User:Chris123/Medicine of Fire

This is a sandbox for an upcoming timeline, Medicine of Fire, where gunpowder ("Fire Medicine") is not accidentally discovered by Taoist monks in 9th century China, changing warfare and history as we know it. This is a sandbox for discussions, observations, and ideas; anyone interested is welcome.

POD(s)

 * Alchemists in China do not mix the right amount of compounds (sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter) to create gunpowder in 9th century China while searching for an elixir for everlasting life. Much of history is not affected with this lack of discovery for some time.
 * Enough time goes by, in such a close proximity to the POD, that Genghis Khan would probably not be born, and his invasions would be butterflied away (this can be considered a second POD). Things do not appear to change too much until after 1250AD.

Ideas
Feel free to add or change anything.
 * As time goes on, European wars continue to be bloody and lengthy without the use of guns or cannons. Most battles and wars in Europe are also similar up until around 1400, where since was not very common at this point.
 * It is important to note that nomadic hordes will probably have the capability to wreak some havoc in Asia and close to Europe without the advance in European military technology in the near future.
 * Muslim states do not fare as well without gunpowder. Also, the Seljuk state remains united in Anatolia without the Mongols, so the Ottomans do not arise.
 * Meanwhile, a rump Byzantine Empire survives in the Balkans. Luckily, with no artillery available, any attempt to besiege Constantinople is unsuccessful.
 * In the late 1400s, Portuguese sailors offer interest in exploring the world. They establish small peaceful trading outposts in the Americas after discovering the New World, bringing back crops and natural resources, while in the process introducing animals, skills, and diseases to the Native populations.
 * The Europeans are not generally not interested in the New World other than for trade; with their weaponry pretty much on par with the Natives, they could not conquer large swaths of them anyway.

[BOOM!]
The question is not if gunpowder arises, but when and where --
 * Mscoree: Perhaps in Europe, from an alchemist of some kind
 * Rich: I guess it all comes down to China; they're really the only one's with big enough deposits of the right saltpetre to realistically invent gunpowder... the Europeans could invent it as well, it would just be much harder for them seeing as the ingredients they need would be much harder to make.
 * Chris: 1600s in Europe, perhaps? Regardless, it would probably a little bit of time for the powder to be produced in the correct concentrations, and for it to be weaponized efficiently (it took about three centuries in ancient China OTL).