Gunpowder

The bullet is the actual projectile fired from a gun. The black powder is the explosive substance that makes the bullet move. Muskets and pistols require the black powder to be poured directly into the firearm, wheras revolvers have the bullet and blackpowder both wrapped into a cartridge. Either way, powder and ammunition can be freely mixed, allowing intriguing combinations. For example, an adventurer might carry regular, run-of-the-mill cartridges for her magic rifle for everyday use and monster slaying, but she might also keep a small stash of anti-lycanthrope cartridges tipped with silver bullets. At the same time, she might also have a few specially-made cartridges that combine adamantine bullets and troll powder, her so-called “god-killers,” giving her the option to attack heavily resilient foes and impart massive damage on creatures that routinely make livestock look like mice.