Quote:
Originally Posted by Icelander
On Earth, sure. In FR, there's no reason to make cannons at TL3 since smokepowder was far too rare and expensive until recently to use pounds of it at a time.
That's because 'gunpowder' does not exist in the setting. It's not possible to mix saltpeter, charcoal and sulphur to get an explosive.
'Smokepowder' is a different substance, created with alchemical processes which utilise the inherent magic in natural phenomena. It requires magical talent to make, not just knowledge of a formula. And it is much more expensive than gunpowder.
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I should think it the reverse. Smokepowder is way to valuable to use as a glorified blowpipe. It should be used for siegework and naval warfare. The only reason anyone ever thought of gunpowder small arms was that it was cheap enough.