Aun’Shi is a Tau Ethereal from the Vior’la Sept, known as the Master of the Blade and the Saviour of the Fire Caste. He’s a warrior-scholar who’d rather understand aliens than fight them, but he’s duty-bound to wage war for the Greater Good.
Who is Aun’Shi?
Aun’Shi, fully Aun’el Viora’la Shi, is an Ethereal of the Tau Empire. He hails from the Vior’la Sept and was born around M41. He’s still active, which is unusual for a Tau of his age.
He carries the honour stave Fidelity and is often called the Aged Wonder. Fire Caste warriors consider it a lucky honour to serve alongside him, and any squad chosen as his retinue is marked for glory.
- Titles: Master of the Blade, Saviour of the Fire Caste, Hero of Fio’vash, The Aged Wonder
- Homeworld: Vior’la
- Affiliation: Tau Empire, Ethereal Caste
- Weapon: Honour stave Fidelity
The defence of Fio’vash
Aun’Shi’s most famous deed happened on the mining world of Kel’tyr, where he was sent to oversee a colony troubled by Feral Orks. It was meant to be his last assignment before retirement.
When Orks attacked the town of Fio’vash, the Fire Warrior commander was killed. Aun’Shi took charge, sent for reinforcements, and held the line with only his honour blade. He and fewer than fifty warriors fell back to a shrine and prepared to die fighting.
Aun’Shi stood in the shrine doorway and didn’t move even when the doors were torn away. Then Tau reinforcements arrived, Devilfish, Hammerheads and Broadside Battlesuits broke the Ork mob. The shrine held, the mines stayed in Tau hands, and Aun’Shi was hailed as a hero.
Later missions and the Farsight Enclaves
After Fio’vash, the Ethereals decided Aun’Shi would keep serving the Greater Good rather than retire. A marble bust of him was raised in the battledomes of Vior’la.
He later led a major expedition into the Farsight Enclaves, flagshipped by the Dal’yth Gal’leath Kessan. That mission put him on the trail of Commander Farsight, a renegade who’d turned his back on the Empire.
Aun’Shi in Black Library fiction
Braden Campbell wrote a short story called Aun’Shi, collected in the Shas’o anthology. It follows Aun’Shi hunting Farsight on the artefact world of Arthas Moloch, where his party is ambushed by Eldar and dragged into Commorragh.
In the Dark City, Aun’Shi’s skill makes him a star of his captor’s arena. The story turns when he decides he won’t fight anymore, which changes everything.
Key facts
- Aun’Shi is a Tau Ethereal from the Vior’la Sept, born around M41.
- His titles include Master of the Blade, Saviour of the Fire Caste, Hero of Fio’vash, and The Aged Wonder.
- He wields the honour stave Fidelity and often fights alongside Fire Warrior squads.
- He led the defence of Fio’vash on Kel’tyr, holding a shrine against Orks until reinforcements arrived.
- He later commanded an expedition into the Farsight Enclaves.
- He stars in the Black Library short story Aun’Shi by Braden Campbell.
FAQ
Is Aun’Shi a Fire Warrior?
No, he’s an Ethereal, not a Fire Caste warrior. But he often fights alongside Fire Warrior squads and is held in high honour by the Fire Caste.
What is Aun’Shi known for?
He’s best known for defending the town of Fio’vash against Orks with just his honour blade, and for later leading an expedition into the Farsight Enclaves.
Does Aun’Shi appear in any books?
Yes, he’s the main character in the short story Aun’Shi by Braden Campbell, collected in the Shas’o anthology.