So, I'm working on a homebrew and am in the process of considering what technology is developed and available. So far, there are three items that I've been having a bit of a debate with myself about: cannons, guns, and airships. My preferences at the moment are as follows:
Cannons: fairly common
Guns: super uncommon, just developing from cannon technology
Airships: Somewhat uncommon but most people have at least heard of them. In major coastal cities they are fairly common
So my question is if these preferences make sense consistency-wise. If I remember correctly, cannons did come before handheld firearms. Is this correct? Also, is there any reason airships could not be developed before handheld firearms? I don't think so, but I'd like to double check.
Also, I know that it's my homebrew and I can do what I like regardless of consistency, but I do want to keep the option for publishing open in the future (however slim the chance). Thank you in advance! :)
You are correct about cannons. Also, there's no reason why airships can't exist before guns, especially in a world where researchers can learn Auran, summon air elementals and outsiders, and try to learn about things like hydrogen and helium from them. Also, crazy quasimagic alchemists.
Our world has had rather lopsided technological development -- why can't a fantasy world?
Also, is there any reason airships could not be developed before handheld firearms?
No reason at all, especially if your world's airships are based on magic rather than science.
Airships aren't related to firearms at all; they're more related to other types of transportation, and given them you can have the propellors on the airships (if they have them) powered by whatever you want. the basic idea of a hot air balloon is low tech and doesn't require anything more than a way to contain the fire and a light enough envelope.
The guns are also not really an issue, miniaturization takes a lot more technology to make it work reliably than larger cannons do.
Ok, perfect. Thanks everyone. I felt like they were consistent, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to check!
I agree with the others, the question you need to answer (whether they work with science or with magic) is why airships were invented.
There are at least 2 GMs developing shattered earths on these boards. One of them, I suggested flying chariots based on "Chariots of the Gods". He rejected alien astronauts but he liked weightless chariots you could harness to whatever. If the silk road required you to cross several miles of sky, people will throw all their magic and science research dollars at it.
By people I mean every race suitable for PC adventuring.
Airships could be a lot of things. Could look like a chariot pulled by Eagles. Could be a living room being held aloft by an enormous djinn.
Still, given that your society probably already has 'ships', then the only extra bit is getting them to fly.
Set up the tech tradeoff so that guns and armor are heavy, and therefore go directly against speed, maneuverability, and cost.
Cannons predated guns by several centuries, everywhere except Japan, where 'rifles' were imported first.