The First Greymane
The First Greymane is a book that can be bought from Historian Samuel Ravencrest in Ravenshire in Gilneas.
Out of the seven nations that were originally part of the Empire of Arathor, Gilneas stands out as the one that had to fight the hardest for its independence. While Lordaeron was able to secure its freedom through the influence of its nobles, the people of Gilneas had to make great sacrifices to gain their independence.
Although the exact dates of these events have been lost to the sands of time, it is a source of great pride for Gilneas to know that it gained its independence before other notable nations like Alterac and Kul Tiras. The people of Gilneas were among the first to break free from the yoke of Arathorian nobility and enjoy the full benefits of self-rule.
According to legend, the Greymane dynasty that ruled Gilneas was founded by Garalon, a minor noble who owned an insignificant plot of land in the southern part of the country. Over time, Garalon's influence grew, and he became known as a skilled fighter, wise judge, and honorable opponent. His exploits became the stuff of legend even in his own time. However, he grew increasingly tired of the corrupt Arathorian nobles who sought to exploit and oppress his homeland.
Eventually, Garalon gathered other like-minded lords from Gilneas to form a rebellion against the corrupt Arathorian king, Thoradin III, and his followers. Many lords were hesitant to join the rebellion, but Garalon was able to persuade them and eventually declared himself the King of Gilneas.
This was an affront that could not be tolerated by Arathor, which sent its army to pacify Gilneas. Numerous battles were fought on the peninsula, but despite the bravery and courage of Gilneas' men, the odds seemed stacked against them. Arathor had a numerical advantage and was able to overwhelm the Gilnean armies. The Battle of Ravenswood was lost and the Gilnean army was scattered, seemingly without hope.
But the young Gilnean king was not deterred. He rebuilt his strength and rallied the morale of his men. The final battle was fought on the hills of Stillward. Greymane assumed a defensive position on the hilltop, with cavalry hiding in the nearby forest. The Arathorian forces were over four times larger and better equipped, and they rushed Garalon's positions without considering their own men. The Gilneans fought valiantly, killing thousands of Arathorians, but it was not enough. The enemy flowed onto the hills and threatened to surround Greymane's army.
Thankfully, the cavalry in the woods emerged from hiding to turn the tide of the battle. They galloped out of the forest, charging straight into the Arathorian army. Caught off guard, the Arathorians' formation was shattered. Although they attempted to retreat, the Gilneans gave them no quarter and sought revenge for their previous losses. Thousands of Arathorians were killed, including their king, Thoradin III, who pleaded for mercy but received none.
In the end, Gilneas emerged victorious and the young prince of Arathor soon came to sue for peace. Gilneas was granted its independence and joined Dalaran as one of the independent human nations. Garalon became the king of the newly founded nation, and the Greymane dynasty was born.
As the newly founded kingdom of Gilneas began to thrive, it faced yet another challenge. The nobles of Dalaran, who saw a land ripe for exploitation, attacked Gilneas without warning or declaration of war. This was a clear violation of the rules of engagement and displayed the dishonorable nature of the Dalaranian people. The mages of Dalaran, believing they could easily win the war with their magical abilities, underestimated the strength of the Gilnean army. The first battle of Ebonmere was a complete massacre of the Dalaranian soldiers, and their mages were hanged on trees from the city of Gilneas to the kingdom's border, as a reminder to never approach Gilneas again.
Despite the victory over Dalaran, the young king of Gilneas was not able to rest for long. Various nobles of the land were not always loyal to the king, and some rebelled against his rule. However, King Garalon's power was too great, and he managed to subdue them all with the help of his favored general, Lord Ravenwood.
Later in his life, King Garalon focused on reforming the administration of Gilneas. He introduced many new laws and helped the poor populace of the southern regions. Under his rule, Gilneas grew stronger than ever before, and he even supported our Kul Tiran and Alteraci brothers during their wars of independence.
However, tragedy struck when King Garalon was assassinated at the age of 43 by the very Alteraci nobles he had supported just years before. This incident sparked a major war between the two nations that lasted for many decades and ravaged both kingdoms. The war between Gilneas and Alterac was one of the bloodiest and most brutal in the history of the seven kingdoms, leaving a lasting impact on the region for centuries to come.
Despite the conflict, King Garalon's legacy lived on. He is remembered as a just and honorable ruler who fought for the independence of his people and stood up against tyranny and oppression. His leadership and military prowess helped establish the Greymane dynasty, which would go on to rule Gilneas for generations to come. Even in death, Garalon remained a symbol of hope and inspiration for the people of Gilneas, who continued to honor his memory long after he was gone.
Patch changes
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