Design: Lightning Rifle [3-1, 3+1, 5]
The Lightning Rifle is - surprisingly - based off the Thundergun artillery shells, which use a Wand of Thunderbolts as a detonation mechanism without magely interference.
Unlike Arstotzkan attempts to make magic usable by mundane individuals, the Wand of Thunderbolts has actually been more along the lines of an actual battery rather than contained magical force. The spells, hymns, and holy words incorporated have largely been for the benefit of the wielding mage, to assist in their own native magical control of the electric discharge. The Lightning Rifle attempts to emulate this with mixed results.
Initially, the Lightning Rifle was designed as a simple wooden handle with a trigger that connects the circuit on a modified Wand of Thunderbolts, allowing a discharge of electric potential. This proved disastrous, as a mundane user has no way of controlling the output of the now-uncontained lightning. Further modifications to the design saw the addition of a long, adamantium spike to help direct the flow away from the user, as well as a wooden stock to help brace the contraption against the users shoulder. The stock continued around the slotting mechanism to hold the Wand, and then further to the forestock to provide a handhold for the user and insulate them from the adamantium spike as it grew hot through repeated discharges.
Wands of Thunderbolts are quite long, at about 10". They must be carried in a special leather satchel to protect them from the elements and prevent accidental discharges, and a new one must be slotted in to replace the previous wand between firings. An open bolt holds the wand in place, and must be unlocked and slotted back for reloadings. An experienced rifleman can fire six times a minute and carries with him 20 spare Wands of Thunderbolt.
The Lightning Rifle is largely mundane in nature, with the most magical aspects being the components that store the lightning and some dubious hymns engraved on the adamantium spike praying for accuracy. As such, the lightning blast tends to be accurate out to Short Range, and invariably goes to ground before going beyond Medium Range. By necessity, the modified Wands of Thunderbolt have slightly less power and result in a more humble explosion upon striking their target. Initial tests suggest it could penetrate lightly armored crystal, but won't crack anything beyond a breastplate. The Lightning Rifles are new and have a niche use, and will be deployed to squad commanders. Expensive.