WH40K: T'au Ethereal (Warhammer 40k) ****

An Ethereal is a member of the fifth caste of the T'au species, forming a ruling elite above the Fire, Earth, Air, and Water Castes that make up the bulk of the T'au population.

Known by the titular designation of aun in the T'au Lexicon, their name translates variously as the "Celestial" or "Ethereal Caste." Though their numbers are small compared to the other castes, the Ethereals are the rulers of the T'au Empire, and command near-total authority and loyalty from every other T'au.

Born to counsel, advise and steer their comrades towards the chosen path, the Ethereals embody the roles of both royalty and the priesthood in T'au society, and the deference paid to them is the closest thing to mysticism in T'au society.

For weighty decisions, a wise Ethereal will take counsel from the senior members of each caste, although ultimate sovereignty falls upon them and them alone. The Ethereals find themselves in a binding role -- guiding the other castes to work together for the Greater Good, and they are headed by a council on T'au of the wisest Ethereals called the Ethereal High Council that is headed by a presiding officer with the rank of Ethereal Supreme or Aun'o.

The Ethereals' unique role in T'au society is a potent combination of spiritual and political command, and their declarations shape and steer every facet of the T'au Empire. An Ethereal must be a consummate leader and motivator: pushing the Earth Caste for more practical innovations, setting firm negotiation goals for the Water Caste to strive for, giving parameters to the great fleets of the Air Caste and directing and containing the sometimes overzealous aggression of the Fire Caste.