Streltsi
Streltsi, also spelled Streltzi, are a type of elite infantry in the Kislev Military. [1]
They are trained to fight both at range with Handguns and at close quarters with Halberds. [1]
History
The Streltsi originated when firearms were first introduced to Kislev by the popular and eccentric Prince Boydinov of Erengrad. Boydinov was obsessed with the technology of The Empire and after fighting alongside an army of Ostlanders against a Chaos horde in 2345 IC he created his own unit of handgunners after being impressed by the Ostlanders' usage of them.[1]
Weapons and Equipment
After initial superstition, handguns have been gradually accepted as essential weapons of war by the Kislevites. Before his death, Boydinov set aside a large portion of his wealth 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 combination. Their use of the handgun at range and the berdiche in combat is not dissimilar from the Bow and Axe combination used by the Kossars.[2]
In battle as they tried to get that extra shot off before the enemy closed on them, some streltsi ran out of time to stow their gun and ready their bardiche. Instead, they would simply reverse and use the heavy gun as a bludgeon. Eventually, Streltsi captains embraced this alternative approach and had their rotas’ rifles modified to include axeblades on the gun stock. [4]
Miniatures
A converted Kislev Streltsi by Lee Garrett.[3]
Notes
Strelsi are probably based on the real-life Russian Imperial soldiers, Streltsy, infantry armed with a combination of musket and pole-axe. They were conscripted from the rural peasant population, and thus were of poor quality.
Sources
- 1: Realm of the Ice Queen: A guide to Kislev (2007), pg. 105
- 2: Mordheim Kislevite Warbands, pg. 18
- 3: Citadel Journal Issue 15, "Kislev The Claws of the Great Bear" (1996), by Tuomas Pirinen, pg. 37
- 4: Total War blog
