{{ambig|subject=Tau caste system|disambiguation=Fire Caste}}

The Tau ==Overview==Each caste is named after an element of nature, symbolising the purpose and temperament of the caste's members. A T'au's caste system''is determined at birth and inherited by one' s parents. Inter-breeding is forbidden by the [[Ethereal]]s. For a system T'au to choose another caste for himself seems to be impossible, and held contrary to the notions of social division the [[Greater Good]]. The castes are based upon the racial and political divisions that divides all separated the Tau on their [[homeworld]] of [[T'au (Planet)|T'au]] during the time of the [[TauMont'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 five distinct groupscastes, each known by the element that most befitted its role in the new T'au society.{{Fn|26a}}

== Overview ==Each caste Overstepping ones lot in their Caste and undertaking actions relegated to another is named after an element one of nature, symbolising the purpose and temperament of the caste's members. A most grievous crimes in Tau's caste is determined at birth and inherited by one's parents. Inter-breeding is forbidden by the [[Ethereal]]ssociety. For a Tau to choose another caste for himself seems to be impossibleinstance, and held contrary to the notions of the an [[Greater GoodEarth Caste]]. The castes are based upon the racial and political divisions that separated the Tau on their engineer is usually forbidden from using [[homeworldFire Caste]] of [[T'au]] during the time of -issued weapons in a pitched battle without special permission from the [[Mont'auEthereal]]s. The Castes were first formally established after Violation of this law commonly results in the Ethereals brokered peace between warring Tau factions at accused being sent to a [[Fio'taunRe-education Facility]]. Emphasizing the need for the Greater Good, the Ethereals decreed that the Tau would be formalized into a caste, each known by the element that most befitted its role in the new Tau society.{{Fn|6a15}}

|style=background:#c96; align=center|'''[[Fire Caste|Fire - Shas]]'''

|style=background:#c96; align=center|'''[[Earth Caste|Earth - Fio]]'''

|style=background:#c96; align=center|'''[[Water Caste|Water - Por]]'''

|style=background:#c96; align=center|'''[[Air Caste|Air - Kor]]'''

|style=background:#c96; align=center|'''[[Ethereal|Ethereal - Aun]]'''

|align=center|Highest of the Holy

== Shas - Fire caste ==*{{Main|Fire Caste}}:''Fire Caste'' redirects here. For the novel by [[Peter Fehervari]], see [[Fire Caste (Novel)]].''Members of the '''Fire Caste''' are the warriors of the [[Tau Empire]], and as such are most often seen on the field of battle. They have been bred to be the strongest and most aggressive Tau, and weak strains are quickly weeded out. These traits come from the Fire Caste's origin on the plains of [[T'au]], where they were hunters and warriors. [[Fire Warriors]], as soldiers of the Fire Caste are known, spend their entire lifetimes in battle or preparing for it, constantly honing their tactics and working to improve their skills. The strongest of the strong are those Tau from the world of [[Vior'la]], who have slightly greater muscle mass because of the stronger gravity of that planet.{{Fn|6a}} The Fire Caste are guided by the [[Code of Fire]] — a doctrine of loyalty, martial arts and merciless war tempered by wisdom.{{Fn|6a}}{{Fn|9a}} == Fio - Earth Caste ==*{{Mainmain|Earth Caste}}

This caste provides for the manufacturing, agricultural, industrial, artisans, and engineering needs of the Tau T'au Empire. By far the largest caste in sheer numbers, it is they who erect dwellings, provide food, and produce new technology. Members of the Earth Caste are often described as plain and dour, possessing a rather stoic outlook on life in general. They were originally the first Tau T'au to build cities and practice agriculture. The city of [[Fio'taun]] is an example of this, being the first place where the [[Ethereal]]s appeared.{{Fn|6a}}

{{Clear}}== Por - Water Caste ==*{{Mainmain|Water Caste}}

The Water Caste serve the Tau T'au Empire as traders, merchants, public servants, bureaucrats, administrators, diplomats, and ambassadors. They interact with other races when such affairs are not handled by the Fire Caste, and often act as administrators of Tau T'au worlds in the absence of an [[Ethereal]] governor. Like water, Water Caste bureacrats bureaucrats fluidly move between other Castes and alien races incorporated within the Empire to make sure that it flows smoothly. The Water Caste are known for their great linguistic, diplomatic, and negotiation skills. Members of the Water Caste are often the ones who initiate first contact with new species encountered by the Empire, skilfully negotiating their union with the TauT'au.{{Fn|6a}} The members of the Water Caste have a gift for linguistics that has become more and more developed over time, so they able to learn alien languages with ease and show a remarkable ability to emulate and pick up subtlest of communication features.{{Fn|9a}}

*{{Mainmain|Air Caste}}

The Air Caste is charged with holding the Tau T'au Empire together through the [[Kor'vattra]], the Tau T'au Empire's merchant and war-fleet in addition to operating [[Tau Orbital]]s and [[Fortress Station]]s. Formerly functioning as messengers, these days they are the Tau T'au Navy and are sometimes called the "Invisible Caste", for they rarely if ever set foot upon planets. Living in [[Orbital City|Orbital Cities]], Tau T'au of the Air Caste are the tallest and most slender of all TauT'au, with long, skinny limbs and hollow bones developed due to lives lived mostly in low- and zero-gravity ships and space stations. In the past, before the time of the [[Mont'au]], the Tau T'au that originally became the Air Caste had membranes stretching between their limbs, allowing them to glide on air currents. Tau T'au pilots tend to be superior pilots compared to their [[human ]] counterparts because they have a better depth perception and higher G-tolerance, but lack battle-experience compared to the best Imperial fighter-pilots.{{Fn|6a}} The Air Caste also operates air defenses within Tau territory.{{Fn|13}}

== Aun - Ethereal/Celestial Caste ==*{{Mainmain|Ethereal}}

The [[Ethereal]]s serve as "philosopher kings", and guide the other castes, as well as alien member-races of the Tau T'au empire, towards the enlightenment of the ''[[Tau'va]]'', the [[Greater Good]]. They serve as the undisputed rulers of the Tau T'au Empire. Their unique role is a combination of spiritual and political duties, and their declarations shape and steer every action of the Tau Empire. Were an Ethereal to order a Tau T'au to kill himself, he would be met with instant obedience.{{Fn|6a}} Ethereals themselves rule from the [[Ethereal Council]], with the [[Ethereal Supreme]] being the highest ranked of the Caste. They are in turn protected by the [[Ethereal Guard]].{{Cite thisFn|16}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Fire Warrior (Novel)]], pg. 120{{Cite ThisCME}}, pg. 120 (the canonicity of the information contained in the novel is unclear)

*6: [[Codex: Tau Empire (6th Edition)]]:

*8: [[White Dwarf 89 (2015)]]:

*9: [[Codex: Tau Empire (7th Edition)]],: