Looking at the rest of Jakálla outside of the Foreigners Quarter, let’s note where the other armories are located (all reference numbers are taken from the key to the Jakálla city map):

57.   Armoury and Marine Outfitting Workshop of Grékka the Yán Koryáni.
58.   Armoury and Smithy of Ghrý of the Vermilion Helm.
59.   Armoury and Marine Outfitting Workshop of Hlél, the Fist of Glory.
60.   Armoury of the Mighty Sword of Karakán.
61.   Armoury of Néku of Béy Sý.

Where are these businesses?

The Armoury and Marine Outfitting Workshop of Grékka the Yán Koryáni, as well as the Armoury and Smithy of Ghrý of the Vermilion Helm, are both located very close to the fortress surrounding the Pála Jakálla harbor and nearby barracks for Imperial legions.  This indicates a significant investment in military supplies and materiel, with the consequent development of businesses to serve all of that.  I should also note that the Smithy of Ghrý of the Vermilion Helm indicates that this arms business may involve bronze and possibly even iron-working. Surrounding businesses and merchant activity would likely be focused on military procurement, but also any seaborne trade  related to that in the Mssuma/Ranánga estuary.

Further south, there is at least one armory closer to non-military activity. Right by the docks and wharves of Musa Jakálla harbor is the Armoury and Marine Outfitting Workshop of Hlél, the Fist of Glory.  Besides the harbor, there is the Temple of Chiténg, the barracks of the Legion of Giriktéshmu, 23rd Imperial Archers, and the Tower of Bones, an Imperial prison.  So the surrounding businesses would likely include chandleries, shipyards, cordage and cartage services, and possibly more exotic services.  (The House of the Pleasant Hour is not that far away, and who knows what sailors might buy and sell?)

At the foot of the entrance to the Governor’s Palace and the Palace of the Realm, one can find the Armoury of the Mighty Sword of Karakán.  Between it and the grand esplanade are the temples of Hnálla and Hrú’u, almost certainly co-equal in height, and towering over the temples of the other gods nearby and across the boulevard.  But this armory is probably devoted to serving the Imperial government and the Palace of the Realm and Ever-Glorious War.  Combined with the declaration of allegiance to War-God of Stability, and this is likely to provide high-quality weapons and armor – at a suitable price!  Similarly, the nearby businesses are likely to include paper-and-ink makers, costumers and tailors, market scribes, jewelers, and everything else which might be involved in the workings of government and Imperial business.

The last armory might be missed entirely, as it is the Armoury of Néku of Béy Sý, just south of the barracks of the Legion of Héketh of Púrdimal, 17th Imperial Heavy Infantry, and east of the Qeqélnu Bridge.  All of this is surrounded by the mansions and city palaces of the noble classes, so customers of Néku of Béy Sý should expect to pay premium prices for his wares.  Similarly, the businesses in this area would likely be suited to serving the upper status clans, so no leather-tanning or Chlen-hide manufacturing going on here!

But if there was some kind of central marketplace or “Grand Bazaar” in Jakálla, it is not specifically labeled.  But as I mentioned earlier, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.  But we could infer where it might be: it should be centrally-located, in a well-traveled part of the city – not by the city walls!  It also should have access to waterborne transport, as that would be the easiest and most economical way to move goods around.  These requirements suggest one part of the city quite readily: the boulevard between the Governor’s Palace, the Siridlánu slave market, and the Hirilákte Arena.  This is just north of the bend in the Eqúnoyel River and the Communal Clan Common House, and near to the barracks of the Squadrons of Tlanéno the Steersman, with the City Guard barracks further north.  We find out from The Tekumel Sourcebook that each avenue, cross-street, and set of store-fronts would be divided up according to the specific trades practiced by different clans or by kinds of goods for sale. In addition to storefronts, there would be more temporary tents and pavilions showing the wares from all over the Five Empires, with each square yard of space being hotly contested and primacy of place being hotly protected, with market police ensuring that peace is maintained.  This boulevard would also connect the Governor’s Palace and the Temple esplanade and provide a (mostly) complete route from one side of Jakálla to the other. 

So what does this all mean for gameplay?

• In the case of the armories in the Foreigners Quarter, they would be open for business to adventurers and more generally, foreigners (no surprise there).
• We might also conclude that other businesses exist near these armories, i.e. armories also indicate local marketplaces in the city.  Therefore, referees could come up with nonplayer characters for the different businesses present nearby – thus providing other wares for sale, and potential “plot hooks,” e.g. smuggling, Underworld entrances, city guard corruption, you name it.
• Not everything will be available everywhere. You want that fancy Mu’ugalavyani red glass? Look in the Foreigners Quarter, or in the Great Bazaar. A certain kind of paper used for petitions to the Imperium? Look near the Palace of the Realm.
• With the help of guides or patrons, adventurers might seek out the other armories elsewhere in the city, and develop direct connections to those weapon and armor smiths and surrounding businesses.
• Building business relationships with specific armories would help in the fencing of goods obtained by adventurers, such as weapons and gear retrieved from Underworld expeditions, as well as the potential for more lucrative trade after the adventurers achieve some social rank.
• Simply getting from one place in the city to another would also provide opportunities for encounters of all sorts, both good and bad. In all cases each encounter would provide another opportunity for showing off Jakálla as “The City Half As Old As The World.”

Once again, I should note that I am speculating about what actually exists in Jakálla, and where it might be located.  Your own Tékumel might vary from this – and should!