Dwarven Blasting Powder

Dwarven Blasting Powder, sometimes referred to as "gunpowder", is a very rare explosive material originally discovered by dwarven craftsmen of Karak Thrund in the late Third Age.
With the loss of Karak Thrund during the Great War, blasting powder is no longer produced. As such, any existing blasting powder is incredibly rare and sought after as a resource of great value.

Description

Blasting powder is a material that was produced by Karak Thrund. When ready for use, the material is presented in a granular form, which can vary in degree and size depending on its intended use.
At the time, blasting powder had begun to be used as a propellant for artillery and as a blasting agent for explosives in quarrying and mining.
Blasting powder is often stored in sealed wooden barrels to protect it from water and fire. Smaller amounts could be stored in kegs, leather pouches, or satchels, though the thinner the storage material, the more likely that nearby flame could penetrate it, causing an explosion.
The material is extremely flammable, which necessitates care and safety in its handling and storage. The material is capable of causing explosions when it is ignited.

Sources

The only known source of blasting powder was the dwarven hold of Karak Thrund. With the loss of Karak Thrund during the Great War, blasting powder is no longer produced. As such, any existing blasting powder is incredibly rare and sought after as a resource of great value.

History

The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia

Blasting powder was first discovered by dwarven craftsmen of Karak Thrund in the late Third Age. At the time, blasting powder had begun to be used as a propellant for artillery and as a blasting agent for explosives in quarrying and mining.
Though blasting powder began to spread to other nations that could afford the expensive material, the difficulty in acquiring it and the lack of knowledge of its usage limited its implementation. Though some prominent ships and defenses would be created using cannons, most would continue to use traditional artillery, like ballistae and catapults.
During the Great War, Karak Thrund was lost and destroyed, and blasting powder was no longer produced.

The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow

During their journey, the Zenethian Heroes would see gunpowder cannons used several times on the Black Barrow.
In Drimon 4A 996, the Zenethian Heroes would see gunpowder cannons used on several prominent vessels, including the Falcon and the Effervescent, during the Battle of the Bay of Shipwrecks.

The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings

On 12 Naerui 5A 023, Kholvek, Braavak, Ganbaatar, and Chotgorrin would find three blasting powder kegs among the supplies stored at the Urskan Crevasse. They used these kegs to rescue Grand Khan Drack and collapse the Ivory Glacier.

Type
Explosive