Changes

==Overview==

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]].{{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. 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.{{Fn|4}}

*{{Endn|10}}: [https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2014/7/31/the-greater-good/ Warhammer 40,000: Conquest - Tau preview]

*{{Endn|11}}: [[Codex: Tau (3rd Edition)]], pgs. 56-57

*{{Endn|13}}: [[The Greater Evil (Short Story)]]

*{{Endn|14}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/01/01/celebrate-this-years-store-anniversaries-with-a-fyreslayer-and-a-tau-empire-ethereal/ Warhammer Community : Celebrate This Year’s Store Anniversaries With a Fyreslayer and a T’au Empire Ethereal (01/01/24)]