Nicassar
The Nicassar are a psychic xenos race who were the first addition to the T'au Empire.[1]
Physiology and biology
The Nicassar are highly psychic. Fearing that the Imperium's distrust of psykers would intensify their already dangerous xenophobia, the T'au have carefully kept them hidden from humans.[1]
Physically, Nicassars are ursine in appearance and have ivory hair-quills and stubby, clawed limbs.[4] They possess no eyes, instead sensing their surroundings with psychic abilities generated by glands in their avian skulls.[2][3] Nicassar are described as having long furred snouts.[4]
When communicating with T'au, a Nicassar always floats in a special healsphere.[2] They are described as having limited mobility and being unfit for ground combat, and so further the Greater Good by providing ships for the Tau fleet, especially for the roles of scouting and exploring.[1] The Nicassar are driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore and travel, becoming semi-nomadic and most content when traveling. They are able to place themselves into a state of hibernation, allowing them to survive for long periods.[1]
The Nicassar also have a prophecy of doom known as the Hollowing, which foretells the ending of the Galaxy.[5]
Technology
Their spaceships are known as Dhows and are small, maneuverable, yet elegant yachts propelled by the psychic powers of the captain. But the Nicassar lack any real interstellar capability. As such, they are often towed by T'au ships, and also provided with upgraded T'au weaponry, or they will travel slowly for centuries while in hibernation. Often for a longer journey a Nicassar family will join together to form a larger community, with crew alternating between hibernation.[1]
Notable Nicassar
See also
Sources
- 1: To Unite the Stars: Tau Vessels, pg. 107 Battlefleet Gothic Resources (site accessed 2009.11.01)
- 2: Farsight: Crisis of Faith (Novel), Chapter Three
- 3: Storm of Damocles (Novel), Chapter One
- 4: Shadowsun: The Patient Hunter (Novel) - Chapter 17
- 5: Leviathan (Box) Rulebook, pg. 63
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