High Chieftain Cliffwalker

High Chieftain Cliffwalker is the leader of Cliffwalker Post in the Stonetalon Mountains. He is vehemently opposed to the efforts of Overlord Krom'gar and General Grebo to destroy Thal'darah Grove (the two orc commanders both believe that the Alliance is hoarding some kind of secret weapon to use against the Horde troops), and is accused of treason against the Horde.

Cliffwalker had sent his son Orthus, who has friends among the night elf druids, to find proof that the Alliance was not hiding a weapon there, and sends the Horde player (holding the rank of Champion in Krom'gar's army at this point) to find him and bring back the proof. Upon arriving, however, Orthus and his druid friends are dead, and Orthus clutches a Krom'gar general's insignia in his dead hand - identifying his killer as General Grebo, who is himself killed by Cliffwalker and the player.

Krom'gar, learning of Grebo's demise (though not the player's role in it), names the player as his new General and journeys to Cliffwalker Post, where he proceeds to burn it to the ground, killing Cliffwalker's wife Masha in the process. The Overlord forces Cliffwalker to watch as a goblin hot-air balloon, carrying a bomb specifically intended for wiping out Thal'darah Grove, completes its ghastly mission; the grove is left as little more than a smoking crater.

At that point, Warchief Garrosh Hellscream arrives from Orgrimmar, having learned of Krom'gar's dishonorable tactics. Sickened by the Overlord's actions, Garrosh "dismisses" Krom'gar from service by dropping him from the edge of Cliffwalker Post to his death. When the Warchief turns to the player, preparing to do the same, Cliffwalker intercedes, setting the facts straight on the player's involvement and begs the Warchief to show mercy. Garrosh, surprised that the chieftain would ask for such a thing after the murder of his mate and son and the destruction of his home, relents, and spares the player's life.

Cliffwalker then proclaimed that he will lay Masha to rest and stay by the crater to begin its healing.

• Proof of Lies
• Betrayal at the Grove
• Is This Justice?
• To Be Horde...
• Nothing Left for You Here

Well met.

• Gossip

• Cliffwalker is voiced by David Lodge.

Interestingly enough, the title High Chieftain is used by the (united) tauren, taunka and Highmountain tauren tribe main leaders such as Cairne / Baine Bloodhoof, Roanauk Icemist and Mayla Highmountain. The reason for Cliffwalker having the title is unclear, though he could possibly be leading a group of tauren that are not part of Baine's united tauren group.