Dark Powder

"Why practice magic for years when you can shoot fire from your hands today for a reasonable price?"

Dark Powder is a powdery substance that violently combusts when brought into contact with flame.

Utility

For most of history, dark powder was utilized primarily for simple, peaceful purposes such as fireworks or elaborate play performances as during the Serene Era the widespread use of magic rendered it near useless and the Amun Dynasty had already established a peaceful and productive society by its rediscovery. However, with knowledge of the powder and its manufacturing leaking out of Sobjui, dark powder is finding newer, more practical applications. The Kolu in particular have enthusiastically adapted the powder to projectile weapons as well as explosives for combat and mining situations with the Demians following close behind. The vast trade networks of both nations have also seen this deadly new technology propagated around the wider Black Ocean world. Some theorize that a new age of warfare may break out, as soon as the manufacturing process is refined to make powder weapons cheap enough to replace traditional arms.

Access & Availability

Dark powder is still a relatively new technology for much of the world and as such remains relatively expensive to produce. However, the race to find a cheaper method of production is raging and a breakthrough may mean a radical shift in the nature of warfare and industry across Massaolo.

Discovery

Dark powder is thought to have been discovered thousands of years ago during the Serene Era when Elves held dominion over Massaolo. The secret to manufacturing dark powder was lost in the years following the Great Invasions but was rediscovered in the late third century LE with Amun chronicles recording use of the powder as early as 271 LE. With the recent explosion of trade between the Amun and Kedizlim, especially the Kolu Republic and the Crown Lands of Demia, the secrets of its manufacturing process have made their way southwards. The Lakuye also independently rediscovered the technology just under half a century ago.