Alright, let's break down Galen's diplomatic efforts in rallying forces for the Northrend expedition.
As the saying goes, "favor should be spread evenly." Following his success in persuading the core Alliance nations to contribute to the Northrend development, Galen journeyed to Thunder Bluff to extend an invitation to the tauren.
The tauren are generally a peaceful, almost Buddhist people. Their lives revolve around herding and hunting, with little desire for expansion or conflict, the warmongering Grimtotem tribe being a notable exception. While they actively participated in the Kalimdor War due to the existential threat it posed to Azeroth, the prospect of establishing a distant colony held less appeal. Their population, significantly reduced by centuries of conflict with the centaur, was slowly recovering in their new homeland of Mulgore, a settlement aided by Galen. Having reached a population of just over a million, and with their focus on developing Mulgore and the jointly held Southsea Gold region, the tauren were unlikely to consider territorial expansion for at least another fifty years. Forcing their participation through treaties risked fracturing their unity.
Since material benefits held little sway, Galen opted for an emotional appeal. He discovered a parallel between the tauren and the dwarves: both had distant relatives in Northrend facing dire circumstances. In the tauren's case, these were the yaungol, struggling against the undead Scourge.
Leveraging this ancestral connection and the plight of their kin, Galen successfully convinced Cairne, Hamuul, and Magatha to commit tauren forces to the Northrend expedition. Surprisingly, Magatha's Grimtotem tribe formed a significant portion of the tauren contingent, alongside Baine's leadership. Magatha, once a radical shaman with strong tribalistic and warmongering views, had seemingly been tempered by over a decade of interaction within the Argent Crusade Alliance.
Witnessing the Crusade's strength, including floating , airships, and aerial gunships, had likely shifted her perspective. Furthermore, Galen's allowance of tauren hunting expeditions against the centaur in the Stonetalon Mountains aligned with her more aggressive tendencies, subtly influencing her stance.
Having secured the tauren commitment, Galen then discreetly approached Prince Tortheldrin of Eldre'Thalas, requesting night elf participation in the Northrend venture. It's worth noting that following the Battle of Mount Hyjal, Hamuul Runetotem successfully petitioned Malfurion Stormrage to allow tauren druids into the Cenarion Circle, fostering a collaborative effort in healing the natural world.
While the Alliance nations and the tauren required time to assemble their forces, Galen acted swiftly. He divided the Stromgarde fleet into two wings. One sailed towards the western coast of Northrend, tasked with establishing a fortress in the Borean Tundra upon landing. The other headed east along the coastline towards the Howling Fjord. These regions were chosen for their relatively milder temperatures, making them suitable for initial development.
Humans had already established a foothold in Howling Fjord. In the prosperous years following the orc wars, under King Terenas Menethil's rule, Lordaeron's population had grown to nearly three million. The ambitious king, with his long-term vision, recognized the limitations of southward expansion due to the strongholds of Alterac, Stromgarde, and Gilneas. Overseas colonization appeared to be the most viable path. Inspired by Galen's pioneering efforts in Kalimdor, Lordaeron had established an initial camp in Northrend. It was near this very camp, in Daggercap Bay, that Arthas Menethil later chose to land his fleet, and where the mercenaries who 'betrayed' him were hired. After Arthas's departure, the remaining humans and dwarves jointly fortified the area, creating Valgarde Keep and beginning cultivation in the relatively safe surroundings.
For the development of Howling Fjord, Galen's strategy centered on expanding from the existing Valgarde base in all directions, aiming to secure the entire region before the slumbering vrykul awakened. With Galen's support and Calia Menethil's authorization, Valgarde underwent rapid expansion. Within a mere half-month, walls, farms, and arrow towers sprang up under the protection of the Argent Crusade army, a testament to their efficiency that astonished the native inhabitants. Had he not wished to maintain a degree of subtlety, Galen could have constructed a substantial town in the same timeframe. Subsequently, the First Legion under General Omar garrisoned Valgarde, while the Second Legion advanced to the northwestern cliffs, establishing the second stronghold, Fort Wildervar (also known as Vengeance Landing in Galen's memory), along the coast below.
The progress on the western front was equally swift. The expeditionary force established Fort Courage on the southeastern coast of the Borean Tundra. Unlike the vrykul-heavy Howling Fjord, the Borean Tundra's native population, aside from the blue dragons in the west, posed less of a threat. Following the establishment of Fort Courage, the Third Legion was assigned garrison duty, allowing the Fourth Legion to push inland and establish the second major fortress in the heart of the Borean Tundra: Warsong Hold. These two fortresses provided mutual support, effectively planting the Argent Crusade's banner across the southern Borean Tundra. Galen then officially named this newly claimed territory Valgarde, marking it as a new dominion of Stromgarde. This expansive land, fertile despite some permafrost, was quickly being prepared for agricultural development under Galen's direction.
The Argent Crusade dedicated over half a month to preparing infrastructure and securing territory for their incoming allies, highlighting Galen's strategic foresight and commitment to the alliance, rather than pursuing purely self-serving gains.
At this time, the allies Galen awaited were still in Lordaeron. Turalyon had already led the assembled Alliance army to the very gates of Lordaeron's capital. The dwarven expeditionary force, the Stormwind Seventh Legion, the Gilneas Marine Brigade, the Stromgarde First and Second Legions, the Hearthglen Battle Group of Lordaeron, and the newly formed Hope and Stratholme Battle Groups were all gathered in Brill, poised for deployment.