Dynamic Expansion: Deeds of the Shan'al Shasovah

Dark Heresy Roleplaying Games in the Tau Empire

v1.1
Author: Xisor

For the purposes of facilitating games of Dark Heresy to be set in and around The Tau Empire.
Thanks to Faith for stimulating the idea and the rest of you on Sanity Lost for getting enthusiasm
up!

Read on at your leisure!

Character Creation:
1. Select Homeworld (and if Tau; Caste)
2. Roll 10 statistics, allocate the nine you wish to the nine basic statistics, discard one
3. Roll wounds, fate etc.
4. Select Career
5. Opt for Background packages or Specialist packages (Elite Advantages from the get-
go)
6. Roll Career
7. Description & Quirks (just pick or make things up, I'm not writing up the tables just
now!)
8. Spending EXP
1. Kroot, tau, drones and vespids use their species-specific Characteristic Advances
tables. Galg, humans and demiurg automata use that listed in their careers.
2. Demiurg automta can only spend EXP in Statistic advances in appropriate
environments (labs, mech workshops, computer labs) unless Elite Advances
(obviously adjudicated by GM and a little expensive!)
3. Tau may spend EXP as usual but can only advance in rank after a Trial by
Element, a GM allocated task. Tau statistic advances and starting equipment
aren't determined by Career, but by Caste. Talents and skills, however, are.

0.1 Quick Notes & Rules:

– Gue & Galg play as normal, hooray!
– Talents like 'Binary Chatter' are obviously useful in interacting with drones and 'intelligent'
technology, not just servitors.
– Tau 'ranks'. EXP Rank Permitted*
<499 Saal
500-2000 La
2000-5999 Ui
6000-8999 Vre
9000-14999 Vre continued
* This is the stage for which they 'trial' to progress. Passing the trial means they
advance, surviving (and failing) the trial means they retain their current rank (and thus do
not access the next advances table). For some castes and trials, failing is synonymous with
death. Passing each 'stage' permits access to those above, minus one level for each failed
trial.
For example. Shas'ui Heavyblade, a Guardsman, now has 6200 EXP, to spend any in
Lieutenant rank (or others equal, later), she must have passed three Trials by Fire. If she
had to 'resit' once and passes this trial, she may only now begin to spend at 6000 Level. In
this manner it is possible to accumulate impressive EXP and many abilities, but to remain
only 'low level' as a Shas'la.
– Haven't worked in rules for Ethereal Pheromones (I'm supposing it simply allows them an
effective Air of Authority, Orator-helped auto-passed Command skill to all those Tau who're
aware it's an Ethereal issuing the commands! More subtle and advanced skill in using it to
represent effects similar to those like psychic powers, talents and so forth, obviously a
Aun'saal wouldn't be much use)
– Ethereal
– Roll D10 each time they receive corruption, only on a 9 do they actually receive any.
– In situations where daemons, the warp and chaos is concerned, ethereals have
Unnatural Willpower (*x) where saal x=0, la =1, ui=2, vre=3, el=4 and o=5.
Stage One: Homeworlds

Table 1-1 Random Homeworld

D100: 01-30 First Sphere Tau (See Table 1-2)
31-50 Second Sphere Tau (See Table 1-2)
51-60 Third Sphere Tau (See Table 1-2)
61-75 Kroot
75-80 Vespid
81-87 Galg
88-95 Human Gue'vesa
96-99 Demiurg Brotherhoods
100 Nicassar Caravan

Table 1-2 Random Caste

D5: 1 Eath - Fio
2 Air - Kor
3 Water - Por
4 Fire - Shas
5 Reroll. (If rolled twice: Ethereal - Aun!)

First Sphere

<Text to go here>

First Sphere PCs

<Text to go here>

First Sphere Traits

Manifest Destiny Reflects colonialism and highly orthodox belief in the order of things. +5 WP,
+D5 Insanity.
Ordered Utopia The First Sphere Setpts are heavily automated and harmonious societies. The
use of drones and technology are exceedingly common. They gain the Binary
Chatter talent and treat Tech-Use (Int) as a basic skill.
The Greater Good All tau hatcheries educate their generations from an extremely early age.
Basic techniques, ideas, processes and knowledge are implanted didactically
directly into the minds of all saal. Begin the game with the skill Common
Lore (The Tau'va) and treat Logic (Int) as a basic skill.

Table 1-3 The Past - <Choose from the eight First Sphere Septs>
Second Sphere

<Text to go here>

Second Sphere PCs

<Text to go here>

Second Sphere Traits

Consolidated Life The inhabitants of the Second Sphere inhabit broadly stable, though
expanding societies with many colonies, ventures and enterprises underway.
Long since frontier worlds, the tau of the Second Sphere septs are well
accustomed to incremental change and vigorous activity. +3WP
Ordered Utopia The more established Setpts are heavily automated and harmonious societies.
The use of drones and technology are exceedingly common. They gain the
Binary Chatter talent and treat Tech-Use (Int) as a basic skill.
The Greater Good All tau hatcheries educate their generations from an extremely early age.
Basic techniques, ideas, processes and knowledge are implanted didactically
directly into the minds of all saal. Begin the game with the skills Literacy
(Int) & Common Lore (The Tau'va) and treat Logic (Int) as a basic skill.

Table 1-5 The Past - <One of the eight Second Sphere septs>
Third Sphere

The Tau of the Third Sphere, be they inhabitants of the newly founded septs, or expansionary forces
dispatched from the elder septs, they are uniquely skilled. Selectively bred and trained for additional
qualities important in the uncertain worlds on the borders of known space, they mark the new-
orthodox training and are marked with a vigour for enterprise.
<More text to go here>

Third Sphere PCs

<Text to go here>

Third Sphere Traits

Dynamic Expansion The tau of the Third Sphere are those on the most on the fringes of tau
society. They have been trained from the very beginning in specialising their
skills to face trials and peril at the very frontier of the Tau'va; Aun: +3 Per &
Foresight, Shas, +3 Int & Sound Constitution, Kor +3 Ag & Unremarkable,
Fio +3 Ag & Scrutiny (Per) and Por +3 Fel & Trade (Valet).
The Greater Good All tau hatcheries educate their generations from an extremely early age.
Basic techniques, ideas, processes and knowledge are implanted didactically
directly into the minds of all saal. Begin the game with the skills Literacy
(Int) & Common Lore (The Tau'va) and treat Logic (Int) as a basic skill. The

Table 1-5 The Past - <Sept, Expansion Fleet, Outpost, Warworld, Farflung>
Kroot

Kroot originate from the tropical forest-world of Pech in the north-western reaches of the Tau
Empire. Aliens standing wiry and tall, their impressive physiology tells of a fantastically potent
digestive system incorporating an ability to adaptively and intelligently process food, mostly in
subconscious selection of rate of metabolism. Beyond this, the race displays an remarkable quality
in absorbent processing of the basic genetic information of other flora and fauna, via ingesting their
prey.

Specialised kroot, known as shapers, are the leader of their tribal societies, organised on a basic
level known as kindreds. These extended family units weave generations of genetically similar
kroot together into, their genetic drift and evolution guided by the wisdom of the shapers. The kroot
are a deceptively primitive species. Though they lead primitive lives, wield low-tech weaponry and
confine themselves to smaller, itinerant communities, the kroot themselves lack very little in the
way of higher social functions. They are capable, thoughtful, witty and inventive yet largely show
an aversion towards extensive learning or academia, broadly preferring practical skills and short
term, functional plans.

A further aspect of their intellects is an impressive capacity for linguistics and communication.
They are natural beast handlers and can become rapidly proficient in languages and their
interpersonal skills. For such reasons, many kroot across the empire are seconded to expeditionary
forces, becoming valued experts in local liaison, integration and cultural exchange organisations.

Contrary to their seemingly simple lifestyle, the kroot are extremely practical, sceptical even
cynical in their actions. Their mild avarice is perhaps their only motivation for expansion; being
self-sufficient for almost all basic needs. Their academic endeavours extend only so far as
economics, population dynamics and 'earth sciences'. They pay little heed to lofty goals,
recognising only a species-level imperative to sample genetic material. This adds to their itinerant
nature, to their wanderlust, driving them out into the galaxy as mercenaries and travellers.

Their cynical aversion to idealism and fanaticism makes them remarkably dependable soldiers of
fortune. Many outsiders see them as poorly treated by their position in the Tau Empire, low-level
shareholders in an endeavour which they contribute much. The kroot conversely see this
arrangement as highly advantageous; their culture and attitude is impressively resilient to the Tau's
colonial overtures and their ultimate goals boosted by the Tau Empire's vigorous expansion.

Kroot PCs

Kroot PCs are those amongst the most versatile of the Kroot species. They often stem from more
well-travelled kindreds, sometimes their family having met grim ends leaving them scattered or
disparate survivors to be dispersed amongst the empire. Some are those whose wanderlust and
desire for walkabout exceed the desires of their kindred. Some even are those whose mercenary
skills lead them to settlements on colony- and frontier-worlds. Some are even those eager to set foot
amidst the stars stemming from a kindred who have themselves returned from beyond the borders
of the empire. Regardless, the kroot are an entirely practical species. They care little so long as their
rewards are palpable (not grand) and their work is constant. Boredom is not something kroot cope
easily with or tolerate for prolonged periods, the Tau have long recognised the importance of
occupation and freedom in maintaining the goodwill and easy cooperation of the kroot.

Kroot Traits
'Second Brain' Kroot have the fantastic addition of what is basically a load of neural tissue
attached to their stomach. Like the Feral Worlder's trait, but +20 to carouse
 tests and tests to resist toxins ingested via the stomach. Furthermore, on
character creation, you may opt roll twice on the Minor Mutations Table and
Once on the Major Mutations table. You may select up to one of these three
results, but are not compelled to do so. This reflects the (mis)adventures of
your kindred prior to your birth.
Arboreal life Begin played with the Climb (Ag) skill, with Survival (Int) and Wrangling
(Int) as basic skill.
Feast on the dead When near freshly deceased fleash, or particularly peculiar flora, the kroot
will show now compunction or hesitation on at least nibbling on a little of the
material. Kroot metabolism is potent and thus they typically find themselves
possessed of an advanced, if undiscerning, appetite. Kroot must pass a
Willpower test to avoid (or stop) eating such materials. Once the test is
passed, they're no-longer affected for that item.
Wiry Savages Kroot PCs automatically begin play with the Leap Up talent.
Mimicry The kroot are surprisingly adept in learning new languages; able to produce
an impressive array of sounds and with excellent hearing and eyesight are
thus quite able to take many details often otherwise unnoticed in
communication. The kroot treat Lip Reading as a basic skill and gain the
Mimic talent. Furthermore, kroot may use the Mimic talent even in relation to
other species. (GMs should therefore consider awarding bonus skills/Elite
Advances to players who are attentive in their experiences of communication,
e.g. by gaining Speak Language skills with apparent ease)

Table 1-6 The Past – Kindred's Legacy

D5: 1: Homeworld. Your kindred originates from the homeworld, Pech. Your background is
typical for the species, you are likely adjusted to the ideas inherent to galactic
adventure, but generally as little more than stories. You set off on the expectation of
reward and new canopies overhead.
2: Kroot Enclave. A world of suitably interesting or exotic environment typically
populated only by kroot. Regarded as many citizens of the empire as the
quintessential parochial kroot, your kindred ventured little further than their own
bodies would carry them. Such kroot are often cynically regarded as recalcitrant
traditionalists, despite evidence to the contrary.
3: Tau Septs, Stations, Ships and Colonies. The cosmopolitan kroot of the empire,
broadly aware of the realities of life on the eastern fringe, they are amongst the most
trusted and respected kroot by the empire.
4: Mercenaries. Your kindred have only recently returned from their sojourn beyond the
borders of the empire. The septs largely frown on this behaviour but are
paradoxically quick to glean any information from these returning wanderers.
5: Spheres. The kroot warspheres vary massively in size and displacement, but
commonly are found to be the the core of new settlements and enclave worlds. They
are the primary of transports for the kroot to the stars, roving the systems of the
empire and plying the space beyond. They are notoriously low quality starships,
though display many ingenious systems and mechanism. The kroot who make their
passage on such ships are the most social of kroot, being surrounded by a teeming
mass of kindreds eager to cross the void. Perhaps surprisingly, most kroot are
exceedingly reluctant to impart any knowledge regarding the origins, function or
nature of their warspheres.
The Galg Homeworld

Galg PCs

Galg Traits
Tentacles of Doom The galg are physically, as a species, are little more than blue blobs
with tentacles and eye-stalks. In practice these many tentacles are
surprisingly dexterous, being used in ambulation, lifting, manipulating
with extensive skill. In this respect, treat galg characters as having five
arms and four legs (each contributing fractionally to their overall skills
for the purposes of reflecting injuries, limb-loss etc). Except in
obvious cases (e.g. holding five items rather than two), allow for only
carrying two weapons and so forth.
Alien Physiology The very alien nature of the galg is decidedly perturbing to most
humanoids. Tentacles writhing, eye-stalks drifting, sacs bulging and
unidentifiable features undulating; in any case galg therefore have
Fear (1). Further, armour and weapons are typically unwieldy and,
unless tailored specifically for the galg, near impossible to use
precisely; galg suffer -20 to tests to use such equipment.
Sense of Self The galg have a peculiarly organised culture which, strange as it
seems to outsiders, is suggested to stem from their sensory systems.
Touch is massively importance to the galg, being central to much of
their predominant philosophies and world-views. As such galg are
intimately possessive of things which they wear and carry, but have
little interest in the concept of ownership outside of things which they
immediately experience. Galg have Heightened Senses (Touch).
Thoughtful Galg are typically disposed towards idle thoughtfulness, boasting a
large number of amateur experts in fields outside their own speciality
of training and can be very quick to embrace new, attractive or
inventive ideas with a mild enthusiasm. Galg treat Logic as a basic
skill and modify their characteristics by -3WP.

The Past -
<hmmm>
Vespid Cloud Islands
Vespid PCs
Vespid Traits
The Past -

Korvesa Laboratories
Drone PCs
Drone Traits
The Past -
Demiurg Brotherhoods

The demiurg are a remarkable race, noted isolationists and fiercely industrial, they are rare sights in
the galaxy. Legend and myth of their presence and passing is sown throughout the cultures of the
galaxy; tale of machine men in visitation to primitive cultures, the stories of the starsmiths. the
legacy of the void-walkers spread far. Fragments and artefacts positively identified as demiurg have
been traced on a thousand worlds throughout the five segmentae of the galaxy, across the aeons. To
the tau they are known as the bentu'sin, the wise-gifted ones. It is supposed that no reliable accounts
of direct visual contact with a 'bare' demiurg have been known. At best reports suggest squat semi-
humanoids heavily insulated in technologically sophisticated suits bedecked with exquisite devices
and esoteric trappings. It is remarked that due to their resistance to scans, some thinkers suggest that
these suits could be little more than facsimiles or imposters, that the real demiurg remain hidden, if,
sceptics wonder, they even exist at all. What are increasingly common throughout the isolated
regions of the galxy is the presence of the demiurg's creations; automatons, robots, artificial life and
self-propelled machines acting out obscure tasks across the galaxy.

It is said that the demiurg organise in loose groupings, known to the Imperium as brotherhoods. As
a society they appear distinctly solitary, their starships and stations, known as commerce vessels,
hanging in the dark between worlds, deep in the corona of stars, embedded in the hidden wastes of
exotic stellar phenomena plying the stars and carrying on in their unknown endeavours. Their ships
and squadrons are said, through the tales of trade and rumour, to be home single brotherhoods
number some dozen demiurg. More than this it is known that they play host to thousands of varied
artificial life forms. The vessels are not only industrial hothouses, but also harvesters and resource
gatherers. It is proposed that they serve not only as manufacturing plants, but as centres of research,
invention and processing of raw materials.

Through trade, the demiurg have exchanged massive amounts of quality items. On many worlds and
in many conflicts they bargain with cultures in exchange for access to raw materials. Stories abound
of the terms of agreement being adhered to strictly and literally, tales of stolen moons and gaping
craters left in place of antiquated cultural ruins. The tau empire is known to have been in open trade
with the demiurg for many decades, reports going back to the first sphere expansion and the era of
the Tau'n Campaign.

Though not a common sight in the tau empire, the presence of commerce vessels from the Srry'tok
and Thurm brotherhoods hang silently, discreetly and working furiously in the regions of the septs
unreachable or unwanted by other species. It is told that there hangs a starforge deep in the corona
of the T'au star itself, of processing stations in the lagrange point between the twin-suns of D'yanoi.
Demiurg produced machines and artefacts are to be found across the tau empire, with curious
appearances as far afield as the Gothic sector and the deep cradle, with mechanical servants leased
and sold far and wide. More sophisticated and ubiquitous machines often find themselves afford
subject status within the tau empire on strict conditions and with set remits, fully functional assets
of the tau'va.

Automaton PCs
The basic form of the 'generic' automaton is anything but standard. They vary from bipedal, tracked,
hovering with unnatural abilities and often disturbingly 'natural' idiosyncracies and many
inexplicable mannerisms. Though some are distinctly individual, many automata stem from the
fantastic legions of demiurg devices leased for industrial activities, manufacturing lines or even
combat deployment. Many exhibit little in sophistication of programming, being little more than
robust specialist systems. Many would bring an entire explorator fleet upon a planet seeking
vengeful extermination of the heretical abominable intelligence.
As characters, the automaton is an exotic individual. Hamstrung by curious programming, their
attitudes and methods can be at once familiar and utterly bizarre. To be a machine mind is to be
distrusted, even 'enlightened' societies like that of the tau empire struggle in overcoming basic
prejudices. Most humanoids find suitably artificial looking automaton perfectly adequate, but begin
to struggle with social interaction with those whose forms mimic there own too closely, imperfectly.
To close a match and many begin to identify with them as if they were the same. The automaton is
inherently an atypical specimen. Some can be resentful, obedient, brilliant or difficult, some can be
the very icon of mechanical perfection.

Automaton Traits
Mechanoid
Abominable Intelligence
Ingenious Mechanisms
Demiurg automata are independent, thinking machines. Be they expert
systems with added automation and functionality or fully manifested
artificial intelligences, they are subject to the Machine (2) talent.
Automata are subject to the social revulsion of dozens of society. In
one form or another, this begins to reflect upon their life and actions,
even within the tau empire. It is typically an undercurrent, something
which never manifests in any discernible change of method
or attitude. But it is there, their association in the warp triggers an
unsettling thought in the souls of those who perceive them. Automata
begin play with 5 corruption points.
Automata characters begin play with one of the following traits or
talents: Chem-Geld, Disturbing Voice, Crawler, Hoverer (3), Sonar
Sense or Sturdy.

The Past -
Automata come in many varied forms and patterns. Typical encounters with automata lead to most
becoming quickly characterised based on popular social conventions; regardless of whether they fit
the bill or not. Many automata can thus find themselves quickly pigeon-holed, rightly or wrongly.
Roll D100:
01 – 10 Misanthrope The automaton is displays a certain lack of enthusiasm for many social
aspects, casually disregarding conventions and customs in favour of its own
vision of society.
11 – 20 Host The automaton is perfectly at ease in its role, finding the service of others,
cooperation and facilitation of arrangements activating reward algorithms as a
primary motivation. Hosts are often well organised, eager and obliging.
21 – 30 Warbot The automaton is disposed towards violence and highly practical thinking. It
exhibits imagination and inventive thinking only in execution of its duties,
having little time for extraneous details.
31 – 40 In Disguise The automaton is capable of undergoing transformations to disguise its
nature. This can be a simple exercise in functionality or an impressive and
extreme change in outward aesthetic.
41 – 50 Meatbag The automaton is contemptuous of organic life, valuing and venerating the
elegance and functionality of the machine. What purpose such design features
could serve is quite mysterious.
51 – 60 Bender The automaton is peculiarly single-functioned and could complete its basic
task without many or indeed most of its other systems. That it is possessed of
such ubiquity and dynamism is a peculiar aspect of its design.
61 – 70 Gelatinous Orbs The automaton is fundamentally artificial but features a vast array of
innovative and often unsettling wetware, or 'artificial organic tissue' as
it is often known.
71 – 80 Edward The automaton is visibly unfinished, featuring many half-completed systems
and partially functioning mechanisms.
81 – 90 Number 5 The automaton started out as something distinctly lesser; a non-thinking
machine. Somewhere, at somepoint, the machine was exposed to a catalyst,
suffered an emergence cascade, perhaps some other unintended event. The
product is often only aesthetically similar to its precursor state.
91 – 00 Exterminator The automaton is driven and relentless, highly resistant to change or
distraction from duty. Basic commands and imperatives drive its desires,
though capable of advance and change, its will is inherently drawn to
fulfilling its fundamental parameters.

Nicassar Caravan
Nicassar PCs
Nicassar Traits
The Past -

Gue Frontier Worlds (as Imperial World?)

Gue PCs
Gue Traits
The Past -

Obviously more work to be done!