Mystrala takes a few minutes to read the invitation over a time or two and commit the details to memory then begins the process of preparing the business to run in her absence.  She pulls in the signs for the grand opening, and resets the exterior greeters to their more customary interior position where they check to allow only existing members into the building.

Once everything is set up she leaves the building dressed in her fine quality traveling clothes, suitable both for polite company, and walking into unknown situations. Heading out in the direction of the Office district to both test out her new seal of access and to get a look at the scope of the event.

Returning home after her early investigation of the Office District Mystrala takes down the grand opening sign, shuts the doors for a few hours and returns with a pair of new signs.  The first and larger one reads Festival Season, which she hangs in the same place as the previous block of stone, from a set of carved stone hooks at the bottom of the first sign she hangs the second one which reads Merchants Only.

In reply to Mystrala (msg # 13):

A small group of kobolds quickly take notice of the new signs. They yap amongst themselves for a moment in slight confusion. Their leader, who stands a good foot taller than the rest, approaches you as you work; a questioning (you’re pretty sure) expression upon its reptilian face.
“Says Merchants? How you decide who is merchants? We want to bath, we have gold. We merchants enough for bath here?”

The others nod their heads eagerly at the question from a few feet behind their leader, back at the side of the road. They seem hesitant to approach until given the order to.

Mystrala turns to look down at the kobolds gathering to admire her sign, and with a quick assessment of their capabilities decides to make them an offer.  With this decision comes her most friendly and charming smile.

"If you are selling things as part of the festival you would indeed qualify as merchants.  If not then perhaps we can find a way to fix that problem.
I find myself in need of extra hands for the purpose of selling monthly memberships to the grand reopening, if you can sell take some fliers to the festival and find potential customers any of you who have your customized invitations used will get a free month of membership to the night time baths, and that will qualify you as merchants for the length of the festival."

In reply to Mystrala (msg # 15):

The leader bears his numerous pointed teeth at you in what initially looks to be a threatening gesture... but after a moment you realize he’s simply grinning at you with legitimate excitement. “We can do that! We’re great sales-ers!”

A general cacophony of agreement comes from the others behind him.

---

Thermal Remedies will now have an advertising presence at the Market.

As the kobolds are getting themselves all excited Mystrala slips back into the bathhouse for a few moments and comes back out with a large stack of small durable pieces of paper, each with the address and iconography for the bathhouse on it and a specific "Merchant's special" offer of free use to any merchant with a valid stall identity and two 'guests' who themselves will only have to pay 10 silver pieces to use the bath house, all of which are valid within a week of the Market Day event.

Using a sharp knife to small to be considered a weapon she quickly cuts a small piece off the corner or two of each of up to eight different sets of cards, distributing one set of cards to each of the kobolds she explains that they are unique to them, and only those cards returned by paying customers will count in favor of their own success.  She does this explanation carefully and with some effort to make sure each kobold understands that further modifications to the cards will invalidate them, particularly teeth marks, before sending them off on their way.

Once the Kobolds are gone she finishes hanging her sign, goes back inside to wrap up any loose ends and retrieve another stack of cards for herself and the invitation before heading to the market day event to do her own work.

While much of the entertainment district thrives on the popularity of its night life scene, Thermal Remedies has always been one of the proud exceptions; pulling in most of its business during the daylight hours. Of course, that isn’t to say the baths don’t cater to the night crowd as well, it just often isn’t nearly as bustling as the daytime. Tonight, you find only a handful of patrons utilizing the facilities upon your return.

Amongst them, you spot several merchants you encountered throughout the Market Day festivities. Others you’re almost positive were there peddling wares, but they didn’t leave enough of an impression on you to be worth really remembering. It appears at least some of those who received your card took you up on the offer. You recognize only one or two of them by name, the rest only appearing to be vaguely familiar in their general appearance. Though, for what it’s worth, they might look more familiar with their clothes on...

You spot Marnus Filen, a spice merchant from The Bivouac who introduced himself to you at his stall. A somewhat older gnome, he is a bit out of shape. You remember him more for his genuinely friendly demeanor more than anything about his looks.

Pertia van Syntel, a silk spinner you met briefly at her cart in the market, has one of the smaller baths to herself in one corner of the main chamber. At first glance you’re almost certain she’s asleep, but she shifts about just enough to dispel such suspicions after a moment or two.

Four of the kobolds you had employed to help pass out advertisements are currently enjoying one of the larger personal baths. Despite its size being intended for only one or two full-sized humanoids, the little reptilian workers seem more than comfortable with the arrangement being set up for all four of them together. The attendant nearby is keeping a very, VERY close watch on them, but doesn’t appear to have had any trouble yet. You suspect you’d notice any claw or bite marks on him if he had...

A few of the other patrons you don’t know by name, but are certain they were merchants. As far as you can tell, the sign out front certainly worked as intended. There’s definitely some comfort to be taken in that.

Returning to her place of business, and in many ways home, after the long day of the festival Mystrala finds herself happily surprised to see it very nearly teeming with life.  Making time to talk to everyone, or at least check in on them without disturbing them, so they can know she is there, and know they have access to ask her any questions they need to, before she moves on to the next room full of people.

She makes a particular effort to thank the team of Kobolds in the presence of their over watchful attendant, not quite calling the man out for his biased diligence, but making it clear they are as welcome as anyone else.

Only after she has checked all these things does she retire to her office to go over the books, letter the staff know that she is not to be disturbed for the next few hours as usual.

Dax watches the guards refuse entry to a half-elven woman and his eyes follow her for a moment as she storms past him.

~One damsel in distress is enough for tonight, I think.~ The thought puts a smile on his face as he approaches the front door of the establishment.

He nods politely and extends the card he picked up at the van Ellsworth villa. [Elven: "Good evening, I was hoping to enjoy a soak in the hot pools if I may?"]

One of the guards bows to you while the other offers you a gracious nod. He gestures to the door as he does so, but cuts the motion short as he begins speaking.
[Elven: "Good evening, yourself, stranger. Welcome to Thermal Remedies. Tideswallow’s premier oasis of health and relaxation... unfortunately, I’m afraid we are currently closed to the public. We will of course be happy to have your business once the week is up; but for the time being we are catering only to a select few, I’m afraid.”]

Upon seeing the card, however, his tone and expression change to a much more relaxed form than the indifferent professionalism he had been offering.  [Elven: "Ah now that changes things. Lady Mystrala is, unfortunately, predisposed at the moment; so it is unlikely she can see you accommodated personally. However, our clerks within will be more than happy to help you get situated as needed. Please, enjoy your stay.]

With that, the door is opened to you and you are free to enter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:53, Tue 23 Feb 2021.

Dax nods in thanks to the guards, and enters the building.

The humidity in the air is immediately noticeable.

~It is odd to box-in a hot spring within a building, but I suppose it will be more peaceful in here than if it was open to the entire Entertainment District!~

The elf's thoughts are interrupted by a young woman, "Good evening, welcome to Thermal Remedies. Please make use of the cleaning stone before your enter the bath area."

"Cleaning stone? What might that be?" Dax asks looking around and seeing only a statue of a mermaid.

"Just touch her tail, and you will understand," the woman replies with a smile, pointing at the statue.

Dax looks at the mermaid somewhat dubiously, but does as instructed, and starts when he feels the magic swirl around his entire body.

Once he realises what the magicks have accomplished, he smiles at the woman, "You might have warned me!"

---

Not sure if you want to add a complication; if not; I can make this a very quick prelude to the meeting with the Bart, Tegan, and goblin.

Exiting one of the smaller bathing rooms almost as far away from the front door as possible, closing the door on what sounds like several higher pitched voices in draconic as she does so Mystrala takes a quick turn around some of the larger rooms to make herself visible and easy to find for any patrons that have specific questions.  It is quite obvious that while there are a few usual customers she recognizes the significant majority receive little more than a polite nod to convey respect without disrupting the general mood of relaxation going on.

Nearer the entrance she overhears the introduction to the cleaning stone requirement and steps in with a gentle tap on the young woman's shoulder to take over for what is obviously her employee.

"The Cleaning Stone is only one of the many opportunities to benefit from magic in Thermal Remedies, I assure you it is quite harmless and does only what its name implies."

Dax bow slightly to Mystrala, "Good evening. I am Dax Moonblade.

I picked up this card at the Van Ellsworth villa this evening, and have been anticipating soaking in a hot spring ever since! It is a habit I formed at home, but that was a pool in forest, nothing as grand as this!

As to your cleaning stone, it is a marvel. I'm sure that the rest of the facility is equally marvellous."

Gesturing back into the wide array of pools both public and private, large and small, Mystrala keeps her focus on Dax and his inquiry.

"There are many marvelous things in our world, only a small portion of them are here but what you find you are welcome to sample.  That card gives you the opportunity to do so for the night so feel free to take advantage of it."

"While my preference is generally solace and quiet, tonight I believe I would enjoy some conversation, so perhaps I will try one of the public pools.

Would you be kind enough to point me to where I can undress...oh! It just occurred to me that...well...at home we would simply doff our clothing when soaking. I know that some humans can be...prudish...what is the practice here, Miss...?"

Mystrala leads the way back into a main almost pool sized bath only just warm enough to begin to steam, many doors lead away from its wide deck into other smaller and generally hotter baths.

"We do not cater to humans here, even if they are the majority of the population, you are welcome to behave as you feel appropriate, and secure storage facilities or changing spaces are available if you require them."

"No humans! It is odd that a human runs a business that does not cater to humans...that must cut into your profits significantly...unless most humans don't partake...which is their loss, without a doubt."

~Odd to deal mainly with the non-human population. Perhaps she serves a market without competition? Unlikely I will pick up any valuable information here, but I'll be damned if I am not at least going to have a good soak, and keep my ears open!

Dax follows the petite woman's directions to strip out of his clothes, securing them along with his coin pouch and dagger in the locker.

He picks up one of the towels provided and ties it around his waist and moves toward one of the larger pools where there are other patrons.

He doffs his towel at the edge and slips into the water with a contented sigh. The warm water immediately starts unknotting muscles that he did not realise were tense.

As he soaks, he gives a nod to any others that make eye contact, otherwise, he will soak with his eyes half-closed, while he listens to the conversations around him.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Tue 02 Mar 2021.

Mystrala smiles at Dax's joke initially, but then she seems to realize he may have gotten the wrong impression.

"There are humans here, just like anyone else, we just don't cater to their specific needs, this is a place open to anyone but it exists in its own form only for those who accept it that way."

Dax responds before he heads into the change room, "An interesting philosophy for a businesswoman...but one that I admire.

I'm sorry but I don't believe you introduced yourself, or I am getting hard of hearing in my old age."

Mystrala gestures at the card the man used to find and gain entry to the place.

"The name is Mystrala, just like it says on the card."

"Of course. Obviously, it is my eye sight that is fading! Or perhaps, my mental faculties."

---

As per previous post, change room then into public pool, looking to listen for any gossip of the city.

---

21:26, Today: Dax Moonblade rolled 14 using 1d20+3 for Perception.

Feel free to use the roll of 11 with a different skill, if necessary.

In reply to Dax Moonblade (msg # 32):

While much of what is unfolding around you is masked by the sounds of running water and meaningless small talk, a few nuggets of intrigue make their way to your ears here.

Amongst those gathered here today, you find the crowd to be exclusively members of the upper class or merchant persuasion. Many have traveled a LONG way to be here for the upcoming Harvest Festival. They speak of their journey south to reach Tideswallow and you note the overarching theme of troop movement in all of their stories. The Tenebrian Empire is amassing forces nearby, at a garrison just outside of town, perhaps a mile or two down the road. Similarly, more and more talk of Imperial frigates and dreadnoughts in the shipping lanes these days.

One merchant suggests the Empire might finally be preparing to make its move on Tideswallow, but the rest shush him up, reminding him that this happens every year around this time. The Tenebrian forces like to make a show of strength during the HarFest, but only so far as marching through and rattling their spears. An invasion would be unjustifiable in this day and age.

Elsewhere, you hear talk of more local matters. Crops being prepped for harvest just outside the city. An entire field about to be clear-cut to make room for a circus which will be set up during the HarFest and open the day the festival ends. A wanted criminal from the port city of Darrowmere far to the north being spotted in town the last few days. A small arena being installed for a grand melee just outside the city walls; likely one of this years main events at the festival. Strange music emanating from the cemetery in the Roe the past few nights. A famous writer apparently being spotted in town just yesterday, staying at a remarkably seedy inn down by the Wharfs. Plenty of small town gossip that may or may not be of interest to you. But you hear it, all the same.

After a couple of hours of listening quietly, and engaging in small talk with several of the merchants, Dax decides it is time to head back to his room at the inn.

He will make a point of looking for Mystrala on his way out. If he cannot locate her, he will instead speak to the attendant he met on the way in.

"I believe that there was an offer for a monthly membership? I found this visit to be very relaxing, and I believe I would like to become a regular member, but I will admit that I am not a merchant."

---

Dax will get the costs and promises to return in a day or two to firm up the membership, if Mystrala will have him a a member.

Then back to the inn, keeping an eye out for the man in the black suit and the walking stick.

While Mystrala doesn't spend all her time in any one place she tends to pass through the central area with some frequency as she moves from room to room, and always at least glances at the entrance when she does so.  Upon finding Dax ready to depart she stops by to assess his opinion of the facilities.

"I imagine if you consider it for a moment you will realize that you often find yourself with an excess of valuable things to sell, or a need to find such things, what else but a merchant could that be?  In any case the membership is one gold per week, four per month, and forty per year, a very reasonable rate for those who put more value on the experience than on coin, but not so low as to over fill the pools."

"A bargain indeed, madame Mystrala.

The chance to relax in the middle of this city in relative peace, is worth the coin! I will return in the next day or two, depending on some other pressing business to pay for a year.

Have a peaceful evening."

Dax will then return to his inn, watching for the black-suited, walking stick carrying man!

He will pack his belonging into his trunk, before meditating for four hours to rest.