Post by The Supreme Emissary on Jun 10, 2016 6:41:14 GMT -5
The Tau are a relatively young and super rapidly advancing humanoid species occupying a dense cluster of star systems oh the eastern side of the galaxy. Compared to humanity their technological climb to the stars has only been in the last 6,000 years and while their technology and politics has allowed them many advantages in common with humanity in the dark ages it is hampered by relative lack of FTL travel and being completely surrounded by enemies that could annihilate them all at once.
Politics - "The Greater Good"
Their guiding principle highlights them as the least grim in the grimdark and comparisons begin to be drawn with the United Federation of Planets (Star Trek) though with the addition of "if you are too stupid or willful to join us, you will be exterminated". The "Greater Good" emphasizes total cooperation and willingness for the individual to sacrifice all for the group but never allowing those sacrifices to be made. It makes for a great pitch and in practice works pretty well. It has a lot in common with The Imperial Truth in terms of ultimate goal, except for the part where they only care about humanity and making themselves the dominant species. It could be speculated that the Tau are headed in the same direction eventually.
Society - The Caste System
Proper Tau are divided into 5 genetically distinct castes.
Ethereals - The undisputed leaders of the species who have secured their position through some unknown means.
Water - THe smooth talking traders, merchants and diplomats that use their charisma to keep the gears of progress turning.
Air - Once a winged sub species these space dwellers are the brittle, spindly pilots that command their ships through the void.
Fire - The most common and familiar caste are soldiers with the most aggressive disposition and balanced physical abilities. Almost every Tau seen in battle is from this caste.
Earth - The engineers that build the Empire's colonies and war machines. Perhaps technically the most numerous and physically powerful they are the foundation for the entire Empire.
Other - The Tau Empire counts a number of other intelligent species as members including some humans. This does not sit well with the Imperium but their genuine adherence to their principles has bought them some latitude in the past.
Combat Organization - The Cadres
Tau are highly adaptive and practical. THey bring a wide variety of interchangeable equipment with them, adapted to a wide variety of environments. Each group of warriors and their machines are divided into specialized role specific "cadres". These teams are called on when needed and have usually been training and fighting together since they enlisted.
Heroes of Tau - Main Characters for your table
Aun'Va: The current leader of the Ethereal caste and by extension the entire Tau Empire. He lives up to his duties and his role as inspirational figure that few dare even suggest to question him.
Commander Shadowsun: Currently the leader of the Tau military. She is a master tactician that emphasizes patience and ferocity. Her most famous success was taking an Imperium fortified world in a single day.
Aun'Shi: An ethereal legend who has mastered a lethal form of marital arts.
Longstrike: A master tank commander. (Compare to Sgt Chronus/ Cmdr Pask)
Darkstrider: An master scout and tracker. (Compare to Sgt Telion)
Commander Farsight: Formerly the leader of the Tau military and perhaps their greatest hero ever. After in incident in the Damocles Gulf he split away from the chain of command and began building his own hidden worlds in the divide between the Imperium of Man and the Tau Empire. He witnessed a Warp Rift and the many daemons that spilled out of it, shattering his understanding of reality as it would anyone else. Currently he is publicly classified as dead and forgotten while to the leadership he is a renegade in possession of powerful military hardware and an alien relic blade that, unbeknownst to all, has been extending his life with every battle.
The Farsight Enclaves are therefore considered a rebel faction on the north west edge of Tau space.
