Firearms

Firearms have only just been invented by Hymbran researchers. During the Hymbran golden age brought about by the discovery of Ambrosia, Hymbran science and culture bounded far beyond that of the rest of Morgrave; during those miracle years, the natural philosophers (now called researchers or scientists) made an incredible breakthrough regarding a certain mixture of substances readily available in Hymbra: sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. Used initially as a simple explosive, the scientists quickly realized that its power could be channeled into a small tube to throw a small metal ball at incredible speeds. The design of the simple firearms and the recipe for gunpowder remain state secrets, despite the current onslaught of The Scourge in the country. However, a not insignificant amount of firearms have fallen into enemy hands, and it may only be a short while until the rest of Morgrave discovers its secrets, too.

Effects on Morgrave

The invention of firearms has certainly changed the fate of Hymbra, if not all of Morgrave, though in what way is impossible to say. Hymbra has always been a relatively small, secluded, and rural nation, with few large towns and fewer cities. Way off in their little nook of the world, they lived simple lives and contended only with the threat of the raiding Elves that they banished to the northern wastes long ago - the Qemti generally stayed away from Hymbra because the terrain is completely unsuited to mounted combat and because Hymbra has little wealth and natural resources besides lumber, however there have been a few wars between the two nations throughout history for one reason or another.
However, the advent of firearms gave the small nation the nudge it needed to go on the offensive for the first time in its history. Bolstering its small army with this incredible technology was supposed to turn Hymbra into the geopolitical kingpin, but hubris got the best of them: they paid no heed to the ancient adage "never assault a Dwarven Hold." In the War in the Skulls, a Hymbran cohort assaulted a mostly unpopulated Dwarven hold head on, and fell nearly to a man to the hidden defenses within. Many firearms fell into the hands of the Northern Skulls Dwarves that day.
At the same time, the rest of the Hymbran army marched south toward Qemt'Or. What started as a promising attacking, nearly pushing up to the capital of Bushaad, was cut short when The Scourge attacked both armies in force, clearing out a massive swath of battlefield and turning into ghoul-haunted ruins. Many guns were lost in the scourged lands as well, but its unclear if any scavengers have braved it to find them.
Now, the ragged remains of the Hymbran army has returned to Gulham and the remaining firearms are concentrated in the small nation besieged by monsters.