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TO UNITE THE STARS:

TAU FLEET

TAU VESSELS

“It appears to me that, lacking the sense of unity that might inform them of

their insignificance, these Gue’la have come to think that they might own the

stars themselves, even the spaces in between them. Only by our presence, I think,

might we now convince them otherwise.”

Kor’o Tau’n Viel

TO UNITE THE STARS:

TAU VESSELS

THE TAU FLEET

The Tau Empire has only expanded into space

during the last thousand years. Despite this they

have made remarkable progress in developing

both civilian and military starships, and have now

reached a level where their ships can be

compared to Imperial designs.

The development of the Tau fleet (known as the

Kor’vattra in Tau) has been given the highest

priority by the Ethereal Caste. Without the

Kor’vattra the manifest destiny of the Tau could

never be realised and as a species their existence

would be at the mercy of celestial phenomena

such as meteors or supernova.

Once unified by the Ethereal Caste the Tau made

incredible technological progress. By M39 they

had spread through the T’au system and ringed

their homeworld with orbital research and

manufacturing facilities. Further expansion

required a drive system capable of spanning

interstellar distances however and this proved to

be a formidable barrier.

Tau vessels already used a form of gravitic drive.

This projected a sheath of gravitic energy ahead

of and around the vessel which was continually

re-projected further ahead, drawing the ship

behind it rather like an archaic sail. For two

hundred tau’cyr the Water Caste grappled with

the problem only for the breakthrough to be

handed to them.

On the innermost of T’au seven’s moons a

routine geological survey discovered the remains

of an alien vessel. The significance of the find did

not disrupt Tau society as much as might have

been expected. Tau theorists had long reasoned

that other life forms existed and the verification

helped confirm the belief that there was a greater

destiny awaiting them. No Tau commented on

the sheer good fortune of finding the technology

that they so desperately needed on their

doorstep just when they needed it.

The Tau were able to duplicate the warp drive of

the alien ship but the initial test flights were

disastrous. Achieving transition to the Warp

required more than technology, it required

psychically attuned minds and the Tau race

boasted no psykers. Without them to guide the

transition no amount of power could breach the

dimensional barriers. The best the Tau could do

was make a partial transition, forcing

themselves into the void that separated

Warpspace and real space before they were

hurled out again like a ball held under water

then released.

Data gathered at great cost during the test

flights was studied closely. The Water caste

scientists made the observation that the

boundary between real space and warp space

was not a neat line. It was closer to being a

turbulent ocean fomented by the tempestuous

warp tides below. By carefully angling their

descent toward the Warp and extending the

field generated by the gravitic drive into a wing,

shaped to hold the vessel down a Tau vessel

could extend the duration of the dive

considerably. The speeds achieved in the ascent

back to real space were staggering and this

coupled with the effect of the Warp on time and

space ensured that the real distance covered by

the dive was immense. Early tests lost several

drone ships because they inadvertently passed

far beyond the sensor range of their recovery

vessels.

The details were soon resolved. There was still

a major constraint, only the most powerful (and

bulky) drives could sustain the gravitic wing

throughout the dive and the power drain meant

that considerable recharge time was needed

between dives. Also by comparison to actually

navigating the warp the pace was still very slow.

Taking typical Imperial Warp speeds the Tau

drive was slower by a factor of five. The speed

was consistent though, did not expose the Tau

to the perils of the Warp and enabled the Tau to

expand beyond their home star for the first

time.

The first major class of Starships built were the

ponderous Gal’leath (trans. Explorer). These

leviathans laid the foundations for the Tau

Empire and formed the basis of the Kor’vattra

for its first wars with the Orks and the Niccassar.

The Niccassar were less advanced than the Tau

and after their speedy defeat were one of the

first other races absorbed into the Empire. The

Orks however posed a major problem. Their

ships were faster, better shielded and more

heavily armed. Against such a dangerous enemy

the Gal’leath class was simply too expensive a

resource to risk. Fortunately new, more

compact gravitic drives led to the introduction

of the smaller Il’fannor (trans. Merchant) class.

To counter the numerous Ork escorts the Tau

developed their own Kass’l (trans. Orca)

gunships. The Tau were slow to build a gravitc

drive with sufficient power for Warp dives small

enough to create an independent escort so the

Kass’l would travel inside a larger vessels

gravitic sheath over long distances, disengaging

when back in normal space. This combined

with the introduction of super-heavy ion

cannons and barracuda fighters helped restore

the balance, but it was the power and efficiency

of the Tau shipyards that prevented the Empire

from being devastated.

unity that might inform them otherwise,

these men have come to think that they might

own the stars themselves, even the spaces in

between them. Only by our presence, I think,

might we now convince them otherwise.”

Kor’o Tau’n Viel

ARMADA

“I t appears to me that, lacking the sense of

TAU VESSELS

‘Charge capacitors, time to intercept’?

Kor’uil vash’ya tozhan lowered himself into his blast couch and glanced at the control surface to trigger

the emergency restraints. He never locked himself down until the last moment before combat, he was

air-caste born and orbital-raised, swimming in zero gravity was far more natural to him than walking.

Around his couch the array of holographic displays projected by his bridge drones settled next to him,

he took in the details with an experienced eye. His vessel had accelerated to optimum speed and was

rapidly closing with his human quarry. Even though his bridge drones had definitely identified the target

as a civilian vessel it had impressive speed, almost as fast as Tozhan’s Skether’qan class, and his ship was

as fast as any in the Kor’vattra.

‘Intercept in 72.83 centidec’.

Tozhan confirmed that the intercept point had appeared on his tactical display and a countdown to

intercept had started. All his railgun tubes were loaded and the huge energy charge needed to fire them

could be released on his command. This was one consignment of supplies that would never reach the

fighting on Arthas Moloch.

ARMADA

TAU VESSELS

TAU SPECIAL RULES

TAU WEAPONS

Tau weapons use the following special rules:

Turrets

Tau turrets are extremely sophisticated

combining a range of weapon types with

overlapping fire zones. Note the Tracking

Systems special rules.

Ion Cannons

Ion cannon shots vaporise the object struck

magnifying the energy discharge. Armour is of

no value against them. They function as lances in

all respects.

Railgun Batteries

Railguns of the size mounted on warships

require massive amounts of energy to fire

despite Tau superconductors. Because of this,

power is routed to a single barrel at a time. The

sequence is timed to ensure the first barrel is

reloaded before it is charged again. Railguns

function as standard weapons batteries.

Gravitic Launcher

Gravitic launchers are massive railguns where

mass drivers trigger the initial acceleration

before the ships gravitic field is pulsed to

squeeze the missiles toward the enemy at

enormous speed. The missiles are drone-

controlled and exceptionally dangerous. See the

ordnance section for more details.

Gravitic Hooks

Gravitic Hooks are large, suspensory arms which

create a gravitic sheath in which a small vessel

can be transported by a larger one. However,

gravitic hooks have no effect in game terms –

ships do not start a game attached to their parent

ship, and can never be docked during a game.

Likewise, the number of gravitic hooks is

unimportant when calculating victory points

(your opponent does not get VPs for surviving

escorts just because there aren’t enough gravitic

hooks to notionally transport them to safety).

TAU SYSTEMS

Tau systems use the following special rules:

Shields

Tau shields are formed by shaping the gravitic

field to repel incoming fire. They function as

normal shields in every respect.

Deflector

The deflector is a specialised shield generally

mounted on the prow of the latest Tau ships. It

turns the gravitic sheath around the vessel into

a dense wedge, which is far more effective

against incoming fire. If fired at from the front

the deflector augments the passive armour

which counts as armour 6. Deflectors are

always mounted on the prow and will be

disabled if the ship suffers a prow weapons

damaged critical. Deflectors are NOT shields

and do not count as such for the purpose of

boarding, blast markers or other effects which

apply to shields.

Tracking Systems

Tau Messengers boast highly advanced data

storage and processing facilities to cope with

the vast amounts of information they carry.

When linked to ship sensors though this

processing power can be used to provide a

direct feed to the ships turrets. In fleet actions

Messengers can route this data to nearby Tau

vessels. Any Tau vessel within 10cm of a ship

with tracking systems may re-roll misses when

using turrets, and ignores the column shift

when firing batteries at ranges above 30cm.

Tracking systems continue to function even if a

ship is braced for impact.

OTHER NOTES

Unless noted otherwise, Tau vessels follow all

the normal rules from the Battlefleet Gothic

rulebooks. A few salient notes follow to avoid

any confusion and outline a few exceptions.

Critical Hits

Tau ships use the standard critical hit table.

Leadership

Tau ships roll leadership normally.

Teleport Attacks

Tau ships may not conduct teleport hit and run

attacks.

Boarding Actions

Boarding strength is half normal for the size of

ship.

A Note on Tau Weapon Configurations

Tau rail gun and lance batteries are extremely

sophisticated with advanced targeting

systems that allow several individual

weapons to engage each designated target

regardless of their relative positions on the

Tau ship. Where individual turrets and

batteries may be relatively weak, combining

firezones in this manner make Tau railguns

and ion cannons fearsome prospects,

especially in forward firing arc, where turrets

from all over the vessel can combine against

a single enemy vessel or squadron.

“W e are well beyond their effective range

Gunnery Master Dopern,

ARMADA

here, sire, any hits from this distance

will be negligable..”

TAU VESSELS

"I trust you find our vessel to your tastes, Admiral." The Kor’o gestured broadly with his open hands as the visibly uncomfortable Gue’la Admiral strode alongside him.

"It lacks some of the… history, heritage you might say, of our own vessels, but indeed, I am impressed by your standards here. I cannot imagine such a plain vessel

finding a place in His own glorious fleet, but it will serve for our confidence."

"As you wish Admiral." Continued the Kor’O without the slightest hint of offence "if a man chooses to be blind, you cannot always force him to see." The two men,

the two races indeed, stared at one another for a moment, the Kor’O cool and confident, the Admiral nervous and agitated, uncertain as to how to respond. His companion

allowed him to sweat in his discomfort for a moment longer before gleefully, turning away in a swift, sweeping stride and continuing down the corridor.

"Come," beckoned the Kor’O, "you must meet our leader."

* * * * *

The Tau captain pushed open a wide set of oval doors, and ushered Admiral Rada through. Rada stepped in, expecting the Kor’O to follow, but instead heard a dull

click as the doors were pushed shut behind him. Instead, a second, wizened Tau emerged from behind a row of curtains at the far end of the room in which Rada now

found himself.

"Greetings," said the newcomer, "I am Aun’O Tau Kelith, and I bid you welcome Admiral Rada. I trust you do not object to the presence of my companions, but I am

aged and sometimes find their assistance necessary." At this, two Fire Warriors stepped forward from their unseen positions either side of the door. Rada’s increasing

uncertainly and discomfort remained writ large across his scarred features. The two Fire Warriors nodded calmly at the Admiral before stepping back to stand discreetly

beside the door. The Admiral remained silent.

"I understand that a number of your own companions are in our care, Admiral Rada, are they not?" The Tau’s previously serene expression suddenly became intensely

quizzical, just as his posture suddenly became more stooped.

"A number of my sailors were taken prisoner, Tau, yes." Rada was clearly annoyed at the Tau’s turn of phrase, and his tone did little to hide his anger.

"I regret that one of these men was rather badly injured after our struggle and we had not the means to treat him. Perhaps if you would be so kind as to share a little

medical information about your race with us, we can avoid such needless losses in future, Admiral." Rada just grunted in disapproval at the Tau’s latest suggestion.

"Well, perhaps another time, Admiral." The Tau shuffled away a little, towards the distant curtains at the end of the hall. "I am glad at least you have been able to visit

us here to discuss the future of your comrades."

Rada stepped forward confidently, seeing a chance to seize control of the conversation. "And I, Tau, am glad at least that you have finally decided to offer your surrender

to His most benevolent self, and to I as His honoured representative." Rada paused for a second, hoping to see the Tau squirm as he himself had squirmed moments

before. The alien seemed implacable, however, and Rada simply gave a snort of derision before returning to the matter at hand. "Since an armistice is now in force, I

have also been instructed to offer you and your race safe passage away from this world. I require only the release of those prisoners you have taken."

"Oh no, Admiral, you misunderstand. We have invited you here at the behest of your crew. They think very highly of you, Admiral Rada, and they have asked that we

extend you that same respect. You see, your crew wish for you to join them here…"

The words barely registered with Rada, though his face had begun to turn to consternation as the aged Tau drew open the curtains around the balcony at the farthest

edge of the room. Rada was incredulous, fuming with rage and ready to strike down the Aun’O, but as he approached the alien his pace slowed, his face turned to utter

shock and he froze in disbelief. From where he now stood, Rada could see over the balcony and into the atrium beneath. Hundreds of his own men, once loyal men

of the Imperial Navy, were gathered, milling about with equal crowds of Tau, shedding their uniforms and taking up robes offered to them by the Tau, exchanging gifts

and embracing heartily. Beyond this atrium, through a vast starpane, Rada could see his own vessel now surrounded by a cloud of shuttles and boats, Tau and human

alike, ferrying crews between the two vessels. Atop Rada’s own bridge, the ancient Aquila’s were gone, replaced with row upon row of alien icons, the same icons he

could see now pinned upon the breasts of some of his finest officers.

"…within our Empire," concluded the Aun’O.

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