The First Greymane

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 or 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 Gilnean forces 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.