Lore ·
Who Is Garithos? The Grand Marshal Who Became The Baron in WoW Forever
Othmar Garithos was the xenophobic human Grand Marshal who led the Alliance remnant in Lordaeron after the Third War, and in World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever) he returns as The Baron, the abomination who is the second boss of the Ruins of Lordaeron. Warcraft Tavern's Ruins of Lordaeron quest guide and Warcraft Wiki both name him.
Quick answer: Garithos imprisoned the blood elf prince Kael'thas, allied with Sylvanas against Balnazzar, and was executed by her order. Warcraft Wiki says he was repeatedly destroyed and restitched into new abominations until he went rogue as The Baron; Horde players take his head to Master Apothecary Faranell.
In the ruined keep above the Undercity, a stitched-together abomination blocks a hole in the wall. Its head once belonged to Othmar Garithos, Grand Marshal of the Alliance.
Key facts
- Who: Othmar Garithos, a human Grand Marshal of Lordaeron's army (Warcraft Wiki, Engadget)
- Role: led the Alliance resistance in Lordaeron after the Third War, with Prince Kael'thas at first (Warcraft Wiki)
- Forever form: The Baron, second boss of the Ruins of Lordaeron, fought in King's Alley (Warcraft Tavern, Warcraft Wiki)
- Dungeon level range: 15 to 20 (Warcraft Tavern, Inven Global)
- Boss level: 17 elite (Warcraft Wiki)
- Alliance quest: Abominable Creatures, from Captain Truman (Warcraft Tavern, Warcraft Wiki)
- Horde quest: Unending Torment, from Master Apothecary Faranell (Warcraft Tavern, Warcraft Wiki)
Who was Othmar Garithos?
Warcraft Wiki's Alliance resistance page calls Garithos the highest-ranking surviving officer of Lordaeron's military. Warcraft Wiki's Garithos page calls him ill-tempered and xenophobic, and says he retook Dalaran after the Battle of Mount Hyjal; the resistance page adds that he pursued protecting humanity above all else. Engadget's "Know Your Lore: Kael'thas Sunstrider" calls him a vehement racist and the commander of the Alliance at Dalaran. Warcraft Wiki quotes his line, "The only good non-human is a dead non-human." Read Lordaeron Lore Explained and The Third War Explained.
What did Garithos do to Kael'thas?
He mistook an ally for a traitor. Engadget says Garithos sent Kael'thas Sunstrider to repair arcane observatories, that Lady Vashj's naga offered Kael boats free of charge, and that Garithos later arrested Kael and his elves for treason for consorting with the naga. Warcraft Wiki agrees that he charged the blood elves with treason for accepting Vashj's offer of aid and locked Kael in Dalaran's dungeons, from which Kael escaped with Vashj's help.
How did Garithos die?
Warcraft Wiki says the dreadlord Detheroc enslaved Garithos and his men until Sylvanas killed Detheroc and freed them, and that Garithos then agreed to help Sylvanas take the Capital City from Balnazzar in return for her aid. Warcraft Wiki says she never intended to keep the bargain: after Balnazzar fell, she ordered Varimathras to execute Garithos. Read The Story of Sylvanas Windrunner and The Forsaken Explained.
Who is The Baron in the Ruins of Lordaeron?
Warcraft Tavern's quest guide identifies the unfinished abomination as Othmar Garithos, "the Alliance Grand Marshal." Warcraft Wiki's Forever section says he was repeatedly destroyed and reassembled, and eventually went rogue as The Baron, attacking anyone nearby. Warcraft Tavern's dungeon guide calls The Baron the second boss, with a frontal cone attack and a knockback that stuns. Inven Global says a quest reveals that his head belonged to Othmar, though it calls him a former Grand General; Warcraft Tavern and Warcraft Wiki say Grand Marshal. Read The Ruins of Lordaeron, Undercity and Tirisfal Glades.
What are the Baron's quests in WoW Forever?
Alliance players take Abominable Creatures from Captain Truman, found by turning left on entering the dungeon, defeat The Baron, loot his head and return it to Truman on the way out, according to Warcraft Tavern. Horde players use the Abominable Head the Baron drops to start Unending Torment, which leads to Master Apothecary Faranell in Undercity; he has them gather reagents and later pour a Hissing Serum on Othmar's body (Warcraft Tavern). Warcraft Wiki's quest page describes the head as seeming to have been reattached several times. The free Lore Forever add-on shows readable zone and quest background as you play, and the optional Willo voice companion can answer lore questions; both are fan-made.
What is not confirmed yet
- Garithos's death account comes from Warcraft Wiki alone.
- Blizzard has not published lore notes on The Baron; his identity comes from quest text as reported by Warcraft Tavern and Warcraft Wiki.
- Sources disagree on his title in Forever: Inven Global says Grand General, Warcraft Tavern and Warcraft Wiki say Grand Marshal.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Garithos in Warcraft?
Othmar Garithos is a human Grand Marshal who led the Alliance remnant in Lordaeron after the Third War, known for his hatred of non-humans.
Who is The Baron in the Ruins of Lordaeron?
The Baron is the reanimated Othmar Garithos. Warcraft Tavern's quest guide and Warcraft Wiki both identify the abomination as Garithos.
How did Garithos die?
Warcraft Wiki says Sylvanas Windrunner ordered Varimathras to execute him after Balnazzar fell.
Where do you fight The Baron in WoW Forever?
The Baron is the second boss of the Ruins of Lordaeron, fought in King's Alley, according to Warcraft Tavern and Warcraft Wiki. The dungeon is recommended for levels 15 to 20.
What quest involves The Baron?
Alliance players do Abominable Creatures from Captain Truman. Horde players use the Abominable Head the Baron drops to start Unending Torment, which leads to Master Apothecary Faranell, according to Warcraft Tavern.
Did Garithos imprison Kael'thas?
Yes. Engadget and Warcraft Wiki both say Garithos had Kael'thas arrested for treason after he accepted help from Lady Vashj.
Sources
Reviewed October 27, 2026. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.