Tauren, guided by the Earthmother
A tauren chieftain
Faction/Affiliation	Horde
Character classes	Druid, Hunter, Shaman, Warrior, Death knight, Paladin, Priest; Spirit walker, Chieftain, Healer, Runemaster, Beastmaster, Plagueshifter, Holy strider, Ley walker, Spirit champion
Racial capital	Thunder Bluff
Racial leader(s)	Grand Chief Cairne Bloodhoof
Racial mount	Kodo
Homeworld	Azeroth
Primary language(s)	Taur-ahe, Common
Secondary language(s)	Goblin, Low Common, Orcish
Height	7' 2" - 9' (218 to 274 cm) (male), 6' 10" - 8' 8" (208 to 264 cm) (female)

Tauren (shu'halo in their native language of Taur-ahe) are huge nomadic creatures who live on the grassy, open plains of Mulgore in central Kalimdor. Tauren are large, muscular humanoids and bovine in appearance, complete with hooves and horns. They stand anywhere from six and a half to nine feet tall and weigh anywhere from 400 to 700 pounds. Their immense bodies are covered with fine, short fur that ranges in color from black to gray to white to red to brown to tan and any mottled combinations or variations thereof. After generations of nomadic existence, the tauren have recently made permanent settlements in Mulgore and the Barrens.

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Appearance 3 Notable Tauren 4 Tauren tribes / clans

Introduction Edit

The plains of Kalimdor have long been a home to these tremendous nomads. The tauren are a race of shamans, hunters, and warriors who long ago developed a complex culture and system of living without the aid of stonework, steel or conquest. This is not to say that the tauren are a race of pacifists, for when they are angered they are capable of retaliating with swift and decisive brutality. Tauren are, in a word, stoic, embodying the strong and silent type with their quiet contemplation. This introspective air combined with their immense size can lead a person to understand as to "why" many regard the tauren as a wise and dangerous race. Tauren rarely speak unless there is a true reason to, preferring to act instead of talk.

However, once a tauren has learned to interact with a companion, there seems to be a more open and enthusiastic exchange of words. Since tauren warm slowly to non-tauren, they are usually silent and may sometimes appear brooding. If anything, a person could attribute the silence of the tauren on the strife of recent times. Tauren have no love for bloodshed, as their deep spiritual beliefs do not have a place for warfare. The elders of a tribe solve most issues, or two tauren might resolve a conflict with a ritual challenge resembling a duel. Having become members of the Horde, the introspective race has been involved in more and more conflict, creating a demand for tauren warriors and healers. Many must spend time putting great thought into the actions they perform on the field of battle. Taking another life, whether it is man or beast, is an act filled with great significance and responsibility to the tauren.

Tauren Relations

Spiritual Hierarchy

Tauren Mythology

AppearanceEdit

Tauren are large, muscular humanoids with bull-like heads. Males average 7 1/2 feet tall and 400 pounds, while females are usually a bit shorter and lighter. Tauren are mostly muscle, having incredibly developed physiques and brawny frames most suitable for combat. Soft, downy fur (usually quite short) covers the tauren body, with manes growing along head and neck, the lengths of the arms, and the shins. Tauren men and women almost always wear their hair long, and the males prefer braids to any other style. Coloration can range from solid black to blond and even to white, or mottled pelts with a range of spots and different colors. They have three fingers on each hand.

Horns are most prominent on males, although all tauren have horns. Tauren wear natural clothing — leather or hide, and some cloth. They prize jewelry, designing fine trinkets of ivory, bone and amber. From these materials they make bracelets or necklaces, and sometimes adorn their horns or locks with such beautiful displays of artistry. In World of Warcraft, the playable race of tauren are 8 feet tall.

Notable TaurenEdit

Name	Role	Condition	Location	Allegiance
Cairne Bloodhoof	Chieftain of the Bloodhoof tribe and leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Tauren.	Alive	Thunder Bluff	Horde
Baine Bloodhoof	Son of Cairne; Future leader of the Bloodhoof tribe.	Alive	Bloodhoof Village	Horde
Hamuul Runetotem	Archdruid of the tauren and student of Malfurion Stormrage	Alive	Thunder Bluff	Horde, Cenarion Circle, New Council of Tirisfal
Magatha Grimtotem	Elder Crone of the Grimtotem tribe.	Alive	Thunder Bluff	Grimtotem tribe
Perith Stormhoof	One of the oldest Holy Striders, who works only for Cairne Bloodhoof.	Alive	Unknown	Holy Striders, Horde
Bovan Windtotem	Helped Rexxar save Baine Bloodhoof.	Alive (Presumed)	Unknown	Horde

Tauren tribes / clans Edit

Note: These may not all represent clans, but only special names given later in life or surnames.

• Bloodhoof – The Bloodhoof tribe of Cairne Bloodhoof is the leading tauren tribe within the Horde.
• Dawnstrider – The Dawnstrider tribe are experienced enchanters and skilled shaman.
• Grimtotem – The Grimtotem tribe does not wish to join the Horde for reasons unknown. It is rumored that they have shady contacts with either the Scourge or Forsaken.
• Mistrunner – The Mistrunners tribe is dedicated to the druidic path and seeks to heal the earth and ease the suffering of the Earthmother.
• Ragetotem – The Ragetotem tribe is home to some of the fiercest warriors and finest smiths among the tauren.
• Runetotem – The Runetotem tribe has only recently rediscovered the ways of the druid.
• Skychaser – The Skychaser tribe are the spiritual leaders of the tauren shamans.
• Stonehoof – The Stonehoof tribe has its people in all corners of tauren society.
• Thunderhorn – The Thunderhorn tribe is home to some of the greatest hunters among the tauren.
• Wildmane – The Wildmane tribe has largely joined the Runetotem tribe in seeking the ways of the druid.
• Winterhoof - The Winterhoof tribe represents some of the greatest herbalists and alchemists the tauren have to offer.

Other tauren tribes include: Clawhoof, Cloudmane, Darkmane, Eagletalon, Icemist, Longstride, Oatwind, Raincaller, Rivermane, Stonespire, Stormsinger, Strongbash, Swiftwind, Whitecloud, Wildrunner, Younghoof.