Firearm Technology

History

Firearm technology is often said to be discovered in the nation now known as Sorcodia in the mid 3rd century. It's said that early alchemists were experimenting with trying to replicate the gnomish magic-infused technology of smokepowder. For many years, the technology of smokepowder was a closely guarded secret between different gnomish clans. Many clans had their own processes for making smokepowder and, unsurprisingly, were never given away to anyone beyond the clans.   When said Sorcodian alchemists discovered the proper combination of substances, the result was the creation of what is now known as "black powder." Black powder burns quickly and burns hot, leaving a very noticeable puff of smoke after ignition. With black powder's composition being just three ingredients in an easily controlled ratio, the recipe began to be quickly spread and handed off. As expected, craftsmen began to build early firearms such as muskets, cannons, and even primitive rockets (mainly fit for fireworks). Smiths and craftsmen bonded together over this discovery and soon, the first gunsmithing guilds arose. Some of them would soon condense into the now internationally-famed company of Sorcodia Arms.   A litte before and after the Time of Technology, industrialization and technological booms led to the refinement of firearm technology. Old, smokey black powder would soon be replaced by a slightly more complex, but far more powerful and, ironically, stable version that is now generally known as "gunpowder." Modern gunpowder is generally recognized to have been made in the year 562, around 8 years after the Time of Technology and the discovery of the Forza Crystal revolutionized the world of artifice and magitech. Modern gunpowder is still not as precise and guarded as true gnomish smokepowder, but it does come relatively close to it, while still being able to be mass-made by factories with gunsmithing capabilities.   With new gunpowder and better tools of the trade, self-contained cartridges also began to proliferate and become commonplace. No more fiddling with dull flints, wet powder, and taking the whole day to reload your gun. Guns that utilized both cartridges and new gunpowder included revolvers, single-shot rifles, lever-action rifles, and shotguns. Gunsmiths who had lots of skill, money, and little sanity would even experiment with creating newer, niche firearms, including a supposed rifle that could punch through an inch of hardened steel.  

Access & Availability

  While firearms are much more accessible post mid-6th century, they are by no means common to find. The cheapest palm-pistol or derringer would cost the same as a light crossbow while having twice-as-expensive ammunition. Militaries that have dragoon or rifleman divisions often purchased simple single-shot rifles in bulk, usually at the cost of some reliability; military marksmen would usually have to buy their own rifles.   Usually, the ones that could really carry firearms were experienced adventurers, mercs, and high-ranking military officers. This was primarily because they made much more money than the average person, with adventurers and mercs actually needing to use them far more often in their perilous work.  

Complexity

Powders

• Gnomish Smokepowder: Smokepowder is still made by gnome artificers and alchemists. The recipes for smokepowder is varied from clan to clan and often involves specific magical infusions and enchantments. It's highly forbidden to expose these recipes, often making the most jolly of gnome crafters to go ballistic. However, smokepowder is the highest-performing powders, usually having the highest explosive yield. The highest-grade gunpowder is often compared to mid-range smokepowder.
• Blackpowder: A combination of charcoal dust, saltpeter, and sulfur, this was the first explosive powder to be developed by non-gnome alchemists. With no magical infusion involved, its recipe could spread quickly from smith-to-smith, even if attempts were made to hide it. Compared to modern gunpowder, black powder doesn't burn as hot or as cleanly. A plume of smoke and barrel fouling was bound to happen when black powder guns were fired off.
• Modern Gunpowder: Modern gunpowder was the result of the increase in magitech refining. The original recipe of black powder would go through a modification and refining process, alongside the addition of other chemicals and substances (classified under many laws), this powder burns far hotter and far more complete than black powder. Due to its refining process, this powder is considered to be "magic-grazed," but is not a product of magical creation like gnomish smokepowder.
• Runepowder: Runepowder is more of an urban legend. Its recipe is so closely-guarded that even most high-ranking gnome artificers aren't even aware of it. It's rumored that those who take on the creation of runepowder must strip themselves of any names and identifying markers in order to avoid all forms of detection and discovery. Runepowder is purely a result of magical creation and infusion of smokepowder, with a teaspon of powder having the same yield as an entire keg of smokepowder.

  Firearms and Mechanisms of Action

• Hand Cannons: While cannon technology had been around before black powder, the idea of shrinking it down hadn't propped up until black powder could be somewhat regularly produced. These hand cannons were literally just iron or bronze tubes on a stick. Powder was poured down the tube, followed by rocks, pebbles, or maybe lead balls. A fuse was prepped and promptly lit with a match. These were innacurate, incredibly slow to reload, but was loud enough to at least rattle a few horses.
• Flintlocks: These are the earliest firearms that went beyond the simple tube with powder and projectiles. A measure of powder and a lead ball is loaded down a long barrel. At the breach, a pan with a pinch of powder is prepared. A hammer with a piece of sharp flint is released when the trigger is pulled, sliding against a frizon and sending sparks into the pan of powder, thus firing off the lead ball. Flintlock rifles and pistols were slow to reload and barely had anymore power than a heavy crossbow.
• Caplocks: With the creation of shock-sensitive materials, caplocks soon replaced flintlock firearms. A hammer hitting a small cap with shock-sensitive material was enough to fire off the gun. Percussion cap technology allowed for the creation of the first revolvers and shotguns, since both benefitted to not have a pan of powder that may not even ignite if it was just a bit too humid outside.
• Cartridges: A revolutionary piece of technology, firearm cartridges did away with loose powder, caps, or paper cartridges. A metallic case made of brass or steel was filled with powder. A cap, or primer, was built into the bottom of the case. Finally, a conical bullet was lodged into the top opening. From there, cartridges could be inserted into the firearm. The earliest cartridge-based firearms would use break-action, rolling blocks, falling blocks, or trapdoor actions. To the modern day, single-shot rifles are standard issue for military dragoon platoons. Reliable, hard-hitting, easy to use, and slightly faster than a crossbow.
• Revolvers: Currently the most popular of pistols. Revolvers had a revolving cylinder that held 5-6 cartridges. Shooting was as easy as cocking the hammer back and pulling the trigger, with later configurations allowing to just pull the trigger repeatedly until the cylinder was empty. Revolvers had the distinct advantage of being incredibly reliable. Unless major internal damage occurred or the gun was literally broken in half, a failed shot simply just meant cocking the hammer and firing again. The iron rarely, if ever, failed its users.
• Lever-Actions: A rather complex but sophisticated firing system, lever guns utilized the racking of a handle-adjacent lever to eject and reload rounds. Ammunition was loaded into a lower magazine tube and the lever would be racked to chamber a round. It's a satisfying pattern of fire-rack-fire-rack. A well-trained gunner can fire off bullets with both speed and accuracy. Lever guns, being more complicated internally, aren't as reliable as revolvers or single-shot firearms. Jamming and mechanism failure can cause disdain to those that forked over a fortune to own one of these.
• Bolt-Action: A recent mechanism invented by advanced gunsmiths and artificers, bolt actions improved upon the reliability issues with lever-actions while trading away firing speed and capacity. Bolt action rifles require the user to fire and then rack the bolt atop of the grip. Cartridges can be loaded into the receiver either individually or with feed strips. Bolt actions can fire heavier caliber cartridges without increasing its risk for malfunctions. However, firing speed can be sluggish at times, especially if the bolt action isn't well-lubricated.
• Shotguns: Shotguns started off with the earliest of blunderbuss'. Instead of firing a single projectile at great distances, shotguns are great for close-quarter engagements. Getting hit with a shotgun blast is one of the most brutal ways to go. While lever-action shotguns are available for purchase, many people still opt for the classic double-barrel/coach gun configuration. Two barrels, two shells, easy and reliable firing.
• Rotary Guns: This technology is incredibly military-specific. When inventors learned to put multiple barrels on a rotating hand-cranked mechanism, the rotary gun was born. Using an intricate system of springs, slots, and gears, it can fire bullets as fast as the crank can be turned and extra ammo can be loaded in. Supressive fire and accuracy-by-volume is its forte. Rotary guns are wheeled around like field artillery and require a pair of soldiers to efficiently fire off; one person aims and cranks the handle while the other has to load in lines of cartridges. These machines are surprisingly reliable, with misfired rounds simply just ejecting out as usual. A little bit of oil is enough to allow the action to continue to roll.