The Relic Hunters and guests leave to meet with the representative of the Collar of Bronze clan, and the injured man turns out to be every bit as shifty as was suspected. The man, Ulrhi, is on the pudgy side, and sweats a bit too heavily for what is healthy. He also seems to have a higher sense of self-worth than what reality should allow and uses overly dramatic expressions when explaining his side of the tale in an annoyingly squeaky voice.
Clans in Tekumel are not just groups tied together by familial bonds, but also operate as a trade union. It seems as if a small, local clan of ropemakers called the Tan Coil came upon hard times and racked up a large amount of debt to a well off merchant clan. They were unable to pay their debts off, and since there is no bankruptcy in the empire the Collar of Bronze was called in to remove their legal rights and enslave them so they could work off their debts owed their creditors. In theory, this arrangement ensured that those who loaned money would be reimbursed by their debtors. In practice, those that fell into this dire situation were taken advantage of and rarely were able to work back their freedom. Jacquotte Delahaye found out about the plight and made the Tan Coil a new offer. If they would be willing to lose the additional workers, and hence make it harder for the clan to be able to work off their freedom, she would take in a few dozen able-bodied women unto her crew and give them an honest wage so that they could try to purchase back their family members.
This in turn did not please the Collar of Bronze, who was being paid by head for each member they brought in, and this representative followed the women leaders who were finalizing the arrangement with Delahaye at the House of the Fulfilment of Dreams. One thing led to another in the ensuing argument, and Ulrhi received a black eye and a kick in the rear. But according to your guests, members of a clan cannot submit themselves to slavery for the failures of the family or clan leaders. If they do so it is normally out of a sense of great loyalty or a fear that the clan's future is so dim that there are fewer economic options left. The representative of the Collar of Bronze had gone beyond proper decorum by stalking the women meeting with Delahaye and trying to pressure them to reconsider their options. Ulrhi made a second mistake by trying to pressure the Relic Hunters, thinking them ignorant enough of Tsoylani culture to pressure them into reimbursement that was not due. But soon he realizes that he is getting nowhere and that Briony is preparing to give him a second black eye, and with that Ulhri runs off with as much dignity as he can still manage.
With that issue being taken care of in such a satisfactory matter, you don't even mind the stupidly drawn out process of receiving your royal certifications allowing you to travel in Jakalla and the surrounding lands for the next few weeks. The officials at the Palace of Foreign Lands take their jobs so seriously that it becomes comical only insofar that you are still in a good mood from the morning's little victory. You are asked if you are spies more times than you can count, and insulted in many various little ways, but as you keep cool heads the officials eventually run out of steam and release to you small seals of certification with your names in the Tsoylani script hammered into them. As long as you show these to any official you should be allowed to go along your business with a minimum of fuss.
Chaturgha hiTokeshqu then released Chor and Laona to take Briony and Zephia to the Weapon School of Makkúdzo the Salarvyáni, a wizened old master of numerous styles of weapon fighting. Briony and Zephia conduct demonstrations of their own techniques learned from their times in the Realms, and draw a small crowd of students who watch and murmur to themselves. Chor and Laona then have Briony and Zephia take turns fighting the two of them at the same time. Chor and Laona walk at Briony first, then Zephia, simulating with a slow demonstration the four-armed attacks of the Hlutrgu and explaining the creatures weak points. Chor explains that the four-armed creatures are completely hairless, with rotund bodies, rubbery skin, hard skull-like heads, and needle-sharp teeth. It is better to use piercing weapons and take advantage of their savage aggressiveness. Also, strikes made below the lower armpits can disable an entire side of the creatures. The lessons result in Briony and Zephia gaining a short-term advantage if they should encounter the creatures soon (+1 to attack rolls against Hlutrgu for the next two weeks). The four continue to spar late into the afternoon to the enjoyment of the small crowd of trainees, and it is rumored that even old Makkúdzo himself took a detour in his daily stroll in order to watch.
1000 Faces takes Elsbeth and Angelina with him to his temple of the laughing mask, a disturbing building whose interior is decorated in silver and black designs along with assorted smiling masks. Once inside the central room of the temple, the priest takes a moment to bless the two before getting to the real reason he invited the two there. "This is one of the few places we can talk openly without the Azure Legion spying upon us, at least not in a way we can be completely aware," he says, though his voice is all humor despite the grimness of the topic. 1000 Faces suggests being careful to make no statement that could be construed as disloyal to the Emperor when around the Azure Legion officer assigned to you. Elsbeth and Angelina mention the odd moment they secretly observed with the officer handing over her azure tunic and azure seal of office. The priest says, "I am not sure what to make of it. Although Azure Legion officers sometimes work in disguise when undercover, they would never turn over their seal of office to anyone as it is their greatest tool. It sounds like she was stripped of office, but then I am unsure why she would still be assigned to your mission. Be doubly careful until you know more, but you might want to keep your knowledge hidden for now." With your time ending, 1000 Faces is kind enough to teach you another spell he calls 'Discern the Arrogant Screaming Skull', but you can simply call a Detect Hlutrgu spell. It is a 0-level spell for priest and arcane casters and last for 10 minutes a caster level. In that time, the user will detect the exact location of all Hlutgru within 200 feet.
Bella takes a tour of Chaturgha hiTokeshqu's clan, drinking tea with several of the family elders and learning a bit about the Grey Wand Clan's trade. Mostly the clan handles the administrative functions for several religious sects, and therefore many of their members are priests that report local issues and make suggestions over the observance of religious festivals. The Grey Wand Clan acts as a bit of a go-between, acquiring materials for religious rites, trying to deconflict dates for major events, making suggestions for what temple to go to in order to pray due to any particular problem, and can advise on personnel advancements. Bella is also introduced to a rare Tekumel artifact when she is handed an object called The Excellent Eye of Qindanu the Cartographer. There are only five uses left on it, but when activated it creates a parchment showing in great detail the surrounding 1000 ft by 1000 ft area and will be helpful when exploring the swamps. "Use it fully if you must, as I'd rather you return safely then become lost in those bogs. But please return it to me when you have finished."
With that the Relic Hunters are able to call it a night. They have the evening to make final preparations, then they will be meeting their Azure Legion officer who will act as their scout and lead them towards the swamps that is their destination.
OOC: Ok, long post done. Pick your spells and equipment, in case you are changing anything that you want to bring. The Grey Wand Clan will be also providing mules, saddles, food, water, and some spare money which should be enough for you to get to your destination and back.
An afternoon spent sparring with Chor, Laona, and Zephia instlled in Briony new respect for Tsoylani strategery. And for the Hlutrgu. Those four arms worry me, thought Briony. Chor said he favored spears, and I'm starting to see why. Sounds like the rubbery skin calls for a piercing weapon. I'll look into a bow and arrows, but maybe a spear would do me, too. Briony bowed low to Chor to show her gratitude for the day's lessons, then straightened, her signature grin once again firmly in place. 
[MENTION=8058]Queenie[/MENTION], do you mean on a regular basis or just that night? I'm assuming she has a room there but occasionally disappears to do her own thing when the group has a few days to kill between jobs.
