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Tau Empire

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==History==
[[File:Tauspace400tau_planets.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The left|Tau empire, centred upon the world of [[T'au]]Planets.]]===Founding===The exact date of founding of the Tau empire is unclear, however the reasons behind the its foundation are. In their [[Tau]] prehistory, the Tau they lived in tribes on the desert plains, hunting and gathering their food. As their race aged, they expanded to all environmentsof [[T'au]]. 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. During the [[M35|35th Millennium]], an [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] [[Explorator]] fleet had discovered the Tau homeworld and determined that its population were a primitive people at the Stone Age level of development who had only just mastered fire.
Growing pains, caused by their unusually rapid technological development led to the invention of sophisticated weaponry. The Tau of the river valleys developed stone fortresses and crude blackpowder weapons to ward off the aggressive Tau of the plains. These fledgeling skirmishes led to the darkest period in Tau history, the Mont'au. 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.
During this time, the 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 cannon. 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 plain Tau, exuding a quiet authority that no Tau was able to resist. Soon, the leader of the plain 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 began.
The Tau empire soon expanded its border through a series of ===Expansion Phases. The Tau empire has gone through 3 phases of expansion alreadyand conflict===[[File:AunVa. These phases are a period of several Tau military campaigns during which nearby worlds are colonised, conquered, or sometimes peacefully persuaded to join the gif|right|thumb|140px|[[Greater GoodAun'Va]], the current leader of the Tau Empire.]]
The Tau empire soon expanded its border through a series of Expansion Phases. The Tau empire has gone through 3 phases of expansion already. These phases are a period of several Tau military campaigns during which nearby worlds are colonised, conquered, or sometimes peacefully persuaded to join the [[File:AunVaGreater Good]].gif|left|thumb|140px|Therefore, apart from the star systems of the Tau, which are called [[Aun'VaTau Sept|Septs]], the current leader of the Tau Empirealso includes the worlds and star systems belonging to the [[Kroot]], [[Vespid]], and the [[Nicassar]].It is currently unknown if the [[Demiurg]]are full members, allies, or mere trading partners. The empire is composed by over twenty fully developed septs and around one hundered settled worlds, but the exact number and most of their names are unknown to us.
ThereforeAt some point, apart from the star systems of the Tau, which are called '''Septs''', the empire also includes the worlds and star systems belonging sent an expeditionary force to the planet [[KrootMalbede]], where they came into [[VespidBattle of Malbede|conflict]], and with the [[NicassarUltramarines]][[Chapter]] in 936.M41. It is currently unknown if However, the world proved to be cursed when their fighting awakened the sleeping [[DemiurgNecron]] are full memberss from their tomb beneath the surface. In an effort to combat this threat, allies, or mere trading partnersthe Tau and the Ultramarines combined forces to defeat the Necrons. The empire is composed by Once the conflict was over twenty fully developed septs and around one hundered settled worlds, but the exact number and most of Tau were allowed to evacuate their names are unknown forces by [[Marneus Augustus Calgar|Marneus Calgar]] who proceeded to usdestroy Malbrede through an [[Exterminatus]]. <sup>5</sup>
A known splinter faction are In [[M41|966.M41]], the Tau fought against the [[Farsight EnclavesSpace Marines|Adeptus Astartes]]of the [[Space Wolves]] [[Chapter]] during the War for Kvarium Alpha. On that water-clogged world, drop pods landed deep in the oceans where their occupants made a move to engage their enemy. AlsoOn the surface, more recently some worlds and star systems the battle was fought between the two sides with an equally deadly conflict erupting in the depths of the Imperium have been conquered by sea between the Space Wolves and Tau forcesBattlesuits. [[Thunderhawk]] Gunships were used to great effect against Hammerhead tanks and Manta gunships with torpedoes, while a handful have seceded prop-bombs and missiles being used against the Tau. Ultimately, the Space Wolves proved to be the victor in the conflict where hundreds of Tau and pledged Space Wolf corpses floated to the surface. With their allegiance mission complete, the Space Wolves made the long trek back to land across the Tau empiresea bed.<sup>4</sup>
At some point, the Tau sent an expeditionary force to the planet [[Battle of Malbede|Malbede]] where they came into conflict with the [[Ultramarines]] ===Damocles Crusade===The [[ChapterDamocles Crusade]] in 936.M41. However, was the world proved to be cursed when their fighting awakened first major military conflict fought between the sleeping [[NecronImperium|Imperium of Man]]s from their tomb beneath and the surfaceTau Empire. In an effort to combat this threat, Members of the Tau and Water Caste had established trade agreements with Imperial worlds on the Ultramarines combined forces to defeat frontier of the Necrons. Once the conflict was overTau Empire, near the Tau were allowed to evacuate their forces by [[Marneus Augustus Calgar|Marneus CalgarDamocles Gulf]] who proceeded to destroy Malbrede through an region of the [[ExterminatusUltima Segmentum]], and exchanges of goods and technology were common.<sup>5</sup> [[File:tau_planets.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Alarmed by the threat of alien contamination, the Administratum readied a suitable response and almost a century later, the Damocles Crusade invaded Tau Planets.]] In [[M41|966.M41]]space, destroying several outlying settlements and pushing deep into the Tau fought against Empire. When the [[Space Marines|Adeptus AstartesImperial fleet]] reached the Tau Sept world of the [[Space WolvesDal'yth]] [[Chapter]] during the War for Kvarium Alpha. On that water-clogged world, drop pods landed deep in however, the oceans where their occupants made Crusade ground to a move to engage their enemy. On bloody stalemate as the surface, formidable numbers and high technology of the battle was fought between Tau and their Kroot allies thwarted every attempt to capture the two sides world or its star system. Many months of terrible fighting ensued with an equally deadly conflict erupting in nothing gained on either side. By late 742.M41 the depths of the sea between Crusade's commanders eventually agreed to requests from the Space Wolves and Tau BattlesuitsWater Caste for peace talks. [[Thunderhawk]] Gunships The negotiations were used to great effect against Hammerhead tanks successful and Manta gunships with torpedoes, prop-bombs and missiles being used against the Imperial fleet withdrew from Tau. Ultimatelyspace unmolested, the Space Wolves proved primarily due to be the victor in impending approach of the conflict where hundreds of Tau and Space Wolf corpses floated to Tyranid Hive Fleet Behemoth. A known splinter faction are the surface[[Farsight Enclaves]]. With their mission completeAlso, more recently some worlds and star systems of the Space Wolves made Imperium have been conquered by the long trek back Tau forces, while a handful have seceded and pledged their allegiance to land across the sea bedTau empire.<sup>4</sup>
===Hive Fleet Gorgon===
*The [[Hrenian]] are auxiliaries that employ Light Infantry to the Tau.<sup>11</sup>
==Military ==
[[File:TauBattlefield.jpg|thumb|right|The Tau Empire at war]]
Tau ground warfare is carried out almost exclusively by the Fire caste, while the Air caste is responsible for aerial and space combat, and providing transport between systems. The basic Fire Caste military unit is known as a [[Hunter Cadre]], similar in size and role to an [[Imperial Guard Company]], and is primarily made up of Tau from the same [[sept]]. [[Auxiliaries]] are drawn from the alien races within the Tau Empire, and can include [[Kroot]] warriors, [[Vespid]] Stingwings, and [[Gue'vesa]], among other forces.
==See Also==
[[File:Tauspace400.jpg|180px|thumb|right|The Tau empire, centred upon the world of [[T'au]].]]
*[[Tau Armoury]]
*[[Tau Fleet]]
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