Editing Psychic Awakening (section)

=== The Greater Good ===
''This is [[Shadowsun|O’Shaserra]] speaking. I hope this message arrives in time for you to be warned. In time for you to act.''

The [[Tau]], facing the wormhole they accidentally created in the Fourth Sphere Expansion alongside the human-hating, xenophobic Fourth Sphere remnants, continue to expand into the Chalnath Expanse. It isn't long until the Fifth Sphere's expansion is interrupted by reports of something they weren't aware of - corrupted, mutated [[Space Marines|Gue’ron’sha]] swarming the Startide Nexus, beating the Fifth Sphere navy back. Calling themselves the [[Death Guard]], the Tau have no idea what they are facing, although they're learning very quickly indeed. The Death Guard nearly push through the Startide Nexus but suddenly retreat just as their victory seems certain, leaving the Tau panicked about their potential return and confused about what their goals really were.

At the same time, Grezum, a planet the Tau are infiltrating with their Greater Good indoctrination, has a [[Genestealer]] cult called the Mindchord rebelling at the same time. And let's not forget the Imperial Guard trying to fend off both the Tau and the Genestealers and trying to desperately keep the region under control.

Part of the fun of the fluff released so far is the Tau's complete cluelessness about the danger that this strange "[[Nurgle|Nurg'hel]]" creature and his [[Space Marines|Gue’ron’sha]] army represent; let's also not forget that the Tau have intentionally infested one of their own worlds with a Genestealer Cult infestation to see what would happen, which may have infected an Ethereal. The new model this time around is Commander [[Shadowsun]], equipped with a newer variant of her battlesuit. It looks like the Tau empire might be heading a similar way of the Eldar soon with these layered shitstorms brewing, with Septs instead of Craftworlds - which would be pretty cool if the Farsight Enclaves are anything to go by.

But none of that really matters. Instead, the book focuses on the conflict around the Chalnath Expanse, a region that was already in bad shape even before the Tau arrived due to all manner of Xenos invaders - from Ork Freebooters to Tyranid Hive Fleet elements raiding the system. The Genestealer Cults in the region begin their uprising at about the same time, due to the increased numbers of Psykers being born being seen as an expression of displeasure from their Star-Gods. Also, the Tau get to experience the newfangled Imperial miracles from Faith & Fury firsthand as flying Priests do battle with Tau Battlesuits and summon lights to blind Fire Warriors before carving them up in hand-to-hand combat. Witnessing these same miracles also cause some units of [[Gue'Vesa]] to seek repentance by fighting the Tau.

In the end, the system is in a worse state than it started in. The T'au manage to secure a foothold on the system's cardinal world, but Imperial forces continue to fight them relentlessly despite Shadowsun's attempts to break their will (lol, breaking the Guard's will, good luck with that). Another planet has its Genestealer Cult destroyed by Imperial forces, but the Tau are set to invade the planet after the Governor refused to allow the Tau to help them with the Genestealer Cult infestation, and a third and final planet remains in a three-way stalemate between the GSC, Tau and Imperial forces.

Rules-wise, the Imperial Guard, Tau and Genestealer Cults all received new stratagems, wargear and got to join the custom Guard Regiment/Tau Sept/Cult Creed club. It also included rules for several Militarum Tempestus regiments, including new relics, stratagems and even regimental doctrines for six of the most famous regiments, essentially making them their own faction within a faction.

You might have noticed that despite being featured in their promo material and background lore, the [[Death Guard]] are notably absent from the rules since their appearance was limited to a series of space battles and that's not covered by 40k rules. They would later be included in ''War of the Spider'' as one of the factions working against [[Fabius Bile]].