Erick nods. "Yeah, I can do that. You want a rifle?" He thinks, and takes out some paper and begins to sketch on it. "Hmm, maybe meld a custom rotating cylinder to a rifle stock and barrel?"
Armanus ponders aloud. "Perhaps. While we are here in Alkenstar, I shall pick up some more ammunition for my pistol. Perhaps enough to get some target practice in as well."
Erick laughs. "Just get the stuff we need to make ammo, I can make it cheaper than these rip off artists in town are charging. I gotta spend a day making 200 rounds for me and Kris, adding another 100 rounds won't take any longer."
Erick picks up a large cylinder, used for medium sized pistols, to adapt to a rifle cylinder for Kris's gun, as well as a long barrel and some wood for a good sturdy stock. For himself, he picks up a fine receiver, a long pistol barrel, and fine brass handles with a dragon motif, similar to his existing gun.
He also picks up some gear works and brass plate, to make some speed loaders out of.
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Zyrel looks curiously at the paper, and nods approvingly. "My purpose in coming to Alkenstar was to investigate whether this new technology of firearms was maturing to the point it could provide a genuine competitor to bows. I had intended to contract one of the craftsmen here to attempt to provide the physical basis of the weapon. Had I realised you were a craftsman of this skill I would have approached you earlier. Are you interested in another commission?"
"I also am interested in a rifle, such as you seem to be describing. I suppose I will also need several thousand rounds to start practising, in order to achieve enough mastery to allow a fair comparison to be made." he looks thoughtful "Is it possible to make ammunition that can be used in all the weapons? That would stop us from needing to be careful not to mix our..." he hesitates "... packages?"
"Can you explain the difference between ammunition types, Erick? I have seen men pour powder and ball, use paper packages, and use metal. Unlike arrows, men seem to always use one particular type."
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Erick adjusts his hat. "In reverse order. Firearms come in two styles, at least currently. Powder, and Cartridge. There's a third type, called Cap and Ball, that is inbetween the two, but it's about done with as far as usage goes." He tugs his own pistol out. "Powder refers to those that use loose powder." He taps his powder horn. "Every time you load it, you have to measure the powder, tamp down the ball with wadding, and then prime the pan." He touches the flash pan on the side of the barrel. "That means put more powder in the pan. The hammer..." He taps the hammer. "Hits the pan, creates a spark, and the powder in the pan ignites the powder in the barrel, which then explodes. The barrel forces the lead ball to be shot out by the explosion." He taps the tip of the barrel. "Good guns have bored barrels. Doesn't mean they're looking for things to do, means they've had grooves bored into them, in a spiral pattern, along the length. This forces the bullet to 'spin' as it travels down, so it's spinning rapidly when it leaves the barrel. A spinning bullet is much more accurate than a non-spinning bullet."
"A cartridge is a brass container, a bit like a cylinder, that fits in the back of the barrel. Think of it as a miniature barrel. The bullet is in the tip, and crimped in place, and the inside of the cartridge has the powder pre-measured and inside it. There's actually multiple types of cartridges, not just one type. You can have alchemical cartridges, or you can have silver bullets, or adamantine bullets, or mithral. When you use a hard metal like silver or adamantine or mithral, you have to coat it with lead, this is called a jacketed round. The lead squishes into the grooves in the barrel, and impart spin. When the metal bullet hits the target, the lead peels off and does additional damage to soft targets, or just creates a lead ring around the hole caused by the harder metal on hardened targets, like dragon scales."
"Paper packages are just pre-measured powder, to make it easier than powder horns, and a little faster. The cartridges have 'caps' on the back, little bits of metal and powder that explode if you hit them hard, and set off the powder inside the cartridge. It's cheaper to replace the powder, bullet, and cap for a cartridge than to make a whole new cartridge, which is why I said police your brass, which means always pick them up if you can."
"You can make ammunition in the same sizes for different classes of weapon, such as rifle vs pistol, but if you fire the same round in both of those types, either your pistol will crack your wrist and be more innaccurate due to too short a barrel, or your rifle won't have distance and stopping power. Now, we can use the same rounds for my pistols as Kris's rifle, because he'd be using a scaled down rifle round so he can handle it without breaking his shoulder. But your rifle would need to use different rounds, to maintain it's stopping power."
"I'd suggest 200 rounds to start with, you'll be surprised how fast you pick up a rifle. Especially a cartridge rifle. It's no harder than a cross-bow, just point and shoot. The skill comes in doing things it wasn't designed to do, like shoot something out of someone's hand, or shoot them in the kneecap, or stuff like that. As to another commission, you buy the parts, and I'll put it together for you. I can help you pick out what you'll need. We'll need a pistol cylinder for a large pistol to make your rifle, and then a good rifle barrel, and I'll have to modify a good quality rifle receiver to handle the large pistol cylinder. Nothing hard."
Zyrel's face freezes in concentration. "I see. So cartridges are a simple ammunition type - like arrows - rather than requiring balancing alchemy in the middle of battle." he nods "I can see that would speed reloading time. Combined with the ability to make a small number of shots without needing to reload, a trained user could approach an archer's rate of fire."
He nods thoughtfully "Presumably, then, there is a relationship between the length of a barrel and the performance of the projectile? Distance and accuracy. And the rotation of the grooves would change the spin. Hmmm."
A thought occurs "Could you not carefully carve the bore, then use an adamantine bullet shaped like an arrowhead, with small greased fletchings on the back that hook into the grooves, allowing..." he trails off.
"Thank you, Erick. That was illuminating. You have convinced me that my superiors were wrong to so quickly dismiss firearms. There is a science to this that may take centuries to truly understand, but without understanding there is no ability to compare like with like."
The party is able to book passage on a riverboat to Quantium, and from there find a ship with a Tetrad-affiliated captain. Along the voyage, Erick busies himself with gunmaking.
Once they arrive in Katapesh, it's not a long trip to Hahmayad Exports, where the party was told to go upon arrival. When they enter, Maulia, the woman at the desk who was supremely unpleasant last they met her, cracks a wide smile and says, "Ah, Seyadiyek told me you were arriving. I'm glad you made it into the business. Surprising for a team to do so on their first examination."
Elsa smiles.
Well, surprising people is a speciallity
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Erick has replaced his hip holster with a new holster designed for the six shooter on his hip. His original pistol is now strapped to the inside of his voluminous coat, in a concealed holster as a surprise weapon if need be. On his holster belt are rows of shiny brass cartridges, and two speed loaders, for easy access.
Kris's revolver rifle is even more ornate, as befits the hyperactive gnome's personality, and features a similar revolver cylinder as Erick's. The shoulder stock and rifle barrel are of course downsized for his slighter frame.
Zyrel's Revolver Rifle, built on a pistol cylinder designed for a troll, unlike the other two is matt black with no etchings, and built with dark stained wood. Erick had decided that the archer who preferred to hide would prefer a weapon that wouldn't reflect any light when he was hiding ready to snipe someone.
Both men also received a back harness to hold the rifles, similar to the sheaths used to hold bastard and great swords, as well as a bandolier for ammunition.
Erick touches the brim of his hat. "Sounds like you've been getting poor recruits then. Might want to change your background check protocol."
Kristleifur grins a great deal. Much in the world is a joy to him.
He - somehow - is grinning even more widely than usual, truly happy with life.
He has a true beauty of a weapon.
And better still, he's going to get to use it - and be paid for it!
"We're damn good, like the man says! Let's have at it!"
"Well, good help is always hard to find. The initial source of drugs seems to be in Dogtown, coming from a tavern called Rasharra's Den. Based on your report, I am to understand you've been there before? In any case, that would be a good place to start."
[b]Anything we should know? Will anyone object if a fight breaks out?[/dice]
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Zyrel quickly gives up any thought of assisting Erick; Gunsmithing is obviously sufficiently different to his existing careers that any overlap is coincidental. Further it becomes clearer that the making of firearms is as much an art as it is a skill.
Soon he takes to keeping Erick company, working on turning his new-bought supplies into scrolls, sketching what Erick is doing, and asking occasional questions such as "Is there a mathematical relationship to the bore-curves?" and "Is there a way of ensuring consistency between the alchemical properties of the powder?" He takes note of Erick's setup to ensure the gun fires straight, especially given the difficulty in using a plumb line on the open sea.
He's appreciative of the gun "It is elegant. I had not expected that. So many of the firearms I saw in the war lacked any aesthetic qualities beyond simple bilateral symmetry. Thank you. Does it have a name?"
As soon as he has gun and rounds he spends the evenings carefully practising. He asks Kristlefur and Erick to demonstrate the correct form, and then practices each part of each movement endlessly, drawing bead and pulling trigger while the gun is not loaded. It is not until the last night, as the ship is approaching shore and the trip all but done, that he finally fires it.
He leaves an empty box to bob in the waves as they sail away. Stuffing his ears with cotton, and bandaging them to his head he takes a moment to brace himself, draw bead, and fires. As soon as the round fires he is spinning the next barrel into place.
- looking to spot a DC 10 target as far away as possible. Using Eagle Eyes and Eagle Eyed (so ignore 5 points of penalty, and 20ft per point).
Edit: 24 +5 = 29 = 380ft. that is 4 range increments at 80ft, so -4 (sniper) to hit.
Assuming non-proficient and against touch AC. Guessing AC 10? -4 for no Dex. +4 for Diminutive. so 10.
Edit: is this a misfire?
Edit: Yay! Even if the third shot leaves it broken (damn it) the other three would have hit.
The first round slams home, the second misses, the third all but explodes in place, but the next three strike home. Nearly 400 feet away the box explodes into shrapnel, and vanishes between the waves. Zyrel winces, unwinds the bandage, and unstuffs his ears.
"Truly, Erick, it is a fine weapon. I could have fired no faster with a bow, nor any further. My skill is not so great with this weapon - yet - but I can see the potential here. Had that box been orc or demon, these shots would have killed it where arrows would have left it merely injured." he looks thoughtful "The sound though, that is a problem. Also, the flash from the first all but ruined my night sight. Finally, the third round went... wrong. I'm not sure of the words. Could you check to see if I have damaged the weapon already?"
He nods to those watching "Also, if my form was incorrect, I would be grateful for correction. I realise I have rushed to practice like a fool, but I though it best to fire while we were still out from the port."
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Zyrel's eyes narrow for a moment in suspicion, then he nods to himself, and once more takes to scanning the area rather than looking at their contact.
"As Elsa says." Zyrel reiterates and expands "What are the parameters of our engagement? What must we do, what must we avoid, what is permissible but regrettable?"
"Our goal is to find who is distributing 'Slag', and stop them distributing it. Are we required to identify the entire distribution system, or only those directly distributing it? Should we expect these distributors will have bribed..." human civilisation is so predictably short sighted, it is better to be prepared "...local officials into rendering information and/or aid?"
Erick patiently explains the mathematical formulas used to determine the barrel length, bore diameter, and cartridge lengths. "First owner names the gun. As to this one, as I said, I didn't put any fancy filigre on it as you seemed the type to like a low profile. They are horrible for stealth, I've been trying to figure out something for that, as have a lot of people. A baffle system on the barrel to cut down on the sound or something. You shouldn't be getting heavy flashes on the barrel, I'll have to adjust the mix of the powder, it should all burn in the cartridge, leaving just a bit of light that shines mostly away from you from the barrel tip."
"Nope, you didn't break it. The cartridge just didn't fire. Every once in awhile, you'll get a bad cartridge, sorry about that. If it does misfire, sometimes the bullet will become lodged in the barrel. You'll have to clear the barrel to resolve it. Also, if the cartridge is misaligned with the barrel, sometimes the bullet will get lodged between the cylinder and the barrel, don't fire it again if that happens, or you could blow up the cylinder and your hand or head."
Kristleifur eagerly seizes his own rifle.
"Fingers *here*, though keep trigger finger away *until* it's time to shoot. I'm pretty stealthy, but once the first shot hits, I'm either firing at someone or legging it. Unless there's silence, magic silence!"
”We are fairly certain it is coming from a single source. You will need to find the source and...dispatch it however you see fit. You must take caution however, not to reveal the source of your mission. Our mutual employer’s true nature cannot be revealed. That said, do what you must to deal with this drug.”
"Seems easy enough. Find someone taking it. Persuade them to tell us who they buy it from. Find that person and persuade them to tell us who they buy it from. Repeat until we find the person at the top of the pyramid, and then persuade that person to stop making it." Erick says, matter of factly. He looks at their group, and then rubs his chin. "Do not take this the wrong way, but Kris, Armanus, you two make the most likely drug users. Mainly because the city is full of humans who assume anyone not human is a criminal. Sad commentary on my species, but it's true. If you're not opposed, having you two try to get some might be the first step?" He turns to the woman. "We'll need some funds to prime the pump, first pretending to buy some, and then pretending we want to sell. Easiest way to find out who the boss is is to infiltrate their business as new sellers, and then insist on a meeting with the boss. Buy a couple of shipments saying we're sending them up the river to another city, and then we can meet the boss. Cheaper in the long run than having it on the streets. Plus we should be able to recoup some of the outlay once we know who the boss is, as he'll have a stash of raw materials and cash. Raw materials for drugs are often medicines in and of themselves, and fetch a good price for their intended use. And cash is cash, obviously."
"Done and done!", replies the eager gnome, clearly unworried about reputational issues.
He looks at their group, and then rubs his chin. "Do not take this the wrong way, but Kris, Armanus, you two make the most likely drug users."
Armanus reacts to the Erick's remark as if he was slapped in the face. "In! What! Way! Am I supposed to 'take it', sir! How dare you!"
Erick tilts his head. "You're supposed to take it in the way I said it, that most humans are too stupid to understand that everyone is different, and that most of them assume tieflings are evil on the spot. As I said, it's a sad commentary on humans. However, if you truly find that insulting, then you can have my gauntlet anytime you want." He responds, rather shocked that Armanus took insult, but not backing down from his statement. He shucks his leather gauntlet off and holds it up for Armanus.
"Enough." Zyrel interrupts, after a few moments. "Erick; I have little understanding of human psychology, however as I understand it Armanus is human, albeit from an unusual lineage, not another race. I do not say that is what has provoked him."
"Armanus; obviously insult was unintended. Can you please explain to Erick why his comment was objectionable to you."
"Actually, I have no idea what Armanus's heritage is, other than tiefling. I figure that's not my business unless he tells me. But you're mistaken to think all tieflings are of human heritage. Many tieflings are, but many others are tiefling half-elves, or tiefling elves, or teifling halflings, or teifling hobgoblins, or what have you. The infernal blood tends to override everything else." Erick's manner is more of a professor than anything else, as he corrects Zyrel's misconception about tieflings. "I'd doubt he was halfling or goblin by heritage, due to his height, but it's as likely he's drow or elf as he is human by heritage. I try not to assume that sort of thing. Too easy to make bad assumptions."
"Actually, I have no idea what Armanus's heritage is, other than tiefling. I figure that's not my business unless he tells me. But you're mistaken to think all tieflings are of human heritage. Many tieflings are, but many others are tiefling half-elves, or tiefling elves, or teifling halflings, or teifling hobgoblins, or what have you. The infernal blood tends to override everything else." Erick's manner is more of a professor than anything else, as he corrects Zyrel's misconception about tieflings. "I'd doubt he was halfling or goblin by heritage, due to his height, but it's as likely he's drow or elf as he is human by heritage. I try not to assume that sort of thing. Too easy to make bad assumptions."
"I have not only the blood of cheliaxian nobility running through my veins, but I am direct descendant of the great chelish hero, General Jerax Hellife! Luckily for you, cavalier", Armanus sneered, "we are 'on-the-job' as you say, so I'm willing to table this iunsult until a later date!" Now, back to the matter at hand.."
Erick nods. "Interesting. As you choose, Armanus. As you choose." He shakes his head, putting his gauntlet back on.
The party finds themselves in Dogtown once again, surrounded by precariously built shanties and desperate people. As they reach Rasharra's Den they see a few gnoll whelps stumble out the front door followed by a harsh, militaristic bark. The two gnolls run off, yipping and whining as they go.
Kristleifur has his new rifle out, clearly eager to begin.
Zyrel whispered "Erick's plan, yes? Who is taking the lead? Kristleifur is the obvious choice as the mastermind. Who should be the 'face'?"
Probably not I. Diplomacy is not my strong suit
Armanus lets out a small sigh. "It appears the 'face' role falls me to me. I shall do my part, as any proud cheliaxian."
"Your face is plenty good, Armanus!", Kristleifur says, in an effort to cheer up the tiefling.
"Then that leaves me to be the brawn. I shall scowl accordingly, and try to look menacing." He looks to Zyrel. "Shall we be muscly scowly guards together?" Then to Elsa. "Deceptively pretty but dangerous paramour to Kris?"
The group heads inside to a chaotic scene. A brawny gnoll woman stands at the bar, a shotgun on the counter. Several cheaply made tables are smashed, and another gnoll lies unconcious. The gnoll woman barks, "What in the Beast Mother's name do you want?"
"Something in a clean glass, or is that too much to ask in this place?" Armanus asked with disgust at his surroundings.
Zyrel tries to hold back a shudder, and fails. Against his better judgement he scans the room, taking in details.
Kristleifur does his best to appear to be a twitchy addict who has imbibed too many substances over the years.
Clearly, a difficult task!
Erick follows and takes up a position behind Armanus, canted so he is opposite of Zyrel, and maintaining a watch ahead of and behind Armanus, leaving his back side to the eyes of the elf opposite him.
His stance is both deferential to, and protective of, Armanus. One hand rests on his new revolver butt, and the other on the pommel of the 9-ring sword. His eyes slide back and forth over the bar, and rest on the shotgun long enough to make sure the bartender registers it, before raising his eyes to the bartenders.
His expression makes it clear he's not hostile, but will draw and fire if the shotgun leaves the flat surface of the bar. Anyone else in the bar that looks toward Armanus gets a similar stare down.
Elsa looks at the grimacing man
Erick, Don't be so confronting. You may start a fight. She smiles
Not everyone in the world is out to get us.
The gnoll bares her teeth in a menacing mockery of a grin and says, ”So, you want a drink?” She reaches beneath the bar for a chipped glass and a bottle. She pours a clear, slightly milky liquid into it and says, ”Drink.”