The handful of the stupidly magical rabbits that Hjallrigg had brought back to the Broken Cauldron had been met with the cooks excitement, a heavy pat on the dwarf's back and a silly little jig as the man hurried away to start his experiments. But Riggs got a deal out of it. Payment, and a ticket to a full day at the Sludge pits for all their effort. 


They felt a little bad that Lilliane didn't get to join them... after all she did help with those rabbits a lot more than Rigg's expected and was the only reason why they came back with so many. 

Still, They weren't about to pass up a day relaxing and eating when dropped in their lap. It was nice to go down to underclothes and soak in some very hot water. What you could see of the dwarf was barely just their mop of brown hair and a nose as they leaned back in the murky, mineral filled public bath. A deep sigh brought Riggs back out to lean their head back on the edge of the pool. 

Beist walked into the establishment known as the Sludge Pits a little hesitantly. He was excited at first to take a soak in the hot mineral water and take some time to relax. Until he remembered his current.... predicament. It would be rather awkward for him to squeeze himself between the other patrons in the water if it was too crowded. He was also a tad embarrassed to think that he'd be stripped down to his underwear in semipublic, but everyone else would be too. It'll be fine, right? Except that he looked like a monster.

"Ah, maybe this was a mistake" he thought to himself, but he'd already come all the way here. So he went in. The clerk was a little startled when he first walked in, but a customer was a customer. And they'd seen weirder creatures in the city once. A little dark, hairy thing and a slim, dark figure even taller than him. They had a bit of a laugh about it before Beist passed through the changing area and stood in front of the murky, slightly steaming water.

He looked down at the pit at a mop of brown hair just as the Dwarf underneath leaned onto the edge of the pool with a sigh and locked eyes with them.

Mariana had made her way here from the Dragon's Cradle, now finding herself in a place of sanctuary among the frozen tundra that surrounded the area. She had heard tales of the Sludge Pits from another merchant family that had visited her own back in Sol City. The place wasn't nearly as magical as she'd imagined, they had neglected to mention the tar pits and pit fighting that also made their home in the establishment. At least they were in different sections...

She walked in and greeted the clerk, who seemed a little hesitant for some reason. She found out through conversation that only two men had come in so far, and one had been an actual monster. All the more reason to go in, she thought, when the monster was mentioned. That, she would have to see for herself.

She stripped down to her undergarments, which were quite modest by all standards, and entered the springs. Inside she immediately saw what the clerk had mentioned. An enormous minotaur stood at the opposite side of the pool staring down at a mop of hair attached to a dwarf. So, a dwarf and a minotaur were to be her company today, how interesting.

"Hope you two aren't opposed to mixed bathing." She said as she took a step towards the pool that turned into a leap. 

She landed in the water with a large splash. The hot spring water washed away the weariness of the road as she entered. A small wave rolled through the spring towards the mop of hair as she poked her head back out of the water and exhaled deeply, brushing her dark hair out of her eyes and sitting back against the edge of the pool.

Elrodan had heard of the sludge pits from people talking rather excitedly and loudly about the place. Wishing to find out more, he headed to seek it out and experience it for himself. At last with a few helpful residents, he found it.

He entered to see a smiling clerk greet him, they were more than happy to confirm that he was in the right place and pointed the way through. 

There really wasn't much for Elrodan to undress to below the thick furs he'd bought for this area. Still, the skimpy wrap did what it needed to add he walked through to the main bath. The three others present were varied and he felt comfortable enough to join in as a further different figure. His short stature padding lightly from door to pool. Walking to the edge he dipped a toe in, then looked at the others "Hi, I'm Elrodan. Nice to meet you all." and with that took a large stride and entered, sinking below the surface. After a second, he let himself float face down to the surface limbs splayed out. He held his breath for as long as he could then flapped and righted in the water taking a big gulp of air. "Ahh that's soooo good" again letting his body sink and leaving his head tilted back in the warmth just high enough to still be able to hear. 

Sarne had many duties in the city for a few days. Sarne was looking for something to do and relax for a while going down one of the streets he spotted a bathhouse and Inn.

This area was not one Sarne would normally stay in but Sarne does like to be around the common people. He walked into the establishment the Inn keeper's eyes grew large with a little bit of shuck. The Keeper ran over to Sarne "My Lord, how can I serve you?" Sarne smiled at him. "Room for the night and a bath I have so heard of. your reputation is well known among the consumers," replied Sarne.

"This way my Lord." said the keeper going over to it took little time to get him his room and pass to the bath. Sarne had heard this place was fed by a hot spring and could not wait to try it. he walked into one of the main rooms he was not picky. Sarne walked in with his little box with some and a small cloth and a nice expensive towel around his waist.

he was a Dwarf, an attractive woman from what he could see of her A male Fairy and a Beast Man races that Sarne was not knowledgable on. Sarne gave a nod of greeting as he walked up to the edge of the pool and got in. The man you see has soft features like an elf with a husky build. Sarne is strong and has swift movements. You can tell he is a nobleman in the way he presents himself. His perspiring green eyes shine in the light. He stands almost 6 feet. His dirty blond hair is neat and well-kept. His skin is slightly tan shows the time he spent in the wilderness.

Sarne gives a smile as he relaxes looking at the others. "greeting all of you." said Sarne.

"Are you going to get in? Plenty of room... I don't take up a lot of space." They called up lazily to the furred man standing above them. Then a low groan when the woman practically jumped into the water. Riggs wiped the salty water out of their eyes and smoothed their underclothes back down over their breast. 

"Its a little hot for diving... And if I minded mixed bathing I'd never have a place to bathe..." Much grumpier now that they were splashed, at least the fairy splashing around didn't kick up as much water. Riggs looked back at the big beast-like man.

"If you jump in like that I am definitely leaving... The water feels great but doesn't taste delicious if you drink it. And there are a few steps... over there where you can just ease in and relax instead. Riggs by the way. Well... Hjallrigg but not a lot of people want to say all of that." 

Riggs raised a hand in greeting to the newest man joining them as he got into the bath. That was the right way to do it... 

Beist gave a small chuckle at the thought of him jumping in as he gently lowered himself into the water next to the Dwarf. The water seemed pretty deep from the woman being able to jump in, but he was still happy that he could fit comfortably into the water without having to hold his legs to his chest.

"No worries. I wouldn't want to empty the spring with such a splash. Though I do take up quite a bit of space, so I hope I'm not too much trouble. Beistmild, but please call me Beist." He said with a relaxed smile.

He looked around at all the others who had entered while he had stood around awkwardly. It was quite the assortment. He was particularly surprised to see a Fairy floating in the water. His scholarly side immediately wanted to question and study them, but he stopped himself. Now was time to relax, not only for himself, but all the others here including the Fairy. He didn't want to make things awkward. But, a little conversation should be fine.

"I've never met a Fairy before. Pleasure to meet you. And everyone else here, of course. Though I have already met Sarne, there. I've also never been in a hot spring before, so please pardon my lack of knowledge of the proper etiquette. Please let me know of any mistakes" he said, glancing at the others before closing his eyes and leaning back against the edge of the pool, his tail swaying gently in the water to his side.

The gentle waves of the newcomers bobbed Elrodan in the water. He didn't mind, though he was glad to not be caught in some big splash, he was however tempted to check on what the dwarf had said. Would the water really be so bad? He turned his head as Beist started talking, taking the distraction of his introduction to wet his lips and taste the water. It was enough to make him decide he didn't want to taste more. It wasn't awful, but nor was it fresh water from a spring in a forest. Maybe another sip... He lowered his head in the water to bring the water just so it started to go into his mouth when he looked up realising that Beist was looking squarely at him having did he'd never met a fairy before. He closed his mouth and tried to discreetly swallow before rising back up to respond.

"A pleasure to meet you too. Oh! I think there's different rules in different places. I've heard of some where you're naked and another where they hit you with some kind of leaf... Or was it their sand at you. No it was bury you in sand. Are you a minotaur? I've heard the elves of home talk of them. Apparently they'd visited the village before I was born. A pity as they always had good things to say of them. Do you like elves? I keep changing my mind about them. Oh, do you go all fuzzy after getting wet? My hair goes fluffy if I slept with wet hair. I like doing that but not done it in a while." with barely a moments breath, he turns to some of the others "and what about long hair? I hear that can be trouble but relaxing. OK I know it's relaxing to brush as I did it before though I guess their hair was only my length long. Do you want yours brushing? If you have a brush that is? Or I can use my fingers?"

Saner gave a nod to Beistmild as he sets his box with sope and a little cloth to one side and leaned back. The fact that Sarne had nice smelling soap gave him away as a noble or rich only that type of person would have such items.

"Beistmild, you gave me away," said Sarne I just wanted to be normal for a bit," Sane said with a smile. Sarne went underwater and come back up. leaned back again against the edge of the pool. "I am Young Lord Sarne Sequoia, Vanguard of Solaria, of Grey Stone Keep. It is an honor to meet all of you," said Sarne introducing himself.

Watching the Fairy man and hearing what he said about running his fingers through someone's hair Sarne chuckled. "Looking at the fairy. I know you mean well, but that is a bit foreword and I hope you are talking to the Lady. If you are you are bold. I hope you leave will all your teeth intact." said Sarne with a grin.

A day of gathering often did not end so gloriously as that, she thought. With her newly collected herbs safely in her satchel, she headed to the famous hot springs of the place. Being traveling so close to it, she couldn't dare go home without seeing it for once. Indulge, she thought.

"CAAAWWWW! Going home!"

"We're not going home yet, Mischief. We're... taking a detour."

The Witch of Moonglade could give herself some leisure time, right? The warmth and humid air of the hot springs made her sigh, and without wasting a moment longer, she stripped down to her undergarments. Despite not a hint of modesty being present there, she discretely slipped into the water, feeling the warmth embracing her weary body. She submerged entirely first, so her hair would be entirely wet. The temperature made all of her muscles relax - it was a good idea to come, after all. She quickly came back up, pulling her black hair to the side.

Only then, for the first time, she took a good look around to see who else was with her in the hot spring that day. She raised an eyebrow before flashing one of those smiles that lit up her eyes.

"Oh well.... And I thought this would be an uneventful night..."

Mischief went to perch by the edge of the pool, looking quizzickly at the water, as if trying to understand why people were so interested in it....

"No trouble at all Beist." Riggs finally settled back to rest their head against the edge of the pool. Best way not to just slip all the way in, though there were sitting ledges at the very edge of the pool they could sort of stand on. After all... lots of dwarves in the area definitely needed a soak. In fact on holidays their own family would flood in droves to this place. "As long as you don't bother anyone too much and don't murk up the water it should be fine. Manners is all."

Then the fairy spoke. Riggs had to open their eyes to stare at the little creature to follow all that they said. 

"This place is pretty relaxed as long as you don't muck up the water and make them have to stopper a bath up to clean it... they get real mad about that. And mister... I wouldn't use soap in here. Could turn your skin blue 'cause the minerals. Its just a soaking bath." They called out to the human man. "Also what's wrong with long hair on men? Or you just have bees in your drawers enough to think you have the prettiest hair here Sarne?"

Riggs was used to more men and those like them sporting full heads of hair than not... but then a beard was all a big huff and haw back home. Fancy braids, fancier beads. It was all too much for them... too fancy and time consuming when there was work to do and weird places to camp in the wild. Better to shave it off. Still they sometimes miss the long hair on their head... too tangley to be practical but it looked nice. 

"In fact I might have a brush here somewhere... and I wouldn't mind if... The fairy? I didn't catch your name. But you can brush mine if it isn't too short for you." Riggs gave a grunt as they pulled themself out of the bath to reach their little bucket of things before holding up a brush.

Beist listened to the Fairy's questions, a bit amused. He pretended not to notice the Fairy had drank some of the water. He stroked his beard and kept his eyes closed for a moment while trying to come up with the best answers before turning his head slightly to face the Fairy.

"I'm not a Minotaur. I'm... let's just say I'm a former Werebear who made a miscalculation. Elves... I don't particularly hate or like Elves. I haven't really met quite that many of them. I suppose my stance on them is neutral. And for my fur..." he said before submerging himself in the water completely for a moment before wiping the hair back off of his face. "You'll have your answer soon enough."

He looked toward Sarne with a sly smile. "I believe you gave yourself away just now, my friend. I only said your name was Sarne. I never mentioned anything about Young Lord Sarne Sequoia, Vanguard of Solaria, of Grey Stone Keep."

He looked toward Kamille, another familiar face who had just entered. He was a little surprised to see her here so far from Moonglade. He decided not to mention her name, in case she wanted to stay low, like Sarne. He just gave a her a nod and a slight wave.

Three's a crowd, fours a...something, five is a - oh and one more! This hot spring was as popular as Mariana'd imagined it to be. After being stiffly rebuffed by the dwarf for her antics a smile of devious satisfaction crossed her lips. She liked this dwarf, they had moxy.

"Apologies, I forget that we're not all as vertically gifted, though some of us are extraordinarily so" She looked to Beistmild as she finished with a raised brow.

As the beast man slid into the water with more grace than she had in her whole body she felt a slight bit of embarrassment for having ignored the code of conduct of the place so outright. All these new faces were surely exciting though, and her offense would be forgotten quickly enough. A noble, younger and more fit than most she knew, also entered in with grace. Followed by a fairy who splashed in with just a plop, approved of, apparently by the dwarf... who gave no rebuff for the identical offense.

Another woman entered in, slinking in without much notice, with a curious attendee. She was followed by a raven, the little critter sat by the water near her. A good rule of thumb in her life had been that people with pets are often kind, so she decided to introduce herself. She scooted over in the woman's direction, staying close to the wall and scooting past the fairy as she made her way over. She seated herself nearby and flashed a wide smile.

"Sorry to bother you while you relax, but I happen to love animals. What's its name? Oh! Mariana, by the way." She nodded towards the raven excitedly before then jerking her hand out of the water to offer a handshake.

Sarne heard Rigg's question and was silent for a moment Sarne looked at Rigg. "Long hair on men" Sarne mumbled. "No, I was just saying running your fingers through someone's hair shows intimacy. That's all and trying to be that intimate with someone you don't know can be insulting or forward to that person," answered Sarne.

Sarne closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Sarne smiled and shook his head. "Yes, I did Beistmild. Just not used to people only calling me by my first name. other than family." said Sarne opening his eyes and looking back at Beistmild.

Sarne watched Kamille walk and get into the pool. Kamille was always a head-turning woman. Mischief had not changed a bit. Sarne wishes he had something to give the Mischief. Sarne was about to say something when Mariana moved to talk to Kamille. Sarne just smiled "Mischief, I would not drink that water." commented Sarne.

A werebear... Who'd done a miscalculation. Elrodan stared blankly. "What was the miscalculation? Was your hair meant to be a different colour? Or maybe it was when battling done creature and your meant to live elsewhere and teleported here to Charon? Ooo! I bet you all have wonderful tales of heroic deeds? Did you want to share them?" Elrodan said happily bobbing around looking at everyone.

"Oh Kamille. And Mischief! Didn't think you'd be here, but good to see you both. Don't worry Mischief, the water's not that bad." he said with a big smile. He then looked back round at the brush wielding dwarf. "The invitation was to all. Aren't strangers friends you've not met yet?" and swam towards the edge near the dwarf hoping up into the edge and keeping his feet dangled in the water.