"Hello!" Triäsa says cheerfully to the drow as she steps close to the edge of the pool. "Let me introduce you to my very good friend Daventry. She is quite a wonderful lady."  She gestures with her hand towards the woman, then glances at Ludolf. "And this is my... friend Ludolf.  I am Triäsa."  She pauses, looking expectantly at the man from the edge of the pool.  

Ludolf does indeed comply with the instructions, wearing only his white robe as he joins Triäsa and Daventry as they head out to the pool. He can't help but feel impressed over the sight, and bathing has after all been the one indulgence he has allowed himself back at Candlekeep. As the handsome drow waves them over to join him Ludolf a bit reluctantly follows Triäsa to the edge of the pool, suppressing a smile as Triäsa is hesitating over what to call him, but then realizing he might need to get indecent in order to enter the pool, deciding that Triäsa and Daventry will have to decide if they are comfortable with bathing with the drow first.

Daventry gives Triasa a quick smile and a wink, then nods to the drow as well.

While Ludolf might hesitate to shed his clothes, Daventry does not. She quickly drops her robe and goes into the bath, submerging herself in the water for a moment. After breaking the surface again, she gives a glance back at Ludolf to see if he's scandalized or not, a glimmer in her eye and every tattoo on full display.

"It's beautiful, here. I've not seen water so perfect."

Ludolf's eyes widen for a moment as Daventry sheds her white robe (No, don't think swimclothes were provided ;-) his gray piercing eyes drawn to her...tattoos, before he quickly averts them, looking instead at a very interesting cloud in the sky, thinking about his old uncle Malcer for a while, waiting for Triäsa to step into the pool before he does. "Yes, I'll take your word for it Daventry." He says with a strained voice.

Triäsa hands Ludolf her robe, "Would you set this somewhere it would stay dry?" she says.  Then she quickly slips into the water.  In this state, the unusual marking on her shoulder is now plainly visible.

"It is amazing water," she agrees with Daventry.  She is intrigued by the woman's tattoos, but quickly turns her attention to the drow. "Are you a guest here?"

She then looks back at Ludolf, "You aren't just going to stand out there, are you? Come get wet.  Join us!"

Turning around again she catches Daventry's gaze a moment and her facade drops.  A blush comes to her face and she looks rather nervous.  But it is just a second before she regains her composure, acting as though this is all perfectly normal for her. 

"Yes, yes of course." Ludolf says, taking Triäsa's robe, not sure where to look but glancing over as she enters the pool, before folding it up neatly and putting it near the pool so that she can reach it but far enough so it won't get wet.

"Coming in a moment." Ludolf says as Triäsa invites him into the pool, and still staying firmly focused on his uncle Malcer Ludolf takes off his own white robe, folding it up before stepping into the pool and swimming over to the others.

(Nope no swim clothes. It's a Temple of Love and Beauty and besides laundry and swimwear would cut into Seth's profits.)

The Drow smiles widely as the three of you enter the water. "And I have not seen beauty such as this." He grins further as he responds to Daventry. "As for water, that I have seen plenty of, M'names Jarlaxle Baenre of the Bregan D'aerthe and yes I am guest here just arrived today as it were." He stands up and extends a hand to help the ladies into the water. He nods curtly to Ludolf and floats away. "And who do I have the pleasure of sharing this water with?"

Daventry you can roll History to see if you recognize the name or company. I don't think the rest of you have a reason to know Jarlaxle

As you ease into the water it is unsurprisingly a perfect temperature. The water remains perfectly clean as you swim. There are small stools to sit and rest on underneath the water as you swim. The attendants bring you each a clear drink with mint leaves and lemon as a garnish. They set the drinks on the side of the pool and walk away without a word. Jarlaxle picks up a drink and sips on it. "The royalty and nobility come from far and wide to enjoy this place. They say the waters and the sisters here can bring out the beauty in anything but as far as I can see you have no need for those services. Why have you come here?" He seems to be addressing both Daventry and Triäsa it appears if Ludolf has gone invisible to the Drow. 

Triäsa and Ludolf please roll perception

Daventry -- As you swim in the water and wade around you notice that water seems to burn when it touches your tattoos. It's not terrible but kind of annoying. It doesn't happen anywhere else on your body.

(Given a lack of swimclothes, Dav would have gone from robe directly to birthday suit. She seems done being timid or hiding.)

History: 19

(Triäsa Perception: 8)

"Ah, your reputation's led far from where you tread your boots, Jarlaxle. Heard tales even in the swamps of Wierwood or the isles of Moonshae... sailor like you'll have many a story to tell. Though..." As Daventry is speaking, she slides close to Triasa, cozying up as a close friend would. She hands Triasa one of the drinks, the other in her hand.

"... stories all say how Jarlaxle, hardened against the worst sun and storm that the Sea of Swords could toss at him, would stand tall over all threats, before retiring to the Two-Eyed Jax Inn. What grand stories you must have!"

At the points where she says 'hardened', 'tall', and the inn name, she taps Triasa's foot with her own.

Jarlaxle smiles as you speak, "Ah, I see my reputation catches up with me even here. It could spin ya tales for days but I am not here to relive past glories rather to embark upon new conquests...."

At about this point let's say Pardot has made his way to the pool. You see your friends and the drow swimming and talking in the pool. They seem to be having a good time as talk and drink a refreshing clear beverage garnished with mint and a lemon.

Triäsa the serenity and peace of the pool is all notice outside of your immediate company.

After enjoying his walk around the grounds Pardot heads to the spring area and heads into the changing room where he strips down to his birthday suit and doesn’t even bother looking for swim trunks. Walking out towards the pool area the middle aged halfling has the classic ‘dad bod’ (half sized of course). Not at all shy, and barely even noticing any other nudity, “it’s how we’re born and how we’ll pass.” he does notice any body art of course, though simply as decoration. Walking out to the pool he sees the others talking at the other end, and from his side goes up to the edge of the pool and halfling-cannonballs himself into the water, though the splash only barely makes it to the others, a small wave does. Swimming underwater to the others he pops up just next to them and then creates an updraft which is enough to keep him easily afloat even in the deeper waters. Looking to the others, and then the drow, he says, water dripping down from his hair, “Ah…It really is a beautiful place…” pausing slightly before continuing, “Nice to see others here as well. How did you find a place such as this?”

Ludolf Perception: 17

Ludolf floats after the others in the pool, taking a seat on a stool on Triäsa's other side, almost in a protective manner but he seems a bit relieved  the handsome drow seems occupied with impressing Daventry at the moment. As Daventry seems to know about this drow Ludolf quickly searches his mind for information about him but comes up empty.

As Pardot cannonballs into the serene pool Ludolf at first seems annoyed over the disturbance of the relative peace of the place but then he gives the halfling a quick smile as he would likely leviate some of the tension Ludolf is experiencing. He tries to act casual, sipping on his cool drink, but continues to be suspicious of this place and it's people, this Jarlaxle being no exception with his flirtatious ways, so he studies the drow's reactions to what Daventry is saying to discern any straying from the truth on his part, totally oblivious to any lewdness on her part. Insight: 12

Jarlaxle seems a bit amused by Pardot's antics and sudden appearance, "Ah, well anyone who is anyone knows of the Temple of the Lily. If you have the gold there is no better place to get away from the hustle of a life at sea and meet new and interesting people." He smiles "But I intend on leaving in the morning and making the most of my evening."

Ludolf as you sip your fizzy mint lime drink you take in your surroundings through Pardot's cannonball you see a shadowy figure peering into the pool area from the tree line to the west. It is vaguely humanoid in appearance but it appears to have a tail.

7

Ludolf you are pretty sure this Drow character is lying about something. You can vaguely see it in his eyes they twitch ever so slightly as he speaks about the sea. Being from Luskan you have seen a lot of sea faring folk. This man just doesn't seem to fit the bill to you.

(Can Ludolf instruct Edgar to take a closer look at the shadowy figure with the tail? Also, did "Jarlaxle" seem to dodge what Dav said? Ludolf is particularly interested in how he reacted to what she said and the places she mentioned.)

“I see I see.” Pardot says, then takes a second as if thinking of something. He then adds, “Is there much to do at night here? It seems quite quiet.” Then once the drow responds he likely replies saying something like ‘ahh… interesting.’ even if not really interested… But then makes his way over on his current to Ludolf where he gets himself a drink and pulls himself up to the side of the pool and leans back to soak in some sun, sipping on the drink he mentally sends to his friend, “From earlier… It’s quite hard to say really. I just…. Get the feeling that something is wrong here. Seth just wasn’t right. Though it’s hard to say how exactly. I also think I saw a face in the mist earlier… Anyway, we should take the time to relax, and we are here to help Fistandia, but everything is not quite as it seems.”

Yes Edgar can take a look, roll a new perception for him.

He is definitely dodging and trying to redirect the conversation. It seems he doesn't want to get into any specifics. He is not particularly skilled at it. 

15

Mentally directed by Ludolf Edgar leaves a branch on a nearby tree to spy on the shadowy figure with the tail.
Perception: 23

Ludolf looking at some clouds, listening to Pardot's report before responding. "Yes, this drow is definitely not what he claims to be, but I'm not sure there would be any point in confronting him about it right now, I feel a little too naked to confront anything right now. Also we have a spectator in the treeline behind us. A dragonborn I believe. Edgar is keeping an eye on it for now."

"Ah." Pardot replies mentally as he creates an ice cube in his drink to re-chill it. "I just met him. I meant our guide. Seth. Something just... isn't quite right with him..."