"Blueschist had completely slipped my mind! I do hope we are not on his bad side for attending to other business first." Bell looked a bit upset for having forgotten such an important thing.
"Do we spend for another night or just visit Blueschist and then travel back to Candlekeep?"
" I'm happy to spend another night here. No need to hurry back is there?"
" We could do lunch and shopping....and some more shopping......and drinks........not sure if that would interest Little One...he might want to just hang around here and catch up on some reading."
" We really are due a proper day of relaxation at this point."
Erudisia gives her assent. There must be a decent spa in the upper city, and Little One’s life would be transformed by some decent exfoliation and perhaps some of the more intensive revitalising skin regimens they might find on offer. She can hardly wait.
Hissing Stones. This is a notable bathhouse in Baldur's Gate, located in the Seatower neighborhood, in the western end of the city.
Places for lunch that you have heard of:
The Whiteflower Gardens in the Upper City of Baldur's Gate, Manorborn District. It is a premier social space favored by patriars, more for social status than necessarily food quality.
The Three Old Kegs: Widely regarded as one of the best inns in Baldur's Gate and potentially all of Faerûn, known for its comfort and atmosphere. Temples District near the Black Dragons Gate.
The Helm and Cloak: An expensive but well-rated feasting hall, popular with locals and travelers. Eastway district near your inn.
The Blushing Mermaid: While described as shady and potentially violent, it offers a lively atmosphere and activities. It's infamous but considered the best tavern in Baldur's Gate by some. In the Heapside neighborhood, not far from the Blade and Stars where you’re staying in Eastway.
Regarding entertainment, you’re aware of two places:
Five Flagons Theatre
This theater is part of the Five Flagons Inn and is a central location for the Sigil Troupe's performances. The troupe includes Raelis Shai, a Tiefling bard.
Oasis Theater
Located in Little Calimshan, this theater is known for its extravagant productions, including plays, burlesque, music, acrobatics, and even monster shows.
Erudisia’s choice of dining would be the The Three Old Kegs, after a morning at the Hissing Rocks with her friend and Little One and the others if they wish to join and are willing to risk a bathhouse setting with each other.
She’d absolutely want to visit Sorcerous Sundries after Bluechists’ bookstore(this one I know from BG3, interestingly). If the others are willing, she’d want to see a dramatic acrobatic show at the Oasis Theatre.
(Very curious about a Sigil troupe, but I don’t think the word Sigil would mean anything to Erudisia presently)
We'll say Erudisia wrote to Alana Silvershield the prior night. Over breakfast at the Blade and Stars, Erudisia receives a reply from Alana, politely demurring the invitation to visit the spa but agreeing merrily to meet for lunch.
Let us cut to later that morning, at Hissing Stones Bathhouse. Little One has indeed agreed to accompany you.
This low stone bathhouse in the Seatower neighborhood is one of the oldest buildings in the area. It features heated pools, echoing halls, and gorgeous tile mosaics. You arrived a few minutes ago and began making arrangements with the proprietor, who has welcomed you and introduced herself as Merilyn Allaryr. An elf-woman, her face– like all of her features– is round and non-threatening, although her eyes are deep, liquid amber and as penetrating as they are comforting. Magical power seems to radiate from her like heat from a steel plate just pulled from a furnace. Yet the arcane energy is controlled, its edges soft, though ready to instantly cut or deflect, your heightened magical intuition tells you…
“The Hissing Stones holds a special niche in Baldurian politics,” she is telling you in her melodious, breathy contralto, “due to its status as a neutral, safe, and private meeting place. One way we ensure these qualities to our clients is by providing these thin silk robes,” she demonstrates a garment as plain as it is sumptuous, “to those who enter, and insisting that nothing else–nothing–enter the baths. No weapons, be they mundane, or,” her eyes fall on Meredith’s quill tattoo, “arcane, nor any other possessions of any kind." She notes Erudisia’s chess piece and Little One’s headband. “Everything is kept safe, here.” She motions to what appears to be a giant, semi-transparent red and white koi fish floating in midair in the entry lobby. Merilyn places your cloaks, which she has already taken, in the fish’s round mouth. It swallows and the items disappear, apparently to somewhere inside it. Winking, Merilyn places her hand in front of the koi’s mouth, gives it a look, and the fish opens its mouth once again, like blowing a bubble. Your cloaks materialize, laying softly on the proprietress’ arms, looking no worse for wear. “Safe, you see?” She feeds the koi your cloaks once again and then waits for your other items.
Little One’s expression seems to fall. “I… do not think can go in, miss. Without headband…”
“This rule cannot be broken…,” she replies. “Our commitment to discretion and safety is adamant." She motions to dressing rooms whose doors can be closed for privacy.
Bell reaches up and touches Little One's leg, "Oh dear, this makes things awkward." She looks up with wide eyed concern, "Why don't we go back outside and find a nice bench and sip some cold drinks and watch the people shop along the street? Or maybe we can find a book shop!"
“Beauty is a fierce and terrible thing.” Erudisia lightly places the palm of her tattooed hand against her forehead. “I always forget about the security measures, alas, for as much as a spa can give the price is no cheaper. To look good requires an equivalent exchange in dignity.”
“Still,” she says, after a moment, “I see no reason we shouldn’t any of us go. I have known spas aplenty as part of the ballet. Why don’t Little One and I go and investigate that other bookshop — The Mazarine Quill— while you and Bell enjoy the spa together?”
“There is another option,” the ageless, round-faced elf tells you. She claps her hands twice two times in succession. A moment later, a 7’-tall white crane, semi-transparent like the koi fish, stalks angularly into the lobby. It stops in front of Little One and stares with one eye for a long moment.
The crane then slowly spreads its wings—a 10’ span—and suddenly what looks like a red coal leaves Little One’s chest and floats to the crane, which catches the coal with the top of its beak and then stands there, seemingly frozen like a statue.
”There,” says Marilyn. “This spell ensures that all feel safe. You may remove your headband. You are unable to act upon evil impulses while shielded in this way from your darkest heart.”
Little One seems skeptical, but gingerly removes his headband. A certain alacrity leaves his expression, but it is not replaced by the injurious fury you have seen before. He simply looks… relaxed. His mouth hangs slightly open. “I fine. Why am here?,” he grunts, his eyes finding Erudisia.
She claps her hand together in delight. “Detoxification and rejuvenation. We are going to revitalise you, dear Little One, via the near-magical metamorphic miracle that is exfoliation and desquamation! Quod patet?”
Erudisia sees the red coal in the crane’s mouth burn deep crimson, but the ogre only seems to read Erudisia’s excitement rather than losing his temper in frustration at his lack of comprehension. He chuckles.
”I not know what you say. But I coming.” He follows Erudisia with a serene, slack-jawed smile.
A few minutes later you are all changed into white silk robes and white slippers. All belongings are care of the magic koi. Thirty minutes after that, you have split into two pairs.
Erudisia and Little One are lying on raised futons with cucumber slices over their eyes. Silent masseuses work out the knots, one human woman for Erudisia and two orc woman for Little One.
Meredith and Bell are in a steam room, where their robes have been transferred for towels. The steam room is large and there are a number of other people present. Three old men, all wrinkles, sit quietly in a row, a middle-aged pair of dwarf women catch up on gossip, a halfling reads a very floppy newspaper, and towards one end of the room, you two.
Meredith relaxes back against the wall, she is reminded of the hammams back home....though those are segregated by gender.....and the towels are usually dispensed with except for drying off.
She turns her head very slightly towards Bell looking somewhat obliquely at her, " So how are you feeling about the last few days? Concerns? ", she said vaguely and as casual as she could keep her voice given the circumstances.
Bell squints as she tilts her head backward. Sweat dripping off her face into her hair and a sheen down her throat and down her chest. "Feel? Elated that we succeeded but concerned that I was so ill prepared 'magically' defensively and offensively. Knowing things from reading books pales before actual experience."
She sighs as she mops the sweat from her face. "I have so much still to learn. "
"And I am not happy that I could not help keep my friends safe when everything went bottoms up. It is just frustrating." She leans back gingerly onto the hot cedar lined wall.
Bell squints as she tilts her head backward. Sweat dripping off her face into her hair and a sheen down her throat and down her chest. "Feel? Elated that we succeeded but concerned that I was so ill prepared 'magically' defensively and offensively. Knowing things from reading books pales before actual experience."
" Of course it does. Direct observation always trumps third party reports. At least you actually had SOME offensive and defensive spells.....I had zero....and I'm definitely not built for the front lines."
She sighs as she mops the sweat from her face. "I have so much still to learn. "
Meredith coloured, it was probably just the heat, " We both do. Erudisia not so much.......she seems to know how to mix it up. Maybe the Moonshaes are a bit more martial than where we are from?"
"And I am not happy that I could not help keep my friends safe when everything went bottoms up. It is just frustrating." She leans back gingerly onto the hot cedar lined wall.
" You DID keep us safe....even with minimal resources.....and a fair bit of getting drenched........but....I can understand the.....frustration...."
" What are your immediate plans when we get back to Candlekeep? "
“Little One,” says Erudisia, during one quiet moment during the massage. “Have you ever wondered what the first book in Candlekeep was? I bet it was … a … a biography.”
If Little One takes more than a minute to answer, she lets out a little snore as she falls asleep.
“Little One,” says Erudisia, during one quiet moment during the massage. “Have you ever wondered what the first book in Candlekeep was? I bet it was … a … a biography.”
If Little One takes more than a minute to answer, she lets out a little snore as she falls asleep.
Erudisia almost feels the rumble of the ogre’s reply more than she hears his words.
“I was read… But no can remember now, Air D. Name too long. I call Air D now."
Erudisia dozes off for a moment before Little One asks a question of his own.
"Blueschist had completely slipped my mind! I do hope we are not on his bad side for attending to other business first." Bell looked a bit upset for having forgotten such an important thing.
"Do we spend for another night or just visit Blueschist and then travel back to Candlekeep?"
" I'm happy to spend another night here. No need to hurry back is there?"
" We could do lunch and shopping....and some more shopping......and drinks........not sure if that would interest Little One...he might want to just hang around here and catch up on some reading."
" We really are due a proper day of relaxation at this point."
Erudisia gives her assent. There must be a decent spa in the upper city, and Little One’s life would be transformed by some decent exfoliation and perhaps some of the more intensive revitalising skin regimens they might find on offer. She can hardly wait.
(Someone made a terrific map of Baldur’s Gate showing the various neighborhoods: https://www.reddit.com/r/DescentintoAvernus/comments/dzgbfs/baldurs_gate_neighborhoods/
)
Closest thing to a Spa:
Hissing Stones. This is a notable bathhouse in Baldur's Gate, located in the Seatower neighborhood, in the western end of the city.
Places for lunch that you have heard of:
The Whiteflower Gardens in the Upper City of Baldur's Gate, Manorborn District. It is a premier social space favored by patriars, more for social status than necessarily food quality.
The Three Old Kegs: Widely regarded as one of the best inns in Baldur's Gate and potentially all of Faerûn, known for its comfort and atmosphere. Temples District near the Black Dragons Gate.
The Helm and Cloak: An expensive but well-rated feasting hall, popular with locals and travelers. Eastway district near your inn.
The Blushing Mermaid: While described as shady and potentially violent, it offers a lively atmosphere and activities. It's infamous but considered the best tavern in Baldur's Gate by some. In the Heapside neighborhood, not far from the Blade and Stars where you’re staying in Eastway.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Regarding entertainment, you’re aware of two places:
Five Flagons Theatre
This theater is part of the Five Flagons Inn and is a central location for the Sigil Troupe's performances. The troupe includes Raelis Shai, a Tiefling bard.
Oasis Theater
Located in Little Calimshan, this theater is known for its extravagant productions, including plays, burlesque, music, acrobatics, and even monster shows.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(Did someone say “Magic shop”? :)
In Baldur's Gate, the primary location for purchasing magic items is Sorcerous Sundries, a distinctive building in the Heapside district.
Bookstore: The Mazarine Quill, in the Outer City near the Oasis Theater.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Erudisia’s choice of dining would be the The Three Old Kegs, after a morning at the Hissing Rocks with her friend and Little One and the others if they wish to join and are willing to risk a bathhouse setting with each other.
She’d absolutely want to visit Sorcerous Sundries after Bluechists’ bookstore(this one I know from BG3, interestingly). If the others are willing, she’d want to see a dramatic acrobatic show at the Oasis Theatre.
(Very curious about a Sigil troupe, but I don’t think the word Sigil would mean anything to Erudisia presently)
Meredith is in complete agreement with all of Erudisias choices.
We'll say Erudisia wrote to Alana Silvershield the prior night. Over breakfast at the Blade and Stars, Erudisia receives a reply from Alana, politely demurring the invitation to visit the spa but agreeing merrily to meet for lunch.
Let us cut to later that morning, at Hissing Stones Bathhouse. Little One has indeed agreed to accompany you.
This low stone bathhouse in the Seatower neighborhood is one of the oldest buildings in the area. It features heated pools, echoing halls, and gorgeous tile mosaics. You arrived a few minutes ago and began making arrangements with the proprietor, who has welcomed you and introduced herself as Merilyn Allaryr. An elf-woman, her face– like all of her features– is round and non-threatening, although her eyes are deep, liquid amber and as penetrating as they are comforting. Magical power seems to radiate from her like heat from a steel plate just pulled from a furnace. Yet the arcane energy is controlled, its edges soft, though ready to instantly cut or deflect, your heightened magical intuition tells you…
“The Hissing Stones holds a special niche in Baldurian politics,” she is telling you in her melodious, breathy contralto, “due to its status as a neutral, safe, and private meeting place. One way we ensure these qualities to our clients is by providing these thin silk robes,” she demonstrates a garment as plain as it is sumptuous, “to those who enter, and insisting that nothing else–nothing–enter the baths. No weapons, be they mundane, or,” her eyes fall on Meredith’s quill tattoo, “arcane, nor any other possessions of any kind." She notes Erudisia’s chess piece and Little One’s headband. “Everything is kept safe, here.” She motions to what appears to be a giant, semi-transparent red and white koi fish floating in midair in the entry lobby. Merilyn places your cloaks, which she has already taken, in the fish’s round mouth. It swallows and the items disappear, apparently to somewhere inside it. Winking, Merilyn places her hand in front of the koi’s mouth, gives it a look, and the fish opens its mouth once again, like blowing a bubble. Your cloaks materialize, laying softly on the proprietress’ arms, looking no worse for wear. “Safe, you see?” She feeds the koi your cloaks once again and then waits for your other items.
Little One’s expression seems to fall. “I… do not think can go in, miss. Without headband…”
“This rule cannot be broken…,” she replies. “Our commitment to discretion and safety is adamant." She motions to dressing rooms whose doors can be closed for privacy.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Bell reaches up and touches Little One's leg, "Oh dear, this makes things awkward." She looks up with wide eyed concern, "Why don't we go back outside and find a nice bench and sip some cold drinks and watch the people shop along the street? Or maybe we can find a book shop!"
“Beauty is a fierce and terrible thing.” Erudisia lightly places the palm of her tattooed hand against her forehead. “I always forget about the security measures, alas, for as much as a spa can give the price is no cheaper. To look good requires an equivalent exchange in dignity.”
“Still,” she says, after a moment, “I see no reason we shouldn’t any of us go. I have known spas aplenty as part of the ballet. Why don’t Little One and I go and investigate that other bookshop — The Mazarine Quill— while you and Bell enjoy the spa together?”
Meredith concentrates incredibly hard on appearing nonchalant as she says, " Yes, well I suppose that would be fine. Bell?"
“There is another option,” the ageless, round-faced elf tells you. She claps her hands twice two times in succession. A moment later, a 7’-tall white crane, semi-transparent like the koi fish, stalks angularly into the lobby. It stops in front of Little One and stares with one eye for a long moment.
The crane then slowly spreads its wings—a 10’ span—and suddenly what looks like a red coal leaves Little One’s chest and floats to the crane, which catches the coal with the top of its beak and then stands there, seemingly frozen like a statue.
”There,” says Marilyn. “This spell ensures that all feel safe. You may remove your headband. You are unable to act upon evil impulses while shielded in this way from your darkest heart.”
Little One seems skeptical, but gingerly removes his headband. A certain alacrity leaves his expression, but it is not replaced by the injurious fury you have seen before. He simply looks… relaxed. His mouth hangs slightly open. “I fine. Why am here?,” he grunts, his eyes finding Erudisia.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
She claps her hand together in delight. “Detoxification and rejuvenation. We are going to revitalise you, dear Little One, via the near-magical metamorphic miracle that is exfoliation and desquamation! Quod patet?”
Erudisia sees the red coal in the crane’s mouth burn deep crimson, but the ogre only seems to read Erudisia’s excitement rather than losing his temper in frustration at his lack of comprehension. He chuckles.
”I not know what you say. But I coming.” He follows Erudisia with a serene, slack-jawed smile.
A few minutes later you are all changed into white silk robes and white slippers. All belongings are care of the magic koi. Thirty minutes after that, you have split into two pairs.
Erudisia and Little One are lying on raised futons with cucumber slices over their eyes. Silent masseuses work out the knots, one human woman for Erudisia and two orc woman for Little One.
Meredith and Bell are in a steam room, where their robes have been transferred for towels. The steam room is large and there are a number of other people present. Three old men, all wrinkles, sit quietly in a row, a middle-aged pair of dwarf women catch up on gossip, a halfling reads a very floppy newspaper, and towards one end of the room, you two.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Meredith relaxes back against the wall, she is reminded of the hammams back home....though those are segregated by gender.....and the towels are usually dispensed with except for drying off.
She turns her head very slightly towards Bell looking somewhat obliquely at her, " So how are you feeling about the last few days? Concerns? ", she said vaguely and as casual as she could keep her voice given the circumstances.
Bell squints as she tilts her head backward. Sweat dripping off her face into her hair and a sheen down her throat and down her chest. "Feel? Elated that we succeeded but concerned that I was so ill prepared 'magically' defensively and offensively. Knowing things from reading books pales before actual experience."
She sighs as she mops the sweat from her face. "I have so much still to learn. "
"And I am not happy that I could not help keep my friends safe when everything went bottoms up. It is just frustrating." She leans back gingerly onto the hot cedar lined wall.
" Of course it does. Direct observation always trumps third party reports. At least you actually had SOME offensive and defensive spells.....I had zero....and I'm definitely not built for the front lines."
Meredith coloured, it was probably just the heat, " We both do. Erudisia not so much.......she seems to know how to mix it up. Maybe the Moonshaes are a bit more martial than where we are from?"
" You DID keep us safe....even with minimal resources.....and a fair bit of getting drenched........but....I can understand the.....frustration...."
" What are your immediate plans when we get back to Candlekeep? "
" Did, uh, did Rogi leave?"
“Little One,” says Erudisia, during one quiet moment during the massage. “Have you ever wondered what the first book in Candlekeep was? I bet it was … a … a biography.”
If Little One takes more than a minute to answer, she lets out a little snore as she falls asleep.
Erudisia almost feels the rumble of the ogre’s reply more than she hears his words.
“I was read… But no can remember now, Air D. Name too long. I call Air D now."
Erudisia dozes off for a moment before Little One asks a question of his own.
"What is exfo–, exfo–... exfolater, Air D?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer