Streltsi
Streltsi, also spelled Streltzi, are a type of elite infantry in the Kislev army. They are trained to fight both at range with Handguns and at close quarters with Halberds. The Streltsi have their origins when firearms were first introduced to Kislev by the popular and eccentric Prince Boydinov of Erengrad. After initial superstition, handguns have been gradually accepted as essential weapons of war by the people of Kislev. After his death, Boydinov had a large portion of his wealth set aside for the establishment and upkeep of a handgunner regiment, which are the modern day Streltsi.
The Streltsi are also trained in the use of a small halberd called the berdiche. In combat Streltsi are also able to use their berdiches as rests for their handguns, increasing their accuracy and making for a deadly weapon combination. Their use of the handgun at range and the berdiche in combat is not too dissimilar from the Bow and Axe weapon combination of the more common Kossars.1
Notes
Strelsi are probably based on the real-life Russian Imperial soldiers, Streltsy, musketeer and pole-axe armed infantry. They were conscripted from the rural peasant population, so were of a poor quality.
Sources
- 1:Mordheim Kislevite Warbands, p 18
- 2:Citadel Journal Issue 15, "Kislev The Claws of the Great Bear", by Tuomas Pirinen, 1996, p 37
