Thermal Remedies is on its face an upscale bath house.  The building itself is fastidiously clean, almost certainly maintained by some sort of magic, and it makes use of several common magic items fixed in place to further that purpose.  Most noticeably the Cleansing Stone at the entrance that everyone is required to use regardless of the purpose of their visit.  This particular stone is a masterfully carved mermaid.

Past the entrance way the humidity and temperature rapidly increase as what is no doubt a hot spring heated pool dominates the majority of the ground floor.  Continuing with the theme of natural stone and carved there are hot tubs of varying temperatures each in its own room ranging in size from a dozen person nearly public pool to an overly large personal bath. 
This message was last edited by the player at 02:40, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

After a few days of being shut down for maintenance and remodeling Thermal Remedies has opened its doors again, and along with it hung a large sign over the main entrance that reads “Grand Reopening” in a formal and almost flowery lettering made entirely from a dark almost black stone that is mostly visible at night because of its almost reflective polish.  While still not technically open to the general public there is a sale on membership for the grand opening month at the extremely low price of five gold pieces per person.

Mystrala, the owner of the bath has been present throughout the whole remodeling process, often the only person going in and out for days at a time between deliveries of all manner of building material and raw stones.  As before she is present and greeting new patrons and returning ones alike at the door.

Business has proven surprisingly slow this week. Apart from a few dozen usual customers whom you see on a VERY regular basis, there has been little in the way of new blood in the water.

Still, you are no where near being in danger of facing a financial crisis. The bathhouse has been the pride and joy of this stretch of town for years. A slow day or seven here and there isn’t going to ruin anyone.

It has made things unexpectedly boring, however. So it is with some relief that you find the two elven doormen out front permitting a young woman in black-and-cerilean checkered robes into the facility. You recognize the color scheme immediately: an emissary of Lord Sulthor van Ellsworth; the current Lord of Entertainment on the city council. While you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting the the lord himself face to face since coming into ownership of Thermal Remedies, you have become well acquainted with his retainers. This one is new to you, but she brings a cheerful enthusiasm with her that you can’t help but be charmed by.

The short-haired half-elf girl stands at about your height, perhaps only a hair taller. Her robes are of the finest silk and satin, interchanging on each square of the checkerboard pattern running down its sides and back. On the front, you can see the grapevine emblem that is the Lord’s personal insignia emblazoned in cerulean silk upon a black satin backdrop. On her head she wears a wide-brimmed mistrial’s hat upon her head, similar to those just about all of Lord Sulthor’s messengers have come dressed in. While it typically looks rather dashing on the men who work for him, it seems mildly comical on her; being far too big and much too extravagant for her slender form. She greets you with a smile and a voice that sounds as though it could be that of a siren.

“Good day to you, lady Mystrala! I do hope this evening finds you well and in good health.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:41, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

"Welcome to Thermal Remedies, messenger."
Mystrala gestures suggestively to the Cleansing Stone in the middle of the entrance way as she greets the other woman.
"If you would prefer we can retire to my office, or any more comfortable part of the establishment."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

In reply to Mystrala (msg # 4):

The young woman doffs her hat and bows deeply toward you, then proceeds to place one hand on the stone mermaid; clearly savoring the sudden rush of cleanliness it provides.

“At your pleasure, my lady. This, unfortunately, won’t be a particularly long visit I’m afraid. I merely have a request from the lord to pass on to you. And a proposition of sorts if you’ve any interest in it.”

"If you are just stopping in for a brief visit the sitting room should do well enough."
Mystrala leads the way through a subtle but not quite secret door set into a blank place on the wall otherwise obscured by hanging or free standing art, into a cozy and significantly cooler room clearly not intended for a lot of interaction with water.  Soft comfortable furniture and plush carpet make for a stark contrast with the easy to dry stone of the majority of the rest of the building's interior.

Taking a seat in one of the chairs she then addresses her guest.  "How can I be of assistance to you, or more importantly to Lord Sulthor van Ellsworth?"

In reply to Mystrala (msg # 6):

“So lovely...” You practically feel the joy radiating off of her as she takes in the sights of both the main baths and now this sequestered little side room; clearly taken with the way it opens like a secret chamber in a some enchanted castle. Once inside, you are able to get a better look at her. Without the hat casting a perpetual shadow over her face, you note that the girl’s skin is white as a sheet. Her eyes, now free of the hat’s obscuring brim, you see are like two shimmering rubies in pools of milk; large, expressive, and just the slightest bit unnerving in their blood-red hue. Her hair is cut short all around and has the shade of the first snowfall of winter.

She speaks quickly, almost frantically in places, as if still not entirely comfortable with your presence. However, you catch her meaning even when her words become little more than a mumbled jumble of sound. “So! Lord Sulthor has sent me to inquire about the baths and potentially, if you’re feeling up to it, no rush, plenty of time to think it over, but if you feel it would be suitable, a proposal of sorts for an upcoming visit and further business to come your way.”

She sits in the chair you indicate for her, but seems to have a hard time being still. There is a slight tremble to her as she sits there, which you quickly realize is due to her bouncing anxiously in place, rather than an actual tremor in her posture. “He um... He wants to come and visit the baths. Inspect them for himself. Apparently there are to be some foreign dignitaries coming in for HarFest this year and he means to see if Thermal Remedies would be an adequate destination to send them on their first day in the city! You understand, long journey and all, dust from the road can really get to you, just want a hot bath and a nice place to rest. You understand. You understand, right?” She looks at you almost apologetically as the cascade of words wash over you.

"I am sure we can make arrangements for Lord Sulthor to have a personal tour of the facility any time he would like to schedule it."
Mystrala retrieves from her pocket a small silver rectangle, only slightly larger and thinner than a coin, engraved on one side with a picture of a mermaid, on the other an outline of a room blurred as if by mist in the air and hands it to the messenger.

"This will grant access to the facility through the members private entrance to Lord Sulthor or whomever he decides to send it with, just in case I am not here when he decides to come calling."

In reply to Mystrala (msg # 8):

“Ah, this is wonderful! In that case, there was actually something I was supposed to pass along to you if you accepted.”
From her pockets she fishes out a small envelope with a fancy wax seal on it. The wax is a lovely amalgamation of blue and black, mixed together in a whirlpool of color and stamped with a seal similar to the grapevine insignia on the messenger’s chest.

“I do hope you’ll attend, lady Mystraia. These events could really use more pleasant people like you.”
With that, she favors you with another deep, sweeping bow, replaces her hat upon her head, and makes for the door.

Not one to interupt someone in the middle of a graceful exit Mystrala instead turns her attention to the envelope, looking at the seal to determine the best method of opening it without damaging is, likely some concentration of steam to loosen it and magic to carefully remove the seal without damaging it, both very easy to hand here.

Once her guest is on her way Mystrala does just that, taking the envelope into one of the hottest and most private of baths she exposes it directly to just enough steam to loosen it before slipping the paper flap free to open the envelope.

In reply to Mystrala (msg # 10):

The seal slips from the parchment with tremendous ease, the steam being the perfect conduit for its release.
Inside you find a carefully folded piece of parchment with wording written in a spiraling, gaudy hand. An invitation, it would seem.

---

P.S. I do apologize that our paths have not crossed in person prior to this. I’m afraid my tenure on the Council has left me with very little time for getting to know some of those business owners I really should be more familiar with. Rest assured, the party has nothing to do with your bathhouse’s reputation and failure to appear (trust me, I would completely understand if you didn’t want to go, I barely want to be there myself) will in no way change my opinion of you or Thermal Remedies as Tideswallow’s premier relaxation spot. I’m just trying to reach out a bit further with these parties to get folks beyond the Office District’s stuffy boars in here. They can be such dismal events when the only people present are those who could afford to be literally anywhere else. So feel free to come for as much or as little of the party as you like. I won’t be insulted by an early departure or late arrival.

-Sulthor.

---

The tone of the bottom portion of the invitation makes you question how genuine the top was. However, you suspect this is simply the Lord of Entertainment’s way of reaching out to those beyond his inner circle in an attempt to seem more down-to-earth than he might otherwise come off as. Or perhaps he really does genuinely want you to feel at ease for your first time attending one of the fabled parties he throws on a near weekly basis. Either way, the bottom of the invitation is emblazoned with his personal seal, which you know will grant you immediate access to not only the his villa, but the whole of the Office District on the day of the party. It could be a fine chance to meet some of Tideswallow’s true upper crust, rather than just those who play at it here in the Entertainment District.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:47, Thu 17 Sept 2020.