Academy graduate – Dao'Doean Sept

[apologist]

In ideological battles, technological competition and in vistas of space, let us be invincible in every fight!

 

- Brightsword High Command Agritpop extract; from a view-pamphlet extensively distributed to worlds in the Tzi'Na M41.

 

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+ Dao'Doean Sept +

Even before the forces of the Curdling Armada began their invasion of the Tzi'Na Enclave worlds, the Tau Military Command (TMC) was moving in response. Strongheel, Commander of the TMC, foresaw a long campaign, and ordered additional new Cadres to be raised in defence of the worlds of the Enclave. Estimating the Septworld of Dao'Doean to be in imminent danger of attack, the TMC instituted a massive enrollment campaign, pulling Fire Caste trainees, cadets and – it is rumoured – those still in academy into active training barracks.

 

Translating as 'the happy steppe' or 'Yes, plainsland', Dao'Doean is a typical frontier world of the Tau Empire. Settled in living memory by pioneers from deeper within the Brightsword Protectorate, the Tau here are now in their third generation. 

 

The broad, sun-kissed plains of the world are covered with fields of mod-wheat imported from the Earth Caste scientists of Chac'Tun; while huge improver-harvesters travel between the principal settlements.

 

Tau of this world have a reputation for resilience and innovation, only slightly marred by whispers of indolence. The planet has a standing garrison of five thousand Fire Warriors, but has little history or experience of warfare. 

 

+ Antona Australis Inquisitorial abstract of the world +

 

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+ Dao'Doean military forces +

The Tau's defeats in the nearby Cha'anxi system during the early stages of the Tzi'Na Crisis forced the Tau Military Command to graduate these Shas'la earlier than normal. The result was an impressively large number of new Cadres and reinforcements for existing forces pushed through training in a short amount of time.

 

 

Shas'la Cano'Be (above) is a typical example of the newly-inducted Shas'la. Upright, proud and disciplined, the speed at which she has been trained – and the strain this placed on materiel supply – is nonetheless apparent. Most strikingly, she lacks the large shoulder shield and shin plates of a typical Strike Team member, likely due to lack of materials or delayed shipments to this frontier world.

 

 

The variation on the aerial also marks the helm as an older pattern. Still functional, the helm would be regarded as virtually obsolete by the veterans of Cadres such as Hunter Cadre Shas'Ka Nan, currently operating nearby. 

 

Despite the compromises forced on the Sept, Cano'Be still benefits from arms and armour equal or superior to that enjoyed by Imperial Guardsmen of the sector. While the TMC have little illusion that the newly-raised Cadres would be able to defeat the Astartes elites of the Curdling Armada, the Fire Caste on Dao'Doean are highly motivated, and more than capable of engaging invading traitor guardsmen on an equal footing.

 

 

The purple and green scheme provides little camouflage against the swaying golden-yellow fields in which the Fire Warriors operate; but is rather a combination of the original settler's Sept colours; intended to honour the Sept's founders.

 

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A fun little diversion from my other projects, I wanted to have a  little play around with some speed-painting, and decided to build some background for our group's ongoing TziNa Crisis campaign – Chaos versus Tau.

 

The colour scheme evolved on-the-go, and the bright – if sinister – combination was a welcome relief from my usual grit-and-grime palette. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[Dosjetka]

That's a lovely, striking colour scheme you have there, Apologist. :tu: The model and lore you've come up with fit together perfectly, as per usual with you. Is this a one-off or are you considering branching out into something decidedly non-Imperial?

[apologist]

Thanks! My friends in the PCRC are running a campaign (the Tzi'Na Crisis); this model is essentially there to add a bit of colour to the background. 

 

This particular scheme's probably a one-off – bit vibrant for my personal taste, but fun for a palette cleanser. As part of my slow grind to clearing out or finishing off projects from the far reaches of Things I Want To Do One Day, I will be getting to the small amount of Tau I own – though whether it ends up as a playable army, or as a series of one-offs like this... well, I'm not sure. 

 

I did enjoy painting this lady, so perhaps I'll strike while the iron is hot.

[Dosjetka]

I did enjoy painting this lady, so perhaps I'll strike while the iron is hot.

Sounds like a plan. ;)

[BrotherEndcat]

Lovely unique scheme, looks great bud!