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Each caste is named after an element of nature, symbolising the purpose and temperament of the caste's members. A T'au's caste is determined at birth and inherited by one's parents. Inter-breeding is forbidden by the [[Ethereal]]s. For a T'au to choose another caste for himself seems to be impossible, and held contrary to the notions of the [[Greater Good]]. The castes are based upon the racial and political divisions that separated the Tau on their [[homeworld]] of [[T'au (Planet)|T'au]] during the time of the [[Mont'au]]. The Castes were first formally established after the Ethereals brokered peace between warring T'au factions at [[Fio'taun]]. Emphasizing the need for the Greater Good, the Ethereals decreed that the T'au would be formalized into castes, each known by the element that most befitted its role in the new T'au society.{{Fn|6a}}
Overstepping ones lot in their Caste and undertaking actions relegated to another is one of the most grievous crimes in Tau society. For instance, an [[Earth Caste]] engineer is usually forbidden from using [[Fire Caste]]-issued weapons in a pitched battle without special permission from the [[Ethereal]]s. Violation of this law commonly results in the accused being sent to a reeducation facility[[Re-education Facility]].{{Fn|15}}
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