Red Powder

Ammunition (Firearms): Red Powder
History: Red Powder was originally a creation of the Ryoshan's. They used it in the Ryoshan-Ronan war to fire projectiles at the Ronan ships. The Ronans seized a great amount and brought it back to the Wizards of Camus to be analyzed. They discovered its secret and began developing it. They found Sulfur in the volcanic mountains of Gand, and traded with the Duervar of Tharaduum for saltpeter (found in caves east of Keir) and charcoal was an easy component. They found this required a highly intense flame to Ignite. To do so they created a spell (0 level cantrip) to Ignite the flames, and crafted wands (firing rods) to be used by cannon crews who were trained to use the rods (Use Magic Device).
Red Powder is able to be made easily and doesn't explode easily, but it isn't used in many places other than on ships to fire cannons or in defense of large castles that might be facing sieges. There has been a large development of hand held guns, though, including pistols and long arms. These also require magic to use, and are quite expensive, so they aren't common place by any means. They are a symbol of wealth or power (in the case of pirates).
Ignition Point: 2200+ degree (white spark) The saltpeter (phosphorous nitrate) found in Verosia is not as effective as that found in other worlds (such as the real world), so the flash point of Red Powder requires white sparks (white sparks 2200 - blue 5000+ degree F) is much higher than it is for Black Powder, which requires red or orange sparks (Red sparks, 500 - orange 1000 degree F). As such, a traditional spark of a flint lock makes yellow sparks (y1500-2000 degrees F), so does not Ignite Red Powder
Shot: 1 load is required to fire a small fire arm. 10 loads is required to fire a cannon.
Storage: Red Powder is often stored and transported in kegs (which hold 100 doses), but in this quantity the powder itself becomes dangerous if ignited. Fortunately a highly intense flame is required to Ignite it. Exposure to electricity, or a misfire explosion causes red powder to explode—a single keg that explodes in this manner deals 5d6 points of fire damage to anyone within a 20-foot burst (DC 15 Reflex half ). Storing red powder in a powder horn protects the powder from explosion.