Return of the Grimtotem
by Mike Schramm 
Nov 19th 2009 at 3:00PM
I'm in. I love the "dark Tauren," and would love to see more from them. Plus, while we've seen plenty of troll instances, Cocles says we haven't seen a Tauren instance in the game (and all we can think of is good old Mr. Smite). And we haven't really heard from the Grimtotems since that whole issue with the spirit beast taming. It'd be nice to fight some cows for once.
There's lots of lore to mine there, too: Magatha is the reigning matriarch of the clan, and not only is she buddies with the Forsaken (obviously there's been something happening with them during Wrath), but she's rivals with Cairne Bloodhoof as well. It would definitely be interesting. Of course, this is all speculation -- we aren't sure that there will even be an instance in Thousand Needles, much less that it'll be Grimtotem based (the whole place is getting flooded, so anything could happen -- maybe the Naga will get a "fin-hold" there). But the idea of taking on the Grimtotem again seems like fun.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Instances, Quests, Lore, NPCs, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
(cutaia) Nov 19th 2009 3:03PM
If this happens, I can't wait to see what kind of meat they drop for Cataclysm recipes. :D
Karilyn Nov 19th 2009 8:08PM
Unfortunately, it isn't likely to happen, unless there is more than one instance inside Thousand Needles.
The name of the Thousand Needles instance was released. It's name? The Skywall.
http://www.wowwiki.com/Skywall
It's an instance that will focus on elementals, as the Skywall is lorewise, home to the air elementals.
Bubsa Nov 19th 2009 11:10PM
Is Mike Schramm always this late on the bandwagon, or is it just me?
edumansky Nov 19th 2009 3:10PM
It would be the secret cow level!
ZMES_Matt Nov 19th 2009 3:33PM
There is no cow level
swampsquatch Nov 19th 2009 3:49PM
Do the any of the Grimtotems use Polearms or 2-Handed Axes? If so, Secret Cow Level for sure.
tonedeff Nov 19th 2009 5:34PM
Would be nice to see a Beef instance. Geting a bit tied of the Zul'MoTrolls instances!
jtrain Nov 19th 2009 3:08PM
"Cocles says we haven't seen a Tauren instance in the game (and all we can think of is good old Mr. Smite)"
We get some tree-trunk wielding Tauren in CoT: Hyjal, but they're the good guy Tauren. (Why can't my Tauren use those as 2-handers? I demand a pony, err....tree-trunk!!)
Barinthos Nov 19th 2009 3:09PM
I certainly hope there isn't another Naga dungeon. After having an entire zone, dungeons and a raid with them as the stars I would think they've had enough time in the spot light.
+1 for Tauren dungeons
devilsei Nov 19th 2009 3:12PM
Tauren dungeons are nice an all, and Imma let ya finish, but Nagas have the best instances of all time! OF ALL TIME!
Barinthos Nov 19th 2009 3:14PM
Aww I got Kanye'd!
ParagusofEonar Nov 19th 2009 3:20PM
Ever since the talk of "political upheaval with the Tauren when Thrall becomes Guardian and Garrosh becmes Warchief, etc.", I've been thinking The Crone of the Grimtotem would be involved in the troubles in TB, given her rivalry with the wise, venerable, thoughtful, noble Cairne.
As I think back on WC3, I recall that it was Cairne's (and by association, all Taurens') nobility that Thrall identified with most, leading him to invite them into the new Horde. Magatha is slightly more ... sinister. Not automatically wrong for NOT following the majority, but it's her motivations that are the determining factor. While I generally dislike politics, if it's handled well and if it fits into the overall lore and story, I'll look forward to seeing it play out.
(Of course we all know this is fiction, but since we're interacting with it more than simply reading it, it's even more fun to discuss--for me, at the very least.)
ParagusofEonar Nov 19th 2009 3:22PM
becomes*
Maymer Nov 19th 2009 7:32PM
Hey ParagusofEonar, I'm really happy for you and I'm going to let you finish...actually, I'm hoping this post will be good as any to post my idea for the community to view and comment on.I've had a theory rolling around my mostly empty head (seriously, i think i should charge rent on the air in there), but it gives the whole Tauren only in New Orgrimmar a whole new light. Why am I posting this here? Because the Grimtotem play a very specific role, and I think that they may cause a very, VERY unfortunate problem. What I'm talking about is a full out Tauren Civil War. Think about it. Cairne Bloodhoof (who, besides Thrall and Basic Campfire) is one of the most noblest leaders of the Horde, and openly exhibits the idea of cooperation with all races, even grudgingly with the Forsaken. Magatha and the Grimtotems, however, are very xenophobic, and believe that Tauren should be the only dominate species. Magatha gained control of the Grimtotems through the "unfortunate and unexpected" death of her husband, leaving her in full control of the Grimtotems, who she trains in very shady businesses. The rumor in Cataclysm is that Cairne Bloodhoof is assasinated, and that Garrosh was a major player in the plan. What if thats not the case at all? What if it was a fixed job by Magatha to try and make Taurens believe that these allies cannot be trusted, and to follow only her. This would leave Cairne's son the leader of the Taurens, who is not quite ready to take charge. Magatha could use this powerplay to gain total dominance in Thunderbluff, claiming that she should lead. Cairne's son Baine, who hopefully would realize that Magatha had played many Tauren, would flee ThunderBluff with his followers (AKA you, my fine, cow playing friends) and seek safety from Magatha within New Orgrimmar, where Garrosh would protect his allies (again, though I despise the current iteration of the idiot Garrosh, I am praying that he changes into someone slightly respectable). Course, that would make ThunderBluff a pretty sweet idea for a 20 man raid or something, trying to retake the city. Anyways, thats my take on the return of the Grimtotem in Cataclysm, and though I'm Alliance (gasp!), I think that the Tauren are some of the coolest Horde members, and they deserve a time to shine...even if it means thousands slaughtered relentlessly for the personal gain of the Grimtotem....and their leader being assasinated...and then being grounded up for that new Cooking recipe I found...and (continues to ramble)
Todd Nov 20th 2009 5:21AM
Holy wall of text, Batman!
Geoffron Nov 19th 2009 3:24PM
Link to the post?
jealouspirate Nov 19th 2009 4:09PM
Just like every single article on wow.com that cites an outside source, the large link labeled "Source" will take you there.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Nov 19th 2009 3:26PM
I'm pretty sure instances withing 1KN have already been confirmed, though some suggest they're connected to the elemental planes instead.
Kevin Nov 20th 2009 10:17PM
I'd much rather be a Grimtotem and take down Cairne.
Amaxe Nov 19th 2009 3:57PM
Having one of my toons Horde side, and enjoying the quests in Northrend, but I find myself wondering about Thrall. It seems more and more like he lacks the will to oppose the people who are forcing him into a war he claims he doesn't want.
Query: if he had been doing his job as ruler, checking to see what was up with the Forsaken, keeping Garrosh in check and acting on the Grimtotems in places like Dustwallow, would the war have happened?.
Don't know if Blizz is using it for inspiration or not, but the situation seems to be more and more like the situation in China in the 1930s where the Japanese army went unchecked by a government which feared to discipline the disobedient commanders.
My tauren druid wouldn't be a Grimtotem supporter of course, but if the WoW RPG rules were in play, I think he'd join an unaffiliated faction rather than remain with the Horde under a ruler who lacks the will to discipline the rebellious leaders.