Editing Tau (section)

== Warhammer Fantasy ==
Unlike most other factions in 40k, the Tau have no clear analogue from [[Warhammer Fantasy]] throughout its tabletop lifespan, or [[Age of Sigmar]] as of the present. One could argue that [[Cathay]] in [[Total War: Warhammer]] is the closest analogue the Tau will get, especially the whole being united under a powerful group of strange individuals worshiped as demigods and the Asian influence. Since elements of Total War's Cathay will be back-ported into [[Warhammer: The Old World]], this might change. [[Nippon]] would be a better fit, but whether they'll ever see the light of Total War is up to Creative Assembly and GeeDubs.

[[Gav Thorpe]] has [https://gavthorpe.co.uk/2017/06/26/the-origins-of-the-tau/ stated] that he was inspired by the Eldar article in ''White Dwarf 127'' to invent a new species called the Shishell (or more specifically the Shissellian League) and they were "[[Lizardmen]] In Space" with a society based around five castes – Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and a fifth called Spirit. Fast forward to 1999/2000 and GW was preparing to create a new army for Warhammer 40000. They decided to quietly dismiss the Shishell concept (because, like the [[Squats]], who were largely dismissed, and the [[Hrud]], who were retconned appearance-wise, they didn't want the game to be "Warhammer Fantasy in space") and then borrow the caste/element system to use as a foundation stone for the Tau's lore (who were originally called the Tao at that point in time).

In closing, the Tau's closest counterpart(s) in Fantasy right now are Cathay in terms of aesthetics, and the Lizardmen in terms of military/social structure, a bizarre hybrid of elements that came before and after the Tau were introduced to 40k.