The View Through The Branches

The Valley of Heroes lies between Stormwind Gate and the city entrance proper.

It is the first view “official” entrants to the city have of the area, and it is certainly majestic.

Statues of alliance heroes line the stone bridge that crosses the valley and moat. These heroes are those that crossed through the Dark Portal to Draenor to seal the dimensional rift from the darker side.

As you walk into the city, you are flanked by Kurdran Wildhammer on your left and Danath Trollbane on your right.

Kurdran Wildhammer

Wildhammer is known as the Gryphon Rider of Northeron. He was originally Chief Thane of the Wildhammer Clan and was based in the Hinterlands. When the orcs invaded during the Second War, Wildhammer was one of the first to spot the invasion and take arms. After the human alliance and forces from Lordaeron helped push back the orcish invasion, Wildhammer pledged allegiance to the humans and the alliance.

Kurdran and his gryphon, Sky’ree, became stuff of legend, known for swooping over the field of battle, aiding Lordaeron and Quelthelas. At the end of the Second War, he had the deaths of 9 dragons to his name, and remained part of the alliance as a scout.

Kurdran was eager to enter into battle once more after hearing of Deathwing’s breach of the Dark Portal, and commanded the Gryphon Rider Division. Kurdran chose to stay and fight in Draenor when Ner’zhul opened his portals in Draenor, and was believed dead for twenty years, until contact was reestablished.

Danath Trollbane

Danath is master of Honor Hold and commands all Alliance troops in Hellfire Peninsula. He was the militia commander os the Alliance Expedition into Draenor, and is nephew of Thoras Trollbane, Lord of Stromgarde.

He was made famous for leading the armies of Stromgarde into the final battle of Khaz Modan. He was later called upon to strengthen the armies of Nethergarde Keep when the Horde reopened the Dark Portal. The Warsong Clan and Death Knights ambushed Danath and his party, and knowing the Horde would win, his soliders sacrificed themselves to allow him time to get away and warn Nethergarde.

Danath remains continuously guilt ridden to this day for letting his men die.

Danath joined the Alliance Expedition to Draenor as second in command to Turalyon, and led part of the gryphon riders and part of the rangers in taking Hellfire Citadel.

Danath almost went insane when he believed he had lost Kurdzan, who got kidnapped and held in Auchindoun. He rescued the dwarf and battled against Kilrogg Deadeye, defeating the orc but not before Nerz’hul, the real threat, had escaped.

He now permanently resides in Honor Hold, miles away from his friends and comrades. When the Dark Portal was reopened, he learnt of the destruction of Stromgarde, and hopes to return there one day and rebuild the city.

Archmage Khadgar

Khadgar is believed to be one of the most powerful wizards ever to have lived. He was the apprentice of Medivh, sent to learn under Medivh at Karazhan at just 17. He discovered Medivh’s lineage and history and began to sense something was wrong with his master long before it became clear.

After meeting a Horde emissary, the half-orc Garona, he discovered Medivh’s plan to open the Dark Portal. Unable to stop the opening, Khadgar and Garona rushed to King Llane Wrynn of Stormwind for help. Khadgar eventually bested Medivh by killing him, but in the process was turned from a young, fit man, into an old, frail one. He studied the Dark Portal whilst fighting for the Alliance during the Second War, and oversaw the construction of Nethergarde Keep.

When the portal was reopened by orcs, Khadgar went through as part of the expedition to close the rift. He was believed dead same as the other heroes. He now resides in Shattrath, and characters can interact with him and learn of his history there. When the alliance was simply surviving in the Twisted Nether and destroyed Draenor, it was Khadgar that reached out to A’dal and the Naaru.

Alleria Windrunner

Alleria is the eldest Windrunner sister. On invasion of Lordaeron, Anduin Lothar called upon the Sunstriders for assistance. Quel’Thelas sent a small fleet of elves to help combat the Horde invasion. Alleria was one of few who saw the Horde to be a larger threat than first perceived, and chose to remain, joining the Alliance of Lordaeron. She, upon discovering the horde were moving on Quel’Thelas, led an Alliance army to Silvermoon, breifly reuniting with Sylvanas, her sister.

They pushed back the horde but 18 of her elves died, including her younger brother. Alleria found comfort with Turalyon, but eventually dedicated her life to revenge. Alleria began to see all orcs as vermin, almost exterminating the Bleeding Hollow Clan and being more than keen to lead a fleet into Draenor. It was when she reached Draenor and saw there was more to the battle than revenge that she let go of her hate and began to mourn. She rekindled her relationship with Turalyon.

She sent the majority of her forces to pursue Ner’Zhul, but herself stayed with Khadgar and Turalyon to retrieve Gul’dan’s skull from Deathwing. They set out to return to Honor Hold, and although Danath is present, as is Kuldran and Khadgar, neither Alleria or Turalyon are present in the World of Warcraft. She is remembered in Khadgar’s silver coin, which can be fished from Dalaran fountain; “Turalyon and Alleria, wherever you are, may you be well.”

General Turalyon

Turalyon was a paladin that served the alliance. He was second in command to Lothar, and is was Turalyon that, after Lothar was struck down in combat at the Battle for Blackrcok Spire, took up his sword hilt and rallied the troops.

Turalyon continuously blames himself for Lothar’s death.

He was handpicked as one of the first five Knights of the Silver Hand, and was tasked, with the other men (including Uther and Tirion), to order and prepare the defenses against the Horde. Turalyon continually doubted his own self worth. He fought against the Horde throughout the Second War, but was too late to save Caer Darrow and Tyr’s Hand and too late to stop the Horde overcoming Stratholme.

After the Battle of Blackrock Spire, Turalyon spared Doomhammers life but chased the orcs back to the Dark Portal, which Khadgar closed, essentially ending the threat.

A few years later King Menethil handpicked Turalyon to lead the expedition into Draenor. Turalyon led the fight against Deathwing and eventually rejoined Danath’s forces in the battle at the Black Temple. However Ner’Zhul escaped, and as with the other heroes, at great personal sacrifice Turalyon helped Khadgar close the portal. After they returned to Draenor, now Outland, Turalyon and the others returned to Honor Hold.

However neither him or, as mentioned earlier, Alleria, appear in the World of Warcraft at the moment. Their current locations are unknown.