FLINTLOCKS OF AMAR
The world of Gloam survives on the tail end of an industrial revolution that provided humanity with the means to drive elves and dwarves to near-extinction. Dirigibles float overhead, gaslight lamps quell the darkness, and humans entrench themselves with destructive black powder weapons.
In the Flintlocks and Ammunition table, you will find some sample flintlocks and shot to include in your game. You can also opt to not include this level of technology and run this Adventure Kit as a traditional fantasy adventure without much tinkering.
FLINTLOCK RULES
Flintlocks are powerful weapons that dish out crippling damage at range. However, the technology is not perfect, and many limitations exist. While wielding flintlocks in Gloam, the following rules apply:
- Flintlocks partially bypass traditional armor. When using a flintlock to attack a creature wearing armor, the effective armor class of the target creature is reduced by 2. For example, when wielding a flintlock and attacking a creature with AC 15, its AC would instead be 13 for the purposes of your attack.
- Adventurers have disadvantage on attacks with flintlocks at point-blank-range (within 5 feet of their target).
- Rolling a critical failure (natural 1) while attacking with a flintlock means the weapon misfires. The wielder takes 1d4 fire damage from the improper discharge, and the weapon cannot be fired again until the wielder completes a short rest to properly clear the breech.
- A flintlock that becomes submerged in water cannot be fired again until the wielder completes a short rest to properly clean and dry the weapon.
- While in severe snow or rain, the chance of misfire increases, with a critical failure on the result of a natural 1 or 2.
Flintlocks
Weapon | Cost | Damage | Details |
---|
Pistol | 50 gp | 1d8 piercing | Simple, ranged (30/90), ammo, action to reload |
Pepperbox | 75 gp | 2d4 piercing | Simple, ranged (10/30), ammo, action to reload |
Blunderbuss | 75 gp | 2d4 piercing | Martial, two-handed, ranged (20/60), ammo, action to reload |
Rifle | 100 gp | 1d12 piercing | Martial, two-handed, ranged (60/80), ammo, action to reload |
Bayonet | 5 gp | 1d4 piercing | Simple, melee, action to attach to a flintlock |
Axe Bayonet | 10 gp | 1d6 slashing | Simple, melee, action to attach to a flintlock |
Ammunition
Ammo | Cost (10) | Details |
---|
Standard Shot | 1 gp | - |
Buckshot | 5 gp | No disadvantage at point-blank-range; reduce range by half; 1d6 additional damage |
Buck and Ball | 5 gp | No disadvantage at point-blank-range |
Spin Shot | 20 gp | No disadvantage at long range; 1d6 additional damage; two actions to reload |
FLINTLOCK TYPES
Pistol: One-handed flintlock weapons, pistols sacrifice accuracy and range in favor of reduced weight and increased portability. Easier to reload and maintain than a blunderbuss or rifle, flintlock pistols are favored by bandits, assassins, and scoundrels for their ability to be concealed beneath a jacket and drawn and fired at a moment’s notice. Often carried in a “brace” of two or more to cut down on reload time, pistols are used primarily in self-defense rather than warfare, and are easily paired with a bladed weapon in the offhand.
Pepperbox: A recent revelation of the Ordisterium, the pepperbox “revolver” pistol includes multiple barrels, significantly reducing reload time. Unfortunately, the revolving barrel design doesn’t always function as intended, with the barrels more often than not firing simultaneously, rather than one at time. For some, this is a feature, not a drawback, as the pepperbox combines the portability of a pistol with the devastating spread of a blunderbuss.
Blunderbuss: Favored by the Crownsguard of Oubliette, the blunderbuss is a two-handed, large-caliber flintlock weapon with a flared muzzle designed to be as effective as possible at close range. Its ease of use and “point, pull, kill” function make it especially attractive to civilians, especially those dwelling on the frontier. The Crownsguard carry blunderbusses outfitted with distinctive axe bayonets, making them effective melee weapons in their own right.
Rifle: The flintlock rifle is the successor to the flintlock muskets that saw widespread use during the Black Crusades. Its name is derived from the “rifling” of the barrel – spiral grooves that give the shot a spin, making it more accurate even at long range. Rifles are heavy and unwieldy, but their accuracy and effectiveness at great distances cannot be denied. The flintlock rifle is a common sight across the Five Dominions, ranging in use from military operations to self-defense on frontier homesteads.
AMMUNITION TYPES
Standard Shot: Widely used, easy to acquire, and reliable, standard lead balls come sealed in wax paper cartridges pre-loaded with measured amounts of black powder. Standard shot balances accuracy and range.
Buckshot: Used primarily in blunderbusses, buckshot discharges several small pellets, designed for a wide spread and maximum damage at close range.
Buck and Ball: A combination of standard and buckshot, buck and ball includes a large lead ball surrounded by smaller pellets. This unique shot is favored by the Crownsguard for its versatile application at both long range and point-blank firefights.
Spinshot: A recent innovation by the Ordisterium, the unique groove pattern on these lead balls give the shot an extra spin, not unlike an arrow in flight, allowing for greatly improved range and accuracy, no matter the flintlock it’s fired from. Loading spinshot requires expert care and precision, as the grooved balls are prone to misfiring.
LOADING A FLINTLOCK
Flintlocks are muzzle-loading weapons that fire lead shot, with black powder ignited by a shard of flint that provides sparks when released. Properly loading and firing a flintlock requires skill and concentration, bred through experience. Paper cartridges with pre-portioned powder and lead shot are common throughout the Five Dominions, and cut down on the time and effort it requires to prime a flintlock for firing. The steps to loading a standard flintlock in Gloam are as follows:
- The flintlock is held level at half-cock, with the flashpan open.
- The wax-coated cartridge is ripped open with the teeth.
- The first portion of powder is poured into the flashpan near the flintlock mechanism. Excess powder is carefully blown off to contain the ignition. The flashpan is closed.
- With the flintlock vertical, the remainder of the powder is poured down the muzzle, along with the paper cartridge containing the lead ball.
- The ramrod, stored beneath the muzzle, is slid loose and used to tamp the powder and shot down to the breech.
- The weapon is shouldered, cocked full, and fired.
Comments