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

'Moranth munitions are mundane weapons, Witch. Opened Warrens draw their explosive force.'

- Quick Ben

GotM, UK Trade, p.482

'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

'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

'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