[quote=WilsonTurner]
.And concerning the handheld weaponry of the roleplay era, is it too much to ask about air rifles? I mean, I think it would be fitting, since airships would require hydrogen or some other gas, so why wouldn't someone think of making a weapon using gas as a propellant? Maybe not as powerful, but it may very well be lighter and quieter. Ideal for a sneak attack or something. Not a big boom and a flash of light like with a musket, or slightly less with a rifle, but not quite as unpredictable as a bow or crossbow, nor needing as much training.
[/quote]

Well such weapons did exist since at least the late 18th century and were actually some of the first "firearms" capable of rapid fire. Having said that they were also stupid expensive, broke with even slight damage, and had absolutely insane maintenance requirements (like pumping over 1500 times to be able to fire a few rounds). But they were in use to a small degree by the Austrian Military and even Lewis and Clark carried one to impress natives with on their expeditions. With all that in mind I wouldn't mind such things so long as they handled somewhat close to reality.

Suppose I should have also mentioned that their range was relative poop and got worse as the air reservoir depleted from firing