Marksmen of Miragliano

"An' then Bozgrot got 'it, standing next to me 'ewas. Got it right between the eyes, never knew what 'it 'im. Then da Boss wend down with three bolts stickin' in 'im. And finally, after we'd lost half da ladz, we actually got close enough to see 'em...."

- One-eyed Sukslug, sole Orc survivor of the Porcupine Pass Massacre

The Marksmen of Miragliano is a famous Dogs of War Mercenary Company that has it's origin in the city-state of Miragliano as the name implies. Although the idea of the Crossbow being a weapon of war is not uncommon in the lands of Tilea, only a few mercenaries companies, can match the accuracy and percision of the men of the Marksmen of Miragliano. The current Captain is Maximilian Damark, a veteran Marksmen with dozens of years of experience in the regiment.

The crossbow has always been the favoured weapon in Tilea, no doubt because it's long range enables the troops to shoot from high on the ramparts, across the broad moats and ditched into the enemy hordes. Crossbow bolts have the stricking power to pierce armour and inflict mortal wounds on tough and determined opponents. The crossbow is also handy for use in confined spaces such as the ramparts, towers, gateways, and narrow streets of most Tilean cities and on board Tilean galleys and Man-O-Wars. It is therefore no surprise that the Tileans never really bothered with ordinary bows.

History
"JOIN US....are you good enough to fight alongside the best warriors in the world?.....The Marksmen of Miragliano are looking for more men to join their ranks!.....if you can handle a crossbow and a life of adventure come to the Marry Archer at noon!.....We hit the right spot every time!"

- Recruitment Poster for the Marksmen

One of the most famous regiment to use the crossbow is known simply, but aptly, as the Marksmen. The Marksmen have been going for a hundred years or more, under several different Captians. No one know's who actually created this battle-harden marksmen, but all can agree that as one Captain fall's from battle or retires, the most senior surviving Marksmen would assume the leadership role, and the regiments continues on their glorious history. The regiments recruit its soldiers from Miragliano, and returns to it's home city every now and again to replenish it's ranks and renew famlily ties. Any recruit must prove himself a marksmen by shooting a bolt through the head of the Prince of gold ducat. The coin, of course, placed in the centre of a target set at a range of 300 paces! Once accepted, recruits hone their marksmanship to perfection with constant practice. Such is their success that Miragliano has fewer pigeons than any other city in Tilea and not that there aren't many Cats or Dog's either!

The List of battles in which the Marksmen have won distinction and, needless to say, rich rewards in the Empire alone are too numerous to list! As well as fighting for the Empire, the regiment has served the Tsarina of Kislev and several Dwarf Lords. On other occasions the Marksmen have fought on the same side as High Elves and have taken part in many oversea's adventure.

The Marksmen are typically of veteran mercenary companies and wear a variety of clothing, armour, and equipment gleaned from the four corners of the Warhammer World. Many of the Marksmen wear badge in their caps or hats, consisting of a tall feather and a piereced gold ducat. The feather represents the swift flight of the crossbowbolt (and it looks very fine too!) The pierced ducat is the very coin that the troopers must strike from 300 paces as a test of marksmanship before he is allowed to join the Marksmen.

Source
Warhammer: Regiments of Renoun  pg 14 - 15