Ethereal

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Tau Ethereal

The Ethereals, or Aun in the T'au Lexicon, are members of the Ethereal Caste, the leaders of Tau society.

Overview

Ethereal Caste symbol[12a]

Not appearing in the earliest Tau mythos, their arrival is credited with starting the unification process between the various Tau tribes and coincided with the implementation of the concept of the Greater Good. They first appeared during a siege between the Tau of the plains (later known as the Fire Caste) and the Tau of the city of Fio'taun (later known as the Earth Caste). The Ethereals brought the two sides together to negotiate and convinced them to follow the Greater Good.[1]

Aun'shi, an Ethereal[12b]

Ethereals lead the Tau Empire socially and politically, and sometimes lead the Fire Caste into battle to provide inspirational leadership, so the warriors can achieve more. This is a gamble, however, as if the Ethereal falls in combat the remaining Tau are struck with such grief and anger that battle plans fall apart.[4]

As the leaders of the Tau, the Ethereals are enigmatic and studious, yet unfaltering in their authority and their drive to further the Greater Good with few exceptions. They are mystics and philosophers, possessed of knowledge and wisdom not shared by their more practical subjects. As such they had some part to play in the Tau rapid development, and to this day guide their species in its dynamic expansion, or the castes revert to the savagery that once threatened to destroy them.[4]

The power this caste holds over the Tau is such that an Ethereal could tell a Tau to die and that Tau would do so quickly and gladly. Though the obedience of the Tau to Ethereals is held as natural, other races, especially Mankind, have long speculated about this uncommon loyalty. There are many theories, from prenatal indoctrination and pheromonal compulsion (see Ethereal#Biology) to the presence of some veiled psychic gift[8] or some other more esoteric method of control[4] possessed by the Ethereals, but as yet no confirmed proof of any such power has been secured. Those few Ethereals that have been captured and subjected to interrogation have proven less than forthcoming.[8] The Tau themselves are not inclined to research the reason for this effect either.[18] Inquisitor Maturin Ralei interrogated a Tau Ethereal, and noted the creation of the breakaway Farsight Enclave by Commander Farsight in the absence of a Tau Ethereal despite the claims of natural unity under the Greater Good. The Ethereal refused to reply to this provocation.[1b]

Ethereals rarely expose themselves to direct danger, but if they are present in a battlefield they serve to inspire the Tau and drive them towards their objectives even if it means certain death. If an Ethereal is in danger, nearby Tau will fanatically attempt to defend them.[16a] Besides their Ethereal Guard protectors, Ethereals will an Equalizer and Honour Blade. They also normally have several Drone escorts, including a Hover Drone for personal transportation.[16b][17]

Biology

The dissection of a Tau Ethereal as conducted by Magos Biologis Sharle Darvus working under the orders of Inquisitor Brehm Sasham[1a]

On their foreheads resides a small unnamed diamond-shaped organ with a rigid carapace that contains ultra-dense hormonal fluids which emits an overpowering scent. The rear ganglia of their brains connects to their central lobe, and their head also contains polyp-structures vaguely reminiscent of pheromone glands amongst Terran invertebrates, specifically Silk Worms. Comparative Imperial studies of members of other Tau castes show the ethereals have a comparatively smaller olfactory cavities. Magos Biologis Sharle Darvus, having dissected a Tau Ethereal, speculates this organ to play a role in controlling other castes via a pheromonal communication system or chemical 'signifiers.'[1c] Inquisitor Brehm Sasham was firmly of the opinion that this form of "chemical puppetry" could prove a weakness in the Ethereals' control over the T'au[1b]

Ranks

As with other members of their species who have obtained a formal position, Ethereals adopt their rank into their personal name. Additionally, some Ethereals are drawn to specialized orders, which when joined bestow alternate titles. If an Ethereal attained the rank of Aun'el and then became a Yasu'aun, for example, they would retain the rank of Aun'el but properly be addressed as Seeker.[13]

Ethereal ranks from lowest to highest are:[11]

Rank Translation
Aun'saal Lord
Aun'la Prince
Aun'ui Prelate
Aun'vre King
Aun'el Holy One
Aun'O Highest

Notable Ethereals

Miniatures

  • Ethereal (2001)

  • Ethereal (2001)

  • Ethereal with Honour Blade (2006)[5]

  • Ethereal with Honour Staff (2006)[5]

  • Ethereal with Hand Blade (2006)[6]

  • Ethereal with a Honour Blade on a Hover Drone (2015)

  • Ethereal (2024)[14]

See Also

Sources

WHVisions.png

This article or article section is based on information included with miniatures showcased in Warhammer: Visions. These showcases regularly featured miniatures submitted with written content by the hobbyist that made them and, as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

Uncited


Tau Empire
Castes

Ethereal • Air • Earth • Fire • Water

Allied Races

Anthrazod • Boaburi • Brachyura • Charpactin • Demiurg • Domati • Formosian • G’nosh • Galg • Greet • Humans • Hrenian • Jagordian • Ji'atrix • Kroot • Morralian • M'uh'ja • Nagi • Nicassar • Ostense Council • Phosiab • Pohu-Agg • Ranghon • Tarellians • Thraxians • Vespid • Vorgh • Yabi-Yabi

Military

Fire Warriors • Kor'vattra • Merchant Fleet • Auxiliaries • Information Awareness

Culture

Sept • Greater Good • Tau Lexicon

Notable Characters

Aun'Va • Aun'shi • O'Shaserra • O'Shovah • Puretide • El'Myamoto • T'au Sha'ng

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