Gunpowder, also called blackpowder and dragon-powder in the Far East, is the black, powdery substance whose ignition is required to propel a projectile from any type of firearm or cannon. It is sold in small kegs or in horns stopped with wax to prevent moisture from ruining the powder. Each dose of gunpowder is good for one shot. Gunpowder quality varies greatly.[1a]
In any event, regardless of craftsmanship, gunpowder will not fire if wet. It must be dried before it can be used.[1a]
To produce gunpowder, a skilled alchemist must have a supply of refined saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal, which need to be mixed in the correct proportions. This process takes 8 hours to produce 6 pounds of gunpowder from 4 pounds of saltpetre, 1 pound of sulphur, and 1 pound of charcoal, assuming the alchemist has access to a proper laboratory or workbench.[8a][8b]
History[]
If legends are to be believed, the Skytitans were the earliest known users of blackpowder, having invented massive Giant-sized cannons as early as -2735 IC. Towards the end of their war with the migrating Ogres, the Skytitans constructed great cannons mounted on their castles. In 2211 IC, over four thousand years later, these weapons were salvaged by the Ogre Kingdoms and became Ironblaster Cannons.[6a]
The Dwarfs were the first to use gunpowder for anything beyond fireworks. Even before Grand Cathay, the Karaz Ankor was deploying not just arquebuses and swivel guns, but heavy Dwarf cannons for defence of their holds. While some see use on the battlefield, others are fixed in place to defend mountain pass and fortress gates. Ever inventive, the Dwarfs of Barak Varr have even found a way to use heavy explosives underwater.[10a]
The records are contradictory about the Dwarfs' first use of blackpowder, with some claiming the Dwarfs made this discovery in -420 IC[3a], while others claim it was discovered as early as -1997 IC. In any event, by 1800 IC both the Dwarfs and their Chaos Dwarf counterparts in the Dark Lands were using blackpowder handguns.[4a]
The Empire of Man's blackpowder weapons are descended either from Dwarf firearms sold to Imperial merchants, or are the result of Imperials who reverse-engineered Dwarf weapons after acquiring them in other ways.[2a]
Others nations of Men discovered blackpowder independently; designs and knowledge flowed from distant lands in the east along the Ivory Road to Tilea and Estalia,[9a] as both Tileans and Estalians possessed blackpowder weaponry earlier than the Empire, due to their extensive trade links with Grand Cathay.[2a]
Blackpowder weapons may have been present in the Far East prior to -1750 IC when the Nehekharan city of Lahmia imported "dragon-staves," likely a form of handgun, from Grand Cathay.[7a] It seems that these weapons, however, never became commonplace in conservative Nehekhara and present-day units of the Tomb Kings do not use blackpowder weapons.
Tales of twisted, stunted creatures marching to battle with thunderous weapons have long been told by the warriors of Kislev.[9a]
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Old World Armoury (RPG)
- 1a: pg. 44
- 2: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition: Shades of Empire - Organizations of the Old World (RPG)
- 2a: pg. 75
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Dwarfs - Stone and Steel (RPG)
- 3a: pg. 108
- 4: Warhammer Armies: High Elves (5th Edition)
- 4a: pg. 23
- 5: Warhammer Armies: Skaven (7th Edition)
- 5a: pg. 30
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Ogre Kingdoms (8th Edition)
- 6a: pp. 50-51
- 7: Nagash the Unbroken (Novel) by Mike Lee
- 7a: Prologue
- 8: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1st Edition: Core Rulebook (RPG)
- 9: Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook (Specialist Game)
- 9a: pg. 138
- 10: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Dwarf's Player Guide (RPG)
- 10a: pg. 98