Found this in the Item_Weapon RAW
"The format is ATTACK:EDGE/BLUNT:contact area:penetration size:verb2nd:verb3rd:noun:velocity multiplier"
Making it EDGE:20:20 means it doesn't penetrate to any depth whatsoever (won't even break the skin on a naked dwarf), since there's no way for it to make a hole in the target that's bigger than the bullet itself. Makes sense, since that doesn't really happen with the non-firearm weapons that the system is designed to work with. :/
I went with a calibre .80 because it's easy to math with when (presumably calibre .40) blowgun darts are size 10. As far as I can tell, arquebuses ranged from calibre .60 to .85 - I figured dwarves would prefer the big version. :p
Also, found this in the Crossbow RAW
"[SHOOT_MAXVEL:100] This is just to make sure a near-weightless object doesn't go faster than the string could possibly go."
Which doesn't sound like a limit on reload speed to me.
Might this be because I'm using a slightly old version (2010 second release)?
*e* tested just now - dwarf with MAXVEL 100 xbow shot just as fast as MAXVEL 3000 arquebusier. Gonna download not-terribly-ancient version and try in that.
*e2* In 31.16, seems like the arquebus is actually slower than the crossbow. This is not a bad thing. :3
As for making some shot/powder reactions, I'd be delighted if you would! :3
Personally, I was just gonna have the alchemist's workshop make the balls, and abstract away the powder for now. If you want to make somehting more complex, though, that'd be sweet.