B23 Jala’s Armoury and Weaponsmithy

The Heartbeat of Verbobonc's Martial Craft

Located in the bustling cobblestone streets of Verbobonc, Jala’s Armoury and Weaponsmithy stands as a hub of martial craftsmanship, resonating with the clang of hammers and the roar of forges. This extensive facility, known for its vast array of both mundane and magical armaments, serves warriors, adventurers, and the city's militia with equal fervor. The establishment, under the keen oversight of its owner Jala, blends traditional smithing with magical innovation, making it a cornerstone of Verbobonc’s defensive and economic infrastructure.

• Purpose and Scope: Offers a comprehensive range of weapons and armor, catering to a diverse clientele including the city’s militia.
• Atmosphere and Layout: Features multiple active forges, a large showroom for finished goods, and a distinct blend of sweat, smoke, and the arcane.

Approaching Jala’s

History and Expansion

Jala's Armoury wasn't always the sprawling complex it is today. Its growth from a modest smithy to a premier arms dealer in Verbobonc is a testament to its owner's ambition and business acumen.

• Origins: Initially two separate shops, Jala merged them into one after acquiring both properties.
• Development: Through strategic investments and expansions, Jala transformed the modest shops into one of the largest armouries in the region.

Overview

Jala’s Armoury and Weaponsmithy is one of Verbobonc’s most respected smith-houses for practical war-gear. Unlike the ornamental work commissioned from High Quarter artisans, Jala’s reputation is built on unfussy, reliable steel: armor that fits, blades that hold an edge, and polearms balanced for hard marching, not parade ground posing.

City officials, Vigil Warden sergeants, caravan masters, and mercenary captains all know the place. Adventurers who prove themselves more than braggarts may eventually win access to Jala’s back-room commissions: reinforced mail, custom scabbards, and the rare piece incorporating gnomish or dwarven craft.

B23 Jala’s Armoury and Weaponsmithy Forge by 3orcs

Interior & Layout

Front Shop – The Rack Room

Through the front door lies a long, low room smelling of oil, leather, and quenched steel:

• Weapon racks along the walls: spears, maces, axes, and swords in tidy ranks, each tagged with a small slate—weight, balance, and intended user (guard, cavalry, duelist, etc.).
• Armor stands bearing chain shirts, brigandines, and half-plate, many sized for human or half-elf soldiers, with a smaller section set aside for gnomes and halflings.
• A thick counter near the back holds ledgers, calipers, scraps of chalk-sketched designs, and a battered helm that serves as a coin-bowl.

Customers are greeted here by Jala or an apprentice; serious fittings or custom orders are taken through to the back.

Forge Hall

A broad archway leads into the forge hall, the hot heart of the business:

• Twin stone forges roar along one wall, their chimneys gulping smoke up into cleverly vented brickwork.
• Anvils stand on heavy blocks; tool-racks bristle with tongs, punches, and hammers of every size.
• The air is hazed with heat, sparks, and the smell of worked metal. Apprentices pump bellows, re-heat blades, and carry glowing billets to and from the master’s anvil.

Here Jala does most of her work, occasionally breaking off mid-swing to bark an instruction or a correction.

Upper Floor – Living Quarters & Design Loft

A steep wooden stair at the rear leads to:

• Jala’s modest living space: a small hearth, sturdy table, bed, and a single locked chest. She sleeps above her work; if trouble comes, she wants to be at the forge in heartbeats.
• A cramped design loft, where sketches of experimental armor joints, new sword profiles, and notations from dwarven and gnomish techniques clutter the walls. A single narrow window overlooks the Temple Street rooftops.

Services and Offerings

Jala's Armoury and Weaponsmithy is renowned for its wide range of products and services, catering to both ordinary soldiers and elite warriors seeking masterwork items.

• Standard and Masterwork Items: Provides everything from basic gear to high-end, custom-fitted masterwork armaments.
• Special Orders: Specializes in heavy and exotic armors, requiring additional time for crafting and magical enhancements.
• Magical Crafting: Incorporates magical enhancements into armaments, utilizing skilled mages from the Silver Consortium for specialized orders.

Notable People

Jala himself is the lifeblood of the operations, supported by a team of skilled craftsmen and magically trained artisans from the Silver Consortium.

• Jala (Ftr-5): The energetic, somewhat pudgy former mercenary who personally oversees all aspects of production and customer service.
• Skilled Craftsmen and Mages: A diverse team that combines traditional smithing skills with magical expertise to create unique and powerful items.

Relationships and Politics

The armoury's operations and Jala’s business strategies significantly impact local politics and the city’s economy, maintaining a delicate balance between traditional craftsmanship and magical innovation.

• Silver Consortium Partnership: Although Jala personally dislikes mages, his lucrative contract with the Consortium allows access to high-grade magical crafting that enhances his offerings.
• City's Militia Contracts: Regularly handles excess orders for the city’s militia, reinforcing the armoury's role in regional security.

Customer Interaction and Market Position

Jala’s business thrives on a reputation for quality and reliability, attracting a clientele that includes seasoned warriors and affluent collectors.

• Expert Handling: Jala personally attends to knowledgeable customers, often demonstrating the use of various weapons in the showroom.
• Market Strategy: Maintains competitive pricing and quality, ensuring that goods from Jala’s Armoury are a preferred choice for many in and around Verbobonc.

Services for Adventurers

• Standard Arms & Armor: All common martial weapons and suits of medium or heavy armor, at normal prices and quality.
• Custom Fitting: For a modest surcharge, Jala will refit armor to a specific wearer—important for non-standard builds or damaged hand-me-downs.
• Repairs & Overhauls: Dented plate, broken spearheads, and nicked blades can be restored, sometimes overnight if the party pays extra or Jala deems their cause worthy.
• Special Commissions (DM’s Choice): On trust and with time, Jala might craft:
• Reinforced mail optimized against a specific foe (e.g., barbed arrows, gnoll axes).
• A matched set of weapons for a company—giving them a recognizable, in-world “look.”
• Rarely, incorporate gnome or dwarf techniques to justify masterwork or slightly enchanted items.

She does not knowingly arm slavers, bravos in service to cruel houses, or anyone connected to the Temple—it’s a red line, though she may need the PCs to help her prove who’s who.

Adventure Hooks

1. The Stolen Shipment
   A wagon of quality spearheads and mail shirts bound for the Vigil Wardens never arrives. Jala is furious, the Wardens are embarrassed, and someone needs to track down whether this is banditry, sabotage… or an early sign of Temple agents stockpiling arms.
2. Sabotaged Steel
   Jala discovers a rash of cheaply made blades being sold under her mark—someone is forging her maker’s stamp and flooding the poorer districts with brittle steel. She needs the PCs to find the counterfeiters before a patrol dies with a broken sword in hand.
3. Commission of Conscience
   A wealthy, unpleasant noble (or known Temple sympathizer) offers a rich contract for a set of custom armor. Jala is tempted by the coin but uneasy. She asks the party to look into the buyer’s true business—and their decision whether to take or sabotage the commission can shape alliances in the city.