Demolitionist's Musket

Weapon (musket), rare

This musket weighs 12 pounds and has the heavy property. Its barrel resembles an elongated cannon. You can speak one of the weapon's three command words as part of making an attack roll with it to use one of the weapon's properties listed below (no action required).

Artillery. Speaking the first command word transforms the fired bullet into an explosive round. Hit or miss, each creature within 10 feet of the target must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 4d6 fire damage from the resulting explosion. The original target makes this saving throw with disadvantage if it was hit by the attack.

Cannon. Speaking the second command word causes the bullet to expand into a cannonball-sized bullet. It returns to its normal form after the attack. On a hit, the target takes an extra 2d10 bludgeoning damage from the attack, or 4d10 if the target is an object. If the target is Large or smaller, it is also pushed up to 10 feet away from you and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Scattershot. Speaking the third command word causes the bullet to explode into shrapnel. Each creature within a 30-foot cone, originating from the musket, must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d8 piercing damage, or 4d8 piercing damage if it's within 10 feet of you.

To be eligible, the fired bullet must be nonmagical. Once a command word has been used, it shouldn't be used again until the next dawn. Each time an already-used command word is used again before then, there is a cumulative 25 percent chance that the musket explodes, destroying it (without making the attack) and forcing every creature within 10 feet of the musket to make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 4d8 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

The cargo ship's captain heard four things she wished she didn't.

The first was pirates. While she made ready for a fight, she heard the second thing—which was worse.

The second was an order barked by someone without authority: a merchant who thought themselves savvy. He ordered her crew to make ready with some of his wares—a test run he called it—and point the devices at the impending brigands.

The third thing, worse still, was the sound of chaos. Her duty was to make and give orders, and instead the blasted arms made nothing but chaos: explosions, splintering wood, and screams.

The fourth and unquestionably worst sound she heard was again uttered by the loathsome, unscathed merchant: "The weapons are ruined, thanks to your good-for-nothing crew!"

A fifth sound—a glorious sound—could be heard as the merchant splashed into the unforgiving drink below.