Technology (Greyhawk)
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Firearms
Firearms exist in Greyhawk, but vary in availability in different regions.
The Secret
Initially, firebrand powder was a rare alchemical compound made from dragon feces. The hero Myrlund (now deified) brought knowledge of its use from another world and introduced its use in the Flaness. This was around CY 300, 300 years before the current time. Slowly it was discovered that dinosaur feces could substitute, but no reliable source was known.
During the Greyhawk Wars (CY 580), firebrands were still rare, in use by select heroes and by the pirates of the Crimson Fleet. Around the year 600 things started to change, as the colony of Farshore on the Isle of Dread started to export large amounts of gunpowder. Foundries in Sasserine began making both cannon and firearms on a large scale and exporting them north to Greyhawk. This has created three distinct areas of development for firearms; the Pearl Sea region (including the City of Greyhawk), the Flaness, and the rest of the world.
Pearl Sea
General rules as "commonplace guns". Cannon are relatively common, especially on the ships of Sasserine. While still expensive and tricky to wield, early firearms are readily available. Instead of requiring the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat, all firearms are simple weapons. In addition, everyone is proficient with the coat pistol.
Flanaess & Nippon
The "emerging guns" category; guns are slowly spreading to inland areas, mainly along waterways. The nipponese have been quick to adapt guns, but they are expensive and a state monopoly. Firearms are produced by small guilds, lone gunsmiths, dwarven clans, or maybe even a nation or two—the secret is slipping out, and the occasional rare adventurer uses guns. The baseline Gunslinger rules and the prices for ammunition given in this chapter are for this type of campaign. Early firearms are available, but are relatively rare. Adventurers who want to use guns must take the Gunsmithing feat just to make them feasible weapons. Advanced firearms may exist, but only as rare and wondrous items—the stuff of high-level treasure troves.
Rest of the World
Guns barely exist, being considered magic items of a new and unusal type. Early firearms are rare; advanced firearms, the Gunslinger class, the Amateur Gunslinger feat, and archetypes that use the firearm rules are not native to these areas. Firearms are treated more like magic items—things of wonder and mystery—rather than like things that are mass-produced. Few know the strange secrets of firearm creation.
Rules
This table indicates the cost of firearms and gear in the Pearl Sea and the Flanaess, as a percentage of listed prices. The cost of bullets/shot is ignored for handguns.
| Item | Pearl Sea | Flanaesse & Nippon |
Rest of World |
| Early Firearms | 10% | 40% | 100% |
| Advanced Firearms | 40% | 100% | N/A |
| Gunpowder (½ ounce) | 1 sp | 4 sp | 1 gp |
| Bullets | Free | Free | Free |
| Alchemical Cartridges | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Advanced Firearms
Early versions of advanced firearms are available, but they are not as advanced as those in the normal rules.
- Advanced firearms still have the range/penetration rules of early firearms.
- Advanced firearms are reloaded in the same fashion early firearms are.
See Also
External Links
- Firearms on Pathfinder SRD
- Siege Engines (including cannon) at Pathfinder SRD
- Naval Siege Weapons (excluding cannon) at Pathfinder SRD