| Oil Boiling Cauldron | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Unknown siege |
|
Type |
Cauldron |
|
Effects |
Releases copious amounts of smoke |
|
Downsides |
Oil will attach to any attacker and burn until destroyed |
|
Activation |
Heating |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 10 |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
February 1683 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Incendiary devices were frequently used as projectiles during warfare, particularly during sieges and naval battles: some substances were boiled or heated to inflict damage by scalding or burning; other substances relied on their chemical properties to inflict burns or damage.
The simplest and most common thermal projectiles were boiling water and hot sand, which could be poured over attacking personnel. Other anti-personnel weapons included the use of hot pitch, oil, resin, animal fat and other similar compounds. Smoke was used to confuse or drive off attackers. Substances such as quicklime and sulfur could be toxic and blinding.
Oil of various kinds could be heated to high temperatures and poured over an enemy, although, since it was extremely expensive, its use was limited, both in frequency and quantity, Moreover, it could be dangerous and volatile. Since the smoke point of oil is lower than its boiling point, the oil was only heated and not boiled.
Effects[]
Heating at low temperature will generate massive billowing pillars of smoke that obscure sight. Placing actual oil inside causes it to burst from the cauldron onto any attacking party, at which point it will combust and adhere to burn the target to ash.