RP Guide: Tauren

*The following is an OCC article meant to give players new to the WoW RP scene a rundown on what playing the role of a Tauren character entails.*

To those new to the World of Warcraft the Tauren are tall bovine like beings. Their appearance may bring to mind bison or the minotaurs of various fantasy settings. However, as opposed to the typically savage and blood thirsty depictions of minotaurs the Tauren are a peaceful people, though like the minotaurs of such settings also beings with a taste for meat. Their culture as depicted in the setting draws in many ways from those of the plains natives who inhabit and inhabited the western United States. If the above sounds interesting the following information shall help you slip into the role and join others in exploring this World of Warcraft from in universe eyes.

## Language

To play any role one must understand how their role sounds, the way they deliver words and communicate with others. The best way to pick up on this is by listening to NPCs. For this research one is advised to explore one of the normal servers.

### Greetings

* Hail.
* Greetings, traveler.
* Greetings.
* Well met!

### Partings

* Farewell.
* We shall meet again.
* Be careful.
* Go in peace.

### Blessings

* May the eternal sun shine upon the.
* Earth Mother guide you.
* Walk with the Earth Mother.
* Ancestors watch over you.

## Spirituality

The Tauren revere the Earth Mother and their ancestors. The Earth Mother is one also worshiped by the Wildhammer Dwarves. The Tauren tradition places the moon and sun as her eyes and her as the creator of the land. All lesser nature spirits, those of Plainstriders and the fish of the rivers, come from her and return to her in death. In many ways she is a universal consciousness that the Tauren honor by treating her body (the land) well and her children (the plants and animals) with respect. Waste of any kind if frowned upon as is large scale mining and logging. Individuals take what they need, but also what should not be wasted. Feathers, bones, beaks, and other material are commonly used by the tribes.

As such when role playing a Tauren most take the skinner profession in order to partake in this aspect of their culture. Other wise one may feel that not taking what they can from the carcass is wasteful and thus not in character. It's for this reason, and as the class is mentioned in the race's opening cinematic, that the Hunter class is popular among Tauren roleplayers.

Two character classes are vital to the Tauren spirituality- the Shaman and the Druid. Shamans guide the tribe and live among the tribesfolk while the Druids roam the lands- the vast plains they call home to commune with the Earth Mother and come to the tribes or are sought out when her will must be known. The two classes work together for the good of the land and good of the tribe. This importance in Tauren culture can make playing either intimidating to new roleplayers. Having some experience as a Hunter interacting with both classes can build one's confidence up to a suitable level for giving them a try.

## Tribes

A tribal identity can help shape one's character and give you as a roleplayer some anchor into the world.

### Canonical Tribes

The following is a list of canonical tribes. Where a tribe dwelled or dwells can help in shaping the history of your character.

* Bloodhoof (the tribe of the current Tauren leader)
* Grimtotem (a largely dissenting tribe that rejected membership in the horde and considers most non-Tauren to be enemies. To them the Bloodhoof swift trust of the Orcs is unwise. The tribe is fractured now between those who left with their chief and those who stay in Thunderbluff and align with the Bloodhoof. These horde aligned Grimtotem members follow the shaman Jevan Grimtotem. This split was not a peaceful one, but violent with the Grimtotem attempting a coup in Thunderbluff. Their actions nearly exterminating the Skychaser tribe. Now the Grimtotem loyal to Chief Bloodhoof have taken on the spiritual role once held by the Skychaser tribe.)
* Longstride (a tribe that dwell on the continent of Azeroth to the east of Kalimdor. While not involved in the conflict in Kalimdor the tribe acknowledged allegiance to the Horde)
* Skychaser (under Bloodhoof leadership the Skychaser tribe had been positioned as the spiritual leaders of the united Tauren before the Grimtotem coup attempt. All but two Skychaser members who where in Thunderbluff at the time where slain. Only a few others who had been away from Thunderbluff have survived as well. With such low numbers the loyalist among the Grimtotem, lead by Jevan Grimtotem, have taken on the role the Skychasers once had.)
* [list incomplete]

### RP Tribes (Tauren Tribal Themed Guilds)

Player guilds, especially role playing ones, can be formed to express one's tribal identity and connect with other player characters to tell the story of your people. Some are even formed around canonical identities listed above.

## Lore

Tauren have as indicated by the opening cinematic when entering the world as a Tauren experienced a near extinction when hunted down by the Centaur who drove them from their ancestral lands. Mulgore serves as their home with the surviving tribes having come together under the leadership of Cairne Bloodhoof whose alliance with the Orcs saved his people.