Polaria said:

Heh, heh ... exactly.

And here's yet another angle on them, that would make for good 40K horror. Let's say the Tau's philosophy of the Greater Good is really only the greater good for the Tau (which, let's face it, in 40K it would be). But to everyone else, they spin it as the greater good for everyone. While I still find it difficult to imagine an Inquisitor (even a radical one) falling for their lies, I can easily imagine the Greater Good appealing to the toiling, miserable masses of the Imperium. Therefore, I can easily imagine hordes of fanatically loyal, "hoping-for-a-better-life", human followers. In my mind, this thing could spread incredibly fast, at least in the context of a single planet.

Now, I can see the big "I" being very concerned about the sudden change in demeanor of an entire planet's population. They send in a team to investigate, the "mere" acolytes can't uncover anything relevant, so the Inquisitor himself shows up to direct the investigation. It doesn't take long for the Tau to notice someone like this roaming around, asking the wrong questions, so next thing you know, said Inquisitor is approached/abducted by an Ethereal, who then subjects the Inquisitor to days/weeks/months of subtle indoctrination (or whatever trick they use to control their own people). Next thing you know, you have an Inquisitor who believes in the Greater Good. Maybe he's not yet ready to "swear fealty" to the Tau, but now he's more than happy to use his incredible resources and power to quietly assist them, so long as it won't unduly threaten him, or his work. And just maybe, over time (decades maybe), he eventually does become willing to go over to the Tau completely. Now this sounds like a good 40K horror story to me. Just sayin' ...

*applauds*

Finally, FINALLY, someone else sees the true 40k spirit of the Tau. Honestly, so many people pay so little attention to the Tau to realize that it's right there in the cannon that they're brainwashing soviets. Take the novel Fire Warrior for example, the main character Shas'la Kais, reflects on how 'alien' the concept of a prison is to him because in the Tau Empire who is deviant is taken to a "rehabilitation center". Come on, am I the only one who read that? Or, take for example the fact that the Vespids, a race of beings physically incapable of communicating with other races are "gifted" with communcation helmets that all their leaders wear that allow them to talk with the Tau, and almost in the same night the entirety of the species joins the Empire. THEN, when races do join the Empire, they're always under the command of the Tau Fire Caste, going where directed...Was I really the only one who sees the corruption going on there?

Anyway, GREAT INSIGHTS EVERYONE! Man am I sorry I haven't checked in a few days. You guys have seriously been coming up with some good ideas. I especially like the idea of the brainwashed Inquisitor! That's such a good idea. As for the story I said before, that was just something I came up with to show it was possible. Not to mention that I also forgot about the communication problems inherent in the Imperium due to size a la Roman Empire. Thank you guys again, this is good stuff.

Oh and as for the comments on how bloody I like my campaigns...yeah, my current campaign is pretty much centered around the eventual death of their inquisitor. (Though it will be a self sacrifice in order to allow them to escape from a world that has been pulled into the warp. Hee hee)

See? This is why forums are good. I have, through the course of this conversation, found "40K-appropriate" storyline that uses the Tau. Who'd have thought?

Even if I can change one person's way of thinking at a time, I'll be doing my part for The Greater Good.

Milova said:

*applauds* to you, as well. Thanks for allowing me to find my 40K muse. In fact, I may have to consider using this line when I run my first DH game. This is too good to pass up.

After all, the canon 40K literature is rife with "Inquisitors-gone-bad", so this is just one more angle to explore, without plagiarising (sp?) all that's already out there.

Most interesting thread - have to agree that many people think the Tau are the "goodies" and miss the hints and notes about the control exerted by their Ethereals. The Vespid example is another good one - even a Tau commentator was suprised at the rapid compliance after the "communication" helmits were provided.

IIRC at least one "Necron Lord" who had inflitrated the Inquisition was interested in the Tau - especially given both the level of control of the population and their lack of Warp presence.

Da Boss said:

Oh wow! Yet another avenue to explore! I wasn't aware of that last part. It seems I need to do more reading.

Plots within plots within plots within plots within plots!

I absolutely love it.

Sister Cat said:

Have a look at the wonderful "Xenology" book. I wrote a lot about it earlier today in this thread here . It has some really juicy bits for those of you who like extreme high epicness in your plots.

Mellon said:

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. I may need to try and get my hands on that one.