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Polvora

Polvora Cache

Polvora was in the most simple terms gunpowder. Called gaijin pepper by the Rokugani, it was a simple powder mixture that when lighted exploded. It had been adapted to cannons and flintlock weapons by the Merenae Kingdom. [1]

Composition[]

It was a simple combination of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. [2] [3]

History[]

Explosives

Explosives in use

Oddly Polvora has a very unlikely origin, its current form was developed by Espada Cornejo who was inspired by a tube of chemicals which when lighted released bright colorful controlled explosions. These tubes had been brought to him by an merchant from the Ivory Kingdoms, this merchant had obtainted his from the distant Medinat al-Salaam. This Mekhem had obtained them from a Yobanjin thief who had stolen it from a caravan of Agasha shugenja. The Agasha were actually responsible for the invention of gaijin pepper. They made small "doses" of explosive that they used for fireworks. Espada seeing the potential of the chemicals expanded on them and created the modern form of gundpowder by adding saltpeter. [4]

Poluvora[]

The initial Agasha Kagaku item was called Poluvora (Black Powder), and was more unstable than the gaijin version due to the lack of saltpeter in the mix. It was used for military purposes were limited due to its instabilities, but was often used for fireworks instead. [5]

First Use[]

Rokugan first saw the power of gaijin pepper in the Battle of White Stag, where the gaijin had adapted the use of gaijin pepper for weaponry such as cannons and flintlock pistols. The use of the powder caused major devastation and killed the Empress Hantei Yugozohime, so its use was banned by an Imperial Edict of the following Emperor, Hantei Muhaki. [6] Other sources said that the Daidoji Harriers already knew of it, and used to defeat the Lion Clan in the Battle at Osari Plains, which happened during the rule of Yugozohime, [7] in the year 437. [8]

Illegal[]

Explosives 2

Explosion caused by Ninja

However, the Agasha family still used it for fireworks. Some believed that the Scorpion Clan and the Daidoji family had used gaijin pepper in times of war. It was also rumored that the fabled ninja made use of it. [9]

Fires of Toshi Ranbo[]

In 1165 the Imperial City of Toshi Ranbo was set to fire with polvora. [10]

Kosaten Shiro Destroyed[]

In 1167 Kosaten Shiro structure was severely damaged by an explosion of the polvora concealed in its warehouse by the Harrier. [11]

Study Allowed[]

In 1200 the Emperor Iweko II allowed the Daidoji family to continue studying the use of explosives in secret. Only against outside forces would its use ever be allowed. [12]

See also[]

External Links[]

References

  1. Emerald Empire; Fourth Edition, p. 255
  2. Time of the Void, p. 57
  3. Fires of Toshi Ranbo, Part One, by Rich Wulf
  4. Exotic Arms Guide, p. 79
  5. Way of the Dragon, pp. 88-89
  6. Exotic Arms Guide, p. 44
  7. Way of the Crane, p. 13
  8. Clan War: Crane Army Expansion, p. 62
  9. Imperial Histories, p. 95
  10. Return of the Master (Diamond Rulebook Story), by Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman
  11. Masters of War Web Supplement, p. 3
  12. Coronation, by Shawn Carman and Maxime Lemaire



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