Being a Mod does not usually involve a lot of perks, but controlling the list of threads for the Empire Army choices is one, and so this is why there is a special thread devoted to Kislev.There is much speculation throughout the Empire about the origins of the Lord Midaski and his rise to power, and indeed the current extent of his influence.
Recently in correspondence that has mysteriously come to light, his position as Imperial Chancellor and subsequent control of the Empire’s Exchequer has become more widely known. Many who were previously also aware of his financial enforcer activities for Grand Burgomeister Grutch of Marienburg, coupled with his position of Treasure to the Tsarina Katarin, are wondering how a Kislevite has come to control most of the finances of the human world.
It is rumoured that Midaski was the first born of a Kislev Noble, from the city of Erengrad, whose wife was from a Middenland family related to the Count, and so the lad was influenced by both heritages. The boy grew into a fine strong man well drilled in the use of all weapons and proved himself a valiant fighter and leader of men, but his capacities for strategy, politics, mathematical and mental conundrums, and particularly finance set him apart.
His early astute manoeuvrings earned his father the title Lord of Erengrad, and he was soon a favourite of the Tsarina at the Kislev Court where he quickly had her ear, and a lot more besides it is said,
as her most trusted adviser.
His reformation of the Kislev Treasury ensured stability for the Realm, and endeared him even more to Katarin, and enabled him to promote further ideas to his queen for the future expansion and well being of the Kislev Realm.
The Empire had employed Kislev units within their ranks for many years, but suddenly some years ago this practise was discontinued in some idiotic edict originating from the city of Nottingham.
This instigated a return to his martial skills, and he created a mercenary army harnessing the magnificent cavalry skills of the Kislevite Ungol Horse Archers and Winged Lancers, and supplementing them with hired units of Empire infantry, even providing them with furry hats and boots.
His astute martial skills along with his ability to command high prices for his services meant his troops were well paid, indeed the legendary portrait
of him clad in his armour with one foot firmly placed on the wages chest is often seen in many homes, and retired members of his personal bodyguard are often found recounting tales over a tankard of how the chest was never captured.
His role behind the scenes as an adviser to Knyaz Makari in the War of the Ostermark Succession and the alliance with the home province of his mother, Middenland, has been well documented, and that furthered his interest in learning more of the Empire’s military tactics. Kislev contingents took to the field of battle alongside the followers of Ulric to form an often deadly alliance.
After the war he raised and trained a new army in Rhakov recruiting the best warriors from the length and breadth of Kislev, but instilling the disciplines of the Empire tactics. Trade and political bargaining saw the acquisition of several Imperial artillery pieces, and his old friend Bronzinhov was employed to train crews.
More details of the Army of Rhakov that journeyed to take part in the ‘Orange Campaign’ in the lands of Marienburg can be found here:
http://www.warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php?topic=12276.0Following the surprising success of that campaign where the Kislevites showed their grasp of Empire tactics were more than a match for any state army, Midaski has maintained and expanded his personal pulk and enhanced their status within the Empire, and also gained the trust and friendship of the Emperor himself.
It did not take the Emperor long to realise the astuteness of his new friend’s financial abilities and seek his advice on how to improve the Imperial coffers. Several new initiatives proved invaluable in maintaining the Empire’s solvency after the Drizzle of Chaos, and continue to aid the recovery thereafter.
Of particular note is the reward scheme for Imperial Tax Office Employees who uncover black marketeering.
As an example the recent case, code name “Operation Kinky”, exposed the infamous Heretics Scam in Nordland, which involved huge undisclosed profits from illicit Timber and Indulgence sales.
The appointment to Imperial Chancellor subsequently became a mere formality.
Thus we have seen the rise of the Lord Midaski, who has recently inherited the city of Erengrad, following his father’s untimely demise in defence of the city against the Chaos hordes. The Tsarina took the opportunity to reward him further for his services by proclaiming him Khan of Erengrad – rumours abound in Kislev that their ‘romance’ might become official, but that is mere speculation, as their roles in the Old World keep them apart most of the time. The Tsarina occasionally enjoys the company of younger Kislev noblemen, and Midaski is known to travel with a set of remarkable Kislev Sorceress twins, who he claims have a ‘magical’ ability to keep him warm and satisfied.
The new Khan’s pulk has recently been containing a greenskin problem in the southeastern reaches of the Empire, and continues to grow.
Travelling in that region has seen a growing appreciation of the crossbow much favoured in Averland, and envoys have been sent into Tilea and Estalia to acquire the best examples of said weaponry.
His regiments of swordsmen wielding the Kislevite scimitar are supported by spearmen and halberdiers, most still sporting their furry hats despite the Empire’s warmer climes, though bare-chested Ungols with topknots are still a common site within their ranks.
New squadrons of Heavy Lancers riding barded warhorses are being recruited, and there are rumours of a new squadron of Lancers mounted on huge bears, sired from the line of Urskin himself.
Midaski’s personal wealth has financed the finest blackpowder weapons, and a unit of Outriders has joined his Kislev pistolier rotas recently.
His handgunners still employ the Streltsi tactic of using their berdiches (short halberds) as gun rests to provide their accurate and withering support fire.
The Erengrad Greatswords have also been reformed, the finest warriors recruited from within the army and equipped with the finest plate armour, - yet their Lord knew better than to go too far with his most loyal troops – Kislev warriors, used to the harsh life of the northern wastes, have long been used to ‘recycling’ captured armour and weapons both for protection and as visible trophies, and accompanying this fresh new plate armour are many examples of these trophies such as shoulder and neck guards duly cleansed and purified of any taint and imagery.
It has also been reported that a special rota of the Gryphon Legion have been assigned by Katarin to protect her special ambassador, and he in turn has presented these special warriors with the new special breed of warhorses recently introduced within the Empire.
So to the future, and the court at Altdorf is awash with excitement at the hunt for the Nemesis trinket. The Khan Midaski however seems unperturbed – indeed he has not shown any outward interest at all, and when challenged by some pretentious courtier that maybe he should be leading the search, has been heard to smile benignly and utter words to this effect:
“Do not worry my good sir, the artefact will not be found by any enemies of the Empire. You can be assured it will always be in safe hands.”
{It has also been suggested that there was an extra word at the end of the last sentence "Mine", but observers said that as he had gone on to talk about gold and silver 'extraction' from the Grey Mountains they were sure he was referring to that.}
Indeed the Chancellor’s current endeavours seem more directed towards the northern coast.
Erengrad - Kislev’s main port - is now well under way to full restoration and once again ships from Ulthuan and Araby can be seen at the quays, whilst at the same time there is much activity surrounding Midaski’s interests in Marienburg and his combined ventures with the Grand Burgermeister Grutch.
Unsurprisingly there seems to be some disquiet in Nordland, stuck as it is, between the two ports – we await developments with interest.
