I have two questions here:


1. Gunpowder
Will there be some sort of gunpowder weapons? If not mortars, big cannonsand arqebus, will there at least be blackpowder filled claybowls/ironflasks? Bamboo stick rifles? Rockets? Smaller types of cannons?


2. Non-human factions
Is there any plan to include some faction consisting of non-human beings/creatures (excluding the demon faction)?

I got one idea here and it may sound cheezy at start... Why not have an army of southern asian animal spirits, animal semi-demons and actual animals?
The faction could be led by a race of ape men and thus be called HANUMAN after the ape/monkey god in hindu mythology (or SUN WUKONG from chinese mythology).
http://www.sjc-serbia.com/download/hanuman.jpg
http://deepak.portland.co.uk/images/hanuman.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/posmandir/hanuman.jpg
http://www.indianink.net/cards/hanuman.gif
http://www.swamishyam.org/hanuman-deco.jpg
http://www.warriorprincess.com/seaso...ay/hanuman.jpg
http://www.pilgrimage-india.com/gifs/lord-hanuman.jpg
http://www.holymtn.com/gods/HAN-3med.jpg
http://www.ape-o-naut.org/famous/fam...es/hanuman.jpg



HANUMAN KINGDOM ARMY LIST
- Warrior hanuman (nearly naked, bronze/gold bracers/neckles, open bronze helmets, short spears)

- Hanuman bowmen (like above but armed with white shortbows and no helmets)

- Késari warriors (bigger, more buff, armed with two-handed bronze mace or club)

- Anjana guard (more armour, wear mask helmets http://www.thaimyway.com/article/Hanuman/Hanuman4t.jpg, )

- Old monkey wanderers (cloth and long braided white hair and fur, armed with the indian martial whip-like sword *forgot the name*)

- Hanuman templar guardians (ornamated and more armor than the hanuman warriors, also armed with bronze mace or club)

- Serpent spirits (looks like regular great python but alot bigger, demonic and fights for the hanuman kingdom)

- Tiger spirits (looks like regular tigers but alot bigger,demonic and fights for the hanuman kingdom)

- Hanuman Tiger riders (hanuman warriors armed with schimitar and small shield, ridning on bengali tigers)

- Royal Tiger cavalry (hanuman templar guarde riding on great white tigers)

- Jungle Beasts (hanuman bowmen riding on jungle elephants)


Maybe add some human southern/jungle tribes whom have chosen to fight for the Hanuman due border/territorial feuds with the Krishnapur.

I don't know if this would fit into the Blue Lotus world, but I think it would add some extra spice if there was a neutral/good faction mainly based of non-humans in the game. They could be a non-playable that just inhabit some regions, making them more less powerfull as an army but more mystical and enigmatic.

Just an idea.