Starwheel

Starwheels, also known as wheel locks or wheel-locks, were a type of pistol and a further development of arquebuses that originated somewhere beyond Toril.

Description
Unlike arquebuses, which had a match-lock mechanism, starwheels had a saw-edged wheel firing mechanism and trigger. This saw-edged wheel would be wound up in a spring, with a piece of either flint or pyrite held against it in a vise.

Starwheels typically weighed around.

Weaponology
When its trigger was pressed, the pistol's wheel would spin and shower sparks into the enclosed pan where the smokepowder was held.

This weapon required only a single hand to operate and inflicted rather little damage, but compensated with an improved ability to aim accurately.

Availability

 * These weapons were typically rather rare on Toril.
 * Starwheels were sometimes sold or traded across Toril by spelljammer crews, such as the Smiths' Coster trading company, or stolen from those crews by thieves.
 * One particular establishment on Toril where one could purchase starwheels was The Brigadier's Broadside in Skullport.

Prices
On Toril in the mid–14 century DR, a starwheel typically cost around 1,000 gold pieces.

In many areas of Wildspace, these pistols would cost around 700 gold pieces, but on the Rock of Bral they sold for only 400 gold pieces.

Classes

 * Gnome artificers often wielded starwheels.
 * Advisors of the Elven Imperial Fleet often wielded starwheels.

Individuals

 * Lancilon Seenabuck

Creatures

 * Wealthy scro often owned and fought with starwheels.

Reputation
Many in Wildspace considered starwheels to be erratic and untrustworthy, on par with muskets.

Trivia
A starwheel over a shield was the symbol of the Smiths' Coster trading company.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Dungeon #21, "Jammin'" • Dungeon #43, "Into The Silver Realm" • Dungeon #45, "An Artist's Errand"