Death Rider

A Death Rider is superficially similar to the standard Rough Rider cavalry units found among numerous other Imperial Guard regiments from worlds where riding mounts are commonplace. The Death Riders of Krieg are one of the most justly famous of the unique formations found within the Death Korps of Krieg forces. They ride highly adaptable mounts that are descended from the original Terran horse that have been gene-tailored for strength, endurance and aggression.

History
One of the most justly famous of the unique formations found within the Krieg forces are the Death Riders. Although superficially similar to rough rider cavalry units found among numerous other Imperial Guard regiments from worlds where riding mounts are commonplace, the Death Riders of Krieg are a direct result of Krieg's centuries-long civil war. Their most singular aspect is the nature of the Death Rider mounts -- the legendary Krieg Steed -- that is a highly adaptable form of the original Terran horse. This animal is now the product of extreme genetic engineering; tailored for strength, endurance and aggression, with numerous additional bio-sculpted organs that allow them to survive on the most polluted and toxic battlefields unscathed. Vat-grown on Krieg under the auspices of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the animals are further augmented with sub-dermal organic armour, osmotic lungs, and a fully integrated drug injection system rigged with a potent mixture of stimulants, pain-blockers and other palliatives. The end result is that the Krieg Steed is capable of incredible levels of endurance and environmental tolerance. The Krieg steed is also a weapon in its own right with its chemically enhanced aggression centres triggered at the rider's command, and virtually impossible to incapacitate short of massive bodily trauma.

Death Rider Companies
The Death Riders form a special cadre within the Krieg regiments, and their inductees are chosen not only on the grounds of aptitude but also for independent thought and initiative. Many future Death Korps Officers are drawn from the ranks of their survivors. Death Riders are equipped with a variety of sidearms and sabre-blades, in addition to the signature explosive-tipped lance found in similar units. Death Rider Companies are used both for battlefield reconnaissance, replacing the Sentinel's traditional role in the siege regiments, and as shock-troops, using their speed and impact to smash through enemy lines. They are commonly used in the role of reserves held back to break counter-attacks, or press a breakthrough themselves. They have gained their bloodiest reputation among other Imperial Guard regiments for their merciless pursuit of fleeing enemy troops; as it is standard practice for the Krieg Infantry to hold a freshly captured position while the Death Riders run down any routed defenders.

Uniform
The Death Riders wear the same standard issue uniforms as the infantry, including the distinctive heavy greatcoat. The Mk IX helmet is the same, with the extra badge attached to the front, marking the soldier as a Death Rider. The riders are selected for aptitude during the Death Korps guardsman's training on Krieg, and will have already undergone a rigorous series of exercises on the surface of Krieg before deployment to Vraks. As well as his uniform, a Death Rider wears an ornamental breastplate. This is a cumbersome item, worn as a matter of tradition rather than practicality and many units choose to discard the item, especially when on long-range patrols, in order to conserve weight. It is made of plasteel with a hardened chrome facing. The uniform is completed by the tall, hardwearing riding boots. These boots are also popular with high-ranking officers, often men who have served with Death Rider squadrons in the past, as they are regarded to be much more comfortable than the low marching boots.

Equipment
The Death Riders' role as a siege regiment's reconnaissance forces (as well as acting as second-wave shock troops during a breakthrough) means they must carry a lot of equipment. Squadrons can operate far ahead or on the flanks of the main forces, and so must be self sufficient. Saddlebags carry rations and other important supplies such as chemical filters, along with bedrolls and spare ammunition. Death Riders commonly wear Type V respirator units, the same tone issued to Death Korps Grenadiers, with the regulator units inside a canister and worn on the back.

Hunting Lance
The Death Rider's primary weapon is his explosive hunting lance. This 3.5 metre long weapon is constructed of a hollow lightweight metal shaft tipped with a spear point, which is also connected to the impact fuse of the weapon's shaped charge. This small explosive charge is constructed to direct the blast and fragmentation forwards the target and away from the user. Once detonated the user is left with only the shaft, which is then discarded. The lance also bears the squadron's pennant. In close quarters combat against densely packed enemy, or in close confines, the lance is very unwieldy and all Death Riders carry at least one back-up weapon. After the initial "shock" impact of the charge has been expended, a rider will reach for his sabre.

Sabre
The sabre is a long, heavy-bladed sword used mainly for thrusting with the tip rather than slashing. The skewer-like 95cm blade is designed to resist buckling in the impact of a thrust delivered at the charge. The blade ends in a sharp "spear" point and the bowl hand guard gives protection to the hand. The grip's design causes the blade to naturally align with the arm when the arm is extended, in position for a charge using the point. The rider's third weapon is often a Laspistol. Carried but rarely used, except as a weapon of last resort, the heavy pistol is difficult to aim and reload whilst mounted and generally thought to be ineffective as a ranged weapon.

Death Rider Mount
The Death Rider's mount is heavily genetically modified version of the original Terran horse that no longer resembles its ancient ancestor. Having been designed to endure the worse battlefield conditions its physique is far stronger than a normal horse's, with its hind legs being able to clear trenches and power the creature through thick mud or over rubble. Its splayed feet are also better adapted to moving in heavy terrain. The creature is almost hairless. It no longer has a tail, only the remaining stump and its mane has almost entirely been bred out, leaving just short bristles which do not become tangles and require no maintenance. Its neck is longer with broader shoulder and girth.

Psychologically these creatures are far more aggressive than their domestic ancestors, with drug injectors being used to make the creature fearless in the face of an enemy. In battle the creature will charge directly into an enemy and will not be startled by weapons fire or explosions. Due to the creature's unstable body chemistry, it has to be constantly monitored by its rider and stabilised with additional chemicals. This means the creature can sustain injuries that would kill lesser creatures, but leaves many with horrible scars from previous wounds. It is equipped with armour to protect its head and a respirator system to protect it from poison gases and toxic atmospheres. These creatures are grown in vitaegenic cloning vats deep below Krieg, with production being carefully monitored by Adeptus Mechanicus Biologus. Each creature is individually number branded for identification purposes.

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