User:Xarantaur/Flamehoof tribe

The Flamehoof tribe are a secluded tribe of tauren who have lived on the north-western slopes of Stonetalon Mountains for generations. The Flamehoof have an alliance with the brood of the Red Dragon Taliastrasza due to an ancient blood debt. They have good relations with the other tauren tribes and by extension the horde. Few members of the tribe have ventured beyond their traditional territory, let alone the Stonetalon region and are generally cautious when dealing with unfamiliar races.

The Dragon Pact
In ages past the Flamehoof tribe, guided by the visions of their tribal Elder and led by then chieftain Lanoch Flamehoof, saved the life of the young red dragoness Taliastrasza and her first clutch of eggs from marauding harpies. Taliastrasza swore a blood debt to the tribe stating that as long as her brood lived they would offer the Flamehoof tauren protection and friendship.

The pact continues to this day, Taliastrasza and her brood still make their home in the mountains surrounding Flamehoof Village.

Customs and beliefs
Tauren of the Flamehoof tribe practice shamanism and worship the Earth Mother, they also revere the dragon aspects (particually Alexstrasza) as servants of the Earth Mother.

It is considered a good omen for a child to be born at the same time as a hatching of dragon eggs. The closer to the acual hour or even minute of hatching, the better. Those born under such circumstances often go on to become Dragonsworn.

Dragon whelps are introduced to the Tauren and their calves at a young age to ensure they consider the tauren part of their brood.

Flamehoof in Azeroth
Almost all tauren of the Flamehoof still live in Flamehoof Village in Stonetalon, in recent years some members have ventured to Thunder Bluff, most notably the Dragonsworn Shaman Kanitala Flamehoof, who was the first to venture beyond Stonetalon.