Guns

The gun is a ranged weapon that specialized in discharging projectiles at incredible speeds, using the power of air via the use of gunpowder. They became the primary weapon of conscripted armies across Talamh, thanks to domination of the human Kingdom of Lysandus using them in conflicts in the last century of the First Age.

"In all my years, I never had seen a weapon so destructive, so fascinating. Forged with wood and iron, the love materials of elf and dwarf. The range of an elven bow matched with the piercing of a dwarven sword. Only men could have designed such a monstrosity. It bears their craftsmanship." -Drulo Boldurun, King of Boldurun

Guns have built a reputation for their exceedingly lethal nature and how hard it is to defend against them. Still, many inhabitants of the realm of Talamh wish to keep using traditional armors and weaponry even against these guns. As of recent developments, mercenaries known as gunslingers have started using the craft.

History

Green jacketed rifleman firing by Ezekiel Baker

In the 60st Century 1A, the nation of Pung tested and standardized the device called the "gun" which they used to attack the weaker human nation of Tallia right next to them. Tallia was stubbornly defeated due to only using crossbows and horsemen. Evidently, the people of Tallia were fascinated by the weapons and eventually stole a few via spies. Eventually they retaliated using their own resources and forming a conscripted army. They attacked Pung and managed to take some of their saltpeter supplies.
It was not long before the nations of Gothai and Lysandus also got hold of these weapons due to strong trade relationships with Tallia. Lysandus, however, proved the most formidable with these weapons. They had begun efforts to colonize the Wallingwish Islands but struggled against the Carallinians there who opposed them. The use of guns managed to surprise the Carallinians, allowing Lysandus to dominate them thoroughly. Thus, control of the islands began to fall under that of Lysandus, pushing back the Carallinians to the westernmost islands.
Eventually, the Wallingwish Islands became a powerful gunpowder trading company under the advisory of Alexandroth Hapsburg, who founded the Capricorn Colonial Company. Thus, guns became more widespread in the world of men, leading many chroniclers to think they gave an unfair advantage to humans compared to the dwarves and elves.

Types of Guns

Because of further time to invent and craft guns in the world, varieties have arisen for advantageous uses in battle or even for display.

Flintlock Pistols

Female Gunslinger by Macarious

The most used guns in the realm of Talamh are Flintlocks, because of their small size for portability, and how affordable they are. The guns are often carried by citizens and common criminals, such as pirates. It is not uncommon to see gunslinger mercenaries carrying around these, often times modified with more barrels.
Fashioned with a smaller barrel and lighter weight, flintlocks have a locking mechanism that must be clipped back in order to spark the gunpowder in the weapon. Pulling the trigger will bring a cloud of smoke and a bullet being fired. Then, it takes around 30 seconds to reload. This reloading drawback is one of the reasons many pirate captains carry around multiple pistols on at a time. (This is also to show their wealth.)

Blunderbuss

These are a specialized mixture between a Musket and a Pistol, which has proven to have powerful knock backs and a strong range. Some weapon specialists view it more as a fighter's version of the mage specialty spell, fireball. Of course, it does not nearly match that damage in the end, but it is certainly as formidable as the magical spell.

Muskets

The musket was the first type of gun invented and the most used by conscripted soldiers and city guards. Often times they are fitted with a bayonet for close quarters defense purposes, and to make sure the gunman is not getting disarmed from their weapons. These guns were popularized by the Tallians and have remained (falsely) attributed to them.
Muskets have much longer barrels, and therefore have much longer range than their pistol cousins. Yet they also have a longer loading time, and it is a much more complex method. Often times paper and gunpowder is needed to be poured, along with a stick to make sure the gunpowder is properly placed in. Once this is done, the gun is ready to fire. The range of these weapons can go around to 200 feet, making it much more effective than any armies using a crossbow or longbow for ranged artillery.

Rifles

This is a newer invention by gunsmiths, possibly being made in either the Wallingwish Islands by Frederick Freedman or Alritch Bauchaum in Gothai (both claim to it's original invention). Though not very prominent, they seem to have a longer range and better accuracy to the tee. Gunsmiths making these weapons will note that they will not curve when being fired, therefore making aiming much more critical, but also easier, in the process.
The key to the Rifle is the unique rifling inside of the gun, allowing the bullet to spin rapidly. Modified lead bullets having ridges on the end make this process even more effective, giving a heavier blast and more accurate shot to the boot.

Gunslingers

Alexander Hamilton- Aaron Burr Duel by J. Mund

Because of the development of guns, the art of gunslinging became prominent in areas of Talamh with wilder environments, such as the Wallingwish Islands. Because of it's usefulness against traditional mercenaries, the art of gun-slinging has grown in popularity for adventurers. One prominent adventurer in particular, a Halfling named Bogun, made a name for himself in 2A 56 along with another group of adventurers for dealing with a horde of goblins in the sewers of Port Royal.
Gunslinging's art is tricky: it requires fast hands and stunning accuracy. The faster the hand, the more likely it is to not be shot. Against an enemy with no guns, this method is rather easy. The trick comes when an engagement known as a standoff is started. Here, two gunmen often wait each other out to see who moves first in order to take a shot.
Sometimes gun-slinging will be used to keep up a man's honor. If two gunmen wish to participate in a duel, often times they must follow the Rules of Engagement:

• If a duel is to be had, both men must be under agreement to it.

• If a duel is to be had, it must be between the aggressors, none of their friends.

• If a man backs out of a duel, they must pay retribution. If they refuse, the duel must be had.

• If a duel is to be had, no women or children must be around the premises whatsoever.

If these rules are broken, the duel is considered illegitimate and therefore becomes more of an assault or murder if it proves to be lethal, by law.

Utility

Guns are designed as a ranged weapon to kill opponents in very few shots. They are proven to be incredibly lethal, and are hard to defend against.

Manufacturing

Saltpeter is key to the creation of gunpowder, which is how the gun even fires projectiles. Often times the metal barrel inside the gun are formed by iron poles wrapped in fine wood. Often times gunsmiths will add decorations into the guns, or brands, leading to an extensive market and competition for the best guns. Meanwhile, lead bullets are fairly easy to make for anyone.

Musket Knight by Ariel Perez

Tallian Knight in the 61st century, probably shortly after the Tallians struck back at the nation of Pung. Note the usage of plate mail while wielding the gun. Evidently, gunmen would lose the plate mail in favor of lighter armor, since the mail was becoming obsolete on battlefields.

Inventor(s)

The actual inventor is unknown, though some theories speculate it was a blacksmith found in the nation of Pung.

Access & Availability

Guns, in their normal varieties, are easy to access weapon for people of Talamh. Gun stores exist in some of the largest cities, and it is not surprising to see dueling taking place. Even criminals like pirates use them.

Discovery

Sometime in the 64th Century of the First Age, men in the nation of Pung contemplated use of their rich resources of Saltpeter. One of the men there discovered it's explosive potential, and as such took the material and placed it down hollow wooden beams to test it's use of firing projectiles.