Street Custom 'Cigarette' Pen Gun

improvised firearm

Arcturus Defense Solutions Crowd Control SMG ACSM-3 'Shepherd'

smg

Tessera Neural Assault System TNAS-1 'Puppeteer'

assault_rifle

Ablative Charge Disruption Rifle ACDR-2 'Sandpaper'

cyber

Acoustic Cavity Resonance Pistol ACRP-2 'Hollowpoint'

exotic

Acoustic Marrow Shear Rifle AMSR-6 'Tutor'

exotic

Arcturus Defense Solutions Concussive Breach Charge CBC-3 'Knocker'

explosive

Arcturus Defense Solutions Cryogenic Projector CP-4 'Frostbite'

energy

Arcturus Defense Solutions Directed EMP Rifle DER-5 'Blackout'

electromagnetic

Arcturus Defense Solutions Graviton Shield Projector GSP-1 'Aegis'

heavy

Arcturus Defense Solutions Kinetic Denial System KDS-4 'Bouncer'

heavy

Arcturus Defense Solutions Kinetic Impactor Round KIR-10 'Hammerfall'

rifle

Arcturus Defense Solutions Pulse Carbine PC-6 'Heartbeat'

electromagnetic

Arcturus Defense Solutions Orbital Strike Designator OSD-1 'Finger of God'

heavy

Arcturus Defense Solutions Microwave Area Denial MAD-3 'Sunburn'

energy

Arcturus Defense Solutions Magnetic Accelerator Rifle MAR-8 'Longbow'

rifle

Autonomous Swarm Dispersal Unit ASDU-3 'Locust'

drone

Autonomous Ferrofluid Denial Platform AFDP-2 'Tidemark'

drone

Arcturus Defense Solutions Thermal Lance TL-9 'Sunstroke'

energy

Autonomous Adhesive Denial Drone AADD-2 'Barnacle'

drone

Axiom Systems Biometric Lock Rifle BLR-3 'Personal'

rifle

Autonomous Swarm Dispersal Unit ASDU-4 'Locust'

drone

Axiom Systems Cognitive Grenade CG-1 'Brainstorm'

electromagnetic

Axiom Systems Perception Filter Rounds PFR-1 'Blind Spot'

exotic

Axiom Systems Synapse Interruptor SI-3 'Stutter'

electromagnetic

Axiom Systems Cortical Bomb CB-1 'Leash'

cyber-integrated

Axiom Systems Neural Disruptor ND-2 'Migraine'

electromagnetic

Ballistic Resonance Carbine BRC-6 'Kettledrum'

firearm

Axonal Stretch Resonance Lance

firearm

Bioelectric Cascade Charge

explosive

Barometric Implosion Carbine BIC-5 'Sinkhole'

cyber

Bioelectric Induction Lance BIL-3 'Lamprey'

melee

Biometric Denial Charge BDC-1

explosive

Bioluminescent Acoustic Disruptor BAD-2 'Choral'

exotic

Capillary Disruption Pistol CDP-2 'Bruiser'

firearm

Biophotonic Retinal Cascade Emitter BRCE-5 'Flashpoint'

energy

Carrion Defense Works Bone Saw BS-3 'Butcher'

melee

Capacitive Nerve Induction Lance CNIL-1 'Threadneedle'

energy

Carrion Defense Works Fragmentation Sleeve FS-2 'Shrapnel Hug'

explosive

Carrion Defense Works Entropic Shotgun ES-4 'Ragnarok'

shotgun

Carrion Defense Works Hemorrhage Rifle HR-6 'Bloodletter'

rifle

Carrion Defense Works Nerve Agent Micro-Dart System NAMDS-1 'Whisper'

exotic

Carrion Defense Works Miasma Projector MP-5 'Plague Bearer'

chemical

Carrion Defense Works Marrow Drill MD-7 'Dentist'

pistol

Carrion Defense Works Necrotizing Agent Sprayer NAS-2 'Rot'

chemical

Carrion Defense Works Ricochet Pistol RCH-1 'Billiard'

pistol

Carrion Defense Works Neural Lash NL-3 'Agony'

cyber-integrated

Carrion Defense Works Pathogen Delivery System PDS-4 'Typhoid'

chemical

Catalytic Aerosol Mortar CAM-3 'Lungful'

explosive

Catalytic Vapor Dispersal Charge CVDC-5

explosive

Cavitation Pulse Carbine CPC-2 'Bends'

firearm

Catalytic Interstitial Desiccation Drone CIDD-3 'Husk'

drone

Catalytic Spore Dispersal Drone CSDD-3 'Mulch'

drone

Cavitation Pulse Knuckles CPK-5 'Bloodwater'

melee

Cerulean Phosphene Projector CPP-3 'Phantom Light'

exotic

Cochlear Resonant Hemorrhage Projector

cyber

Coherent Thermal Excitation Rifle CTER-7 'Ashmaker'

energy

Coherent Radiation Scalpel CRS-7 'Suture'

energy

Corneal Piezoelectric Delamination Pistol

cyber

Cryogenic Dendrite Scatter Cannon CDSC-4 'Frostbite'

exotic

Coronal Discharge Projector CDP-9 'Sunburn'

exotic

Cortical Bleed Emitter CBE-4 'Lacuna'

cyber

Counter-Personnel Loiter Munition CPLM-7 'Patience'

drone

Crystalline Synovial Pressure Rifle CSPR-2 'Kneemaker'

exotic

Cryogenic Fracture Disbursement Mine CFDM-4

explosive

Dermal Induction Flayer DIF-2 'Saltwater'

exotic

Cryogenic Pressure Emitter CPE-2 'Frostbite'

energy

Dielectric Filament Anchor Drone DFAD-1 'Cobweb'

drone

Dielectric Hemorrhage Emitter DHE-4 'Blister'

energy

Dielectric Phase Inversion Glove DPIG-4 'Secondskin'

exotic

Dielectric Vitreous Humor Agitator DVHA-2 'Snowglobe'

exotic

Electrochemical Dissolution Sprayer EDS-2 'Lacquer'

exotic

Directed Overpressure Charge

explosive

Directed Oxidation Lance DOL-3 'Rustmaker'

cyber

Electrokinetic Pulse Drone EPD-3 'Thunderhead'

drone

Electrochemical Vapor Seeding Drone EVSD-4 'Rainmaker'

drone

Electrolytic Bone Density Projector EBDP-4 'Chalk'

energy

Electrostatic Adipose Polarization Drone EAPD-2 'Render'

drone

Electromagnetic Overpressure Charge EOC-8

explosive

Electrostatic Dermal Adhesion Projector

exotic

Electromagnetic Pulse Grenade EPG-5 'Deadstop'

explosive

Electrothermal Chemical Carbine ETCC-5 'Flashpoint'

firearm

Electrothermal Compression Lance ETCL-9 'Ironlung'

energy

Electrostatic Needle Array Rifle ENAR-3 'Porcupine'

firearm

Electrostatic Flensing Projector EFP-1 'Skinreader'

energy

Endolymphatic Pressure Cascade Rifle

exotic

Endothermic Synovial Disruption Rifle ESDR-1 'Lockjaw'

energy

Endocrine Cascade Volatilization Lance ECVL-5 'Burnout'

cyber

Ferroelectric Shatter Sidearm FESA-2 'Gravel'

exotic

Ferrofluid Induction Cannon FIC-6 'Ironbloom'

energy

Ferrofluid Dermal Infiltration Drone FDID-6 'Ironblush'

drone

Entropic Dielectric Pulse Emitter EDPE-5 'Candle'

energy

Galvanic Myofibril Lash

melee

Galvanic Marrow Projector GMP-1 'Marrowbone'

cyber

Galvanic Interstitial Fluid Displacement Lance

exotic

Galvanic Disruption Gauntlet GDG-2 'Palsy'

melee

Galvanic Periosteal Fatigue Emitter GPFE-4 'Hairline'

exotic

Galvanic Vapor Diffusion Pistol GVDP-1 'Saltlick'

exotic

Gauss Flechette Repeater GFR-3 'Needlerain'

firearm

Gravimetric Induction Pistol GIP-4 'Undertow'

energy

Hearthstone Firearms Youth-20 'First Step'

The Hearthstone Youth-20 is a pump-action shotgun chambered in 20 gauge with a shortened 13-inch length of pull, a 22-inch barrel, and a four-round tubular magazine. The weapon is scaled down from full-size proportions to fit younger or smaller-framed shooters, with a reduced-weight trigger spring and a shortened pump stroke that requires less force to cycle.

The First Step is Hearthstone's answer to a grim reality: in the Shelf and peripheral territories, young people may need to use a firearm for defense, and a weapon that doesn't fit them is worse than no weapon at all. The Youth-20 is sized for adolescents and small adults, with ergonomics that allow proper technique development rather than the compensating grip and stance that full-size weapons force on undersized shooters.

Hearthstone's marketing for the Youth-20 is carefully balanced between practical and aspirational. They avoid depicting children with weapons but clearly communicate that the product exists for young people. The packaging includes a comprehensive safety manual, a trigger lock, and a letter to parents that reads like a careful legal document wrapped around genuine concern. The weapon is available only through licensed dealers who are required to verify that the purchaser is a legal guardian.

name

Hearthstone Firearms Youth-20 'First Step'

aliases

First Step
Youth Twenty
The Starter

category

shotgun

manufacturer

HEARTHSTONE FIREARMS

tier availability

Tier 1+

legality

Legal — guardian purchase required; youth firearms permit

base technologies

Scaled-down dimensions
Reduced-weight trigger
Shortened pump stroke

specifications

caliber: 20 gauge
effective_range: 25 meters (buckshot)
rate_of_fire: Pump-action
magazine_capacity: 4+1 rounds
weight: 2.0 kg
length_of_pull: 33 cm

tactical use

A scaled-down defensive shotgun for younger or smaller-framed users. The 20 gauge provides adequate close-range stopping power with manageable recoil. The reduced dimensions enable proper shooting technique for users who cannot operate full-size weapons. The shortened pump stroke requires less force to cycle. Same defensive capability as adult-sized 20-gauge shotguns in a smaller package.

cultural context

The First Step is perhaps the most polarizing weapon Hearthstone produces. In Shelf and peripheral communities, it is a necessary tool that prepares young people for a dangerous reality. In the Mids and Spires, its existence is cited as evidence that Shelf life has crossed a line that shouldn't be crossable. The weapon doesn't care about the debate. It just fits smaller hands.

known users

Shelf adolescents
Small-framed adults
Family defense (youth role)
Youth hunting and training programs

story hooks

A youth defense league in the Shelf trains with First Steps and catches media attention. The resulting debate about child soldiers versus community defense threatens to change weapons policy across GLMZ.
A First Step is used by a teenager to defend their family — and the teenager turns out to be more capable with the weapon than anyone expected, raising questions about where they received military-grade training.

ammunition type

20 gauge

related entities

Ebele Medina-Quaye
GLMZ
Hearthstone Firearms Guardian-12 'Bedside'
Nika Svensson-Kone
Nurlan Holmberg-Dembele
Parliament
Patient Zero
Radiant Thermal Lance RTL-8 'Hearthstone'
Shelf Life
The Hearthstone
The Pure Hand
The Shelf
Vuk Yamamoto-Darko

physical description

visual profile	A compact, purposeful shotgun with child-scaled proportions—shorter and narrower than standard arms without appearing toy-like. The silhouette reads as serious hardware miniaturized for smaller hands, with a stubby barrel and proportionally shorter fore-end. Unmistakably functional rather than decorative.
dimensions	Overall length 89 cm, barrel 22 cm, length of pull 33 cm, receiver width 4.2 cm
weight description	Noticeably light in hand—approximately 2.0 kg—designed to reduce fatigue during extended grip and allow younger shooters to manage recoil without muscular strain. Balanced toward the receiver rather than front-heavy like full-size shotguns.
primary material	Investment-cast steel receiver with reinforced polymer furniture. Barrel is hammer-forged 4140 steel. Magazine tube is blued steel.
finish	Satin black electroless nickel on barrel and receiver; matte charcoal polymer on stock, fore-end, and grip surfaces. Minimal gloss to reduce glint.
color scheme	Industrial gunmetal black accents with warm charcoal polymer—practical rather than flashy. No tactical colors or aggressive styling.
grip texture	Rubberized polymer grip with shallow grip angle suited to smaller hands. Fore-end has subtle radiused checkering for secure purchase without sharp edges. Trigger guard is oversized slightly to accommodate gloved hands.
distinctive features	Noticeably shorter pump stroke marked by a subtle witness line on the fore-end Reduced-force trigger with lightened spring—audibly crisper than full-size Hearthstone models Tubular magazine with four-round capacity visible as a shortened bulge under the barrel Safety lever positioned for smaller hand reach without awkward repositioning Low-profile receiver without tactical rail—cleanly utilitarian Wear-resistant polymer with slight texture to reduce slip during presentation Subtle Hearthstone serif logo etched into the receiver—understated branding
manufacturer markings	HEARTHSTONE FIREARMS stamped in serif typeface on left receiver flat. MODEL: YOUTH-20 'FIRST STEP' engraved below serial plate. Safety manual reference code printed on the right stock. No aggressive branding or corporate chrome.
condition typical	Factory-fresh or well-maintained. Hearthstone includes a trigger lock and storage guidance; typical examples show minimal wear. When fielded, light operational wear on pump handle and receiver edges rather than battle-scarring—this weapon is for defense, not heavy combat.

image prompt

Product photograph of a scaled-down 20-gauge shotgun resting on weathered dark steel surface, angled to show the shortened profile and reduced dimensions. Held at three-quarter angle in a gloved hand (adolescent-sized) against a matte charcoal background. Dramatic side-lighting highlights the satin-black receiver and warm charcoal polymer stock, with subtle reflections on the blued barrel. Safety lever and lightened trigger mechanism subtly visible. Hearthstone logo visible on receiver. Neo-noir urban aesthetic conveyed through industrial materials and utilitarian design without ornamentation—emphasis on honest engineering for scaled users. Clean, serious product photography mood. --ar 3:2 --v 6

visual prompt