Re: gnomish weapons!!!

This gnomish ray weapon seems a bit overpowered, especially considering its
limited drawbacks.  "Overheating" seems a tame problem, especially considering
that all they need to do is mount multiple weapons to permit the things to
cool down.  A more gnomish drawback is a percent chance every time the thing
is fired that it explodes without firing.
I would expect a more gnomish solution, like a waterbath for the tube, or
trying to refrigerate the room it's in, etc.
Finally, I question the use of continual light to make the weapon work.  I
imagine gnomes finding some other source of light--fire beetle sacks,
concentrated Neon Glowing Giant Space Hamster droppings, a fire body's
light--rather than rely on magic.