Taunka

Taunka
Classification	Large Humanoid
Faction/Affiliation	Icemist tribe, Horde Expedition, Horde, Independent
Character classes	Chieftain, Druid, Hunter, Longrunner, Shaman, Snow tracker, Warrior
Racial capital	Unknown Icemist Village (formerly, ruined)
Racial leader(s)	Roanauk Icemist
Racial mount	Kodo
Homeworld	Azeroth
Environment	Temperate
Area(s)	Borean Tundra, Dragonblight, Grizzly Hills, Howling Fjord
Language(s)	Taur-ahe (presumed)

The taunka (also known as winter 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. 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 bison more than cattle, and are referred to as bison-men by Apothecary Malthus.

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.

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".

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to 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. 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.

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. However after the taunka formally joined the Horde, 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, Banthok Icemist sent off to the village determined to rescue his father. 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. As they recovered their strength, Roanauk formally joined the Horde.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to 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 Draenor at Frostwall if the stables are built.

Exploring Azeroth

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

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. 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

A taunka scavenger in Hearthstone.

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 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. When asked if taunka were dark shaman, Dave Kosak said 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.
• They also collect the feathers of noble birds of prey to use in crude fortunetelling ceremonies.
• The down of the spotted hippogryph is prized by the taunka and used for everything from fletching to ceremonial clothing.
• Taunka are clan-bound to be paired.
• 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.
• The taunka of Taunka'le Village use steam cured caribou leather for making watertight containers.
• The taunka bury their dead in burial grounds.

Locations

Taunka tent

Icemist Village

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.
• Camp Winterhoof (Howling Fjord): Intact, once planning to evacuate
• 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
Roanauk Icemist	High Chieftain of the Taunka	Alive	Agmar's Hammer; Icemist Village, Dragonblight
Akiak	Companion of Trag Highmountain	Alive	Argent Tournament Grounds, Icecrown
Chieftain Ashtotem	Chieftain of Camp Winterhoof	Alive	Camp Winterhoof, Howling Fjord
Gaur Icehorn	Exile and criminal, gladiator of Spiketooth	Alive	Deadeye Shore, Durotar
Stormhoof	Legendary Tunka'lo hero	Deceased	Camp Tunka'lo, Storm Peaks
Chieftain Swiftspear	Brother of Stormhoof, former chieftain of Camp Tunka'lo	Deceased	Frostfloe Deep, Storm Peaks
Tormak the Scarred	Chieftain of Camp Oneqwah	Alive	Camp Oneqwah, Grizzly Hills
Toshe Chaosrender	Shaman of the Earthen Ring	Alive	Shimmering Expanse
Chieftain Wintergale	Chieftain of Taunka'le Village	Deceased	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

•  [10-30] The Rivenwood Captives (+250 Taunka)

Vengeance Landing or New Agamand

Breadcrumb to Camp Winterhoof, you may only complete one...

•  [10-30] Camp Winterhoof (+10 Taunka)
•  [10-30] Help for Camp Winterhoof (+10 Taunka)

Camp Winterhoof

Chieftain Ashtotem has:

•  [10-30] Skorn must Fall!
  •  [10-30] Burn Skorn, Burn! (+250 Taunka)
  •  [10-30] Gruesome, But Necessary (+250 Taunka)
  •  [10-30] Towers of Certain Doom (+250 Taunka)
    •  [10-30] The Conqueror of Skorn! (+350 Taunka)
      •  [10-30] Dealing With Gjalerbron (+250 Taunka)
        •  [10-30] Necro Overlord Mezhen (+350 Taunka)
          •  [10-30] The Slumbering King (+350 Taunka)

While attacking Skorn, find a drop that begins:

•  [10-30] Stop the Ascension! (+350 Taunka)
  •  [10-30] Of Keys and Cages (+250 Taunka)
    •  [10-30] The Walking Dead (+250 Taunka)
      •  [10-30] Sleeping Giants (+250 Taunka)

While Dealing With Gjalerbron, find a drop that begins:

•  [10-30] Gjalerbron Attack Plans (+250 Taunka)
  •  [10-30G2] The Frost Wyrm and its Master (+350 Taunka)

Greatmother Ankha has:

•  [10-30] Find Sage Mistwalker (+10 Taunka)
  •  [10-30] The Artifacts of Steel Gate (+250 Taunka)
    •  [10-30] The Cleansing (+250 Taunka)
      •  [10-30] In Worg's Clothing
        •  [10-30] Brother Betrayers
          •  [10-30] Eyes of the Eagle
            •  [10-30] Alpha Worg (+350 Taunka)

Longrunner Pembe has:

•  [10-30] The Book of Runes (+250 Taunka)
  •  [10-30] Mastering the Runes (+250 Taunka)
    •  [10-30] The Rune of Command (+250 Taunka)

Sage Edan has:

•  [10-30G2] March of the Giants (+250 Taunka)
  •  [10-30G3] The Lodestone (+250 Taunka)
    •  [10-30G3] Demolishing Megalith (+350 Taunka)

Wind Tamer Kagan has:

•  [10-30] 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

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  Concept art

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  Concept art

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  A female Icemist tauren, a female taunka?

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  Chieftain Ashtotem, a taunka.

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  Concept art

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  Roanauk Icemist in the TCG.

External links

World of Warcraft Community Site 

• Wowhead
• WoWDB