The mothering figure uttered frail words into the unidentified male’s ears, the words were almost silent as they were drawn effortlessly from within her low muffled breath; a prayer she spoke.

“Oh… Great Sspirih – Whoh voice I hearrh in the wihnds — May this chilhd reach you in the heavenh — “ She continued in a song, and chanting manner, lisping out the final words. She reaches out a bark carved totem, decorated with various runes and feathers, it seems to reveal that of a Mighty Eagle. Slowly grasping it she swiftly raises it up to the sky.

Bzh! A shock of bright blue thunder strikes down onto the totem, setting it ablaze in a magnificent burgundy, amber and azure.

She swung it down over the Tauren’s body, igniting the corpse, she stood up letting out a long drawn-out sigh as she stared blandly at the utmost respected in her life.

“Rest in peace, Chieftain…” she exclaims almost silently.

Ish’ne’alo’porah!

First Names:

Example Names: Rewepa, Gar, Hruutou, Muhl, Takuur.

So, let us begin, Tauren first names, many go by the same pattern as those of the Native Americans, which I shall highlight afterwards, anyway. Some key letters to include in a name would be as followed:

A, E, I, N, O, U, H, W, R, C

Combination letters:

Ch, Uh, Khe, Halo

I tend to find many good Taurahe names to have multiple vowels next to eachother (e.g. Luhaalo, Muul, Raguul, Sechaeo), but that is hardly the case. Most Tauren names are rather low, short and harsh sounding as pointed out in the Roleplaying Guide, this is produced by letters like ‘K’, ‘N’, ‘G’ and ‘P’. Now, that on the fact of Native American names, they are a good “guide” to go by as the percent of Shu’Halo lore is “based” on the Native Americans: click here for a list of traditional Native American names.

Last names:

Example Last Names: Kodosong, Earthmane, Grimhorn, Redfeather, Greentongue.

Last names go by usual pattern, which I find goes like “[Noun / Adjective]hoof”, but that is not always the case, “Hoof” is used far too often, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be used, other alternatives to “hoof” could be “mane”, “horn”, “runner”, “chaser”…

Last names are determined usually by the family tribe you come from, as a last name is usually passed down from generations, but this is not also the case. If said tauren had preformed a special act that made an impression on the tribe’s elders, he may be able to take on his own name to commemorate said event (e.g. Harpyslayer, Kodohide).

Known tribe / family names:

• 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.

“THIS IS A TEEPEE. DON’T TOUCH LUHAALO’S TEEPEE.”

“Wait…. What is a teepee?”

(Click for full view)

“The Teepee of Doom”, by Argent Dawn’s Jestera (EU).

Jestera – Argent Archives

-~-

Baenhoof

Second we have the one and only Baenhoof, a little sketch she made of her character; I find it simple yet highly effective!

Hehe!

(Click for full view)

Sketchy Baenhoof; by Baenhoof of Rexxar (US)

@Baenhoof

-~-

Tauren Paladin? “Holy Cow!”

And finally we have Cadistra’s awesome Tauren Paladin! Really great image sketched up there, love it! If I didn’t think of making a tauren paladin before, I certainly am now!

Wonderful, Caddy!

(Click for full view)

Tauren Paladin, by Cadistra from woweh.com!

@Cadistra

(woweh.com)

[Edit: Links fixed]

[Nethermane]: So, Aenokhe of Argent Dawn (EU), let’s get this rolling. You have been playing for how many years, and how many of those years have been roleplaying?

[Aenokhe]: Hello there. I’m playing WoW for about four years with a few short breaks in between when things got too strained. Although I’m roleplaying in WoW for only two years, I’ve done it on different platforms before – must’ve started some seven years ago.

[Nethermane]: Is that so now – What was your first interaction, so to say with roleplaying then?

[Aenokhe]: It was a big, Slovenian Lord of the Rings RPG, forum based. I wanted to roll Gandalf, but since Maiar weren’t allowed, I went with a noob elf, trying to impersonate a wise person with a lot of fail.

[Nethermane]: I, myself was not too in depth with Lord of the Rings, so I am quite puzzled on how you meant. Hah. But anyway, you are one of the main representatives in tauren roleplaying on Argent Dawn (EU), where and why do you think this “title” began?

[Aenokhe]: Well, I think the title began just in your mind. I’m by no means the apha and omega of tauren roleplay on Argent Dawn. It’s probably because I created a successful tauren RP guild, led some successful and not so successful events, and eventually, supported (not that I don’t do that anymore) and encouraged tauren roleplay all across the community in various ways, such as writing guides on tauren roleplay.

[Nethermane]: Many would know you for the Spirit Wolves, a once huge tauren only roleplaying guild, yes? As you mentioned. Could you explain to me and those reading what this guild was about?

[Aenokhe]:  Huge? Hah, no, it was a nice, small, cosy place for cow- tauren. It was a tribe created a long time before World of Warcraft, which followed the ancient demi-god Waluu the Spiritwolf, and tried to eliminate corruption from the world. Quite a cliché theme in the end, but it went pretty well.

[Nethermane]: It was a wonderful guild, and huge in my mind, due to the publicity. Nonetheless! If it was up to you, would you have disbanded the tribe, with this present date?

[Aenokhe]: I would. Its story was finished, I really had trouble pulling the theme forward when people were tired of seeing the very same faces and events every day, and the little conflicts I have had with some members made me just talk to those that were still coming online and give it a quit. There was a lot of fuss for a month afterwards but people eventually realised it’s upon them to start being creative and promote tauren RP as well.

[Nethermane]:  It is good you still think right in your choice! But, you have now conjured up a little community on Argent Dawn (EU) based on tauren again, you obviously did not lose faith in the people of the realm and tauren roleplay, correct?

[Aenokhe]: I was just bored myself, really, and the guilds that sprung up had a little trouble finding people or if they did find them, there came the question “omg, both guilds r cool, which to choose?!”. So I made a community for everyone, with a basic purpose of perpetuating and connecting tauren roleplayers.

[Nethermane]:  So true, one of those guilds that sprung up being my own. Now, your character; Aenokhe, who is he?

[Aenokhe]:  Old, grumpy druid from the Cenarion Circle. Likes to argue with people about simple things, has a bit of dementia already, and goes to a lot of secret missions bringing other slav- friends with him. That’s where most of my plots spring from. He’s a fun character.

[Nethermane]:  Haha, I’ve definitely experienced his stubboness with Luhaalo! He’s a fun character to interact with. Anyway, back to mark one, what originally made you interested in tauren?

[Aenokhe]:  When I first bought WoW, and watched the cinematic, the peacefulness of the race really attracted me. They seemed very mysterious and ancient in wisdom and magic to me and their druids had pretty robes, so I just rolled one to level with my brother’s undead warlock. Yeah, weird combination, luckily we weren’t on an RP realm.

[Nethermane]:  It’s all about the pretty robes, right? Almost done, bare with me! This is one for the listenin- readers; For those confused or pondering over making a tauren, what advice would you give them?

[Aenokhe]:  I’m an elitist, so I don’t just like every single style of tauren roleplay. If you think you like to play a wise, slower character, roll one and build up and unique character upon that stereotype. If you want to be the dodgy, “Oh, c’mon, man! Dun’ be ma’ mom!” or whatever kind of tauren, don’t roll one. Tauren are really one of the best races judging by the default stereotype. When you level the tauren, read all Mulgore, Stonetalon, Barrens and Thousand Needles quest text.

Don’t forget to “I’ve been expecting you…”.

And read my guide on the roleplaying forums on forums.wow-europe.com!

[Nethermane]: Some nice little advice there, and I’ll throw in a link for your guide later on. Last question for us; How do you moo? No – but seriously is there anything you would like to add before we close up this?

[Aenokhe]:  I’ve been expecting you.

[Nethermane]: Haha, thanks for that Aenokhe, an awesome ending sentence there, it was a pleasure having you here on the Chieftain’s Teepee!

For more of Aenokhe:

Twitter: twitter.com/aenokhe

Blog: hitherthither.wordpress.com

Tauren Guide: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=10431414651&sid=1

“DEEEEAAATHWIIING HAS RETUUURNED!”

Holy Cow? Yeah, right

I’m positive all you players in World of Warcraft are aware of the announcement of the next expansion, yes? World of Warcraft: Cataclysm! Well, I’m absolutely positively … aroused, no wait, wrong verb… I’m unconditionally enthusiastic! The Expansion will bring a whole new aspect to roleplay, even for tauren, I mean c’mon! Tauren Palad- Sunwalkers, what do you think about them? I think this will be the first paladin I’ll ever rolled and accomplish a level higher than two, heh. And Goblins? I’m sure some are stoked about those lil’ green buggers, for the Horde, amirite? Right, now to some rumours, and unconfirmed things… There has been a little talk going around Garrosh, yeah, the Orc – Son of Grom Hellscream, becoming Warchief and leading the Horde. He is said to kill Cairne Bloodhoof – I know some of you are going “QQ”ing like the Earthmother doesn’t know what… But, I’m not! You know why? Because with Cairne dying us tauren should get gallons more oppotunities for roleplay, correct? Well anyway, I’ve been thinking about other unmentioned things; the Grimtotem Tribe… Read this for a moment:

Is that shock? I think not!

The Grimtotem Tribe is one of the mightiest of the tauren tribes. They stand as an aggressive extreme in the usually pacifist tauren. They wish to eradicate the “lesser races” from Kalimdorand retake the long lost tauren ancestral holdings. The Grimtotem tribe fights to eliminate enemies of the tauren; to the Grimtotem, almost all races are enemies of the tauren. They are known for unprovoked attacks, slaughter and mayhem, in great contrast to the peacful, spiritual natures of the other tauren clans. The Grimtotem tribe seems to have declared war on the world. While the Grimtotem name is generations old, the clan as an organization has existed only for a few years. Magatha Grimtotem and her tribe felt that Cairne Bloodhoof’s friendship with the orcs was a bad idea; the tribe felt that Kalimdor belonged to the tauren, and no other race held claim to it. In recent years, the Grimtotems have conducted raid after raid on goblin, centaur, and orc settlements. Some dark tales even hint that the Grimtotems kill tauren who live in non-tauren settlements, considering them traitors. No one seems to know why the Grimtotems feel this way, though most believe the sentiment either originated from Magatha Grimtotem or her father.

- WoWWiki

It clearly states that the Grimtotems thought the brothership made with the Orcs; and Horde was a bad idea, and now this rumour comes along that Garrosh will send Cairne to the heavens above - the hard way. Were the Grimtotems correct? Will the Grimtotems make another step in this expansion, who knows? Just give a ponder over this and show me some feedback with what you think about my outta-the-blue theory.

I also have one last question on the Cataclysm… What do you think about it – Do you love it or do you loathe it?

The Tale of the Spirit Lodge!

The chieftain Qwahela lived in peace with his people on the banks of the River where it entered the lake waters. Their lives were busy and full. The warriors hunted and fished, the women cooked and cared for the old and the young, and all lived in peace with the natural world around them.

Qwahela determined one day to visit with a tribe far to the south of their village. He set out at dusk, paddling across the lake, and then walking inland towards the lodge of a friend, where he would spend the night before resuming his journey. He had gone only a few yards from the lake shore when he heard a terrible snarling, and a huge bear came bursting forth out of the bushes nearby. Qwahela was well-armed with his war club and his hunting gear, but the bear was his totem, and so it was forbidden for him to kill the creature. Thus he fled back toward his canoe, intent on escape. But the enraged bear threw itself forward and knocked him to the ground.

Desperate now, Qwahela wrestled with the bear, beating it repeatedly with his war club, trying to drive it off. Blood stained the ground from many wounds as the bear fought with the mighty chief. At last, the chief drew his knife and stabbed the bear repeatedly around the head and throat until it released him with a final, blood-chilling growl. Qwahela crawled away from the bear and collapsed on the ground. His body was torn and broken, his wounds grievous. He turned himself over with great effort and looked toward his enemy, his totem. The bear was dead. With a moan of contrition and despair, Qwahela’s head fell back to the earth as he succumbed to his injuries. He died a moment later.

The friend of the great chief, not knowing of his intent to stay with him, did not know anything was amiss until two days later, when he discovered the body of a great bear laying near the lake. The chief’s canoe was beached nearby, and Qwahela’s bloody war club and totem and knife told a grisly story. Of the chief’s body there was no sign, but wolves’ tracks suggested that his friend had been dragged away by the local pack. Qwahela’s friend summoned more warriors and they searched for the remains of the chief for many days, but it was never recovered.

About a month later, on the night of the full moon, Qwahela’s clan saw a strange mist spiraling up the side of a nearby hill like the smoke from a fire. The conditions were clear and the night bright as day, yet the strange mist solidified before their eyes and stayed, unmoving, in that one location in spite of the strong wind that sprang up and rustled the trees around it. The tribe was mystified by the strange apparition, and wondered why it had appeared to them.

That night, the great chief Qwahela appeared in a vision to his medicine man. “It is I,” he told the man, “Who have appeared in the mist on the hillside. I have killed the great bear who took my life, and so am barred forever from entering the spirit realm. Rather than roam the earth, I have determined to stay near my clansmen, and so have erected a spirit lodge on the hillside in the place which you saw tonight.”

The great chief promised the shaman that he would accompany his people on all their expeditions, ensuring their safe leaving and returning. If they ever doubted his presence, all the must do was look to the hillside. The mist that gathered in that one place was the smoke from his spirit lodge ascending to the treetops. Thus they would be reassured of his spirit eternally dwelling with them. And if they ever called over to him, he would answer them.

The shaman conveyed the words of his spirit-chief to the tribesmen the next morning. There was much joy in the knowledge that their beloved Qwahela was still among them. Many the people whooped and shouted towards the hillside where he made his spirit lodge, and always a reply would echo back to them. Thus was confirmed the vision of the Shaman.

To this day, the spiraling, misty smoke from Qwahela’s spirit lodge may be seen rising above the hillside in damp or wet weather, and anyone giving a friendly shout to the great chief will hear his voice echoing in reply.

As told by Chieftain Luhaalo Nethermane

“… And today I shall be teaching you to make my famous Spiced Kodo Milk!”

Ingredients:

“To conjure up this… luxury refreshment you will need the following things!”

One cup of moist coconut
One tablespoon of Kodo butter
One quart of Kodo milk
Half a teaspoon of cinnamon
Half a teaspoon of nutmeg
Two tablespoons of ambercorn honey

Method:

“First, Papha advises you to melt the butter in a saucepan, followed by browning the coconut into it… Secondly you must add the fresh kodo milk, spices and ambercorn honey. Thirdly, bring to the boil… Remove from the heat, strain off the coconut then you have your very own Spiced Kodo Milk, serve it up immediately and embrace that magnificent mulgore taste!” *chuckles*

“Greetings, young one, and welcome to the Chieftain’s Teepee. You will have safe refuge from the burdens of the world here. All denizens of the Tauren race are welcome here.  The spirits of the present and past come alive here in this sacred place, my brother. Honour them, and in doing so honour yourself! “

Well, I’ve recently set up this blog, I’m new to this so give me a break. It’s going to be a hub for tauren roleplaying, if I work out how I will set up a pretty roleplaying forums. I will be posting other things; news about World of Warcraft, theories, and so on! Blah, blah, blah. So, grab yourself a tankard, and ask Papha Meadhorn to fill it with his favourite Kodo Milk!