Tau (Warhammer 40,000)

Tau (Warhammer 40,000)

In the universe of Games Workshop's table-top wargame Warhammer 40,000, the Tau Empire is race of aliens inhabiting region of space on the eastern edge of the Galaxy, roughly 300 light years in diameter but having more stars than average for its size. The Tau were first introduced to Warhammer 40,000 in late 2001, the result of Games Workshop's plan to introduce a new race to the game.

The Tau are a young race on the galactic scene, have advanced quickly since their first encounter with the Imperium of Man in the 35th millennium, rising from a savanna dwelling hunter-gatherer level of technology to a starfaring race in less than six thousand years. Tau society has also advanced rapidly from warring tribes to a unified caste system, guided by a Utilitarian philosophy that they call the "Greater Good" ("Tau'va" in the Tau language). The goal of the Tau is to bring the greatest overall good - prosperity and state of well-being - to as many as possible, by means of attempting to peacefully annex alien species into the Empire before resorting to violent conquest. The Tau are unique in the Warhammer 40,000 setting in this sense. Put another way this means that the needs of the many take precedence over the needs of the few, so the Tau are not hesitant to kill the forces of alien species which they feel are attempting to oppose them.