Pepper bombs were an improvised weapon used in Loamhedge in defense of Redwall Abbey against the gang of Badredd, and later against Raga Bol and his crew. They consist of a small sack of hotroot pepper, which is thrown either by hand, with a sling, or by tying two sacks together with rope and using a pole like a catapult to fling them. On impact, the bomb releases pepper, temporarily blinding opponents and sending them into coughing fits - a sustained bombardment caused much disarray among its targets. However, the weapon does have the drawback that if one is dropped, it can cause intense burning and sneezing among its throwers as well, as the Redwallers found out to their cost.