Shovah is the Tau name of Commander Farsight, the legendary Fire Caste hero who turned his back on the Tau Empire and the Ethereals. He’s spent centuries carving out his own domain, the Farsight Enclaves, and he’s still alive when most Tau his age are long dead.
Who is Shovah?
His full name is Shas’O Vior’la Shovah Kais Mont’yr. He’s a Tau Fire Caste commander from the Vior’la Sept, and he earned the name O’Shovah, which is usually rendered as Farsight in Imperial records.
He rose to become Supreme Commander of the Tau Empire, but he’s better known now as the Great Traitor, or He who Renounced the Greater Good. He leads the Farsight Enclaves, a breakaway realm that keeps a martial culture close to his Vior’la roots.
The break with the Ethereals
Farsight grew disillusioned with the Ethereals and the way they ran Tau society. He came to see the Greater Good as a tool for their own ambition, not a genuine philosophy.
The split came to a head in the 997.M41 confrontation with the Elemental Council of Aun’Va. Farsight told them plainly that their edicts were suffocating the rest of the Tau, and that there could be no true communality under their rule.
After that, he left. He took his forces and founded the Enclaves, which have stayed independent ever since.
Why he’s still around
Farsight has lived for at least three centuries, which is far beyond the normal lifespan of a Tau Fire Caste member. That unnaturally long life is one of the things that makes him so unusual.
He’s also linked to the Dawn Blade, the weapon he carries. Sources don’t agree on exactly how the blade and his long life connect, so treat the details with some caution.
He commands the Eight, his personal team of elite battlesuit pilots, and together they’re the heart of the Enclaves’ military strength.
Shovah in your games
On the tabletop, Commander Farsight is a close-combat Tau commander. He’s the named leader of the Farsight Enclaves, so you’ll usually see him in that army list.
If you’re building a Farsight Enclaves force, he’s a natural centerpiece. Just remember he’s a melee threat in an army that mostly shoots, so he needs support to get where he’s going.
Key facts
- Full name: Shas’O Vior’la Shovah Kais Mont’yr
- Shovah is the Tau name for Commander Farsight
- Former Supreme Commander of the Tau Empire, succeeded by O’Shaserra (Shadowsun)
- Leader of the Farsight Enclaves and head of the Eight
- Known to the Tau as the Great Traitor and He who Renounced the Greater Good
- Has lived at least three centuries, far beyond a normal Tau lifespan
FAQ
Is Shovah the same person as Commander Farsight?
Yes. Shovah is the Tau name, and Farsight is the common rendering used by the Imperium and by players. They’re the same character.
Why did Farsight leave the Tau Empire?
He lost faith in the Ethereals and the Greater Good, believing the Ethereals were using it to control Tau society for their own ends. He broke away and founded the Farsight Enclaves.
How long has Farsight been alive?
At least three centuries, which is well beyond a normal Tau Fire Caste lifespan. His long life is one of the mysteries surrounding him, and sources disagree on the cause.