What is Smokepowder?
Fuel for firearms, explosives and whatnot. This volatile substance is a finely ground, charcoal-like powder with a distinctive smoky odor. A tiny handful is enough to send a bullet flying throught the barrel of a gun and into some poor schmuck's armour.
When ignited, either by a spark or a controlled flame, smokepowder undergoes a rapid exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction. This reaction releases a significant amount of hot gas, producing a sudden and forceful expansion of air. This expansion creates a shockwave accompanied by a burst of smoke, hence the name "smokepowder."
Invention
Smokepowder was invented in the 520s in Sol, when it was comprised of hundreds of thousands of warring clans. It was originally crafted as a medicinal substance by Sol Monks, seeking an elixer to extend one's life.
Smokepowder was preceeded by a substance known as
Verinium Dust, a substance with even more explosive yield than smokepowder but incredibly difficult to acquire and very dangerous to handle. Its grains were noted to have a deep purple colouration so it was aptly named after the god of chaos and destruction, Verius. The methods for its creation have been since lost to time. Smokepowder replaced Verinium Dust due to its much easier fabrication proccess and cost. The fact that more lived to tell the tale after handling the substance was an added bonus
