THE TAU
The Tau are a species that have risen to power in the 41st
millenium. A new species that was discovered 6000 years ago when they were
still a primitive emerging race. The Tau are divided according to their caste,
Fire, Water, Earth, Air or Ethereal. Also the species known as the Kroot has
become part of the Tau empire. All 6 of these types will be covered in this
section.
General Features
These special features apply to all castes of Tau.
Scent (Ex): “They
smelt bitter, an aroma as unvaried and unsubtle as it was unpleasant, so unlike
the rich pheromone language the Tau enjoyed,”
– thoughts of famed Aun’el T’au Ko’vash.
The Nasal Slit of the Tau is far better developed than the human or
even the canine smell organs to the point that they can actually detect
pheromones of fear emanating off of humans and animals. This grants them the Scent
special ability.
Psychic Null (Ex): “…the
Tau found it difficult to comprehend the hallucinogenic effects [the warp] 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.”
The tau are a psychically null race. They get a +2 natural bonus on
saves against psychic powers and are unable to take psychic feats, talents or
classes.
The Tau Fire Caste
is the one we are most used to dealing with in Warhammer 40,000 as they run the
military but they do not in fact represent the majority of the tau population.
The Water Caste
are the diplomats and traders in Tau society.
The Air Caste
are the pilots and space travellers in Tau society
The farmers and
the workers in Tau society.
The mystical
rulers of the Tau empire. By some force they can command all Tau.
Carnivorous
creatures who feed on their fallen enemies to aid their guided evolution.