March 23, 2014 11:27 PM EDT
I understand but we only see this world through the eyes of a capable whatever-you-wanna-do hero. The invention doesn't need to be on purpose. Many great inventions started as an accident. In all of the alchemists in the history of the elder scrolls not one has found some volatile compund capable of combustion? A fireball spell and a explosive charge aren't comparable. Who says magic and science can't exist simultaneously? One man may be skilled in magic but compared to how many can simply learn to light a fuse and run away makes magic a bit more of an art instead of a way of life.
From a militaristic stand point the legion doesn't even seem to use magic yet they have survived this long. Now these non magic users have a use for non magic devices such as cannons and muskets. They may not be as useful as a well trained archer or an adept mage but simpletons can point and shoot. Your opinion makes perfect sense for a certain amount of time but eventually things should move forward.