Dwarvenfire

Asdaran gunpowder is called dwarvenfire and its discovery is attributed to the dwarves centuries ago. It is rarely used in open warfare due to the wide range of anti-combustion magics that render it useless. In the modern world of Asdar, the loud-sounding dwarvenfire weapon is considered crude and indelicate compared to the range of conventional bladed and magearm weapons available for use to a large fighting force. Nevertheless, dwarvenfire weapons are very effective when free of anti-combustion magic. For this reason, they are often chosen by individuals and for small-scale deployment of special troops against an enemy who does expect their use. They are also ideal for hunting game and effective for slaying magical beasts against whom magearms may be useless.

Dwarven Utilization of Dwarvenfire

Artillery

Dwarves employ finely crafted dwarvenfire artillery to defend their mountain fastnesses. These artillery are mounted in strategic locations where permanent counter-spells exist to negate anti-combustion magics. Powerful priest-nobles during the Yophenthean Empire wielded hieratic spells that neutralized dwarvenfire, but after the fall of the Empire, the use of dwarvenfire, particularly among the dwarves resurged. Magic-enhanced dwarvenfire continues to play an important role in the military strategy of dwarven nations, especially in Pytharnia and the Jaggudorns. Genuine, dwarven-smithed dwarvenfire weapons command a high price throughout the Pallathantic. They are not only highly prized for their fine craftsmanship but also for their rarity as the dwarves are characteristically unwilling to give or sell them, even for a great price.

Mining and Excavation

Dwarves pioneered the use of dwarvenfire for excavation of shallow mines and engineering projects. The explosive power of dwarvenfire makes it generally unsafe for use within existing dwarven infrastructure. The lack of suitable ventilation in the depths of the earth also adds to its danger.

Combustible Pyrotechnics

True pyrotechnics using combustibles precedes dwarvenfire, but today nearly all combustible pyrotechnics use dwarvenfire. Combustible pyrotechnics do not require wizardcraft and can thus be taught to most professionals.

Anti-Combustion Magics

Dwarvenfire was not widely employed among human militaries due to commonly used anti-combustion magics that were employed routinely during the Yophenthean Empire, although they existed much earlier. Nearly all human terms for dwarvenfire and related technology are derived from dwarven languages of Pytharnia and the Jaggudorns. Human use of dwarvenfire is limited to individuals for hunting game, fighting magical beasts, and self-defense, although the last use relies upon an opponent who does not expect dwarvenfire. Dwarvenfire arms are often seen as the weapon of choice for small-time assassins where the absence of a theater of war makes the presence of anti-combustion magic unlikely.

Human Adaptation of Dwarvenfire

In 27th century (2600's), humans developed magic-enhanced dwarvenfire weapons on a mass scale. The individual weapon was housed in a titancraft shield with a very small amount of panox powder that reduced or negated the effect of anti-combustion magic. It is possible with a higher amount of panox to make a shield that can counter-act nearly any conventional anti-combustion magic, but the cost of the panox makes this prohibitive for large-scale deployment in a fighting force. Thus, dwarvenfire use among humans is limited to hunting, individual protection, and the elimination of an enemy who does not expect it. Dwarvenfire is ineffective against powerful wizards of Pytharnia at close range who regularly employ anti-combustion magic. The long history of dwarvenfire in Pytharnia has made this essential to their protection.

Types of Dwarven Firearms

Dragonbore, dragonbuss, thunderbuss (Thracian) (compare musket) (muzzle-loading) Dragon-gun (braced against dwarf's shoulder)

Firearms, breech-loading, muzzle-loading (musket) artillery, mortar indirect fire, cannon direct fire

Chronology of Dwarvenfire

• ca 560's, Ithradic dwarves used dwarvenfire to threaten Yophenthean forces (giant mercenaries). Arathracian hieratic powers rendered them neutral. Dwarves capitulate in 569. Although humans were aware of dwarvenfire, this was the first use of it in warfare in post-legendary times.

• ca 2000's Ithradic dwarves used dwarvenfire artillery to fend off attacks of humanlikes who did

• ca 2610's titancraft-treated housing used to shield dwarvenfire weapons from anti-combustion magics
• ca 2600's development of magic-enhanced dwarvenfire weapons on a mass scale
• ca 2650's+ magearms compete with dwarvenfire as a mass-produced weapon for combatants that does not require the skill of attunement

See Also

• Magearm
• Whetcoal