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The '''Ethereals''' (or ''Aun'' in Tauthe [[T'au Lexicon]]) are members of the [[Caste System|Ethereal Caste]], the leaders of [[Tau]] society.

== History Overview ==Their Not appearing in the earliest Tau mythos, their arrival started 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]]. Their power over the Tau is such that an Ethereal could tell a Tau to die and that Tau would do so quickly and gladly. The [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] would give much to learn the secret of the Ethereal's power. There is strong implication from the similarities between an organ possessed uniquely among Tau by the Ethereals, and an organ which [[Q'orl]] use in pheromonal communication that this ability may be due to deliberate engineering in the Ethereals' past.{{Fn|1}}

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. HoweverThis is a gamble, however, as if the Ethereal falls in combat, the remaining Tau are struck with such grief and anger that causes them to lose battles or they get extremely enraged and charge forward. Either way, after an Ethereal falls the Fire Warriors lose all discipline and efficiencybattle plans fall apart.{{Fn|4}}

Though As the obedience leaders of the Tau to , the Ethereals is naturalare enigmatic and studious, yet unfaltering in their authority and their drive to further the other races, especially Greater Good with [[MankindAun'va|few exceptions]]. They are mystics and philosophers, have long speculated about the features possessed of this uncommon loyaltyknowledge and wisdom not shared by their more practical subjects. There are a lot of theories from As such they had some part to play in the prenatal indoctrination Tau rapid development, and to this day guide their species in its dynamic expansion, or pheromonal compulsion the castes revert to the presence of some veiled psychic gift possessed by the Ethereals, but as yet no confirmed proof of any such power has been secured. Those few Ethereals savagery that have been captured and subjected once threatened to interrogation have proven less than forthcomingdestroy them.{{Fn|84}}

On their foreheads resides The power this caste holds over the Tau is such that an Ethereal could tell a small organ, smaller than Tau to die and that Tau would do so quickly and gladly. Though the ones obedience of the Tau to Ethereals is held as natural, other castes races, especially [[Mankind]], havelong speculated about this uncommon loyalty. Imperial studies on There are many theories, from prenatal indoctrination and pheromonal compulsion to the presence of some veiled psychic gift possessed by the organ show no biological functionEthereals, but it's suspected as yet no confirmed proof of any such power has been secured. Those few Ethereals that the ethereal studied is a dud, or that the way the Ethereal control the Tau is more esoteric in naturehave been captured and subjected to interrogation have proven less than forthcoming.{{Fn|48}}

As the leaders of There is strong implication from the similarities between an organ possessed uniquely among Tau, by the Ethereals are enigmatic , and studious, yet unfaltering an organ which [[Q'orl]] queens use in their authority and their drive to further the Greater Good. They are mystics and philosopherspheromonal communication, possessed of knowledge and wisdom not shared by their more practical subjects. As such they had some part that this ability may be due to play deliberate engineering in the Tau rapid developmentEthereals' past, and to this day guide their species in its dynamic expansion, or likely by the castes revert to the savagery that once threatened to destroy them[[Aeldari]].{{Fn|41}}

=On their foreheads resides a small organ, smaller than the ones the other castes have. Imperial studies on the organ show no biological function, but it's suspected that the Ethereal studied is a dud, or that the way the Ethereal control the Tau is more esoteric in nature{{Fn|4}} ===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'''.{{Fn|13}} Ethereal ranks from lowest to highest are:{{Fn|11}}