The Ironhelm Bathhouse
For the cost of a single noble, tenants of the Ironhelm inn are welcome to a lower cost bath at the nearby bathhouse, owned by the same owners as the inn. Additionally, local citizens may bathe for one orb. The bathhouse is a local mystery of construct. Some believe it was once a temple devoted to a goddess of the deep fathoms. Some believe it was once crafted by dwarves for a rich entrepreneurial sorcerer long ago. Whatever the history, it is now a local bathhouse operated by Loratzu, son of the taverner Gaernoth next door. Construction is of blocks of aquamarine marble of unknown origin with intricate frescoes of aquatic flora and fauna, men and maidens of the mer with tridents. Fixtures of lanterns hang from above to provide sufficient lighting. The circular bath is dominated by a central fountain depicting an aquatic coral reef. Hot, steamy water gushes from openings in the reef down several tiers of open clams to fall onto stones beneath. Steam vapor wafts across the water, especially at the base of the fountain. The ceiling is more of the marble with a large carved fresco depicting a seascape. The edges of the pool have decorative half shells for soaps, bath oils, towels, and baskets of rose petals neatly arranged.
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Anaras enters the stone stairwell next door where steamy vapors waft from the depths. The halfling admires the aquamarine marble stonework, probably dwarven, as he descends into a hall. The corridor walls are constructed with solid two by two by two foot blocks with carved frescoes in the middle of them of various aquatic creatures, shells, coral, and figures wielding tridents. Men and maidens of the mer. On the right wall are the same blocks, but two wide cut-outs lets one look out into the bathhouse. Vases full of flowers and ferns sit on the blocks of the cut-out. Above, in the corridor, are hanging lanterns that provide sufficient lighting. Below smooth blocks of stone etched with waves that provide sure footing. Each corner of the pool room has a hanging lantern.
The corridor ends at a desk attended by a wiry human female with dark hair and spectacles. On her left is a door. She accepts the bathhouse token and directs Anaras to the line of wooden shelving along the wall to the right of her. The shelves contain simple wooden crates for personal items and clothing. The area is watched over by a large half-orc, son of the taverner Gaernoth to deter theft or impropriety. Opposite the wall of shelves is a large circular pool, or bath, encircling a tall central fountain. The fountain gushes with hot water that cascades from several tiers onto stones below it. Steam drifts across the surface of the water in the pool, especially around the fountain. Several attendants keep soaps and bath oils in neat order, along with baskets of rose petals. Other attendants work on the bathhouse cleanliness. All this, Anaras takes in as he disrobes and taking a towel, enters the rose scented pool. He finds a spot that has a stone shelf suitable to his size and sinks into the water, leaning his head back to wet it. He gasps at the carved frescoes above the pool. It was as if one is looking at the floor of the sea. Idly, he wonders if this used to be some sort of temple to a water deity. He wonders at what keeps the water hot, and where water go once in the pool. These things he ponders as he washes away the trail grime away. Thirty minutes later, he is a new halfling and ready for the evening.
Narwell
Last edited by CaptainHellrazor, August 11 2025 11:29:59. Open game article. You can edit it once you log in.