Earth Caste
The Earth Caste (or Fio) is one of the five Castes of Tau Society, based around engineering, agriculture, industry, and construction.[1a]
Overview
This caste provides for the manufacturing, agricultural, industrial, artisans, and engineering needs of the Tau Empire. By far the largest caste in sheer numbers, it is they who erect dwellings, provide food, and produce new technology. Members of the Earth Caste are often described as plain and dour, possessing a rather stoic outlook on life in general. They were originally the first Tau to build cities and practice agriculture. The city of Fio'taun is an example of this, being the first place where the Ethereals appeared.[1a]
Most of the simple labor of the Earth Caste is done by Drones.[8]
Ranks
The Earth Caste ranks from lowest to highest are:[3]
| Rank | Translation |
| Fio'saal | Apprentice |
| Fio'la | Worker |
| Fio'ui | Senior |
| Fio'vre | Overseer |
| Fio'el | Engineer |
| Fio'O | Planner |
Notable Members of the Earth Caste
- Ka'buto - Famed scientist[7a]
- Tu'len - Leader of the Tau Empire experimental weapons division[7b]
- Sho'Aun - Famous Battlesuit Engineer[5]
- O'Ishu'ron - Engineer[4]
- O'Vesa - One of The Eight[6]
- Worldshaper - Famous terraforming expert.
- Kejata
Sources
- 1: Codex: Tau Empire (6th Edition)
- 1a: pgs. 8-12
- 2: Warhammer 40,000: Conquest - Earth Caste Engineer card
- 3: Codex: Tau (3rd Edition) pgs. 56-57
- 4: White Dwarf 88 (2015) - KV128 Stormsurge
- 5: Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen, pg. 25
- 6: Farsight Enclaves - A Codex: Tau Empire Supplement (E-Book), pgs. 95-96
- 7: Codex: Tau Empire (8th Edition)
- 8: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade Manual, pg. 18
