Warlord Zaela
- For the boss encounter in the Siege of Orgrimmar, see Galakras. For the boss encounter in the Upper Blackrock Spire, see Warlord Zaela (tactics).
- Not to be confused with Zaelatha.
 Warlord Zaela | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title |
Warlord of the Dragonmaw clan,[1] Warlord Maiden[2] |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | Orc (Humanoid) |
| Class | Warrior |
| Affiliation(s) | Dragonmaw clan, Ironmarch, Iron Horde |
| Former affiliation(s) | True Horde, Horde |
| Occupation | Warlord of the Ironmarch and the Dragonmaw clan |
| Former occupation(s) | Commander of the True Horde |
| Location | Various |
| Status |
Deceased[3] (lore) Killable  |
| Companion(s) | Galakras, Ragewing the Untamed |
Warlord Zaela was the leader of the Dragonmaw clan after its return to the Horde in the wake of the Cataclysm. A staunch follower of Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, she fought under the True Horde during the Siege of Orgrimmar. When Garrosh was overthrown, Zaela joined the Iron Horde and led the Ironmarch expedition within Blackrock Spire, where she was defeated by the adventurers.
History
Cataclysm
In the wake of the Cataclysm, Zaela was first introduced alongside Gregor, chastising him for his reluctance to aid Warchief Garrosh Hellscream's fleet out of his fear of the current Dragonmaw Warchief, Mor'ghor. Following the Horde's failed negotiations with the tyrannical Mor'ghor,[4] Zaela found and released the adventurer from their captivity, returning their confiscated gear.[5] Highly worried about the future of the Dragonmaw under the corrupted Mor'ghor, Zaela cited him as a traitor to his own blood, and that he and his fel orcs would bring about the destruction of the clan. She sent the adventurer back to the Horde fleet, bargaining that if Mor'ghor was deposed, she and the true Dragonmaw would be the Horde's allies forevermore.[6]
The Horde forces laid siege to Dragonmaw Port from the shore, and the Dragonmaw themselves took up arms against the fel orcs with supplies sent by the Horde fleet.[7][8] The fight was taken directly to Mor'ghor, and with the help of the Horde, he was disposed of. In the aftermath, Zaela announced a new Dragonmaw dawns with his death,[9] and as the new leader of the Dragonmaw, she was welcomed into the Horde by Garrosh himself.[10]
Despite the Dragonmaw taking up arms with the Horde against the Alliance,[11][12] Narkrall Rakeclaw within Bloodgulch was less than pleased with his new allies. Taking the "Demon Chain", an item used to project will upon sentient beings (in particular, black dragons) and his own subdued black drake, Torth, Narkrall left to annihilate the Wildhammer outpost of Thundermar in an attempt to gain support from the clan against Zaela. Narkrall was left for dead in the process, having not anticipated the Alliance backing the Wildhammer, and the chain was returned to Zaela.[13] Torth, however, survived the encounter and fled the scene free from the chain's influence. Now freed from his enthrallment, Torth set his sights on revenge against the Dragonmaw. Zaela was able to subdue him outside the Gullet and attempted to put him under the chain's influence once more. Unwilling to serve, Zaela concluded that he had to die.[14]
Zaela later relocated to Crushblow, joined by a Horde liason named Lady Cozwynn sent by Lady Sylvanas Windrunner.[15] She had gained the title of Warlord, and assisted Garona Halforcen alongside Cozwynn during the showdown with Skullcrusher the Mountain.[16] Zaela and Garrosh eventually developed a strong bond during the conflict.[17]
Mists of Pandaria
During the Alliance-Horde war in Pandaria, Zaela was summoned by Warchief Garrosh Hellscream to help put down the burgeoning Darkspear Rebellion; she was found at the Dranosh'ar Blockade projecting her will onto an enslaved proto-drake. SI:7 agents were sent to spy on her and overheard her converse with a nearby dark shaman; she expressed disdain for the trolls' rebellion, and maintained hope that Garrosh would move against them soon. She was surrounded by corpses of executed trolls.
As the commander of the True Horde, she oversaw the defense of Durotar's shores during the Siege of Orgrimmar atop her fearsome drake, Galakras. She faced off against the naval forces led by High King Varian Wrynn and Lor'themar Theron. When Galakras was shot down, she threw down a smoke pellet and vanished to evade the adventurers.
War Crimes
Having survived the Siege of Orgrimmar, Zaela fled to Grim Batol with what remained of the Dragonmaw clan. A message from a allied bronze dragon eventually sent her gathering up other loyalists from the True Horde, including Shokia and Thalen Songweaver. She also attacked Westguard Keep in Howling Fjord to free Harrowmeiser and recruit pirates. With the help of the infinite dragonflight, they attacked the Temple of the White Tiger, causing a distraction long enough for Kairoz to free Garrosh and escape with him. After she was sure the two made it, she called for retreat.[18]
Warlords of Draenor
At some point, she lost an eye and owned a rylak. As Garrosh's only ally on Azeroth, Zaela was located in the Blasted Lands, guarding the Dark Portal along with Commander Tharbek and his Ironmarch invasion force of the Iron Horde. They later moved to Upper Blackrock Spire and claimed it as their main base of operations. When the adventurers invaded the place, she commanded Tharbek to finish them off while she went to finish her "weapon".
She was later encountered as the final boss of revamped Upper Blackrock Spire, along with Tharbek and the proto-dragon with whom she had forged a close bond, Ragewing the Untamed. Despite her zeal, however, she was still slain by adventurers in the midst of her plot: utilizing a doomsday weapon to induce the eruption of Blackrock Mountain and destroy Stormwind City.
Battle for Azeroth
An Echo of Warlord Zaela is faced at the Temple of the White Tiger by adventurers seeking to attune a shard of the 
[Vision of Time] to Draenor.[19]
Locations
| Locations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone | Level range | Reaction | Notes |
| Dragonmaw Port, Crushblow, & Twilight Citadel, Twilight Highlands | 30-35 Normal/Elite | Alliance Horde | As a quest giver during the Twilight Highlands quests. |
| Dranosh'ar Blockade, Durotar | 93 Elite | Alliance Horde | During Battlefield: Barrens. |
| Dranosh'ar Blockade, Siege of Orgrimmar | 38 Elite | Alliance Horde | As part of the Galakras encounter. |
| Dark Portal, Blasted Lands | 10-40 Elite | Alliance Horde | During the Ironmarch event. |
| Molten Span, Upper Blackrock Spire | 37-42 Elite | Alliance Horde | As the final boss. |
| Temple of the White Tiger, Kun-Lai Summit | 40-90 Elite | Horde | As a projection during the Mag'har orc recruitment questline. |
Abilities
- Twilight Highlands
Battle Shout — Increases the melee attack power of nearby friendly targets for 2 min.
Bloodthirst — Instantly attack the target causing 120% weapon damage. In addition, successful melee attacks will restore 1% of maximum health. This effect lasts 10 sec.
Commanding Shout — Increases maximum health of all party members within 20 yards by 10%. Lasts 2 min.
Mocking Blow — A mocking attack that causes Physical damage and forces the target to focus attacks on you for 6 sec.
Rend — Inflicts Physical damage to an enemy every 3 sec. for 15 sec.
Shattering Throw — Throws your weapon at the enemy causing weapon damage and reducing the armor on the target by 20% for 10 sec.
Shockwave — Sends a wave of force in front of the warrior, causing damage and stunning all enemy targets within 10 yards in a frontal cone for 4 sec.
Slam — Slams the opponent, causing weapon damage plus an additional amount.
Sunder Armor — Hacks at an enemy's armor, reducing it per application of Sunder Armor. Can be applied up to 5 times. Lasts 20 sec.
Demon Chain — Assault's a weak dragon's mind, causing immense pain if not complete domination.
Quests
[30-35] Madness 
- [30-35] Negotiations Terminated
- [30-35] You Say You Want a Revolution
- [30-35] Insurrection
- [30-35] Death to Mor'ghor
- [30-35] Return to the Highlands
- [30-35] The Southern Flank
- [30-35] The Northern Flank
- [30-35] How to Maim Your Dragon
- [30-35] The Demon Chain
- [30-35] Fury Unbound
- [30-35] Crushblow
- [30-35] Ogres & Ettins
- [30-35] Move the Mountain
- [30-35] Skullcrusher the Mountain
Objective of
Personality
Zaela's personality would appear to be rather contradictory. In Cataclysm, Zaela appeared to be accepting of other races. Zaela admired Garrosh for leading a diverse group of people, worked closely with the Forsaken, Lady Cozwynn as well as the half-draenei Garona, and frequently stood up for the Horde player against the more extreme members of the Clan. Zaela was portrayed as rather cautious in this portrayal, not approving of foolhardy attacks on the Alliance, and wanting to focus on the Twilight's Hammer.[20]
Later on, Zaela was portrayed as far more brash - undertaking risky military attacks - as well having a condescending attitude towards the other races of the Horde, believing the Horde should be comprised of only orcs. This is assumed to be due to Garrosh's influence.
Quotes
Cataclysm
Dialogue
- Main article: Death to Mor'ghor#Notes
Conversation with Narkrall
- Narkrall Rakeclaw says: That's right, beast. You belong to the Dragonmaw now.
- Narkrall Rakeclaw says: And if you don't obey, we're cutting you up for parts.
- Zaela says: Impressive. Complete domination of the animal while it's weakened.
- Zaela says: Tell me, what is this charm you're using?
- Narkrall Rakeclaw says: The Demon Chain. It projects our will like a physical force.
- Zaela says: With your wing of drake riders and the support of the Horde, we can make an assault on the Bastion of Twilight.
- Narkrall Rakeclaw says: The Horde? I SPIT on your Horde! Our enemies are weak and splintered, yet you bargain with Hellscream? Dragonmaw stand alone!
- Zaela says: Another treasonous word and I will put you in your place, Narkrall.
- Narkrall Rakeclaw says: I will prove it to you. I will strike the Wildhammer at Thundermar.
- Narkrall Rakeclaw says: When I return victorious, we will see who the Dragonmaw call "Warchief".
- Zaela says: Narkrall! If you wish to challenge me, you do so here. Do NOT squander our forces on a fool crusade.
Gossip
- At ??
This stronghold is fortified, but our enemies close in from all sides. We would be wise to secure our position on the coast before advancing farther inland.
- At The Gullet
I am new to the burdens of leadership. I should've seen Narkrall's insubordination coming. Instead I am cleaning up his mess.
I don't know how Garrosh Hellscream does it. He must possess great strength to hold together a force as diverse as the Horde... I should like to know him more.
On-click
- Greetings
- "Speak plainly. My people don't mince words."
- "We are Dragonmaw."
- "I bear the mark of the Dragonmaw."
- "I speak for the Dragonmaw."
- "My people welcome yours."
- Irritated
- "Step off!"
- "Hah! You don't even know how to use that finger."
Mists of Pandaria
- Main article: Galakras#Quotes
Warlords of Draenor
- Main article: Commander Tharbek#Quotes
- Main article: Warlord Zaela (tactics)#Quotes
Notes and trivia
- Zaela uses the Warlords of Draenor Dragonmaw model for her Twilight Highlands and the Siege of Orgrimmar instance, but not for her appearances in the Blasted Lands and or her boss fight in Upper Blackrock Spire, where she uses grey skin without the glowing yellow eyes. However, in her first appearance in Upper Blackrock Spire in the Blackrock Stadium she does use the glowing eye skin.
- When first introduced, Zaela lacks any form of title. Upon reaching Crushblow, she has been named a Warlord.
- Many fans pair Garrosh with Zaela due to their loyalty to each other and mutual respect.
- Her eye-patch model is the same as Lor'themar used.
- Zaela is voiced by Lani Minella.
- It was initially planned that Zaela would travel with Garrosh to Draenor.[21]
- The
[Enormous Dragon Fang] might have belonged to her.
Gallery
Zaela at Crushblow.
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.
|
She may have used the Demon Chain to control the proto-dragons during the Siege of Orgrimmar and in the Blackrock Spire.
Patch changes
- Patch 6.0.3 (2014-10-28): Model updated.
- Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Added.
References
- ^ Warlord Zaela (tactics)#Dungeon Journal
- ^ War Crimes, chapter 6
- ^
[35-40D] Upper Blackrock Spire
- ^ [30-35] Madness
- ^ [30-35] Emergency Aid
- ^ [30-35] Negotiations Terminated
- ^ [30-35] You Say You Want a Revolution
- ^ [30-35] Insurrection
- ^ [30-35] Return to the Highlands
- ^ [30-35] Death to Mor'ghor
- ^ [30-35] The Southern Flank
- ^ [30-35] The Northern Flank
- ^ [30-35] The Demon Chain
- ^ [30-35] Fury Unbound
- ^ [30-35] Crushblow
- ^ [30-35] Skullcrusher the Mountain
- ^ Galakras#Dungeon Journal
- ^ War Crimes
- ^ [40-90] Echo of Warlord Zaela
- ^ [30-35] How to Maim Your Dragon
- ^ Blizzcon 2013 - World of Warcraft - The Adventure Continues Panel
External links
| Preceded by: Overlord Mor'ghor |
Position: Leader of the Dragonmaw clan (Azeroth) |
Succeeded by: Gorfax Angerfang |
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