Ironforge Guard
- For the Ironforge NPCs, see Ironforge Guard (NPC).
 Ironforge Guard | |
|---|---|
 King Magni Bronzebeard and his guards. | |
| Main leader |
   Council of Three Hammers |
| Formerly |
 King Magni Bronzebeard |
| Secondary leaders |
 Captain Angus Stonehammer |
| Race(s) |
  Dwarf |
| Character classes | Warrior, Gryphon rider |
| Base of operations | Ironforge |
| Theater of operations | Azeroth |
| Language(s) | Dwarven, Common |
| Affiliation | Bronzebeard clan, Kingdom of Ironforge, Alliance army |
| Status | Active |
“We guard the people of Ironforge an' enforce its laws. No matter who is on th' throne!”
The Ironforge Guard[2] (also known as the King's Army)[3][4] are the main domestic military force of the Kingdom of Ironforge. They act as city guards enforcing laws within the capital of Ironforge, elite bodyguards of the Council of Three Hammers, and a peacekeeping force within the wider Dun Morogh region. Members have also been known to accompany important figures to distant locations in their role.[5]
Each member of the guard is equipped with a set of plate armor, a specific attire with an iconic red color and the symbol of a hammer. Under Ironforge's government, Angus Stonehammer serves as captain of the guard.[6] While the main responsibility of the Ironforge Guard appears to lie within the kingdom, members may serve in the armed forces fighting on distant battlefields as part of the Alliance army.[7]
History
World of Warcraft
In Year 25 ADP, when Magistrate Solomon of Lakeshire sent envoys to Ironforge to ask for aid against incursions from the Blackrock orcs, Princess Moira volunteered to help and set out toward Lakeshire with her retinue, including Kharan Mighthammer and twenty-one elite guardsmen. However, they were eventually ambushed and captured by the Dark Iron dwarves in the Burning Steppes.[8]
When the Hidden Circle discovered that King Magni Bronzebeard was exhausting the dwarven quarries by extracting all their iron ore and gems, amassing more wealth than a dwarf could amass in ten lifetimes, the thieves decided to come up with a plan to steal some of his treasure.[9] However, while discussing phase III of their heist, the Ironforge Guard arrived and arrested several rogues.[10]
In the Alterac Valley, Seasoned and Veteran Guardsmen joined the Stormpike Guard to fight against the Horde.
During the Ahn'Qiraj War, Ironforge Infantrymen were part of the Alliance forces who joined the Might of Kalimdor, fighting against the Qiraji Empire pouring from Ahn'Qiraj.
The Shattering
Shortly before the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, the estranged Princess of Ironforge, Moira Thaurissan, returned to the city and attempted to seize power, throwing Ironforge into chaos. At this time, the guards were vital in maintaining peace between the Dark Iron clan and the Ironforge dwarves themselves.[1]
Fire and Iron
The Guard was later tasked to locate Kurdran Wildhammer and bring him to the rest of the Council of Three Hammers, then protected the trio when dealing with the Hammer of the High King.[11]
Cataclysm
During the Elemental Unrest, when frenzied elementals threatened major cities across Azeroth, the King's Army successfully defended Ironforge from the assault.
When the Dark Iron dwarves loyal to the Twilight's Hammer launched a large-scale attack on the Ironforge Airfield,[12] the King's Army was led by Commander Stonebreaker to repel the invaders. After the airfield engineers eventually managed to repair one Bomber, the Alliance adventurer helped the guard to defeat the dark iron dwarves and their leader, General Grimaxe.[13][14] The Guard was later sent to arrest the Dark Iron Ambassador Slaghammer in the Dark Iron Embassy when it was discovered he was colluding with the Twilight cult.[15]
At some point, Shilah Slabchisel was sent to Swiftgear Station in the Wetlands, from where she worked with Alliance adventurers to defeat the raptors plaguing the region,[16] as well as the Mosshide gnolls who stole ingots from the Ironforge Royal Treasury at the request of the Dark Iron dwarves led by Yorla Darksnare.[17][18]
Mists of Pandaria
During the Siege of Orgrimmar in 30 ADP, guards accompanied Queen-Regent Moira through the Underhold. After using Dark Iron Mole Machines, they suffered heavy casualties to the True Horde's iron stars.
Warlords of Draenor
During the war in Draenor in 31 ADP, Officer Jeor allowed the Alliance commander to recruit dwarven guards. As part of the Lunarfall's defenders, they protected the garrison during the invasions.
Legion
At the beginning of the third invasion of the Burning Legion in 32 ADP, the Ironforge Guard were deployed throughout Dun Morogh to help the adventurers repel the Legion Invasions.
Battle for Azeroth
During the Battle for Stromgarde in 33 ADP, Veterans of Ironforge and Ironforge Footmen could be seen among Muradin Bronzebeard's forces.
When the dwarf hero entered Aegrim's Study in Old Ironforge, they received help from the Ironforge Guard to defeat Roc'maw the Burrower and the Trogg Invaders.[19]
Known members
| Name | Role(s) | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerin
|
Royal guard | Deceased | Ironforge, Dun Morogh |
| Angus Stonehammer
|
Captain | Alive | Ironforge, Dun Morogh |
| Dunstad
|
Honor guard | Alive | High Seat, Ironforge |
| Kharan Mighthammer
|
Guard | Alive | Detention Block, Blackrock Depths |
| Shilah Slabchisel
|
Special agent | Alive | Swiftgear Station, Wetlands |
| Duryllin
|
Guard | Alive | Caverns of Time, Tanaris |
- The Thief Catchers
- Unnamed
- Formerly
Archaeologist Adamant Ironheart - Elite guard
Notes and trivia
- Since they put their lives on the line against the kingdom's many enemies, it's up to Daryl Riknussun to ration the guards on duty.[20]
- When King Magni was petrified in a ritual leading up to the Cataclysm, three of the Ironforge Guard were stationed near his 'body' in Old Ironforge.
- Aerin was among the first women to be asked to join the elite guard, whereas before the events of Blackrock Depths, only men were chosen.[21]
- The Forgeguard of the Dark Iron clan wear the same armor as the Ironforge Guard, and likely serve the same role.
Speculation
|
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
- The following wear the same or similar uniform and may be a part of the Guard:
- The Ironforge Brigade's members.
- Derrick Brindlebeard, Artilleryman Sheldonore, Mithras Ironhill, and Rifleman Torrig.
- The mountaineers and Ironforge cavalrymen may come from the Guard.
- All members of the Ironforge Guard appear to be part of the Bronzebeard clan, who have ruled the city of Ironforge since the War of the Three Hammers. The guard are likely to have been involved in the Second War, when Ironforge itself was sieged by the Horde.
Gallery
Ironforge Guards in the Trading Card Game.
Ironforge Guard the TCG, art by Alex Horley.
See also
References
- ^ a b The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, chapter 18
- ^ [10-30] The Mosshide Job
- ^ [1-30] Beer Basted Boar Ribs
- ^
[Khazgorm's Journal]
- ^ Siege of Orgrimmar
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, pg. 171
- ^ [12] In Defense of the King's Lands
- ^ [59D] Kharan's Tale
- ^
[10] Simple Subterfugin'
- ^ [16] Kingly Shakedown
- ^ Fire and Iron
- ^ [1-30] Get to the Airfield
- ^ [1-30] Striking Back
- ^ [1-30] Grimaxe's Demise
- ^ [1-30] Seize the Ambassador
- ^ [10-30] Dinosaur Crisis
- ^ [10-30] Yorla Darksnare
- ^ [10-30] Dark Iron Trappers
- ^
[50-80] Watch Yer Back
- ^
[10-80 Daily] A Round for the Guards
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, pg. 104, 115
