The Tauren Situation

Lore Story
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We have seen tons of threads about the status of the Night Elves, and the Alliance and the Horde in general, but I think we need to talk about the Tauren as well.

There are a few problems arising:

  1. They are currently leaderless. The High Chieftain is imprisoned, and no other candidate has stepped up (yet).
  2. The Horde can no longer protect the Tauren, nor does the current Horde has its goals aligned with the goals of the Tauren. This is because (1) the Horde has failed to protect the Tauren since Thunder Bluff was taken over by Magatha (almost no support from the Horde); (2) the Forsaken are more in line with the Grimtotem than the united Tauren tribes; (3) the Warchief is acting in what Tauren consider, a perversive way. (I can go on, but I think that most will know what is going on with point 2.).
  3. It is unclear what the Tauren are thinking about Baine and Sylvanas’ actions. We know that Mayla is the leader who is most shocked by Sylvanas’ decision to imprison Baine, but we don’t know what other Tauren think of it. This is important, since it also is key to determining the strength of point 2.

So, to summarise this, the problem of the Tauren is two-fold: Blizzard is not giving enough information about the status of the Tauren, and the Tauren are not in the right place anymore.

The first problem has an easy answer: Blizzard should focus on the Tauren as well. Or, even better, Blizzard should focus on the neglected races in general, and not only the Tauren.

The second problem, however, is harder to solve since we start meddling in a core aspect of the Tauren - they were one of the first races in the Horde, and they see some of the other races as brothers. However, Tauren are defined by not only their Warriors and Hunters, but also by their spiritual side. They live to serve the Earthmother and An’she, they believe in harmony and balance, and they will never, never seek to harm or perverse nature in any way. An obvious exception should be the Grimtotem and the Feltotem (who are HT, but they should be mentioned as well imo). The current Horde cannot possibly adhere to this spiritual side, as Sylvanas has proven (will give arguments if anyone wants them, but I think it should be obvious).

So, what options do the Tauren have in order for their race to be consistent? I hope that people want to discuss this, but I’ll try to give a few options myself (brief, because my post is getting too long):

  1. The Tauren go in open rebellion, like the Darkspear Rebellion did in MoP. They can get the help of Saurfang and Zekhan, and possibly even the Alliance (although I do not support that idea too much).
  2. The Tauren can leave the Horde, and can even form another faction with like-minded races (e.g. Trolls).
  3. The Tauren can stay in the Horde, but will refuse to aid Sylvanas when she defiles nature or seeks to harm the Earthmother in any way (or upsets the balance by genociding another race). This is more like a “civil disobedience” scenario, not rebellion because the Tauren will not directly seek to overthrow Sylvanas. If this needs clarification, let me know.

I hope my post is not too long, and I hope that people are willing to discuss the fate of the Tauren. I think it’s interesting because it also sheds some light on the Horde in general, but maybe it’s a bit too race-specific.

EDIT

Also, no “BAINE IS A TRAITER AND MUST DIE” replies please. I am looking at a certain Blood Elf, yes.

EDIT II

Also, what about the Tauren leadership? Should it remain in the hands of the High Chieftain? Should a new one be elected? Maybe the Tauren should move towards a council of chieftains-type of leadership?

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Your Warchief approves of this thread.

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Truth to be told it’s not just Tauren situation that is one big question mark. Expansion ago it was Darkspears that were left leaderless and purposeless, and it lasted for entire expansion span, They had small cameos in order halls but even there they didn’t have any big role.

Zabra’Hexx being total disappointment of introduction, Zan’Tabra only assisting at the start and she clearly wasn’t meant to be picked for assistance in Malrone campaign as she in delivery quest said “Thank Elune”.
At least now they have purpose when it comes to dealing with Zandalari, but Legion was a very heartbreaking experience for DS fans.

Orcs are also quite clueless they mostly follow orders and the only thing that is keeping them going is maintaining hold of the horde and battling alliance. But other than that they don’t have much going for them, they’re also pretty much leaderless and don’t really have any big purpose.

I can symphatize with Tauren therefore as they were also quite ignored for years. In Cata they had small campaign with nelves in Hyjal, and in Pandaria they had Dawnshaser expedition but they need some other proactive involvement, some purpose that is purely made on their own.

I don’t want to let you down, but you better be ready for Darkspear treatment.
The saddest thing is, that all 3 original founding races of the Horde are shafted big time.

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If the Tauren had helped Daelin Proudmoore exterminate the orcs, they’d be in the Alliance now and Cairne would still be alive. Just saying.

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Well I believe, Tauren do belong in Horde - in Horde of Trolls, Taurens and Orcs have strong bonds and would be shame for them do split.

As for having a different faction with them, that could be a thing lorewise, unlikely in game.

Give them some screentime and have them protest against current way of Horde, be the voice of Horde FANS!! :stuck_out_tongue:

No really, it would make sense for them to protest what is going on with their High Chieftain - but will that mean Horde will bleed even more ?

P.S. I think at this point High Chieftain role fits the tribe the most, there are no great member to feel the council. That could work if Highmountains and Grimmtotems join them.

One of the best race in Horde gets almost no screen time, injustice !

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I honestly feel that some races/Leaders never had enough development to actually be used in the narrative.(Gelbin/Baine) Baine seemed very interesting in ‘‘Warcrimes’’ you could actually get an idea about his mentality.
In BFA he was getting some spotlight and it backfired, in addition they put him in prison ! so no more development
He became the ‘‘Tyrande’’ of the Horde and was subjected to unprovoked hate and mediocre writing.
The most logical outcome of his imprisonment will be getting freed by Varok and Thrall, they gotta get Thrall involved somehow. Baine will most likely be the future warchief of the Horde.
The Tauren will defy Sylvanas and cause tension within the Horde, many races will rally behind them,weakening her grip, there will be a parallel of such events/storyline on the Alliance side as well.

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Most certainly, and I hope that Blizzard will take the time to develop the Darkspear and other races as well. They are in need of lore, maybe even more than the Tauren.

But, as you point out, I’m pretty sure we’ll get the Darkspear-treatment. If Baine survives, great, we have a controversial leader (better than no leader at all). If we are very lucky, we might even get some lore development.

Let’s hope that our races will soon get some lore, brother Troll.

Yeah, I know it won’t be a thing but it might still be interesting to discuss.

I believe that this is the most realistic scenario, yes. Baine getting freed works well with the upcoming rebellion, and him becoming Warchief (I doubt it, but it’s a possibility that cannot be neglected) works with the “honourable Horde”-concept.

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Anything but this, I’d even take Anduin before Baine in his current state.

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When even the Vulpera are more developed story wise then the Tauren, you have some serious problems
But in this case maybe the Tauren situation could be used as a catalyst for change, a bit like the Zanadalari needed some shake up (tho killing off Rastaman was a mistake, with a reformed Council and the solved problem, he would have been an interesting leader. I don’t have problem with Talanji, but 
 but thats another topic, this is for the Tauren)
Baine will be freed, but I doubt Thrall or Varok will be his saviours (enough green saviors please) its more likely Mayla and Lasan will save him with maybe some Troll or Nightborne help


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You and your treacherous kind cannot stop the future!

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I like Baine, his character fits the peaceful Tauren theme and his character from books is well presented. I do hope he survives, because Vol’jin will get some story after his death and we his “sudden” death will be explained, as for Baine - dead and forgotten. Feels too early


The man can only dream, eh?

If it goes down only to discussion, I think its Forsaken who dont fit the Horde not, Tauren or Trolls.

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Yeah I feel the same, Rastakhan should remain as king and fix his mistake, Talanji should be a link between Zandalari and Horde and replace Zul as main advisor and more active figure as someone in charge of Golden Fleet. Then her random appearances wouldn’t be this off, like at fireplace in Stormsong.

But now returning to Tauren, I really wantto see a return of their warrior culture, return of Sunwalker Dezco, some more of Aponi and Hamuul runetotem. Beside of Dezco all of them don’t really stand out as a characters.

I had exact same problem with Rokhan as he seemed to be lacking purpose and personality but now? Now he is amazing. I also feel that Lasan Skyhorn is more of a Tauren than any other Bloodhoof Tauren.

Something is not right.

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Considering the entire Horde fan base complains about them being portrayed as ‘‘Evil’’ and having a ‘‘Crazed Warchief’’ to overthrow and kill for 7+ years now, you should be overjoyed with someone like Baine who actually knows diplomacy,has solid ties with some of Horde leaders,is peaceful by nature, and is on the good side of some Alliance faction leaders.

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I am totally fine with a Tauren Warchief btw, I would’ve loved if Vol’jin never died.
That Warchief though has to be a good and strong character and also to actually interact with other Horde characters/leaders.
Baine is currently none of that to me and also to a lot of other people.
He needs serious work first to even be considered a candidate for Warchief.

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Not really want to start a verbal duell, but what are the accepted traits of a Warchief candidate?
I mean if you examine the Horde leaders, allied races included, they are
 more like Baine than Sylvanas or Varok for that matter

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Based on what you have written, Varok or Thrall are the only 2 options.

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I’ve said it before, I think the Tauren should just have pulled back their soldiers, shut their gates and refuse to take part in wars they fundamentally disagree with. They should have done it after Garrosh failed to help in dealing with the Grimtotemm situation he had created and they should have done it after Sylvanas burned Teldrassil instead of stopping the mining of Azerite at the wound and actually putting ressources into healing it.

They should never have served in a Horde that didn’t serve them. They don’t have to formally leave, but they shouldn’t blindly follow either. And if the Horde sees that as treason and actually attacks them for it
 there should be nothing in the way of defending their home and actively or passively working with the Alliance. The people who attack you for not following them in their evil deeds are not your friends, and you have no obligation to defend them. Cairne’s blood debt towards Thrall does not justify tauren servitude under other dictators.

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Absolutely, the diversity among the Tauren is one of its strengths, and it’s a shame it hasn’t been expanded upon since Cata.

As for now, Baine remains controversial because he has been acting against the Horde. If Baine gets more development, and grows a bit more mature and not as idealistic as a certain Human king, then I’ll be fine, and I think the majority of the Tauren players as well.

There should be a healthy balance between a willingness to fight, and a willingness to have peace. Baine should realise this as well.

As usual, Wimbert the Wise lives up to his name. Well-put.

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Yes
 Cairne’s blood debts have been repayed in a dozen time

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Baine knows Horde better then any other current Character that is relevant in BFA. He is well respected and for his young age has come far. As shown he is willing to go in conflict to preserve his ideology and face of Horde, while being rational (Garrosh trail) and reasonable.

I dont know why “lot other people” just hate him flat out.

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