FIRE CASTE
High Commander Shadowsun
Supreme expert in the ‘Kauyon’ or Patient Hunter metastrategy. Student of Puretide, leader of the Fifth Sphere Expansion. A.k.a. O’Shaserra, Kauyon-Shas.
Commander Surestrike
Overall military commander of the Fourth Sphere Expansion. Known to keep his own counsel.
Calmstone
Shadowsun’s first aide. A Fireblade infantry specialist and steadying presence. She is said to have the quiet, abiding heat of a stone left in the desert sun.
Dawnchaser
Seconded to Shadowsun from the troubled Fourth Sphere Expansion, a capable warrior with divided loyalties. She too is a student of Kauyon, the way of the Patient Hunter.
ETHEREAL CASTE
Aun’La
Spiritual leader of the Nem’yar Atoll, known for his even-handedness and compassion.
EARTH CASTE
High Scientist Kejata
Expert in the creation and maintenance of zero-gravity structures. A.k.a. O’Kejata.
AIR CASTE
Admiral Horizonchild
Officer in charge of the Startide Nexus’ defence. Young for his rank and recently promoted after the demise of his predecessor during a battle with an ork fleet.
WATER CASTE
High Magister Rivertell
Sour-faced traditionalist and propagandist with a famous regard for gestural protocol.
KINDRED SOULS
Opikh Tak
Kroot master shaper and delegate in attendance of Nem’yar Elemental Council.
A’haia
An elder of the mycelial charpactin race, known for their ability to alter brainwaves with displays of bioluminescence.
Ven Tah Regah
A particularly thoughtful and wise member of the nicassar, a race of white-furred ursine psykers who propel their interplanetary dhows not through engines, but advanced telekinesis.
Makendra Vella
Elderly human psyker, well respected amongst her own far-flung sect of gue’vesa human auxiliaries.
DRONES
Oe-ken-yon
Cutting-edge MV62 command-link drone. Dutiful and faithful companion to Shadowsun.
Oe-hei
Former shield drone, now prototype advanced guardian drone. Entrusted with Shadowsun’s personal protection.
SERVANTS OF THE NEW ENEMY
Lord Oratius Glurtosk
Grotesquely swollen leader of the Death Guard. Architect of the Nem’yar Atoll invasion and captain of the flagship Nephylum.
Diminus Thurglaine
Withered but erudite sorcerer, as much a gnarled oak as he is a Heretic Astartes.
Fenst
Fly-headed heretic mutant whose compound eyes make him an excellent voidsman.
Vlotzch
Giant, triple-horned veteran of the Long War. Clad in ancient Cataphractii-pattern Terminator armour.
A NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY: A lexicon of T’au terms can be found at the end of the book.