The Borean Tundra is a perpetually icy and snowy region, hindering the development of large settlements. Its landscape is roamed by numerous Drakkari trolls, while the blue dragonflight holds territory to the west, the Scourge exerts its influence from the north, and the naga occupy the southern coasts. Alongside these factions, the Tuskarr of Kaskala and the taunka in the northeast represent the largest native populations.
On the very night of Deliverance Point's establishment, naga from the Lashweed Coast launched a harassing attack on the Crusader colony. Galen responded decisively, dispatching the Third Crusader Army to subdue them. Subsequently, under the banner of Vashj, these naga were integrated and tasked with countering the vrykul pirates plaguing the coastline.
The taunka, the original inhabitants of this land, possessed strong physiques that drew the Lich King's attention. Seeking to bolster his Scourge ranks with these formidable warriors, he initiated a campaign to encircle and annihilate them. Fortunately, Baine and Magatha led the elite tauren in a successful defense of their last stronghold, Taunka'le Village. Furthermore, High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof dispatched reinforcements led by Baine's fiancée, Mayla Highmountain, and Jale Rivermane, to aid another group of taunka residing in Icemist Village within Dragonblight.
The Tuskarr, weary from the relentless harassment of sea vrykul and Kvaldir vrykul, found much-needed relief with the arrival of the Crusaders. They promptly established contact with Deliverance Point, initiating trade. These Tuskarr were even willing to hire Crusader troops to assist them in repelling the vrykul pirates.
When Galen teleported from Howling Fjord to Valiance Keep, the Cenarion Circle's druid transport ship had just docked. Galen recognized two prominent figures: Thorngrin, whom he had previously recruited to sow discord among the night elves, and Grand Druid Lorthalrius, a disciple of Malfurion Stormrage. The latter's potential establishment of the Cenarion Expedition in the Borean Tundra remained to be seen. Galen subtly signaled Thorngrin on the dock, indicating a need for a private meeting, before entering Valiance Keep to confer with Aragorn, the Crusader commander in the Borean Tundra.
(Valgarde and Valiance Keep are two separate places huh? I blame Blizzard)
"Aragorn, what is the current situation in Deliverance Point?" Galen inquired.
"Galen, you've arrived!" Aragorn set aside his documents and stood to greet him. Despite regaining fragments of Tyr's memories, with the Heart of Origin as a safeguard, Aragorn remained one of Galen's most trusted companions. "The development of Deliverance Point is proving challenging. The Borean Tundra's complexities have led to us spreading our forces too thin. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say we're facing multiple crises simultaneously."
The area designated by Galen as Deliverance Point was expansive, stretching from Valiance Keep in the southeast to Fort Courage in the north, encompassing approximately one-third of the Borean Tundra. However, the Crusaders' current control extended only a few dozen kilometers around these two strongholds. Achieving Galen's objectives required the Third and Fourth Armies to overcome numerous remaining threats.
"The Borean Tundra's coastline is extensive," Aragorn explained. "Apart from the northern mountains, the other three sides are coastal. A particularly troublesome vrykul pirate group known as the Skadiir constantly harasses our shores and inland areas, destroying our fields and farms!"
Skadiir? Aren't they the Kvaldir vrykul? Galen mused.
"Beyond coastal raids, they even laid siege to Valiance Keep, though we easily repelled them," Aragorn continued. "However, these vrykul are peculiar. They can manipulate mists, and their corpses bizarrely dissolve into piles of seaweed upon death!"
Tyr, with his partially restored memories, was familiar with the vrykul but had never encountered such strange phenomena.
"That is Helya's curse," Galen explained. "These sea-faring vrykul have been corrupted by the Maw of Souls, a realm built by Helya, which accounts for their transformation." Galen then recounted the tale of Odin forcibly turning Helya into a val'kyr and her subsequent alliance with Loken to trap Odin.
"So, it is Helya… Odin's impulsiveness has indeed borne bitter fruit!" Aragorn commented. He recalled Tyr's efforts to bless the five proto-dragons after they helped slay Galakrond, hoping they would become protectors of Azeroth. While the other Keepers agreed, Odin had vehemently opposed the idea, viewing proto-dragons as primitive and unworthy, believing only powerful titan creations were fit to guard the world. To thwart Tyr's proposal, Odin had even invoked the Highfather's authority, asserting his ultimate decision-making power. Though the proto-dragons were eventually blessed, Tyr had undoubtedly harbored reservations about Odin's actions. Later, after Odin's intention to construct the Halls of Valor and elevate a section of Ulduar into the sky, Tyr had lost contact with him. Shortly after discovering Loken's corruption, Tyr had fallen, never learning the full extent of what transpired on Odin's side. The Keepers' lack of unity had ultimately contributed to their downfall at Loken's hands.
"Howling Fjord has been secured," Galen stated. "I will soon have Drek'Thar and Taylor bring the naval fleets of Stromgarde and Kul Tiras to collaborate with our Tuskarr allies and the naga to eradicate these vrykul pirates."
"That would be most welcome," Aragorn replied. "Naval warfare is not my forte. These pirates are beyond my reach unless they venture ashore."
Having addressed the coastal threat, Aragorn produced another document. "The Borean Tundra is teeming with wildlife, including large herds of long-tailed rhinoceroses. However, a dwarven hunting party has recently appeared, engaging in extensive hunting that is already damaging the local ecosystem. The Shadowblade's agents are still occupied in Howling Fjord, and lacking information on these dwarves' origins, I have refrained from intervention."
"Hmm…" Galen took the report, scanned it, and stated, "Forward this report to our newly arrived night elf allies. They will assist us in resolving this issue."
"Is there anything else?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes, I have discovered new species in two hidden caves: magnataur!" Aragorn knew of Galen's penchant for collecting unusual alien races, many of whom now served as vassals under the Crusaders. These races, though often initially hostile, were invariably trained by Galen into loyal allies, playing crucial roles in the Battle for Mount Hyjal, significantly reducing Crusader casualties.
"Oh?" Galen's interest piqued. He recalled the magnataur of Northrend, but the memory was hazy.
"Magmothregar and Mogasra," Aragorn provided two names. "These are the dominant male magnataur occupying the core areas of Deliverance Point to the south and north, respectively." Magnataur were inherently aggressive, often turning on each other when gathered in large numbers. Consequently, their "clans" typically consisted of a powerful male and numerous females, all his mates, resembling a lion pride more than a traditional clan. This fragmented social structure posed no significant threat, hence Aragorn's lack of urgency in dealing with them.