Icemist Village

Lake Wintergrasp

Icemist Village

Population: 160 (at the time of Lands of Mystery)

Icemist Village is the former capital of the taunka (aka "winter tauren"). The original lore for the village explained it to be an Icemist tauren outpost, it has been further explained to be the ravaged capital of the winter tauren. It is located on the edge of Lake Wintergrasp in the Dragonblight. It was destroyed by undead nerubians, and is currently controlled by the Scourge's forces out of Azjol Nerub. The Scourge here are led by Under-King Anub'et'kan, who players must kill during the  [72] Strength of Icemist quest chain.

The taunka chieftain, Roanauk Icemist, is currently being imprisoned amongst the ruins of the village. The player frees him in the  [72] Strength of Icemist quest chain.

Background

This article contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Tauren who moved to the Dragonblight lived only in one place, Icemist Village. Icemist Village was once a tauren outpost perched on the edge of Lake Wintergrasp.Template:Cite A pack of Icemist tauren settled on the west edge of the Dragonblight, on the shore of Lake Wintergrasp. They didn't venture into the blight proper very often, preferring the clean cold of the lake to the bitter air of doom and death of the blight.Template:Cite Icemist Village was a pleasant town, with friendly and helpful tauren. Most travelers in Northrend stopped there when passing in its direction. Travelers could always find someone with whom to trade or share information over a drink.

The tauren kept a ready supply of food, drink, clothes and basic tools, and sold them to anyone who was in need. They even gave things away, if people were desperate, and they even dragged in travelers they found collapsed on the lake or in the surrounding area. Tundra Coldhoof oversaw the village.Template:Cite

After Land of Mystery?

In time the village became the capital of the winter tauren, the taunka. The taunka High Chief Roanauk Icemist became Icemist Village's most recent ruler. Recently the city was attacked by the Scourge, and brought into ruin. Many of taunka were able to escape and were held in protective custody in Westwind Refugee Camp on the western border of the Dragonblight. Roanauk Icemist however was captured and remained in the ruins of the city.

Taunka?

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" and the term "winter tauren" may be synonmous in meaning. This would make the term "taunka" synonmous as well.

Considering the new backstory (or expanded backstory), it is possible that Tundra Coldhoof is a taunka. Another possibility considering there is a different leader replacing Tundra Coldhoof, is the possibility that the village once had tauren and taunka at the same time (although winter tauren and Icemist tauren may mean the same thing).

Another thing to consider is that material described in Lands of Mystery took place approximately 2-3 years before Wrath of the Lich King, which would have given time for certain changes in leadership and for the city to change hands. If may be possible that the Icemist tauren may have evolved into taunka in the last couple of years.

Another good question to ask was "when" the city was first founded? As it may have been founded as a tauren outpost a long time ago, but later became the taunka capital.

It is possible however that blizzard has simply disregarded this, needing an area for the taunka, and made a simple retcon. It has happened in the past.