On Tue, 14 Jan 2003, Andrew Lias wrote: > > Since the Dragons are the only ones I can see developing explosives >technology in the first place, that would also explain why none of >the other castes have utilized them. > Well, the Vallista (engineering and mining) might find them useful. If Dragaerans know how to refine petroleum (per _Issola_), they probably know enough about chemistry to know about explosive substances. Even if they don't have gunpowder, they could theoretically make firebombs and/or napalm from petroleum products. I am therefore more inclined to believe that there is a generic sorcery for "inhibit certain uncontrolled chemical reactions", which renders gunpowder & other physical explosives moot in battlefield conditions. Another thought that occurred to me, by the way, is that there may be certain rules and limitations on what sorts of methods may be used in warfare, and there is an agreement (similar to our world's various arms treaties on the use of chemical, biological and radioactive materials) or moral convention simply not to use certain types of weapons in warfare.