Blunderbuss

The blunderbuss, also known derisively as the Gondgun, was a variation of the arquebus.

Description
Like any arquebus, the blunderbuss consisted of a wooden stock, metal barrel, and a matchlock firing mechanism. Unlike a standard arquebus, this weapon had a wide bore and a trumpet-flaring barrel. They were also larger and heavier, weighing around.

Blunderbusses that came from Lantan typically had the symbol of Gond stamped on the butt of their stock.

Weaponology
Due to the design of a blunderbuss, it had less muzzle velocity than a standard arquebus. Meaning it was less accurate, had less penetrating power, and very poor range. Due to their size and weight, a blunderbuss also required support in order to keep its barrel aimed when firing.

Their advantage over the standard arquebus was that, rather than requiring a projectile carefully shaped for its bore, anything that could be fit down its barrel, such as nails or stones, could be used as a projectile. A blunderbuss could also fit several projectiles, rather than one, and their barrels were designed to scatter their shot across a wide arc. Together these made it so blunderbusses had the potential to hit several targets simultaneously.

Like any arquebus, they were sturdy enough to be wielded like a club, but they could be damaged in the process. They required smokepowder to use.

History
On the world of Toril, the blunderbuss originated on the island nation of Lantan, during the Time of Troubles, after the deity Gond revealed to his followers how to make reasonably safe and accurate firearms that utilized smokepowder. From 1358 DR onwards, the Lantanna priests of Gond (mainly the specialty priests) would work to spread the use of firearms, shipping them to Western ports.

When the blunderbuss and other arquebuses first showed up off of Lantan they were considered mere curious, but after five or so years they became increasingly common. Their increasing prevalence on Toril was due in part to spelljammers bringing in arquebuses from elsewhere. With one source being the Smiths' Coster trading company, who conducted business with the Lantanna, Waterdhavians, and elsewhere.

By 1370 DR, one could purchase arquebuses among other firearms from The Brigadier, a giff gunsmith, in Skullport.

Price
In the first three years that it was available for purchase outside of Lantan, a blunderbuss cost roughly 5,000 gold pieces. Through the third to fifth year, as the weapon became more common, the cost lowered to 1,000 gold pieces. Following the fifth year, a blunderbuss on Toril consistently cost around 500 gold pieces.

Background
The name blunderbuss is derived from a Dutch word and translates literally to "thundergun."