the best you could make is an arquebus (mini cannon), which while being able to out distance a long bow, could not punch through plate armor. A crossbow could shoot through a fully armored knight, and I mean go all the way through.

OOC: A mini cannon would then explode on impact. That's better then an arrow.

ooc: how so they fired solid lead balls. Lead doesn't explode on impact.

OOC: Don't fire just solid lead balls then.

ooc: you don't have the skill to make any other kind of shot. and nothing else would fit. An arquebus is not much bigger than a large pistol. and it looks like this

http://www.burg-eltz.de/image/wallbuechse.gif

OOC: Well, this is a fantasy world, so fill the balls with magic.

ooc: fine do that. But you could do the same with a crossbow bolt too, and you'd be gaurenteed a way of punching through armor.

OOC: You can put more magic in a ball of lead then an arrow (Unless it's a really long arrow). And when something explodes, it really if it cut through or not. (Also, it cutting through might make it not explode, while stopped would) Also, Cid's army just happen to not know how to do that (We were attacked, I saw no explosions), while we do have someone who can do it.

ooc: Cid has the conventional means of mortar launched grape shot grenades.

OOC: Cid has tubes with rocks in them is how it sounds so far. Celes decides the full effect of the weapons.