Tau (Warhammer 40,000)
The Tau are an extraterrestrial species that feature in Warhammer 40,000.
Contents |
History
Tau
On the forgotten backwater of T'au, the species grewn bigger and stronger with some of the plain tribes migrating further and further afield as hunting grounds grew scarcer in response to the increasing population. As the centuries passed, each branch of the Tau began developing in their own way, displaying a unique talent for rapidly adapting to their chosen environment. High on isolated mountain peaks, Tau soared on thermals, rising up from the hot plains on thin, membranous wings, and found plentiful employment amongst the other Tau as messengers and scouts. Those whose migrations had carried them to lush river valleys began establishing well-constructed farming communities, developing their metallurgical, tool-making and mining skills to create the first Tau settlements. Others realised that different communities could produce what they could not and negotiated trade agreements between the disparate tribes, recognising the inherent value in each others' skills. The larger Tau who remained on the plains grew stronger still, becoming skilful and aggressive hunters. They took what they wanted and if they had to fight in honourable battle to get it, so much the better. For some unknown reason, technological innovation was at a more accelerated pace than was normally expected for a newly emergent race. The Tau who began building the first communities quickly escalated to use fortresses and simple black powder weapons to defend their settlements from marauding tribes of plains dwellers allied with the Tau of the air. Trade routes were cut and the Tau who negotiated between the various tribes were attacked to prevent alliances from being formed. Soon vast intertribal wars ravaged the main continent, with Tau tribes turned on each other in savage battles utilising primitive firearms. The wars dragged on for many years, thousands died on every side and with no end to the slaughter in sight. Squalid conditions caused by the fighting and a lack of fresh food and water allowed a virulent plague to spread rapidly across the continent until more Tau died of disease than were killed in battle. As the savagery of the fighting escalated, it seemed as though the Tau race would surely extinguish itself in the fires of its own barbarity. (Codex: Tau Empire 4th Ed)
Overview
Tau civilisation was based around a rigid system of castes each of which related to one of the four elements. Each dictated a particular role for a Tau with warriors being of the fire caste, the bureaucrats being of the water caste, the pilots being of the air caste and worker that were part of the earth caste. There was also a mysterious fifth caste known as the Ethereals that bound the other castes together. The Tau Empire believed that it was only right and noble to set aside individual desires and instead work together for the greater good. (Codex: Tau Empire 3rd Ed)
Fire warriors were noted for being courageous fighters with solid leaders. If a member of the Ethereal caste accompanied them, their confidence and self belief kept them fighting in the face of insurmountable odds. Tau were said to dislike close combat preferring to destroy their enemies at long range with high-tech weaponry as they were neither particularly strong or tough. When fighting became close and bloody, the Tau preferred to call upon their allies. (Codex: Tau Empire 3rd Ed)
The Tau were not overtly hostile though thy would fight fiercely to protect their territories they had claimed as their own. It was said that the dynamism of the Tau was pushing them further into occupied areas of the galaxy bringing them into conflict with other alien races. (Codex: Tau Empire 3rd Ed)
Members
- Aun'Va :
- Aun'Shi :
- Commander Shadowsun :
- Commander Farsight :
- Darkstrider :
- Commander Puretide :
- Commander Longstrike :
- Shas'O Kais :
- Commander Bravestorm :
- Commander Brightsword :
Notes
- The Tau were created by Gav Thorpe, Andy Chambers and Jes Goodwin where they featured in the setting of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
In other media
Video games
Appearances
- Warhammer 40,000:
External Links
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