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Comment by kristina

Seems a bizarrely pointless quest that doesn't seem to have a follow up. Rewarded 1g86s at level 80 though.

Comment by Boarwood

I can't think of any reason for this quest other than it gives a greater chance of there being defenses in Thunder Bluff that aren't level 18. It gave me a 5150 XP and 54 silver, but no reputation at lv 71.

Comment by enigmaticdan

I believe the purpose of this quest is to draw attention to the conversation between Tahu and Aponi, hinting at some aspect of the storyline coming up in a future patch or expansion.

In any case, this quest counts towards Loremaster of Kalimdor.

Comment by Lolquile

This is the horde quest that speculates/leads to the implementation of new Tauren classes in the new Cataclysm expansion.

The alliance version is found here.

Firstly; location of the quest hand in NPC.

She's located in the big hut/tent in the middle of elder rise in Thunder Bluff.

Co-ords: 77, 28.7

Map

Secondly; their NPC dialog options.

Tahu Sagewind

Surely you've been a student at once in your life, <class>. You learned from an instructor, and you gained respect for them in some way, yes? Maybe not as a person, but at the least, as one who knew more than you and was willing to teach you. If not, use your imagination...

What would you do if you came to realize your instructor may not know as much as you thought, and that you may have found a better path?

Aponi Brightmane

This is awful! I shouldn't be sitting here, useless, when there's so much to be done! If only my arm hadn't gotten injured up in Northrend... No use dwelling on it though! Tahu will have me patched up and cured eventually, and we'll still help around here in the meantime.

Just because we're not at the front doesn't mean we can't help out somehow.

Thirdly; their conversations.

Aponi Brightmane says: Talk to me, Tahu. Something. Anything! I'm going stir-crazy.

Tahu Sagewind laughs softly

Tahu Sagewind says: All right, Aponi. I've enough on my mind to share. Have you ever spoken to the elves of Moonglade?

Aponi Brightmane says: Not Much.

Tahu Sagewind says: The elves speak of a moon goddess, did you know? They put great stock in the light given by the moon.

Aponi Brightmane says: Like Mu'sha.

Tahu Sagewind says: Just like her. the parallels I've heard are interesting. and it's no secret all druids, Shu'halo and elf alike, can call upon Mu'sha's light.

Aponi Brightmane says: Where are you going with this?

Tahu Sagewind says: I wonder. Hamuul has guided us so well, and I've learned so much from him. The legends say our people were druids when time began...

Aponi Brightmane says: I hear the "but" in your voice...

Tahu Sagewind says: ...but what Hamuul teaches is what the elves know. The night elves. They put such stock in their moon goddess, as creatures of the night.

Aponi Brightmane says: Do you think his teachings are wrong?

Tahu Sagewind says: No! No, nothing like that. He is an elder for good reason, sister. Mu'sha is one of the Earthmother's eyes, and she watches over us. That isn't sinister.

Tahu Sagewind says: But we're nothing if not people who strive for balance. Our warriors fight only when there is need. Our hunters take only what the tribes require to live, and use all they can when they do. The shaman stand as guide and mediator to the elemental spirits.

Tahu Sagewind says: And while we, as druids, are guardians of nature, I wonder if we've overlooked a key aspect of balance in all things.

Aponi Brightmane says: So are you going to bring this up to the elder?

Tahu Sagewind says: No, no. No need for him to trouble about a student's idle philosophizing while he entertains a friend.

Aponi Brightmane says: I suppose so, It's not silly, though, what you said.

Tahu Sagewind says: Well, it isn't exactly a new thought, sister.

Aponi Brightmane says: I see that thoughtful frown, Tahu.

Tahu Sagewind says: Sorry, sister. It's nothing to worry about.

Aponi Brightmane says: But something is on your mind, right?

Tahu Sagewind says: I'm thinking about the front to the north. The one you're so eager to return to.

Aponi Brightmane says: What about it?

Tahu Sagewind says: I know I'm counselling patience, Aponi, but I don't like remaining here any more than you do. Times are bleak, and failing to act only makes me worry that my idle hand may have been the one to turn the tide.

Tahu Sagewind says: Still... there is balance in all things, even death. I simply hate the concept that such destruction and darkness might be necessary.

Aponi Brightmane says: There's a phrase... "It's always darkest before the dawn." The dawn will come though, Tahu. The sun will rise. the balance will shift back to where it should be.

Aponi Brightmane says: Even on the glacier itself, the sun manages to peek through the gloom. I have hope though, Tahu. I think we'll make it through this, no matter how dire it looks.

Aponi Brightmane says: But I'd rather be there on the front lines helping it happen rather than trying to placate myself with belief. We can't just sit around and hope it happens.

Tahu Sagewind says: I know, sister. I know. We'll return to fighting one day. For now, though, maybe it's best to spread the word to others... Give them the hope you have.

Aponi Brightmane says: And through that hope, strengthen our side in the fight?

Tahu Sagewind says: That's the idea.

References:

Mu'sha/Elune - WoWWiki
An'She - WoWWiki
Hamuul Runetotem

Comment by DarthMuffin

I did a quick run around Dalaran on my ally and I haven't found an equivalent. My initial guess was that this could be a reference to a famous WoW player (Allies have had a similar "pointless" quest in BC), but after reading the conversation it seems possible that this is in fact some sort of foreshadowing.

Edit: an alliance version is being added in 3.2.2

Comment by 128024

While I agree that these speculations are just that, lacking supporting information for us to start making serious stabs at what's coming down the pike, the idea that the next expansion pack will include a new class is not baseless.

Shortly after the Deathknight class was announced, Blizz (Ghostcrawler, specifically) stated that they intended to include a hero class with each expansion, going forward. From another perspective, this isn't out of keeping with expansion history (TBC giving cross-faction paladins/shaman, WotlK giving DK's). They've also stated that they would like to give the healing game the same overhaul they've given tanking.

Sun Druids are an interesting idea, and while unsupported as of yet, are in keeping with all confirmed comment on the next expansion: that it will include a new hero class, and that the next design overhaul is focused on healing. That said, I'd note that there are potential classes with firmer foundations in lore and familiarity that could fill that niche (Farseer, for example).

Comment by 109346

Tahu Sagewind says: And while we, as druids, are guardians of nature, I wonder if we've overlooked a key aspect of balance in all things.

tauren paladins+priests are projected in the next expansion

http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=92919.0

possible link with sagewind's dialog and class vs. race restrictions being worked around in the expansion

still unconfirmed, ofc

Edit: ^ confirmed. woot!

Comment by Rankkor

this conversation, is probably (HEAVY emphasys on the "probably") a way to warm up players to the posibility of new race/class combinations.

note how the male tauren says "What would you do if you came to realize your instructor may not know as much as you thought, and that you may have found a better path?"

maybe is a hint that the races will start roads previously tought to be imposible for them (we all know that no tauren or troll or orc worships or follows the holy light, hence why there are no priests or paladins on their ranks) so maybe this hints that they may "open up" to new forms of balance besides the worship of nature (druid) and the spirits (shaman) or the traditions of combat (warrior, hunter, rogue).

who knows, I may have my longest wish come true, and have finnaly my orc paladin, or blood-elf druid (there is already a blood elf druid in botanica, so is not imposible for the race to do that)

Comment by wizika

I recall some talk from one of the devs about new hero class, AFTER Death Knight.
That class was talked to be Archdruid.

Comment by 195691

This quest is all about getting a Tauren Paladin and Tauren Priest in the future. The Night Elf counterpart that will be added in 3.2.2 is some Highborne Night Elfs trying to convince Tyrande for excepting them back into their society, thus bringing Night Elfs a mage class.

Comment by 328045

If this is a hint of the Taurens acceptance of light-based classes, I hope they will set the line at the priests. Istill have a hard time imagining Taurens with shiny armor, casting blessings and putting fayth in the light. But then again, I I had the same problem with Bloodelves at the launch of TBC.

Comment by 312216

This chic is only lvl 55... no wonder she hurt her arm in Northrend... what was she doing there in the first place? She should have been in plaguelands. Silly cow.

Comment by raynforce

Although it is pure speculation that this conversation is the prelude to the Tauren Priest and Pally path; some things are not speculation:

Facts:
-Tauren Priest and Paladins have been confirmed at Blizzcon.
-The Tauren worship the Earthmother as their primary deity.
-The eyes of the Earthmother make up the Moon and the Sun. Mu'sha the moon and An'she the sun.
-Tauren Druids worship the moon aspect or 'eye' of the Earthmother.
-Mu'sha is known as Elune by the night elves. The Night Elves only worship the moon aspect while the Tauren (particularly Druids) worship the moon aspect as a part of the Earthmother.
-Tahu Sagewind is beginning to think that Hamuul's teachings may be lacking some information as they are heavily influenced by the teachings of the Night Elves.

"Tahu Sagewind says: ...but what Hamuul teaches is what the elves know. The night elves. They put such stock in their moon goddess, as creatures of the night.
Aponi Brightmane says: Do you think his teachings are wrong?
Tahu Sagewind says: No! No, nothing like that. He is an elder for good reason, sister. Mu'sha is one of the Earthmother's eyes, and she watches over us. That isn't sinister."

Speculation:
The Tauren worship the Earthmother and Mu'sha (or Elune) is one of the two eyes of the Earthmother. But what of the other eye, that of An'she? Why are the Tauren only worshiping one half of a pair for their patron deity? Is it because of strong Night Elf influence? It would not be right for a balance loving race to only follow one half of a whole (one eye of a pair in the Earthmother). After working with the Argent Crusade, one may start to think seriously on this matter.

"Tahu Sagewind says: I wonder if we've overlooked a key aspect of balance in all things."

This seems like a very likely prelude to the Tauren following the other eye of the Earthmother, An'she, who is more Light based than Nature based.

It should also be noted that it is a fact that the following comment was made by Kisirani of Blizzard on 08/25/2009 regarding Tauren Paladins:

"You're in luck, then... the beginnings are already in the game as it is right now. It's not being sprung all at once. Gradual's the key. :)"

There is a good chance that this quest is the content that was being referred to.

Another hint was given in another post:

"What will Tauren Paladins be called?"
Kisirani (Blizzard)2009-08-27: "Sunwalkers...oh, right, this is a joke post. Carry on! "

Comment by 111622

Okay we get it, inc Tauren Paladins.

Does this quest have any useful facts about it?

Comment by 353667

these two will proberably be the first tauren paladins/priests because of this:

tauren pallies have been announced, duh.
their conversation strongly hints toward the sun being the other eye of the earthmother, and that the druids may be too influenced by the night elf teachings, taken together: their conversation is about worshipping the sun like druids do with the moon
if you use an addon that shows the class of your target(like x-perl) these two will appear as paladins. coincidence? i dont think so, i think that too is a subtle hint of blizzard considering the 2 statements above

so...i guess they'll become pala or priest trainers in cata.

P.S. am i the only one who thinks tauren pallies rule? i only heard negative comments on em =S

Comment by 56340

Since Ghostcrawler promised us a pony, it must be her, Aponi.

Links

An Injured Colleague

This quest was marked obsolete by Blizzard and cannot be obtained or completed.

Take the Battered Tribal Shield to Aponi Brightmane on Elder Rise within Thunder Bluff.

	Battered Tribal Shield (Provided) (1)

Description

The fight's been hard up here, <class>, as I'm sure you know. We're holding out, but not everyone has gone unscathed.

A warrior in our band, Aponi Brightmane, was taken ill by an infected wound in her arm. She's been taken back to Thunder Bluff for recuperation. It seems she left her shield here at the front in the confusion, however - could you take it to her, along with our well-wishes? Her smile is missed around here.

You can find her on Elder Rise on the Bluff.

Progress

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Upon completion of this quest you will gain:

See if you've already completed this by typing:

/run print(C_QuestLog.IsQuestFlaggedCompleted(13986))