Stevie Nix wrote the new chapter in the Leaders of the Horde section — Baine Bloodhoof: As Our Fathers Before Us.
This story follows up some time after the death of Cairne Bloodhoof in a duel against Garrosh Hellscream — as seen in the pages of World of Warcraft: The Shattering by Christie Golden.
A demanding Garrosh comes to Thunderbluff to ask the Tauren to supply Orgrimmar and the Horde with water. The excavations and reckless destruction of nature in Azshara by the goblins have caused the water from the river next to Durotar to become tainted.
Baine shows patience and wisdom only he could have learned from his former father, but there’s a vibe in the story that some of his current personality and diplomacy comes from his encounter with Prince Anduin Wrynn.
Archdruid Hammul Runetotem questions if the Tauren should continue to be part of this new Horde.
An old menace comes knocking Mulgore’s door threatening the water supplies to Orgrimmar. Garrosh and Baine have different ideas on how to deal with the threat.
Considering Garrosh killed his father, Baine doesn’t seek revenge. This story is very cool on its own right. Not just because of the clash between the ideals of two titans of the Horde, and Baine’s self-doubt as leader of the Tauren. Gorehowl sings the fierce song of battle in this story. This is a Baine vs Garrosh duel, but not a physical one as you might expect. One of true leadership. War? Diplomacy? Only one way proves fruitful. Oh, I so enjoyed this story, and grinned. Garrosh had it coming where it truly hurts.
Christie Golden spent a whole book to flesh out who Baine Bloodhoof is, and the motor driving his personality. I recommend everyone to read it, as she did a great job doing so. Stevie Nix managed in six pages to do the same thing. One respects Baine more after reading this Leaders of the Horde story.
Now, you tell me if you would love to read a full novel by Stevie Nix, after reading this snippet.
I think this is my least favorite of the stories so far. Maybe I’m just spoiled after how good the Mekkatorque story was.
Well, the Mekkatorque story wrapped up the feud between Thermaplugg and him, while also showing how cunning a gnome can be to turn around the odds. He was all by himself and helpless. All he used was his tools and his intellect.
With Baine, this story shows Baine is the best choice for leader of the Horde. That was Thrall’s way and Cairne’s way with a twist.
Garrosh is all about reaction without wisdom. The Quillboar attacked the water supplies affecting the Horde. Garrosh reacted taking 15 Kor’Kron with him to dive into the heart of their lair. That was arrogant and careless. Why not take more soldiers and resources to do the job? That was careless, and that’s the same Garrosh we have seen in-game and in Christie Golden’s books.
Baine is Garrosh’s opposite. The Tauren and the Horde are first and foremost. He seeks the way of dialogue and diplomacy rather than war. Archdruid Hamuul feels hopeless about the current Horde, and ponders if it wouldn’t be best for the Tauren to split from the Horde. The other tauren faction also proposes the Tauren should abandon Mulgore and return to their nomad ways.
This story made Baine shine. He is a worthy leader of the Tauren, and as the title suggests a keeper of the ancient tauren traditions.
The Archdruid should have talked with wisdom, and he admits he was wrong. Baine felt self-doubt about stepping down as leader of the Tauren, but in the end he demonstrated he is.
Baine will continue to help the Horde in hopes that one day either Garrosh changes his ways and see to reason, or that Garrosh is replaced by any means.
Qualities I see in Baine: Patience and wisdom. That’s what the tauren culture is about.