TAU

Mark Owen’s Pathfinders from the Dal’yth sept advance alongside a Hammerhead gunship.

The Tau army prepare for battle under the guidance of the Ethereals.
The Warhammer Vault exists to preserve the rich
lore and background of Warhammer 40,000 and
Warhammer Age of Sigmar. As such, outdated
game scenarios and unit rules have been removed
from this publication.
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Overview of the Tau . . . . . . 4

A Tau’cyr among the Kroot 10

The Tau Way of War . . . . . 13

Painting & Collecting

a Tau Army . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Written by:
Andy Chambers,
Laeresh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Pete Haines & Graham McNeill

Cover Art:
Adrian Smith
Adept Palmatus . . . . . . . . . . 35
Internal Art:
Alex Boyd, Paul Dainton,
Jes Goodwin & Karl Kopinski
Tau Language . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Graphic Design Colour Production
John Blanche & Stefan Kopinski Mark Raynor & Adrian Wood
The Damocles Crusade . . . 39 Miniatures Designers Miniatures Painters
Tim Adcock, Juan Diaz, Martin Footitt, Neil Green,
Jes Goodwin, Mark Harrison, Dave Thomas, Tammy Haye,
Bonding Ritual . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Trish Morrison, Brian Nelson, Keith Robertson, Chris Smart,
Alan Perry & Michael Perry & Kirsten Williams

Model & Scenery Makers: Dave Andrews and Mark Jones

Tau Evolution . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Special thanks to Gav Thorpe, Marc Gascoigne and the
Ancient and Honourable Order of Tech Priests
Tau Septs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

PRODUCED BY GAMES WORKSHOP

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2

G reetings, Commander, to this sacred text that

will help you to further the Greater Good by
guiding you in collecting, painting and gaming with
Unlike most alien races which Humanity has
encountered, the Tau are not overtly hostile, though they
will fight fiercely to protect those territories they have
a Tau force in the Warhammer 40,000 game. The Tau claimed as their own. The sheer dynamism of the Tau is
way of war is efficient and deadly, combining the hi- pushing them further into occupied areas of the galaxy
tech wargear and weapons of the Tau with the and this has inevitably brought them into conflict with
aggression and close combat prowess of their both Humans and other alien races.
mercenary allies, the Kroot. A Tau commander
recognises the skills and abilities of all those under
his command and uses them to fearsome effect.
WHY COLLECT
A TAU ARMY?
THE TAU The Tau are a very stylish and powerful army with many
The alien race known as the Tau inhabit an area of specialised troops at their disposal. Their main strength
space near the eastern fringe of the galaxy and are a lies in the different types of battlesuit equipped warriors.
young, dynamic race, with highly advanced weaponry These warriors are hardened veterans and their
and technology. Though less than two thousand years battlesuits are capable of mounting a fearsome array of
old, their fledgling empire is rapidly expanding into space firepower. Combined with their exceptional armour
and encountering all the elder races of the galaxy. In protection, this makes them very difficult to take out with
galactic terms their empire is small, based around a most troopers’ basic weapons. If you’re looking for an
densely packed globular cluster of stars, which enables army that can pack a heavy punch while being able to
the Tau to travel between them without many of the soak up the enemy’s return fire, then the Tau are the
dangers normally associated with warp travel. The Tau force for you. Tau technology is highly advanced with
empire also encompasses several alien races who have many exciting devices and upgrades with which you can
been subsumed into the empire voluntarily or whose equip the battlesuits to further enhance their ability to
services are bought through trade agreements. deal death.
Tau civilisation is based around a rigid system of castes, Tau Fire warriors are courageous fighters with solid
each relating to the four elements of nature – fire, water, leaders, and if a member of the Ethereal caste
air and earth – which dictate a Tau’s particular role within
accompanies them, their confidence and self belief will
their society, be it warrior, bureaucrat, pilot or worker.
keep them fighting in the face of insurmountable odds.
Their rulers form a mysterious fifth caste, translated as
The Tau dislike close combat, preferring to destroy their
the Ethereals, who bind the other castes together. The
enemies at long range with hi-tech weaponry as they are
Tau empire is underpinned by the concept that it is only
right and noble for the individual to set their own desires neither particularly strong or tough. When the fighting is
aside to work together for the greater good of the likely to get close and bloody, the Tau can call upon allies
empire. Overall, they’re very good at it too. in the shape of the Kroot. The Kroot are ferocious
carnivores employed as mercenaries and are capable of
holding their own against most opponents.
The ongoing expansion of the Tau empire ensures that
they are frequently encroaching into other races’
territories and border disputes are quick to flare up on
the frontiers. Tau space borders on many Ork-held
systems and several Imperial sectors. Craftworlds have
passed through their space and the first tendrils of the
Tyranid Hive Fleets are approaching. This means that it
is perfectly possible to fight any opponent in the
Warhammer 40,000 universe. Whatever army your
opponent has, you can fight him with no qualms about
whether or not such a battle would ever arise.
A fully-painted Tau army looks very striking on the
tabletop and suits painters who want the best of both
worlds. On the one hand you have the clean, elegant
lines and bright colours of the Tau Fire warriors in their
battlesuits and grav-tanks, while on the other you have
the Kroot, with their barbaric, feral feel and large areas of
flesh to colour. Even very basic painting techniques will
quickly produce a battle ready force, giving you the
chance to quickly and easily build a playable army and
begin to expand the frontiers of the glorious Tau empire.
May the Ethereals guide you, Commander.
Shas’O Vior’la Kais, Fire warrior Commander, watched
dispassionately as the Gue’la began the long trek up the hillside.
The Gue’la scattered, stunned at the
death of the iron machines. It was unfortunate
that they would die, but to stand in the way of the Tau’s destiny
Their crude, armoured vehicles lumbered forwards on clanking
metal tracks, dismounted warriors advancing before them. Kais felt was to invite death. It could not be helped.
sorry that he had to do this; the Gue’la could not know the folly of A flurry of gunfire flared from a concealed position to the left of a
this attack. The Tau had claimed this world as their own. Its use smoking tank. The Gue’la in front of the vehicle fell, cut to ribbons
had been decided, its first colonists already allocated from members by the Pathfinders’ weapons. As soon as the Gue’la fell, the Tau
of the Fio caste. It was as indisputable as a sunrise. The Gue’la were on the move. More Gue’la moved around the tank, firing
already had an outpost on this world and Kais was in the process their weapons at where they believed his warriors to be. Their
of removing them. The Ethereals had decreed this but, with typical shots hit nothing, the Pathfinders having long since relocated to
Gue’la stubborness, they had refused to bow before the inevitable. new positions.
As the Gue’la advance continued, Kais’ superior vision could make Then, from out of the smoke, came the Kroot. Tall and lithe with
out the forms of his Pathfinders concealed in the tall grass before powerful muscles corded around their arms, they charged into the
them. Already their markerlights were pinpointing the noisy mass of Gue’la. Blasts from their vicious rifles pitched several to
vehicles for his more powerful weapons. He turned to one of his the ground and Kais knew that they were the lucky ones. They
bodyguards, a smooth helmeted warrior in a pale coloured attacked with a high, ululating battle cry, spinning their rifles and
battlesuit. slamming the thick blades on the butts of their guns into Gue’la
flesh. Their Shaper beheaded a Gue’la with one sweep of his blade
“Do you see the armoured beasts, Shas’vre?” asked Kais formally. and howled, shaking the long quills on the back of his head free in
“Yes, Commander. This should present no significant problem. The triumph as the rest of the enemy fled before him. The Battlesuit
Shas’la have marked them clearly for the Broadside battlesuit teams now moved down the hillside, firing into the disordered
squad’s railguns.” Gue’la troops. Kais’ brow wrinkled in distaste as he saw several of
the Kroot warriors stoop to take bites from the fallen Gue’la
The Commander of the Fire warriors nodded. bodies. To defeat one’s enemy in combat was one thing, but to eat
“Then you may begin, Shas’vre,” he intoned softly. The warrior his flesh… he shivered in disgust. The Kroot were useful and Kais
nodded reverently and spoke quietly into his helmet mike. Almost valued their strength, but he had hoped that the continued contact
as soon as he did so, three of the Gue’la vehicles exploded and they were having with the Tau would have purged them of some of
lurched sideways, black smoke pouring from neat holes in their their baser instincts by now.
front and rear armour. The hypervelocity slugs of the rail guns He turned away from the feeding Kroot and spoke again to his
were too fast even for Kais’ augmented vision, leaving only searing bodyguard. “You may contact the Kor’vre and inform him that he
afterimages where the friction of their passing had ignited the air. may begin landing the Fio’la immediately. This world is ours now.”
4

OVERVIEW OF Far from Terra, in the eastern reaches of the galaxy, lies
the empire of the Tau. Though not extensive it
encompasses a region of space some three hundred
THE TAU light years in diameter, with the Tau home world at its
centre, and nearly a hundred settled worlds. A number of
these worlds are home to alien races which are either
subservient to the Tau or whose services are bought.
The Tau are a young race, barely six thousand years old,
yet they are highly advanced technologically and their
empire is expanding rapidly, pushing further into space
with growing self-confidence.

DISCOVERY
The first Imperial contact with the Tau race came
roughly six thousand years ago in 789.M35, when the
Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator vessel, Land’s Vision,
discovered and categorised what is now their home
world of T’au. Initial investigations revealed the planet to
be dry and arid with few lush areas and an abundance of
oceanic, aerial and terrestrial xenomorphs. The first
Adeptus Mechanicus teams to explore the planet noted
that the savannah dwelling aliens had mastered the use
of primitive weapons and discovered fire, but nothing of
worth was perceived in their continued existence and the
world was earmarked for routine cleansing and
colonisation. Seeding ships were despatched to begin
the colonisation of Tau but, before they arrived, freak
warp storms of unimaginable fury engulfed them and,
despite the presence of highly skilled navigators and
captains, every vessel in the colony fleet was lost.
Rather than simply blowing themselves out, the warp
storms continued to make space travel impossible for
light years in all directions, and many
whispered that this was a sign the planet
was cursed. In any case, the cares of
the Imperium soon turned to more
pressing concerns.
 5

The 361st High Lord of the Administratum, Goge Vandire THE ETHEREALS
had proved to be a paranoid megalomaniac and led the The Tau now entered their darkest age, when the entire
Imperium into one of the bloodiest periods in its war-torn race was being destroyed by war and disease. As the
history, the Age of Apostasy. This is not the place to 37th millennium drew to a close, many strange portents
speak of Vandire’s Reign of Blood, suffice to say that he and omens were observed such as flickering lights in the
was eventually overthrown and stability restored to the night sky and half-glimpsed figures in the mountains.
Imperium when Sebastian Thor was elected Ecclesiarch. Many believed that these were signs that they were living
The rebuilding of the Imperium was to take many in the last days, that extinction was nigh. ‘The Ethereals
hundreds of years and, while this work was under way, of Fio’taun’ is one of the foremost legends amongst the
the warp storms cutting T’au off from Imperial scrutiny Tau and tells of how their race was pulled back from the
continued to rage, concealing the nascent development brink of annihilation.
of the Tau race.
The legend tells that on a mountain plateau called
Fio’taun, an alliance of plains dwellers and air Tau laid
ADVANCED EVOLUTION siege to the mightiest fortress-city of the builder Tau.
On the forgotten backwater of T’au, the species first
Nearly seven thousand beings dwelt in the great citadel
catalogued by the Adeptus Mechanicus grew bigger and
and, in vain, the traders attempted to negotiate with
stronger, some plains tribes migrating further and further
the plains warriors. Their blood was afire and they
afield as hunting grounds grew scarcer in response to
would brook no settlement save that delivered at
the increasing population. As the centuries passed, each
the end of a rifle. For five seasons the cannons of
branch of the Tau began developing in their own way,
Fio’taun held the attackers at bay, but supplies
displaying a unique talent for rapidly adapting to
were low and disease was rife within
their chosen environment. High on isolated mountain
the city walls. As night fell upon
peaks, Tau soared on thermals, rising up from the hot
another bloody day’s fighting, the
plains on thin, membranous wings, and found plentiful
leaders within Fio’taun prayed for a
employment amongst the other Tau as messengers and
miracle. Little did they know that
scouts. Those whose migrations had carried them to lush
on this night their prayers
river valleys began establishing well-constructed farming
would be answered.
communities, developing their metallurgical, toolmaking
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 would normally be
expected for a newly emergent race. The Tau who had
begun building the first communities quickly escalated to
use fortresses and simple blackpowder 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 turning on each other in savage
battles utilising primitive firearms. The wars dragged on
for many years, thousands dying 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 were dying of disease than
were being 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.
Emerging from the darkness, a Tau of unusual they finally agreed to the Ethereals’ entreaties that they
appearance walked into the besiegers’ camp, asking to become honour bound defenders of the Tau. It was
see the army’s commander. He was softly spoken, yet it decreed that from that day forth each of the tribes would
is said that he had an undeniable authority and the be known by the element that most befitted its role in the
sentries to whom he had announced himself found greater good. The builders and artisans would be the
themselves compelled to escort him to their leader. At Earth caste, the traders the Water caste, the messengers
the same time, within the walls of Fio’taun, a similar and scouts would become the Air caste while the warriors
individual presented himself to the guards of the fortress. of the plains would be known as the Fire caste. Having
How he had penetrated the defences of the city he would saved the Tau from a slow racial extinction, the Ethereals
not say, all he asked was that he be allowed to speak to were revered with the utmost devotion by the other
the castellan of the fortress. Again, his request could not castes, binding and guiding them as they looked towards
be denied and he was permitted an audience with the the future with a new found sense of hope.
city’s leader. Within the hour, the fortress gates were
opened, the stranger guiding the citadel’s leaders DYNAMIC EXPANSION
towards the torchlit camp of their attackers. The next thousand years saw an almost unprecedented
As the gates opened, they were met by a party from their renaissance of scientific discovery and cultural and
enemy, led by a figure who was the stranger’s philosophical advancement. Working together for the
twin in all respects. The two newcomers called greater good became the cornerstone of Tau society, the
themselves Ethereals and bade the others sit. ultimate ideal to strive for. It enabled the Tau to fully
Beneath a maiden moon of purest white, they utilise each caste’s talents and allowed them to send
began to speak, explaining that the talents of their first rockets into space. The Air caste were heavily
each of the tribes could be harnessed. They involved in the early exploration of space and, within a
spoke of a Greater Good that could be achieved short period of time, orbital communities were
if they would put aside their warlike ways and established and the colonisation of the nearest moon, ,
work together. The two strangers talked through was well underway. With orbital docks, larger vessels
the night, their words carrying great power, and as could be constructed and Tau ships ventured further and
the sun crested the horizon, a truce had been further afield, with communities developing on almost
agreed between the warring factions. every viable moon, world and planetoid within reach. Air
caste astrogators produced the first stellar maps of
Fio’taun was just the beginning. Soon, more of the nearby celestial bodies, revealing that their home world
Ethereals emerged and the message of peace and lay within a globular cluster of densely packed stars. The
greater good began to spread to every corner of the attendant risks of novae and supernovae prompted
globe, the battles slowly dying out as the new further expansion and the Earth caste began the
philosophy took hold. Within the space of construction of even larger colony ships.
a year, the wars were over and the
Tau flourished like never before. The expansion of the Tau empire continued at an
Well-constructed towns and cities explosive rate, with the Tau making contact with a
sprang up throughout the number of alien races and, despite the destruction of
continent, commerce routes several ships, the empire continued to advance. Many
were re-established by the less advanced alien races were incorporated within its
traders and communications borders and most of these willingly became part of the
maintained by the air Tau. Tau empire. The Orks were a notable exception to this
The warriors of the plains and the Tau fought many battles with the Greenskins
were the hardest to before finally abandoning their attempts to subsume
convince that this was the them into the empire. After the successful navigation of a
way forward, but as they warp rift, the Ethereals and Air caste worked to refine the
saw the civilised technique of travelling through warp space but, without
wonders being the specialised mutation of the Navigator gene, their
created by colony ships could only make short ‘hops’ into warp
the other space, skimming the edges of the immaterium. With the
castes, tightly packed nature of the Tau empire, this did not prove
to be a problem and protected them from many of the
inherent dangers of warp travel.
Given their limited exposure to the
warp, the Tau found it difficult to
comprehend the hallucinogenic
effects it had on other races and
the terrible threat it could
represent to psykers. Such
talents were a mystery to the
Tau as they had no psychic
abilities whatsoever, their
minds barely even registering
in the warp at all.
Soon the Tau empire
stretched over a little more
than three hundred light
years and incorporated
eight heavily settled
systems known as septs.
These formed the hub of
the empire, with colonies
outposts and waypoints
established throughout
Tau space.
8

At the frontiers of Tau space, on the world of Pech, stalemate as the formidable numbers and high
traders with an escort of Fire caste warriors encountered technology of the Tau and their Kroot allies thwarted
a Kroot enclave and fought alongside them in a battle every attempt to capture the system. After many months
against Ork raiders. In the Kroot, the Tau recognised a of terrible fighting, with nothing gained on either side,
strength they could harness, and soon Kroot warspheres Imperial commanders eventually agreed to requests from
began to appear with more regularity in Tau the Water caste for peace talks. The negotiations were
expeditionary forces. While the thought of the Kroots’ successful and the Imperial fleet withdrew from Tau
cannibalistic tendencies repulsed the Tau, they valued space, partially in response to the negligible chance of
and respected their strength as warriors, perhaps victory, but also due to the impending approach of Hive
believing that continued contact with the Tau would Fleet Behemoth. As the fleet withdrew, Tau forces, one of
eventually show the Kroot the error of their ways. which was led by the infamous Commander Farsight,
followed in its wake and retook their lost worlds,
IMPERIAL CONTACT assimilating groups of Human deserters and renegades
With such rapid expansion of their empire, it was only a in the process.
matter of time until Tau colony ships entered Imperial The Tau empire continues to expand its borders, pushing
controlled space. System defence ships stationed at ever further into space and establishing colonies on
Devlan in the Ultima Segmentum detected the arrival of every world capable of sustaining life. However, a new
an alien vessel which did not halt at the designated threat has arisen in the form of Tyranid splinter fleets
checkpoints, and immediately attacked it. Unprepared from Hive Fleet Kraken and the Battle of Ichar IV. Attacks
for such an aggressive response, the Tau ship fled, but from the Tyranids have fallen upon several Tau worlds
was unable to make good its escape as Imperial Navy and the terrible danger these voracious super-predators
ships summoned by the planetary governor destroyed it represent has quickly been realised by the Ethereals. As
in an engagement at the system’s edge. An Imperial contact is lost with yet more colonies, the Tau empire
investigation was launched into this technologically girds itself for war.
advanced race when Adeptus Mechanicus Genetors
discovered that genetic samples taken from the corpses
on the alien ship matched those of the primitive xenos
THE CASTE SYSTEM
As decreed by the Ethereals, Tau society is divided into
discovered six thousand years ago by Land’s Vision.
four castes, each based on one of the four elements of
Further, less violent contact with the Tau was made by nature. Tau are born into their caste and breeding
Rogue Traders and merchants exploring the darkness of between the castes is forbidden by the Ethereals. By use
the eastern fringes. Far from the guiding light of the of the caste system, not only are the Tau performing the
Astronomican, warp travel so far in the galactic east was most basic form of genetic engineering, but they also
treacherous and word of such contact was slow to filter reinforce the individual’s belief that they have a position
back to the Administratum. Members of the Water caste to fill in the empire and that their efforts are rewarded.
had established trade agreements with Imperial worlds The four castes are as follows:
on the frontier and exchanges of goods and technology
were common. Alarmed by the threat of alien Fire – The Fire caste are the warriors of the
contamination, the Administratum readied a suitable Tau. It is the duty of these warriors to protect
response and almost a century later, the Damocles the other castes. Centuries of selective
crusade smashed into Tau space, destroying several breeding has led to the Fire caste being the
outlying settlements and pushing deep into the Tau biggest and strongest of the Tau. The Fire
empire. But when the Imperial fleet reached the warriors are strongly motivated by a
sept of Dal’yth, the crusade ground to a bloody strict code of honour in battle, but
 9

they are not mindless thugs. They see ranged combat as Air – The Air caste members were
preferable to the somewhat brutal affair of close combat, traditionally messengers and couriers but
as they are not naturally equipped for such fights, now, with the march of technology, they are
preferring to use advanced weaponry rather than brute the Tau equivalent to the Imperial Navy. They
force to win battles. A warrior starts life as a young line are pilots and spaceship crews, transporting goods and
trooper, a Shas’la, and after surviving four years ‘on the warriors to where they are needed. They are the unseen
line’ they must take their first Trial by Fire. If they survive force that can lay waste to towns and cities, bombarding
this ordeal then they are fit to don the full battlesuit. If them from orbit. Air caste members live almost entirely
they survive a further four years, they take the second off-world, except for pilots of atmospheric craft (although
Trial and successful participants become Shas’ui. A frequently they live in orbital stations). They are the
veteran who manages to survive yet another four years invisible caste, normally unseen but essential
becomes eligible to take part in a third Trial if he wishes nonetheless.
and, if he is still alive by the end, will become a
Commander, or Shas’el. Commanders who survive four The Ethereals – The Tau word ‘Aun’
years are allowed to retire from active service, join the translates variously as the Celestial or
council of advisors and play a greater part in Tau politics. Ethereal caste, and originates from the
Other than death, this is the only way to leave the Tau mysterious individuals who united the
military. disparate Tau tribes. These are the rulers of the Tau
empire, headed by a council of the wisest Ethereals.
Earth – The Earth caste are the artisans and They are advised by members of the highest families
labourers of the Tau. It is they who build the within the different castes, but have ultimate sovereignty
machines, erect the dwellings and provide the over all the Tau. It is speculated that they exert some
food for the rest of society. Without the Earth kind of pheromone based or latent psychic control over
caste, the farms would not produce, the factories would the other castes, as loyalty to the Ethereals
sit idle and the work would remain undone. None of the is absolute and unswerving. If an
other castes would be able to live without their continued Ethereal were of such a mind, he
existence. Engineers and scientists beyond compare, could order another Tau to kill
the Earth caste are responsible for the maintenance of himself and would be obeyed
Tau technology but, unlike the Tech-priests of the immediately. The Adeptus
Imperium, they fully understand the workings of their Mechanicus and Adeptus Arbites
machines and are capable of more than simply are very interested in this aspect
reproducing ancient designs. of Tau culture…
Water – Water is the element that can be
found in all living things, flowing continuously
to allow life to function. So it is that Water
caste members are bureaucrats, politicians,
negotiators and administrators. They are the merchants
and diplomats, moving in and around the other castes to
make sure that society functions smoothly. Water caste
members often accompany Tau expeditionary forces
to negotiate safe transit through alien systems and
smooth the passage of Tau merchants and
colonists.
10

A TAU’CYR
chlorine atmosphere in the course of a few tau’cyr.
Major changes I would suggest are possible, but

AMONG
require a greater exposure to the source of the
mutation, possibly over several generations.

THE KROOT
In this case the source of mutation is their diet. As
we have known for some time, the Kroot feed on
the flesh of the dead, an unwholesome and
primitive practice which many hoped we could
persuade them to abandon. In fact this practice is
LETTERS FROM PECH the source of the Kroots’ greatest strength and their
by Fio’ui bork’an Ulyr’ra largest potential contribution to the Empire.
The Kroot are organised into family groups, which
To Fio’la Bork’an Vashrun Ka’la we called kindreds. The elder of this group, termed
a Shaper, is apparently able to analyse the content
When I was told that there was spare capacity in of its gut and extract from it characteristics that
the message boat I could not resist writing to you, might be of use to the Kroot genetic code. This
my sister. I trust you prosper as Tau shall. task is apparently performed intuitively, but
The greatness of the Empire is truly a marvel. For demonstrates a mastery that the finest minds of
the last three kai’rotaas my Ta’lissera has been on Bork’an would struggle to conceptualise. Once a
Pech, home world to the barbaric Kroot. Fear not characteristic of their prey is identified then the
sister, their penchant for savage behaviour is Shaper will direct members of the family group to
thoroughly held in check by their desire to be part consume this particular prey animal. Breeding is
of our great Tau Empire. They allow us to go where then controlled to ensure that those who have
we will and readily submit to medical inspection so absorbed the chosen genetic morsel fix it as part of
we can better understand them and guide them their own DNA.
forward. From the standpoint of pure survival we have a
I have to tell you that if our preliminary research is carrion eater that, faced with a more dominant life
substantiated then our estimation of the Kroot will form, can absorb its characteristics within a very
have to be revised considerably. short time. It is likely that the Kroot have used this
technique extensively as within every broad
Our most remarkable finding is that the Kroot are category of fauna on Pech there is an example
capable of selective mutation. We now have which is 99% Kroot.
evidence that the life form we refer to as Kroot is
merely the most successful of a wide range of The Kroot have evolved from avians, that much is
divergent species with the same genetic root. clear, although whether this original form was
similar to the Kroothawk is speculation. They still
Their form can evolve significantly retain beaks and a light bone structure. Life
over the span of four or five abounds on Pech’s primary continent, so the proto-
generations. While for most Kroot could always feed. But for their genetic quirk,
species evolution is a journey they would have remained in this state while other
so gradual that it cannot be life forms became the dominant species. The cause
witnessed by mortals, of the anomaly is unknown but at some point the
I have seen Kroot Kroot genetic code began to mutate. As I hope you
returning from service have learned, sister, the bulk of normal DNA
with the Shas’ar’tol contains no data but merely serves to divide the
which have developed data that does exist. The Kroots' mutation turned
an ability to this space into a blank slate for retention of new
withstand genetic data. The mutation is not random in its
working; instead the Kroot seem to be able to make
choices. The more complex the DNA of the food, the
more likely the Kroot will absorb something useful.
Successful adaptations thrived, others died out. The
overall effect was a rapidly accelerated evolutionary
program which left the Kroot the dominant species
on Pech long before such a situation should have
been possible.
 11

The Kroot brain is unusual insofar that it is a Standing about 30% taller than us, the Kroot are
combination of cerebral hemispheres and clusters lean and wiry. They have muscles like metal cables,
of ganglia. The ganglia run the length of their crests able to pull taunt in an instant, giving them a jerky,
and are very efficient at interpreting sensory deceptively fast gait. They can jump large distances
information, a feature which, combined with their when they need to and can manoeuvre through the
superb senses, makes the Kroot very difficult to branches of trees with practised ease. They seem
hide from. In this regard the ganglia are similar in to ignore shifts in climate and atmosphere. They
function to the Tau thalamus. They have two have a rapport with other wildlife that is probably
cerebral hemispheres, one behind the other. The based on the fact that the Kroot are only interested
front hemisphere controls logic and memory and is in such life forms as food when they are dead.
considerably more developed than the other Although their own language is a mixture of clicks,
hemisphere, which governs imagination and squawks and hoots, the Kroot are superb mimics
creativity. Kroot interpret what they perceive and and are able to link sounds to a particular piece of
react accordingly, with little emotional clutter. The body language very quickly. Last rotaa I spent a few
rear hemisphere is another mutation; it controls decs teaching a Kroot youngling to speak Tau. He
their inventiveness and imagination and has a very could make himself understood by dark-time and is
limited capacity. Whilst it is more pronounced in now one of our escorts.
some Kroot kindreds, this limits the Kroots' creativity
Whilst we cannot be certain, it is our current belief
considerably, with the consequence that they have
that the Kroot still have the capacity for further
gone about as far technologically as they are likely
selective mutation. There seems to be several
to go without the help of a more sophisticated
different approaches to achieving this among the
people.
Kroot. All Shapers seem to belong to one of a
The Kroot have little capacity for further mutation number of kindreds, each seeking a different path.
without seriously destabilising their DNA. They This is the nearest thing to a nation we have found
cannot therefore acquire every advanced trait they amongst the Kroot. We have evidence that each
encounter or their variety will end, trapped in a kindred has a fractionally different genetic code to
single form that is a genetic dead end. Kroot Hounds the others. We immediately saw that, despite their
and Krootox are examples of this error being made apparent primitivism, the Kroot enjoyed a caste
in the past. Kroot history is littered with these system related to our own. This reassured us
evolutionary cul-de-sacs, although their rapid considerably and, over our time, we have come to
development is testament to its effectiveness. care for our hosts as the unsophisticated creatures
they are. With our guidance they will prosper.
The Kroot digestive system is capable of breaking
down virtually any organic substance to a pure I have spoken with Shas’la Tau’n Droakan who
energy form which they retain in organs, called most often guards us on our travels. He tells me
nymunes, spread throughout the body. The stored that the Kroot are fearsome warriors and that now
energy can be used to maintain the Kroot during a they are being supplied with charged rounds for
lengthy hibernation period. The Kroot, as carrion their rifles, they will be a valuable addition to the
eaters, are quite content to wait out their prey, and Empire’s forces. We have both remarked on how
can initiate a state of hibernation at will during Pech has the vestigial traces of industry and
which their metabolism slows to a halt. manufacture, yet the Kroot lifestyle is wholly
primitive. We have no idea how they can on the one
The Kroot are a bizarre mixture of evolutionary
hand operate their huge warspheres but on the
quirks. Unable to urinate or defecate, they have
other live in tree hives bound together with
probably the most efficient digestive system I have
regurgitated dead wood. We have detected
ever examined. Virtually nothing they consume is
unusual energy emissions
wasted although some undigestable materials are
from some hills nearby
regurgitated, and chemicals synthesised from their
and will investigate
food are released as thick viscous sweat. I know it
shortly.
is unfitting for a Fio’ui seeking only to serve, but the
stench is unbearable to me. I am sure they realise
this, although they feign ignorance. Yesterday a
particularly foul smelling beast, named Omutu,
spent the whole light-time following me around
giving off a range of odours that amused the other
Kroot but left me nauseous. I am sure he found it
funny. I suppose I should be glad to discover that
there is such a thing as Kroot humour.
12

The Shas’la has remarked to me that he has noticed The Kroot hounds are undeniably descended from
a far greater variety of Kroot kindred on Pech than the same root as the Kroot themselves. We
he has seen serving with our armies. This is odd as surmise that they are the remains of a previous
many of the Kroot on Pech are clearly warriors and kindred’s selective mutations. Perhaps they sought
liable under the terms of the annexation to military to emulate a successful pack hunter but, whatever
service. Last kai’rotaa I saw a warsphere their intention, they became entirely locked into this
disembarking its warriors among which there were one form. Evolution for them now is no different to
many injured Kroot. I checked with Shas’ar’tol that of Erijabirds in the orchards of the
command and was told there had been no Aun’bork’an’retha. Their form is particularly vile
sanctioned combat involving Kroot recently. It is though; while I have learned to regard the Kroot
therefore my conclusion that many Kroot still with some affection, I despise the Kroot hounds.
pursue their old lifestyle as mercenaries outside the They are slavering brutes which will kill even when
control of the Tau Empire. We were aware that not they are well-fed. I once found myself alone in a
all Kroot were in agreement with annexation, so we glade when a Kroot hound happened by. It just
assumed that the dissidents had left Pech to pursue stared at me, alternately sniffing and growling, the
a nomadic lifestyle. Their activities do not disturb us more nervous I got the more it growled. I am sure
but their periodic return to Pech is at worse a it would have attacked me but Mataba, the Shaper
destabilising influence and at best a brake on the in charge of our escort, appeared out of the trees
progress we have planned for this species. and, without any apparent communication, the
Kroot hound slunk off.
As I mentioned, there are many species on Pech
which have emerged from the Kroot. We have The Krootox are different again. They wander the
identified three closely related species already. forest floor in large clans feeding off the moulds that
cover the lower trunks of the jagga trees. They are
The oldest stable form we have been able to find is
huge creatures and are as strong as any warrior in
a reclusive winged species about half the height of
a Crisis suit. They are short-tempered but
a normal Kroot. This variety of Kroothawk lives in
essentially harmless. Just as the Kroot hounds are
remote nests at the top of the tallest jagga trees
trapped in their feral form, the Krootox are trapped
and is independent of the Kroot proper. The Kroot
as grazing beasts. I suspect that they have a
we questioned tell us that the Kroothawks are
measure more intelligence, though, and have been
sacred to them and have always been the way
impressed by their loyalty to the Kroot. When a
they are. We have yet to
Krootox is domesticated, it becomes attached to its
secure a specimen for
masters to the extent that it will die to protect them.
examination and have
Droaken joked that they were as faithful to the
decided that it would
Kroot as we are to the Ethereal ones. I chided him
be indiscreet to
that there was more to our devotion than simple
simply shoot one.
reaction to exuded chemical odours. The very
thought! The Krootox are used as
beasts of burden and are the most
reliable of animals. When angered
they are said to be terrifying, but I
have yet to see them so. I have
noted that the Kroot are careful not
to mistreat them though.
There are many other species on Pech
closely related to the Kroot. Mataba has
warned me that some are outcast
among the Kroot and are killed if found.
I shudder to think the horror that Mataba
considers worthy of a warning. The
Shaper is a formidable creature and has
served well.
So, sister, if the thinkers back home
try to tell you that the Kroot are just
primitives who don’t deserve to share
our destiny, you tell them they are
wrong. It is wonderful that, because of
the Empire, we can study such
fascinating creatures and enlist their
support in our great purpose. The next
message boat will not be here for at least
two kai’rotaa but I will write again then.

Ulyr ra
 13

THE TAU MONT’KA - THE KILLING BLOW

Roughly translated, Mont’ka is the Killing Blow. It is the
ART OF WAR art of identifying a target of opportunity and attacking it
swiftly with a Hunter Cadre, often deployed from a Manta
Missile Destroyer. A Cadre pursuing the Mont’ka may
ORIGINS stand in readiness for several days awaiting the
The Fire caste are the specialist warrior caste of the Tau command to strike. During this time they will plan the
– they have always been sturdier and more aggressive exact movements they will perform when the call comes.
than the other castes and were successful plains hunters Often the decision to strike will come from a Shas’el or
in their early history. Tau battle tactics still derive from the Shas’o with a good view of the enemy or the input of a
discipline of the hunt and are based on effective well-sited Pathfinder team. It is firmly believed that the
coordination of the hunters and correct selection of the bond of trust between the Cadre which conducts the
position from which to make the kill and the weapon with Mont’ka and the Commander who orders it brings honour
which it is to be made. to both. The attack will be immediately called off if the
prey remains resilient or evasive.
ORGANISATION
Tau are organised in teams of warriors originating from KAUYON -
the same sept, often bound by a Ta’lissera. These teams THE PATIENT HUNTER
are grouped into Hunter Cadres under the leadership of In the Tau language the words for hunter and patience
a Commander and/or an Ethereal with the balance of are derived from the same root. This technique is the
teams selected for the particular hunt to be undertaken. oldest of the Tau techniques and has the most variations.
Essentially the technique relies on the interaction of the
TAU TACTICAL PHILOSOPHY hunter and the lure. In recent times auxiliary troops such
The two most common forms of Hunter Cadre are the as Kroot are used as the lure, although some septs still
Mont’ka and Kauyon. Each method is taught by the great regard the role as one that honours both hunter and prey
Fire caste academies on each Fire caste world and have and allow only bonded Fire warrior teams to undertake it.
their own adherents amongst the Shas’o and Shas’el
The lure’s role is to expose itself to the prey and draw it
masters. They are both based on hunting techniques.
into a position where it can be killed by the hunter. The
Broadly speaking, there are two approaches to hunting:
more subtle Commanders have been known to use the
the first involves bringing the prey to the hunter, the
absence of troops as a lure. Once the prey is in position,
second involves the hunter running the prey to ground;
the lure is free to escape or help the hunter as the
the former is Kauyon, the latter Mont’ka.
situation dictates. Hunters are frequently equipped with
Crisis, Stealth or Broadside armour with weapons
carefully selected for the particular prey.
Hunter Cadres average slightly more than fifty
Tau and, in practice, a typical Tau army for SIEGE
Warhammer 40,000 represents a single The Tau do not hold positions by choice. Defensively, the
Hunter Cadre. Earth caste construct bunkers and fortifications to
provide shelter from long-range or aerial bombardment.
Sometimes they construct a hidden bunker or Run’al to
allow close observation of the enemy. Neither are
intended for static defence.
14

The Fire caste are entirely committed to mobile warfare fire who must identify and kill enemy firebases before the
in which targets are identified, tracked and killed in an assault force suffers serious harm. The Kroot are
efficient and cautious manner. The Tau regard close frequently used as stormers because their natural
combat as primitive and always plan their attacks around fieldcraft skills allow them to make the best use of natural
the application of firepower. cover as they advance. There is a Mont’ka variant where
precisely planned strikes are launched (often by Crisis
Tau cities are not fortified except under the direst
teams) against a careful selection of targets which, when
circumstances and, wherever possible, they attempt to
destroyed, compromise the entire defensive position.
either draw enemy attacks away from them or slow the
This technique is the hallmark of a master strategist and
enemy advance while an evacuation is performed. Once
will rarely be sanctioned otherwise.
a city is evacuated, the Tau will defend it just as they
would a region of rocky ravines, and many variants of
Kauyon are solely concerned with exploiting the peculiar BATTLE
layout of a city. As the Tau empire expands, the need to fight large scale
engagements has caused the purist Fire caste approach
On the rare occasions when the Tau are absolutely to be questioned and, at the suggestion of the Ethereal
compelled to defend a vital resource, they still apply their caste, large numbers of auxiliaries have been
traditional techniques. In this case, the Mont’ka is applied incorporated into the Tau military, the most common
as lightning fast forays out of the defences, each aimed being the mercenary Kroot. The auxiliaries are used to
at killing the enemy that pose the greatest threat. The maintain a battle line around which the highly mobile Tau
Kauyon is represented by a feigned retreat from the Hunter Cadres operate. This change has allowed the Tau
perimeter to draw the attacker into a well-prepared kill to fight wars on a large scale where previously they
zone. would have been limited to raids.
On the offensive, Tau prefer not to attack cities by storm. Tau battle plans are very complex as each Hunter Cadre
Instead, they watch the main approaches and use the is assigned specific targets, locations and times. Teams
city as a lure to draw relief forces into ambushes. The are briefed at length beforehand and simulations are
Tau are good night fighters and when darkness falls they widely employed. The Tau may start a battle with
move into range of the defences and systematically elaborate flowing attacks, each launched with perfect
destroy them. planning, but sooner or later their prepared scenarios
When they absolutely must storm defences, cease to apply and they lose momentum. When this
the attack will be led by auxiliary troops occurs they will disengage and plan anew.
such as the Kroot in a variation of It is important to note that the Tau regard territorial gain
Kauyon. The assault troops are not as militarily irrelevant compared to the destruction of
used as pawns – the Tau way of enemy forces. Ground is for position from which to make
war does not recognise the the kill; once the kill is made the ground is for the taking.
concept of expendable troops. A Tau army will gladly retreat from a strong enemy attack
Instead their safety is to preserve Tau lives while it awaits its opportunity to
entrusted to the troops strike back decisively.
providing the covering
Tau attribute no dishonour to prudent retreat and see last
stands as a lack of imagination or the last refuge of an
incompetent commander. Unlike the Imperium of Man,
the Tau empire cannot draw on limitless manpower, so
the strategy of attrition is unknown to them.
The Fire caste is capable of battle rage and there have
been occasions where the death of an especially
beloved Ethereal has enraged an army beyond
endurance. This does not result in them rushing
into hand-to-hand combat. Instead they advance
steadily while pouring an unceasing volume
of fire into the enemy. Such an
attack will only be halted by the
expenditure of all ammunition.
GRAND TACTICAL
EQUIPMENT
Manta Missile Destroyers
The Manta Missile Destroyer is the nearest Tau equivalent
of Human Titans or Ork Gargants. It is a dropship, several
times larger than a Thunderhawk gunship, which is
capable of operating as either a skimmer or a flyer on the
battlefield. In space it is a match for whole squadrons of
Imperial fighters and is on the borderline between being an
attack craft and a full starship. It is equipped with an ether
drive, but is not nearly as fast as a true starship over
interstellar distances. Each Manta carries a full Hunter
Cadre of between fifty and one hundred Tau. All the troops
carried will either be mounted in gravitic vehicles or
equipped with jet packs, and can all deploy from the Manta
Missile Destroyer at altitude.
The Manta Missile Destroyer is well shielded and is armed
with heavy railguns. The guns fire a heavy shell that uses
fins for additional lift to give it remarkable range in
atmosphere. Each shell is fitted with a Tau drone
processor, which is programmed to direct the shell to its
target. The drone is equipped with a manoeuvring thruster
for this purpose. As the Manta nears its target, batteries of
close-ranged ion cannons take over. It serves as a drop
ship and heavy fire support for the Tau forces. Its
distinctive silhouette is rightly feared by the Tau empire’s
enemies.

Barracuda
Superiority Fighters
The Barracuda is the most common Tau atmospheric flyer,
although different Air caste septs tend to operate slightly
different versions. The Barracuda is faster than the
Imperial Marauder bomber, but slightly slower than the
Thunderbolt fighter. Its electronic systems are very
advanced, though, and it tends to achieve target locks
quicker than the Thunderbolt. Barracudas carry
wing-mounted, drone-controlled burst cannon and
a pilot-aimed ion cannon. In case of damage, the pilot’s
cockpit is ejected intact and has limited gravitic mobility to
return the pilot to safety. All pilots are of the Air caste and
have superior three-dimensional situational awareness to
Human pilots and marginally higher acceleration
tolerance. This makes them naturally more gifted pilots,
but the experience of the best Imperial pilots gives them a
hard edge which the Air caste struggles to match.
 COLLECTING
COLLECTIANGTAU
A TAARMY
U ARMY
Part of the attraction of collecting a Tau force is watching as it grows from a small
cadre to a much larger army. From this force you can then expand your army to one
capable of succeeding in any mission the Ethereals assign to it.

Where To games, although they’ll be small

ones at first. From here you can
Begin? expand your army to play more
varied scenarios and include some
The Tau army has a large and diverse more specialised units. Each game
selection of troops at its disposal, you play will teach you more about
from Fire warriors, Kroot Carnivores how each unit works and what its
and infiltrating Stealth armour teams particular strengths are.
to battlesuits capable of mounting
potent heavy weaponry. Choosing The different elements of a Tau army
which of these to take into battle can need to work together to be
be a tough choice, as you’ll no doubt successful, and as your army
want to pick all of them. However, the expands, you’ll soon learn what
best thing to do first of all is to pick a works best for your style of play.
‘core’ force and then expand from Soon you’ll have your full army and
there. That way you can quickly get be ready to lead the glorious Tau
your models on the table and be empire to victory after victory in the
ready to play some games. name of the Greater Good. A member of the Tau Ethereal Caste

When you start collecting any force it is

a good idea to keep in mind the Force
Organisation charts printed in the
Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. These
charts dictate which unit types are HQ TROOPS

available and how many of them you

can field in battle. The best chart to look
at first is the one for Standard Missions
as this allows you to field a tactically
flexible force which can quickly and
easily be expanded at a later date.

As you can see from the chart below,

a force chosen from the Standard
Missions Force Organisation chart
must have a minimum of at least one
HQ unit and two Troops units, so it’s
a good idea to start collecting that
first. Once you have this core force of
one HQ unit and two units of Troops
painted, you’ll be ready to play some

STANDARD MISSIONS
COMPULSORY OPTIONAL
1 HQ 1 HQ
2 Troops 4 Troops
3 Elites
3 Fast Attack
3 Heavy
HQ ELITES
Support

TROOPS TROOPS FAST ATTACK HEAVY

SUPPORT

A core Tau army force made up of two teams of Fire

warriors (Troops) and a Fire warrior commander (HQ). TROOPS

16
 TAUTAU
HUNTHUNTER
ER CADRE CADRE
On these pages you can see the different elements that make up a Tau army. Each part
of the army has differing strengths and abilities, and a good commander recognises
that every team has a specific role to play in battle, employing them where they will
be most effective.

Ethereal caste member Tau Commander & Crisis battlesuits

The mysterious Ethereal caste are the rulers of the Tau and their presence inspires the Fire warriors to heroic acts of valour. Tau forces are most often
led by a Fire warrior Commander who will frequently be accompanied by a bodyguard of Fire warriors clad in XV8 Crisis battlesuits. Together with the
commander, these warriors form an HQ unit on the battlefield and are capable of mounting an array of deadly weaponry that can meet almost any
threat and neutralise it. Crisis battlesuits may also be fielded as Elite units, able to act independently on the battlefield.

Fire warriors are the

basic Troop type of the
Tau forces, and you must
include at least one unit
in your army. Though
they are neither
especially tough or
strong, their pulse rifles
and carbines are ideal
defensive weapons,
capable of laying down a
withering salvo of fire
that can pin the enemy in
place for heavier units to
engage. Fire warrior
teams can also be
mounted in a Devilfish
Fire warriors Troop Carrier to speed
their deployment.

The mercenary Kroot can

be fielded as a Troop
choice in a Tau army and
provide it with some
fearsome close combat
warriors. They fight with
long rifles, equipped with
lethal close combat
blades, though some
Kroot can carry more hi-
tech weaponry. Vicious
Kroot Hounds run
alongside their handlers,
ready to pursue a
defeated foe and the
lumbering Krootox carries
the powerful Kroot gun
with which to give the
Carnivore squads some
heavy fire support.

Kroot Carnivores with Kroot Hounds & Krootox

17
 Pathfinders are the forward
scouts of a Tau force and are
able to work themselves into
prime spotting positions where
they can use their Markerlights
to enable those carrying
heavier weapons to shoot with
pinpoint accuracy. Pathfinders
are always mounted in a
Devilfish Troop Carrier and this
enables them to rapidly
Pathfinders with Devilfish Troop Carrier redeploy should their position
be compromised.

Broadside battlesuits Tau gun drones

The largest battlesuits in the Tau army, Broadsides fill a Heavy Support slot on Gun drones may be networked together to form separate units on the
the Force Organisation Chart. They are best employed in commanding battlefield and taken as a Fast Attack choice. They are ideal for
positions where their devastating heavy weaponry can engage the greatest supporting other units and sneaking around the flanks of the enemy,
number of targets. Nothing is safe from the Broadsides’ weapons, from the using their twin-linked pulse carbines to pin enemy units in place.
heaviest tank to well dug-in infantry and, if equipped with a missile system,
they can even engage targets they cannot see.

Hammerhead gunship Stealth battlesuits

The Hammerhead is a fearsome tank, easily the equal of any Imperial Powerful holographic disruption fields allow Stealth teams to sneak
vehicle, and its rail gun makes light of even the thickest armour. forward unobserved into advantageous firing positions before battle
Hammerheads substitute transport capacity in order to carry an array of commences. They are hard to detect and their burst cannons are the
deadly weapons and are ideal for destroying enemy vehicles. perfect weapons for ambushing lightly armoured troops and attacking
the flanks of vehicles.

18
 EXPANDING
EPA NDING THE FOTHE
RCE FORCE
Once you have your two Troop choices and one HQ choice you’ll want to begin
expanding your army. A convenient way of doing this is to choose a selection from
each of the other categories in the Force Organisation chart.

the army grows

Having painted your core force and played a few Pathfinders’ Markerlights. Or you may decide you prefer
games, you’ll be wanting to expand your army and fight the sight of armoured vehicles and take Devilfish Troop
some bigger battles. There are a lot of troop types to Carriers or a Hammerhead gunship.
choose from in the Tau list and all have their particular
strengths. In this section, we’ll give you some guidance The Tau are equipped with some of the most effective
about the best way to enlarge your Tau army. weaponry in the galaxy and they work best by keeping
the enemy at arm’s length. Even a basic Fire warrior’s
Many gamers like to make sure their force expands in a weapon delivers a powerful hit, and the larger guns can
balanced way by selecting a choice from each of the tear even the most heavily armoured foe apart. The Tau
categories on the Force Organisation chart, Elites, Fast consider close combat a brutish affair best left to those
Attack and Heavy Support. This way your army grows with a genuine skill for it, and should things threaten to
quickly and you retain a flexible force capable of holding get up close and personal, the Tau can call upon the
its own against whatever mission or army you find Kroot, their mercenary allies. These aliens are fearsome
yourself facing. fighters and excel in the fury of close combat.
You might decide to take a team of Stealth battlesuits, The way you prefer to fight your battles will play a large
some Pathfinders and a team of Broadside battlesuits. part in your selections, and after a few games, you’ll soon
This gives you a hard-hitting force capable of springing a discover what works best for you. Whatever style of play
surprise attack from hiding and a selection of heavy you favour, the Tau army can be configured to fight in that
weapons whose accuracy can be enhanced by the manner so it’s completely up to you how you use it.

HEAVY
SUPPORT ELITES

TROOPS

HQ

TROOPS

The original core force has been expanded to include a Crisis Battlesuit team (Elite), FAST ATTACK
a Hammerhead gunship (Heavy Support), and a Pathfinder team (Fast Attack).

19
 TAU TACTICS
TAU TACTICS
Once you have your army, you’ll want to fight and win with it. Learning how to use
your army well is part of the pleasure of playing Warhammer 40,000 and to help you
further the expansion of the Tau empire, we’ll impart the wisdom of previous Fire
caste Commanders.

Kauyon (Patient Hunter): The Tau army is at its best when engaging the enemy at long range. Tau tactics are
therefore focused on getting the enemy in clear view so that the Tau shooting can be decisive. The Kauyon method
does this by using a lure to tempt the enemy forward. In this photo a Tau army has set up to perform a Kauyon using
the Stealth team as the lure.
The Broadside team are in covering
The Hammerhead Gunship, positions and are armed with smart missile
Commander and Crisis team wait systems so they can provide supporting fire
for the enemy to be drawn into while out of sight of the enemy.
attacking the Stealth team. Fire warriors form a line which can be
reinforced by the reserve if required.
The Devilfish is placed for quick
embarkation if needed.

ATTACKING
ENEMY
It is important to maintain a strong defence
elsewhere to ensure that the lure looks appealing.
Here, the Kroot Carnivore squad will move into
the wood to defend the flanks.

Mont’ka (Killing Blow): It is not always necessary to wait for the enemy to rush into your gunsights to apply
firepower. Mont’ka is about swiftly deploying your firepower so that a portion of the enemy army is quickly
overwhelmed. This photo shows a Tau army set up to execute the Mont’ka with their mobile troops while using the
Kroot squad and Broadside team to support them when they act.

The Broadsides are deployed The hill is being used by the

amongst the Kroot. When the Commander, Crisis team and
Mont’ka is executed, the Hammerhead to provide them with The Fire warriors will
Broadsides will move forward cover from the enemy until they strike. manoeuvre to put the
to engage the enemy. enemy in doubt about the
overall plan.

The Kroot are deployed so that they can

move into the cover of the wood. They
support the Tau and prevent the flank
being turned.

20
 TTAU
AU COCONSTRUCTION
NSTRUCTION TIPSTIPS
The bulk of your army will be made up of plastic kits and you can achieve a wide
variety of poses from the different arm, weapon and wargear configurations available.
On this page we’ll give you some tips on getting the most from your models.

fire warrior construction tips

Glue the aerial

in place first

Shoulder pad
right way up

Glue the legs to the base then stick the torso Fire warriors’ arms are paired up on the frame, You can also assemble the models carrying
on. Glue the backpack on and stick the aerial to so when you cut one from the frame, cut the specialised equipment. The frame allows you
the helmet, since it’s less awkward to get it in opposite arm off as well. Glue the arms on and to fit a variant arm carrying either a grenade
place at this stage. A handy tip is to use Blu-tac fit the shoulder guard to the left arm with the or sensor equipment. If you use either of
to make sure you’re happy with the positioning sept symbol to the top. With the gun in position these arms, use one of the weaponless arms
of your models before you glue them. you can now glue the head on. to carry a gun.

kroot construction tips

Glue the torso and legs together and fix them The frame allows you to attach various To provide variety to your Kroot squads, you
to the base, then stick the model’s arms to accessories to the model such as knives, can use the heads bearing jewellery
the torso. Remember to position the arms in pistols, hooks, etc, so leave areas free for incorporated into the quills, and the knife arm.
such a way that allows you to fix chest them. Slings can be attached to the weapons This enables you to add fearsome accessories
accessories later. and shoulder guards to the arms. such as the rack of ribs and bone cape.

battlesuit construction tips

Multi tracker or
Drone controller

Forward mounted Rear mounted

missile pod missile pod Target lock

Glue the body together and decide whether the Fit the weapons into the grooves on the arms You can equip Tau battlesuits with various
model is standing or flying. If you want the before gluing them to the model. The weapons items of wargear, and these are best positioned
model on the ground, glue the feet flat on a can be mounted on either the arms or on the shoulder mounts, although the shield
40mm base (You can use Blu tac to ensure the shoulders. The missile pod looks great on the generator looks great on the arm. Once you’ve
feet fit the angle of the legs before you glue shoulder mount and you can alter the dynamic attached any shoulder mounted weapons or
them). If the model is using his jetpack, use a of the model by changing the angle of the wargear you can glue the model’s head to the
flying base and angle the feet downwards. missile pod as shown above. body, remembering to stick the aerial on first.

21
 PAINTING
PAINTIFIRE WARRIORS
NG FIR E WARRIORS
This section guides you through the various stages we used to paint our Tau army.
We’ll show you how you can paint your Fire warriors, using a number of simple
techniques that will enable you to assemble a painted, battle ready force. Remember
that there’s no right or wrong way to paint, pick whichever method works best for you.

1. 2. 3.

First of all we undercoated this Fire warrior With the base colours painted we then used To finish off the Fire warrior, we used a final
using a spray can of Chaos Black then painted Vomit Brown as the main colour for the armour highlight of Bleached Bone along the edges of
his armour and weapon with Vermin Brown. The and Scorched Brown for the cloth of the the armour panels and painted the Tau symbol
cloth of the undersuit was painted in a 50/50 mix undersuit. Using contrasting colours is a good on his shoulder guard. This model is also
of Scorched Brown and Chaos Black. way to make both colours really stand out. equipped with a Ta’lissera bonding knife, fixed
to his back.

PAINTING TECHNIQUES
Drybrushing is a technique you can use to highlight your models, Ink washes are used to quickly shade your models. Using a slightly
especially textured and metal parts. While it’s a quicker method of darker colour ink than the model’s base coat, brush a light wash of
highlighting, the quality of finish isn’t as good as the techniques ink over the model and allow it to seep into the recesses. This will
described above. Dip the brush in the colour you want to highlight give the model a rich, shading effect and once this ink wash is dry
with and then wipe away most of the paint from the bristles with a you can drybrush the raised areas of the model to apply the
tissue. Then lightly draw the brush over the model, catching the highlights. Be careful not to use too much ink as they can take quite
raised areas with the highlighting colour. a while to dry.

BASES
ethereals & tau flesh
Apply PVA glue to the model’s base and
sprinkle on some sand. Paint it Bestial When Dave Thomas painted this Tau
Brown and drybrush with Bleached Bone. Ethereal, he painted the flesh of the model
Paint the edges of the base with Goblin using a base colour of Shadow Grey. He
Green and when everything is dry, dab a then used a 50/50 mix of Elf Flesh and
few dots of PVA onto the base and sprinkle Shadow Grey for the main colour. The final
on some flock or static grass to add the highlights on the skin were added by using
finishing touch. Ghostly Grey. It’s worth spending a little
extra time to think of how you want
Dave Thomas
Ethereals to look before you start painting
as these are the most revered individuals in Tau society and
should look suitably regal and important. A nicely painted
model will really stand out on the table top, and the
Ethereals also give you an opportunity to paint Tau skin.

22
 PAPAINTING
INTING BABATTLESUITS
TTLESUITS
The elite units of a Tau army are its battlesuits, and they form an impressive
centrepiece to your army. As such, they will really benefit from the best paint job you
can give them and here we show you how you can achieve impressive results painting
your models with some basic techniques.

1. 2.

After spraying the models with Chaos Black the armour’s base colour was The armour was then painted with Vomit Brown and the helmet with a
painted with Vermin Brown. The helmet’s colour was achieved with a 75/25 mix of Skull White and Vomit Brown. The rest of the model was
50/50 mix of Vermin Brown and Vomit Brown. painted with a 50/50 mix of Codex Grey and Chaos Black, leaving the
recesses black. To add a little variety to the model, you can paint the odd
panel in a 50/50 mix of Scab Red and Scorched Brown.

3. 4.

Highlights were added to the armour with Bronzed Flesh and to the helmet All that remains is to add the final details to the model. The upper edges
with Skull White. The darker areas such as the exhaust outlets and lower of the armour and helmet were given a final highlight of Bleached Bone.
legs were given a final highlight of Codex Grey. The panels painted in red The optic on the helmet was painted with Red Gore and lightened with
had a little Bleached Bone added to the mix to lighten the edges. Blood Red and Blazing Orange, with a final highlight added by painting
on a dot of Skull White. The sept marking was applied with a transfer, as
was the Ta’lissera dagger symbol on the chest plate and team markings
were then added to the weapons. With the detailing done, we then
based the model using the same techniques mentioned before.

23
 Tau Stealth battlesuit

This Stealth warrior was painted in darker tones

as befits the nature of his battlefield role. We
painted the undersuit Scorched Brown and
highlighted it by adding some Bleached Bone.
The dark red armour plates were painted with a
50/50 mix of Scab Red and Scorched Brown
then highlighted by adding Bleached Bone to
the mix. The cannon and shoulder guards were
painted with a 50/50 mix of Chaos Black and
Codex Grey then highlighted with Codex Grey
along the edges. If you have a steady hand, a
further highlight can be added by painting a very
thin line of Fortress Grey along the edges. This
same technique was used on the black areas of
Tau Broadside battlesuit
the adjacent Broadside battlesuit’s weapons.

Tau battlesuits

24
 PPAINTING
AINTING TATAU VEHICLES
U VEH ICLES
Tau vehicles can be painted very quickly, no matter how complex they might look at
first. In this section we’ll show you how to paint your vehicles with techniques you can
apply to both the Hammerhead Gunship and the Devilfish Troop Carrier.

After undercoating the vehicles with

Chaos Black, they were painted in
several thinned down coats of Vomit
Brown to provide even coverage over
the model. To give them a clean,
precise feel, thin strips of Vermin
Brown were painted into the panel
lines. To break up the uniformly
coloured areas, some panels were
painted in a 50/50 mix of Scab Red
and Scorched Brown. Dark areas such
as the weapon mount and exhausts
were highlighted using the same
method as described for the Stealth
warriors. Highlights to the hull were
applied using Bleached Bone.

Stippling
The ’Eavy Metal
team used a
technique known
as ‘stippling’ to
achieve the desert
camouflage look
of the vehicles. To
do this, use a
brush that’s near
the end of its life
and put some Vermin Brown on it.
Wipe most of the paint from the
bristles, making sure there’s hardly
any paint left on the brush, and then
Hammerhead Gunship with railgun dab it lightly over the flat surfaces of
the vehicle in small, circular motions.

It’s a good idea to paint

the Tau crewman
separately from the tank,
to ensure that you can get
to all the hard to reach
areas before you glue him
in place.
Devilfish Troop Carrier

Here, the exhaust fairings

have been painted to look Remember to remove the
weathered by using the vehicle’s gun drones and
‘stippling’ technique with paint them separately,
Scorched Brown. A further otherwise you’ll expose a
layer of stippling was then large unpainted area of
applied with some Chaos your model if you decide
Black added to the mix to to detach them during a
darken the colouring. game!

25
 TAU MARKINGS
TAU MARKINGS
The sept a Tau comes from is an important part of who he is. It forms part of his name
and carries a number of subtle meanings. It is therefore important that each warrior
bears the symbol of the sept he hails from. On this page, we’ll show you how you can
easily apply these markings to your Fire warriors, battlesuits and vehicles.

transfers
Transfers are a simple way
to apply sept markings to
your models. Cut the sept
marking you want from the
transfer sheet and dip it in
a saucer of water for about
thirty seconds. Then, using
a pair of tweezers and a
brush, slide the design We painted the Tau leaders’
from the backing paper helmets a different colour to
onto the model. distinguish them from their
SHEET
team. We gave Shas’ui and
Shas’vre team leaders pale
NSFER
TAU TRA

helmets and Commanders

red helmets, though you can
invent your own colour
p45-st
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schemes.
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Battlesuits bear sept markings on shield plates on their back and have a number of different markings on their
435 h5-3v

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armour. Team markings can be painted on the armour or weapons and it doesn’t matter which so long as you stay
consistent within the team. Teams that have been bonded by a Ta’lissera ritual will bear the dagger symbol on the
n
Ta’mye
320 21 h Tau
sera
’va Lis yon Vior’l
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321 3 22
Ko’vas Kau Shi
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left chest plate of their armour and battlesuits often have warning symbols around the edges of their jet packs
Shi Shi
Or’es Y’eldi
322 3435
Tau Transfer
435 20 Sheet
Cho Aun s Mon
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exhausts. Individual team members frequently bear their own markings across their helmet aerials also.
Y’eldi 001
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Number:
ponent
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Vehicles have warnings symbols around potentially

dangerous areas such as engine exhausts, intake
ports and weapon mounts.

It is common for the Fire warrior tank commander to

have his own name around the turret ring and his
personal marking on the vehicle side.

Each vehicle’s number is shown on its frontal section

and sides, with the side numbers smaller than the
frontal ones.

Tau vehicles display the sept the crew are from on the
side doors and rear crew ramp.

Tau vehicles often sport army badges and Tau

slogans that exhort the troops in the name of the
Greater Good!

fire warriors
Fire warriors always bear
the symbol of the Tau home
world on the shoulder guard
of their left arm. We’ve also
chosen to paint team
markings around the barrel
of their rifles and on the
edge of their helmets, but
you can paint these
anywhere you like.

Tau team leader

26
 TATAU
U COCOLOUR
LOUR SCHESCHEMES
MES
Tau armies have many varying colour schemes, and on this page you can see some
of the different ones the ’Eavy Metal team came up with. You can use these as they are
for your own army or as inspiration for inventing your own colour scheme.
Each Tau sept has different colour scheme and, while this is recognised as that particular sept’s colours, an army from that
sept does not always have to be fielded in these colours. You can invent your own colour scheme for your army or find
inspiration in lots of different places, from movies, history books or even other Codexes.

Skull White Vomit Brown

Chaos Black Regal Blue

Camo Green Chaos Black

Dark Angels Green Shadow Grey

Bleached Bone Regal Blue

Snakebite Leather Scorched Brown

Scorched Brown Red Gore

Bleached Bone
Hawk Turquoise
Skull White Scorched Brown
Scorched Brown Chaos Black
Bleached Bone Bubonic Brown

27
 TAU TERRAIN
TAU TERRAIN
There’s nothing quite as impressive as a fully modelled battlefield to play your games
of Warhammer 40,000 over and, while most terrain is suitable for any army, a themed
battlefield is much more visually exciting. Adding terrain to match your army is a good
way of making your battles much more involving.

The famous Ethereal, Aun’shi, led the heroic defence of the Tau
outpost of Fio’vash when it came under attack from hordes of Orks.

During the Nimbosa Annexation, Tau forces were able to throw the
33rd Cadians into disarray by springing carefully prepared ambushes
then falling back to landing platforms for their Devilfish Troop Carriers.

Examples of materials that Mark Studio Model Maker, Mark Jones,

used for terrain in its raw state constructed both these Tau terrain pieces
(plant pots, etc) using a number of different materials.
Upturned flowerpots served as a base for
the building and landing platform, then
Mark used a mixture of specially cast
Mark Jones resins, plasticard and spare drones from
the Fire warrior plastic kits to build up the details. The Tau
symbol is a recurring motif as is the use of domed shapes.
Most of the materials used by Mark can be found at hobby
shops, garden centres or by raiding your bits box.

28
 PAINTPAINTING
ING KROOT KROOT
The Kroot give you the opportunity to achieve a very different look to part of your
army. Although the Kroot are unlike the Tau, you can use exactly the same techniques
to achieve impressive results and on this page we’ll show you how.

1. 2. 3.

The Kroot were sprayed with Chaos Black then Some Rotting Flesh was added to the mix to Final highlights were added by using Rotting
we used a 50/50 mix of Scorched Brown and paint on the Kroot’s main skin colour. To add Flesh for the skin and Bleached Bone for the
Camo Green to paint on the base coat. The highlights to the leather we painted on some quills. The leather was finished with a mix of
quills on the Kroot’s head were painted with Vermin Brown and for the rifle stock used Vermin Brown and Bleached Bone. To finish
Leprous Brown and the leather and rifle stock Bestial Brown. To highlight the rifle we used the stock, we used a 50/50 mix of Scorched
were painted with Dark Flesh. For the metallic Mithril Silver. Brown and Bleached Bone.
parts of the rifle we used Boltgun Metal.

drybrushing painting krootox

kroot & kroot hounds
The Kroot are an element of your army For the Krootox, Tammy Haye painted the skin with a mix of Chaos Black,
that really suit drybrushing. Skin tones and Scorched Brown and Goblin Green. Then, each highlight was built up with
flesh can be quickly highlighted as the progressively more Rotting Flesh added to the mix. The eyes were painted in
raised areas of muscle on the Kroot Bleached Bone and highlighted with Skull White. Coloured excretions on the
models are ideal for catching the paint as Krootoxs skin were added with a Red Gore/Dark Flesh mix and a wash of Red Ink.
you apply the drybrushing. A thinned down mix of Green, Black and Brown ink was used as a final glaze over
the Krootox skin to blend the colours smoothly together. As these creatures are
evolutionary cousins to the Kroot, the techniques you’ll use to paint them aren’t
Tammy Haye
much different. We painted these models using the same techniques, but used
differing skin tones to further differentiate the various creatures. The heavier Krootox was painted
a darker shade, while the Kroot Hounds were painted a lighter shade, using the same colours and
techniques as the Kroot themselves.

29
 KROOT
KRCOLOUR
OOT COLOUSCHEMES
R SCHEMES
The Kroot can be almost any colour imaginable, from earthy tones to vivid and
striking colours that really stand out. There’s no limit to the colours you can choose
for Kroot and on this page you can see some of the colour variations we tried.

The unique Kroot digestive system allows them to alter their skin pigmentation radically in response to absorbed DNA and
thus Kroot from different kindreds are often identifiable by the colour of their skin and quills. Kroot also frequently mark
themselves by secreting an oily sweat that colours the desired areas of their skin and these are another way of recognising
Kroot from different kindreds. This allows you to paint your Kroot in all manner of different colour schemes.

Dwarf Flesh Jade Green Regal Blue

Blazing Orange
Chaos Black Blood Red Bleached Bone
Bleached Bone

Skull White Red Gore Space Wolves Grey Golden Yellow

Sunburst Yellow Bleached Bone Chaos Black Chaos Black

Skull White

Codex Grey

Scorched Brown

Blazing Orange
Bestial Brown
Chaos Black
Skull White
Beaten Copper
Ultramarine Blue

30
 SHOWCASSHOWCASE
E
On this page you can see some of the best examples of Tau and Kroot models painted
by the ’Eavy Metal team. Well painted models make an impressive addition to any army
and hopefully these will inspire you in your own painting.

Legendary Kroot Shaper, Anghkor Prok

by Tammy Haye Stealth battlesuit by Martin Footitt Tau Fire warrior by Keith Robertson

Kroot Shaper by Martin Footitt Devilfish and Pathfinders by Keith Robertson

Renegade Fire caste commander O’Shovah The famous Tau Ethereal, Aun’shi,
by Kirsten Williams by Tammy Haye

31
L aeresh carefully scanned the moonlit trees before Laeresh tried to work her hand down to her holster as
the Ranger squad, the muzzle of her long rifle the horrifying sound of the Kroot feasting on her
following the movement of her eyes. Her every sense friends reached her. Bones snapped as the Kroot tore
was attuned to the rhythm of the forest, alert for their victims apart, devouring the still-warm organs
something out of place, something alien. Nothing within. Her hand closed on the smooth grip of her
disturbed the quiet save the ordinary sounds of animal pistol. She drew and fired in one motion, almost
life she had come to expect. Had any of their enemies beheading one of the bloodstained Kroot. A backhanded
been nearby, the native creatures would have fled, or blow knocked the pistol flying and a rifle butt slammed
given some other warning of their presence. Satisfied, into her face, blood filling her mouth. Dazed, she felt
she lowered the rifle and lifted her right fist, the fingers herself being dragged out from beneath the dead Kroot,
spread, the sign that all was well. Laeresh returned the hearing the clicking, whistling language of her captors.
rifle to her shoulder, soundlessly rising from the crouch Her limbs were seized in vice-like grips, holding her
and crept forwards, each step carefully placed as she immobile. She screamed as she felt the Kroot fasten
advanced through the trees. their jaws on her leg and begin feeding.
The five Eldar Rangers moved like ghosts as they She was still alive as the Kroot broke her ribcage open.
worked their way forwards, Cameleoline cloaks shifting The Kroot leader devouring her heart was the last thing
in hue until the Eldar scouts were all but invisible. Laeresh ever saw.
Laeresh stalked silently towards a wide-trunked
vinetree.
Then all hell broke loose.
Laeresh spun as a Kroot dropped from the trees
behind her. The powerful alien reared over her, shaking
the quills on the back of its head and hissing a
challenge. She twisted, bringing her rifle
to bear, but the enormous Kroot swung
the blade attached to his primitive firearm up
and hacked through the barrel as she pressed the
firing stud. The rifle’s charging chamber exploded in a
searing white fireball and Laeresh fell, burnt and half-
blinded. Most of the Kroot’s head had been blasted
away and it toppled forwards, pinning her against the
tree. Dancing motes of light, afterimages seared onto
her retina, burst before her and she blinked furiously,
simultaneously trying to clear her vision and push the
dead Kroot away.
The night echoed with screams as more Kroot burst
from hiding and leapt upon the Eldar scouts. Laeresh
saw her cousin Culiern defend himself from two Kroot
and screamed his name as a third drove a blade through
his back, the tip bursting from his chest in a spray of
blood. She watched Finugal and Duatha drop their long
rifles and draw their shuriken pistols as Medhar was
bludgeoned to death. Now it was the Kroot’s turn to die
as the air was filled with deadly, razor-edged projectiles,
slicing through their alien flesh with ease. For a
moment Laeresh dared hope they might live through
this until Duatha’s head was ripped from her shoulders
by the powerful hands of a Kroot warrior. Finugal spun
to face the leader of the Kroot and fired his pistol at
point blank range, the monomolecular discs tearing
through its side. The alien took no notice and Finugal
was lifted high into the air as the Kroot slammed the
bladed butt of his rifle into his belly. Laeresh wept as
Finugal was held suspended, screaming as blood
fountained from his body. The Kroot wrapped a hand
around his victim’s neck and wrenched the blade from
the body. He pulled the dying Eldar close and tore a
bloody chunk of flesh from his neck with his powerful,
beaked jaws.
 Commit to: Imperial Record
EST 02/8301Inquisitoria 8953/3932 Capt Dalmuertus’ testimony
Crossfile To: Aliens
Eastern Fringe ++++begin vox record++++++
Mercenaries
“Well, see I have contacts with the Tau, and for xenos they treat you well enough. I’ve got to know
Tau
this water caste merchant called Por’ui [++ Dialogus note Lit: Water/envoy, a Tau rank equivalent
Input Date: 6284996M41 ++], who’s big on drinking and gossip, and whenever I visit Tau’n we get together to trade and talk.
Input Clearance: Inquisitor Artelles I talked to him about the rumours of Tau mercenaries one time and he shut right up, wouldn’t say a
Author: Agent Ossneous thing about it. Another time, months later, he was deep in his cups and he brought it up himself – I
Transmitted: Vangor IX reckon he was feeling guilty for not saying anything first time. Well, he said as how it was a bad
Transmitter: Astropath Primus Tien’Szar business, to hear of Tau fighting for pay and not the greater good, which is what they often call their
Thought For The Day: empire, and that the Aun [++ Dialogus note: Ethereal Caste ++] should do something about it. He
Pure in body, Pure in heart. looked guilty for saying that too, but the spirit was in him, if you take my meaning, and he carried on
and told me about Commander Farsight. Seems that Farsight was a big hero to the Tau, fought off two
Honoured sir, As requested I have big Ork invasions and helped fight against the Imperial crusade two centuries back. When the crusade
investigated the rumours of a breakaway was over, Farsight took an expedition out to the edge of the empire to recolonise some lost outposts,
section of the Tau Empire, and the one of them at what he called an ‘artefact world’ at the edge of Damocles gulf. Something happened
operations of Tau mercenary forces in the when the expedition was there, apparently a message-boat came back saying there was fighting but it
seemed confused about who the enemy was. Worse still, the Aun with the expedition had been killed,
Horst sector and Damocles gulf. As you
but there was no word of by what. After that Farsight had apparently gone on to fight off another
postulated, these two stories have the Ork invasion threatening the empire but he never came back, and there was no more word of what had
same root, revolving around an influential become of the expedition. Por’ui said the rumours must mean that Farsight’s people had set up
Fire Caste commander called O’shovah, or colonies out in the gulf, in an area the Aun normally forbade the Tau ships to enter. He reckoned
Commander Farsight, who appears to have that without the guidance of the Aun they were in danger of regressing to barbarism, ‘The terror’ he
split off from the mainstream Tau culture. called it, like before the Aun came, when each caste was set against the others and would fight to
As you will be aware, the Tau Empire has to dominate each other instead of simply working together for the greater good. I said that in a set-up
like that I couldn’t see as how it could be anything other than Fire caste in charge, and he said if
date been thought exceedingly cohesive
Farsight had wanted it that way he would have made it like that. Well, Por’ui seemed really upset at
with no dissident elements and, as such, the idea of the Fire warriors running the show, and kept saying as how they’d want nothing but war
this evidence is particularly intriguing as all the time. Now I’ve seen enough Fire warriors and Tau ships to know that’d be bad for everyone. I
it represents the first known incidence of know you’ve got the ear of the Imperials, Ossneous, and I think you’d better let them know double
Tau treason or heresy. quick that there’s something bad brewing in the Damocles gulf.”

Intensive questioning of charter ++++ vox record ends++++++

merchants and free captains has
uncovered some information, although the
complete picture remains rather murky. It of returning to the Empire. By our need to elicit their assistance to find out
appears that after the halt of the reckoning this would be sometime around more.
Damocles crusade, when our ships were 760.M41 but an accurate projection is
Of the apparent intentions of O’shovah, if
called to the defence against Hive Fleet impossible with current facts. I have the he still lives, I cannot say. The
Behemoth, several Tau reclamation forces first report of alien mercenaries which circumstances of his breakaway from the
were despatched to reconquer their lost would fit the description of Tau Fire Tau empire remain shrouded in mysteries
colonies. O’shovah was the leader of one Warriors fighting alongside pirate forces so persistent that I strongly suspect that
such force, a considerable fleet of ships in the Sack of Penury IV 7330763.M41. they are being manipulated by some agency
and ground troops accompanying colony Rumours of such activity crop up in order to hide the truth. The one clue I
ships to repopulate the cleansed worlds. throughout the period 770-820 before could uncover in this direction was
As is customary, one or more Tau Ethereal dropping away noticeably to occasional brought to me by a certain free captain
caste members were also part of the reports up to the present. If such Dalmuertus who actively sought me out
expedition. It appears that Commander rumours are to be believed (which must be and seemed genuinely concerned by what
Farsight’s expedition ran into unexpected done with natural caution), these Tau he’d heard. I have included a transcript of
difficulties with an Ork incursion probing mercenaries have fought alongside Kroot the story he told me verbatim so that you
at the shattered edges of the Tau Empire. (unsurprisingly), Tarellians, human may make your own judgement of it.
O’shovah abandoned his recolonisation renegades, Eldar, the accursed Traitor I would strongly urge that steps be
mission and instead directed his efforts at legions and even Orks. Our most solid undertaken to infiltrate this Tau enclave
fighting the Orks and was drawn into a piece of information is the offer of and discover what conditions are truly
decade-long campaign across many assistance reported by Prefect Vertex in like there. If Captain Dalmuertus’
worlds. the evacuation of Aleph Sigma testimony proves true it may indicate that
In time, O’shovah’s forces pushed back 5664994.M41 in the face of one of the O’shovah has been corrupted in some way
into several Ork held systems in the Tyranid splinter-fleets from Ichar IV – on the artefact world referred to. If this
Damocles Gulf and inflicted exterminatus Hive Fleet Harbinger I believe. I suspect is true then there is a greater threat
upon their worlds, effectively terminating that a number of free captains have growing in the Farsight strongholds than
established trade routes into the Farsight that represented by the entire Tau empire.
the immediate threat. By now the expedition
was well beyond the known reaches of Tau enclaves, but they remain close-mouthed Your devoted Servant
space and it seems that O’shovah chose to about the subject. I have not pursued such
establish a string of heavily fortified matters further in fear of scaring these Ossneous
stronghold-colonies in the region instead individuals away at a time when we may
 34
THE DEFENCE OF FIO’VASH
At the time of this famous battle, Aun’shi was already nearing attack to hurl them from the compound. As dusk approached,
forty years of age, old for a Tau, and was looking forward to less than fifty Fire warriors remained alive and both forces
spending his last years on the paradise sept of Au’taal. A much sensed that the end was near. As the Orks massed for the final
respected life was behind him, many long years spent helping attack, Aun’shi ordered a retreat into the barricaded shrine at
to expand the empire into space by providing guidance for the the town’s centre, knowing that there were too few of them to
Tau in his care. Hailing from the hot-blooded sept of Vior’la, hold the full length of the wall. The Fire Warriors readied their
Aun’shi had perhaps a better understanding of the Fire caste last clips of ammunition while the workers of the Fio caste
and their way of war. It is said that on occasion he even went took up their picks and shovels, ready to fight in hand-to-hand
as far as to join them in their battle rituals, honing his skills combat.
with the honour blade to a level where even the Shas’vre With a roar of pure hatred, the Orks swarmed over the wall
could not pierce his defences. His skill with a blade had and into the compound, burning and destroying everything in
reached the level where spirit, weapon and body had achieved their path. Fire warriors shot from prepared loopholes,
complete harmony. thinning the first wave of Orks, but unable to prevent it from
In what was supposed to be his last assignment, Aun’shi led a reaching the building. Orks set about the door to the shrine
Tau colony force to a world he named Kel’tyr, the newest with giant axes, climbing the walls to smash through the roof
world in the expanding Tau empire. Infested by feral Orks, and screaming their bestial war-cries. The first Orks to enter
initial progress in claiming the world was slow but, under the shrine were killed swiftly, but there were always more
Aun’shi’s guidance, Fire warrior teams were soon able to push pushing their way inside. Aun’shi fought at the shrine doors as
the Orks back from the main areas of Tau settlements. Within they were finally ripped from the frame. Together with the last
four years, the world was flourishing, the Fio building many of his Fire warriors, Aun’shi stood ready to fight, his honour
fine towns across the main continental mass. Fio’vash was one blade cleaving the air before him in long, sweeping slashes. If
such town, a mining outpost in the low foothills of a mineral they were to die, then they would die together.
rich mountain range some four hundred miles to the east of Suddenly the Orks were thrown into silhouette as a series of
the capital. While on a tour of inspection of the outlying rippling detonations exploded behind them. Sweeping through
towns, Aun’shi and his bodyguard became trapped in Fio’vash the flames came the bulky forms of dozens of Devilfish troop
when a horde of feral Orks surrounded the town and carriers, guns chattering with deadly firepower as team after
launched a surprise attack to capture the mine workings. team of Fire warriors poured from their interiors. Alerted by
The existing garrison of Fio’vash had been augmented by the Kor, the full wrath of the Tau now fell upon the Ork
Aun’shi’s Fire warrior bodyguard and the Orks were cut rear. Lumbering Broadside battlesuits sprayed the
down in their hundreds. Early in the fighting, the Shas’vre of Orks with plasma fire, cutting them down in
the Fire warriors was beheaded, cut down by an enormous droves as Hammerhead tanks blasted huge
Ork Nob. The loss of this heroic warrior sent a surge of panic holes in the Ork mobs. Within the hour, the
through the ranks of the Tau warriors and it seemed as Orks were either dead or fleeing and the
though their defence would crumble. Aun’shi leapt in front of leader of the recently arrived Fire warriors
the Nob and cut him in two with one blow from his honour cadres found Aun’shi still standing at the
blade, planting the haft of his weapon between the shorn shrine doors, his honour blade slick with
halves of the corpse. Heartened by the Ethereal’s brave Ork blood, a handful of his bodyguard left
defiance, the Fire warriors line steadied and they threw the alive. Despite the terrible casualties, the
Orks back. Again and again the Orks attacked Fio’vash, and defence of Fio’vash was hailed as a great
each time Aun’shi led the defenders in battle, fighting victory, the Ethereal shrine still stood and
alongside his warriors and spurring them to unheard of feats the mine workings were still in Tau hands.
of valour. He despatched Stealth armoured warriors and a The survivors of the siege hailed Aun’shi
member of the Kor to take word to the capital, as he knew as a hero, the Fire warriors
that, against so many Orks, it was only a matter of time until pledging to serve him for the rest
they were overrun. of their lives.

The battle raged on, the Tau defenders silhouetted by the News of the victory soon reached
flames of burning buildings. The Fire warriors were fighting at the Ethereals on T’au and, rather
the limits of courage and endurance, held together by the than allow Aun’shi to spend his
indomitable will of Aun’shi. Every time their line bent back remaining years on Au’taal, it
under the Ork assault, Aun’shi was there, his flashing honour was decreed that he lead fresh
blade a shimmering blur of silver steel as he cut down Orks by expeditions to expand the
the dozen. Aun’shi moved like quicksilver, dodging killing Tau empire. There would
blows, twisting and weaving through the air in a graceful be no peaceful retirement
ballet of death. Wherever he struck, Orks died and soon none for Aun’shi.
would go near him, so fearful were they of this warrior who
could not be killed. Eventually the Tau were forced to pull
back to an inner perimeter of defensive walls which the Fio
had constructed, and there they prepared for the next assault.
Aun’shi stood in the ranks with the surviving Fire warriors,
hoping that the Kor had managed to carry word of their
situation to the capital.
The Greenskins attacked again and, though the Fire warriors
slew scores of Orks with every volley, they simply could not
kill enough to prevent them from reaching the walls. All
through the burning heat of the day, Orks charged the
defensive walls, the mound of dead before it growing every
second as the Fire warriors killed with grim efficiency. The
walls were beginning to give in places and Orks poured
through these gaps whenever they appeared, swamping Tau
battlesuits and dragging them to the ground. Each time the
Orks formed a wedge within a breach, Aun’shi led a counter-
A dept Raphael Palmatus stepped off the crew ramp of his
shuttle and squinted in the harsh glare of evening
sunlight. The air was hot and stagnant, not a breath of wind
The following morning Palmatus rose early and, along with
Taelos and the Tau escort, began the exploration of the city.
Taelos was like a caged Catachan Devil, unable to mask his
stirred and he could feel sweat prickling on his brow. A impatience despite Palmatus’ remonstrations. He wished the
shadow fell across him as the giant figure of Captain Taelos Space Marine captain would cease his impolite display, but
of the Imperial Fists joined him on the landing platform. The knew better than to openly manifest his displeasure. He was
Space Marine seemed untroubled by the heat, despite the aware that they must be under surveillance and it would not
heavy armour and ceremonial fur cape he wore. Their do to show division or disagreement. As the sun rose, bright
shuttle sat atop an immensely tall structure and Palmatus and glaring, he was glad of the dermal protection unguents
could see for miles in all directions across the Tau city. he had applied. Boarding one of the silver grav-trains he had
Unlike most Imperial cities, this was elegant and very open. seen yesterday, they were carried smoothly along the
powered rail into the air, the ground many thousands of feet
Gleaming towers of marble, white steel and glass soared
below. The buildings which Palmatus saw were constructed
majestically, interconnected by airy walkways and
from a variety of smooth materials, seamless white stone
translucent bridges that seemed to defy the natural laws of panels, gleaming metal columns, gracefully curved glass
gravity. He could see dozens of long rail-bound grav-trains sheets and transparent light blocks. Each was sparingly
snaking their way soundlessly through the city, crossing and detailed and occasionally adorned with Tau symbology
intersecting in a graceful ballet, stopping briefly every now which the Xenolexicon servitors were even now trying to
and then at various structures before moving off again. decipher. There was an elegant simplicity to the
A section of wall across the platform irised open, a robed architectural style; no single building attempted to outdo
figure emerging into the sunlight to meet them. Palmatus another in its splendour and each was designed to fit
stylistically with its neighbour.
kept his face expressionless as he saw that the figure was not
Tau, but Human. The man was powerfully built, though The grav-train gradually began to descend, looping
nowhere near as formidable as Taelos. His skin was deeply downwards through the lower levels of the city. Here the
tanned and lined, the texture of old leather and his eyes buildings were plainer, more simply designed and smaller
sparkled with wry amusement. He raised a hand in greeting than those in the centre of the city. Glittering arcades and
and Palmatus could see the outline of a faded Imperial Eagle geodesic domes passed by, the Tau inhabitants becoming
tattooed on his forearm. more distinct as their journey took them towards a vast,
silver sheathed dome at the edge of the city.
“Greetings. My name is Harmon Delphi and I welcome you
to T’olku,” said the man. Palmatus bowed in response, “Where are we going?” Palmatus asked the accompanying
concealing his displeasure at this calculated insult. The Tau guide.
tattoo on Delphi’s arm marked him as a soldier of the The Tau turned his featureless helmet towards Palmatus
Emperor’s army and, in Imperial eyes, a deserter and traitor. and pointed to the huge structure ahead, “The Battle Dome,
He was sure that Taelos had seen it too, but thankfully the to see the warriors of the Fire Caste training. It should be
captain said nothing. quite interesting, especially for you Captain Taelos.”
“I thank you for your greeting,” he replied, “It is pleasing for The Space Marine grunted and nodded, “It is always good to
us to be here and I look forward to conducting my know how the enemy fights.”
discussions with Aun’O T’olku K’yna. I am sure that
“We are not your enemy, Captain,” replied the Tau, “And
between us, he and I can resolve the Nimbosa colony dispute
when you see our Fire warriors you will not desire us for
amicably.”
one.”
“Yes...” began Delphi, spreading his hands in a gesture of
“I am a soldier,” snapped Taelos, “I fight where my Emperor
apology. “Regrettably, O’K’yna has asked me to convey his demands and if it is his will that we be enemies, then it shall
most sincere apologies to you as he is extremely busy at this be so. Desire does not enter into it.”
time and is unable to receive you at present. He hopes you’ll
bear with him in this, and meanwhile offers you the “What I am sure the captain means,” said Palmatus
hospitality of the city.” hurriedly, “is that a man seldom desires enemies, but
ultimately has little control over his destiny. It is our fervent
Palmatus nodded politely, a measure of his earlier optimism wish that we do not become enemies.”
returning. Aun’O T’olku K’yna was a fool to play these petty
games. Every day they spent here in negotiations brought The alien seemed to accept this and turned away as the grav-
the retribution of the Imperial Navy closer to Nimbosa. He train passed through an opening in the skin of the Battle
said graciously, “Aun’O T’olku K’yna is most considerate. Dome.
Please convey to him our thanks for his hospitality as I am The sheer scale of the dome’s interior took Palmatus’ breath
sure we shall enjoy our stay here. Now, if you would be so away. The ceiling swept high above them, held aloft by
kind, please convey us to our quarters.” unknown means as there were no supporting columns
visible. What little he understood regarding construction
Delphi smiled and led them through the opening he had told Palmatus that such a huge structure should not be able
emerged from and along a series of featureless white to stand. The dome was split into arenas of various sizes,
corridors. Within moments, Palmatus had lost all sense of each modelled to represent a different theatre of war. There
direction, though he knew they were descending into the were jungle arenas, urban arenas, desert arenas, water filled
heart of the tower. Their quarters were simple and arenas and all manner of others spread throughout the
functional, with everything they would require to satisfy dome’s floor. The grav-train slid to a halt over a large arena
their basic needs, but little else. Delphi left, explaining that filled with prefabricated buildings, mining equipment and
the Tau stationed outside their quarters would be their guide several armoured vehicles. The analogy was not lost on
for the duration of their stay. Palmatus knew that ‘guide’ Palmatus. This was a small-scale recreation of the Nimbosa
really meant ‘guard’, and that they would see only what colony and, while the mocked-up vehicles were crude, the
Aun’O T’olku K’yna wished them to. resemblance to Imperial patterns was unmistakable.
Advancing through the colony were several bulky figures;
Fire warriors armoured in heavy battlesuits. Each warrior
carried a fearsome looking weapon and was also armed
with a second, shoulder-mounted gun. Before them, two
squads of lighter armoured Fire warriors darted through the
colony, firing from cover in support of one another. One of
the mock-ups of an Imperial tank rumbled forwards,
weapons firing and forcing the troops in the vanguard into
cover. As one, the weapons of the heavy battlesuits locked
onto the tank and fired, blowing it apart in a spectacular
explosion and blasting the turret high into the air. The
mock colony was swiftly taken and the grav-train moved off
again.
For the next two hours, Palmatus and Taelos were shown
Tau Fire warriors training in a variety of different warzones
and employing all manner of exotic weaponry, vehicles and
wargear. By the time they emerged once more into the
daylight, Palmatus could see that Taelos had a new found
respect for the Tau way of war.
As the grav-train began climbing high into the centre of the
city once again, the Tau guide removed his helmet and laid
it beside him. His face bore the same typically flat features
of the Tau, but in the centre of his forehead was a diamond
shaped ridge of raised bone. Lustrous dark hair spilled from
the top of his head in an elaborately jewelled scalp lock and
his narrow eyes were twin slits of black.
The alien fixed his gaze on Palmatus and said, “You have
seen what mywarriors can do, Raphael. Can you not see the
foolishness of your continued resistance to our colonists on
Nimbosa? I respect your people, they are brave and have
done all that honour demands, but they cannot stand
against us. You came here to begin protracted negotiations
in order to delay our attack and allow your own forces time
to reach Nimbosa. That will not happen. The Kor bring me
word that your vessels are many months away and Nimbosa
will be ours long before that.”
Captain Taelos began to speak, but Palmatus smoothly
interrupted, saying, “I presume then that you are Aun’O
T’olku K’yna.”
“I have that honour, yes,” nodded the Tau Ethereal.
“Then you should know that when our ships arrive
at Nimbosa we will fight you. The Emperor does
not give up worlds His servants have claimed in
His name.”
“You are a wise man, Raphael Palmatus, and,
despite his modest words, I know that your
military advisor here is no ordinary
soldier. You should both go back to
your Emperor and tell him what you
have seen here. Tell him of all the
people that will die in his name
and ask him if it is worth such
a price to stand in our way.”
“We will fight you, alien,”
snarled Captain Taelos,
“To the last drop of
blood we will fight
you.”
“I know,” replied
the Tau sadly
and turned
away.
 ADDENDUM TO REPORT function. (Ordo Xenos note: Tau from one of the elder worlds
Investigations into effects of this caste (septs) may be perceived as wiser or
THOUGHTS ON being exterminated should be more sophisticated by implication than
TAU LANGUAGE undertaken.) Although I saw almost
none of the air caste during my stay
one from a younger sept who in turn are
regarded as more dynamic and practical.
here, I understand them to be Certain worlds also contain meaning in
Sister Verity, Order Dialogus messengers and the pilots of Tau ships. I themselves and can embody a particular
At the request of Explorator Magos believe most of the air caste remain in trait within the Tau who originate from
Dana Aquila I began studies on the space as it would be hazardous in the these worlds. For example, the name of
language and dialect of the race known extreme for them to return to a natural the Tau planet of Vior’la means ‘hot
as Tau. It is a complex, highly evolved gravity environment. Lastly, the water blooded’ and is known as a particularly
form of communication and, even after caste, of whom I was to have the most aggressive fire caste world. Other such
six months of intensive study (with the contact with, are the diplomats and planets include Bork’an, which is
aid of a team of Xenolexicon Servitors), regarded as a centre of learning and
administrators, those who facilitate the
I have only begun to scratch the surface study. I have yet to plumb the full
smooth workings of the other castes. I
of this fluid language. In sound it is implications of the septs and their
was also able to collate scattered hints
deeply lyrical and soft, with many words overall relation to Tau society but shall
of a fifth caste, whose name (Aun) can
and meanings dependant on intonation, assuredly continue to do so.
be variously translated as ‘Celestial’ or
glottal emphasis and even posture. The
‘Ethereal’, but the Tau assigned to me Lastly comes a Tau’s individual name and
underlying structure of the language
steadfastly refused to be drawn on the it appears that these names are earned in
alone took the servitors some two
subject. I shall forward further recognition of some achievement rather
months to break down into recognisable
information on this caste as I obtain it. than given at birth as is the case with
High Gothic. Added to this, its multiple
arrangements of polysyllabic word With the caste of a Tau established, the humans. These are perhaps the most
groups renders it difficult in the second portion of their name appears to puzzling element of the Tau name and
extreme for human vocal cords to refer to their rank within society. The while some of their names may be
pronounce. It will take a skilful linguist Tau are perhaps unique in all the species relatively easily understood, such as
indeed to speak even the most basic Tau I have encountered in that there is no ‘Shovah’ (far-sighted) or ‘Kais’ (skilful)
words and phrases. I would stigma attached to any rank or others are more perplexing. What might
respectfully suggest that my studies profession. Each Tau has his or her a Tau known as ‘Vral’ (undercut) or
into this alien language would render place in society and enjoys the respect ‘Tsua’m’ (Middle) have accomplished to
my humble self an ideal candidate for of their peers no matter how menial a earn such a name? It is also possible for
further contact with this highly task they perform. Each role is some remarkable individuals to
developed race. recognised as being part of the greater accumulate more than one name in his
whole and a furtherance of the common lifetime. Some of the more notable Tau I
The Tau have many ways of referring to
good. There appears to be five major was introduced to had literally dozens
one another and their names are worthy
levels of Tau rank, each of which has a of names. I have since learned that it is
of many months of specific study alone.
subtly different meaning dependent on common for these Tau to truncate their
To the Tau, the most important part of
the caste to which it is suffixed. In full names and be known by a much
their name is the caste they are born
ascending order of seniority these simplified appellation. As an example of
into and this forms the first portion of
ranks are as follows (I have included how the Tau titles translate, the name
their identity. Broadly speaking, the Tau
the best Imperial equivalent of each Shas’O Vior’la Shovah Kais Mont’yr can
are organised into four main castes that
rank based upon the nuances of the fire be broken down as follows. This
correspond to the four elements, fire
caste): individual is a member of the fire caste
(Shas), earth (Fio), air (Kor) and water
(Por). Each caste fulfils a distinct role ’La - warrior (Shas), holds the rank of Commander
within the Tau civilisation and seems to (’O), hails from the world of Vior’la and
’Ui - veteran has the personal names that translate
hark back to the evolutionary
development of the race. ’Vre - hero as farsighted (Shovah), skilful (Kais)
and blooded (Mont’yr). However, this
The Fire caste are the soldiers of the ’El - Noble (or possibly knight)
Tau is more commonly known as O’Shovah
Tau and I was fortunate enough to see
’O - Commander or Commander Farsight and this form of
some of these fearsome warriors
address is much more popular with Tau
training in their armoured battlesuits Next in a Tau’s name comes his ‘Sept’
of great accomplishment.
(Cross ref file: T232/U3: Tau way of which translates as either his extended
war). The labourers, builders and family or place of birth. This portion of How the Tau refer to and address one
artisans are those Tau of the earth the Tau name is open to the widest another adds yet another layer of
caste. They are the sustaining caste interpretations and has many subtle complexity to their relationships and
without whom Tau society could not differences in meaning. For example, a language. For example, referring to a
Tau by his individual name is regarded as TAU WORD BEST TRANSLATION TAU WORD BEST TRANSLATION
overly familiar unless the Tau is part of Aun . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethereal Or’es . . . . . . . . . . . Powerful
a ‘Ta’lissera’ (see later). It is considered Aun’bork’an’retha. . A combined temple/university on Por . . . . . . . . . . . . Water
polite to refer to a Tau by their caste Bork’an dedicated to the
Run’al . . . . . . . . . . A small observation post
name and rank as this acknowledges his Ethereal Caste & their wisdom.
or hide
or her place in society. As noted earlier, El . . . . . . . . . . . . . Second highest Tau Rank.
Shas . . . . . . . . . . . Fire
there is no shame in performing menial Fire: Noble or Knight;
tasks and, by referring to a Tau’s role as Air: Captain; Earth: Engineer; Shas’ar’tol. . . . . . . Fire caste military high
Water: Diplomat; command
a form of address, that task is Ethereal: Holy?
recognised and respected. Each Shi . . . . . . . . . . . . Victory
Fio. . . . . . . . . . . . . Earth
individual is seen as contributing to the Shovah. . . . . . . . . . Farsighted
Gue’la . . . . . . . . . . Tau word for humans
advance of the race and is therefore Ta’lissera. . . . . . . . Communion/Marriage.
worthy of respect. J’kaara. . . . . . . . . . Mirror Refers to a bonding ritual where
Kais . . . . . . . . . . . . Skilful groups of Tau, commonly Fire
Another term that came up in relation to Warriors or Earth caste work
Kauyon. . . . . . . . . . Patient / Hunter
Tau forms of address is ‘Ta’lissera’. The teams, swear bonds of loyalty and
best translation which the Xenolexicons Ko’vash . . . . . . . . . To strive for support to one another. Much
(Lit. A Worthy Cause) respected by other Tau as it
could derive for this word was represents an individual giving up
communion or marriage. It appears to be Kor . . . . . . . . . . . . Air
his own desires for the greater
some kind of sworn bond where groups Kor’vesa . . . . . . . . Tau drone (Lit. Faithful helper) good of the empire.
of Tau pledge support and community to La . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lowest Tau Rank. Tau’va . . . . . . The Greater Good, something
one another. The Tau who have sworn Fire: warrior; Air: Messenger; the Tau are taught from an early
Earth: worker; age to strive for.
these pledges may address each other by Water: bureaucrat;
their individual names and are much Ethereal: Prince Tsua’m . . . . . . . . . . Middle
admired. This bond is seen as the ultimate M’yen. . . . . . . . . . . Unforseen Ui . . . . . . . . . . . . . Second lowest Tau Rank.
Tau expression of respect for one Fire: Veteran;
Mal’caor . . . . . . . . Spider Air: Carrier;
another as it symbolises the sacrifice of
individual pride to become part of a Mesme . . . . . . . . . . Combination Earth: Senior;
Mont’au . . . . . . . . . The Terror. Water: Envoy;
greater whole. The ‘Ta’lissera’ is most Ethereal: Prelate
The Tau race’s worst nightmare.
commonly found within the ranks of fire The time before the coming of the Ukos . . . . . . . . . . . Spoon
caste warriors and earth caste work Ethereal caste when the other
teams and, I must confess, it seems to be castes were set against one Vash’ya . . . . . . . . . Between Spheres
another. A barbaric time of war
a noble and worthy concept. (Ordo Xenos that the Tau fear could return
Vior’la. . . . . . . . . . Hot Blooded
addendum: It is recommended that Sister should any Tau put themselves Vral . . . . . . . . . . . Undercut
Verity be questioned regarding possible before the Greater Good.
Vre . . . . . . . . . . . . Middle Tau Rank.
alien contamination.) Mont’ka . . . . . . . . . Killing Blow Fire: Hero; Air: Pilot;
Earth: Overseer;
Attached to this report is the nearest Mont’yr . . . . . . . . . Blooded (Lit. Seen battle) Water: Magister;
approximation which the Xenolexicon O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Highest Tau Rank. Ethereal: King
Fire: Commander; Air: Admiral;
Servitors could devise in regards to a Earth: Planner; Y’eldi. . . . . . . . . . . Air cast name for a
Tau alphabet and a brief lexicon of Water: Ambassador; particularly gifted pilot
common Tau words. Ethereal: Highest(?) (Lit. Winged One)

ASIDE ON TAU TIME KEEPING

THE TAU G . . . . . . . .G P . . . . . .P the Tau’cyr is an annual cycle on Tau.
ALPHABET A Tau’cyr is broken down into 6 Kai’rotaa
H . . . . . . .H R . . . . . .R each of 80 rotaa, each kai’rotaa is
dedicated to a caste with the additional one
A . . . . . . .A I . . . . . . .I/Y S . . . . . .S dedicated to the race as a whole.
B . . . . . .B J . . . . . . . .J T . . . . . .T A rotaa is broken down into ten decs, decs
are either light-time or dark-time. Most Tau
C . . . . .C/K L . . . . . . . .L U . . . . . .U need only 1-2 decs of sleep per rotaa.

D . . . . . .D Conversion
M . . . . . . .M V . . . . . .V The Tau’cyr or Tau year lasts approximately
E . . . . . .E N . . . . . . .N W . . . . . .W 300 Terran days (297.74 to be precise). A
L Kai’rotaa is therefore about 50 Terran
F . . . . . . .F O . . . . . . . .O . . . . . . .X days. A rotaa is approximately 15 Terran
hours and a dec is 1.5 Terran hours.
39

THE Ground War

the landing on Sy’l’kell.
The Sy’l’kell system contained an apparently fertile agri-
DAMOCLES world with a population estimated at seven million Tau. It
was defended by an orbital station, a number of system

GULF ships and the remnants of the Tau fleet encountered at

Hydass. The crusader council of war appointed Captain

CRUSADE
Rumann of the Iron Hands to take overall command of
the planetary assault. The Imperial fleet closed quickly,
pounding the orbital station as they approached. Its
armaments were not as extensive as had been feared,
The Damocles Crusade was a military action typical of
though, and the Iron Hands boarded it. The Tau fleet
the Eastern Fringe before the arrival of the Tyranid Hive
disengaged almost immediately and was not seriously
Fleets. Wherever possible, when challenges to the
damaged. It was conjectured that they were evacuating
Imperium were discovered, war followed. In 742.M41
key personnel from the planet rather than defending it.
another such Crusade was to be unleashed in the
The Iron Hands quickly overwhelmed the orbital
Lithesh Sector. A string of Imperial sub-sectors
station’s defenders and dutifully cleansed it with flame. It
stretching out between the Damocles Gulf and the
was to serve as Imperial headquarters for the ground
Perdus Rift Anomaly had suffered extensive disruption
campaign.
due to Eldar pirate raids and warp storm activity. As the
Imperium strove to restore its grip in the region, it was Space Marines from the Scythes of the Emperor
discovered that an alien race called the Tau were allying established a landing zone and the 17th Brimlock
themselves with dissident Imperial factions. The peril of Dragoons were landed to provide heavy support. The
these local alliances was evident in the number of alien Tau response was swift and consisted of an extremely
goods and artefacts appearing in nearby systems. well-equipped mechanised infantry formation with
armoured support. The Tau grav-tank, designated as the
Inquisitorial investigation revealed evidence of Tau
Hammerhead, appeared to be a close match for the
activity in adjoining sectors. The conclusion was that
Leman Russ, and the Tau proved most adept at
they represented a major threat, and Cardinal Esau
supporting their armour with infantry. The Dragoons
Gurney of Brimlock officially called for a crusade to be
suffered heavy losses when enemy infantry wearing
dispatched to purge the aliens.
heavy jump armour ambushed them in rolling ground.
The crusade was based around a dozen capital ships, Only swift intervention from the 4th Stormtrooper
five provisional companies of Space Marines made up of Company and the Scythes of the Emperor averted a
contingents from a dozen Chapters, and nineteen massacre.
regiments of Imperial Guard, seven of them from
While the crusade pushed ever nearer Sy’l’kell’s
Brimlock. The first move was towards the Timbra sub-
population centres, the Tau evacuated the most qualified
sector where human colonists had co-existed with the
workers and dismantled any advanced technology.
aliens. The Crusade first reasserted Imperial rule in the
When the 9th Brimlock Fusiliers were landed, the Tau
Garrus and Kleist colonies. Individuals implicated in
resistance crumbled and all objectives were quickly
dealing with the Tau were seized and punished at a
attained. The planet was duly cleansed.
special assize held before the furious crusaders. The
Imperial colonies secured, the crusade moved on and The Purging of Viss’el
engaged the Tau for the first time in the uninhabited While arrangements were made to cross the Damocles
Hydass system. Gulf to the Imperial designated sub-sector of Kendral, an
expeditionary force was sent to deal with the Tau
First Contact: Fleet action presence in the Viss’el system. Early reconnaissance
in the Hydass System. had revealed the sixth planet to be an ice covered water
Seven Tau warships of approximately cruiser world on which the Tau had established fishery colonies.
displacement were detected on the edge of the system. As no great strategic benefit was evident to controlling
The crusade fleet attacked immediately, but found the the planet, it was subjected to orbital bombardment,
Tau ships to be capable of launching powerful torpedo melting the ice around the main colonies and destroying
salvos at long range, breaking up the Imperial formation. them.
Bomber waves were launched but these were countered
by Tau escorts launched from the capital ships. A Space
THE DAL’YTH CAMPAIGN
Marine strike cruiser supported by a squadron of Sword
class frigates made the decisive attack. Getting inside Stage 1:
the Tau formation, they inflicted heavy damage and Near Disaster at Pra’yen.
discovered that Tau ships lacked broadside firepower. After a five month journey across the Gulf, the Crusade
The Tau launched more escorts as a screen while they arrived in the Dal’yth system within the Kendral sub-
disengaged. One Tau ship was unable to withdraw and sector. The outermost planet, Pra’yen, was protected by
exploded while the crew was in the process of an orbital station and was clearly intended to provide the
abandoning their craft. first line of a system defence. The fleet approach was
 40

too casual, assuming the station to be no more The crusading fleet had won a truly pyrrhic victory.
dangerous than that already encountered. It proved to Although the warsphere, Tau fleet and orbital station
be much more formidable, mounting an array of heavy were destroyed, it was at a cost of four capital ships and
railguns whose first volley crippled the Honour of fourteen escorts. The Tau ambush had come very close
Damlass. The fleet broke formation just as eleven Tau to succeeding and brought a new respect for the Tau to
ships emerged from behind Pra’yen. The fleet escorts the Imperial fleet.
attacked the orbital station while the main battlefleet
swung towards the Tau ships. The Tau fleet Stage 2:
concentrated its torpedo salvos against the Regent Stalemate at Dal’yth Prime
Lakshimbai, a Dauntless class light cruiser, which Although some amongst the crusade’s command
resisted superbly until a lucky shot caused massive advocated turning back, the lure of a major Tau world
bulkhead collapse which in turn triggered a plasma drive lying ahead was too tempting. Dal’yth Prime was
overload, destroying the ship with all hands. Arriving protected by three orbital stations and, after recent
piecemeal, the Imperial ships gradually won the experience, these were approached very cautiously.
advantage, although on this occasion the Tau fought on None proved to be heavily gunned though, and were
despite taking horrendous punishment. destroyed at leisure.

The escorts suffered heavy losses fighting the Tau Expecting a new Tau fleet at any time, the ground
orbital station. As soon as they were closely engaged, assault quickly commenced. The eastern seaboard of
though, the last piece of the Tau trap was put into place. the largest continent was selected as the target.
Appearing from nowhere after suddenly powering up, a Protected to the north by mountains and to the east by
Kroot warsphere steered directly for the Imperial the sea, a short advance south-west put the invasion
transports. The transport flotilla had no choice but to force before the first of a number of cities forming a
scatter. Fortunately the huge Kroot hulk was slow and its conurbation along the coast.
guns short-ranged, but its sheer size seemed certain to The drop was contested by large numbers of Tau flyers
eradicate the crusade. but was eventually successful. The full force of the
Salvation came in the form of Admiral Jallaque’s crusade was finally deployed and the invasion began.
flagship, the Blade of Woe, a Retribution class The local road network was excellent and the
battleship. Leaving the rest of the fleet to finish off the advance neared the Tau city of Gel’bryn
Tau warships, the Admiral had turned about, planning to before a defensive line was formed.
help the escorts when the warsphere arrived.
Accelerating to maximum power, the great ship overtook
the lumbering warsphere and turned across its path.
From the first exchange it was clear that
the Blade of Woe carried the greater
weight of fire and its salvos
systematically ripped the
warsphere apart.
41

With Titans and armoured formations as the spearhead, the first few hours – a town containing a bridge, and
the crusade ploughed relentlessly toward the city. As achieved complete surprise. As the assault continued, it
they advanced though, enemy missiles, fired from was countered by ultra-mobile Tau units deployed from
beyond hills and woods, started to inflict heavy losses. the ubiquitous Manta missile destroyers. For the rest of
Units had to be detached to drive back the Tau spotters, the day, a running battle was fought through the Dal’yth
but these were in turn engaged by Tau jump troops suburbs which ended with the Imperium a mere five
equipped with cloaking fields. Gradually the coherency miles away from trapping tens of thousands of Tau.
of the attacking wedge was broken up until, by the time Overnight, the Tau troops disengaged and fell back to
it reached the outskirts of Gel’bryn, there were three another defensive line beyond Gel’bryn. By the morning
spearheads pushing forward ahead of the main force. the Tau were gone and, while the city itself was infested
One of these was made up of Titans from the Legio by lurking Kroot, the starport on the outskirts was quickly
Thanataris. This was countered by Tau Manta Missile secured.
Destroyers, the same craft that had been launched in
The starport, combined with the distance which the Tau
the earlier space battles from the Tau warships. The
had retired, made an excellent opportunity for
second spearhead was predominantly veteran light
evacuation and General Gauge took it. Resistance from
infantry of the Rakarshan Rifles, whose intelligent use of
the Inquisition and Adeptus Astartes was overruled by
cover had thus far kept them out of harm’s way. They
the arrival of an express order from Inquisitor Kryptman
were countered by the emergence of a host of Kroot
to return to Brimlock with all available forces. The Tau
warriors on the rooftops and within the buildings of
sensibly realised that getting in the way would serve no
Gel’bryn. The third was a detachment of crusading
sane purpose and parleys held under flags of truce were
Space Marines consisting of brethren from the Iron
honoured by both sides. The first seeds of cooperation
Hands, the Ultramarines and the Scythes of the
were sown, though these would take time to bloom in
Emperor. These the Tau countered with their own finest
the aftermath of such a brutal conflict.
– their heavy jump troops. The timely Tau counter-
attacks stalled the momentum of the Imperial advance The Imperium had learned to respect the Tau skills of
and the front stabilised on the line of a broad river some war and the Tau had discovered the true scale and
twenty miles north of Gel’bryn. bitterness of a galaxy that they had previously thought to
be theirs for the taking.
Stage 3:
Operation Hydra
Their advance halted, the Imperial
forces, commanded in this operation
by General Wendall Gauge, had to
dig in to avoid the worst of the Tau
firepower. The Tau possessed superior
night-fighting capabilities which they
exploited, moving up to extreme range and
opening fire, only to withdraw at dawn. Space
Marine combat patrols helped, but losses continued to
mount. This was compounded by the constant worry that
a new Tau fleet would arrive; the crusade fleet was badly
damaged and could barely protect its transports, let
alone provide cover for the army. As the siege ground
on, more Tau arrived at the front each day.
General Gauge concluded that the crusade had
stumbled onto a major Tau world and that his resources
were insufficient for the task set them. Plentiful
reinforcements had been promised at the outset but
none had arrived. Inquisitor Grand was all for evacuation
followed by exterminatus, as the Tau were clearly too
dangerous to be allowed to exist. The army had found
the Tau to be honourable adversaries, however, and
there was a marked opposition to such an extreme
sanction within the high command. While the crusader
council of war was paralysed by internal debate,
General Gauge acted. He formed the Titans up with the
Brimlock regiments and attempted to force the river line
down the right flank, trapping the Tau against the sea. As
preparation, his artillery pounded other sectors and the
Imperial Navy fighters began an offensive against Tau
airfields that was costly but kept Tau flyers from the front.
The Imperial strike force took their primary objective in
 42

T he three Fire warriors gathered in the centre of the Vre’myar repeated the ritual with Ui’lyr’sa and handed the
battle dome, their Crisis battlesuits standing inert blade to his friend upon its completion, eagerly awaiting his
behind them. Each was stripped to the waist, bare chests own scarring. He nodded to Ui’lyr’sa as he felt the blade
slick with blood and sweat. The team leader, Vre’myar, pierce his skin, bunching his fists as the blade cut into him.
stepped forward and drew a glittering knife from a lovingly The pain was great, but the honour of what they were doing
tooled scabbard. The bonding knife had been made by made such concerns irrelevant. At last it was over and,
Fio’vre Fal’shia Gwial specifically for the Ta’lissera ritual breathless, Vre’myar took the bonding knife back from
and was a work of art as much as a weapon. Vre’myar looked Ui’lyr’sa, standing before each of his fellows in turn and
into the faces of his two fellow warriors, his new family. slashing the blade diagonally across their palms. He cleaned
They had fought together for eight years and he knew the the blade before sheathing it in its scabbard and extended his
strengths and skills of both better than they did themselves. arms. The group linked hands and, in unison, said, “Let all
Today they had survived their second Trial by Fire and bear witness to this Ta’lissera. Like the eternal circle, these
unanimously decided that the time was right to perform the bonds shall never be broken. For so as long as one of us
bonding ritual. The air in the dome was hot following the remains alive, so too do the others. There is no one Tau
battle drills, hundreds of the Shas gathering to witness above another; all are as one and the whole shall be greater
them perform the Ta’lissera. By doing this they were than the sum of its parts.”
sacrificing their own desires and individuality within the
The three Fire warriors released their hold on one another’s
empire for the sake of this band of warriors, for the Greater
hands and knelt to pick up ceramic bowls at their feet, steam
Good. Vre’myar felt the weight of the bonding knife in his
curling from the hot liquid within. Ui’rash’ya said, “Best to
hand, very aware of the responsibility it represented. The
take Ky’husa in a single gulp,” and threw the hot spirit down
blood of his brothers-to-be would soon coat its blade with a
his throat. Vre’myar and Ui’lyr’sa gasped as the liquid fire
ruddy red sheen and the enormity of what they were about
burned its way down their gullets, a huge
to do both thrilled and scared him.
cheer echoing around the dome as the
“Come on then Vre’myar,” said Ui’rash’ya, “Let us do this assembled warriors honoured
before we all die of old age and the Ky’husa gets cold.” them, and Vre’myar could
remember no finer
“Aye,” agreed Ui’lyr’sa wryly, “before the Shas’el think we feeling.
have lost our nerve.’
Vre’myar smiled, raising the knife before him. He turned to
his brothers and placed the tip of the blade in the centre of
Ui’rash’ya’s chest.
“By the power of my blood and the blood of my fellow
warriors, I pledge that we shall be forever bound as
brothers,” said Vre’myar, repeating the Pledge of
Communion. He looked Ui’rash’ya in the eyes and pressed
the knife point into his skin. Blood streamed from his
friend’s chest, running down the blade and dripping from
the elaborately carved handle. The veteran warrior did not
flinch as the blade sliced downwards, carving the symbol of
the Vior’la sept into the meat of his flesh. Vre’myar nodded
and said, “My life is your life, your life is my life. What we do
now, we do together. I have no place outside this band and
all that I do from this moment is in its name.” As he spoke
the words, an immense contentment settled upon him and
he felt fierce pride swell within his chest. Ui’rash’ya nodded
in understanding, beads of sweat dripping from his
forehead.
Vre’myar finished cutting and stepped back. “Not that bad
was it Ui’rash’ya?”
“I have felt worse,” admitted the Fire warrior placing his
hand on Vre’myar’s shoulder. “Well done.”

“I have followed the myriad potential futures of the Tau with great interest.
Though barely even striplings compared to us, I feel a strange protectiveness
towards them. In time I believe they will exceed even our greatest feats and
master the darkness within their souls.”
Eldrad Ulthran, Farseer of Ulthwé craftworld
 Report Transmitted: information we were able to extract from the eastern frontier that one finds the
Korwyn Delta Tau test subject on his race ’s early history. most blatant disregard for Imperial
Destination: Mars From the information gleaned, I humbly advance doctrine, with many outlying colonies
Date: 5432999.M41 a theory to explain the evolution of the Tau trading with these aliens for their
which I call ‘Zachary’s Theorem of Adaptive technology in the form of improved
Telepathic Duct:
Divergence’. construction and agricultural machinery.
Astropath-terminus Torugan
Where Imperial servants have discovered such
Ref:AdMech/99348844/Xen583 Driven by natural selection, Adaptive
illegal artefacts they have seized them and
Author: Genetor Secundus Zachary Santiago Divergence is the diversification of a species
placed the offending colonists in penal
Title: Cogitation on the evolutionary process into two or more sub-species as groups adapt to
servitude.
and technological heresy of the Tau race. their distinct environment. I believe that the
initial step is the separation of a species into More difficult to enforce is when such
distinct breeding populations which could technology finds its way into the hands of
EVOLUTION occur as a result of geographic or social those in positions of authority or are difficult
With increased contact being made with the isolation. Over time, the gene pools of the to trace. One example is the hunting rig of the
xenos known as Tau, it is becoming increasingly isolated groups would diverge from each other so called ‘Spyre Hunter’ gangs found in the
apparent that, with the exception of Tyranids, by gradually acquiring random mutations or as Necromunda hive complexes (cf: Ordo Xenos
this race has displayed a rise to prominence a result of genetic drift. In other words, file 4353/Alien Technology/b). These
unlike any other. The first recorded contact nature selects different traits to exist within aristocratic ne’er-do-wells wear armoured
with the Tau, some six thousand years ago, the gene pool of the different populations. battlesuits said to be self sustaining, self
found them in a primitive state, having only Over time, the populations genetically diverge repairing and fully capable of recording the
recently mastered the use of simple clubs and enough so that, to all intents and purposes, wearer’s every action. The implications of this
fire. Further information is extremely scarce as they become separate sub-species. One would last facility are truly horrifying. Does this
the planet appears to have been isolated for normally expect this process to take millions of information return to the Tau? Have these
many thousands of years by warp storms of years, but evidence of synthetic proteins and aliens been using these technological
unusual ferocity and duration. Renewed amino acid chains within the test subject’s abominations to spy on our cities for all these
contact has revealed an evolutionary leap far internal organs leads me to believe that this years? It is imperative that these gangs be made
beyond what would normally be expected. process may have been accelerated somehow. to hand over their hunting rigs lest the Tau
Since they were first catalogued, the Tau have How this heresy against nAture could have garner even more information concerning the
progressed to a technological level that, while occurred is beyond the scope of this document Imperium.
obviously not as enlightened as that of our and a mystery I leave to other, more qualified
The insidious influence of these aliens should
own blessed order, is nevertheless highly investigators.
not be underestimated. Their technology has
advanced. Deus ex Mechanicus, all praise to the already spread to worlds deep within the
TECHNOLOGY
Omnissiah! Segmentum Solar and perhaps to holy Terra
The heresy of these aliens reaches its zenith
I have undertaken this study to deduce the when one looks at their technology. While, itself (though surely no loyal citizen could
origin of the Tau in order to discover whether admittedly, its performance can match and possibly countenance such blasphemy). Though
this progression is the result of natural occasionally exceed that of Imperial it is not within my purview to advise on Imperial
selection or some other external force. manufacture, it displays none of the proper policy, I urge the recipients of this document to
Natural selection is an evolutionary mechanism obesiances to the holy spirit of the Machine pursue the persecution of these deviant aliens
that takes place when selected individuals of a God. Such effrontery I can scarce believe and I with the utmost vigour wherever encountered.
population are better able to adapt to their recommend that all recovered Tau artefacts be Your humble servant,
environment and, consequently, produce more destroyed (In accordance with Adeptus
offspring. Nature ultimately selects those Mechanicus directive AdMech666). It is on the Genetor Secundus, Zachary Santiago
individuals with the traits most likely to
survive into adulthood and reproduce.
As a consequence, the resulting evolution is so Ad/Mech32 Evolutionary process
gradual as to be almost impossible to detect in as affected by rapidly changing
environmental conditions
only a few generations. However, in the case of Species 2 Species 3
the Tau there is evidence to suggest that their
species underwent short periods of ultra-rapid
change. We can only guess what caused these
changes, perhaps climatalogical variance, Stable environmental conditions
altered feeding patterns of predators, food
Species 1
Evolutionary process

supply or some unknown external factor (See

attached graph Ad/Mech32). The result would
be an accelerated rate of change in gene pool
frequencies of the traits that became most
Rapidly changing

favoured by the new environmental conditions.

environmental
conditions

It is now quite apparent that the evolutionary Zachary’s

history of the Tau is extremely complicated. Theorem
of Adaptive
Different sub-species have evolved at different Divergence
rates and those rates have changed through
time in response to complex patterns of
interaction with other species and
environmental factors. What these interactions Time
were we can only guess at, given the little
44

TAU SEPTS
A Tau’s name contains a great deal of information regarding his place in society, his home world and individual
achievements. Following his caste and rank, the third part of a Tau’s name is the sept, or system, he hails from. An
individual’s sept carries a number of subtle meanings and implications regarding the Tau’s personality and skills. For
example, Tau from one of the elder worlds, the Tau home world or their first colonies, are considered to be erudite and
cultured by implication, whereas those from the younger, outlying septs are reckoned to be more vigorous and
pragmatic. While these may be considered to be very general traits, there are some worlds or septs which carry more
specific meanings, such as T’olku, which is renowned as a centre of administrative training, and many Tau from this
world become skilled diplomats and negotiators. The most famous Tau septs and the characteristics commonly
associated with them are listed below.

Major Commonly Major Commonly

Septs associated traits Septs associated traits
T’au The Tau home world. As the Eldest Dal’yth A very cosmopolitan world where trade
Sept, Tau from here are considered is valued as much as conquest. Tau
especially learned and wise. from this world welcome off-worlders
and, as such, the world has seen the
most contact with alien species. Many
Tau’n The first off-world colony of the empire,
Tau from this world are considered to Water caste merchants and traders
be pioneering and often lead come from this sept.
exploratory missions throughout Tau Sa’cea One of the hottest and most densely
space. populated Tau worlds, this sept has a
greater proportion of Fire warriors than
Vior’la Vior’la orbits a binary star and almost any other and is highly
translates as ’hot-blooded’. This is a militarised. Those hailing from Sa’cea
notorious Fire caste world whose are regarded as particularly disciplined
warriors are especially aggressive and and honourable warriors.
skilled in the arts of death. The oldest
and most respected of the Fire caste Bork’an A centre of learning and academia. with
academies was founded here many many universities and research
centuries ago. facilities. A high percentage of the Fio
caste come from this world.
D’yanoi Meaning ‘twin moons’ and isolated for
many years from the main body of the Fal’shia The Fio caste members of this world
Tau empire, the Tau on this world are famed for the quality of their
regressed to a more basic level of artisans and their work is much sought
technology. Though they have since after. Many of the most important Tau
regained their place in the empire, the technological innovations have come
inhabitants are still regarded as from this world, and Tau from this sept
somewhat rustic and backwards. are regarded as great problem solvers.
Other
Septs Commonly associated traits
Au’taal Well known as a verdant and beautiful sept where those Tau able to move freely throughout the empire
may spend their free time relaxing. Tau from this world are known for their easygoing attitude to their
duty to the empire and other Tau often regard them as lazy.

Elsy’eir Renowned for the quantity and quality of their poetry and artwork, Tau from this sept are regarded as
intellectuals and are well respected for their creativeness.
Ke’lshan Situated near the Perdus Rift, this sept has suffered a great deal at the hands of all manner of alien
races and, as such, the inhabitants have become mistrustful of those not known to them. These Tau
are held to be solemn and taciturn, unfriendly and sometimes openly hostile to alien races.
N’dras For reasons unknown, this world was voluntarily abandoned by the Tau nearly half a century ago. The
few remaining Tau from N’dras are regarded as being untrustworthy and are generally of quicker
temper and brooding countenance.
T’olku Known for the sage counsel, debating and diplomatic skills of its Ethereal caste members, many of
those Tau who have had successful dealings with alien species originate from this world.
Tash’var On the frontier of Tau space, this world has suffered depredations from Orks and other piratical races,
and its inhabitants are seen as tenacious and hardy, practical and courageous.
Vash’ya Known as the world ‘between spheres’, members of the Kor caste have a long tradition on this planet,
providing the majority of the pilots and ship crew for the early Tau expansion into space.
THE TAU EMPIRE
HUMAN ATTACK

GALAXY MAP

F
FARSIGHT ENCLAVES L DAL’YTH
U
G

PE
ARTHAS MOLOCH

RD
PECH

US
S

VIOR’LA SA’CEA

RI
E

FT
L
C

KE’LSHAN
O

TAU’N
M

Q-15 T’AU AU’TAAL

A
D

N’DRAS
VASH’YA

T’OLKU ELSY’EIR

LANDFALL

TASH’VAR D’YANOI

BORK’AN

FAL’SHIA

TYRANID ATTACK

FARSIGHT DAL’YTH
MAJOR SEPT - WORLDS VIOR’LA
SA’CEA
LESSER SEPT - WORLDS
TAU’N
KROOT WORLDS T’AU
TAU HOMEWORLD
ARTEFACT WORLDS
FAL’SHIA
1st PHASE COLONIES (pop. 100,000+)
D’YANOI
BORK’AN
2nd PHASE COLONIES (pop. 10-10,000)

ORK ATTACK