Mortar crews raining fire on enemies of the Motherland
The light mortar utilized by the Winter Guard was developed as a result of Kommandant Irusk’s work to modernize the Khadoran military. First deployed during the invasion of Llael, this weapon was instrumental in the early days of that conflict. The Llaelese and their Cygnaran allies were unprepared for Khadoran troops supported by light artillery that could reposition and rapidly adapt to the flow of battle. Well-trained Mortar crews laid down a rain of fire that decimated troops and fortifications alike, leading to swift victory.[1]
Though still quite heavy, each individual mortar is far lighter than traditional artillery as well as being inexpensive to build, easy to maintain, simple to operate, and devastating to the enemy. The incorporation of portable mortars into Winter Guard kompanies has allowed them to become increasingly self-reliant, bringing sufficient firepower to serve as their own artillery while still reacting to enemy movements with ease. Even a single mortar crew is capable of intimidating firepower, and multiple mortar crews can unleash protracted barrages of incredible destructive power.[1]
Winter Guard troops charge from behind this rolling curtain of fire as the mortar crews sustain their barrage until the moment just before the soldiers reach the opposing line. The enemy must take cover from the incoming blasts, and the shock of the rolling barrage leaves the survivors stunned and demoralized—easy targets for Winter Guard infantry. Truth be told, the mortar’s relative inaccuracy at shorter ranges has led to a number of deaths due to friendly fire, but most officers shrug off these additional casualties as the unfortunate but unavoidable price of war.[1]