Gunpowder, for as long as it has existed, has had military uses and applications. In the land of its birth, the Republic of Valdar, it first saw use in primitive fire lances used by cavalry to limited effectiveness. While the fire lances were not effective and were quickly abandoned in lieu of regular old pikes and spears, gunpowder remained an experimental military contraption. Eventually it would develop into a siege weapon used to bring down enemy fortifications. The efficiency of gunpowder in this task was proven in the numerous westward wars of Valdar and siege battles they fought.
Following the great success of these siege cannons, there were numerous attempts to make a handheld version of them, resulting in the Valdarian handcannon. While hard to use and often with limited effectiveness, they have remained in use due to a very persistent faction within the Valdarian military elite referred to as the "Gunpowder Crowd", who continually advocate for the usage and advancement of gunpowder weapons, though to heavy skepticism from the rest of the military. Valdarian handcannons have seen limited use from other states, who see little use for them given their cost.