Exploding Shells
Exploding shells (also referred to as explosive shells, new explosive shells, or new munitions) were a type of ammunition developed for the cannons of The Liliana (Airship) by Rislandian weapons specialists. They represented a significant advancement over conventional cannonballs, dealing considerably more damage upon impact.
Description
Each exploding shell was a cylindrical metal object with a pointed tip, as described in firsthand account: "cylindrical, but with a point—the exploding shells we would have used in airship cannons." Their distinctive shape set them apart from traditional spherical cannonballs. In terms of size, they were described as approximately twice the size of a person's head: "oblong-shaped metal objects. Each one was about twice as big as my head." Their explosive payload made them substantially more destructive than standard ammunition.
Note: The novel-based account on this page describes the shells as "oblong-shaped," while The Iron Wedding describes them as "cylindrical, but with a point."
Production
Exploding shells were fabricated at the primary weaponry creation facility in Rislandia City, referred to on this wiki as the Rislandia City Weapons Facilities. That facility was destroyed by Wyranth Empire saboteurs, rendering the supply already loaded aboard the Liliana the last batch available to Rislandian forces.
Role in The Fight for Rislandia
In The Fight For Rislandia, exploding shells were deployed by Zaira von Monocle's crew aboard the Liliana against Wyranth artillery and siege engines during battle. The new munitions proved highly effective; as Zaira reported: "Those exploding shells are very useful. We took out almost all of the Wyranth artillery we encountered." Marina du Willet, serving as a cannoneer, was eager to make use of the new ammunition. Following the engagement, Baron Theodore von Monocle indicated that the crew would make use of the new weaponry again, though the destruction of the production facility meant the remaining supply aboard the Liliana was all that existed at that time.
Role in The Iron Wedding
In The Iron Wedding, exploding shells of the same type used in airship cannons were loaded into Mecha Suits and fired from their arms rather than from airship cannons. When deployed in this manner, the shells erupted into explosions that sent Nightmen flying, demonstrating that the ammunition's destructive capability extended beyond its originally intended delivery system.
Origins
Exploding shells were not originally a Rislandian invention. The technology was first developed by the Wyranth Empire as a new artillery weapon. In The Blood of Giants, the crew of The Liliana recovered some of these shells, and Rislandian scientists reverse-engineered them for the kingdom's own use.