Atmospheric Projector

Also known as a "Genie"

The atmospheric projector is the main weapon of the military forces of the Moran Duchy, which developed and adopted it in the late 8th century. Its use has spread over much of Tarusia over the last century as producton techniques improved and simpler designs of valves were developed.
The first atmospeheric projectors were deployed for military use in the Covrin Wars but suffered from numerout technical problems around the valves. These were resolved in the following twenty years to produce a robust and serviceable weapon which has remained fundamentally unchanged of the the following two centuries (though incremental improvements have improved the speed, range and accuracy through this period as well as reducing the cost).
With a full reservoir, hits can be deadly upto 200 strides (see Naros Length Measure ), but it is a skilled Genieman who can be confident of reliably hitting a man sized target at more than 100 and most engagements by Geniemen hapen at 40 to 60 strides.

Training and Equipment

Use of an atmospheric projector is not a complicated skill, and a good degree of proficiency in the basic use can be aquired in a matter of a few days. This, as costs have dropped, has made it a highly convenient weapon for inexperienced troops such as local militias. Professional and experienced troops achieve higher rates of fire and better accuracy but aside from specilised sharp shooting the difference is far less than their greater tactical skill.
A military Genieman will, in carry as distinctive equipment, in addition to the genie (or atmospheric projector) itself the folowing specialised equipment:

• A spare reservoir in a belt pouch, normally on the right hip. Each reservoir typically provides enough air for 20 to 25 shots though towards the end range and accuracy deteriorate so a reservoir will usually be changed after 15 to 20 shots, in the hope that it can be refilled before the last of its are is needed. A second spare will often be carried in his pack along with...
• A stirrup pump. Whilst some genies have a pump integrated into the genie, this is more common in hunting than military use and the stirrup pump is far faster than the integrated pump. Often pumps will only be carried by one man in three as, though essential, they are bulky and heavy and carryign fewer means a unit can carry extra reservoirs and more...
• Beans. The projectile shot by the genie is generally known as a bean on account of its size and shape. They are typically made of lead, tin or pewter and, depending on composition and size of the genie they typically weigh about as much as a Duke. They are normally carried in a bag on the left hip and wrapped in leather or greased cloth to improve the fit in the tube.
• Sticker. In close melee, an atmospheric projector is not an effective weapon once it has been shot. The sticker is similar to a spear tip, and is attached to the tube when close quarter fighting is expected. This yields a spear rather shorter than the average man, and ungainly as spears go - but still an effective offensive or refensive weapon when the fight is hand to hand.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The mechanics of the atmospheric projector are fairly simple and easily understood once the basic principle has been grasped. Air is stored in a reservoir, which depending on the make and model involved may be able to be changed. This is connected to a chamber, which holds enough air for one projectile, and is in turn connected to the tube. The projectile is loaded into the tube at the end closest to the chamber and discharged by opening a valve. These valves are the most complicated part of the device and crucial to its effectiveness for they must seal tight, open quickly, deal with high pressures and reseal reliably.
Some have a small pump built in to allow the user to recharge the reservoir to make multiple shots or the chamber for a single shot and occasional examples will be found that rely on this rather than a reservoir for all use.

Item type

Weapon, Ranged

Raw materials & Components

The reservoir is made of copper sheet on an iron frame; the remainder of the mechanical components are of steel with wood for holding points and to protect the critcal parts from knocks.

Range: Upto 200 strides with a full reservoir. Rate of shot: 4 to 6 shots per minute.

Why a "Genie"

There are two competing views on this: the first is that when is was first demonstrated to the Duke, he called it "A most ingeneous device" and that this was then contracted down to genie; the other is that as it is powered by the air held contained in a bottle it is obviously named for the link to the mythical spirit. The first is attested to in the Duke's journal and though the second is an appealing story tales of genies were not common in northern Tarusia until the last century - long after the term was in widespread use.

Using a Genie

Right then you 'orrible lot. Yer genie is an easy enough weapon to use so even a shower like you lot should be OK with it. First you attach a full reservoir to the back of it - stick it in, give it a twist and it's on. Then push the catch and tilt the tube down. Stick yer bean in and close it up. Push the collar forward to lock it all in place and then check the chamber. This model has an indicator - if it's green your good, if its red there not enough pressure and you've put an empty reservoir on. Take aim and give give shot be pressing the release here.

— Sgt "Sticker" Storrick Amry Cadu, Morsby Militia