Baine Bloodhoof

Baine Bloodhoof is the High Chieftain of the tauren tribes of Mulgore and leader of Thunder Bluff. He is the son of the late tauren leader, Cairne Bloodhoof, whom he looked up to as a role model. While Baine has formidable skill on the battlefield, his true talents lie in the arena of diplomacy. He is a strong force for moderation, calm wisdom, and unity within the Horde, especially in their dealings with the Alliance.

Following Cairne’s death in a duel with Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, Baine fled his home in Bloodhoof Village when the tauren matriarch Magatha Grimtotem's agents attacked the village and seized Thunder Bluff. Although still pained by the loss of his father, Baine staged a counterattack on Magatha and her forces, ultimately retaking the tauren capital and defeating the treacherous matriarch. Cairne’s honorable son spared Magatha's life, banishing the matriarch and her traitorous allies to the harsh Stonetalon Mountains. Since then Baine has assumed the role of high chieftain of Mulgore's courageous tauren.

While bitterness might still linger over Cairne's demise, Baine had remained loyal to the Horde and its Warchief for the good of the tauren race. He eventually supported the Darkspear Rebellion in ousting the warchief, and eventually pledged his support to Garrosh's successor, Vol'jin. With Vol'jin's passing shortly after the disastrous Battle for Broken Shore, Baine remained loyal to Sylvanas Windrunner and was present when Vol'jin named her the Warchief with his dying breath. However, Baine has become disgusted with Sylvanas' cruelty and lack of honor and has worked in secret with legends within the Horde and even some in the Alliance to undermine Sylvanas' plans, ultimately wanting to overthrow her as warchief. Ultimately, following the death of Varok Saurfang and Windrunner's abandonment of the Horde, Baine became one of the leaders to form and sit on the Horde Council, representing the tauren.

Caught


Baine fought alongside his father with pride and respect and continued to defend his people when they established a home for themselves in Mulgore. However, in an attack by the centaur on their village, Baine was taken captive and taken back to their camp. He managed to stay alive, but he began to lose hope when all his fellow captives were killed one by one until he was the only one left.

The tauren Tagar told Rexxar to find him and bring him back. So, Baine was rescued by Rexxar, and they battled their way together through hordes of centaur until they finally made it back to Cairne, who was overjoyed to see his son alive. After he was brought back with the help of Bovan Windtotem, Cairne Bloodhoof decided to join Rexxar's party.

World of Warcraft
At Bloodhoof Village, Baine Bloodhoof led an investigation into Venture Company operations to the east and a campaign against the Palemane gnolls to the west. With his father growing older, Baine took a greater role in the leadership of the tauren with each passing year.

Baine attempted to warn the dwarven miners of Bael'dun Digsite that their violent mining methods were hurting the spirits of the Earth and even attempted to scare them off by sending adventurers to break their tools. However, the dwarves did not listen and continued using explosives on the earth. In Cataclysm Baine was shown to be right as the enraged Spirits of the Earth rose from the ground and killed all the dwarves at the digsite.

Stormrage
By the time of the defeat of the Lich King, Baine had become a major leader of the tauren. When the Emerald Nightmare began to slowly claim all of the denizens of Thunder Bluff, he helped guide his people in their resistance, if however futile. The Nightmare affected some of these tauren, among them a friend of Baine called Gam who had his vision changed by the Nightmare so that Baine got the appearance of Centaur. Gam attacked Baine who in the end had to drove a spear through Gam's chest and let him fall off a bridge to his death.

Later, when Malfurion Stormrage called for the warriors of Azeroth to battle against the Nightmare, Baine was one of the many to answer. Once within the Emerald Dream, Baine once again showed his aptitude for leadership. When the Horde expressed agitation about Malfurion giving leadership to Varian Wrynn for the battle, Baine was the first to stand by his side, alleviating all tension and showing that this conflict was above their petty differences. Although they fought a seemingly hopeless battle, the united forces of Azeroth eventually claimed victory, and Baine was able to return to his people to help repair the damage.

Elemental Unrest


During the Elemental Unrest Baine aided in the defense of Thunder Bluff by combating the water and wind elementals that appeared on the Spirit Rise.

Ascension on the eve of the Shattering
As the war in Northrend carried on, Baine led his people in Cairne's place whenever his father was absent, such as Cairne's journey to Warsong Hold. Baine is shown to be an effective and beloved leader, a worthy successor to his father.

Cairne is killed by Grimtotem treachery during a duel with the new Warchief, Garrosh Hellscream, in the arena in Orgrimmar. Upon his death, Magatha Grimtotem, Cairne's sworn rival, orders her tribe to take over Mulgore and kill everyone in it and sends assassins to Bloodhoof Village to kill Baine, who remained unaware of what happened in Orgrimmar. However, Baine is tipped off by a Grimtotem defector, the shaman Stormsong who was supposed to lead the group attacking Bloodhoof Village, and managed to escape under the cover of a kodo stampede, sending messengers to other villages warning them of the Grimtotems' treachery. They then make their escape to Camp Taurajo, where they join Hamuul Runetotem who had also managed to escape an attempt on his life. Eager to avenge his father and reclaim Thunder Bluff, Baine asks his father's old friend and adviser on how to fight Magatha. Hamuul informs the young chieftain that their potential allies are few, with Garrosh's allegiances unclear, the Forsaken being unable to help (as orcs loyal to Garrosh patrol the Undercity thanks to past events), the blood elves being too far away, and the Darkspear trolls being too few. Realizing he could not call upon friends, Baine decides to ask aid from an honorable enemy: Jaina Proudmoore.

While there, Baine unexpectedly meets Prince Anduin Wrynn, heir to the throne of Stormwind; after an initial uneasiness, Baine warms to the young man, so unlike his warrior father, King Varian. His sadness and churning emotions at all that has transpired cause great empathy in Anduin; in an act of friendship, he gave Baine the great hammer Fearbreaker, an ancient Bronzebeard heirloom given to him by King Magni Bronzebeard. The weapon "likes" Baine and steadies him with the Light that it wields, and he promises to treasure it always. Jaina is moved by this gesture and agrees to provide Baine monetary support in his efforts to bring down Magatha and the Grimtotems.

Being born a Grimtotem, Stormsong's black pelt makes him the perfect (and really, the only one available) undercover agent, and so travels to Ratchet to purchase the aid of its leader, Gazlowe, with untraceable Theramore gold. The goblin engineer - who had always liked "the old bull", as he has called Cairne - agreed to assist Baine in his quest, providing zeppelins, explosives, and other supplies. While those tauren that are available to join Baine's forces and volunteers from throughout the Horde are eager to help, the Theramore gold also hired the technical and martial skill of mercenaries. With the materials and manpower he needs, Baine leads a surprise attack on Thunder Bluff, under the cover of a false storm provided by Stormsong's shamanic powers. Baine succeeds in defeating Magatha, sparing her life when she agrees to yield (although he would have been quite happy to end her had she not). Allowing those Grimtotems who would follow him to remain, Baine exiles Magatha and her loyalists.

Baine confronts Garrosh in Thousand Needles, bluntly accusing him of willfully participating in Magatha's treachery. Garrosh insists that he was unaware of the trickery until it was too late, and expects that Baine will also challenge him. Baine refuses, believing that Cairne's challenge was intended to unite the Horde and another challenge would divide it further, and begrudgingly considers the matter settled. Though he is still angry at Garrosh for his part in his father's death (after all, Garrosh had upped the ante by making the Mak'gora a duel to the death), Baine acknowledges him as his Warchief, to which Garrosh, admiring the new High Chieftain, pledges the loyalty of the Horde to the new leader of the tauren.

He attended the funeral of Cairne in Mulgore and was one of the last that spoke with Thrall and Aggra before they departed for Ratchet. Baine promised him to have Doomhammer's Plate delivered to Orgrimmar.

Some time afterward, Baine fostered the growing friendship between himself and Anduin by exchanging letters.

As Our Fathers Before Us
In the wake of Baine's ascension to high chieftain of the tauren, his formerly icy relationship with Warchief Garrosh Hellscream has become even more strained. Baine had willingly chosen not to pursue vengeance against Garrosh for the death of Cairne Bloodhoof in favor of a united Horde leadership. Baine knew that the Horde needed a strong guiding figure if it was to survive, and Garrosh could give his people inspiration. Baine meets with Garrosh and Archdruid Hamuul Runetotem in Thunder Bluff, and the young chieftain is frustrated to learn of Garrosh's increasingly numerous demands from the mighty tauren people.

One such demand is access to Mulgore's pristine and pure water supplies, since the Horde's new goblin allies had tainted much of the water adjacent to Orgrimmar with their industrious projects in Azshara. Baine is apprehensive to grant Garrosh this request, and Hamuul even more so, though after a heated exchange he agrees to the demand - if a tauren representative is sent to watch over the goblins' operations from this point forward. Garrosh accepts the compromise and angrily leaves the meeting after reiterating his duties to keep the Horde's people safe to the onlooking tauren. In a discussion with Hamuul, Baine expresses optimism that Garrosh will either learn to overcome his recklessness in time or that it will certainly be the death of him. Hamuul is not entirely convinced, and even puts forward the notion that the tauren had existed long before the Horde - and that if servitude to Garrosh continued in this manner, they could always go back to those independent roots. Baine denies this answer and states his loyalty and hope in the Horde that his father helped to shape.

Regardless, the shipments of water are satisfactory, and soon enough the citizens of Durotar had ample supplies of water in their homes. However, brutal raids on several of the caravans in Mulgore draw Baine's concern, and the high chieftain leaves to observe the damage. He is disheartened to witness the slaughter wrought on by the culprits, though comes to the conclusion that it was the work of the quilboar - better armed than ever before. Baine believes that negotiation may be possible with their new leadership at this late juncture, though Garrosh learns of this and insists the murderers be dealt with in force. Baine's advisers have similar opinions, and urge the high chieftain to sanction a deposition of their new leadership in retaliation of their violent raids and harassment of tauren land. However, Baine declines this plan, citing that such coarse action is Garrosh's way - not his. Baine instead resolves to continue working towards diplomatic measures, and find another compromise; though his advisers remind him of the quilboar's consistently brutal nature.

Several of the tauren begin to express dissatisfaction with Baine's compromising attitude with Garrosh. Viewing his willingness to bow down to every demand made of him as an affront to their peoples' interests, they consider walking away from the Horde. Meanwhile, Baine continues relentlessly to find the answers to the quilboar issue. He looks to Hamuul for guidance, and the archdruid instructs him to commune with the shamans in addition to the druids to find the answer.

Baine later finds himself dealing with yet another troublesome issue - several tauren preparing to leave both Mulgore and the Horde, led by Greyhoof Farwanderer; disheartened that Mulgore has become simply an extension of Garrosh's will. Despite Baine's encouragement to remain loyal to the Horde, referencing it as being far more than its leaders; an enduring and unifying concept that Thrall and Cairne helped shape. Baine reasons that given the chance, these problems will be overcome and the Horde will be saved from both its external enemies and internal strife; though the wanderers prepare for their journey either way.

In the face of these disheartening events, Baine finally receives some good news from Hamuul in regards to the quilboar. They conclude that the source of their renewed unrest is also that of water; the recent cataclysm having cut off the quilboar's own sources. Baine and Hamuul personally inform Garrosh of this, though the warchief grows highly irritated after learning of yet another attack on tauren land that had gone unpunished. After an insulting exchange over the nature of the Earth Mother and Baine's continued passivity in regards to the savage quilboar assaulting Horde territory, Garrosh assures him that something realistic will be done about this problem, and quickly. Garrosh later steams ahead with an attack on the quilboar without telling the tauren, though they do find out about it and Baine hurriedly arms himself and his Sunwalkers to save the Warchief from his own recklessness. Baine finds himself doubting his leadership capabilities in the face of this constant turmoil. He receives the unlikely support of Hamuul, who reassures him that his decisions for the good of their people are just and noble. In Mulgore below, Garrosh and a regiment of Kor'kron prepare their assault on the quilboar.

Gorehowl in hand, Garrosh and the expert Kor'kron make quick and ruthless work of the quilboar in their tunnels. However, an ambush launched by hundreds of the beasts has the Kor'kron regiment literally swarmed over; Garrosh himself disarmed and backed into a corner. As he prepared to fight to the death, Baine, Hamuul and the Sunwalkers arrive to relieve the battle. Baine succeeded in repelling the ambush with his equally skilled use of Fearbreaker, and helped the warchief reclaim Gorehowl. The Horde forces retreat, and Hamuul demonstrates the power of the Earth Mother to Garrosh as he calls upon a river. Baine stands over the defeated quilboar, and instructs them that this river will provide them with all the water they need - providing no more attacks are made on the tauren people. The quilboar anxiously return to their tunnels.

Baine informs a silent Garrosh that if the tauren need further assistance in Mulgore, they will let him know; and the warchief travels back to Orgrimmar via zeppelin.

Baine is approached by Greyhoof Farwanderer and the tauren that had prepared to leave Mulgore prior. Having witnessed Baine's victory over the quilboar, they apologize for doubting the high chieftain's ability to lead and request a pardon for this rash action. Baine grants it, and urges them to remain strong and steadfast in these trying times for the good of their people.

Looking upon his land as night falls, Baine turns to his guests, and reaffirms his belief in the Horde - that his father had promised to repay a great debt to it, and that he will deliver it.

Cataclysm
As the leader of the tauren, he faces the troubles of Mulgore. With the help of young tauren, he kills Orno Grimtotem.

During Children's Week Baine can be seen alongside Hamuul and Kador honoring Cairne near Thunder Bluff.

When the Camp Taurajo fell, Baine had a gate separating the Barrens and Mulgore constructed. Some tauren were content with that decision, and did not burn for revenge, but the Grimtotem who disagreed, and others who chose to strike back at the Alliance from Vendetta Point, were expelled from Thunder Bluff, though suffered no other repercussions.

Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War
When the Warchief issued a call for the other leaders of the Horde to gather for a meeting in Orgrimmar, Baine answered the summons despite not feeling right within the "new Orgrimmar." Upon arriving he exchanged a nod with Lor'themar Theron, engaged small talk with Trade Prince Jastor Gallywix, and was greeted by Eitrigg who informed Baine that he did not like the topic of the meeting. When Hellscream arrived, after keeping the others waiting, he revealed his plan to scour Theramore from the continent and stunt the Alliance's military presence. Furthermore, with the threat of reinforcements from the south removed, Garrosh intends for the Horde to gain control of territory belonging to the night elves. When Sylvanas Windrunner objected to the plan, proclaiming that though the Alliance would be unable to attack the Horde on Kalimdor, they would then turn their attention north: towards the Forsaken and the blood elves. When Lor'themar remained silent, Baine found himself feeling for Sylvanas, as she was hoping for support from someone who would be reasonable and was receiving none.

When Eitrigg asked to voice his opinion on the matter, Garrosh mentioned he already heard his opinion. However, Baine pointed out that they had not and in response, Garrosh grudgingly allowed for the adviser to speak. While sharing his opinion, Eitrigg found himself being cut off by Gallywix who proclaimed that there would be no costs and that he was only hearing talk of profit. In anger of the goblin's quip about the blood of foes and allies being spilled for profit, Baine found he could no longer be silent. Baine angrily told Garrosh that Jaina Proudmoore did not deserve such treatment and how she had helped him when others of the Horde had not. In response, Garrosh told Baine to be silent unless he wished to share the same fate as his father. In response, Baine asked if that meant dying betrayed. When Garrosh roared in fury Hamuul Runetotem stepped forward to protect Baine as did Eitrigg, though at the same time Malkorok, a Blackrock orc and Garrosh's new bodyguard did the same for Garrosh.

After ordering Malkorok to back down Hellscream leaned into Baine's face and asked him if his loyalties were with the Alliance who had killed his people, or him and the Horde. In response Baine calmly stated that if he were ever to leave the Horde he would have done so before this moment, a reference to Cairne's death and Garrosh's decision to not get involved during the battle between Magatha and Baine for control of Thunder Bluff. For a second Baine noticed that an expression of shame crossed the Warchief's face before it swiftly vanished. Soon afterwards, the meeting ended with Garrosh declaring that the Horde will move on to Northwatch Hold, then Theramore, and any Alliance response would be dealt with swiftly.

After the meeting, Baine and Chieftain Vol'jin of the Darkspear tribe had a short conversation. Baine learned that Malkorok and other Blackrock orcs were allowed to join the Horde. When Baine showed his displeasure of Garrosh letting a Blackrock clan orc and a former servant of Rend Blackhand into the Horde, Vol'jin pointed out that he let members of the Grimtotem tribe into the Horde. When Baine responded that he supposed that he thought better of tauren over orcs these days, Vol'jin comments that in these days he did too.

When it was time to begin the invasion, Baine led his tauren forces from the Great Gate and then joined up with Vol'jin and his Darkspear forces. Baine then co-led the combined Tauren and Darkspear army as it marched from the Gate to Northwatch, killing any Alliance that got in their way. As the Horde armies engaged the forces of Northwatch, Garrosh ordered his dark shaman to summon molten giants. Not understanding exactly what Garrosh's shaman had summoned, Baine asked Kador Cloudsong and was informed by the outraged shaman that Garrosh had called forth and enslaved molten giants, an act that was declared forbidden by the Earthen Ring. After witnessing the elementals smashing against whoever got in their way, Baine called for his forces to retreat, unwilling to let any of them come to harm from the fearsome fire elementals.

After Northwatch fell to the might of the Horde and witnessing the molten giants being banished, Baine confronted Garrosh. As the argument between them got heated, Malkorok got in Baine's face and challenged him to a mak'gora. In response Baine ignored Malkorok; only mentioning that he had lost too many braves and had no desire to see more Horde lives lost. Turning to Garrosh, Baine mentioned he was only concerned about what may come and was subsequently told that his concern was noted but unwarranted by Garrosh. Baine was further told that Garrosh had plans and when they reached their conclusion he would gladly accept Baine's apology but until then, Garrosh did not wish to hear any more of Baine's concerns.

While returning to his base camp nearby, Baine ordered his forces to attend to the body of the fallen. He further ordered that his people not desecrate any of the fallen alliance soldiers, reflecting that the Earth Mother loved all her children. Alone within his tent, Baine found himself reflecting upon Garrosh's thoughtless, heedless, and selfish manipulation of the elements for personal glory. His conclusion made him decide on one course of action. Taking care not to be noticed by any eyes and ears open to Hellscream, he ordered Perith Stormhoof to come before him. Baine ordered Stormhoof to warn Jaina Proudmoore of the Horde attack on Theramore and requested that Fearbreaker be given back to its former owner, remarking that he felt that he no longer deserved to wield the weapon due to his part in Northwatch's fall.

In the days that followed their victory, members of the Horde(most notably Baine, Vol'jin, Kelantir Bloodblade, Frandis Farley grew frustrated and confused with Garrosh's decision to remain at Northwatch instead of pressing the attack; as Theramore was having enough time to gather reinforcements that would make the conquest of Theramore even harder. With Garrosh refusing to see anyone, Baine and the others had a secret meeting to discuss exactly what the Warchief was thinking. However, treachery from within tipped Garrosh of the meeting. It wasn't until Vol'jin voiced the concern that the enslaved elements could lead to the elements themselves taking arms against the Horde, that it was discovered they were being watched.

When Garrosh showed his disbelief at the knowledge that the meeting was true, Baine pointed out no one had chanted "Death to Garrosh". All they did was question. However, Malkorok told them that questioning the Warchief was questioning the Horde. Baine retorted that logic only worked if one believes that two plus two equaled five and further mentioned that the meeting only happened because Garrosh refused to see anyone but Malkorok. In turn, Garrosh said he did not need to answer to anyone and they will wait until he commands them to march. When told by Hamuul that Thrall would have seen them, Garrosh, while pointing at his own brown skin, asked if this looked like the green skin of Thrall. Baine noticed that Garrosh appeared modified upon Hamuul's declaration that no one would ever mistake Garrosh for Thrall and Malkorok narrowed his eyes. While being eyed by Garrosh, the orc stated that he understood that both Baine and Vol'jin were loyal to Horde in their own way and then ordered everyone to return to their encampments.

When Baine realized that word did not reach Garrosh or Malkorok of Perith Stormhoof's mission he breathed a sight of relief. Immediately afterward, Baine realized that while he needed Garrosh's goodwill, Garrosh, in turn, needed Baine's. Due to Baine being a known moderate, a large number of Horde would go his way. After taking a moment to contemplate the revelation, Baine journeyed back to his tent. As he was heading towards his encampment he remarked that he badly needed to purify himself with the clean scent of sage smoke, for his always felt sullied every time he acquiesced to Garrosh's commands.

Later on Vol'jin and Baine were granted a meeting with Garrosh and both noticed that Malkorok was also present. The three leaders of the Horde had a polite conversation before Baine began to address his concerns and questioned Garrosh why it seemed he only listened to the Blackrock orc. After witnessing Malkorok being told to stand down, Garrosh mentions he had orders for the fleet while turning to Baine and Vol'jin. Feeling hopeful that Garrosh was either beginning the attack on Theramore or letting them in on his plan, both the troll and tauren were stunned when Garrosh's order was for the fleet to withdraw. As they left to carry out his order, Baine told Garrosh he hoped a Horde would be left after this debacle. As they were leaving the Darkspear and Tauren leaders heard loud laughter from both their Warchief and his bodyguard.

When Garrosh finally began the attack on Theramore, Baine not only led his tauren in battle but was chosen along with Vol'jin to be a part of Garrosh's personal attack force on Theramore's North Gate. During the siege, Baine became locked in battle with Theramore's spymaster and Jaina's bodyguard: the night elf Pained. Proving to be a fearsome opponent, Pained kept Baine on his toes and his eyes upon ear. When Vol'jin made his way over to him, and Garrosh who was nearby, to inform them that a dragon, Kalecgos, was not only aiding in the defense of Theramore but was also trying to trap the Horde forces in order to prevent any possible retreat. After receiving this information, Garrosh ordered a retreat and Baine stayed behind to ensure that more Horde soldiers would be able to follow the retreat. Though when Garrosh told Baine to retreat as he did not wish to mount a rescue mission for himself, Baine growled and swung his mace, knocking Pained to the ground and quickly retreated from the battlefield.

With the battle for Theramore seemingly lost, Baine angrily marched to Garrosh as he gazed at Theramore from the bridge of Dustwallow Bay, and threw a cloth with blood on it at his face. In response to Garrosh's growl, Baine noted that the blood of the slain tauren was a more fitting decoration that his tattoos. To Baine's confusion, Garrosh merely laughed, calling him a stupid beast, and then pointed upward. It was then that the truth about the attack on Theramore was revealed. The attack was never meant to destroy the stronghold; it was meant to weaken and gather high ranking leaders of the Alliance, such as Shandris Feathermoon and General Marcus Jonathan, together for one reason: so a mana bomb could not only destroy the city but kill all those who came to its defense. A move that Garrosh claimed would weaken the Alliance. Shortly afterwards the gathered Horde forces bore witness to the mana bomb destroying Theramore, to the cheers of many and the disgust and outrage of others, with Baine being among the later.

As he witnessed the destruction of Theramore, Baine asked to himself of where was the orc who had executed Overlord Krom'gar for murdering countless innocent druids, and once stating that honor should not be abandoned no matter how dire a battle, had gone. While Garrosh and many of the Horde celebrated in Orgrimmar, Baine, Vol'jin, Kelantir Bloodblade, Frandis Farley and some Horde members consisting of tauren, blood elves, and Forsaken gathered at the inn at Razor Hill in silent protest. Malkorok and his Kor'kron later blew up the inn, killing those inside like Bloodblade and Farley who had questioned and badmouthed the Warchief and dubbed it an "accident". While Baine's thoughts of the "accident" are unknown, it is presumed that he, not unlike Vol'jin, does not believe it.

Following the Alliance counter-attack on Orgrimmar, where the Alliance fleet was pushed back and the Horde controlled Kraken slain, Baine along Vol'jin, Garrosh, and Malkorok learned that Northwatch was retaken. They further learned from one of Baine's Longwalkers that the Alliance fleet was en route to destroy the Horde blockade which was created in the wake of Theramore's destruction. Baine then bore witness to Garrosh ordering the coastal blockade of Kalimdor to fall back. The young Bloodhoof finds himself pleased with this decision, viewing it as Garrosh giving up on his conquest of Kalimdor. However, when he goes to commend Hellscream, he learns that Garrosh has changed his plans: instead of expelling the Alliance from Kalimdor, Garrosh now aims to wage a war of total genocide.

In response, Baine calmly tells him that he and his tauren are now returning to Thunder Bluff and that should Garrosh want the continued support of Baine Bloodhoof, another Theramore must never happen. Garrosh merely gives Baine a slight smirk he can't interpret and tells him that the declaration is "dully noted." As Baine leaves his eyes connect with Vol'jin who gives him a sad glance and a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. In turn, Baine nods his head showing Vol'jin that he understands Vol'jin's desire to protect his people. As Baine and his tauren returned to Mulgore, Baine couldn't help but wonder if Garrosh was mad with power or just simply mad.

Mists of Pandaria
Baine had dreams of a valley, golden with blossoms, filled with the hope of peace and ordered Sunwalker Dezco and his Dawnchaser tribe to sail into uncharted waters near Pandaria in search of it.

Landfall
Baine has journeyed to Pandaria and is keeping a close eye on Hellscream. When Garrosh's orcs were unable to the master the Sha energies Hellscream imbued them with, Baine ordered General Nazgrim to send for loyal champions of the Horde who are capable of combat and discretion to knock the sha infused orcs back to their senses. Baine sends a message to Vol'jin and informs him of what has occurred. After hearing the rumblings of dissent and worry from his fellow tauren, Baine decides to remain on Pandaria in order to ensure that things don't get out of hand. While Baine is confident that he can stay close to Hellscream, Vol'jin remains worried about his safety and secretly tells champions of the Horde to watch out for Baine.

Baine later travels with Garrosh to the Kun-Lai Summit and sets up the outpost Garrosh'ar Advance just east of One Keg. With the Mogu warlord, Shan Kien, refusing to tell Hellscream where the Divine Bell is, Ishi is ordered to draw his blade. Seeing this, Baine steps in and offers another solution; one without bloodshed. By using an ancient pandaren tincture that recalls memories which he learned in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Baine has Horde heroes look into Shan Kien's past. Upon retrieving knowledge of where the Divine Bell is hidden, adventurers return to report the location to Baine. Baine remarks the Horde will look for the cave and when it is found they will be called upon again.

The Thunder King
When Baine learned about the Garrosh attack on Anduin, he was distressed.

Escalation
Having heard of the Darkspear Rebellion taking place, Baine traveled to Razor Hill, arriving there just after a battle between the Darkspear forces and the Kor'kron. Here, he found that Vol'jin had survived the assassination attempt by Garrosh's men in Pandaria. He assured his cooperation to the troll chief, but since many tauren were still inside Orgrimmar, he needed to plan it out very carefully, to prevent them from being harmed. He also mentioned that Garrosh had turned the city into a fortress and that it would be wise to seek other allies "beyond the Horde". He sent Abrogar Dusthoof to Shrine of Two Moons in order to keep an eye on the events of the Vale.

Siege of Orgrimmar
Baine and Vol'jin have moved inside Razor Hill, where their forces (Thunder Bluff Warriors and Darkspear Headhunters) were also arriving. The two leaders discussed the current situation of their army approaching by the sea and about Garrosh.

During the Siege of Orgrimmar, Vol'jin's Rebellion secured the lion's share of Durotar with its forces now at the gates of Orgrimmar. Baine and Vol'jin faced off with General Nazgrim, who unleashed the Iron Juggernaut against them. After its defeat, Tyrande Whisperwind secured the entrance to Orgrimmar, and told Vol'jin and Baine to go ahead while she held the line.

Baine with a team of Horde members is then seen in the Underhold battling against the Kor'kron orcs.

Baine is present along with the rest of the Horde's leadership (barring Ji Firepaw, who was injured earlier in the siege) at the defeat and arrest of Garrosh. When Thrall names Vol'jin the new Warchief, Baine kneels in respect.

War Crimes
Following the Siege of Orgrimmar, the leaders of the Horde travel to the Temple of the White Tiger to witness the fate of Garrosh Hellscream. However, the August Celestials decided not to mete out judgment unto Hellscream among themselves and instead chose to hold a trial involving the Alliance and the Horde.

Warchief Vol'jin, with the approval of other Horde leaders save Sylvanas Windrunner, chose Baine to play the role of defender during the trial of Garrosh Hellscream. After meeting with the spirit of his father, Baine agreed to defend Garrosh to the best of his abilities.

Baine played his role as defender opposite Tyrande Whisperwind and performed his role well. Notably, he refused to pull punches on fellow leaders of the Horde. He pointed out that Vol'jin may have caused Hellscream to see the trolls as traitors with his words and actions on the Echo Isles and got Go'el to admit that, despite almost killing the Warchief at the Siege of Orgrimmar, he would spare his life given the chance again.

At one point, Baine's ability to defend Hellscream was brought into question as Whisperwind revealed his past dealings with Jaina Proudmoore and Anduin Wrynn. Despite this, Hellscream, who previously described Baine as making his last days "entertaining", elected to keep the High Chieftain as his defender to the surprise of the entire court.

Ultimately, Baine explained his reasons for defending Hellscream so fiercely in his closing statement. He concluded that, while alive, decisions can still be made and people may yet change, Garrosh Hellscream included. Hellscream undermined this statement by proclaiming that, after everything he had done and all the lives he'd ruined, with full knowledge of the people he'd harmed in his bloodthirsty path of warfare, he regretted nothing.

During Hellscream's escape, Baine battled a version of himself from an alternate timeway. This alternate Baine slew Hellscream after Cairne's death by tearing him apart with his hands, taking the mantle of Warchief for himself. During the fight, Baine became frustrated at the August Celestials staying out of the chaos surrounding them. It was then that the Celestials proclaimed to the combatants "Remember the sha", leading Baine to realize that he couldn't fight this alternate version of himself, but had to accept him. Baine accomplished this after reminding his alternate self about the wisdom of their fathers, after which the alternate Baine returned to his own timeline. In the aftermath, Baine was among the leaders of both factions watching as Jaina Proudmoore was healed from her fatal wound by Chi-Ji the Red Crane standing alongside Tyrande Whisperwind.

Legion


Baine was present at the Broken Shore alongside Sylvanas Windrunner battling through the armies of demons. After the Horde escaped from the isle, he witnessed the death of Vol'jin in Grommash Hold and was present at his funeral ceremony where he fought against Felblade Assassins.

When a Horde player reaches Prestige Rank 2, Baine can be found in the Undercity alongside other notable leaders of the Horde. During A Royal Audience (Horde), he is present at the ceremony hosted by Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner that congratulates the character for their battles against the Alliance, following their receiving of the High Warlord's Medal of Valor from the Warchief, as well as an artifact appearance.

Baine, accompanied by braves, participated in the Orgrimmar parade led by Warchief Sylvanas. He joined her at the Valley of Wisdom. At a dinner celebrating the Legion's defeat, Baine gave a speech about celebration despite their losses. He and Saurfang expressed distrust towards Gallywix as he went to speak with Sylvanas privately about a mysterious new substance. When Baine told Saurfang that Gallywix had been sending many of his goblins to Silithus, Saurfang angrily stated that nothing good ever came from Silithus.

Before the Storm
Baine Bloodhoof later set up a meeting between Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner and Magni Bronzebeard in Thunder Bluff. Magni had asked Sylvanas to remove the Bilgewater Cartel goblins from Silithus and attempted to recruit the Horde healers in the mission to restore Azeroth from Sargeras' destruction. Sylvanas tasked Baine to organize the Horde's response in the healing efforts, but she prohibited cooperation with the Alliance and ordered Baine to cease all contact with King Anduin Wrynn. Much to the objections of the other Horde races, Sylvanas also chose to maintain Gallywix's Azerite mining operations and investigations, citing its research to be invaluable to the Horde's efforts and that she will divulge the research when the moment was right.

Later on, Baine wrote a letter to Anduin which stated that Sylvanas had learned of their correspondence and had pressured him into cutting off all contact with him. Baine also gifted Anduin a small piece of his horn to serve as a memento of their friendship and also expressed his hopes that one day, they may resume their friendship without being impacted by divisive politics.

Highmountain tauren
He later traveled to the Orgrimmar Embassy with the other leaders. When Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner called for new Horde recruits to counter the Alliance's recruitment initiative and to replenish their ranks, Baine proposed recruiting the Highmountain tauren and planned to recruit them during a feast between their two peoples. After Warchief Sylvanas gave her endorsement, Baine and the Horde champion set off to greet Chieftain Mayla Highmountain and her entourage at Thunder Bluff. However, Spiritwalker Ebonhorn was tormented by the Old Gods' forces of Uul'gyneth attempting to corrupt him, and he and Mayla were forced to retreat back to Thunder Totem while Baine and the Horde champion defended Thunder Bluff from Uul'gyneth's invasion force. Apparently, the wards Ebonhorn had been maintaining in Highmountain weakened just enough to let the Darkness seep through.

Later on, Baine and the Horde champion traveled to Thunder Totem to offer their aid to mend Ebonhorn, who has been fighting unconsciously to keep a darkness from consuming him. Mayla sent the Horde champion to Spiritwalker Graysky, who has the Horde champion undergo Spiritwalker rituals to walk in the memories of Igrul the Scalebane, Oenia Skyhorn, and Huln Highmountain in order to restore the wards that kept the dark corrupting forces at bay. After restoring the wards, Ebonhorn regained consciousness and revealed Uul'gyneth sought to return and conquer Highmountain. Baine, Mayla, the Horde champion, and Ebonhorn left to join Lasan Skyhorn, Aviash, and Jale Rivermane at Highmountain Summit to thwart the Necrodark's ritual to incarnate Uul'gyneth and restore the final ward. They failed, however, and Uul'gyneth was summoned into the physical realm, leaving the Horde champion little choice but to vanquish Uul'gyneth the Darkness. After the battle, Baine was surprised to see Ebonhorn revealing his true form as the black dragon Ebyssian, but he agreed to keep his identity a secret. Mayla in turn expressed her gratitude for rescuing her people from the Old Gods. Impressed by the strength and courage of the Horde, Mayla and Baine traveled to Orgrimmar to pledge the Highmountain tauren to the Horde.

A Good War
When Varok Saurfang led the Horde's army through the Northern Barrens, publicly to head to Silithus but truthfully to launch an invasion of Ashenvale, Baine caught up with the High Overlord and asked about his mission. Varok didn't know how, but Baine's tone of voice implied that he knew something of the real plan, and Saurfang told himself that he needed to stop underestimating Cairne's son. Baine stated that most in the Horde, including himself, didn't understand the goal of the mission or why it must be done now. Saurfang replied that there was an opportunity, there was danger on the horizon, and it would be best to deal with it quickly. When Saurfang said that the plan was his own and not Sylvanas', Baine seemed relieved and wished Saurfang luck on his mission.

Battle for Azeroth
Baine participated in the Battle for Lordaeron. He was furious that Sylvanas simply let Saurfang behind to the mercy of the Alliance, but when Sylvanas gave him the option of going outside to die or to tend to the living, Baine chose the latter saying "For the Horde" with an angry tone. He left the throne room before the blight was released in the city.

After the Horde began trying to get the Zandalari trolls to lend them their navy, Baine traveled to Zuldazar to ensure that the Horde did not lose sight of what defined them and what made them strong. Following the events within Nazmir that led to the death of the matriarch of the blood trolls Grand Ma'da Ateena, Rokhan would send word to Baine about the Blood God G'huun, causing Baine to wonder how King Rastakhan could let an Old God stay so close to his empire. Baine was also informed of the death of General Jakra'zet and the release of Mythrax the Unraveler within Vol'dun. Upon learning of these events, Baine revealed that he shall inform Sylvanas of what occurred and that she would know how to best proceed against this new threat.

After the Blood Gate was successfully defended, King Rastakhan had word sent to Baine to prepare the Horde for the upcoming conflict. Expressing his belief that the Horde was founded on aiding those in their hour of need, Baine pledged to aid the Zandalari. Following the death of G'huun, Baine was present when Talanji presented their victory over G'huun to the Zandalari Empire.

Tides of Vengeance
After the Siege of Zuldazar Baine attended King Rastakhan's funeral, sympathizing with Talanji over the pain of losing a father and disagreeing with Nathanos Blightcaller who encouraged her to state her grief with vengeance against the Alliance. With the Alliance soon to achieve victory in the war, Baine sought to open negotiations with them but his suggestion was swiftly shot down by Sylvanas. When Sylvanas raised the corpse of Derek Proudmoore, Baine was furious. He later saw him bound in the Hall of Ritual and lamented about Sylvanas and resolved to set things right.

When Baine wished to speak to Vol'jin once more, Talanji performed a seance to call on his spirit. With all that Sylvanas had done to strain the Horde's unity, Baine had to know who the voice that spoke to Vol'jin telling him to make her warchief really was. But Vol'jin's memory had been muddled by death, denied for him by shadows that he knew were coming for his friends. Spirits of the dead attacked the seance, and Vol'jin realized Baine's question was a good one if someone was trying to have him killed for asking it. At Vol'jin's request they traveled to the Broken Shore and called on his spirit there to shed some light on the mystery. As they searched more spirits attacked them, and Vol'jin realized that that day on the Shore, something wasn't right with the way the demons' blades slipped past his guard as if the loa had forsaken him. Even now he still could not hear their voices, and no matter how much he called to Bwonsamdi the loa of death was not answering. He realized that something had been helping the Legion that day to ensure that Vol'jin died.

Vol'jin, Talanji, and Baine traveled to the Necropolis, where Bwonsamdi revealed that he had not been ignoring Vol'jin's previous cries for aid; rather, he had not heard them at all. They confronted Bwonsamdi to ask him if he was the one who had told the shadow hunter to make Sylvanas the warchief, which Bwonsamdi denied. Even as much as Bwonsamdi was all for war and death, Sylvanas took things too far, and besides that Sylvanas kept the souls of what she killed as undead instead of releasing them for Bwonsamdi to claim. Troubled by their words, Bwonsamdi agreed to help them find out who had really told Vol'jin to put Sylvanas in charge.

Bwonsamdi opened a Death Gate to one of his rivals in the ownership of souls: the Lich King. Like Bwonsamdi, the Lich King told Vol'jin that he was not responsible and that Sylvanas was upsetting the balance of life and death. Furthermore, the Lich King informed Vol'jin that he had been altered more than he realized and as neither undead nor damned he did not belong in the Frozen Throne. The Lich King sent ghouls after them, forcing them to flee through Bwonsamdi's gate. Realizing that Vol'jin's spirit was getting help from some other power, Bwonsamdi also sent them to speak to the Val'kyr Eyir. Eyir informed the group that Vol'jin had been "touched by the hand of valor" and become something beyond even her power to forge, but whoever it was that had aided him was was not the same person who had told him to make Sylvanas warchief. Back at the Necropolis, Bwonsamdi mused that while Eyir and the Lich King were not his only rivals they were the ones he thought most likely to be behind it. He urged Vol'jin to search not the living world but the Shadowlands for his answers. Vol'jin agreed to return to the Other Side, with the promise that if he found anything he would send word.

Baine later attended Talanji's coronation.

Feeling that Sylvanas has gone too far Baine, with the help of Thomas Zelling, sought to liberate Derek Proudmoore from her and return him to his family. He personally delivered Derek to Jaina off the coast of the ruins of Theramore. However, Jaina was outraged believing that Derek was Sylvanas's puppet, but Derek was able to reassure his sister that his mind was his own and that Baine had saved him from such a fate. A shocked Jaina could only ask Baine why and the High Chieftain responded that there was a sickness in the Horde, that they waged war even as the Earth Mother was dying, that the Horde has forgotten what truly matters, and his heart could no longer bare it. In response to Jaina's warning that Sylvanas could kill him for this Baine merely replied that "No life was worth living, if we cannot be true to our nature." As he returned home to seek solace in his family, he encouraged Jaina to do the same.

At Sylvanas's command, he journeyed to Warfang Hold in Stormsong Valley with the other leaders of the Horde. Sylvanas revealed that Derek Proudmoore had help in escaping to the Alliance and questioned Zelling who Nathanos held at bow point. In response, Baine admitted his role in Derek's freedom and revealed that Sylvanas planned to deny Derek his free will by violating his mind to which Sylvanas thanked him for his honesty. After Nathanos killed Zelling, an outraged Baine asked her if they were nothing more than pawns in her game and accused her of betraying the Horde. However, the Warchief was unmoved and, in turn, accused Baine of betraying the Horde and ordered his arrest. As the guards surrounded Baine, he declared that Sylvanas would leave the Horde in ruins.

Rise of Azshara
Sometime following his arrest, Baine was imprisoned within the Underhold, where Sylvanas planned to keep him until his execution. However, both the Alliance and other Horde leaders such as Lor'themar Theron discovered what Sylvanas was planning and plotted his rescue, with King Anduin sending Jaina Proudmoore and Mathias Shaw, and Lor'themar sending word to Thrall and Varok Saurfang. En route, the two groups would unite and resolved to rescue Baine together. Sylvanas, who had anticipated a rescue attempt, arranged for Magister Hathorel to ambush anyone who sought to free Baine. However, despite the Magister's best efforts, he failed, and Baine was mass teleported out of Orgrimmar along with the rescuers by Jaina to Mulgore. As Jaina left to report the mission's success to Anduin, Baine saluted her the tauren salute in gratitude.

Following his liberation, Baine called for tauren champions who had proven their worth to return at Thunder Bluff at once, for the spiritwalkers had whispered their name with urgency. Baine revealed to them that the spiritwalkers have been plagued with visions of chaos and turmoil. When Thunder Bluff came under attack by a Malevolent Spirit, Baine rallied the tauren in defending the city and called for their aid. Following the defeat of the Malevolent Spirit that led the attack, Baine ordered its death, only for the spirits of his father and mother to appear before. Cairne told his son that the tauren way was not destruction but harmony, that they need both the light and shadow to see what lies before them. Cairne then pointed out that Baine helped the champion restore balance to the spirit realm and what balance is what the tauren strive for. When Baine asked for his parents to stay as he had much we wished to tell them, Cairne informed his son that he knew, but it would have to wait for another time. Before he departed Cairne told Baine that they were always proud of him and to always remember that they and the Earth Mother watch over him. Baine then thanked the tauren who aided them against the malevolent spirits and asked for them to thank the Spirit Guide who warned them of the malevolent spirits' coming.

Baine supported Saurfang in his revolution against Sylvanas though his wounds forced him to stay behind in Thunder Bluff as the revolutionaries and loyalists clashed. While in the city, Ji Firepaw arrived to tend to his wounds and the pair were later joined by Mayla Highmountain, who was ordered by Saurfang to defend Thunder Bluff in case Sylvanas launched a counterattack. During the conflict, Saurfang challenged Sylvanas to a Mak'gora, which ended in his death and Sylvanas's abandonment of the Horde. A stunned Lor'themar ordered for champions to report what had transpired to Baine. In response a grieving Baine stated that they will meet in Orgrimmar, to honor the memory of Varok Saurfang. Baine subsequently attended Saurfang's funeral. Acknowledging that without Saurfang's courage he would have been killed by Sylvanas, Baine declared that the best way to honor Saurfang's memory is to carry his legacy forward. Furthermore, he stressed that the Horde cannot remain divided, that they should reflect on all that they've endured and move forward united as one.

When Rilgiz refused a Former Banshee Loyalist access to the Bank of Orgrimmar in the Valley of Strength, Baine declared that many were led astray by Sylvanas's lies and thus they must come together as a united Horde. He further declared that those who seek forgiveness are forgiven and should be allowed to use Rilgiz's service, to which the goblin agreed.

Visions of N'Zoth
Shortly after the end of the war, Baine relocated to Grommash Hold, where he listened to the petitions of several of the Horde's allies: Commander Dresh (who reported that work on an outpost in the Twilight Highlands had halted due to a peon revolt), Bladeguard Sonji (who requested more forces to defend the coast of Zuldazar from the Nazeshi naga), and First Arcanist Thalyssra (who reported that the vintner in Suramar was refusing to work with the staff the Horde had provided for the nightborne's arcwine production). At the same time, Baine was approached by Kiro of the vulpera, who asked to let his people join the Horde. The High Chieftain was forced to decline as the aforementioned issues had stretched the Horde's resources thin and he could not agree to add new members to their ranks while their current allies were struggling. Kiro and his fellow vulpera Meerah and Nisha decided to offer their help and traveled to the Highlands, Zuldazar, and Suramar, eventually solving the Horde's problems and impressing Baine's allies. When the three vulpera returned to Orgrimmar, Baine realized that he had been wrong to dismiss them so hastily and offered them a place in the Horde, which they gladly accepted.

Baine was later seen with Mayla in Stormwind Keep, observing the meeting between Anduin Wrynn and Wrathion.

In the aftermath of N'Zoth's death and the end of the Fourth War, Baine and the other Horde leaders received the terms for an armistice from the Grand Alliance, putting the Fourth War on hold indefinitely, if not permanently. With that matter settled, Lor'themar Theron addressed the absence of a Warchief. Despite support for Thrall to take the mantle on again, he refused, citing that he had promised Varok Saurfang he would not take on the role once more. Instead, he brought up the idea of the Warchief being necessary, instead bringing in the belief that a change was needed for the Horde's leadership. With this, the Horde Council was created, with Baine representing the tauren people. In the face of Rokhan's uncertainty of becoming the chieftain of the Darkspear, Baine convinced the troll that he had proved himself in Zuldazar and Stromgarde, and that as the Darkspear had faith in him, so did Baine. Recognizing Baine's words as true, Rokhan took his place as the new Chieftain of the Darkspear tribe and their representative in the council.

Believing that the Horde stood at a crossroads, Baine felt that it was time for the Horde to claim a new destiny and that the path they choose shall determine their fate.

Shadows Rising
In light of Queen Talanji's call for the Horde to respond to the Zandalari wounds during a Horde Council meeting, Baine declared that they all had their grievances but that they must be weighed against the interests of the Horde. Remarking that it wasn't easy, Baine declared that in time they can seek to right the wrongs done to the Zandalari. However, Talanji aghast at having to further wait, and the council soon fell into bickering until Thrall called for it to be adjourned. Soon after the meeting ended, a failed assassination attempt was made on Talanji, the Zandalari queen and a key ally, forcing Baine and the rest of the Horde leaders are forced into action. They empowered the young troll shaman Zekhan, still grieving the loss of Varok Saurfang, with a critical mission to aid Talanji and help uncover the rising threat against her.

At some point afterward, Valeera Sanguinar was sent by Anduin Wrynn to Baine to find out if the Horde had any knowledge of Sylvanas being in Zandalar, to which Baine responded in the negative.

After the Earthen Ring shaman Yukha warned Thrall that something was terribly wrong in the spirit world, Thrall made the decision to go Nordrassil and decided to bring Calia Menethil and Baine, due to him despising Sylvanas. Upon meeting with Malfurion Stormrage, Tyrande Whisperwind, Shandris Feathermoon, and Maiev Shadowsong, Baine noticed their frosty, rigid silence. Thrall subsequently formally apologized to the night elves and pointed out how Baine sought to overthrow Sylvanas and remove her as warchief. When the meeting started to dissolve into an argument about responsibility for Teldrassil, Baine asked Maiev what justice was to her and asked her if Thunder Bluff or Orgrimmar must burn, if the death of their innocents would appease her, and if she thought pain does not simply bring more pain. In the aftermath of Tyrande's revelation that she saw their words as empty pledges of justice, Baine, along with Calia, allowed herself to be corralled out of the area by Yukha. However, Thrall refused to be corralled out and promised Tyrande that he would deliver what is owed, that he would give her the head of Sylvanas Windrunner. The group subsequently departed Nordrassil and arrived in Orgrimmar soon after.

Riding a thunderhoof, Baine was among the Horde forces that arrived to Zuldazar in order help the Zandalari against their enemies assaulting Bwonsamdi at his Necropolis. In the battle's aftermath, Baine declared that it would be their honor to have Talanji join them on the council.

After approving the mission of Mathias Shaw and Flynn Fairwind across the Eastern Kingdoms, Baine sent a letter that allowed them to travel across Horde territories.

Death Rising
When the Scourge began to rampage across Azeroth with the Lich King gone, Baine was targeted by the Mawsworn. Despite his and Mayla's best efforts, he was captured and taken to the Maw.

Shadowlands
Held captive by the Mawsworn, Baine was brought before the Jailer, and during this time his spirit was wounded as the Jailer judged his worthy. The Eternal One found Baine's unworthy and subsequently threw Baine off a platform. However, Baine was rescued by Thrall, Anduin Wrynn, Jaina Proudmoore, and champions of Azeroth, were quickly found the means to mend Baine's spirit.

With his spirit restored, Baine joined the others in seeking out the Eroded Waystone, which they hoped could help them get out of the Maw. Upon discovering the sheer size of the Jailer's army, Baine remarked that it rivaled that of the Burning Legion and was in fact growing larger. Upon arriving at the waystone, they were confronted by the Jailer's forces, and though the champion was able to escape, Baine and the others were captured.

After being captured Baine was sent to Torghast, Tower of the Damned, where he was held in chains. Following the death of Warden Arkoban, he was rescued from the tower and brought to Oribos, which Baine called "a... remarkable place." He later warmly greeted Jaina and Thrall after their own liberation, and implored Bolvar Fordragon to peer deeper into Torghast in order to discover Anduin's location.

Following the defeat of Sire Denathrius, an ally of the Jailer, Bolvar felt a darkness calling to him within Torghast. Baine learned from Bolvar that a new mourneblade was being forged within the tower and that the Jailer decided that the time had come for Anduin to become his agent, regardless of his choice. Baine stunned when the Jailer attempted to gain control of Bolvar through the Helm of Domination and prepared himself for battle. After Jaina and the Maw Walker were able to sever the connection, Baine called for them to immediately attack Torghast and rescue Anduin. However, Thrall and Jaina countered that they had to hold back and rally the covenants, a notion that Bolvar agreed with. Thus Baine bowed to their advice and bore witness to Bolvar's imploring of the Maw Walker to continue their efforts and declaration that when the time came, they would claim victory.

Chains of Domination
As the covenants rallied together to defend Ardenweald from Sylvanas and the Mawsworn, Baine was amongst those who remained behind in Oribos to defend the city.

Tactics
Like Cairne before him, Baine is a powerful tauren chieftain and his in-game abilities are a testament to it. Now without the risk of Horde shamans and druids hurling entire Alliance raids from Thunder Bluff's lift-balconies, an air-born raid can attack Baine directly from his tent. It is recommended to tank him inside of it, as his knockback ability has a wide range, and can result in unsuspecting victims gaining aggro on more of Thunder Bluff's guards and elite patrols than necessary. Downing him as fast as possible before the Horde can mount a defense raid is the best strategy to employ.

It is worth bearing in mind that Baine's elite guards, the Honor Guards, share the knockdown that the Bluffwatchers possess - without diminishing returns. As such, a large amount of guards in addition to constant stunning can allow Baine to simply crush an unprepared tank while its healers are unable to react.

Regardless, Thunder Bluff is not the most populated capital city of the Horde, and a prepared and subtle raid should be able to defeat Baine without huge interference.

Personality
Baine is everything Garrosh Hellscream is not: he is patient, calm, wise beyond his years, and looks to spill as little blood as he possibly can by looking at every possible alternative that could avoid a battle. His ability to speak calmly to Garrosh despite his rapid demands and insults to his people's ways only show Baine's inner control and patience in dealing with someone he feels will either end up killing himself, or growing up the hard way. He greatly dislikes anything that disrupts the peace and gets to the heart of the matter in order to quickly resolve a problem. Baine believes deeply in his people, but often feels doubt that he is not the great leader his Father was, and tries to calmly lead his people in dark times with his confidence in not Garrosh, but in the Horde's integrity and ideals. While Baine is not afraid to take charge and tell people calmly what he thinks, he is almost always trying to avoid unnecessary conflict, especially in a world already filled with much strife and suffering. Diplomacy is his strong suit, but he is a force to be reckoned with, as he fights to end a conflict as soon as possible. Despite any of his personal losses or direct affronts to his leadership, Baine is incredibly forgiving of people, and able to lay aside grudges for the sake of his people, and his own inner peace. As he tries to emulate his Father, he also walks his own path, as someone who is incredibly perceptive and deals with problems logically, as well as seeking to help deliver peace to a world that sorely needs it.''

In the RPG
It would seem that after Brann Bronzebeard had a chance to speak to the tauren chieftain at Thunder Bluff about the dwarves of Bael'dun Digsite, that Baine Bloodhoof asked a group of young tauren to act as emissaries to the dwarven excavation of Bael’dun to convince the dwarves to cease their careless digging. Given enough effort, the tauren apparently convinced the dwarves to allow a shaman to oversee their site to make sure that the land is properly cared for during the excavation, and that the dwarves return to the land as much as they take. Baine then asked them to deal with the Venture Company as well – a more difficult proposition, however, it seems a few good axe swings were likely more effective than conventional diplomacy.

Gossip

 * The land has been good to our people, . We must be thankful for our good fortune.

On-click

 * Aggro
 * By my father's spirit, I shall not be defeated!
 * You are unwise to challenge me!


 * Killing a player
 * Rest in peace!
 * You die with honor!


 * Greetings
 * I am Baine, son of Cairne, now chief of the Bloodhoof tauren.
 * Never despair, friend. The eyes of the Earthmother are upon us.
 * Honor the Earthmother, always. This is the way of the tauren.
 * Ish-ne-alo por-ah.

Gossip

 * Thunder Bluff
 * Greetings young one, and welcome to Thunder Bluff. You'll find safe refuge from the burdens of the world here. All denizes of the Horde are welcome here.
 * The spirits of the present and past come alive here this sacred place, my friend. Honor them, and in doing so honor yourself.

Gossip
An honorable meeting,. I have heard rumblings from my brothers here on Pandaria. Dark rumblings of dissent, and worry.
 * Shrine of Two Moons

I have come myself to support the Horde's efforts, but also... to make sure that things don't get too out of hand.

Go quickly,, bring an end to Garrosh. And remember, the Earth Mother's eyes are upon you.
 * Kor'kron Barracks

On-click

 * Greetings
 * The fate of Azeroth rests in your hands.
 * I am Baine, High Chieftain of the tauren.
 * We must unite if we are to survive.
 * There is much we can learn from the Highmountain tribes.


 * Pissed
 * These Highmountain tribes are... tall. Very tall.
 * Champion, do you have any sugar cubes on you?


 * Farewell
 * For the Horde.
 * Earthmother watch over you.
 * The war with the Legion has come. I hope you're ready.

Gossip

 * Highmountain


 * Greetings champion.
 * We are dangerously low on allies in this land and the Highmountain tribe is the only tribe in known tauren history to lock horns with the Burning Legion.
 * I am here to lend whatever aid they need so that they can unite under the same totem once again and join us in the fight against the Legion.


 * Orgrimmar Embassy
 * We share much with the Highmountain tauren. It is my belief that they would make ideal allies in the time to come.

On-click

 * Greeting
 * How may I aid you?
 * Spirits watch over you.
 * I am Baine, son of Cairne.
 * May the Earthmother smile upon you.
 * What brings you to me?
 * We fight when we must, for Azeroth.
 * The tauren stand proud.


 * Pissed
 * The downside of having the surname like Bloodhoof is that people are reluctant to let you walk on their carpets.
 * Saurfang once called me animal style. I did not care for the nickname. He had a hungry look in his eyes when he said it.
 * Why do some speak of grabbing life by the horns as it is a good thing? Because let me tell you: it is most uncomfortable AND impolite.
 * Mayla has the most perfect antlers... Umm... Not that I'm thinking about them or anything... Do not speak of her antlers.


 * Farewell
 * For the Horde always.
 * Earthmother guide us all.
 * Without honor, we have nothing.
 * We are stronger together.
 * We serve as caretakers of this world.
 * Honor those who came before us.
 * Stand strong, stay true.

Gossip

 * Dazar'alor
 * War tests us. Forces us to examine our honor, our convictions.
 * I have come to Zuldazar to ensure that, in the midst of this struggle, the Horde does not lose sight of what defines us. What makes us strong.
 * I have faith you will not forget, Speaker of the Horde.


 * I do not know what the Zandalari king is thinking at this moment, but I know we cannot let these events deter us from our goal. The Zandalari must endure this conflict. The Horde has pledged its swords in defense of these people and we may well stand alone if their gods will not save them.
 * Now, more than ever, they will look to you. Represent us well, Speaker of the Horde.


 * Later
 * I have been witness to many momentous occasions. I have seen history unfold, conflicts resolve and renew themselves, betrayals, and great victories.
 * This is a defeat as sure as any. Zul bested us at each turn and achieved his ultimate goal. We cannot let this be the end.
 * The coming conflict with this ancient foe, a foe these people have faced since the dawn of their race, will shape the fate of the Horde and Zandalari alike. We will answer their call. We will make right that which Zul made wrong.
 * Be ready, be vigilant, and do not falter,.

Removed


 * Champion, I am [sic] will not hide behind false pretenses. I have come to Zuldazar in part to keep an eye on what our Warchief is doing.
 * The Horde has suffered enough under dishonorable Warchiefs in the past. I would see that our honor be upheld no matter what.


 * After The Prophet's Ploy
 * There you are! Zul's forces tried to oust us but the Horde demonstrated its strength. The fighting is done for now.
 * We had reason to suspect Zul was working against us. I did not think he would act so soon, or so decisively. I suppose his abilities as a Prophet were not overstated.
 * We must act to preserve our new allies. Go, and do what you can to restore King Rastakhan to power. The Horde will maintain order here.


 * Post-The Return of Derek Proudmoore


 * I cannot abide this, . Each time I think Sylvanas has gone too far, she finds a new line to cross. I have watched her commit one dishonorable act after another.


 * She desecrates more than the memory of a fallen enemy. She desecrates the Horde itself.


 * This cannot stand. Something must be done. And soon.


 * Conversation with Derek Proudmoore''
 * say
 * say
 * say
 * Baine comes.
 * say
 * say
 * say
 * say


 * During The Shadow Hunter questline
 * The Horde cannot continue like this. We espouse nobility and honor, even as we justify vile deeds in the name of a hapless, hopeless war.


 * Our Horde was founded in the crucible of conflict. We banded together against common foes to protect our lands... our people. But with Sylvanas as warchief, the need to survive may not be enough to hold us together.


 * We must find a new path forward... before we lose everything we are.


 * Screaming Cliffs, Broken Shore

I cannot stand idly by to such atrocities. We will make things right.
 * The Swift Vengeance


 * Saurfang's funeral

We are all in this together,.
 * Vulpera recruitment questline


 * Orgrimmar Embassy
 * We are a crossroads, my friend. The time has come for the Horde to claim a new destiny. The path we choose shall determine our fate...

Dialogue

 * Horde Council

In Hearthstone
Baine appears in Hearthstone as an HS Baine Bloodhoof (uncollectible legendary card) who can be summoned by the death of Cairne Bloodhoof's card.

Notes and trivia

 * During Dead in the Water, Baine's mounts are an armored wyvern and an armored kodo.
 * In Tides of War Baine banishes tauren for seeking retribution against Alliance attacks, yet Blood Oath of the Horde (quest) states the right to retribution is an oath of the Horde.
 * Baine's impaled body can be seen in the Stormwind Harbor of the Realm of Y'Shaarj.
 * Baine used a generic tauren model until the release of patch 7.3.5, at which point he received a unique model matching the way he had been depicted in official artwork since Cataclysm.
 * Baine's original in-game model and Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War depict him with brown eyes. After the patch 6.0.2 player character revamp, however, his in-game eye color was changed to blue. This was later fixed, but in the Legion epilogue he is again depicted with blue eyes, and after receiving his unique model in 7.3.5, he now has red eyes.
 * It seems that Baine has at some point visited Northrend.
 * While Baine is commonly depicted as a younger tauren, art in the TCG shows him appearing older, like his father.
 * Baine is presented as an Echo in the possible future, armed with the Axe of the Tauren Chieftains.
 * Baine's generic names are Honor Guard and Thunder Bluff Brave. In the Escape from the Maw, he appears to others as Tauren Warbrave.
 * A lot of Baine's personality was developed by Christie Golden during the writing of The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm. While his backstory had been established by that point, he didn't have much personality other than fans assuming that he would be a "pretty cool guy" similar to his father.
 * During the Battle for Lordaeron, Baine rides a Black War Kodo.
 * Baine is voiced by Jamieson Price.
 * During the Legion beta, Baine appeared before Mayla Highmountain along with Sunwalker Dezco and Roanauk Icemist to ask for help with battling the Burning Legion on the Broken Shore. This was scrapped before the official launch, but strangely, Baine still referred to the Highmountain tauren in his updated click-on quotes after patch 7.0.3, even though he would not directly interact with the Highmountain until the release of the Highmountain tauren allied race in 7.3.5.
 * In Cataclysm, Baine was initially planned to appear at the Great Gate in Mulgore to attack human invaders from the Southern Barrens. In the datamined lines for this event, he also referred to avenging the tauren killed at Camp Taurajo.
 * His weapon of choice is the Bloodhoof Mace, a massive blunt weapon that he uses in most of his appearances. Two notable exceptions are his appearance in Classic World of Warcraft and in the End Time instance, where he wields a spear and halberd respectively.

Speculation
It seems the friendship between Baine and Anduin has replaced the Jaina and Thrall's friendship that helped keep the peace between the two factions, now that Thrall is no longer the Warchief.

Alternate timeline
In an alternate timeline, Baine murdered Garrosh, tearing him apart with his bare hands, for killing Cairne and became the Warchief of the Horde. He was teleported inside the Temple of the White Tiger where he clashed with Baine as Kairoz had told the Warchief that he defended Garrosh. He wore a massive mace and warchief's heavy armor. According to the main-universe Baine, Kairoz selected the most broken and darkest versions. To send them back to their own realities, one was to accept the other-self. That happened as both remembered the wisdom of their father, Cairne.

In another timeline, where the Old Gods and Deathwing succeeded in bringing about the Hour of Twilight, Baine exists as a maddened echo in the lava-filled remains of the Obsidian Dragonshrine, now nothing more than a vessel of unquenchable malice and anger.