Taunka

The taunka (also known as winter tauren)The Taunka and the Tauren are an ancient offshoot of the yaungol and relatives to the tauren who have adapted to the harsh environment in Northrend. Unlike their more peaceful tauren relatives, the taunka forcibly bend nature and the elements to their will in order to survive.
The taunka were long thought to be lost until they were re-discovered by Garrosh Hellscream and his orc forces upon their arrival in Northrend.http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/northrend/borean-tundra.xml Due to being forced to migrate from their homes by the encroaching Scourge, the taunka have largely given their allegiance to the Horde, and also because of their kinship with the tauren.
Although they appear similar to the tauren, they resemble more than , and are referred to as bison-men by Apothecary Malthus.Keeping Watch on the Interlopers
==History==
The taunka are the descendants of a bovine race known as the yaungol. Several millennia before the First War, the yaungol roamed central Kalimdor and lived in peace with the demigod Cenarius, but were eventually driven south due to not wanting to share hunting grounds with the trolls. There, the yaungol were enslaved by the mogu empire and twisted by the mogu flesh-shapers. Though they eventually regained their freedom along with the other slave races during the pandaren revolution, much of their ancient cultural heritage had been lost. Heated arguments led many yaungol to migrate back north. One group, who would later take up the name "tauren", resettled in central Kalimdor and rediscovered their ties to Cenarius, while the more nomadic tribes traveled across the entire continent, only stopping when they reached the frigid lands near the Storm Peaks. There, titan-forged machinery such as the Forge of Wills transformed these northern yaungol into a new subspecies, known as the "taunka". The taunka, tauren, and yaungol retained some contact with one another for many years, but the Great Sundering finally shattered the connections between the tribes.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 90
4,500 years prior to the First War, shockingly vicious and bloody battles erupted between the normally peaceful taunka and forest nymphs of Northrend. When word reached the night elf druids of the Cenarion Circle, the elves conducted an expedition to find the cause of the brutal conflict. To their immense horror, they discovered that the roots of the World Tree Andrassil had reached so far into the ground that they had come into contact with the prison of the Old God Yogg-Saron. The malevolent being's energies had spread through the tree, slowly driving all lifeforms in the area to madness. As a result, the Cenarion Circle were forced to fell Andrassil, killing it in order to stop its suffering. Forever after, it would be known as "Vordrassil", or "Broken Crown".World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 124
===Wrath of the Lich King===
The taunka of Taunka'le Village had long been under siege by the Scourge of the Temple City of En'kilah and the necropolis Naxxanar by the time the Horde and Alliance launched the war against the Lich King. Meanwhile, the taunka capital of Icemist Village, was attacked and fell under the control of the Scourge, with High Chieftain Roanauk Icemist being imprisoned.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 72 In this dark hour for the taunka, they made contact with the Horde, and established a working relationship with them. Chieftain Wintergale would personally send Talonga to serve as their ambassador to Garrosh Hellscream.
While it is unusual to see taunka in the Storm Peaks, they've built a small village called Camp Tunka'lo in the region, which has been safe from the Scourge attacks that destroyed so many other taunka villages, thanks to its remote location.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 158
As the Horde worked with the taunka tribes, they were able to successfully provide aid towards Camp Winterhoof, Camp Oneqwah, Camp Tunka'lo, though despite their best efforts, the war with the Scourge made Taunka'le no longer capable of sustaining the Taunka population and the village was evacuated.The Fall of Taunka'le Village However after the taunka formally joined the Horde,Blood Oath of the Horde (quest) they prepared to strike back against the Anub'ar in order to take back Icemist and free High Chieftain Icemist. While the Horde attacked the Anub'ar by ground and sky to thin their numbers,The Might of the HordeBlightbeasts be Damned! Banthok Icemist sent off to the village determined to rescue his father.Strength of Icemist (quest) After acquiring the keys, the pair free the imprisoned High Chieftain, and quickly came under attack by Under-King Anub'et'kan. Ultimately, the trio successfully killed Anub'et'kan, before retreating to Agmar's Hammer.Return of the High Chief As they recovered their strength, Roanauk formally joined the Horde.All Hail Roanauk!
===Warlords of Draenor===
The taunka chieftain Tormak the Scarred and Sage Paluna ended up leaving Northrend to journey Azeroth together. They eventually ended up on at Frostwall if the stables are built.
===Exploring Azeroth===
After the war against the Jailer, Muradin Bronzebeard hoped that taunka and the Alliance could find common ground now, but they were still a wary people, and some of them such has Chieftain Ashtotem doesn't seem particularly interested in making friends beyond the Horde.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 17 It was also revealed that while Camp Oneqwah had greatly expanded from the refugees fleeing from the other camps, while Taunka'le Village and Icemist Village were still lost to the Scourge.
The brothers Bronzebeard also visited Camp Tunka'lo in Storm Peaks, where the sentries were wary of the dwarves when they greeted them from a safe distance, but then recognized they weren't earthen or iron dwarves and were polite after, if still a bit cagey. The dwarves chose not to overstay that small amount of welcome, however.
==Culture==
Tenacious and stoic, the taunka are well aware of the rigors of living in the harsh wastes of Northrend. Although they may seem dour or even cold to outsiders, those who come to know them will soon recognize an embattled race of survivors characterized by colossal hearts and unshakable resolve.The Wrath of the Lich King Bestiary: Taunka
The taunka are a stubborn and tenacious people as they have to be to live in Northrend. According to Muradin Bronzebeard, while he didn't have many dealings with the taunka under the Alliance banner, every taunka he ever met as Yorg Stormheart of the Frostborn had a great heart, and an even greater capacity to drink him under the table.
===Shamanism===
Unlike the tauren, the taunka have survived only by forcing the land and the elements to yield to their will. Their relationship with nature has been one of constant struggle and grim perseverance.Vortex (Vashj'ir)Ask CDev Answers - Round 1 When asked if taunka were dark shaman, Dave Kosak said that "taunka are taunka".Dave Kosak on Twitter: "Hi, Dave, can you explan how a Shaman work, use every Shaman Decay? Or only Dark-shamans? What is with the Taunka? Thank you!" "...and that Taunka are Taunka."
===Customs===
*The taunka use black polar bear pelts in their religious rites, usually at the funerals of those who hunt black polar bears.Mount Journal entry for Reins of the Black Polar Bear
*They also collect the feathers of noble birds of prey to use in crude fortunetelling ceremonies.Imperial Eagle Chick
*The down of the spotted hippogryph is prized by the taunka and used for everything from fletching to ceremonial clothing.Hasty Preparations
*Taunka are clan-bound to be paired.Legends Volume 3: Fiend, pg. 17
*The taunka of Camp Winterhoof in the Howling Fjord have been hunting the giant yeti of the local hills for generations. Tradition dictates that in preparation for the hunt, a loud horn which allegedly mimics the mating call of the female yeti is to be crafted from a ram horn before being inscribed with carvings.Making the HornMimicking Nature's Call
*The taunka of Taunka'le Village use steam cured caribou leather for making watertight containers.Patching Up
*The taunka bury their dead in burial grounds.Put Them to Rest
==Locations==
Most of the taunka camps are either destroyed, evacuating, or planning to evacuate. The only two exceptions to this are currently Oneqwah and Tunka'lo. Oneqwah is where the Camp Winterhoof taunka are evacuating to.
*Taunka'le Village (Borean Tundra): Destroyed by the Scourge.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 104
*Camp Winterhoof (Howling Fjord): Intact,Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 16 once planning to evacuateHasty Preparations
*Camp Oneqwah (Grizzly Hills): Intact, taking in evacuees
*Icemist Village (Dragonblight): Capital, destroyed and infested by undead nerubians
*Westwind Refugee Camp (Dragonblight): Intact, refugees head here after evacuation
*Camp Tunka'lo (Storm Peaks): Intact, not planning to evacuate
==Notable taunka==
Name	Role 	Status	Location
 	High Chieftain of the Taunka 	 	Agmar's Hammer; Icemist Village, Dragonblight
 	Companion of Trag Highmountain 	 	Argent Tournament Grounds, Icecrown
 	Chieftain of Camp Winterhoof 	 	Camp Winterhoof, Howling Fjord
 	Exile and criminal, gladiator of Spiketooth 	 	Deadeye Shore, Durotar
 	Legendary Tunka'lo hero 	 	Camp Tunka'lo, Storm Peaks
 	Brother of Stormhoof, former chieftain of Camp Tunka'lo	 	Frostfloe Deep, Storm Peaks
 	Chieftain of Camp Oneqwah 	 	Camp Oneqwah, Grizzly Hills
 	Shaman of the Earthen Ring 	 	Shimmering Expanse
 	Chieftain of Taunka'le Village 	 	Taunka'le Village, Borean Tundra
==Reputation faction==
===Faction description===
:These hardy people are cousins of the Tauren and have become valuable scouts for the armies of the Horde as they march northward.
===Quests===
====Howling Fjord====
;Steel Gate
*The Rivenwood Captives (+250 Taunka)
;Vengeance Landing or New Agamand
Breadcrumb to Camp Winterhoof, you may only complete one...
*Camp Winterhoof (quest) (+10 Taunka)
*Help for Camp Winterhoof (+10 Taunka)
;Camp Winterhoof
Chieftain Ashtotem has:
*Skorn Must Fall!
**Burn Skorn, Burn! (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
**Gruesome, But Necessary (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
**Towers of Certain Doom (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
***The Conqueror of Skorn! (+350 Taunka)
****Dealing With Gjalerbron (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
*****Necro Overlord Mezhen (Horde) (+350 Taunka)
******The Slumbering King (Horde) (+350 Taunka)
While attacking Skorn, find a drop that begins:
*Stop the Ascension! (Horde) (+350 Taunka)
**Of Keys and Cages (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
***The Walking Dead (+250 Taunka)
****Sleeping Giants (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
While Dealing With Gjalerbron, find a drop that begins:
*Gjalerbron Attack Plans (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
**The Frost Wyrm and its Master (Horde) (+350 Taunka)
Greatmother Ankha has:
*Find Sage Mistwalker (+10 Taunka)
**The Artifacts of Steel Gate (+250 Taunka)
***The Cleansing (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
****In Worg's Clothing (Horde)
*****Brother Betrayers (Horde)
******Eyes of the Eagle (Horde)
*******Alpha Worg (Horde) (+350 Taunka)
Longrunner Pembe has:
*The Book of Runes (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
**Mastering the Runes (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
***The Rune of Command (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
Sage Edan has:
*March of the Giants (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
**The Lodestone (Horde) (+250 Taunka)
***Demolishing Megalith (Horde) (+350 Taunka)
Wind Tamer Kagan has:
*Suppressing the Elements (+250 Taunka)
==Notes and trivia==
*Female taunka share the same model as that as the regular female tauren, but males have a different facial model to the male tauren.
*The term icemist tauren was introduced with the non-canon RPG and may have the same meaning as the term taunka. This could mean that the icemist tauren are the taunka or have become the taunka. This is further reinforced by the name of the taunka's capital city, Icemist Village.
*The name "taunka" likely comes from the word "tatanka", the Lakota word for bison. Many elements of the taunka's culture are derived from North Amerindigenous peoples and are shared with the tauren. See Tauren#Notes and trivia for more details.
==Gallery==
Taunka.jpg|Concept art
Taunkaconc.jpg|Concept art
Tundra Coldhoof.jpg|A female Icemist tauren, a female taunka?
Chieftain Ashtotem.jpg|Chieftain Ashtotem, a taunka.
Taunkamnxsuu1.jpg
Winter Tauren concepts.jpg|Concept art
Roanauk Icemist TCG.jpg|Roanauk Icemist in the TCG.
==References==
==External links==
 
Category:Wrath of the Lich King
Category:Horde races
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