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Gunpowder in Middle Earth
Ginger McMurray:
Does it exist?
If yes, why doesn't it get used?
If not, is there a good in game explanation I can give? I have engineers as playere and I can shove "because " down their throats if needed. I'd rather not.
Amano:
There are fireworks, and Saruman’s blasting fire, so basically yes.
I would have it as a secret known in the Far East, for fireworks. Saruman’s discovery of its military applications died with him...
jdale:
>There are fireworks, and Saruman’s blasting fire, so basically yes.
Those aren't necessarily "gunpowder" per se. They could both involve magic.
rdanhenry:
One could reasonably introduce crude rockets into Middle-Earth (that's just basically an aggressive fireworks show). Firearms or even cannon don't appear to have been in development. As such, the term "gunpowder" would not be in use.
Gandalf's fireworks are clearly magically augmented, as are his smoke rings on occasion, but they do not appear to be his unique secret. In "A Long-Expected Party", hobbit-children recognize his fireworks for what they are as he carts them in and none of them were old enough to have seen one of his displays before. This strongly suggests they had seen lesser fireworks. One also may note that his supply includes "dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers"... names that suggest several peoples had their own firework-makers (and goblins are noted in The Hobbit as loving things that explode).
Ginger McMurray:
Thanks everyone! I let the player know that something akin to gunpowder exists but is used for entertainment and has not been weaponized. the explanation is akin to "do you want a reload pouch for a musket when the guy beside you knows fire bolt?" Or a stockpile of it for cannons?
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