Warscreamers

We watched the wailers come from above us, Blood in their mouths, and spears sharp at their sides; Hard-hearted, we held our ground as they came, Golden sun glinting as we died the same.

— Anonymous Canodan poet

When the Duergar of Renath go to war, they choose their best warriors to go into battle yelling at the top of their lungs in order to intimidate the enemy. The noise is amplified so that the enemy is shaken so badly that the screaming horde of Duergar make quick work of the enemy forces. To be a Warscreamer is to go into battle unafraid and full of anger.

Training

Duergar warriors are separated into groups based on their experience in war and trophy count, and the best are eligible to become Warscreamers. The aren't trained too heavily, as Duergar culture thrives on low amounts of organization, but they are trained how to time their yells so that they are all yelling as one. This screaming is so loud that it often is enough in close quarters, and amplification is not required. Earplugs are used so that the Warscreamers are not too heavily damaged by their own yelling.
A couple of members of the squad are trained in the use of Veras Crystals, small rocks that can amplify and record sound. They learn how to power the rocks, how to record and how to amplify using them at a moment's notice, therefore getting the most use out of them.

Battle Tactics

The Warscreamers are often the first troops sent into the melee when the Duergar go to war. Their goal is to strike fear in the enemy forces and break their ranks so that the main armoured infantry can cut any survivors down easily. Using the power of the Veras Crystals, the group records themselves yelling and screaming, and then plays the sounds as they charge into battle. This often causes enemy troops to drop their weapons or disorientate them, making them easy to strike down and kill.
Most Warscreamers use melee weapons common to Duergar, such as axes, hammers, and spears. There are a few bands that use crossbowmen or archers instead of melee Warscreamers, but these are rare and are used for distraction and raiding rather than head-on battle.

Type

Infantry

Overall training Level

Trained

Assumed Veterancy

Experienced

Rarity

Uncommon

Countermeasures

The nations of Renath that are located near settlements of Duergar who use Warscreamers often have plans to render their attackers useless. A common tactic used by the Boparians in particular is to affix bells to their horses and blow horns when the Warscreamers charge at them, which nullifies the intimidating effect of their yelling. One celebrated tactic used in the Gashir was to order the defending soldiers to use earplugs, reducing the impact of the screaming.