Taunka

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The taunka (a.k.a. winter tauren), ancient relatives of the tauren, were thought to be lost until re-discovered by Garrosh Hellscream and his orc forces upon their arrival to Northrend. "Like their ancestral relations the Tauren, the Taunka are a hardy people who have given their allegiance to the Horde."

A travel hub has been set up between orcish fortress of Warsong Hold, Taunka'le Village, and Camp Winterhoof.

They, like their distant cousins the tauren, are involved with the spirits of the land, though after living for so long in such a harsh environment as Northrend they tend to bully the elements rather than ask them to keep their region inhabitable.

From the official  World of Warcraft Community Site Wrath of the Lich King—Bestiary:

This tenacious, stoic race knows all too well the rigors of living in the harsh and often deadly wastes of Northrend. Over time, the taunka—whom many believe to be ancestral cousins of the tauren—have adapted, but only by forcing the land and the elements to yield to their will. The taunka's relationship with nature, unlike that of their tauren brethren, has been one of constant struggle and grim perseverance.

Although the taunka 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.

Appearance

Although they appear similar to the tauren, they resemble bison more than cattle.

Female taunka share the same model as that as the regular female tauren, but males have a different facial model to the male tauren.

Faction

• The Taunka, as part of the Horde Expedition

Locations

• Taunka'le Village (Borean Tundra)
• Camp Winterhoof (Howling Fjord)
• Camp Oneqwah (Grizzly Hills)
• Icemist Village (Dragonblight)
• Westwind Refugee Camp (Dragonblight)
• Camp Tunka'lo (Storm Peaks)

Village status

• Taunka'le Village: Currently being evacuated
• Camp Winterhoof: Planning to evacuate
• Camp Oneqwah: Intact, taking in evacuees
• Icemist Village: Capital, Destroyed, infested by undead Nerubians
• Westwind Refugee Camp: Intact, refugees head here after evacuation
• Camp Tunka'lo: Intact, not planning to evacuate

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.

Notable Taunka

• Roanauk Icemist- High Chieftain of the Taunka
• Chieftain Ashtotem- Chieftain of the Camp Winterhoof
• Tormak the Scarred- Chieftain of the Camp Oneqwah
• Chieftain Wintergale- Chieftain of Taunka'le Village

Inspiration

The name "taunka" likely comes from the word "tatanka", the Lakota word for bison.

Images

• 

  Taunka tent

• 

  Taunka concept art

• 

  Another taunka concept art

• Chieftain Ashtotem.JPG

  Chieftain Ashtotem, a taunka.

• 
• Tundracoldhoof.JPG

  A female Icemist tauren, a female taunka?

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

The term icemist tauren 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.

Quests

Howling Fjord

Steel Gate

•  [72] The Rivenwood Captives (+250 Taunka)

Vengeance Landing or New Agamand

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

•  [71] Camp Winterhoof (+10 Taunka)
•  [70] Help for Camp Winterhoof (+10 Taunka)

Camp Winterhoof

Chieftain Ashtotem has:

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

While attacking Skorn, find a drop that begins:

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

While Dealing With Gjalerbron, find a drop that begins:

•  [72] Gjalerbron Attack Plans (+250 Taunka)
  •  [72G2] The Frost Wyrm and its Master (+350 Taunka)

Greatmother Ankha has:

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

Longrunner Pembe has:

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

Sage Edan has:

•  [72G3] March of the Giants (+250 Taunka)
  •  [72G3] The Lodestone (+250 Taunka)
    •  [72G3] Demolishing Megalith (+350 Taunka)

Wind Tamer Kagan has:

•  [71] Suppressing the Elements (+250 Taunka)

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB