"Azeroth was orchestrated."
Magatha Wildtotem had taught him this, Rom's Wildtotem always kept it in mind.
Tauren are food for Orcs in life, Forsaken the Horde in death; this is an inalienable fact.
Those who dare to disobey will die.
When personal interests clashed with the interests of the Tauren race, Rom's Wildtotem chose himself without hesitation.
While all the Tauren were starving, Rom ate only a few blades of grass in front of everyone.
Upon seeing the Warchief starving along with them, the Tauren shed tears of emotion.
Back in his room, Rom's confidants brought him dinner.
Large chunks of braised beef, paired with delicious grilled clam meat, Alterac cheese, and a glass of fiery Winterspring Firewater.
After a hearty meal, a trusted aide brought over washed fruit, and Rom Wildtotem let out a satisfied burp.
By the next day, some Tauren had already starved to death, but because their bodies were quickly devoured, it did not cause any panic.
An airship hovered above Thunder Bluff, bearing the logo of Venture Company.
Rom Wildtotem frowned. In Azeroth, Venture Company were notorious and infamous.
Even Thrall has repeatedly refused to work with Venture Company.
The arrival of Venture Company is never a good thing, and Rom Wildtotem was mentally prepared for the worst.
A Goblin, protected by two Tauren, disembarked from the airship.
The Goblin looked at the ragged Tauren on the street with disdain and walked straight towards the chieftain's tent.
The two Tauren bodyguards behind him forcefully parted the crowded people, their heads held high and arrogant.
The Goblin sat before the Rom Wildtotem, showing a hint of respect towards the Warchief of Thunder Bluff.
"I am Kozzle, an executive at Venture Company. I started out mining in Mulgore and later became a foreman in Stranglethorn Vale, where I had numerous encounters with Tauren."
Rom nodded while scratching his itch.
The Venture Company had previously engaged in malicious expansion in Mulgore, damaging grasslands and Corruption water sources, which angered the Tauren and caused many unpleasant incidents.
"Foreman Kozzle, um, I understand," Rom said Pride.
Kozzle smiled faintly, "The goal of Venture Company is to build Azeroth and make everyone live a good life. Now that Thunder Bluff is in trouble, we are willing to provide food aid."
Would Venture Company really be that kind?
Rom remained calm and shook his head.
"I appreciate the Venture Company's kindness, but the Tauren's troubles are our own to handle. We don't need outsiders interfering. Someone, see them out."
Kozzle grew anxious and shrieked, "Wait a minute, Chieftain! Are you just going to sit by and watch the Tauren starve to death?"
Rom replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "The Tauren are members of the Horde, Orcs Tauren them brothers. Aid will arrive soon."
Kozzle smirked and said coldly, "Orgrimmar has just fallen to the Kobolds. The Warchief is too busy to support Thunder Bluff. The Horde now in decline and is no longer as glorious as it once was. Warchief, you'd better watch yourself."
Rom laughed heartily, "Goblin, do you think I need you to teach me how to do things? Goodbye."
Instead of leaving, Kozzle sat back down in his original seat and said mysteriously:
"Chief, are you aware that a portion of the banks in Booty Bay are held by Venture Company, giving them decision-making power over certain key accounts?"
Rom paused for a moment, his expression softened, and he smiled:
"Thunder Bluff and the Venture Company have always been friends. Please have a seat, and someone bring some tea."
Kozzle waved his hand and said, "No need for tea. The Venture Company is willing to provide Moreth Thunder Bluff with ten months' worth of food, on one small condition."
"Please speak!" With his opponent holding leverage over him, Rom had no choice but to show his sincerity.
Kozzle breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly:
"We have several mines near the Red Rocks in Mulgore. Recently, due to the spread of the Plague, some mines collapsed, revealing an ancient Altar. Experts have determined that it is related to a great emperor from the ancient Tauren era. However, the Altar is protected by the power of Earth Mother, and outsiders are not allowed to approach it."
Earth Mother?
Although the Tauren worship Earth Mother, Chief Rom did not, and showed a skeptical expression.
Kozzle continued, "Expert analysis shows that only Shaman among the Tauren who communicates with Earth Mother can enter the Altar. We are willing to provide the airship."
Rom hesitated, while Kozzle, all smiles, handed him an envelope.
Upon opening the envelope, Rom's eyes immediately widened:
"Okay, we're willing to help with this."
Kozzle beamed and went to make preparations.
A Shaman said, "Warchief, Goblins cannot be trusted. I suspect this is a conspiracy against Thunder Bluff."
"Tell me your reasons," Rom asked casually, his mind still on the letter.
The Shaman asked, "Doesn't Venture Company have Tauren Shaman?"
Rom stood up and paced back and forth inside the tent; he was well aware of this principle.
But the terms offered privately by Venture Company were far too good to pass up.
Thunder Bluff is facing a predicament that Rom is not confident he can resolve. However, if he agrees to the Venture Company, he will be set for life.
Rom sighed:
"Let the Venture Company send half the supplies first, to get through this crisis. For Thunder Bluff, for the Tauren of Mulgore, it's worth the risk."
The Venture Company readily delivered some food, alleviating the crisis at Thunder Bluff.
Several Shaman boarded the Venture Company's airship, Rom personally came to see them off, putting on a very good show.
Half a day had passed, Rom had just finished enjoying a sumptuous lunch when a trusted aide came to report:
"Chieftain, great news! We have discovered the ruins of Emperor Deathhoof!"
"What, Emperor Deathhoof?" Rom suddenly stood up.
Emperor Deathhoof, an immortal legend in the history of the Tauren, lived more than a thousand years ago.
There are many Legendary about Emperor Deathhoof. He is said to be immortal, commanding an Undead Legion, and nearly conquered Kalimdor.
On the eve of the final battle between the Undead Legion and the Night Elf race, Emperor Deathhoof suddenly disappeared, and the Undead Legion was wiped out, becoming an unsolved mystery in Tauren history.
Some scholars suspect that the Undead Legion of Emperor Deathhoof was composed of Forsaken.
This view is considered heresy and is not recognized.
Despite their doubts, Mulgore was, after all, Tauren territory, and the Venture Company there was too weak to come up with anything innovative.
Rom decided to go and see for himself.
In the dark mine shaft, a force resists the encroachment that corrodes the ground.
Rom arrived at the Altar and, through the dark mist that shrouded Altar, entered a spacious cave.
In the center of the cave stood a Tauren wearing a black crown, holding a Scarlet Runed Spear.
A Shaman, after reviewing some documents, said to Rom:
"Chief, according to Legendary and historical records, this is a statue of Emperor Deathhoof."
Rom noticed the Runed Spear in the statue's hand; the blood-red spear was engraved with black Runes that moved as if they were alive.
"What is the origin of this Runed Spear?" Rom asked.
The Shaman hurriedly searched for information and replied after a long while:
"This item is called the Spear of Sorrow, Legendary has it that it possesses the power to command Undead Legion."