The Nicassar were the first addition to the Tau Empire and continue to provide ships for the Empire as they are ill-suited for ground combat. Nicassar have powerful minds though and rely on their telekinetic talents in particular to make up for their own limited mobility. Their extended families are semi-nomadic and are driven by insatiable curiosity. This led to their exploration of their home system, however they are happiest when travelling and as they can survive for long periods in virtual hibernation have travelled far from their home world, albeit slowly. When a family travels numerous dhows travel docked together forming a larger community in which some members will be hibernating while others remain on watch. First contact with the Tau came when a Tau Explorer was setting up a waystation in Interstellar space and sighted a Nicassar flotilla that had been in space for centuries. Nicassar dhows are small but elegant yachts that are propelled by their captains' psychic powers. These are very manoeuvrable but lack any practical interstellar capacity and until recently any significant firepower. Since being incorporated into the Empire however their weaponry has been updated to Tau levels. As subjects of the Empire the Nicassar must serve the greater good and do so by providing fleets to scout and explore systems on the fringes of the Tau Empire. They are transported to their station by Tau vessels and commence a leisurely circuit reporting anything they find. The Tau have carefully kept the Nicassar from the Imperium as they realise the Nicassar's psychic powers would fuel the worst excesses of human xenophobia. Tau fleets may bring Dhows to battle on gravitic hooks instead of Orcas. Any ship towing Dhows can only tow Dhows. These then form a squadron but for battle purposes can deploy separately and perform different orders. Their Leadership is the same as their parent ship +1 as the Nicassar are natural spacefarers. Points: 45 Port Railgun battery (strength 3 battery, range 30, arcs L) |
