Part 3 of 4 in T'au Empire
The Tau Empire: A Society United for the Greater Good
In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, the Tau Empire stands as a beacon of unity and cooperation. Emerging from the Great War of Confederation against the Orks, the Tau declared the beginning of the Third Sphere of Expansion, which saw them drive deep into Imperial territory and secure a crushing victory at the Battle of Mu’gulath Bay.
A History of Conflict and Cooperation
The Tau have clashed with various factions throughout their history. On the planet Malbede, they fought against the Ultramarines Chapter, only to find themselves facing a greater threat in the form of awakened Necrons. In a rare display of cooperation, the Tau and Ultramarines joined forces to defeat the Necrons, after which the Tau were allowed to evacuate their forces. In another notable conflict, the Tau faced off against the Space Wolves Chapter during the War for Kvarium Alpha, a battle that raged both on land and in the depths of the sea.
The Castes: A Foundation of Tau Society
Tau society is built around the concept of the Greater Good, where individual sacrifices are made for the benefit of the entire race. The castes, each with its unique role and organization, work together to advance the Tau society as a whole. The Earth caste provides and produces, the Water caste communicates and distributes, the Air caste connects the worlds of the Tau Empire, and the Fire caste protects. This philosophy is reflected in the Tau’s all-purpose motto, “For the Greater Good!”
Kroot Society: A Tribal Structure
Kroot society is divided into tribes, known as Kindreds, each led by a Shaper who guides the evolution of their Kindred through the DNA absorption process. The Shaper identifies beneficial genetic traits and instructs their Kindred to hunt and consume the corresponding animals, controlling the breeding process to ensure the desired traits are passed on to their offspring. Kroot dwell in warm, temperate conditions, constructing large tree houses from animal hides and residing in the ruins of hive cities.
Spirituality and Tradition
The consumption of flesh is a key tenet of Kroot spirituality, as it is believed that the consumption of prey imparts the ‘spirit’ of the prey to the Kroot, which is then passed on to their children. This understanding of rapid evolution is deeply ingrained in Kroot culture, with ‘spirit’ serving as a substitute for ‘genetic trait’. As a part of this tradition, the Kroot believe that when a warrior dies, their spirit should be kept safe by the Kindred, and they consider it their responsibility to consume the bodies of their dead foes, along with their own fallen and elders.
A United Front
Despite their differences, the various races within the Tau Empire share a common commitment to the Greater Good. Through their unique societal structures and traditions, they work together to advance the Empire as a whole, standing as a testament to the power of unity and cooperation in a grim and unforgiving universe.
