PART THREE
XENOS
Pronounced ‘zee-nos’, this word is used throughout the Imperium to represent aliens. Known xenos races include the Necrons, Tyranids, Tau, Orks and Aeldari. Most are hostile, although there are a number of alien species that do not pose a direct threat to humanity.
That hasn’t stopped the Imperium from condemning them. From an early age, Imperial citizens are taught to ‘fear the alien’, believing that all xenos races should be wiped out. There is even a shadowy organisation inside the Imperial Inquisition known as the Ordo Xenos, which has the authority to hunt and destroy aliens wherever they are found.
CERAMITE
Ceramite is a heat-resistant material used throughout the Imperium. It can be found in starship hulls and hive walls, although the highest grade ceramite is reserved to construct Space Marine power armour. In battle, ceramite armour can protect its wearer from energy-blasts and radiation.
SERVITORS
Millions of servitors exist across human space. Little more than mindless drones, the majority of these lumbering slaves are grown in genetic vats and fitted with cybernetic implants as soon as they are pulled from their tanks.
However, not all servitors are genetically engineered. Some were convicts and traitors who have had their minds wiped as punishment for their crimes. Converted against their will, they are forced to serve the Imperium with no memory of their past life.
ROGUE TRADERS
Smart-talking and trigger-happy, rogue traders live life on the edge, exploring the galaxy, trading, and even sometimes conquering alien worlds in the Emperor’s name.
Most are loyal to the Imperium, but some are a law unto themselves. They pirate and pilfer, stealing what they want, when they want it. If caught, the punishment is severe. Stripped of their warrant of trade, they bring disgrace to their entire family. Abandoned by their crew, they become outlaws, surviving on their wits and whatever weapons they’ve stockpiled over the years!
THE TAU
Humans first encountered the Tau in the 35th millennium. Back then, the blue-skinned aliens were a primitive stone-age race who had only just mastered the creation of fire. Fast forward six thousand years, and they’ve evolved into one of the most technologically advanced races in the galaxy!
Unlike humans, the Tau have embraced artificial intelligence, creating all kinds of free-thinking drones. Travelling at night? A lume-drone will light your way. Need to send a message? Despatch a courier drone. Want a delicious meal? Order your chef drone to whip up a tasty treat. Facing an army of bloodthirsty Orks armed with more shootas than is strictly necessary? Then break out the mine drones, or the gun drones, or the shielded missile drones, or the… well, you get the idea.
Ruled by the mysterious ethereals, the Tau follow a philosophy called the Greater Good. They believe it is their duty to unite all species by conquering the galaxy. Join them and you can continue to follow your own way of life, as long as you submit to their rules.
DID YOU KNOW?
Humans who willingly join the Tau Empire are known as gue’vesa in the Tau language. The Imperium of Mankind brands anyone who submits to Tau rule as a traitor and heretic.
TAU WEAPONS
EMP GRENADES
Can send out an electromagnetic pulse that renders technology useless.
ION CANONS
Emit energy beams that vaporise enemies on impact.
PULSE WEAPONS
Fire highly concentrated plasma bolts.
RAILGUNS
Projectile weapons that fire solid rounds.
CUSTODIAN-CLASS BATTLESHIP
Vehicle type: Tau Starship
Weapons: Railgun, Ion Cannons, Gravitic Launcher
Engine: ZFR Horizon Accelerator Engine
Can also carry smaller Warden-Class gunships into battle
TAU CASTES
Every Tau belongs to one of five castes.
Shas: The Fire Caste – Strongest of all Tau, the Fire Caste are warriors and fighters.
Kor: The Air Caste – Unsurprisingly, the Kor provide pilots to Tau forces.
Flo: The Earth Caste – These are the engineers, technicians and farmers of the Tau Empire.
Por: The Water Caste – Diplomats and merchants. They are also masters of manipulation. Never try to trick a Por. It rarely works!
Aun: The Ethereals – The ruling class of the Tau Empire. Disobey them at your peril!
Changing or leaving your caste is strictly forbidden. Some sources say that it’s a crime that is punishable by death, but that may be human propaganda.
TAU ALPHABET
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE INQUISITION
1. The Inquisition is a secretive organisation feared throughout the Imperium of Man.
2. Its members are called inquisitors, a secret police force that answer only to the Emperor himself.
3. The Inquisition’s origins are shrouded in mystery. Not even the inquisitors themselves know how their organisation came into being, although many believe it was founded 10,000 years ago by Malcador, the First Lord of Terra and one of the Emperor’s closest advisors.
4. The Inquisition has no official leadership. Each inquisitor is free to interpret the law as he or she sees fit.
5. Each inquisitor is given an Inquisitorial Seal. It is a symbol of their absolute authority.
6. Inquisitors have the power to convict any Imperial citizen. They can even order the destruction of an entire planet, known as ‘Exterminatus’.
7. Disobeying an inquisitor is a crime punishable by death.
8. The Inquisition is split into three main orders, or ordos. The Ordo Hereticus (Witch Hunters), Ordo Malleus (Daemon Hunters) and Ordo Xenos (Alien Hunters).
9. An inquisitor will often take on an apprentice, or acolyte. If they serve their master well, acolytes may eventually become inquisitors in their own right.
10. Many inquisitors are psykers, beings born with psychic abilities such as telepathy or the power to move objects using only their mind. Some can even summon fire.
SERVO-SKULLS VS TAU DRONES
SERVO-SKULLS
• Robotic devices housed in a human skull.
• Some servo-skulls have the ability to speak, but they are not capable of individual thought.
• Often fitted with telescopic mandibles and pincers.
• Lingua-Vox servo-skulls are able to translate thousands of languages and are often used by explorers and diplomats.
TAU DRONES
• Sleek disc-shaped machines.
• Tau drones possess artificial intelligence, and are able to think for themselves.
• Can be fitted with a wide variety of apparatus from weaponry to surgical equipment.
• Escort drones assist Tau diplomats in delicate negotiations with other races, including humans.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the Tau language, drones are called kor’ves, which means ‘faithful helper’.