Gunpowder

Gunpowder is an alchemically manufactured product consisting of a mixture of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal, which produces a propellant/explosive result.

History
Gunpowder was invented in 327 bsr by a human alchemist from Oyashima named Wei Hong. He was part of an exploratory group that had been exploring the eastern coastline of the Brimstone Peninsula, at the time known as the 'Last Coast'. He had gathered samples of the dozens of strange minerals he had discovered there, and eventually after enough mixing and testing nearly killed himself from the resulting explosion. He attempted to keep the discovery secret, but his apprentice Aguda Min eventually used his master's notes to create the mixture again. By the 290s bsr, early gunpowder weapons were in use across Oyashima, and further excursions to establish mining colonies in the brimstone canyons to continue gathering the necessary components. The continental powers noticed this revolution in weapons technology and began to send their own colonization efforts to the peninsula, or began purchasing gunpowder from the Oyashimans. By 200 bsr, the kingdoms of Caliyan, Kurosekai, and the city states of the Spice Coast were transitioning to fully black powder based militaries with pistols and muskets.

Development sped forward during the life and career of Adele Tellumnar, who was a fanatical gun manufacturer, and invented the breech loading rifle sometime in the 20s bsr, though the exact details of the invention have been kept secret.