Vespid

Tau Portal

This article is about the Vespid Species. For other uses of Vespid, see Vespid (disambiguation).

A Vespid warrior^[4b]

The Vespid (known as Stingwings by the Imperial Guard or Mal'Kor by the Tau)^[2] are an insectoid race allied with the Tau Empire.^[1]

History

Hailing from the world of Vespid, the race was already fairly technology adept when they were approached by the Tau Empire's Water Caste diplomats. It seemed unlikely that the Vespid would ever submit for the Greater Good, as their mindset was so freakishly different to anything the Tau could understand that their emissaries made little headway. However after the Ethereals provided the Vespids with a custom-made communication headset, they suddenly became completely compliant, calmly accepting total annexation by the Tau Empire. Rumors have circulated ever since as to what true purpose these headsets serve.^[4a]

Physiology and Biology

The inhabitants of the planet Vespid are a bipedal, vaguely insectoid race which have a sturdy chitinous exoskeletal barbed armour that encases their bodies. They stand somewhat taller than the average human and appear to be much faster, due to the chitinous wing-like protrusions on their backs which emit a ultrasonic tone, which they use to control and modulate their technology. They have three pairs of eyes running in two lateral lines down their faces, one perceives the ultraviolet range, the second perceives the normal visible spectrum, and the last sees the infra-red. The females are larger.^[2]

While capable of flight, Vespid wings should not grant them this ability according to the Imperial understanding of aerodynamics.^[2]

Society

Because the Vespid language is so complex (presumably because of their complex mouths) and only the Strain Leaders are given the apparatus to translate their language to their Tau allies.^[1][2]

Stingwing Strains are highly sought after in Tau Fire Warrior Cadres because of their high level of maneuverability. They are often used by Tau commanders alongside Crisis Battlesuits or used in a scouting role, backing up Pathfinders. In the Tau language they are referred to as "Mal'kor," which comes from "Mal" meaning insect and "kor" meaning air.^[2]

The Vespid warriors, called Stingwings, form tactical units referred to as Strains. Each Strain is lead by a Strain leader.^[1]

A Vespid Stingwing Strain Leader^[5]

Technology

The Vespids' technology is based around exotic crystals only found on the bottom of the floating islands of their homeworld, which they manipulate with the ultrasonic sounds manipulated from their wings.^[2]

From the Tau, they have gained armor and weaponry, and a Vespid Communion Helm that enables them to more freely communicate with other races (as their own language is extremely complex and for the most part inimitable). Their weapons are a mixture of Tau technology and Vespid resources, which enables them to act as specialist against heavily armored troops (specifically the Space Marines, whom the Tau have always had problems fighting against).^[1][2]

The Neutron Blaster the Vespid Stingwings carry is a unique blending of Tau technology and the unstable radioactive crystals that the Vespids mine. The energy harnessed from the crystal allows the weapon to strip atoms off of the target. Due to the Vespids' wings creating different harmonic resonances within the crystal, they are the only creatures able to wield the Neutron Blaster effectively.^[1][2]

In terms of their own technology, the closest thing that has so far been recognized is their own wings. It is unclear yet just how their wings are used, whether they are flexible enough to oscillate fast enough or are capable of ejecting fluid or plasma to produce lift, is yet to be ascertained. In either eventuality they are capable of flight and are often deployed onto the battle field from the air, enabling them to join the battle in the most suitable location.^[2]

The Vespids have stalactite-like Nest Vessel spacecraft, which they used as auxiliaries in the Farsight Expedition's Grand Reclamation Fleet.^[6]

Known Vespids

• Zchllchk - strain leader^[7]

Images

• 

  A Vespid warrior^[1]

• 

  Vespid miniatures^[3]

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

"Vespid" is Latin for any social insect of the family Vespidae including wasps and hornets.

See Also

• List of sentient species

Sources

• 1: Codex: Tau Empire (4th Edition), pg. 16
• 2: Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos, pgs. 26-27
• 3: Games Workshop Webstore: Vespid Stingwings (saved archive page, dated 13 November 2015, last accessed 24 January 2023)
• 4: Codex: Tau Empire (7th Edition):
  • 4a: pg. 35
  • 4b: pg. 36 Alien Auxiliaries
• 5: Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos, pg. 26
• 6: Farsight: Crisis of Faith (Novel), Chapter Six
• 7: Voice of Experience (Short Story)