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The '''Tau''' are a young race of technologically-oriented beings from the [[Eastern Fringe]]. [[T'au]], the Tau home planet, was discovered in 789.[[M35]] by the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] ship ''Land's Vision''. Adeptus Mechanicus records indicate that at that time , the Tau species had mastered the use of simple tools and weapons, as well as fire. Before the planet could be cleansed and colonised colonized by the Imperium , however, a violent [[Warp]] -storm erupted around the planet. This continued for 6,000 years, making the Tau's homeworld utterly inaccessible.

It was not until the [[Damocles Crusade]] that the Imperium again contacted the Tau. The [[Imperium]] found the primitive Tau had advanced considerably. In six thousand years , the Tau had advanced from spears and fire to colonising colonizing planets and [[Pulse Rifle|pulse rifle]]s.

The Tau are a plainplains-dwelling race. In their prehistory, they lived in tribes on the desert plains, hunting and gathering their food. As their race aged, they expanded to all environments. The Tau of the plains became strong and skilful hunters, larger and stronger than most other Tau. The Tau of the mountains developed the ability to soar high above the baking deserts on thermals. The Tau of the river valleys developed agriculture and metallurgy, forming the first true settlements. The development of settlements led to the need of trade, and wandering Tau began to negotiate and mediate between the disparate tribes.

The numerous wars that broke out lasted for years. Each year , thousands died as squalid conditions and lack of access to fresh food and water created a plague that killed more Tau than were dying in the wars. The Tau were on the verge of wiping themselves out. Out of the destruction and darkness of the Mont'au, came a guiding light: the [[Ethereal]]s.

Tau legends tell of the first appearance of Ethereals at [[Fio'taun]]. The fortress city of Fio'taun was under assault by the warriors from the plains. Though negotiation had been attempted, the fierce plain warriors would settle for nothing less than the annihilation of Fio'taun. For five long years , the inhabitants held off the savage assaults with their thick walls and plentiful cannoncannons. However, disease and starvation began to take their toll. As the tide of the siege turned, two mysterious Tau appeared. One made his way into the camp of the plains Tau, exuding a quiet authority that no Tau was able to resist. Soon, the leader of the plains warriors was persuaded to parley with the Tau of Fio'taun. Similarly, the other mysterious Tau made his way deep into the fortress. Within a few short hours, the gates stood wide open, and the Tau stood ready to talk.

The Ethereals spoke of the importance of peace and understanding between all Tau. They described a [[Greater Good]] that each Tau must strive towards. The besiegers and the besieged quickly agreed with the Ethereals and a truce was reached. Across the land, Ethereals emerged, each with the same quiet authority and message of harmony and cooperation. With the Tau united, a great civilisation civilization began.

The Tau are currently in the process of securing their Third -Phase colonies, while fending off remnants of [[Hive Fleet]] [[Kraken]] and the occasional [[Ork]] raids. They have a rather uneasy relationship with the Imperium, which is far more concerned with more important conflicts, like [[Armageddon]] and the [[13th Black Crusade]].

The Tau are the most open and tolerant of the races in the [[galaxy]], which means that they prefer not to destroy all other races on sight and are nowhere near as xenophobic as the [[Imperium]]. They are appreciative of the ways of the [[human]]s, [[Eldar]], and other sentient races , but hold their own values as superior above all others.

Their tolerance also extends to themselves, as the Tau recognise recognize even lowly Fio'la workers as being as important to the operation and well-being of the Empire as Shas'vre Battlesuit leaders or even the highest Aun'o.

Tau names are generally seen in the Imperium as long, complicated , and unwieldy, but they can be broken down into the following:*Caste and rank within that caste.*Sept of birth.*Personal name (which is often determined/extended by their notable actions or achievements)

====Castes and rankRank====The [[Caste System]] organises organizes all Tau into five different castes and each one of them has a defined social role, be it military, trade, diplomacy, or leadership. The members of a caste are further classified by a specific rank.

Tau come from many planetary systems, or [[Tau Empire#Tau Septs|Sept]]s, and these shape and define their methods of work. Some of these are:*[[T'au]]*[[Vior'la]]*[[Sa'cea]]

Every Tau is humanoid in shape, with two arms, two cloven feet, and a single head. Their grey-blue skin is leathery and tough and exudes no moisture, owing to the generally dry conditions of their homeworld. Their faces are flat, wide around the eyes, and their olfactory organs are located inside their mouths. Their eyes can see into the infrared and ultraviolet. Tau eyesight is good, but they focus on distant objects slower than humans. The Tau are not very good in [[close combat]], as they find the whole concept unciviliseduncivilized.

The Tau are very much a ranged-combat oriented army. A common tactic is to engage the enemy at the maximum range of their weapons, which typically have a longer range and greater firepower than the equivalent weapons of other armies. Tau players usually try to take out the strongest weapons of the enemy as well as keeping enemy troops from reaching the Tau lines, as most Tau units are weak in [[close combat]]. This tactic is common amongst new players of the Tau, who quickly realise realize that advancing their units toward enemy forces often leaves them exposed and completely incapable of fighting off a well-timed assault by their opponent. A more prevalent tactic amongst Tau veterans is the "Mecha-Tau" approach, which utilises utilizes the inherent mobility and speed of Tau vehicles and [[battlesuit]]s to confuse and overwhelm the enemy by engaging them at all levels of the battlefield.

The Tau army is highly specialisedspecialized, with each element normally having a specific task in support of the rest of the force. [[Fire Warrior]] teams make up the line troops while forward scouts known as [[Tau Pathfinder|Pathfinder]]s scout enemy positions and provide fire support with [[Rail Rifle]]s and [[markerlight]] target designators. The Tau also deploy [[Battlesuit#Broadside Battlesuit|Broadside battlesuit]]s and [[Battlesuit#Crisis Battlesuit|Crisis battlesuit]]s in supporting roles, providing specialised specialized weapons to deal with any hot spots on the battlefield or providing heavy anti-tank fire. [[Battlesuit#Stealth Battlesuit|Stealthsuit team]]s operate independently of the main force, unleashing devastating fire from hidden positions.

The Tau also make extensive use of small, AIA.I.-controlled [[drone]]s, typically equipped with guns or forcefields. Drones can be used to protect teams of Fire Warriors and battlesuits or support tanks, and can even be grouped into independent squadrons.