Iron Basilisk Incident

The Iron Basilisk Incident was a tragic accident, involving an abortive attempt at producing a new variety of cannon, in 611 of the Joran Calendar. Intended for the Duke of Joraje, the gun exploded, taking the lives of several important officers of the country.
== Background ==
The Iron Basilisk project was begun at the behest of Johann an Taepe, in order to produce cheap, yet powerful, cannon, capable of destroying fortification. These guns would take advantage of several of the new developments in ironworking and gun-founding, and were ordered by the Silver Seat for use in a future projected conflict against Zarny, particularly to retake the city of Kostravald.
The first gun, the Iron Basilisk, was founded in Grimnau, in Toradzland, for about 80 pfund. The founding was presided over by Boris Ilden, the Master of Gunnery for Johann of Taepe.
== Incident ==
During the summer of 611, Duke Johann dispatched Baron Sebastian, Baron of Denau, to Grimnau, to inspect the progress of the gunsmiths. Arriving at Grimnau, Master Ilden decided to give the baron a demonstration of his new cannons.
The Basilisk then exploded when fired, slaughtering the entire crew of the gun, and wounding all within 50 feet of the piece. Shards of flying iron scythed through those nearby, including Sebastian. Ilden was slain by the explosion itself, blown to pieces and scattered around the field
=== Theories ===
It is unknow why the gun exploded, though there are some likely theories.
The first is that the gun was overcharged, and thus the force of the gunpowder caused overpressure, bursting the gun.
The second theory is that Master Ilden, unfamilliar with muzzle-loading pieces, ordered the gun have wadding, straw, and wet mud placed around the ball, to ensure all the force of the gunpowder would be used upon the projectile. This would also cause an overpressure, and the gun would explode.
The third theory is that there was a flaw with the piece. There could have been a hairline crack in the gun, which the force of the explosion would have been directed through, thus causing an explosion at the base of the gun.
The last theory is sabotage. It is known that Grimnau, being a so-called "Gunpowder City", was full of agents reporting to Waldemar of Revenfeld. It is possible that one of these agents hid extra powder in the gun, causing an overpressure incident.
== Aftermath ==
In the aftermath of the incident, Duke Johann immedietly halted the project. Following a short council with his advisors, he restarted the project, though as the traditional bombards.
The death of Master Ilden would see an immediate decrease in the overall quality of Joran gunnery. A gunner from Buorna, named Jan Havelck, would be made the Master of Gunnery of Joraje in his stead.
Category:Weapons of Juhnvechteya
Category:History of Juhnvechteya