Kalran: Tales of the four nations/Hailstorm

"Hailstorm ready for barrage."

-A Hailstorm

Tactical analysis

 * Rain of Death: Providing fire support for Fortress battalion vehicles is the role of the Hailstorm, a light artillery piece armed with a rapid fire mortar and tremor shells that can quickly wreck other artillery pieces, infantry, and light vehicles too stupid to get out of the way, while the after effect of the shells impact slow vehicles and knock down infantry. And while the mortar is weak, in numbers they can saturate a patch of ground or tear down defense structures with a hail of explosives that slows down the survivors. And in the event they face a particularly hardy vehicle they can fire a specialized concussion shell that shakes it, stunning them for the heavier guns to hit
 * Dial by my azimuth: One of the thing Hailstorm crews are taught is to double as forward observers of the battalion. And when commanded have the driver stop their vehicle to look out with their binoculars, allowing them to better coordinate nearby artillery, particularly other Hailstorms, to hit their targets farther with greater accuracy. But for safety reasons must stop and can't fire their mortar
 * We may need a bigger tube: The Hailstorms utility is considerably lessened when facing heavily armored vehicles, which can easily shrug off their bombardment, as well as faster vehicles, which can dodge the mortar fire. They're also vulnerable to aircraft, which can chase it down and destroy it without too much difficulty. And that they must set up before they can fire


 * Momentum breaker: New shells, enchanted to release an EMP/MDP pulse and structure weakening enchantments upon detonation, have recently began distribution to Hailstorm crews, albeit being recent means that veterans are prioritized. These new shells, especially in large numbers, are capable of completely stalling a mechanized charge while making the target and their surrounding more susceptible to damage

History
Built from the aging but reliable Umber hull. The Hailstorm was made under the request of the previous battalion commander, having realized that their light mobile artillery were somewhat lacking. These medium-weight, open-topped vehicles soon became one of the battalions known support, its cheap price allowing many to be built, raining down high explosive shells that can slow even the deadliest advance if given enough numbers. But this power and price came with the fact that the carrier must stand still to fire it's mortar and the shells lacking the power to punch through tank armor or reinforced structures.

Among the training of the crew the co-drivers are taught advance mathematics, unless they had prior knowledge, to help the battalions numerous artillery to to better coordinate their fire, but for safety reason the Hailstorm must be still and can't fire. And when given the order can fire a special concussion shell, which hits the targeted vehicle with a wave of vibrations that stops them in their tracks and briefly weakens their armor.

It's also noted that in times of peace the Hailstorm mortar also double as firework launchers for celebrations, with crews even bringing a few firework to battle to launch when a battle is won.

Trivia

 * It is based on the WWII Priest.