I really like the improvements you've made Null; the part where the Fire Warrior was revealed to be a flayed one seriously gave me a shock. Nicely done, and I'm glad I could be of service! Also I liked the part about the ships in orbit being completely empty. Will there ever be a return to Upt?

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like last time I checked you were still a Shas'la. If so, congratulations on the rank increase! I would say you definitely deserve it!

A very creepy story Null! I like it! I think every cadre needs tales of defeat as well as victories, so this helps to add character to your already colorful cadre. Oh and the fluff for your Fio was brilliant and really helped me visualize who he is. You have a real knack for developing strong characters, so keep it up!

Oh and I see that the Upt info included the mention of an ARC. While other Septs deploy their version of an Advanced Recon Cadre, the Sa'cea Sept has a bit of a different approach. I am going to be outlining this in fluff piece I'm working on, but I wanted to give you a little heads up in the meantime. Also, Upt seems like such an odd name. Why did you choose it? I think that it could be made more Tau by putting an apostrophe after the U.

Thanks guys,

@ Militant.Jester: As for returning to Upt... It is under blockade, so the problem will have to be dealt with eventually. And the Fal'shia 9th do have a mandate to acquire alien technology, so perhaps. (Something tells me El'Ta'myr wouldn't like that idea though).
Aww shucks, your gonna make me blush.....

@ Wolfs16: Right on! Creepy is what I was going for. Ok, cool. I might change the ARC-8's to just a generic old scout cadre, we'll see. As for the name 'Upt'; it is a Tau word. It means 'mountains' in Tau-speak. If it really seems out of place I could certainly change it though.

Thanks again for looking guys!

- null

D'oh! Yeah you're right, that is a Tau word! Well it was well chosen.

As for the ARC stuff, I hope to knock that out this week, so I won't leave you hanging!

Hey Wolfs16... it looks like you just got- one-UPT!
YEEAHHHH- *gets smacked by a mod*
OK, OK, sorry. Bad puns are my weakness.

Anyways, Null, you're welcome, and it really is deserved - don't sell yourself short. Now.. write some more fluff!

Hey,
@Wolfs16: Thanks. Looking forward to reading more on your Cadre (in fact I'm getting a little impatient )

@ Militant.Jester: Good one ! (I actually did laugh when I read that).

So here is Shas'el Ta'myr's right hand man:

---

Sub-Commander Da’Suam
(aka Shadowforge)

“Though I strike from the shadows, do not think I lack the courage to stand in the light. “
- Sub-Commander Shadowforge

Given Names: Elan Da’Suam
Serial Number: F‘S-1X12//9-97344
Caste/Rank: Shas’Vre
Age: 21 tc
Place of Birth: Fal’a
Known Kin: Shas’El Kau’ui [Uncle], Shas’Vre Lisseri [Mother], Shas’Ui Tak [Brother]

The polar opposite to Shas’el Ta’myr’s caring attitude, Shas’vre Da’Suam is cold and distant. Da’Suam has much less moral content than his Commander; a fact that can sometimes put the two at odds. Because he realizes that others find his callous attitude to be disconcerting, he usually operate as a Monat. In this role he can continuously monitor the battlefield situation and focus his attention on areas that need to be reinforced.

Despite his social failings, Da’Suam is very good at what he does. He has spent the majority of his life in Battlesuits of various design, and is regarded as one of the Cadre’s most experienced pilots. He is a cunning fighter and prefers to use stealth and surprise to give himself the advantage whenever possible.

Appearance
Average height for a warrior, he is slightly heavier-set than most. His left arm was long ago replaced by a prosthetic after a battle with Orks. He usually avoids the standard uniform typical of Battlesuit pilots, preferring to wear only a simple pair of leggings and a torso plate when in battle.

Personality
Shas’vre Da’Suam is a gruff, no-nonsense soldier. He is a very goal driven individual, almost to the point of being psychopathic. He always places the success of the mission as top priority and rarely pays attention to how many soldiers he looses in the process, feeling that it is all justified in the furtherance of the Greater Good. Da’Suam is extremely confident in his own abilities, especially his skill as battlesuit pilot.

---

Thoughts?


I was actually re-reading the Upt fluff and was wondering; after a pilot is connected to his suit does he have any feeling in his body? I ask because one sentence says....

Would he be able to be sick to his stomach if he is connected to his suit?

This is a serious question so anyone with thoughts on the matter feel free to comment!

- null

I like it! Da’Suam seems like he would get along well with Lar'shi. I think you have made a great contrasting character. He plays off of Soulblade well and is not just the "evil" version of your commander. I could see the two of them really working well together on the battlefield, but with Soulblade having to put his foot down once in a while (or hoof down).

As for my own fluff, real life has been kicking my butt lately so my hobby time has gone way down. I hope to be able to get back on the horse soon!

In regards to pilots ability to feel, they essentially become paralyzed from the neck down and they control the suit like it was their own body. I personally don't think that a pilot could vomit if he wanted to, but I'm not 100%. Also, you have to consider that a battlesuit pilot is a veteran who has seen a ton of gruesome things. He may gag a little at it, but I think he can hold it together better than your average line warrior.

Sorry for the long time between fluff updates, I've been super busy.

@ Wolfs16Thanks! That is pretty much what I was going for in Da'suam, someone to kind of play off of Ta'myr.

---

Shaper Lord Orjek Vak

<< This galaxy hides many secrets - there is a danger in these secrets, both in knowing and in seeking. Some secrets should remain untouched.>>
- Shaper Lord Orjek Vak

Given Names: Orjek Vak
Serial Number: [none]
Caste/Rank: - ‘El [approximate rank]
Age: 110 tc
Place of Birth: Pech
Known Kin: Shaper Dromu [Brother], Korta Vak [Brother]

Shaper Lord of the Bloodstone Kindred, Orjek Vak is a venerable Kroot Lord. During his younger years Orjek earned the respect of the kindred by participating in many of the ceremonial hunts into the depths of Pech‘s jungles. During these hunts he saw firsthand the monstrosities that could result from a poor choices in the genetic development of his race. During his own time serving as a Shaper, Vak displayed a keen eye in selecting genetic material for the kindred’s consumption. He further garnered the respect and trust of his companions by regularly placing himself in harm’s way to protect his brothers. Now in his twilight years, he is notably quieter - as if conserving his strength to weather some oncoming storm on the horizon

In addition to Vak’s natural leadership skills, he is known to demonstrate psychic power equal to that of an Imperial Zeta level psyker. Curiously though, his power levels seem directly related to his surroundings. He manifests greater power when in an area that is full of natural life - almost as if he draws his power directly from a surrounding ecosystem. His powers range from a strong empathic ability, to foresight and prediction. Occasionally the Kroot warriors will also tell tales of their Shaper being able to control the very plant life around him; commanding the jungle to grow unnaturally and envelop enemy forces.

Appearance
Orjek is average height for a Kroot, though you would never know it. Rarely standing at his full height, his shoulders are perpetually slumped as if the weight of the entire galaxy weighs on his shoulders. He wears the loose robes of a Shaper Lord which are decorated by countless totems and runes. He is never seen without his one constant companion, a massive black Kroothawk.

Personality
Shaper Lord Orjek Vak is known for his wisdom and patience which tempers the fiery nature of many of the kindred’s younger warriors. During his course as a liaison between the Kindred and the Tau Empire, Vak has developed a reputation as a wise advisor. He has earned the respect of many Fire caste commanders for his legendary wisdom.

---

Hopefully I'll have more fluff sooner rather that later.

I'd also like to thank anyone that is still reading this ol' thread

- Null

Great to see more fiction! I know how real life can get in the way.

Anyway, is this Shaper part of my kindred? The Blood Quills have a long history on Pech and it is not unlikely that they would be working with other cadre's. It should be noted though, that any Blood Quill forces would be in regular communication with each other as they highly value their independence and prefer to limit their time spent among the Tau. The only exception is the ARC-16's with whom they are blood brothers. But feel free to use him as long as you keep him within these bounds.

As for the character himself, it is interesting to read that he has some hidden knowledge. Perhaps during his time as a mercenary he witnesses something that has shaped his outlook on life. Or perhaps he is a part of something a little more clandestine....

Keep the updates coming!

@ Wolfs16 - *sheepishly* Ummmm, sorry about that sir..... cleaning this mess up now (sent you a PM too)

- Null

No worries about any intersecting fluff. I am more than happy to collaborate with anyone who'd like to do so!

Null,

I've not been around on ATT for any sort of regular amount of time over the past year, so it's only just now that i've found your background. Firstly, i'm really impressed with the overall look and set up of it, really well thought out, unlike mine.
I love the visuals that you've added. I always find really adds to the overall appearence of the background, when you have a few pictures to go along with it, as it aids the readers imagination more.

I've been threatening to do some more writing for the Concise history of Tau'shan for some time now. Maybe I should shut up and get on with it.

Thanks for the mention btw, I'm always happy to help out, when i'm around that is

Tau'va

Bs