Flintlock Pistol

The empire of Azad were the first to discover black powder. It's use initially was for mining, construction and entertainment in the form of fireworks and firecrackers.
However, it wasn't long before it became used to create the pist pistols. Primative ranged weapons that utilise the energy created when black powder is detonated in a highly confined chamber or barrel. This energy forces a small projectile out of the barrel at very high speeds.
These weapons take time to reload and so are often used in conjunction with spears to break the charge of enemy units. An initial volley causes disarray to the unit formation which is then unable to overcome the wall of spears.
This tactic was first concieved by Razron Ovrus and he was given a master crafted Flintlock Pistol as a reward for his service by Wang Zu Shi.