The razing of Taurajo, view of both factions

[Nathanyel]

Since my signature always sparks off-topic discussions in other threads, I thought I'd take the liberty to create this thread to discuss both views of this event, as I found no actual discussion about this so far.
Similar to the Stonetalon bombing of the druid tree, there's probably more to it on the Alliance side than what can be observed from the Horde side.

I'm gonna cover the Horde view for now, have yet to create an Alliance premade to check what can be read from their quests. If you played those quests yet, I'd be happy if you shared your experiences.

The essence of the story: During the Alliance campaign northwards the Barrens, an overwhelming attack destroys the hunter camp Taurajo, while the hunters (fighters) were out hunting (thanks Rukari) and the Alliance soldiers slew everyone that couldn't escape, especially civilians and presumedly children. The corpses of several known NPCs (trainers, vendor, wind rider master) can be found in the ruins, you are asked to eulogize them in the rites of the Tauren. Several humans are still at the site, looting whatever's left. Later at Desolation Hold, you get the chance to kill the responsible Alliance general in vengeance.

*edit* Forgot to mention at least the looting is seen as a crime by the Alliance, as well. Or at least something that would only and unneccessarily enrage the Horde further ("[...] when our ultimate goal should be peace." - which NPC offers this quest?)

The question remains whether this attack on civilians was sanctioned by the Alliance command, and if not, what made Hawthorne order this.

______________________________________________
*edit 6:18 PM GMT+1* Wow this thread sure exploded/derailed fast... I'm sorry, didn't expect this to spur such a large fanboi war, I was rather asking for posts like this:

View as Alliance player:
As you ask the Alliance General why he attacked Camp Taurajo he replied that he ordered the Attack because Camp Taurajo was a training point for Horde Infantery.
BUT he also said that he wasn't sure about attacking Taurajo because there are many Civillians in Taurajo, he ordered it because there not much time to think while the hunters where away from the town.
AND he also ordered his Men NOT to completly surround this town so that some Civillians could flee, for what he was critizied by other Alliance commanders, he should have taken hostages.
The General refused to do this because he don't want to use this Terror strategy with taking Prisoners / killing Civillians, he want to end this War fair with the ultimate Goal of peace.
And there are some Alliance Npc's around that disagrees with the General and say that Annihilation should be the Goal, not peace.
Edit: The Name of he Alliance General is: General John Hawthorne, he later gets killed by Horde and you'll find his corpse in Fort Triumph, next to his mourning wife.

While the thread seemed to turn towards are more constructive path around pages 6-8 or something, I think by now it is completely lost, bah.

If Kralljin's report is correct, I feel a tad sorry about slaying that general, but, and that's just the impression I got, when I was doing the Horde side quests up to blowing up Bael Modan, damn I felt righteous as I have never felt before in this game. Demon-corrupted guys were demon-corrupted guys, didn't spur much hatred or even anger, except when wiping you too often. Of course there were previous war crimes, many committed by members of the Old or even New Horde, sure, but both Taurajo and the druid tree in Stonetalon, those are very grim and ruthless slaughters, in the eyes of the victims, of course. I consider it great storytelling that the game (ignoring outside sources like e.g. this thread) gives the player a look on the events and aftermath like the average fictional figure in the game universe, not like an all-knowing reader who is informed of the whole background. It helps to understand why those figures act like they do, helps understand why there's still strife between the Alliance and the Horde, except the cooperative peace that would be the logical solution - in our outsider eyes.

[maldias]

how is this the view from both sides when what your giving us is the horde side?
I'd rather have the whole thing disclosed then only half and wait for the rest.
also keep in mind they the alliance actually has a quest to detain those very same looters.

[Falrinn]

I haven't been able to find anything on the actual attack, but you'll find that the Alliance has a similar distaste for the looting going on after the attack.

In this quest it explains that the looters are actually acting in blatant defiance of orders. The looters are mainly non-violent criminals who were given the opportunity to serve their sentence in the military, a move the Alliance command now realizes was a mistake.

While I haven't seen anyone go into details about the reasoning behind the attack on Taurajo, but it's pretty clear that the Alliance viewed it as a strategic assault, and not a random massacre.

[Frozenbeef]

omfg that child is trying to run for help! ATTACK!

[Nathanyel]

how is this the view from both sides when what your giving us is the horde side?

Well I am asking for that other side, just didn't want to put "horde side in first post, please add other side" in the title. Instead I chose a title for the thread, not just my initial post.
And yes I heard of Clap 'Em In Irons, meant to mention it, but I forgot, sorry.

[maldias]

on what basis is this viewed to be a strategic assault?
hell i'd take them all hostage set fire to that wall there and if they try and attack back or stop the siege tanks I'd start lopping off heads, thats strategy blowing it all up is just a waste.
boiling pots of water.... is blizz even trying?

[bahumut5]

This is one quest I found that might show some "corruption" going on int the Alliance camps.
Maybe somebody else made up some stuff that there were secret weapons underground or something.

[Rukari]

http://cata.wowhead.com/quest=24634

I am convinced the Alliance is using spies to scout the field and pass along information. They knew to strike at Taurajo while the hunters were afield

This the one you were looking for?

[jitzul]

on what basis is this viewed to be a strategic assault?
hell i'd take them all hostage set fire to that wall there and if they try and attack back or stop the siege tanks I'd start lopping off heads, thats strategy blowing it all up is just a waste.
boiling pots of water.... is blizz even trying?

you sir are sick

[Nathanyel]

Ah thanks Rukari, I always checked the quests immediately surrounding on wowhead, but couldn't find it again, so I thought it was in a completion text... will put it in the first post (will sum up Alliance view there as well once more info has gathered)

[bahumut5]

Also, seeing Blizzard is following this "Ow, ITS ON!" thing: It is possible one of the Alliance Soldiers "faked" those orders, and that the Horde kills the Alliance commander send there to "attain peace if possible". Now that would surely piss some Alliance people off. "Hell, we were here to get Negotiations on, and they kill the one wanting the best for both factions? Ow its on Horde bastards!", or something like that.

[JustinJgh]

This is one quest I found that might show some "corruption" going on int the Alliance camps.
Maybe somebody else made up some stuff that there were secret weapons underground or something.

How does that in any way show corruption?

Meanwhile Garrosh has turned into big brother (hellscream's eyes are always upon you), Sylvanas has gone bat shit crazy (even a former Forsaken apothecary now works for some neutral faction, and says she's turned bad), and your about to string an alliance general up for show!

[Nathanyel]

Also, seeing Blizzard is following this "Ow, ITS ON!" thing: It is possible one of the Alliance Soldiers "faked" those orders, and that the Horde kills the Alliance commander send there to "attain peace if possible". Now that would surely piss some Alliance people off. "Hell, we were here to get Negotiations on, and they kill the one wanting the best for both factions? Ow its on Horde bastards!", or something like that.

Unless that is the reason for the whole Theramore-based advance into the Barrens towards Stonetalon, I doubt this is the solitary reason.

[bahumut5]

How does that in any way show corruption?

Meanwhile Garrosh has turned into big brother (hellscream's eyes are always upon you), Sylvanas has gone bat shit crazy (even a former Forsaken apothecary now works for some neutral faction, and says she's turned bad), and your about to string an alliance general up for show!

Because it states that there are people in their ranks that think the General is weak trying to get those Looters back in prison while they think they should be more worried about the Horde now that they are weakened.

[Virgo]

Is there any videos from somebody doing both sides of the quests?

[Kazomir]

They make us alliance look bad... :S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpZ8EkK3eWY
are we really? :S

[JustinJgh]

Because it states that there are people in their ranks that think the General is weak trying to get those Looters back in prison while they think they should be more worried about the Horde now that they are weakened.
----------------

That isn't corruption... it's differing opinions.

[Nathanyel]

Meanwhile Garrosh has turned into big brother (hellscream's eyes are always upon you)

Sure, it likely means "act as if I was watching you", I don't really see it as BB-like.

[maldias]

i meant why would you attack the little village when there are much more valuable targets.
im a recently reformed deathknight what in god's name are you expecting? lets end the war and all join in song?
hell even finding the hunters and killing them would make more sense.

[Buckwald]

Because it states that there are people in their ranks that think the General is weak trying to get those Looters back in prison while they think they should be more worried about the Horde now that they are weakened.

That doesn't show corruption. It shows what the "priority" of the General is.

And which type of corruption do you mean? Like political corruption or demonic corruption? Either way, that quest doesn't show either.