Editing Rosskan Strelky (section)

==Culture==
The Rosskan Strelky is formed from parts of military tradition and penal battalions. It is not a prisoner army, yet is operated akin to one. One may volunteer into the Strelky, but he will not be treated any different from a man sentenced into service. By the necessity of the Strelky, the individual is eliminated to serve the unit. The Strelky are very blunt on average possessing no subtly to themselves. They are largely realists, not falling into optimism or pessimism. Many have become reclusive in personality, introverted save for those few members of the regiment they can regard as friends. Strelky friendships are few and far between, but are usually formed between the most capable veterans. A sense of community is strong in the Strelky however, but these are usually rarely intimate. 

The Strelky are expected by their officers to have several hobbies and pursuits. To most, this is training but others have been known to have skills ranging from woodcrafting to poetry. Most in the Strelky become tattoo artists to keep the underground expression of soldiers alive. These men were usually given rations and favors from their fellow soldiers in return for their ink work. To those with the ability and ambition, they normally became tattoo artists. 

====Tattos====
No soldier, from the lowest Recruit to the highest officer, was allowed to wear battle honors. Alexandri despised the use of medals or ribbons, refusing to allow the Strelky to wear any livery at all. The spartan appearance of the Strelky uniform betrays the sophisticated artistry worn on the skin of every member. Since the tattoos were hidden unless their clothing was taken off, the Primarch either did not care or failed to notice the thriving system of symbols and signs in use by the Strelky to denote achievements and social status.

'''Hollow Teeth''' - This pattern is a design of the teeth over the lips, creating a partial skull look. This was to denote Strelky known as "Biters", who would use their nails and mouths in combat.

'''Barbed Wire''' - This pattern is lines of barbed wire that cover over the dominant forearm. Each spike along the wire represented a year spent in service in the Strelky.    

'''Five Coins''' - This pattern is five coins, each with a different head of a Rosskan King, with Alexandri at the top. This is normally placed on the shoulders. It represents the crime of counterfeiting or embezzlement. 

'''A Cracked Crown''' - This pattern is the standard Rosskan crown broken down the middle. This is usually placed on the chest. It represents discontent with Alexandri's rule, and the Imperium. 

'''Squinting Eyes''' - This pattern is a pair of eyes that are squinting, as if looking at something far away. This is usually placed on the belly. It expresses a soldier's willingness to engage in sexual activity. 

'''Made in Rosskar''' - This is text normally placed above the thigh. It expresses the current state of the homeworld. The planet name is normally changed depending upon homeworld. 

'''I Will Not Betray''' - This text is normally placed on the back. It expresses desire to remain true to religious beliefs. 

'''A Laughing Skull''' - This pattern is placed at the back of the head always. It expresses the desire to refuse any work not necessary or directly ordered of the soldier. 

'''A Bleeding Knife''' - This pattern is placed anywhere on the body that is visible while in uniform. It represents that this soldier has murdered another Strelky, and is willing to be hired to murder others. Officers tolerate these soldiers, as they can relied upon to silence other voices in a regiment.

'''Finger Tattoos''' - This refers to text placed on the skin facing inward on the digits of a hand. The text is usually acronyms, names of loved ones, or nicknames. 

'''Angel Wings''' - This pattern is a set of feather wings always placed on the back. These note that this soldier has managed to kill an Astartes single-handedly. Variants include only one wing, noting a soldier took part in killing an Astartes. 

'''Bullets''' - This pattern is a set of Boltgun Shells or Autogun rounds that are arrayed around the neck. It is a statement by the prisoner that only death will set him free.

{{/tg/-Heresy-IA}}