His travels as of late had taken him far and wide so to speak and having the opportunity to relax amongst all of the humdrum of his daily living was enough to warrant a semblance of happiness from him. The hotsprings themselves were by far the least bleak area of the "Bleakfort" as well, it's vibrant merchant stalls and wonderful aromas were intoxicating to say the least as food vendors serving up delicacies from around the world had gathered here to service the various patrons of the dozens of resort style inns that had called the area home.

Several hotsprings were sporadically all over the region and a few of them belonged solely to the specific hotels be it personal baths for expensive rooms, or their own private public baths reserved for patrons. Gabriel himelf had found that the larger community hotspring was the best however as it had easy access to the various food and drink vendors through runners as they called them, and the people who tended to frequent the communal bath were by far more interesting than the more stuffy merchant types that rented out the private inns. 

Most people wore what the Bleakfort Dwarves had referred to as bathing suits, something that they had for both sale and rental, and so the unisex nature of the communal baths were less intimidating. He himself had acquired a pair of simple dark grey trunks as they called them, choosing to be shirtless with naught but a towel draped over his shoulders as he reclined in the deeper end of the hotspring. His head was titled upwards as he looked high into the calm sky and simply relaxed amidst the pleasant temperature of the water.

Vakker entered the community hot spring with a much more genuine smile than he usually wore. He'd had a lot of annoying business to attend to for the past few weeks and was finally taking a well deserved break in one of his favorite places, Frostgale. How could he not visit the hot springs while he was here? Despite his talent in ice magic, he quite enjoyed a dip in the steamy waters.

He sometimes even used the private baths, but felt this time it would be more enjoyable to use the communal one. He wasn't as full of himself as some of the merchants and other elite that visited here. He knew it could be enjoyable to bathe with company. Maybe he could meet someone interesting here that he could vent some frustrations to.

He wore nothing but his bathing trunks, a pair he owned himself. There were rentable ones around, but he didn't like sharing. The reason was certainly not because the inside of the trunks would be covered in shed fur which he would receive complaints about. He also needed a pair with a hole for his tail. His pair was was black, patterned with light blue snowflakes and hoofprints, making them stand out from the white fur of his goat-like legs. He didn't like wearing pants over his furry legs, but the trunks were short and loose enough to not really bother him, especially once he was in the water.

As he entered, he could see the pool was already occupied. He walked over, hooves clicking on the ground, and stepped down into the pool where he relaxed, leaning against the edge.

Cyran had never had the opportunity to travel to the Frost Gale until now, and enough people had recommended the hot springs to him for Cyran to finally cave and pay them a visit. Besides, after all the chaos that had been plaguing his life, some relaxation and warm water would be welcome right now.



He wasn’t quite comfortable wandering around bare chested in public, so when a few of the locals explained that he had to wear special underwater wear that they sold at many of the merchant shops, he immediately asked if they had shirts as well. Much to his relief, they had, though much to his chagrin it was a size too small for him. It did the trick, as did the plain ‘trunks’ he’d bought.



The resort itself was nice, with a relaxed, ambient atmosphere and plenty of food and drink vendors around with a plethora of local cuisine. Cyran wandered in that direction first, buying himself a drink. Many of the pools looked like they were occupied- Cyran selected one of the emptier pools and sat at the edge, feet dangling in the water. Slowly, he forced his tense muscles to relax, and tried to enjoy his vacation.

In all honesty, he truly can’t remember the last time it was that he allowed himself to take a break; he finds himself on his feet most days since what happened in Darkveil. Always on a deadline; always seeking something; always doing favours or jobs for others… so, when The Sludge Pits were mentioned in the warm berth of the tavern by some drunk patrons, Caedes had wrinkled his nose in slight disgust at first.

It’s an unflattering name for a Hot Spring, to be entirely fair… although, it was later explained to him that there were limited tar pits at The Sludge Pits, and that the water is in fact, not full of sludge. He hopes that’s true; although, a day off isn’t his only reason for wanting to take a soak in the springs.

The other half is the simple fact that he has a tendency to run cold: without a proper, actual beating heart… his body has a tendency to match that of the environment. Given this is Frost Gale… he feels no warmer than the snow itself. If one were to dare lay a hand on him— something he tries to avoid, given his situation— they’d find him the temperature of the ice.

Still… he’d like to thaw out, even if it’s only temporary; he’d never admit it, but this kind of cold is miserable, even for him.

… just in a different way than it might be for most; at least he can’t really get hypothermic, he supposes.

Caedes runs a hand through his wet hair as he steps into the communal hotsprings; the steam rolls at his feet, coiling as he descends the stone stairs into the springs with a towel around his waist. He looks towards the baths with a half-lidded gaze, noting two figures have already begun their soak— but they both seem to be quite busy doing their own thing— relaxed against the edge of the pool, minding their own business.

He steps up to the edge of the pool, and slipping the towel off his waist, he slings it over one shoulder before he descends into the pool. He’d gone ahead and taken it upon himself to buy a pair of black trunks; something he’d probably never use again, but he had a bit of money to throw around for once… so he may as well.

The water ripples as he drops waist-deep into the water after descending the final step; and honestly, he could melt right here. Quietly, the changeling picks a side of the pool, and tosses his towel up over the edge, before slipping further into the water— hooking his elbows on the edge of the pool to keep himself from actually going under.

Oh the things he does at the behest of his sister. Zarius had no interest in going to a place named The Sludge Pits. It sounded like the remnants of a passing ooze and he already had enough encounters with those creatures for a lifetime. Still, when Eameia set her mind on something, it was damn near impossible to convince her otherwise.

It was dumb, she wasn’t even really there. She was simply using an Astral Projection to appear as if she was there while her real body was safely lounging in the bath at their family home on the other side of the continent. The more ridiculous thing was that her projection had to travel all the way to Frost Gale for her to participate in the local experience.

At least he didn’t have to have the embarrassment of escorting her half naked himself, that honor fell on the shoulders of Eirynor, her silent loyal right hand who she so graciously allowed Zarius to give orders to on occasion.

The tall half-elf didn’t seem to mind the ridiculous request and joined up with Zarius just outside the bath while awkwardly hiding Eameia’s projection beneath his cloak. She pokes her head through the cloak like a incorporeal ghost with a smug smirk on her face.

Zarius just looks down at her with an unimpressed expression and shakes his head. “This is not going to work. You know that right?”

“It will be fine. I am in no danger so you can just relax.”

“My dignity is in danger.”

Her grin widens. “That insinuates you had any to begin with.”

“Shut up.” He rolls his eyes and walks inside with Eirynor to get changed while they sneak Eameia past the receptionists at the front.

After a few moments, the two men exit the changing space and survey the various pools of steaming water before them. Zarius was sporting some black trunks with a towel thrown over his shoulder while the pale half-elf with short white hair wore a loose modest shirt overtop some grey trunks.

Eameia’s projection saunters over in a strapless tube-top with what can only be described as a skort for bottoms. She grins at them both like a child who just got away with stealing a second helping of cake without being caught. Zarius just shakes his head and spots a few familiar faces amongst the bathers.

“Alright, ground rules. Do not make any deals with anyone. Do not make any promises to anyone. Do not reveal any secrets or answer any nosey questions. And most importantly, do not embarrass me in public.” He holds up four fingers one at a time as he lists the rules.

Eameia rolls her eyes, then spots Caedes across the way. Zarius follows her eyeline and also spots the assassin then shoots an accusatory look at her. “Especially do not bother him. Do I make myself clear?”

“Fine. Fine. I will behave myself for your sake. Though this would be a good opportunity to introduce me to him if you are going to keep crossing paths.”

Zarius sighs. She had a point. “Fine, I will think about it.”

With that, the trio stride over to find a place to enter the pools.

Kamille had been there before, and the experience had been pleasant enough to warrant another visit. This time, however, Poe insisted on tagging along, despite not being able to enjoy the experience, remaining the entire time covered by a mantle of invisibility. Wherever she went, more and more times than she could count, Poe would be her shadow. Kamille was fine with that, and Poe knew no other life than that.

The pits were just as she remembered, except this time she came prepared with a two piece of her own. The Witch of Moonglade was not known for her modesty, and it didn’t look like it was time to acquire it either, if that was even possible. Under layers of silks and laces, leather and feathers, she had been found pretty enough - and now there was nowhere to hide. Her two-piece was still black, like most of her regular attire used to be, with a single, lonely sapphire resting at the center of her strapless top, bringing out the color of her eyes.

Not that everyone was bound to notice it.... 

Just like last time, first she made her way to the pit, slidding silently and discretely - as much as possible - into the water, and settling herself comfortably in the warm water. With a sigh of contentment, only then she started to scan the pits in search of some and any familiar faces. Her hair was tied in a loose, messy and charming up-do, as to let her shoulders bare.

After her time with those rough and ready bandits, Vasilia was looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Vasilia felt like she needed to slip right into the warmth of the springs and renew herself. It was nice to see the steam pouring out from the rocks and the pits were pretty.



If Vasilia had learnt anything about hot spring baths on her travels, it was always best to have a set of bathing attire encase a Minotaur might pop out from under the earth. Anyone could arrive at any time and if a towel was nowhere close it could be less than desirable. Vasilia removed her bits of cloth, boots and straps. Her various lace and gloves.



Now she was perfectly ready for the warm waters to sooth her skin and her mind. There was only so much petty banditry nonsense she could put up with. Her bathing attire consisted of a short black ruffle skirt decorated in white flowers which seemed like orchids. It came pretty high up and had some side pulls ties. Over that she wore a nice black bikini bra.



Vasilia had pinned her hair up with two black long pins that had a white orchid crest at the end. It wasn't long before she noticed a few others she knew, but she would keep silent for now and let them make the first move if they chose to.