WARHAMMER 40K CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF!
The first battle of the Warhammer 40,000 (40K) Campaign is kicking off today with a battle between the Tau (Charley Elsden aka Elsden the Ethereal) and the Orks (Mike Wilner aka Big Mik). It will eventually include players representing Space Marines, Dark Sisters, Imperial Guard, Orks, Tau, Necrons and who knows who else (Tyrannids? Eldar? Squats?). Its just a simple framework set up for battles by Gaylord Tang, to take place over Nov, Dec, and Jan. Thanks, Gaylord! Like science fiction miniatures? If you are interested in joining in, let us know. Beginners are welcome (and I'm one). Personally, I'm saving money by using my Star Wars Minis, but the others so far are using approved Games Workshop figures.
Know Your Enemy: The Tau
In the 40K Universe, The Tau are a young race from a fringe area cut off until recently by cosmic storms. Now in their "Third Phase Colonization," they are expanding and meeting the other races established in this Universe. The basic book about them is the Tau Empire Codex (Games Workshop; $15). They are very high tech, but don't usually like assault (hand to hand) combat. Two allies help them compensate for this weakness on the field; the ferocious cannibal Kroot and the flying insectoid Vespid, who may make up additional infantry units in a Tau battle force or Cadre. The Tau are humanoid, looking something like tall, wiry Asians. Their culture and tactics are somewhat based on the Mongols.
If you are interrested in learning about the historical Mongols, I recommend the recent film Mongol (Russian; subtitles). I highly recommend the book Gengis Khan and The Making of the The Modern World (2004; ISBN 0-609-80964-4). Based on a new translation of the Secret History written by the Mongol ruling families themselves during their age of conquest, and hidden until the 20th Century, it will change your mind about them. For example, Genghis Khan was not born on the steppes, but in the Siberian forest of the Forbidden Zone, and the Mongols were not 'barbarians,' but ran a very sophisticated, and in some ways modern, empire.
Here is my attempt to write in the Mongol/Tau style for our science fiction campaign:
"By the time the enemy begins to understand your battle tactics, he should begin to fear. For it will be too late for him to do anything about them!"
-- O'Shovah, Field Marshal Farsight
Commander Farsight, by the way, is one of the great heroes of the Tau, and now that I'm playing my fourth game as his people ("Tau Fourth Cadre"), I'm ready to introduce him on to the battlefield in his blood red battlesuit (ok; its a Mechwarrior Mech). "Farsight's training under the legendary Commander Puretide had taught him to use the terrain against the foe, and O'Shovah's tactical brilliance during the war earned him the famous title "Farsight." (Tau Empire Codex p.44).
The Tau Caste System is divided into four Clans:
Earth Clan: Laborers, artisans, scientists, engineers
Water Clan: Bureaucrats, administrators, politicians, and diplomats
Air Clan: Traditonally messengers and couriers, now 'Naval' spaceship pilots and crews.
Fire Clan (Shas): Warriors, now the Tau Military. Their ranks are Shas'la (Warrior or Private), Shas'ui (Sergeant or Team Leader), Shas'vre (Lieutenant or Veteran Battlesuit Pilot), Shas'el (Captain), and Shas'o (High Commander; from Colonel to General). Note that I translate the rank of the exalted hero noted above as Field Marshal--even higher).
Above the four regular clans stand the Ethereals (Aun), the ruling caste, whose ancestors united the warring tribes in their distant history, and serve as spiritual and political leaders of the highest order. Today, the beloved ruler is currently Aun Va, or un'o'TauAcaya'Va'Denta, (Master of the Undying Spirit). The Tau fight for the Greater Good of All. Their Water Clan diplomats will always invite their prospective enemies to join their Empire before fighting them, and on a basis of equality! Although idealistic in this general way, they do not see any honor in violent combat or warfare. Therefore they will attempt to use technological distance weapons to kill their enemies with the least possible loss to themselves (the historical Mongols were like that too--think horse archers, plus complex strategy and tactics).
You should learn about the Tau Empire, since some day you will be a part of it. As for their battle tactics; read the Codex. Or face me in a game, and I'll teach you about them first hand. MwaHaHa!
Know Your Enemy: The Tau
In the 40K Universe, The Tau are a young race from a fringe area cut off until recently by cosmic storms. Now in their "Third Phase Colonization," they are expanding and meeting the other races established in this Universe. The basic book about them is the Tau Empire Codex (Games Workshop; $15). They are very high tech, but don't usually like assault (hand to hand) combat. Two allies help them compensate for this weakness on the field; the ferocious cannibal Kroot and the flying insectoid Vespid, who may make up additional infantry units in a Tau battle force or Cadre. The Tau are humanoid, looking something like tall, wiry Asians. Their culture and tactics are somewhat based on the Mongols.
If you are interrested in learning about the historical Mongols, I recommend the recent film Mongol (Russian; subtitles). I highly recommend the book Gengis Khan and The Making of the The Modern World (2004; ISBN 0-609-80964-4). Based on a new translation of the Secret History written by the Mongol ruling families themselves during their age of conquest, and hidden until the 20th Century, it will change your mind about them. For example, Genghis Khan was not born on the steppes, but in the Siberian forest of the Forbidden Zone, and the Mongols were not 'barbarians,' but ran a very sophisticated, and in some ways modern, empire.
Here is my attempt to write in the Mongol/Tau style for our science fiction campaign:
"By the time the enemy begins to understand your battle tactics, he should begin to fear. For it will be too late for him to do anything about them!"
-- O'Shovah, Field Marshal Farsight
Commander Farsight, by the way, is one of the great heroes of the Tau, and now that I'm playing my fourth game as his people ("Tau Fourth Cadre"), I'm ready to introduce him on to the battlefield in his blood red battlesuit (ok; its a Mechwarrior Mech). "Farsight's training under the legendary Commander Puretide had taught him to use the terrain against the foe, and O'Shovah's tactical brilliance during the war earned him the famous title "Farsight." (Tau Empire Codex p.44).
The Tau Caste System is divided into four Clans:
Earth Clan: Laborers, artisans, scientists, engineers
Water Clan: Bureaucrats, administrators, politicians, and diplomats
Air Clan: Traditonally messengers and couriers, now 'Naval' spaceship pilots and crews.
Fire Clan (Shas): Warriors, now the Tau Military. Their ranks are Shas'la (Warrior or Private), Shas'ui (Sergeant or Team Leader), Shas'vre (Lieutenant or Veteran Battlesuit Pilot), Shas'el (Captain), and Shas'o (High Commander; from Colonel to General). Note that I translate the rank of the exalted hero noted above as Field Marshal--even higher).
Above the four regular clans stand the Ethereals (Aun), the ruling caste, whose ancestors united the warring tribes in their distant history, and serve as spiritual and political leaders of the highest order. Today, the beloved ruler is currently Aun Va, or un'o'TauAcaya'Va'Denta, (Master of the Undying Spirit). The Tau fight for the Greater Good of All. Their Water Clan diplomats will always invite their prospective enemies to join their Empire before fighting them, and on a basis of equality! Although idealistic in this general way, they do not see any honor in violent combat or warfare. Therefore they will attempt to use technological distance weapons to kill their enemies with the least possible loss to themselves (the historical Mongols were like that too--think horse archers, plus complex strategy and tactics).
You should learn about the Tau Empire, since some day you will be a part of it. As for their battle tactics; read the Codex. Or face me in a game, and I'll teach you about them first hand. MwaHaHa!
posted by Charley Elsden at
7:34 AM
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