GM Announcement
Concerning Firearms and “Dragon Powder”
Some time ago, when magic still dominated the lands of the world, a dark and terrible evil was born into existance.
Dragon Powder was first established deep within the mines and caverns of the Mountains of Malum. Dark Wizards and Mages created a terrible, powerful matter into existence to aid in mining. Dragon Powder, created from the crushed and powdered bones of dragons and dragon eggs, along with strange and foreign powders from the far east, proved to be a force to be reckoned with. In the caves and mines, it had forever been known as powdered hell, with enough power and might to blast away huge sections of a rock wall with only a slight pinch of the substance.
It was around the beginning of End of Magic, other uses, more deadly uses, began to form because of it. During the Fourth War of the Blood Sea, between Malum and Pastoria, forces of Malum often carried with them “fire sticks”, primitive muskets fueled with the power of Dragon Powder to launch projectiles at a high and deadly speed, often strong enough to pierce through chain mail. Pastorian forces were terrified of the new and deadly weapons, forcing them to change the way war was fought. And yet, for all of the casualties suffered by Pastoria, the number of deaths were much, much higher in the armed forces of Malum.
So volatile, so dangerous, was Dragon Powder, that a few grains of the black powder could be the difference between a small spark, and a deadly explosion. During the war, there were more than a few incidents where miscalculations often wiped out companies of soldiers. It took only so little to set the substance into an uncontrollable blaze, from a few grains, to just a degree of heat from the sun. These incidents decimated the troops of Malum, forcing them to surrender.
After the War, Dragon Powder has often been seen as a taboo and cursed substance. Countries such as Malum, Pastoria, Thohas, and Tyr have all banned the dangerous and cursed powder. The punishment in some places, such as Tyr, is death, where others often imprison individuals carrying the powder for long periods of time. Although Espata has banned the substance, the crime of selling it and purchasing it are often not enforced.
It is a highly volatile and dangerous substance. Some carry a loaded firearm with them in the off chance they need something quick, something to terrify and intimidate those around them. Some ships carry heavy cannon, with powder stores that are only used in the most dire of situations. While not banned outright on the isle of Effugios, those who abuse and are careless with such a terrible and powerful thing are often reprimanded and imprisoned deep within the fortress on the island. Some establishments refuse to allow entry to those who carry firearms, fearful of accidents and incidents, weary of the taboo an cursed reputation of the powder.
There are many rumors about the powder. Some believe it to be the cause and catalyst for the growing decline and decay of magic in the world. Some still talk of it's creator and the creator of the weapons which utilize the explosive abilities, of how both died in explosions from experimenting too much with the substance. But everyone knows what a vile, volatile, and downright dangerous thing it can be in any hands...
Firearms will be a highly controlled and monitored element in the story. If we feel that you're abusing the privledge, we will throw curve balls at you. It is highly encouraged that you do not rely on firearms in combat.
These firearms are not something that you can fire in rapid succession. Closely they resemble flintlocks and muskets. They take time and concentration to load and fire. In combat situations, you may be able to get one shot off, if the powder is not wet, before having to rely upon your skills in hand-to-hand combat. In ship to ship battles, only a small number of cannon will be allowed, out of fear that such a volatile substance could bring down your ship easily. Adding more than a few large guns runs the risk of making your ship heavier and slower, and more dangerous not only to other ships, but to your own as well out of fear of it being sparked and exploding.
Firearms should only be used in the most dire of situations or to try and intimidate those around you. They have limited accuracy, meaning the closer you are, the more likely you're going to hit your target.
