Designation: Supreme Aspect of Dissolution and Rebirth

Also Known As: The Ashen Flame, Lord of Silent Resolve, The Spiral of Ends

Caste Association: Fire Caste

Primary Symbol: A triskele of shattered battlesuit limbs encircling a burning eye

In the mythic cosmology of the Tau pantheon, T’au’va stands as the divine embodiment of necessary destruction — the crucible through which all things must pass to achieve a higher unity. Not to be confused with mere chaos or violence, T’au’va is the cosmic purifier, annihilating stagnation, corruption, and ego in order to make way for evolution, progress, and the Greater Good.

Though feared by some, his presence is revered across all castes. The Fire caste invoke him in moments of sacrifice. The Ethereals study his paradoxes in silence. To destroy, in the name of harmony — this is the truth of T’au’va.

T’au’va is said to appear as a towering, four-armed figure cloaked in shimmering obsidian armor, wreathed in collapsing starlight. In one hand he holds the Cinderblade — a blade made of cooled plasma that severs not only flesh but falsehood. Another bears the Crown of Vents, symbolizing restraint and meditation. The remaining two hands are always in motion — one creating a spark, the other snuffing it out.

His third eye, aflame with radiant emptiness, sees through illusion and perceives the true intent of all beings.

“All things that burn shall return brighter, or not at all.”

— Maxim of T’au’va

The teachings of T’au’va are known as the Doctrine of the Spiral — a belief that every structure, every belief, and every soul must be tested by fire. That which survives may rejoin the whole. That which does not was never worthy of endurance.

To followers of T’au’va, destruction is not the end, but a beginning born of courage.

Ash Meditation: Fire Warriors chant the Spiral Mantra while surrounded by burning coals, meditating on what must be sacrificed — in themselves and others — for the Greater Good to endure.

Trial of Cinders: Initiates of elite units (e.g., Crisis Suit Commanders) undergo this rite, symbolically walking through flame-etched corridors as AI recite the doctrines of dissolution.

T’au’va’s icon — the Triskele of Ends — is etched into the inner plating of elite battlesuits, hidden from sight but ever-present.

T’au’va is invoked before large-scale extermination campaigns, orbital purges, and the dismantling of heretical AI.

In some fringe cults, he is whispered to be older than even the Aun'ari, a truth perhaps known only to the Ethereals.

“T’au’va sees not your valor, only your necessity.”

Commanders who revere T’au’va are known for their merciless efficiency, often favoring flame weaponry, ion bursts, and planetary sterilization methods. They fight not for personal glory, but to burn a path for future peace.

Warlord Trait: Ashen Will

This warlord cannot be affected by any Morale tests. Units within 6" gain a 5+ Feel No Pain roll against mortal wounds dealt during the psychic phase (or other equivalents).