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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