Dwarvenfire
Asdaran gunpowder is called dwarvenfire and its discovery is attributed to the dwarves no later than the fifth millennium before Salmakhamer. It is not always used in open warfare due to the wide range of anti-dwarvenfire magic and later counter-dwarvenfire magic 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 titan-arm weapons available for use to a large fighting force. Thus the technology has not been as developed as on Earth due to the attractive alternatives. 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 not expect their use. They are also ideal for hunting game and effective for slaying magical beasts against whom titanarms may be useless. The formal study of dwarvenfire is sometimes called phlogistics. The practice of using magic or titancraft to cancel out the ignition properties of dwarvenfire is called antiphlogistics. The practice of fortifying dwarvenfire arms against this cancellation is sometimes called symphlogistics or mage-shielding.
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 professionals.
Anti-Dwarvenfire Magic
Dwarvenfire was not widely employed among human militaries due to commonly used anti-combustion powers, such as Saint Iphiala's Stars, 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. Individual Human use of dwarvenfire is limited to 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. Dwarvenfire is used by the uhlaks who employ it to great effect with magical protections.
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
Chronology of Dwarvenfire
- ca 560's, Ithradic dwarves used 'dwarvenfire bombards' to threaten Yophenthean forces (giant mercenaries).
- ca 560's Arathracian hieratic power, Saint Iphiala's Stars, negates dwarvenfire bombard. Dwarves capitulate in 569. Although humans were aware of dwarvenfire, this was the first use of it in warfare in post-legendary times
- ca 1000's+ Humans lose the ability to use Saint Iphiala's Stars
- ca 1200's Dwarves develop the Damissarica, a smaller, more accurate cannon with greater rate of fire and accuracy
- ca 1400's Imzaami use dwarvenfire in their conquests of Shelekhumbia and Thyria. Use against Adamantine Geddamin.
- ca 2000's Ithradic dwarves used dwarvenfire handcannons to fend off attacks of humanlikes.
- ca 2200's Ithradic dwarves develop the Borgissa, a heavy cannon used for defense of dwarven fastnesses
- ca 2360's Development of the bore rifle in Ambrasia by expatriot dwarves.
- ca 2490's Ithradic dwarves develop the Shirraudhi, a pistol subsequently favored by desert tribes of Weshif and Danona. Later versions of the shirraudhi were created well into the 28th century.
- 2500 to 2590, Invention, development, and use of Dragonbuss, breech-loading weapon used by Thracians
- ca 2520, Obusier, an indirect-fire artillery, is developed by the Thracians from the Damissarica
- 2582 Invention of the Dwarflock in Dagdoria
- ca 2610's rediscovery of Saint Iphiala's Stars
- 2628: Invention of Hearthfast Magic to protect dwarvenfire weapons from antiphlogistics
- 2629: Invention of Khufwi' in Gdelisica
- 2630's: invention of the cock pistol in Ithrads, improvement of the Shirraudhi, often still called a shirraudhi
- 2648: Aurice invents and begins use of Baskubin by troops of the Grand Army
- ca 2650's+ titan-arms compete with dwarvenfire as a mass-produced weapon for combatants that does not require the skill of attunement
- ca 2657: invention of uhlaki tsagar, a dwarvenfire rifle designed for the use of the uhlaki warrior, very heavy for a human to bear
- 2664: Invention of the Sparkless to penetrate mage-shielding
- ca 2660's Mass production of mage-shielded dwarvenfire weapons as part of the Sewdhaine War.
- ca 2670: invention of the Tinderquench, a titancraft device that cancels out mage-shielding
- ca late 2680 to 2695: ’ith’ábu kukhá, khahonri for 'rod of elemental fire' that means a dwarvenfire rifle.
- 2773 Invention of the Snuffer in Amerzcelindo that cancels dwarvenfire and penetrates the protection of hearthfast magic
- 2773 Invention of the Scutiger, titancraft that neutralizes the power of the Tinderquench and the Snuffer
- ca 2670's improved Sparkless overcomes Counter-Shielding and can deactivate enemy's dwarvenfire weapons without affecting one's own
Kahonri Names of Dwarvenfire Weapons
- damiksharikh [Ithradic<damikşariķá ‘dragonfire cannon’] : dwarvenfire damissarica, dragonfire cannon
- kekhebáwna : "dwarven elemental fire", dwarvenfire
- bushjáz : 'cock pistol' known for its distinctive, coxcomb-like ornament atop, originally dwarven-manufactured in the 2630's, development of the shirraudhi
- diybh kukhá : "bite of elemental fire", pocket pistol
- ’ith’ábu kukhá: ‘rod of elemental fire’ rifle developed in the late 2600’s in Danona
- shah’úz’ zan-nubhitháh ‘shoulder-borne incendiary hurler’ : incendiary blast launcher, developed in the early 2600’s in Pytharnia. It is heavy but can be borne on the shoulder by one man.
- shirrawdh [Ithradic < shirraudhi]: a pistol developed in the 2490’s by the dwarves
See Also
- Chronology of Technology
- Dwarvenfire Arms
- Dwarvenfire Artillery
- List of Dwarvenfire Arms
- List of Dwarvenfire Siege Weapons
- Saint Iphiala's Stars
- Symphlogistics
- Titan-arm
- Whetcoal
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