T'au
The T'au (or Tau) are a young race of technologically-oriented beings from the Eastern Fringe and the dominant species of the Tau Empire.
T'au, the Tau home planet, was discovered in 789.M35 by the Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator Fleet ship Land's Vision. Adeptus Mechanicus records indicate that at that time, the Tau species had mastered the use of simple tools and weapons, as well as fire. Before the planet could be cleansed and colonized by the Imperium, however, a violent Warp-storm erupted around the planet. The outbreak of the wars of the Age of Apostasy shortly thereafter preempted any further Imperial follow-up and the then-minor xenos race was effectively forgotten by humanity outside a few Explorator records.
It would be another six-thousand years before the Imperium had any further contact with the Tau, when an unknown class of alien vessel was encountered by system defense ships at Devlan in the Ultima Segmentum. After failing to respond to naval challenges, the ship was opened fire on and destroyed. Bodies recovered from the wreckage were a close match to the records from the Land's Vision. The rapid elevation from a primitive species on a single planet to a starfaring power in only six millennia represented a new danger to Imperial interests, especially as some of the human worlds on the fringes of Imperial territory were discovered to already have trade relations with the Tau. Almost a century later, the Damocles Crusade smashed into Tau space, bringing the two powers into war.
T'au, the Tau home planet, was discovered in 789.M35 by the Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator Fleet ship Land's Vision. Adeptus Mechanicus records indicate that at that time, the Tau species had mastered the use of simple tools and weapons, as well as fire. Before the planet could be cleansed and colonized by the Imperium, however, a violent Warp-storm erupted around the planet. The outbreak of the wars of the Age of Apostasy shortly thereafter preempted any further Imperial follow-up and the then-minor xenos race was effectively forgotten by humanity outside a few Explorator records.
It would be another six-thousand years before the Imperium had any further contact with the Tau, when an unknown class of alien vessel was encountered by system defense ships at Devlan in the Ultima Segmentum. After failing to respond to naval challenges, the ship was opened fire on and destroyed. Bodies recovered from the wreckage were a close match to the records from the Land's Vision. The rapid elevation from a primitive species on a single planet to a starfaring power in only six millennia represented a new danger to Imperial interests, especially as some of the human worlds on the fringes of Imperial territory were discovered to already have trade relations with the Tau. Almost a century later, the Damocles Crusade smashed into Tau space, bringing the two powers into war.
Basic Information
Behaviour
The Tau are generally shorter than humans, smaller in stature and with less muscle mass and body weight. Every Tau is humanoid in shape, with two arms, two cloven feet, and a single head. Their grey-blue skin is leathery and tough and exudes no moisture, owing to the generally dry conditions of their homeworld. Their faces are flat, wide around the eyes, and their olfactory organs are located inside their mouths. Their eyes can see into the infrared and ultraviolet. Tau eyesight is good, but they focus on distant objects slower than humans. The Tau are not very good in close combat, as they find the whole concept uncivilized.
The Tau have three digits and a single opposable thumb on each hand. The main skeletal difference from humans is the bone structure of their lower legs, feet, and ankles. Tau have shorter libia and fibia equivalent bones, but their feet have elongated cuneiform bones and tali and two large central weight-bearing toes. The Tau have evolved to stand and move without using their heels.
The colour of a Tau’s skin often depends on their caste as well which sept they call home. In general, it can be said that the Air caste have the palest pigmentation, while Fire caste tend to have the darker. The darker the Tau’s bluish-grey skin, the closer to the sun he lives - therefore those living on Vior'la have much darker skin than those from Bork'an. Also it is known that some strange quality in the green-tinged sun of the N'dras sept can leave those from that region slightly mottled.
It has also been suggested by several Imperial observers that Tau blood is bluish-purple, explaining that the blood contains trace amounts of cobalt, rather than iron as common in humans.
It is known that life span of the Tau is short, with a life expectancy of around 50 years. Imperial juvenat treatments can extend this limit to upwards of 83 years, though doing so is considered unnatural. Most tau need only 1-2 decs (1.5-3 Terra hours) of sleep per every rotaa (rotaa - 15 Terran hours), so approximaley 1.5 Terran hours for 15-hours Tau "day".
The Tau have three digits and a single opposable thumb on each hand. The main skeletal difference from humans is the bone structure of their lower legs, feet, and ankles. Tau have shorter libia and fibia equivalent bones, but their feet have elongated cuneiform bones and tali and two large central weight-bearing toes. The Tau have evolved to stand and move without using their heels.
The colour of a Tau’s skin often depends on their caste as well which sept they call home. In general, it can be said that the Air caste have the palest pigmentation, while Fire caste tend to have the darker. The darker the Tau’s bluish-grey skin, the closer to the sun he lives - therefore those living on Vior'la have much darker skin than those from Bork'an. Also it is known that some strange quality in the green-tinged sun of the N'dras sept can leave those from that region slightly mottled.
It has also been suggested by several Imperial observers that Tau blood is bluish-purple, explaining that the blood contains trace amounts of cobalt, rather than iron as common in humans.
It is known that life span of the Tau is short, with a life expectancy of around 50 years. Imperial juvenat treatments can extend this limit to upwards of 83 years, though doing so is considered unnatural. Most tau need only 1-2 decs (1.5-3 Terra hours) of sleep per every rotaa (rotaa - 15 Terran hours), so approximaley 1.5 Terran hours for 15-hours Tau "day".
Additional Information
Social Structure
The Tau are the most open and tolerant of the races in the galaxy, which means that they prefer not to destroy all other races on sight and are nowhere near as xenophobic as the Imperium. They are appreciative of the ways of the humans, Eldar, and other sentient races, but hold their own values as superior above all others.
All Tau in all castes have a particular rank in their society, with each individual starting at the lowest and being eventually promoted on merit. However, the Tau attach no stigma to low rank, and even the most menial Tau enjoys the respect of their peers.
Tau names are generally seen in the Imperium as long, complicated, and unwieldy, but they can be broken down into the following:
Using a Tau's full name is considered a very formal form of address, while using only their personal name is considered overly-familiar unless one is bonded to them via the Ta'lissera. Using a Tau's caste and rank to refer to them is considered a polite form of address as it acknowledges their roll in the Greater Good.
Castes and Rank
The Caste System organizes all Tau into five different castes and each one of them has a defined social role, be it military, trade, diplomacy, or leadership. The members of a caste are further classified by a specific rank.
The castes are:
From highest to lowest, the ranks in Tau society are:
Sept
Tau come from many planetary systems, or Septs, and these shape and define their methods of work. Septs are ruled by a Elemental Council, though final say goes to the Ethereal governor.
Some of the most important Septs are:
T'au - Homeworld
T'au'n - The first Tau colony.
Vior'la - Military center of the Tau Empire.
D'yanoi - Isolated for a period and considered rustic/backwards.
Bork'an - Manufacturing hub.
Dal'yth - Cosmopolitan.
Fal'shia - Known for its technological innovations.
Sa'cea - Heavily urbanized and militarized
Personal Name
Tau personal names, unlike those of humans, usually mean things in their language, depending on the deeds in their lives. These names are apparently not assigned at birth, but descriptive of the individual as they distinguish themselves. Some examples are 'Kais' (Skillful), 'Vral' (Undercut), and 'Tsua'm' (Middle).
All Tau in all castes have a particular rank in their society, with each individual starting at the lowest and being eventually promoted on merit. However, the Tau attach no stigma to low rank, and even the most menial Tau enjoys the respect of their peers.
Tau names are generally seen in the Imperium as long, complicated, and unwieldy, but they can be broken down into the following:
- Caste and rank within that caste.
- Sept of birth.
- Personal name (which is often determined/extended by their notable actions or achievements)
Using a Tau's full name is considered a very formal form of address, while using only their personal name is considered overly-familiar unless one is bonded to them via the Ta'lissera. Using a Tau's caste and rank to refer to them is considered a polite form of address as it acknowledges their roll in the Greater Good.
Castes and Rank
The Caste System organizes all Tau into five different castes and each one of them has a defined social role, be it military, trade, diplomacy, or leadership. The members of a caste are further classified by a specific rank.
The castes are:
- Aun (Ethereal) - Supreme/Spiritual leaders
- Por (Water) - civil servants, lawyers, diplomats, merchants
- Shas (Fire) - warriors
- Fio (Earth) - Engineers
- Kor (Air) - spacefarers, pilots, trader
From highest to lowest, the ranks in Tau society are:
- O
- El
- Vre
- Ui
- La
- Saal
Sept
Tau come from many planetary systems, or Septs, and these shape and define their methods of work. Septs are ruled by a Elemental Council, though final say goes to the Ethereal governor.
Some of the most important Septs are:
T'au - Homeworld
T'au'n - The first Tau colony.
Vior'la - Military center of the Tau Empire.
D'yanoi - Isolated for a period and considered rustic/backwards.
Bork'an - Manufacturing hub.
Dal'yth - Cosmopolitan.
Fal'shia - Known for its technological innovations.
Sa'cea - Heavily urbanized and militarized
Personal Name
Tau personal names, unlike those of humans, usually mean things in their language, depending on the deeds in their lives. These names are apparently not assigned at birth, but descriptive of the individual as they distinguish themselves. Some examples are 'Kais' (Skillful), 'Vral' (Undercut), and 'Tsua'm' (Middle).
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Tau have no visible psykers whatsoever among their ranks, for their souls are so feeble they barely register in the Warp at all. For a time they largely oblivious to the malevolent forces of Chaos, who in turn took little interest in the crumbs that are Tau souls.
Because they have no Navigators, Tau ships cannot travel through the heart of the Warp like Imperium ships do. Instead, they make shallow "dives" into the Warp, a much slower form of travel. Because they have no astropaths, the Tau are reliant on messenger ships to communicate across the stars. These handicaps greatly slow the expansion of the Tau Empire.
The Tau do seem to have some influence on the Warp and vice-versa, as seen by the apparent Warp Entity made in the Tau's image encountered by the Fourth Sphere of Expansion.
Because they have no Navigators, Tau ships cannot travel through the heart of the Warp like Imperium ships do. Instead, they make shallow "dives" into the Warp, a much slower form of travel. Because they have no astropaths, the Tau are reliant on messenger ships to communicate across the stars. These handicaps greatly slow the expansion of the Tau Empire.
The Tau do seem to have some influence on the Warp and vice-versa, as seen by the apparent Warp Entity made in the Tau's image encountered by the Fourth Sphere of Expansion.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
Space Fleet
The Tau space fleet is known as the Kor'vattra, and is crewed by Tau of the Air Caste. Since the earliest days of the First Sphere of Expansion the Kor'vattra was given high priority by the Ethereals, and their space-faring technology advanced at a rapid pace, increasing their reach substantially in the span of a few centuries. The Kor'vattra suffered tremendous losses to the Imperial fleet during the Damocles Crusade, with their defeat at the Hydass system being particularly noteworthy. Compounding the weaknesses were exploring tendrils of the Tyranid hive fleets encroaching on Tau space. Following this, the Ethereals directed the very best Earth Caste scientists were given whatever resources they needed to modernize and expand the Kor'vattra in a program titled the Kor'or'vesh. It is believed that the Tau's aggressive territorial expansion and the need to upgrade has placed great pressure on the Kor'vattra.
Tau Weapons
The basic weapons of the Fire Caste propel particles that break down into plasma pulses as they are fired. This is commonly used in the long-range pulse rifle and more portable Pulse Carbine, the latter of which sports an underslung Auxiliary grenade launcher. A rapid-fire variation of the pulse carbine, known as the burst cannon, is also used on vehicles and battlesuits.
The Tau are known to use ion cannons and railguns in their ships as well as their vehicles with various guided and unguided missiles. They also arm their battlesuits with a variety of weapons, ranging from burst cannons and Missile Pods, to Fusion Blasters, Plasma Rifles, and flamers.
The T'au were introduced to Ion weapons by the "Demiurg", a Prospect of the Leagues of Votann.
The Tau space fleet is known as the Kor'vattra, and is crewed by Tau of the Air Caste. Since the earliest days of the First Sphere of Expansion the Kor'vattra was given high priority by the Ethereals, and their space-faring technology advanced at a rapid pace, increasing their reach substantially in the span of a few centuries. The Kor'vattra suffered tremendous losses to the Imperial fleet during the Damocles Crusade, with their defeat at the Hydass system being particularly noteworthy. Compounding the weaknesses were exploring tendrils of the Tyranid hive fleets encroaching on Tau space. Following this, the Ethereals directed the very best Earth Caste scientists were given whatever resources they needed to modernize and expand the Kor'vattra in a program titled the Kor'or'vesh. It is believed that the Tau's aggressive territorial expansion and the need to upgrade has placed great pressure on the Kor'vattra.
Tau Weapons
The basic weapons of the Fire Caste propel particles that break down into plasma pulses as they are fired. This is commonly used in the long-range pulse rifle and more portable Pulse Carbine, the latter of which sports an underslung Auxiliary grenade launcher. A rapid-fire variation of the pulse carbine, known as the burst cannon, is also used on vehicles and battlesuits.
The Tau are known to use ion cannons and railguns in their ships as well as their vehicles with various guided and unguided missiles. They also arm their battlesuits with a variety of weapons, ranging from burst cannons and Missile Pods, to Fusion Blasters, Plasma Rifles, and flamers.
The T'au were introduced to Ion weapons by the "Demiurg", a Prospect of the Leagues of Votann.
History
Early History
The primitive T'au were a plains-dwelling race. In their prehistory, they lived as nomadic tribes on the desert plains, hunting and gathering their food. Some of these tribes eventually expanded into other environments. The T'au of the mountains grew flaps of skin and light bones that allowed them to float over the deserts on thermal drafts. The T'au of the river valleys developed agriculture and metallurgy, forming the first true settlements. The development of settlements led to the need of trade, and wandering T'au began to negotiate and mediate between the disparate tribes, traveling up and down rivers in crude barges. The T'au that remained on the plains became strong and skillful hunters, larger and stronger than most other T'au.
Unfortunately for the T'au, the rapid sociological, biological, and technological shifts they were undergoing lead to conflict. The mountain T'au and the plains T'au allied to take the farms and cities of the river valley T'au, and the merchant caravans were regularly sacked to prevent alliances from forming. The T'au of the river valleys leveraged their skill at architecture to build walls and fortresses, and quickly discovered the manufacture of black powder weaponry to defend themselves. But with the harvests disrupted, the breakdown of trade, and blocked access to fresh water, disease ran rampant in the squalid conditions most T'au now lived in, and as many died from sickness as battle. T'au history records this period as Mont'au, "The Terror" or "death age".
T'au legends tell of the first appearance of Ethereals at the besiged city of Fio'taun after the strange lights appeared in the skies.[8c] The fortress city of Fio'taun was under assault by the warriors from the plains. Though negotiation had been attempted, the fierce plain warriors would settle for nothing less than the annihilation of Fio'taun. For five long years, the inhabitants held off the savage assaults with their thick walls and plentiful cannons. However, disease and starvation began to take their toll. As the tide of the siege turned, two mysterious T'au appeared. One made his way into the camp of the plains T'au, exuding a quiet authority that no T'au was able to resist. Soon, the leader of the plains warriors was persuaded to parley with the T'au of Fio'taun. Similarly, the other mysterious T'au made his way deep into the fortress. Within a few short hours, the gates stood wide open, and the Tau stood ready to talk.
The two Ethereals spoke of the importance of peace and understanding between all T'au. They described a Greater Good that each Tau must strive towards. The besiegers and the besieged quickly agreed with the Ethereals and a truce was reached. Across the land, other Ethereals emerged, each with the same quiet authority and message of harmony and cooperation. Within a few years, the Ethereals had all of T'au working together.
The primitive T'au were a plains-dwelling race. In their prehistory, they lived as nomadic tribes on the desert plains, hunting and gathering their food. Some of these tribes eventually expanded into other environments. The T'au of the mountains grew flaps of skin and light bones that allowed them to float over the deserts on thermal drafts. The T'au of the river valleys developed agriculture and metallurgy, forming the first true settlements. The development of settlements led to the need of trade, and wandering T'au began to negotiate and mediate between the disparate tribes, traveling up and down rivers in crude barges. The T'au that remained on the plains became strong and skillful hunters, larger and stronger than most other T'au.
Unfortunately for the T'au, the rapid sociological, biological, and technological shifts they were undergoing lead to conflict. The mountain T'au and the plains T'au allied to take the farms and cities of the river valley T'au, and the merchant caravans were regularly sacked to prevent alliances from forming. The T'au of the river valleys leveraged their skill at architecture to build walls and fortresses, and quickly discovered the manufacture of black powder weaponry to defend themselves. But with the harvests disrupted, the breakdown of trade, and blocked access to fresh water, disease ran rampant in the squalid conditions most T'au now lived in, and as many died from sickness as battle. T'au history records this period as Mont'au, "The Terror" or "death age".
T'au legends tell of the first appearance of Ethereals at the besiged city of Fio'taun after the strange lights appeared in the skies.[8c] The fortress city of Fio'taun was under assault by the warriors from the plains. Though negotiation had been attempted, the fierce plain warriors would settle for nothing less than the annihilation of Fio'taun. For five long years, the inhabitants held off the savage assaults with their thick walls and plentiful cannons. However, disease and starvation began to take their toll. As the tide of the siege turned, two mysterious T'au appeared. One made his way into the camp of the plains T'au, exuding a quiet authority that no T'au was able to resist. Soon, the leader of the plains warriors was persuaded to parley with the T'au of Fio'taun. Similarly, the other mysterious T'au made his way deep into the fortress. Within a few short hours, the gates stood wide open, and the Tau stood ready to talk.
The two Ethereals spoke of the importance of peace and understanding between all T'au. They described a Greater Good that each Tau must strive towards. The besiegers and the besieged quickly agreed with the Ethereals and a truce was reached. Across the land, other Ethereals emerged, each with the same quiet authority and message of harmony and cooperation. Within a few years, the Ethereals had all of T'au working together.
Geographic Distribution
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