Iron and carbon are pretty common in the Universe, and I think many planets would have deposits of metal ore. So, making metal swords and shields would not be much of a problem. In fact, I've even figured out a way to get the plastic for my story!
However, what about the materials for gunpowder? Are they common in the Universe? How abundant are they on Earth itself?
Gunpowder, at least in its original form, requires 3 constituents: potassium nitrate (saltpeter), sulfur, and charcoal, combined in a 15:3:2 ratio, with some graphite added to prevent accidental ignition from static electricity.
This document (Link Deleted - Ish) describes how to make potassium nitrate in old world methods. Its actually quite easy, even for a not-so technologically advanced society. However, you do need a similar excretory system in the various creatures to supply manure and urine for the process, and you need things equivalent to trees for wood ash and charcoal. Most of the elements involved require a similar biological system to humans. Sulfur is a fairly common element throughout the universe, due to the lightness of its atomic weight. Charcoal is fairly common on Earth, but like the potassium nitrate, it requires trees. If a planet doesn't have trees or similar vegetable matter, then you really can't have charcoal. Graphite is a form of elemental carbon, and is quite common on Earth, and should be so elsewhere.
The components should be pretty common, but if the biological systems of the planet are radically different than Earth, it might not work.
Hmmm... not so sure about us discussing how to make gunpowder... you never know who may be looking at message boards. Let's try to keep this conversation as fantasy-oriented as possible. Cheers!
Quote from: limetomGunpowder, at least in its original form, requires 3 constituents: potassium nitrate (saltpeter), sulfur, and charcoal, combined in a 15:3:2 ratio, with some graphite added to prevent accidental ignition from static electricity.
This document (Link Deleted - Ish) describes how to make potassium nitrate in old world methods. Its actually quite easy, even for a not-so technologically advanced society. However, you do need a similar excretory system in the various creatures to supply manure and urine for the process, and you need things equivalent to trees for wood ash and charcoal. Most of the elements involved require a similar biological system to humans. Sulfur is a fairly common element throughout the universe, due to the lightness of its atomic weight. Charcoal is fairly common on Earth, but like the potassium nitrate, it requires trees. If a planet doesn't have trees or similar vegetable matter, then you really can't have charcoal. Graphite is a form of elemental carbon, and is quite common on Earth, and should be so elsewhere.
The components should be pretty common, but if the biological systems of the planet are radically different than Earth, it might not work.
Near as I can tell, the short of this is to use the left-over bits of whatever creatures you're using for the plastic. You could probably even go so far as saying that the creature's excretions create
potassium nitrate at a certain stage of decomposition.
Gunpowder, it seems, is even easier then plastic in this setting. Maybe this could even be represented in the availability?