Hi ya one and all,

I have a few questions and my first one is posted below?

By the way I am Dave, I am a returning fan of GW. I have poor painting skills and hope to improve.

[size=150]What colour is Tau Blood?

Now I have your attention, I will explain. In some societies here on terra, Red the colour of are blood is a warning*? The colour of are blood combined with are stars light output has lead to are skin developing the varied pigments that colour our skin.

So if you where to take Vulcan blood from the Star Trek Universe you could logically argue that in their society Green could be seen as a warning.

So what colour is Tau blood?
Do Tau see in the normal spectrum? (normal being humanoid)

For instance dogs see the same light spectrum, but they can only process far less colours.

So as the Tau are a Xenomorph with blue skin? does the fluff** say what colour there home planets sun is?

They might see more into the ultraviolet light and struggle to see red,or they might see the other way and see into the infra-red spectrum. Does the fluff indicate how well they see at night?

*Colour Means
Red in western society means warning, Blood, death, emotions
Red in eastern society means courage, loyalty, honour, success, fortune.
In the star trek universe means command

Blue in western society means, sadness, drunk, male
Blue in Eastern society means, wisdom
In the star trek universe means Life sciences.

Pink means feminine

**
I am awaiting both copies of the Tau Codex so my knowledge is limited please bare with me.[/size]

If this is somewhere else I couldn't find it with the search.

Hi Dave. When I first started here I was pretty awful with grammar (still am in some places) be sure to spell check in future posts.

On to your questions:

Tau blood:

Tau blood is cyan to purple and is noted to 'smell' pretty bad.

They do have varied skin but it tends to be darker blues to a kind of ice blue. Their skin is leathery as their species adapted on an arid planet.

As to color signs of warning and such- remember that not all species adapt and evolve their societies as humans did. Red became a warning color, but also one of bravery, masculinity and vitality.

Tau color spectrums are also different because they see further into the infra red- so 'red' could still be a warning color as it would seem highlighted in a Tau perspective.

T'au: Has a single yellow sun.

Tau society notes: Tau have a nocturnal cycle, voluntarily, based on their original T'au society. Think of them a little like a middle-eastern society or even the Spanish. They sleep for 2-4 hours it seems and they wake back up. I would imagine that different Septs at this point would have their own culture (Vior'la has 2 very hot stars for example).


Star Trek: Is an awesome show and a good place for Tau inspiration as the Federation is what the original Tau army was based on (Naive, 'nice', and ultimately having no place in 40k).

If you have more questions- shoot, it's good to grasp the fluff early in my opinion.

Thank You Calmsword.

I plan on understanding the fluff, and working from there. So much to read on here. An with all the reports of a change to the Fluff possible with 6Th edition coming soon and or the possibility of a new codex.

But I need to crawl before I can walk and then run so I can be a true help to the greater good.

Don't they see further into both ends of the spectrum? So heat might imbue a sort of aura or shade to an object, whilst UV reflective objects would appear as another colour beyond what we can easily think of. I like to think that a lot of the plain white buildings and structures that we see in Tau cities are actually covered in all sorts of patterns, just outside of our range of vision.

I'm not sure how much red = blood = danger colour is really true compared to that there's not a lot of red in the background, so we've evolved to notice red things. Fruits and flowers which rely on mammals to pollinate them tend to be red whilst blood doesn't stay red for very long outside the body.

Hey Tastyfish,

I'm pretty sure it's just 'further in the infrared' but I don't have xenology with me. However, the idea that the Tau buildings are covered with things we can't notice is intriguing. Their art form, "Fio'Sorral', is intricate artwork that is found all over Tau buildings. The description of this art is found in Kill Team where the humans are said to 'commonly ignore' or don't even see it as it is a form that exists so perfectly with the surroundings. The Tau describing it says that it is a perfect and physical represent of what the 'Tau'va' means- change/adaptation/and acceptance of destiny.

Here's a compiled list that I've made whenever GW has brought up Tau and colors:

Violet: The color of mourning
Silver: Sacrifice for the Tau'va
White: Purity
Black: War
Blue: Learning

So, maybe the absence of color could be considered their warning sign if, as Tastyfish brought up, auras and colors exist more profoundly. Maybe instead of 'warning lights' the lights on a ship or base would dim slightly and have the same 'OMG' affect that we have when responding to danger. Meanwhile urgency, 'yellow' for us, might be an increasing of light, almost a pulse, in order to draw more attention.

Just thoughts- fun to think about- thanks Sussexlad for making my noggin do some joggin ...

And at least you're one of the hobbyists trying to learn, you'll be better off for it IMHO.

Got a feeling it's in Index Xenos rather than Xenology, but I'll have a dig around. Nice to know there's some slight support for a hidden Tau aesthetic.

[edit] I think this is the quote " The Tau face is flat and wide across the eyes and, in some respects, their vision is believed to be slightly superior to humans, able to see further wavelengths in both the ultra-violet and infrered ends of the spectrum. However, their lack of a dilatory pupil results in poorer depth perception and a slower focusing reflex."

I think Tau blood is described as red in a couple of novels, for what it's worth. As with what exactly the effects of pulse rifle shots are, it's one of those details 40K doesn't really bother to properly establish.

I love all this background information. I have already re-done my colour scheme that I am imagining in my head more times then I would like to admit. I am going to play it close to the chest. (but I am hoping you all will be shocked)

Such a great idea. Humanoids see a white building. an the Tau see a building with intricate lace/knot work style works of art just out of the humanoids visual spectrum.

I almost see buildings with graffiti style pin stripes. Maybe some of the more talented artists on here and out there can do some great background pictures.

I thought its about time I was part of the "greater good"


Real first name:
David

Age and gender:
33 Male

Location:
Mid Sussex England

Occupation:
I work as a parking engineer

How did you get into wargaming?
When I was 14 I was a paper boy, I delivered a few WD and started a superscription that lasted for nearly 5 years I have some somewhere in my parents loft.

How did you get into Tau?
I have to be honest I like to be a bit different, and the aesthetic appeals to me I also feel I will fit in here.

What would be your second piece of advice (after "read the freakin' rules") to a new Tau player?
Use your Kroot

What is your Tau colour scheme?
Currently Top Secret under paint tests a I cant paint to well

Have you reviewed the ATT Member Primers?
Several times and agree

Where and how often do you usually play?
To date I haven't, still doing reconnasaince at the local GW shop, seams to be two main styles observed so far.

Do you have any other armies, for 40K or another system?
No but with allies coming maybe some units.

What are some of you other interests?
I like reading. I like Sherlock holmes, Bond, Batman. etc also I am learning to fence (an like the Tau my CC is poor I haven't one yet in 9 months)

Do you have any pets?
No Animals I am allergic

What is your favourite band?
I have a large selection but Seal, Kate Bush and allot of Classical.