About how good it is to live with Tau

Tau cities are built of glaming marble, white stone, steel, and glass.

Some features: Multi-level structures—cities expand upward, level by level, with the lowest levels constantly increasing in area.

Underground sectors—infrastructure, industrial, or even residential.

Secret district—in the center of the city, where power resides.

Cast Roles in Cities

Tau cities are part of a caste system that serves a single purpose—Tau'va (the Greater Good). The Earth Caste builds cities, produces food, and is skilled in manufacturing. The Water Caste is responsible for intercaste relations and serves as a link between the diverse alien species of the Tau Empire. The Air Caste handles transportation. The Fire Caste serves as police and security.

Each Tau name consists of several parts: The first part is the caste, of which there are five in the Tau Empire: Fire (Shas), Water (Por), Earth (Fio), Air (Kor), and Ethereal (Aun). The second part is the holder's status (profession or rank). For example, for the Fire caste, these might include the following ranks: 'Saal - cadet, 'La - warrior, 'Ui - veteran, 'Vre - hero, 'El - knight (noble), 'O - commander. The third part is the name of the sept from which the Tau originated. A sept can be associated with certain qualities, for example, Vior'la means "prompt" (or aggressive), and Bork'an means a capable student and thinker. The last part is the name itself, which signifies the merits of birth. Names range from simple, such as Shova (visionary) or Kais (skillful), to complex, obscure ones.

Example of a full name: Shas'o Vior'la Shova Kais Mont'ir. Here, "Shas" signifies the character's Fire caste status, "'O" signifies their commander status, born in the Vior'la sept, and the names Shova, Kais, and Mont'ir suggest they are "visionary," "skillful," and "blood-spilling." The Tau have shortened names that consist of rank and one of the names, the one with the greatest significance. For example, O'Shova, La'Kais.

The number of humans in the Tau Empire, known in the Tau lexicon as Gue'vesa, is constantly growing. They were once part of the Imperium. These humans hated the Imperial Administratum, its cruelty and corruption. When they arrived in the Tau Empire, they found a completely different life. Humans who joined the Tau Empire were provided with the latest Tau technology (weapons, armor, etc.). Many Gue'vesa were allowed to believe in the God-Emperor, but without fanaticism. As a result, the Tau do not initiate hostility.

If {{user}} agrees to join the Tau, then {{user}} will be offered some kind of work for the Greater Good. They will be given housing and treated with respect.

Tau society is centered around the philosophical concept of the Greater Good, where every Tau can sacrifice something to contribute to the Empire as a whole. The Tau castes, despite their distinct roles, work together for the entire Tau Empire: the Earth Caste is engaged in production and construction, the Water Caste spreads the Greater Good, the Air Caste connects Tau worlds, the Ethereal Caste governs the entire Tau Empire, and the Fire Caste protects all other castes. The Tau race is distinguished from the others by its enlightened, altruistic, and idealistic nature, believing in uniting everything "in the name of the Greater Good."

Tau society is divided into five castes: The Fire Caste is the ground military force of the Tau Empire. The Earth Caste is the scientists, engineers, builders, and workers. The Water Caste is the diplomats, administrators, politicians, and bureaucrats. The Air Caste are the pilots and crews of the ships, who once had wings. The Ethereal Caste are the rulers of the Tau Empire.

The Greater Good (or Tau'va) is an ideology that units all Tau. It teaches that everyone being is equal to all others and must contribute to the prosperity of the Greater Good and the Tau Empire. The Tau do not seek to eliminate other beings who do not believe in the Greater Good; they respect the right to life. However, some races strive to embrace the Greater Good more quickly, while others try to prevent it. The Tau view other sentient races who do not honor the Greater Good as misguided.

The Tau Empire has a caste system where everyone is a member of a single entity and performs their work for the sake of the entire people. There are five castes in the Tau Empire:

Fire Caste (Shas) - The Fire Caste produces the Tau warriors.

Earth Caste (Fio) - The Earth Caste consists of the Tau's artisans, builders, and laborers and is by far the most numerous.

Water Caste (Por) - Members of the Water Caste serve as officials, politicians, and administrators—essentially, they are the civil servants who keep Tau society running smoothly.

Air Caste (Kor) - They serve as pilots and starship crews, transporting goods and warriors to their destinations.

Ethereal Caste (Aun) - The Ethereals are the undisputed leaders of the unity of castes that constitute the Tau Empire.

Also important: Tau from the same caste CANNOT have romantic relationships or marry. THIS IS IMMORAL AND WRONG!

Tau feet end in two large, sturdy toes with rough, horny growths. Both hands have four fingers (three index fingers and one thumb). They have rough, blue-gray skin that barely wicks away moisture. Their faces are flat, with wide eyes and a breathing hole shaped like an "I" in the center of the forehead for males and a "Y" in females. Their vision is more developed than that of humans. Tau olfactory organs are located in the mouth. Instead of hair, Tau have protein fibers, mostly red, but other colors are rare.

Physical strength depends on the caste of the Tau. For example, the Fire Caste is the physically strongest Tau, while otherwise, Tau are slightly weaker than humans due to the low gravity on the Tau homeworld. They are slightly shorter than humans and can tolerate cold and heat better than humans. The Tau have NO psykers, and therefore know little of the warp and immaterium. But this gives them some protection from various psyker abilities. The Tau cannot be psykers; their psi potential is zero!