garrosh.gif Warchief Garrosh Hellscream

* General of the True Horde: File:IconSmall Nazgrim.gif Nazgrim
* Leader of the Kor'kron: File:IconSmall Malkorok.gif Malkorok
	+ Chieftain of the Dragonmaw clan:  Warlord Zaela
		- Dragonmaw Officials:
			* File:IconSmall OrcGray Female.gif Master Cannoneer Dagryn
			* File:IconSmall OrcGray Male.gif Lieutenant Krugruk
			* File:IconSmall OrcGray Male.gif High Enforcer Thranok
			* File:IconSmall OrcGray Female.gif Korgra the Snake
	+ Overseer of Ragefire Chasm:  Overseer Elaglo
	+ Overseer of Razor Hill:  High Overseer Bloodmane
		- Sub-leaders in Razor Hill:
			* Deadeye Kail
			* File:IconSmall Orc Female.gif Augur Narali
	+ Kor'kron assassin charged with killing Vol'jin:  Rak'gor Bloodrazor
	+ Kor'kron Commanders:
		- Commander Knucklecrusher
		- Commander To'karg
		- Commander Ag'troz
	+ Kor'kron Assassins:
		- File:IconSmall Orc Female.gif Greska the Scorned
		- Kar Greyskull
		- Ruskan Goreblade
	+ Head of the Kor'kron Subjugators:  Gul'tar the Subjugator
* Leaders of the Dark Shaman:  Earthbreaker Haromm and File:IconSmall Orc Female.gif Wavebinder Kardris
	+ Dark Shaman in the Ragefire Chasm:  Dark Shaman Xorenth
	+ Kor'kron Dark Shaman:
		- File:IconSmall Orc Female.gif Jessina the Blazing
		- Ruka the Eruptor
		- File:IconSmall Orc Female.gif Wavebinder Se'sha
	+ Leader of the Kor'kron remnants in Pandaria:  Mashok
		- Kor'kron remnants in Pandaria:
			* Zertin
			* Kishok
			* Trokk
* Chief Engineer and Leader of the Blackfuse Company: File:IconSmall Goblin Male.gif Helix Blackfuse
	+ Blackfuse Officials:
		- File:IconSmall Goblin Female.gif Shanna Sparkfizz
		- Goro'dan
		- Aggron
	+ Hired mercenaries (presumed):
		- File:IconSmall Goblin Male.gif Laz Madwire
		- File:IconSmall Goblin Male.gif Hoff Greasegun
		- File:IconSmall Goblin Male.gif Speegle Blasttorch

Mokvar collected money from Orgrimmar's banks.

## Organization

Unlike the New Horde, the True Horde is almost purely orcish as they believe exclusively in orcish supremacy and the subjugation or annihilation of all 'lesser' races. They're extremely brutal and militaristic, being almost entirely composed of military and are hostile to anyone who's not an orc. Despite this, they have a significant amount of goblins in their ranks, who invent and operate the various war machines of the True Horde. They will always fight to the bitter end, and every soldier is expected to die on the battlefield if they have to — something they consider to be honorable. In addition, they are completely merciless, willing to execute innocents if they refuse to help them. Furthermore, they show no mercy to their captives. Theramore Citizens and Darkspear Headhunters can be found tied to posts and used as target practice for their archers. They also take pleasure in tormenting their captives as caged Theramore citizens would be used to fight to the death and goblins in the Orgrimmar Auction House would dance for the orcs' amusement. However, they expressly forbid the use of warlock magic and drinking demon blood, practices that led to the destruction of the Old Horde. By the Siege of Orgrimmar, the True Horde has lynched most of the warlocks in Orgrimmar.

The True Horde is of the view that they should simply take what they want by force; a view that extends to even the dragonflights. This view also extends to the Dark Shaman, an organization from Ragefire Chasm that Garrosh incorporated into the True Horde to bolster his caster forces. These Dark Shaman dress in warlock-style garb and force the elements to serve them, creating twisted versions of the elements in the forms of ash, smog, slime, and rust. Garrosh wasn't also afraid of using the arcane arts to his advantage, and so several arcweaver mages were among the ranks of his followers.

The True Horde's central power source is the Heart of Y'Shaarj, the last fragment of the deceased Old God. As a result, the True Horde are indirect servants of the Old Gods, and possessing the Heart of one was enough motivation for the Klaxxi to join the organization as well. As the oldest and most powerful warriors of the mantid empire, the Klaxxi give a significant advantage to the True Horde. With the powers of an Old God at their command, the True Horde could have become nigh unstoppable.

## Technology

Devised by perhaps one the last few remaining goblins in the Horde, Siegecrafter Helix Blackfuse, the technology of the True Horde is some of the most terrifying to appear on Azeroth. It consists of massive iron siege weapons such as the Iron Juggernaut, special crawler mines, and a weapon of mass destruction known as the iron star; a massive rolling bomb that crushes and burns anything in its path before exploding with enough force to wipe out whole squadrons. The True Horde also uses salvaged technology from the mogu and mantid empires, such as the mogu's terracotta soldiers or the mantid's sticky bombs.

## Notes and trivia

* The True Horde is in many ways a sort of prototype to the Iron Horde, an organization Garrosh creates after escaping to the alternate Draenor of the past. Several of its members also join the Iron Horde at a later point, such as Zaela and Blackfuse Company.
* In the time before Garrosh and his followers rose to power, two other groups had also claimed to be the "True Horde": The Dark Horde and the Fel Horde. With Warlords of Draenor, both Vol'jin and Thrall have also started to refer to their Horde as the "true Horde".
* The cut orc forces of the Iron Horde Incursion may have been intended to be the remnants of the True Horde.

## References

 1. ↑ Kor'kron Dark Shaman#Adventure Guide
2. ↑ Kor'kron Blood Axe#Quotes
3. ↑ High Overseer Bloodmane#Quotes
4. ↑ **Garrosh Hellscream yells:** We are the Orcish Horde, the True Horde. We die, bloody and thrashing on the field of battle, like true orcs SHOULD.
5. ↑ Tides of War
6. ↑ Dagger in the Dark
7. ↑ Battlefield: Barrens
8. ↑ Secrets of Ragefire
9. ↑ Dark Heart of Pandaria
10. ↑ World of Warcraft Horde Crest Stencil Women's Tee
11. ↑ Siege of Orgrimmar
12. ↑ *The Untamed Valley*
13. ↑ And Justice for Thrall