Aun’Va was the supreme leader of the T’au Empire, so influential that when he died, the Ethereal Council replaced him with an AI hologram. He’s still the face of T’au expansion, and on the tabletop he’s a support HQ that buffs nearby units.
Who is Aun’Va?
Aun’Va, born Aun’o’T’au’Acaya’Va’Denta, was the Ethereal Supreme of the T’au Empire and held the title Master of the Undying Spirit. He took over from the aging Aun’Wei and was considered the oldest and wisest of all Ethereals. His advice was always followed without question, and disagreeing with him was seen as a sign of ignorance.
He didn’t just sit in council chambers. Aun’Va served on the front lines during the early expansion phases, helping plan the Farsight Expedition and the Great War of Confederation. He was right there with Commander Shadowsun during the Battle of Mu’gulath Bay in the Third Sphere of Expansion, which turned into one of the greatest T’au victories over the Imperium.
Death and deception
During the Second Agrellan Campaign, Aun’Va got stranded on Mu’gulath Bay by an Imperial blockade. He hid in a command bunker, but the Officio Assassinorum found him and sent a Culexus Assassin. The assassin killed his bodyguards and then caught Aun’Va himself. It wasn’t a quick or merciful end.
The Ethereal Council covered it up. They used holograms of Aun’Va to broadcast a victory speech after Mu’gulath Bay fell. Few know the truth. The hologram continues as Ethereal Supreme, with the original’s personality and memories loaded into an AI device. New edicts were declared to hide the deception, like forbidding anyone from touching Aun’Va and requiring his Honour Guard to never leave his side.
Wargear and battles
Aun’Va carried the staff Paradox of Duality. On the tabletop, it gives him a 5+ invulnerable save and makes attacks against him suffer -1 to their wound rolls.
He was present at the Si’coa system, where Fire Warriors destroyed the Reek. On the flanks of Mount Scion, he described the fate of the Ork Waaagh! Grognik, and the T’au swiftly followed, wiping out the Orks. Later, during the Battle of Mu’gulath Bay in the Third Sphere of Expansion, he personally accompanied Commander Shadowsun, turning the battle into a major T’au victory.
- Si’coa system: Aun’Va’s presence allowed Fire Warriors to destroy the Reek.
- Mount Scion: He foretold the fate of Waaagh! Grognik, leading to the Orks’ destruction.
- Mu’gulath Bay: He fought alongside Shadowsun in a decisive T’au win.
The hologram in the Arks of Omen
During the Arks of Omen campaign, Aun’Va’s projection appeared on Arthas Moloch to Commander Farsight. Farsight had asked for aid against Ork and Chaos foes, but the hologram told him he was cursed for turning his back on the Greater Good and that his people were condemned with him. It was a cold reminder that the T’au leadership doesn’t forgive deserters.
On the tabletop
In games of Warhammer 40,000, Aun’Va is a support HQ choice for the T’au Empire. He comes with two Ethereal Guard and provides powerful buffs to nearby units, but he’s not a fighter. His stats are modest: he’s tough enough to survive a bit of shooting thanks to his 5+ invulnerable save and the -1 to wound rolls from Paradox of Duality, but he’ll fold in melee.
His main job is buffing. Supreme Loyalty is an aura that lets friendly T’au Empire Core units within 9″ use his Leadership of 10. He also knows three Invocations of the Ethereals and can intone up to two per turn on a 2+. As a warlord, he can take Through Unity, Devastation, which improves the AP of nearby Core units’ ranged attacks on wound rolls of 6.
| Unit | M | WS | BS | S | T | W | A | Ld | Sv |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aun’Va | 6″ | 6+ | 4+ | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 5+ |
| Ethereal Guard (each) | 6″ | 3+ | 3+ | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 5+ |
Why he matters
Aun’Va embodies the T’au belief in the Greater Good and the Ethereal Caste’s absolute authority. His continued existence as a hologram shows how far the T’au will go to maintain stability. For players, he’s a key support piece that can turn the tide by enhancing nearby Fire Warriors and Battlesuits, though his fragility means he needs protection.
Key facts
- Aun’Va was the Ethereal Supreme of the T’au Empire, succeeding Aun’Wei.
- He was assassinated by a Culexus Assassin during the Second Agrellan Campaign.
- His death was covered up; an AI hologram now leads the T’au in his place.
- On the tabletop, he’s a support HQ with two Ethereal Guard, providing buffs to nearby units.
- His full name is Aun’o’T’au’Acaya’Va’Denta, and his title is Master of the Undying Spirit.
FAQ
Is Aun’Va still alive?
No, he was killed by a Culexus Assassin around 999.M41. However, an AI hologram with his memories continues to act as Ethereal Supreme, a secret kept from most T’au.
Can Aun’Va be used in Warhammer 40k games?
Yes, he has a datasheet in the T’au Empire army list. He’s a support HQ that buffs nearby units but is not intended for combat.