Those new to the rank might be given a single cadre, a force numbering a hundred or so warriors, whilst the greatest military leaders, those whose names and victories are most honoured, can call countless millions to arms with but a single word. The number and size of previous commands is reflected in the rings confining their long scalp lock. Depending on their situation, Sept and renown, a Tau Commander can be called upon to lead anything from a cadre to a coalition. According to their renown, they may be called upon to command anything from a Cadre to a full Command engaged upon an entire campaign. Tau Commanders are also formidable warriors, frequently sporting scars, bionics and disfigurements earned in their career. They weigh the strengths and weaknesses of their own troops, and of their enemies, so that they may strike at the most opportune moment with overwhelming force to secure victory. However, Tau Commanders who grow too old may also be asked to permanently join the Tau military high command, or the Shas’ar’tol, and further direct larger war affairs where their wisdom can be put to best use.Ī Tau Commander armed with special-issue weapon systems on the field of battleĪ Tau Commander is a master of the ancient doctrines of the Fire Caste, which are founded in the martial philosophy and tribal wisdom of ancient T'au, the homeworld of the Tau species. Many Tau Commanders do not wish to play the political games so enjoyed by the Ethereals, however, and often continue to command the forces of the Fire Caste in the name of the Greater Good – serving until death. Once a Shas'O has served long enough, he is given the choice to retire from active service and/or join a high council of advisors who can play a more active role in Tau politics and directing the affairs of the Tau Empire. To be named Shas'o is to be proven a master in the martial arts, a first rate tactician and a true disciple of the art of war. It is a position of great honour, and can only be attained after years progressing through the ranks - there are no shortcuts or exceptions. A Tau Commander of the rank of Shas'O will often lead multi-cadre operations and larger scale campaigns, and will form part of the Shas'ar'tol (Tau High Command) in the coordination of these affairs. However, those Shas'El who have proven themselves worthy through repeated success in the field through displays of masterful leadership, are considered for promotion to the rank of Shas'O - the highest rank one can attain in the Fire Caste. Shas'El is the second highest rank within the Fire Caste, and for a Fire Warrior to have attained this rank is to become a Tau Commander and earn the right to lead their own Hunter Cadre. At that point, proof of accomplishment in not only the tactical, but also the strategic arts of war may earn the Commander’s approval and elevation from Shas'Vre to the rank of Shas'El. From there, they must continue to prove their worth in battle before being chosen to be part of another Tau Commander's bodyguard. The mantle of command is only earned once a Fire Warrior has attained the rank of Shas'Vre and leads their own XV8 Crisis Battlesuit team. However, it is only once a Fire Warrior has become skilled in the use of an XV8 Crisis Battlesuit in combat that they can truly rise up through the ranks. It is attained only after long years of progressing through the ranks of the Fire Caste, where aspirants must be schooled in all forms of warfare, ranging from the arts of subterfuge and ambush they learned in their service as Pathfinders and Stealthsuit team members, to the skills required to play the heavy support role of an XV88 Broadside Battlesuit pilot. Serving as a Tau Commander is a position of great honour for Tau Fire Warriors. A T'au Commander is a fearsome adversary, a warrior that the enemies of the T'au Empire have learned to respect.Ī Tau Commander piloting his personalised XV8 Crisis Battlesuit T'au Commanders maintain their heroic presence by piloting a sophisticated suit of battle armour known as a T'au Battlesuit, and whilst they may utilise similar weapons and wargear as their subordinates, their rank and importance often gives them access to more non-standard equipment, like different hard-wired Battlesuit Support Systems, battlesuit wargear, and/or upgraded weapons systems. Each is wise and insightful, and an inspirational figure to their troops, whilst also being a battle-scarred warrior and a supremely dangerous foe to the enemies of the T'au. All T'au Commanders possess the authority to lead a Hunter Cadre or other cadre into combat.Ī T'au Commander is a hero of the T'au Empire - they have dedicated their life utterly to the pursuit of the Greater Good. A T'au Commander piloting his XV85 Enforcer Battlesuit against the enemies of the T'au Empire.Ī T'au Commander is the name given by the Imperium in Low Gothic to the two highest ranks of the T'au Fire Caste - shas'o and shas'el.
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