Moranth munitions
Steven Erikson: As far as anyone knows thus far, the Moranth have a monopoly on alchemical munitions. Here and there in the first four books there's been a few details on their nature, and their names which are somewhat self-explanatory: cusser (the big one, the one nobody should ever throw), sharpers (shrapnel grenados), burners (incendiary), smokers (smoke), and sharpers (shaped charge). Generally, exposure to air ignites the contents of each munition. The fun lies in devising means of piercing the clay shell (or spike, in the case of a sharper). Throwing's simple, but slow-fuse stuff is a bit hit and miss.
Special purpose? Well, the Moranth liked dropping them from high overhead. Later variations were created via the demands of the Malazan sappers (ie the sharpers). Originally, before the dominance of the Silver caste among the Moranth, the munitions existed to counter sorcery, or, rather, to kill sorcerors. Now, since the Silver are mages, the munitions are strictly export items only, and it seems supply is drying up....(Q and A with wotmania (2003))
'Moranth alchemy had introduced to the Empire a variety of chemical and powder explosives, most of which detonated when exposed to air. Applying a slow-working acid worm-holed the unfired clay shells. Sabotage had become an art, the precise equation of clay thickness and acid strength was tricky, and few survived to learn from their mistakes.' (GotM, UK Trade, p.315)
Quick Ben:'Moranth munitions are mundane weapons, Witch. Opened Warrens
draw their explosive force.' (GotM, UK Trade, p.482)
Types of Munitions
Cusser: 'two cussers strapped together, looking like a pair of ample breasts.' -- (BH UK tpb pg 244)
'Cuttle was on the foredeck, yelling at the ballista crew -- the sapper held a handful of fishing net
in one hand and a large round object in the other. A cusser. ...Cuttle set to affixing the munition
just behind the head of the oversized dart." -- (BH UK tpb pg 843)
Smoker:
Flamer,Burner:
Cracker : 'two spike-shaped explosives -- crackers." - (BH UK tpb pg 244) '...Still got that cracker?'
'pulled out wedge-shaped copper-sheathed spike." -- (BH UK tpb pg 278)
Sharpers :'collect yourselves a couple sharpers -... - those small round ones..." (BH UK tpb pg 796)
'...a Tithansi patrol who'd been hit with a sharper. The grenado's slivers of iron had ripped through them with horrific efficiency.'(DG, UK MMPB, p.499)
Every thirteenth munition is empty of incendiary material - see comment below.
Ensorcelled Munitions
'Carefully tucked in to either side of the weapon were cloth-wrapped grenados, thirteen in all, one of which was – she had discovered – empty of whatever chemical incendiary was trapped inside the others. An odd habit of the Moranth, but it had allowed her a chance at examining more closely the extraordinary skill in manufacturing such perfect porcelain globes – without risk of blowing herself and her entire home to pieces. True, she had heard that most Moranth munitions were made of clay – but not these ones, for some reason. Lacquered with a thick mostly transparent gloss that was nevertheless faintly cerulean, these grenados were – to her eye – works of art, which made the destruction implicit in their proper use strike her as almost criminal.
Now, dear husband, why do you have these? Were they given to you, or did you – as is more likely – steal them?
If she confronted him, she knew, he would tell her the truth. But that was not something she would do. Successful marriages took as sacrosanct the possession of secrets. When so much was shared, certain other things must ever be held back. Small secrets, to be sure, but precious ones nonetheless.
Tissara wondered if her husband foresaw a future need for such items. Or was this just another instance of his natural inclination to hoarding, a quirk both charming and infuriating, sweet and potentially deadly (as all the best ones were).
Magic flowed in endless half-visible patterns about the porcelain globes – another detail she suspected was unusual.
Ensorcelled munitions – what were the Blue Moranth thinking? ' (TtH)
