Firelance

Invented by Felcryn the Valiant, the firelance was originally intended to be used to light fires from a distance. In 959, when some fragments of metal fell, unnoticed into the barrel of his firestarter prototype, Felcryn accidentally shot his assistant in the leg while testing the device. Although Felcryn does get credit for his discovery, he failed to protect his invention sufficiently and was unable to profit on his device.
The firelance was rapidly improved upon by other technologists and today, firelances continue to improve year upon year, becoming more reliable, more accurate, and more damaging. The more compact firestar is rapidly replacing the firelance as the weapon of choice, however. Though smaller and less damaging than its longer-barreled counterpart, it is easier to conceal than the firelance, which often has a barrel length of more than three and a half feet.