Commission from (also at https://twitter.com/Avalugg_)

While gunpowder production techniques were imported and and established during this time period, its use as a weapon was not very popular among the citizens of Hearth-Under-Stone as a personal weapon. The sound of the explosions would echo throughout the cave and tunnel complexes of the city, while the flash from the powder charge and from the muzzle would dazzle Noxfolk or even the eyes of the more underground-adapted humans. The most common use would be for mining charges, where precautions against the sound, pressure wave, and dust could be planned for. Cannons were also installed along the exterior walls, allowing for a powerful counter-battery against sieging forces.

As the cities of the Underground Kingdom iterated upon firearm technology, eventually a series of innovations made the musket a semi-popular weapon in the capital city. The first and simplest was a flared flash hider, affectionately nicknamed the Loudener for its trumpet-like appearance, allowing the darkness-acclimated to not dazzle their center vision with each shot. Next were percussion caps, which allowed for full internalization of the gunpowder ignition system, eliminating the large peripheral dazzling from the flashpan of earlier flintlock mechanism. While some experimented with leather-and-cotton padded mufflers in the helmet to cope with the sound, but there was not much that could be done for the less-prepared defenders. Rather than home defense, in the end the muskets' niche lay more in outdoor hunting or assault, where it shone due to its excellent armor penetration against plate or even against the scavenged ballistic weave of outlander pirate groups.


Of the various dog breeds, none were more suited for living in Hearth-Under-Stone than the ripper hound. Sightlessness, but with extremely advanced smell and hearing organs, it can make its way through the endless halls and tunnels without issue. Its large brain allows it to easily process the hustle and bustle of the city, and with some training it can keep its nerve even from sudden sounds, such as summoned lightning or cannon fire. The large olfactory stripe on its side is so finely tuned it can tell apart individuals from miles away, in favorable conditions, and is absolutely vital in the detection of insectoid hives. And should a nest be found, its scything claws and ferocious bite can easily take out the most common bugs and buy time for a suitable armed soldier to take out the larger invaders.

These dogs have been so important to Hearth-Under-Stone's continued safety that they are uniquely protected by the laws of the land, with stiff penalties for killing or injuring one without good reason, and both the preparation and consumption of ripper hound meat illegal in all cases. While other cities may not have such local laws, it is still seen as a mere half-step away from cannibalism.

Gun in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVHyQGY55JY
Ava did an amazing job with the ripper hound, even pulling up this lil' guy https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cpghjg7uIHv/ which helped expand the lore