Tauren
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The Tauren, a race of bull-like humanoids nearly as old as the Night Elves, are one of the major races of the Warcraft universe. A nomadic race, the Tauren are attuned to nature and the spirits of the world, and have a largely shamanistic culture that stresses ancestor worship and the honored path of the warrior. Their capital of Thunder Bluff sits in the central Kalimdor territory of Mulgore, and they are aligned with the Horde in the present conflict (as depicted in World of Warcraft).
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Etymology
"Tauren" comes from the Latin word Taurus meaning "bull."
Tauren are also based on the Minotaur creature from Greek mythology. The reference is made all the more apparent by the Tauren's war with the Centaur tribe, also creatures from Greek mythology.
Appearance
The Tauren are huge, bipedal creatures generally bovine in appearance. They weigh, on average, 750 to 900 pounds and can grow up to 12 feet tall. Sexual dimorphism is present in the species, with the females generally shorter, lighter, and of smaller build than the males. The Tauren are often seen carrying their ancestral totems, which are essentially large, carved out logs. These logs are often used as weapons, along with the polearm weapon that the chieftains use.
History
Before the Horde
As noted, the Tauren are one of the more ancient races of the world. Prior to meeting the Orcs, the Tauren were a proud, nomadic race, though it seems that they played little role in the grand dynamic of Azeroth for millennia. In fact, when encountered by the Orcs and their Warchief, Thrall, they were under significant pressure from the Centaurs and their tribes were separated.
Alliance with the Horde
The Orcs, led by Warchief Thrall, had come to Kalimdor seeking a land of their own, and in the course of establishing an early presence there, came upon the leader of the Bloodhoof tribe, Cairne Bloodhoof. In Thrall, Cairne sensed a great ally and leader, and sought his alliance in fighting off their ancestral enemy. In return, Cairne pledged his Tauren to alliance with the Orc Warchief. For their part, the Orcs and the Jungle Trolls that composed the Horde found much in common with the Tauren. Each of these races wanted to achieve a more shamansitic culture, and the Tauren, long versed in the lore of spirit and nature, were well-prepared to provide counsel and support to the budding Horde. The Tauren from then on became an inseparable part of the Horde, fighting with the Horde along side the Alliance and Night Elves at the Battle of Mt. Hyjal, and later helped combat the forces of Lordaeron, led by Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, when he attempted to invade Durotar.
Present
After the invasion of the Orc homeland of Durotar was repelled (as depicted in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne), Cairne, with the help of the Horde, united the tribes of Tauren and settled his weary people in a new homeland, the lush plains of Mulgore. The capital city there is Thunder Bluff, built on a series of mesas. At present, the Tauren are still ruled by Cairne Bloodhoof. However, even Cairne admits that he is unusally old for a Tauren (ninety-nine years old when he first joined the Horde), and the leadership of the Tauren may thus change very soon. Common wisdom hold that his successor will likely be Cairne's own son, Baine Bloodhoof, but, at this time, such talk is simply speculation. The Tauren continue to supply fierce warriors and wise shaman to the Horde, and are currently involved in the renewed conflict on Azeroth.