Smoke Powder: This magical substance is similar, though not identical, to gunpowder. It is extremely scarce and, due to its volatile nature, dangerous to fabricate. Smoke powder will be available in a campaign only if the DM allows it. If the DM doesn't want it in the campaign, it simply doesn't exist.

Smoke powder is commonly found divided into two separate components--one, a steely-blue granular substance, the other, a fine white powder. Alone, each component is inert and harmless. However, when equal portions of the two are mixed together, the smoke powder is complete and dangerous.

When touched by a flame, the mixed powder explodes with great force, noise, and smoke. The size and force of the explosion varies according to the amount of smoke powder used. A small, measured amount (a spoonful of each component) causes 1d2 points of damage. Such an amount is sufficient for a large firecracker or a single charge of an arquebus (if these optional weapons exist in the campaign). Increasing the amount increases the damage proportionally--doubling causes 2d2 points of damage, tripling causes 3d2, and so on.

An explosion capable of causing 30 points of damage (15 charges) has a 5-foot radius. Blasts capable of causing 50 or more points of damage (25 or more charges) have a radius of 15 feet, and affect items and fortifications as would a giant's blow.

When discovered, a pouch of smoke powder contains 3d6 charges. Charges from several pouches of smoke powder can be combined to create bigger, more damaging explosions.

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