United tauren tribes
- This article is about the tauren nation of Mulgore. For in-game reputation faction, see Thunder Bluff (faction).
 United tauren tribes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main leader |
 High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof |
| Formerly |
 High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof † |
| Secondary leaders |
  Various tribe chieftains |
| Race(s) |
  Tauren  Highmountain tauren  Jungle troll[1] |
| Capital | Thunder Bluff |
| Base of operations |
Bloodhoof Village, Sun Rock Retreat, Freewind Post, See more below... |
| Theater of operations | Azeroth |
| Government | Chiefdom |
| Affiliation | Horde |
| Status | Active |
| Reputation | |
| Tabard |
 |
“Our people have walked this land for many, many years, and in that time have learned much about the world. Our allies will need to look to us for wisdom and guidance.
My father once made a promise to the Horde, to repay a debt we owed them for their service to our race. I, for one, intend to deliver on that promise.”
The united tauren tribes[3] are a nation formed by the tauren tribes of Kalimdor and acting as a member state of the Horde. Once led by High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof, the nomadic tauren founded Thunder Bluff as their capital in the windswept mesa of Mulgore, where they united under a single banner to protect their new home. It was Cairne's vision of a peaceful home for all tauren tribes that led to the unification of the formerly disparate race.[4] Currently under the leadership of High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof, the tauren of Mulgore live honorable lives and value peace over the warmongering ways of their allies, striving to preserve the balance of nature and heed the will of their goddess, the Earth Mother.
History
- Main article: Tauren
Warcraft III
By the time of the Third War in 20 ADP, the tauren of Kalimdor had weathered intermittent attacks from the centaur for generations, and while they did not shy away from combat, they usually opted to find a new place to call home rather than throw their lives away. They lived in a constant state of upheaval, never staying in one place for long, as a year of peace was always followed by another of war. Scattered across the Barrens, the wandering tribes were united only by a common hatred for their sworn enemy, with High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof as their latest leader.[3] The tauren came to accept this great cycle of conflict as inescapable, until Cairne met Warchief Thrall of the New Horde.[5]
In the Barrens, the tauren tribes stood shoulder to shoulder with their new allies, and their combined forces crushed the centaur warbands. For the first time in memory, the tauren saw the promise of a new future, and their nomadic existence was finally over. In the wake of the battle, Cairne offered Thrall supplies and even some of his mightiest warriors to help the Horde reach Stonetalon Peak in the north, while most of the other tauren ventured west, into a grassy plain known as Mulgore, where they would finally settle and build a permanent home, Thunder Bluff.[5][6]
The capital soon became a refuge for all the tauren, and over time, the scattered tribes united under High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof's rule. While there were a few tribes who disagreed about the direction their new nation should take, all agreed that Cairne was the wisest and best suited to lead them towards the future.[3] Elder Crone Magatha Grimtotem of the Grimtotem tribe often butted heads with the high chieftain, believing she should lead the tauren.[4]
During the Battle for Mount Hyjal in 21 ADP, tauren forces joined their orc and trolls allies to fight against the Burning Legion and the Scourge, all united under the Great Alliance.[7]
At the time of the invasion of Durotar, a band of centaur led by Khiragg attacked a tauren village and kidnapped Baine Bloodhoof, son of Cairen, imprisoning him in their encampment. These events sent the high chieftain into a state of lethargy, and without his leadership, the centaur threatened to decimate the tauren people. When Rexxar and his companions attempted to recruit the united tauren tribes against the invading Kul Tirans forces, Tagar asked them to seek out Bovan Windtotem and his outcasts to search for Baine. Together they found and killed Khiragg and his centaur, then rescued and brought Baine to his father, who pledged his forces to the coming battle.[8] The tauren and their high chieftain himself were later part of the forces led by Warchief Thrall to defeat Admiral Daelin Proudmoore in Theramore Isle.[9]
Horde diplomacy
When Sylvanas Windrunner and the Forsaken sent ambassadors to the Horde, it was the tauren of Thunder Bluff who proved to be the most promising contact, especially Hamuul Runetotem, who was fully aware of the Forsaken's sinister nature.[10] The archdruid looked past the undead's monstrous exterior and believed that they could be redeemed and revived — perhaps not physically, but spiritually. He later brought the Forsaken ambassadors to meet with High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof, who agreed that the undead should be given a chance to thrive.[11] Even Magatha claimed she wanted to aid the Forsaken in their quest, becoming one of the prominent proponents for the alliance between the tauren and the Forsaken.[12] Still unsure whether to believe the undead, Warchief Thrall sought advice from the Elder Council of the Earthen Ring, who argued that it was the Horde's duty to aid the Forsaken, who wrestled with inner demons just as the orcs had for generations.[13] After much consideration, Thrall made his decision and allowed Sylvanas and her people into the Horde. While the Earthen Ring had pure intentions towards the Forsaken, there were some who wondered about the motivations of those whispering about it in the ears of the Elder Council.[14]
When the Banshee Queen urged the Horde's leadership to ally with the kingdom of Quel'Thalas, she arranged for Warchief Thrall and High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof to convene with Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron and discuss such a possibility. While Cairne openly opposed the blood elves' methods to treat their magic addiction, he still recognized the Blood Knights' strategic value.[15] The gathered leaders knew that each side needed each other to survive the days ahead, leading Quel'Thalas to join the Horde.[16]
World of Warcraft
By Year 25 ADP, with his father growing older, Baine took a greater role in the leadership of the tauren with each passing year, acting as the leader of the tauren tribes whenever Cairne was absent.[17]
The Burning Crusade
Tauren warriors, shaman, wind rider masters, trainers, and vendors crossed into Outland and supported the Thrallmar forces in Hellfire Peninsula and the Blade's Edge Mountains.
Wrath of the Lich King
During the war against the Lich King in 27 ADP, the Ragetotem tribe sent several of its sons and daughters to fight alongside Garrosh Hellscream in Northrend.[18] Tauren supported the Horde force of Warsong Offensive.
As the Grand Champion of Thunder Bluff, Runok Wildmane led a delegation of tauren representatives in the Argent Tournament, and later faced the heroes in the Trial of the Champion.
Cataclysm
During the Elemental Unrest, Cairne and Baine led the tauren in the defense of Thunder Bluff from furious water and wind elementals.
After Cairne's death in a mak'gora with Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, Thunder Bluff was briefly seized in a coup by Magatha Grimtotem and her assassins who mainly targeted experts in weapons, powerful druids or shaman. They also slaughtered the Skychaser tribe at the Spirit Rise, killed many hunters at the Hunter Rise, and even some others who could lift a weapon only to strike fear into the remaining tauren. Thanks to the efforts of Jevan Grimtotem and Jaina Proudmoore, Baine rallied an army, bought weapons, and launched a brilliant counterattack using a fleet of zeppelins. After he strategically divided Magatha's forces, Thunder Bluff was recaptured, and Baine assumed his role as the high chieftain of the tauren tribes. In the aftermath, Magatha and her loyalists were sent into exile, while Jevan became the leader of the Grimtotem loyalists.[19]
Following the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, the Cloudsong tribe replaced the murdered Skychaser tribe in Thunder Bluff. When the Camp Taurajo fell, Baine had the Great Gate constructed to separate the Barrens and Mulgore. Some tauren were content with that decision and did not burn for revenge, but the Grimtotem who disagreed, and others who chose to strike back at the Alliance from Vendetta Point, were ultimately expelled from Thunder Bluff, though suffered no other repercussions.[20]
As Our Fathers Before Us
In the wake of his ascension to high chieftain of the tauren tribes, while Baine had willingly chosen not to pursue vengeance against Garrosh Hellscreamh for the death of Cairne in favor of a united Horde leadership, the young chieftain was increasingly frustrated to learn of the Warchief's increasingly numerous demands from the mighty tauren people. One such demand was access to Mulgore's pristine and pure water supplies, since the Bilgewater goblin had tainted much of the water adjacent to Orgrimmar with their industrious projects in Azshara. Though after a heated exchange, they agreed to the demand - if a tauren representative was sent to watch over the goblins' operations from this point forward.
Meanwhile, brutal raids on several of the caravans in Mulgore drew Baine's concern, who was disheartened to witness the slaughter wrought on by the quilboar culprits. He believed that negotiation may be possible with their new leadership at this late juncture, though Garrosh learned of this and insisted the murderers be dealt with in force. The high chieftain's advisers had similar opinions and urged Baine to sanction a deposition of their new leadership in retaliation for their violent raids and harassment of tauren land. However, he declined this plan and wished to continue working towards diplomatic measures.
Several of the tauren begin to express dissatisfaction with Baine's compromising attitude with Garrosh, viewing his willingness to bow down to every demand made of him as an affront to their peoples' interests, and considered walking away from the Horde. The high chieftain later discovered that several tauren tribes were preparing to leave both Mulgore and the Horde, led by Greyhoof Farwanderer; disheartened that their nation had become simply an extension of Garrosh's will. Despite Baine's encouragement to remain loyal to the Horde, the wanderers still prepared for their journey either way.
Upon learning that the source of the quilboar's renewed unrest was also that of water, as the Cataclysm had cut off their own sources, Baine hurriedly armed himself and his Sunwalkers to save the warchief and his Kor'kron who attempted to settle things by himself through violence. Disarmed and backed into a corner, Garrosh was saved by the tauren, while Hamuul Runetotem used the power of the Earth Mother to call upon a river. The high chieftain then instructed the quilboar that this river would provide them with all the water they need - providing no more attacks are made on his people.
In the aftermath, Baine was approached by Greyhoof Farwanderer and the tauren that had prepared to leave Mulgore prior; having witnessed his victory over the quilboar, they apologized for doubting the high chieftain's ability to lead and request a pardon for this rash action. Baine granted it and urged them to remain strong and steadfast in these trying times for the good of their people.[2]
Mists of Pandaria
During the invasion of Pandaria in 30 ADP, Baine had dreams of a valley, golden with blossoms, filled with the hope of peace, and thus ordered Sunwalker Dezco and his Dawnchaser tribe to sail into uncharted waters in search of it.[21]
When Vol'jin declared open rebellion against Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, Baine and the tauren of Thunder Bluff pledged their support to the Darkspear Rebellion. He assured his cooperation to the troll chieftain, but since many tauren were still inside Orgrimmar, he needed to plan it out very carefully to prevent them from being harmed.[22] During the Siege of Orgrimmar, the high chieftain led the tauren forces alongside the rebellion and the Alliance, and after Garrosh was defeated, Baine swore his loyalty to Vol'jin as the new warchief of the Horde.[23]
Warlords of Draenor
During the war in Draenor in 31 ADP, tauren forces were part of the Horde expedition in alternate Draenor, such as Sunwalker Dezco who traveled there alone in his quest for redemption.[24]
Legion
During the Battle for Broken Shore in 32 ADP, tauren forces supported the Warchief Vol'jin and the Horde on the Broken Shore, and had to retreat when the battle was lost.[25] During the Legion Invasions, Mulgore and Thunder Bluff were targeted by the Burning Legion, which were ultimately repeled with the support of adventurers and Illidari demon hunters.[26]
After the Argus Campaign, Thunder Bluff held a feast for the Highmountain tauren from Highmountain on the Broken Shore. The whole city was celebrating with fireworks until it was attacked by Uul'gyneth who sensed Spiritwalker Ebonhorn having left Highmountain and thus the protection of the wards. They trapped the city civilians with the void power, turning them unresponsive. The city was defended by Horde adventurers, Baine Bloodhoof, his personal guards, as well as the city guards who killed the void minions and their leader, Qy'telek.[27][28][29] The Highmountain tauren were then brought into the Horde.[30]
Following the Orgrimmar parade, Thunder Bluff hosted Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner and several representatives of other Horde races to speak about the tragedy in Silithus on the behest of Archdruid Hamuul Runetotem.[31]
Battle for Azeroth
At the start of the Fourth War in 33 ADP, the tauren alongside their Horde allies took part in the War of the Thorns, which ended with the burning of Teldrassil.[32] In retaliation, the Alliance invaded Tirisfal Glades and subsequently began the Battle for Lordaeron. High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof led his people during the defense of the Undercity, though friction erupted between him and Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner when Varok Saurfang was captured by the Alliance.[33]
As the war unfolded across Azeroth, Baine grew more disillusioned with Sylvanas' leadership, especially when she raised the corpse of Derek Proudmoore.[34] After rescuing Derek and delivering him to Jaina Proudmoore, Baine was arrested and imprisoned within the Underhold. He was eventually freed by a strike team consisting of Saurfang, Thrall, Jaina, and Mathias Shaw.[35]
Soon after these events, the tauren spiritwalkers became plagued with visions of chaos and turmoil, while calling upon champions of their people.[36] When Thunder Bluff came under attack by a Malevolent Spirit, Baine rallied the tauren in defending the city and called for their aid. After the spirit was defeated, Baine ordered its death, only for the spirits of his father and mother to appear before. Cairne told his son that the tauren way was not destruction but harmony, that they need both the light and shadow to see what lies before them. The former high chieftain then pointed out that Baine helped the champion restore balance to the spirit realm and that balance was what the tauren strive for.[37]
The majority of the tauren later sided with Varok during the battle at the Gates of Orgrimmar. While Tauren Earthshakers joined Varok in the field, the rest of the tauren, aided by their Highmountain kin and the pandaren defended Thunder Bluff in case of a counterattack by the Banshee Loyalists. In time, they received word that Saurfang had challenged Sylvanas to Mak'gora, which ended with his death and the Banshee Queen abandoning the Horde.[38][39]
After the defeat of N'Zoth in 34 ADP, the leaders of the Horde gathered together within the Orgrimmar Embassy with Baine representing the tauren and subsequently joining the Horde Council, a conglomerate of leaders who would represent their people's interests, which was created to lead the Horde.[40]
Exploring Azeroth
After the armistice, Zekhan reported that the tauren tribes were still facing the Grimtotem tribe who desperately struck at them in Mulgore, going after Thunder Bluff's water.[41]
Shadowlands
During Death Rising in 35 ADP, High Chieftain Baine was captured by the Mawsworn and taken to the Maw.[42] He eventually returned to his people after the defeat of the Jailer.
Dragonflight
After the Dragon Isles awakened in 40 ADP, Bovan Windtotem received a vision he believed from Ohn'ahra and led the Windtotem tribe to the Ohn'ahran Plains to figure out its meaning. The centaur of Clan Nokhud feigned friendship when the tauren arrived and betrayed them in an ambush. While Bovan and a group of braves lured them away from civilians, many were killed and Bovan was captured.[43] High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof searched for the missing tauren with the aid of an adventurer and Scout Tomul, but was highly wary of the Maruuk Centaur due to his bloody history with centaur of Kalimdor.[44] With help from Boku, he saw a vision of a wounded Bovan being held captive by Jamoku at Nokhudon Hold and demanded they go immediately to rescue him.[45]
However, Tomul thought it too dangerous to assault the Nokhud with their forces spread so thin. Baine's prejudice against the centaur led him to go on with them, and they snuck into Nokhudon Hold with the adventurer.[46] They arrived too late and found Bovan tortured to death. In his rage and grief, Baine lashed out against the Nokhud, killing many centaur.[47] He eventually drew the attention of Jamoku and swore to avenge his friend. Jamoku gained the upper hand in their duel and was about to strike down Baine, until Tomul arrived with reinforcements and turned the tide of battle.[48] In the aftermath, Tomul revealed that several of her rangers died in the conflict. They then collected the bodies of the fallen and held a funeral honoring both the centaur and the tauren.[49] Baine apologized to Tomul for letting his hatred cloud his judgment, to which she extended an offer of friendship.[50]
The War Within
Ten days after the destruction of Dalaran, Baine was amongst the Horde leaders who answered Jaina and Thrall's joint meeting in Boralus, where they helped organize the strike force that they could take to Khaz Algar.[51]
During the War in Khaz Algar in 42 ADP, the tauren were amongst the Horde forces that Thrall brought to the Isle of Dorn for the fight against Xal'atath.[52] Tauren tribe leaders like Sunwalker Dezco, Aponi Brightmane, and Tahu Sagewind could be found at the Tranquil Strand. A force of Tauren Plainswalkers later arrived to aid the Arathi when the nerubians of Azj-Kahet launched an all-out assault on Hallowfall.[53]
People and culture
- Main article: Tauren#Culture
The tauren of Mulgore are a noble race that embrace the natural world, and who have shed their nomadic roots and united in their ancestral lands.[54] Despite their enormous size and brute strength, the remarkably peaceful tauren cultivate a quiet, tribal society. However, when roused by conflict, tauren are implacable enemies who will use every ounce of their strength to smash their enemies under hoof. They are noble and proud and have never, despite significant adversity in the past, succumbed to their enemies.[55]
In their society, the hunters are important to the tribes as a strong part of tauren tradition and history, and are respected and revered if they serve their people well.[56] While mighty warriors defend the tauren's homes, shamans show the ancestors' past and druids discover the Earthmother's will, hunters learn many aspects of those roles and blend them together. They represent the heart of the tauren people, and are looked to for guidance and protection.[57]
Despite now having a permanent home in Thunder Bluff, the tauren choose not bury their dead,[58][59] as they keep many traditions they held during their travels across Kalimdor.[60] Rather, they prepare the body for its return to the elements and place it at one of their sacred grave sites.[59] Only the most valiant tauren are laid to rest at Red Rocks, the tauren's sacred burial ground. It is an honor bestowed upon the great warriors who helped found and defend Thunder Bluff and those who have given their lives for the greater good of their tribes and chieftains.[61] Each tauren tribe has its own rites to honor their dead, but nearly all perform their rituals at the Red Rocks, using diffrent sacred tinder for the funeral pyre.[60]
Political structure
The current leader of the united tauren tribes of Mulgore is Baine Bloodhoof, High Chieftain of Thunder Bluff, and son of the late Cairne Bloodhoof who founded the nation.
As a chiefdom society, each tribe are under the command of their tauren chieftain, who lead their people in daily life as well as in battle.[62]
Tribes and organizations
-
- Tribes and clans
-
- Organizations
Name Leader(s) Status Earthen Ring 
The Farseer
The Elder CouncilActive Longwalkers High Chieftain Baine BloodhoofActive Outrunners Unknown Active Seers Tahu SagewindActive Sunwalkers Chieftain BrightmaneActive Warbraves Unknown Active - Potential tribes
Territories and outposts
- Kalimdor
- Mulgore
- Southern Barrens
- Stonetalon Mountains
- Camp Aparaje (destroyed)
- Cliffwalker Post (destroyed)
- Sun Rock Retreat
- Thousand Needles
- Freewind Post
- Weathered Nook (flooded)
- Westreach Summit
- Durotar
- Feralas
- Desolace
- Felwood
- Bloodvenom Post (formerly)
- Pandaria
- Dragon Isles
Notes
- In Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, the faction name of the tauren in Mulgore is Mulgore Tauren.
- In several non-canonical books, Cairne Bloodhoof's title is leader and Chieftain of the United Tauren Tribes.[63][64][65]
Gallery
References
- ^ Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde, pg. 36, 100 - Chen Stormstout: "[...] It’s not like he wants you to be one of those trolls who go to Thunder Bluff and become blue tauren. He wants you to understand."
- ^ a b As Our Fathers Before Us
- ^ a b c World of Warcraft: Game Manual, pg. 183
- ^ a b Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, pg. 146
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 67
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 111
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 80
- ^ Old Hatreds
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 112
- ^ Game Guide/Undead
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 113
- ^
[52] Delivery to Magatha
- ^ Races F.A.Q. on the World of Warcraft Community Site (archived page)
- ^ [38D] Compendium of the Fallen
- ^ The Burning Crusade Townhall/Shamans and Paladins
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 150 - 151
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue III, pg. 16
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, chapter 4
- ^ The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 29 (ebook)
- ^ Sunwalker Dezco's gossip
- ^ [90] Battle of Razor Hill
- ^ Garrosh Hellscream (tactics)
- ^
[40H] Gloriously Incandescent
- ^ [10-45] The Battle for Broken Shore
- ^
[10-45] A Ring Unbroken
- ^ [40-90] A Feast for Our Kin
- ^ [40-90] Shadow Over Thunder Bluff
- ^ [40-90] Dark Forces
- ^ [40-90] Together We Are the Horde!
- ^ Before the Storm, chapter 12
- ^ A Good War
- ^ [10-50] The Battle for Lordaeron
- ^ [60] The Return of Derek Proudmoore
- ^
[60] Stay of Execution
- ^
[50-90] The Spiritwalkers
- ^ [50-90] Answer the Call
- ^ The Reckoning
- ^ [60] Old Soldier
- ^ [50] Warchief of the Horde
- ^ World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 89
- ^ [50] Cause for Distraction
- ^ [70] The Search for Bovan Windtotem
- ^ [70] A Tomul-tuous Beginning
- ^ [70] What Words Are Worth
- ^ [70] Saving Bovan Windtotem
- ^ [70] See Red
- ^ [70] Old Hatreds
- ^ [70] Letting Go
- ^ [70] A Final Word
- ^ Heartlands, Chapter 1: Summit at Boralus
- ^ [80] The Fleet Arrives
- ^ [80] The Might of Khaz Algar
- ^ World of Warcraft: Annual 2015
- ^ The World of Warcraft Townhall/Races of Azeroth
- ^
[3] Etched Note
- ^
[Etched Note]
- ^ War Crimes, chapter 3
- ^ a b [10-30] Honoring the Dead
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 82
- ^ [1-30] A Sacred Burial
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual
- ^ Shadows & Light, pg. 34
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 149
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 39 & 46