Thunderbolt Blowgun 55

Lore: The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 was originally created by the gnomes of a hidden mountain fortress as a tool for hunting and defending themselves against large predators. However, as word of its effectiveness spread, it soon became a popular weapon among the gnomish elite. The Thunderbolt Blowgun is a weapon that packs a surprising punch, allowing gnomish warriors to take down much larger foes with ease.

The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 is a ranged weapon with the following stats:

• Level: Tier 1
• Rarity: Rare
• Type: Ranged Weapon
• Tags: Ammunition, Loading, Thunder, Precision, High-Impact, Gnomish Craftsmanship, Tactical, Disruptive, Elite-Grade, Piercing, Sonic Burst, Heavy-Duty, Predatory
• Weight: 3 lbs.
• Rare (Tier 3)
• Cost: 6,000 gold pieces

The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 has the following special abilities:

• Ammunition: The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 requires specially crafted darts with a unique tip that produces a loud crack when fired.
• Loading: The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 requires an action to load and can only fire one dart per turn.
• Thunder: The darts fired by the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 produce a loud thunderclap upon impact, dealing additional thunder damage and potentially stunning or deafening targets.

How to Use: To use the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55, the wielder must load a specially crafted dart into the blowgun and then use an action to fire it. The Thunderbolt Blowgun’s sturdy construction allows the wielder to fire darts with a surprising amount of force, allowing them to take down much larger targets than one would expect from such a small weapon. The Thunder property of the blowgun adds an extra layer of damage to each dart fired, allowing the wielder to deal both piercing and thunder damage to their targets. The Thunderbolt Blowgun is a rare and expensive weapon, making it more difficult to acquire than some of the more common weapons, but its unique ability to deal thunder damage and potentially stun or deafen targets makes it a valuable addition to any character’s arsenal. It can be particularly useful for taking down larger foes or for dealing extra damage to enemies with a vulnerability to thunder damage.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 is a rare and specialized weapon, sought after for its power and craftsmanship. Its origins among the gnomish elite and its unique capabilities make it available only in select locations and markets. Here are some of the types of shops where it might be bought or sold, along with their costs:

• Gnomish Workshop Boutique
  • Description: Nestled within the hidden mountain fortresses of gnomish territories, these shops are operated by master gnomish craftsmen. The boutiques are filled with intricately engineered devices and weapons, and the walls are lined with detailed blueprints and sketches. A strong sense of exclusivity surrounds these shops, where only trusted customers or those with gnomish connections can access their wares.
  • Inventory: Thunderbolt Blowgun 55s are kept behind locked cases, each piece engraved with the mark of its maker. They are sold as unique creations, sometimes with small variations in design or enhancements.
  • Cost: 6,000 gold pieces (base price); prices can rise to 7,000 gold pieces if custom modifications or enchantments are requested, such as improved range or personalized engravings.
  • Additional Costs: Specially crafted darts (10 darts for 100 gold pieces) due to their unique tips and materials.
• Adventurer’s Guild Armory
  • Description: Found in larger towns or cities with active adventurer communities, these guild armories offer rare and specialized equipment to their members. Gnomish engineers often trade or sell Thunderbolt Blowgun 55s here, making them available for high-ranking members who have earned enough guild credit or proven their worth.
  • Inventory: Typically, only one or two Thunderbolt Blowgun 55s are available at a time, with some kept in reserve for those who take on missions involving dangerous creatures.
  • Cost: 5,500 to 6,500 gold pieces (members receive a slight discount), but non-members or outsiders will need to pay the full price or take on a mission for the guild to gain access.
  • Additional Costs: Metal darts with enhanced tips for the blowgun are priced at 10 for 150 gold pieces due to their premium quality.
• Arcane Armament Emporium
  • Description: These shops are located near mage towers, magical academies, or arcane districts in large cities. Known for selling enchanted and rare weapons, they often stock items with special properties like the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55. While the shopkeepers here cater to spellcasters, they recognize the value of powerful ranged weapons in combat.
  • Inventory: Rare, with one or two Thunderbolt Blowgun 55s displayed as centerpieces in the shop’s most secure cases. Enchanted variations with minor magic enhancements (such as increased range or bonus thunder damage) might also be available.
  • Cost: 6,500 to 7,500 gold pieces, especially if the blowgun is enhanced with minor magical properties. Bargaining is possible, but prices are generally firm.
  • Additional Costs: Enhanced darts (imbued with minor shock effects) are sold at 10 for 200 gold pieces, making them more potent against magically resistant enemies.
• Skyship Trading Hub
  • Description: Located on floating islands or near aerial trade routes, these hubs serve as marketplaces for skyship crews and traders. Due to the blowgun’s suitability for combat in high-altitude environments, it is occasionally available here as a specialty item, often alongside other rare or exotic weapons.
  • Inventory: Stocked irregularly, often arriving as part of a merchant’s special haul. Typically sold to skyship captains, privateers, or wealthy traders who need powerful weapons to defend against sky pirates and aerial creatures.
  • Cost: 6,000 to 7,000 gold pieces, with the price varying based on the availability and demand among aerial crews.
  • Additional Costs: Special aerodynamic darts for use in high-altitude combat are sold at 10 for 125 gold pieces, designed to maintain stability and accuracy in turbulent air.
• Black Market or Rogue’s Bazaar
  • Description: Hidden in the alleys of major cities or within secluded mountain caves, these underground markets deal in rare and unregulated items. The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 might be sold here by smugglers or rogue gnomes who managed to steal or replicate the design.
  • Inventory: Unpredictable; typically sold quickly due to its high value. When available, it is kept out of sight until the buyer proves trustworthy or pays a hefty fee upfront.
  • Cost: 4,500 to 5,500 gold pieces (lower price due to the need for a quick sale), but purchasing here carries the risk of the item being faulty or missing important components.
  • Additional Costs: Darts are often of lower quality but are cheaper (10 for 75 gold pieces), making them more accessible to those who can’t afford the premium versions.
• Elite Hunting Lodge
  • Description: These establishments are often found near vast wildernesses where hunting large beasts is common. Catering to noble hunters and experienced trackers, the lodge shops specialize in weapons designed for taking down dangerous prey, making the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 a perfect fit.
  • Inventory: Sold alongside other hunting gear and traps, the blowgun is displayed as a prized item in glass cases, reserved for the lodge’s most distinguished members.
  • Cost: 6,000 to 7,000 gold pieces, with additional fees for those who want customizations tailored for specific types of prey.
  • Additional Costs: Predator-tipped darts (designed for maximum impact on large creatures) are priced at 10 for 175 gold pieces, and buyers are offered exclusive access to hunting guides and training sessions.

The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55’s rarity and high price ensure that it is typically available only to those with the means or reputation to afford such a weapon. Its potential for devastating impact makes it a sought-after tool for those who need to confront the most dangerous creatures or defend against formidable enemies.

The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 is a versatile weapon that can adapt to various environments, making it effective for both offensive and defensive situations. Its thunderous nature, powerful impact, and gnomish craftsmanship allow it to turn the tide in combat by delivering precise shots and creating sonic disruptions. Here’s a breakdown of how it might be used in different environments:

• Mountainous Terrain or Gnomish Fortresses
  • Defense: The narrow passes and steep cliffs of mountain regions make the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 particularly effective for ambushes or defensive holds. When defending a gnomish fortress, a wielder can position themselves along a ridge or atop a stone parapet, using the blowgun to fire down at intruders. The thunderous boom of each shot reverberates off the rocky walls, creating confusion among enemies. The noise might also trigger small rockslides or dislodge loose stones, creating natural barriers that slow advancing foes.
  • Offense: For gnomish scouts or hunters, the blowgun is a powerful tool when tracking large predators like mountain trolls or wyverns. Its precision allows the user to strike from a distance, targeting vulnerable points like joints or wings. The Thunder property of the weapon creates an explosive impact that can stagger or unbalance a creature, sending it tumbling down steep slopes or cliffs. This makes it easier for the user to follow up with other attacks or force prey into a more favorable position.
• Dense Forests and Jungles
  • Defense: When defending against ambushes from forest-dwelling creatures like giant spiders or marauding bandits, the blowgun’s thunderous discharge can serve as both a weapon and a deterrent. A shot fired into the canopy can startle wildlife, sending flocks of birds into the air and creating a distraction. The sound might also cause lesser creatures or bandits to flee, thinking reinforcements are on the way. Additionally, the sharp crack of the thunderclap can disorient predators that rely on their hearing, giving the wielder a chance to regroup or escape.
  • Offense: In offensive scenarios, such as hunting large forest creatures like dire bears or sabertooth cats, the blowgun’s range allows the wielder to strike before their target can close the distance. Its thunderous shot can be aimed at tree branches or vines, causing them to fall and create obstacles in the path of the pursued prey. If the wielder is part of a larger hunting party, the noise serves as a signal to coordinate attacks or herd the target toward a pre-set trap.
• Urban or City Environments
  • Defense: Within a city’s tight alleyways or atop rooftops, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 becomes a powerful tool for holding off would-be attackers or creating a scene of chaos. A shot fired into a nearby building or market stall could shatter windows or knock loose roof tiles, creating a dangerous environment for pursuers. The weapon’s sound can draw the attention of guards or bystanders, forcing enemies to scatter or rethink their assault. Positioned from a high vantage point, the wielder can use the blowgun to maintain control over choke points or key areas during an urban skirmish.
  • Offense: When engaging in offensive operations within a city, such as taking down a high-profile target or creating a distraction for a heist, the blowgun’s thunderous effect can be strategically deployed. A well-placed shot at a structural weak point (such as a balcony or decorative pillar) can cause debris to fall, blocking pursuers or creating new pathways. The loud noise might also divert guards away from a different part of the city, allowing the wielder’s allies to move unseen.
• Deserts and Open Plains
  • Defense: In open terrain, the blowgun’s long range makes it ideal for warding off raiders or dangerous creatures like sand wurms or bandit horsemen. The thunderous report can create a shockwave that kicks up dust or sand, creating a temporary screen of cover to conceal the wielder’s position. When defending a caravan or camp, a few well-timed shots can startle attacking animals or even knock over light structures, forcing enemies to regroup.
  • Offense: For hunters or adventurers crossing the open plains, the blowgun allows them to strike at targets from a distance before they close in, using its power to bring down creatures like desert wyverns or large predators. The thunderclap that follows each shot can disorient pack animals or herd creatures, allowing the wielder to separate a target from the rest. This is particularly effective for taking down a specific creature while avoiding a confrontation with an entire herd.
• Underground or Subterranean Caves
  • Defense: In the twisting tunnels of caves or the underground lairs of beasts, the blowgun’s sound can disorient creatures that rely on echo-location or sensitive hearing, such as giant bats or subterranean predators. When guarding a narrow passage or choke point, the wielder can use the blowgun to control the flow of combat, using its sonic impact to stagger enemies and create a booming echo that reverberates throughout the cavern, potentially driving off aggressive creatures.
  • Offense: In a more offensive role, such as during an expedition to clear out dangerous cave dwellers, the blowgun can be used to strike at key supports or formations, causing rocks or stalactites to fall and hinder enemy movement. Its power is especially useful against larger creatures that roam the depths, where the thunderous blast can echo and create a sense of a larger force closing in, intimidating beasts into retreating. It also serves as an emergency signal, allowing the user to alert their allies throughout the cave network.
• Coastal Cliffs and Sea Caves
  • Defense: Along rocky coastlines or in sea caves, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 is effective for holding off aquatic threats like sea serpents or pirates. A shot into the water can create a shockwave that stuns smaller marine creatures or disrupts a creature’s swim pattern, forcing it to retreat. The sound echoes in the confined space of sea caves, making it difficult for attackers to discern the wielder’s location.
  • Offense: When hunting creatures along the cliffs or raiding coastal smugglers’ hideouts, the blowgun’s power can be used to knock enemies into the turbulent waters below. A well-aimed shot might dislodge rocks or break wooden platforms, forcing enemies into the surf where the environment becomes an additional threat. The thunderous noise can also create enough confusion to separate a target from their group, allowing for a more focused attack.
• Floating Islands and Skyship Encounters
  • Defense: In high-altitude combat situations, such as battles aboard skyships or along the edges of floating islands, the blowgun’s sonic boom can create disarray among opponents. Its ability to knock flying creatures or aerial combatants off balance is particularly valuable here, potentially sending them tumbling out of the sky. When defending a skyship, the weapon’s powerful shots can even damage or disrupt lightweight rigging or masts, forcing enemy boarders to slow their approach.
  • Offense: When launching an assault on another skyship or engaging in mid-air skirmishes, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 can be used to disable parts of the enemy’s vessel or force creatures like griffon riders into evasive maneuvers. The noise serves as an effective signal during the chaos of battle, allowing allies to time their movements or strikes with greater coordination. A shot directed at exposed steering mechanisms or sail lines can render a ship momentarily uncontrollable, creating an opening for a boarding party.

Across these varied environments, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 proves to be a versatile and impactful weapon. It leverages its unique blend of precision, thunderous force, and adaptability to control the battlefield, whether through disorientation, distraction, or direct damage. Its ability to shift the flow of combat in both offensive and defensive scenarios makes it a valuable tool for gnomish warriors and skilled adventurers in the world of Saṃsāra.

Perception of Activation:

• User’s Perspective:
  • Sight: The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 crackles with blue arcs of lightning that race through the engraved channels along its dark metal barrel, casting a pulsating glow in rhythmic patterns. The dart loaded in the blowgun’s mouth becomes enveloped in a faint blue aura, seeming to shimmer with barely-contained energy.
  • Sound: A low, building hum fills the air, growing louder as the energy charges. It’s like a deep, rhythmic vibration, joined by the occasional sharp crack of static discharge. When the blowgun reaches full charge, a sharp, crackling tone pierces the hum, signaling that it is ready to unleash its power.
  • Touch: A cool, tingling sensation runs through the user’s hands and forearms as the blowgun channels its energy. The metal of the barrel vibrates gently, and sparks occasionally leap from the engravings, creating a feeling like static shock that sends a rush of adrenaline through the user.
  • Smell: The air around the blowgun takes on a crisp, metallic scent, reminiscent of the air before a thunderstorm, mingled with the faint smell of heated metal and ionized air.
  • Taste: A dry, electric tang fills the mouth, as if the user has tasted the charged air. It is sharp and slightly bitter, like licking a battery, hinting at the volatile energy held within the weapon.
  • Extra-Sensory Perception: The user feels a deep connection to the blowgun’s energy, as if the charged lightning is an extension of their own will. A subtle pull in their magical senses seems to bend reality around the barrel, compressing ambient energy into the weapon. It feels as though the weapon is drawing the latent power of the world into itself, like a small storm focused at their fingertips.
  • Positives:
    • The sense of power and connection with the weapon is invigorating, boosting the user’s confidence and focus.
    • The vibration and hum provide a physical indication that the blowgun is fully charged, offering clear feedback before firing.
    • The weapon’s cold touch prevents it from overheating, making it comfortable to hold even during prolonged use.
  • Negatives:
    • The constant humming and static shocks can be distracting, making it harder to maintain focus on other activities or spellwork.
    • The electric tingling can cause muscle fatigue in the user’s hands after extended use, especially if used in rapid succession.
    • The glow and occasional sparks make it difficult to remain concealed, especially in darker environments.
• Observer’s Perspective:
  • Sight: To an observer, the blowgun seems to come alive with arcing blue lightning, illuminating the intricate engravings along its barrel. The glow around the loaded dart is intense, casting brief flashes that dance across the nearby area. As the energy charges, the air around the weapon seems to warp slightly, creating a mirage-like effect.
  • Sound: The air is filled with a steady, deep hum, punctuated by sharp cracks of static. The sound is both unsettling and mesmerizing, like distant thunder slowly approaching. When fully charged, a high-pitched tone pierces the hum, a sound that sends a jolt of tension through the listener.
  • Touch: If standing close, observers may feel the occasional buzz or tremor in the air, like the distant vibrations of a drumbeat. A tingling sensation might spread through their skin, raising the hairs on their arms as the charged energy subtly pulses outward.
  • Smell: Observers may detect a faint scent of ozone, as if a storm is building nearby. The smell is sharp and distinct, mingled with the earthy aroma of heated metal.
  • Taste: While not directly exposed, those close enough to the activated blowgun might notice a dry, metallic taste on the air, as if they have inhaled the charged particles from a distant lightning strike.
  • Extra-Sensory Perception: Those with a heightened magical awareness might sense a distortion in the natural flow of energy around the blowgun, as if the weapon is pulling mana from the environment. To their senses, the blowgun feels like a tightly wound spring, ready to release a burst of raw, chaotic power. It might appear as a glowing node or a rippling disturbance in the ambient energy, making the air feel thicker and charged.
  • Positives:
    • The weapon’s intimidating aura and the crackling energy can unsettle nearby enemies, making them think twice before attacking the wielder directly.
    • The high-pitched charge tone provides a clear warning of impending danger, potentially giving allies time to brace themselves or react.
    • The spectacle of the activated blowgun might even draw attention away from the user’s allies, allowing for strategic repositioning.
  • Negatives:
    • The loud hum and sudden cracks can be startling or distracting for allies, making it harder to coordinate in stealth or surprise attacks.
    • The glow and sonic disruptions can give away the user’s position, making ambushes or hidden approaches nearly impossible.
    • The strong magical aura might attract the attention of creatures sensitive to energy flows, potentially drawing unwanted attention from predators or magical entities.

The Thunderbolt Blowgun 55, through its dramatic sensory effects, embodies the raw power of the storm. It is both a beacon of force and a dangerous tool, challenging the wielder to balance its potential with the risks of unleashing its power.

Crafting Recipe: Thunderbolt Blowgun 55

• Materials Needed:
  • Reinforced Metal Alloy Tube (3 ft length) Made from a mix of steel and mythril for strength and conductivity, able to withstand high-energy discharge.
  • Thunderous Crystal Core (1 medium-sized) A rare crystal that stores and releases electrical energy, found in caves near ley lines or mined from deep mountain ranges.
  • Electro-Alchemical Engraving Ink (2 vials) A mixture of powdered Zephyrstone, gnomish ink, and silver dust, capable of channeling electrical energy through intricate designs.
  • Specialized Metal Darts (Set of 20) Crafted with lightweight conductive tips, designed for high-speed travel and to carry the thunderous charge upon impact.
  • Gnomish Insulating Leather (2 ft length) Leather treated with alchemical oils to provide insulation and prevent electrical shocks to the wielder, used to wrap the handle.
  • Dragonbone Reinforcements (6 small strips) Thin strips of dragonbone to line the barrel’s interior, providing stability and enhancing the flow of energy through the weapon.
• Tools Required:
  • Smith’s Anvil & Hammer: For shaping the alloy tube into a smooth, precise barrel.
  • Engraving Chisel & Arcane Stylus: Used for carving precise lightning motifs into the barrel and applying the electro-alchemical engraving ink.
  • Alchemical Furnace: For heating the Thunderous Crystal and alloy, infusing them with energy.
  • Enchanter’s Brazier: To bind the crystal’s energy to the weapon and stabilize the flow.
  • Arcane Tongs: For handling superheated materials and placing the crystal core safely into the barrel.
  • Gnomish Jeweler’s Loupe: For precisely setting the crystal core and ensuring the alignment of energy channels.
• Skill Requirements:
  • Blacksmithing (Expert Level) For crafting the metal components, shaping the barrel, and applying reinforcements.
  • Alchemy (Intermediate Level) For creating the electro-alchemical ink and properly treating the insulating leather.
  • Enchanting (Expert Level) For infusing the Thunderous Crystal into the blowgun and stabilizing its magical properties.
  • Engraving (Intermediate Level) For carving the intricate motifs and channels needed to guide the energy.
  • Weapon Crafting (Advanced Level) For assembling the components and balancing the weapon for optimal performance.
• Crafting Steps:
  • Shape the Barrel:
    • Using the Smith’s Anvil & Hammer, shape the Reinforced Metal Alloy Tube into a straight, hollow barrel. The interior must be smoothed to perfection for the darts to travel without friction.
    • Ensure the barrel has a precise diameter to accommodate the Specialized Metal Darts.
  • Carve Lightning Motifs:
    • Use the Engraving Chisel & Arcane Stylus to carve intricate lightning bolt motifs and energy channels along the exterior of the barrel. These channels will serve to guide the energy from the core.
    • The engravings should be deep enough to hold the Electro-Alchemical Engraving Ink and precise to prevent leaks or uneven flow of power.
  • Apply Electro-Alchemical Ink:
    • Heat the Electro-Alchemical Engraving Ink in the Alchemical Furnace until it reaches a liquid state. Use the Arcane Stylus to carefully fill each engraved channel with the glowing ink.
    • Allow the ink to cool and harden, forming a network of conductive pathways along the barrel that faintly glow with a blue hue.
  • Infuse the Thunderous Crystal:
    • Heat the Thunderous Crystal Core in the Enchanter’s Brazier until it begins to hum with contained energy. Carefully place the crystal into the specially carved socket within the blowgun’s base using Arcane Tongs.
    • Channel energy from the brazier into the crystal, binding it to the barrel’s channels using a focused enchanting ritual. This step stabilizes the crystal’s energy flow, allowing it to power the thunderous effect.
  • Reinforce with Dragonbone Strips:
    • Place the Dragonbone Reinforcements along the interior grooves of the barrel, ensuring that they align with the energy channels. This will help prevent the barrel from warping under the stress of repeated use.
    • Secure the strips using heated Electro-Alchemical Engraving Ink, which hardens to bind the reinforcements seamlessly to the barrel.
  • Wrap with Insulating Leather:
    • Use Gnomish Insulating Leather to wrap the handle, ensuring that the treated leather is tightly bound around the barrel where the user’s hands will rest.
    • Apply a final coat of alchemical oil to the leather, providing additional insulation and preventing static shocks during activation.
  • Balance and Test the Weapon:
    • Load a Specialized Metal Dart into the barrel and test fire it in a controlled environment. Ensure the Thunderous Effect triggers properly, creating the desired sonic boom and impact.
    • Adjust the balance by fine-tuning the alignment of the Thunderous Crystal and the Dragonbone Reinforcements until the energy flows evenly through the barrel.
  • Final Calibration and Enchantment:
    • Perform a final enchanting ritual using the Enchanter’s Brazier to harmonize the energy flow between the crystal core and the engraved channels. This ensures the blowgun can maintain a consistent charge without overloading.
    • Calibrate the weapon to ensure it recharges smoothly between shots and is resistant to minor feedback from the energy discharge.
  • Polish and Cool:
    • Allow the blowgun to cool completely in a specially enchanted cooling chamber to prevent any cracks or warping. Polish the exterior with a cloth infused with mythril dust, bringing out the electric blue glow of the engravings.
    • Inspect the blowgun for any imperfections in the barrel or energy flow, making final adjustments if needed.

With this crafting recipe, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 can be recreated, capable of delivering its signature thunderous attacks and precision shots. The complexity of the process reflects the balance between the weapon’s powerful effects and the skill required to craft it.

“The Song of Gnim-Alin and the Sky-Roar Stick”

In days before sun and shadow were known, when high mountains hid their secrets beneath roots of stone, there dwelled the Gnim-Alin, gnomes of hidden place, who whisper to rocks and laugh with the cold winds. Their homes, carved deep in mountain heart, where water turns to mist and stone sings. It was here, under the dark belly of mountain, that they forged a stick of thunder, called by some Frolk-Dor Emek-Tar—”Sky-Roar Stick,” which in our tongue means Thunderbolt Blowgun 55. Yet how this strange weapon came to be, the scrolls tell only in half-words and lost tongues.

Long ago, it is said, came the nights of endless black. Stars hidden and winds unmoving. The great beasts, with claws of iron and bellies of flame, roamed the mountain slopes, hungry for flesh of Gnim-Alin. The small folk, they feared, but not their smiths, who were great and bold. From silver-iron and bone of mountain-drake, they shaped the hollow tube, long and cold like the breath of winter’s night.

But the fire of beasts is strong, and silver-iron bends like grass to the sun’s touch. Thus, the Gnim-Alin smiths went to find the Orul-Kanaz, the Thunder Gem, said to be hidden in the mouth of a cloud-serpent that sleeps between mountain peaks. The serpent would only wake when the skies roared and wept with rains of the world’s grief.

Led by Ruk-Tarin, whose hammer struck sparks like falling stars, they climbed the mountain’s spine and called upon the storm. For seven days they stood, hammering the rock, until the serpent awoke, its scales of mist and eyes of lightning. Ruk-Tarin spoke to it, but the language was like shattered glass, and the serpent grew wrathful. It split the sky with its voice, and the very air burned. Yet Ruk-Tarin, with his silver-iron tube, captured the serpent’s breath, trapping the lightning in the heart of the Thunder Gem, binding it to the tube with words lost to time. Thus, was born the Sky-Roar Stick, which the Gnim-Alin called Thunderbolt Blowgun.

In those times, it is told, Ruk-Tarin walked the high slopes, wielding the Sky-Roar Stick with pride. When the iron-clawed beasts came, he would raise the stick, and from its mouth came a great crack, louder than the shouts of the gods. The beasts trembled and fell, their fire turned cold, their bellies frozen like the first breath of winter.

But the storm-born power was fierce and wild, not a tamed creature of hearth or home. Ruk-Tarin grew proud, challenging the sky itself, thinking himself greater than the old winds. He struck the clouds and called the rain to fall, but the clouds knew no master. On a day of black rains, he raised the Sky-Roar Stick to the heavens, but the sky answered not in kind. The Thunder Gem in the tube shattered like thin ice, and Ruk-Tarin was struck by the serpent’s wrath, his body broken and his voice taken by the mountain winds.

When the storms passed, the Gnim-Alin found his body, but the Sky-Roar Stick lay shattered beside him. The pieces were gathered, but none dared to touch the gem’s shards again. They hid them in the deepest caves, saying, “The thunder is not for our hands; the sky’s voice is not our tongue.” Yet, many speak that some of the shards were taken by those with greedy hearts, and the stick was made anew, but never did it wield the same power, only echoes of its first breath.

Moral of the Story: Power that comes from the sky belongs to the sky; those who try to hold it in their hands will find their pride broken, for the storm speaks only for itself.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

• Type: Ranged Weapon (Blowgun)
• Skill: Firearms (Exotic)
• Damage: 1d8 + 1d4 Thunder
• Range: 15 yards
• Ammunition: Requires specially crafted metal darts.
• Rate of Fire: 1 shot per round (due to loading time).
• Special Ability – Thunderous Impact: Upon a successful hit, the blowgun emits a deafening thunderclap. Targets within 5 yards of the impact must make a CON roll or become Dazed for 1d4 rounds (suffering a penalty die on actions during this time).
• Malfunction: 96-100 (The blowgun backfires, dealing 1d4 damage to the user and causing the weapon to be unusable until repaired).
• Special Note: Due to its thunderous nature, any use of the blowgun will draw attention to the user within a 100-yard radius.
• Cost: 6,000 gold pieces or equivalent in rare currencies.

Blades in the Dark

• Item Type: Fine Ranged Weapon (Blowgun)
• Load: 2 (Heavy due to its reinforced construction).
• Range: Near (most effective at mid-range, but can reach longer with reduced accuracy).
• Effect: Tier IV weapon, granting potency when used against larger targets or in situations where sonic force can cause disruptions.
• Special Ability – Thunderous Shot: When firing a metal dart, the blowgun creates a thunderclap. Choose one:
  • Stun: Target must resist with Prowess or be Dazed, suffering reduced effect and -1d to actions for a round.
  • Disperse: All targets within Close range of the impact must resist with Resolve or be pushed back and become temporarily disoriented.
• Drawback: Using the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 increases Heat by +2 due to the loud sound, and any use in Close range imposes a -1d penalty to the user’s next Stealth roll.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires a long-term project with 6 segments, representing the gathering of rare materials and gnomish expertise.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Martial, Rare, Requires Attunement)
• Damage: 1d8 Piercing + 1d6 Thunder (Thunder damage only applies if the target is hit).
• Range: 40/120 ft.
• Ammunition: Requires specially crafted metal darts (10 per bundle).
• Properties: Loading, Thunderous, Rare
• Special – Thunderous Impact: When a dart is fired, the blowgun emits a thunderous boom audible out to 500 feet. Targets hit must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn.
• Recharge: Once per long rest, the wielder can channel additional energy into their shot, adding an extra 2d6 Thunder damage on a hit.
• Drawback: The thunderous noise imposes disadvantage on Stealth checks until the end of the wielder’s next turn, and using the Recharge ability requires a DC 10 Constitution save, or the user takes 1d6 damage due to feedback.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires proficiency in Smith’s Tools and Enchanting, access to gnomish blueprints, and materials worth 1,000 gold pieces. Crafting time: 20 days.

Knave

• Weapon: Thunderbolt Blowgun 55
• Damage: d8 + Thunderous (see below)
• Range: 40 ft. (Short Range), 80 ft. (Long Range)
• Ammunition: Requires specialized metal darts (must be crafted or purchased separately).
• Special – Thunderous: On a successful hit, the blowgun creates a loud thunderclap. Targets within 10 feet of the impact must make a WIL Save or be stunned until the end of their next turn. Allies within range are also affected.
• Loud: Firing the blowgun automatically alerts enemies within 200 feet, reducing chances of remaining hidden.
• Recharge: The blowgun needs 1 minute to recharge after every 3 shots, during which it cannot be used.
• Enchantment Requirement: The blowgun requires a Thunderous Crystal to recharge. This crystal must be exposed to a lightning storm for 1 hour to regain full power.
• Weight: 2 slots (due to its reinforced design and heavy construction).

Fate Core

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Specialized)
• Aspects:
  • “Voice of the Mountain Thunder”: Emits a deafening blast upon use, making it difficult to remain unnoticed.
  • “Gnomish-Crafted Precision”: Forged by master gnomes, providing reliable accuracy and balance.
• Stunt: Thunderous Discharge
  • Once per scene, when you fire the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55, create a Sonic Disruption aspect with a free invoke in your zone or the target’s zone. All enemies in that zone suffer a -2 penalty to their next action due to the deafening noise.
• Skill Required: Shoot
• Range: Up to 2 zones away
• Drawback: Using this weapon in a scene generates 1 additional Fate Point for the GM due to the noise attracting attention or causing complications.
• Crafting Requirement: Requires a Create an Advantage roll with a Great (+4) difficulty to obtain rare materials or access a skilled gnomish craftsman.

Numenera & Cypher System

• Level: 5 (Moderate Artifact)
• Weapon Type: Medium Ranged Weapon
• Damage: 6 points (Piercing) + 2 points of Sonic damage on a successful hit.
• Range: 30 feet (Short Range), up to 120 feet (Long Range with reduced accuracy)
• Ammunition: Metal darts (each shot consumes one dart)
• Depletion: 1 in 1d10 (roll after every 1d6 uses; on a 1, the weapon loses its charge and must be recharged during a lightning storm or similar high-energy environment).
• Special Ability – Thunderous Shot: When fired, the blowgun creates a loud thunderclap. All creatures within Immediate Range of the impact must succeed on a Might Defense roll (Difficulty 5) or be stunned until the end of their next turn.
• Downside: The noise generated by each shot attracts the attention of any creatures within Long Range, making it difficult to remain unnoticed.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires a crafting skill roll (Difficulty 6) using specialized materials, including a Thunderous Crystal and a gnomish alloy.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Martial, Rare, Requires Attunement)
• Damage: 1d8 Piercing + 1d6 Sonic (Critical: Deafens the target for 1d4 rounds)
• Range: 40 ft.
• Ammunition: Requires specially crafted metal darts.
• Traits: Thundering, Reload 1, Uncommon
  • Thundering: On a successful critical hit, the target and all creatures within a 10-foot radius must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or become deafened and stunned for 1 round.
  • Recharge: Once per hour, the wielder can infuse their next shot with extra thunderous power, dealing an additional 1d6 sonic damage on a hit.
• Drawback: The loud thunderous noise imposes a -2 penalty to Stealth checks in the same round it is used.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires proficiency in Crafting (Expert) and Enchanting, as well as access to a rare Thunderous Crystal and special alloys worth 2,000 gold pieces. Crafting time: 10 days.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Exotic)
• Damage: 2d6 (1d6 Piercing + 1d6 Thunder)
• Range: 12/24/48 (Short/Medium/Long)
• Rate of Fire (RoF): 1 (Takes 1 action to reload)
• Ammunition: Requires specialized metal darts (10 per bundle)
• Special Ability – Thunderous Impact: On a successful hit, the target must make a Vigor roll at -2 or become Shaken due to the deafening sound. Targets within a Small Blast Template of the impact point must also make a Vigor roll or be Distracted for 1 round.
• Weight: 2 (due to the reinforced design and complex mechanisms)
• Cost: $3,000 (a rare item, often traded among gnomish artisans or wealthy adventurers)
• Drawback: The loud noise imposes a -2 penalty to Stealth rolls in the round it is used, and any failed Vigor roll while using the blowgun risks the user being Shaken due to feedback from the thunderous discharge.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires an Artificer skill roll at -2 and materials worth $1,500, including a Thunderous Crystal.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Exotic)
• Damage: 6P (Physical) + 3S (Sonic)
• Accuracy: 5
• AP: -2 (due to the piercing nature of the metal darts)
• Mode: Single Shot (SS)
• Range: Short: 0-15m, Medium: 16-50m, Long: 51-100m, Extreme: 101-150m
• Ammo: 1 (Metal Dart, requires reloading)
• Special Ability – Thunderous Discharge: When fired, the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 emits a thunderous boom. All targets within 5 meters of the impact point must make a Body + Willpower (3) Test or suffer Disorientation for 2 Combat Turns (-2 dice pool penalty to actions).
• Concealability: +4 (compact but difficult to fully hide due to the reinforced design).
• Availability: 16F (Restricted, due to its unique design and dangerous potential).
• Cost: 5,000¥
• Drawbacks: The loud noise attracts attention within 200 meters and makes Stealth attempts impossible immediately after use. Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Blowgun) is required for effective use.
• Acquisition: Often found through specialized dealers, black markets, or as rare trade items among gnomish contacts.

Starfinder

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Analog, Rare)
• Damage: 1d10 Piercing + 1d6 Sonic (Critical Effect: Deafened for 1d4 rounds)
• Range: 60 ft.
• Capacity: 1 shot (manual reload)
• Usage: 1/shot (consumes a specially crafted metal dart)
• Special Properties: Analog, Blast (5 ft.), Sonic
  • Blast (5 ft.): When the dart hits its target, it creates a thunderous shockwave. Creatures within 5 feet of the target must succeed on a Reflex save (DC 18) or be pushed 5 feet back and become Staggered for 1 round.
• Level: 6
• Price: 4,000 credits
• Bulk: 1 (due to the compact but heavy design)
• Drawback: Firing the Thunderbolt Blowgun 55 makes it impossible to maintain Stealth within 500 feet due to the noise, and nearby creatures may be alerted.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires a successful Engineering skill check (DC 22) and access to rare materials, including a Thunderous Crystal and gnomish blueprints. Crafting time: 24 hours.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

• Weapon Type: Ranged Weapon (Rare)
• Damage: 3d6 (2d6 Piercing + 1d6 Sonic)
• Range: 30 meters (Effective), 100 meters (Maximum)
• Ammo: 1 dart (Reload: Minor Action)
• Traits: Blast (2m), Stun, Loud
  • Blast (2m): On a successful hit, all targets within 2 meters of the impact must make an Endurance check (8+) or be stunned for 1 round.
  • Stun: A target that suffers damage from the sonic component must roll against END (8+) or be Stunned until the end of the next turn.
  • Loud: Using the Thunderbolt Blowgun automatically increases the encounter’s Noise level, alerting creatures within 100 meters and making it difficult to maintain secrecy.
• Skill: Gun Combat (Exotic)
• Cost: 15,000 Credits (reflects its high craftsmanship and rarity)
• Weight: 1.5 kg
• Special Use: Ideal for disrupting larger or armored targets by leveraging its piercing and sonic effects, but risky to use in stealth scenarios due to its volume.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires a successful Engineering check at Difficulty 12, access to a Thunderous Crystal, and rare alloys. Crafting time: 48 hours.

Warhammer (Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition)

• Weapon Type: Ranged (Exotic, Rare)
• Range: 40 yards
• Damage: +8 Piercing +4 Thunder (Impact)
• Reload: 2 (Takes 2 full actions to reload a metal dart)
• Qualities: Blast (5), Deafening, Reload, Unstable
  • Blast (5): Targets within 5 yards of the impact suffer 1d10 damage and must pass a Challenging (+0) Endurance Test or be stunned for 1 round.
  • Deafening: Anyone within 10 yards of the blowgun’s discharge must pass an Average (+20) Endurance Test or become deafened for 1d5 rounds.
  • Unstable: If the attack roll is a fumble (96-100), the blowgun backfires, dealing 1d10 damage to the user and rendering the blowgun unusable until repaired.
• Encumbrance: 1 (lightweight but requires delicate handling)
• Availability: Very Rare (often found in gnomish vaults or as relics of past conflicts)
• Cost: 400 gold crowns
• Crafting Requirements: Requires Trade (Engineer) Test at Hard (-20) Difficulty, access to Thunderous Quartz, and special gnomish alloys. Crafting time: 7 days.