Old Ellician Bathhouses
Comfort can come from many places in many ways. A sturdy chair in a tavern rich with mirth. The calm of a garden as the gentler winds pass amid the pedals of the summer flowers. Even the warmth of the hearth when a hearth may be had. Once upon a time, few could say they've had their pick of all three of these. But this was ended with the construction of the Ellician Bathhouses.
Elegent in design and comforting in aesthetic. Ellician Bathhouses were the place to be for any traveler in aching need of solace and bliss.
Devised by Caemon Arteas, the Eighth Aesar of The Ellician Empire. A talented man devoted to being a patron of the arts and sciences. The Ellician Bathhouses were designed and constructed to be a kind of Rebirth for any that entered them and partook of their services. And to thousands across the long millennia, they most certainly were, They'd even been confused for proper Temples, which might very well have been intentional.
Even after the Old Empire fell, and new nations arose from its ashes. Many of the Bathhouses continued their functions. Merely exchanging ownership by the Ellician State, to that of Independent Entrepreneurs looking to grow rich and fat on the capital brought in by one of the last great contributions to social life by the Old Empire. And grow rich and fat they did indeed. As many to the present day still visit the bathhouses for leisure, relaxation, hygiene, and other... more intimate purposes in certain establishments.
Elegent in design and comforting in aesthetic. Ellician Bathhouses were the place to be for any traveler in aching need of solace and bliss.
Devised by Caemon Arteas, the Eighth Aesar of The Ellician Empire. A talented man devoted to being a patron of the arts and sciences. The Ellician Bathhouses were designed and constructed to be a kind of Rebirth for any that entered them and partook of their services. And to thousands across the long millennia, they most certainly were, They'd even been confused for proper Temples, which might very well have been intentional.
Even after the Old Empire fell, and new nations arose from its ashes. Many of the Bathhouses continued their functions. Merely exchanging ownership by the Ellician State, to that of Independent Entrepreneurs looking to grow rich and fat on the capital brought in by one of the last great contributions to social life by the Old Empire. And grow rich and fat they did indeed. As many to the present day still visit the bathhouses for leisure, relaxation, hygiene, and other... more intimate purposes in certain establishments.
Purpose / Function
Entertainment and leisure were the primary goals of the Bathhouses. To further the economy of the Old Empire through the establishment of state funded and partially operated bathhouses for both recreational use, as well as seeking to improve the hygiene of the population. The concept was met with mild critique and uncertainty. But the project won its nay-sayers over once it was executed.
The establishment became a favorite fascet of the Ellician Economy. As well as the entertainment sector of Ellician Society.
After the Ellician Empire fell. The majority of the Bathhouses were maintained while a few were abandoned or pillaged for prerefined building materials. And the services of the establishments became unique in specific places.
The establishment became a favorite fascet of the Ellician Economy. As well as the entertainment sector of Ellician Society.
After the Ellician Empire fell. The majority of the Bathhouses were maintained while a few were abandoned or pillaged for prerefined building materials. And the services of the establishments became unique in specific places.
Alterations
In their beginning, the Bathhouses were simply large, elegantly designed buildings built with a central pool of clean, soothing water with the conveinience of food and drink being served to its patrons. Overtime however, the layout and function of the establishments were improved and expanded upon.
Rather than just a communal pool. Separate pool chambers were added not only to expand the serving capacity, but also increase the establishments grossings through rentable bath chambers. Musicians were hired to magnify the entertainment of patrons. Which had also been lucrative for the Musicians by way of gratuity by the customers. And by around the Third Aeon, 5203 E.A. Some of the Bathhouses began employing independent sex workers for customers that were interested. Though this wasn't a wide spread practice.
In the beginning. The square footage of the Bathhouses had once been standardized at 60,000. But as the ambitions of the Bathhouses administrators rose, so too did the size of the facilities.
Rather than just a communal pool. Separate pool chambers were added not only to expand the serving capacity, but also increase the establishments grossings through rentable bath chambers. Musicians were hired to magnify the entertainment of patrons. Which had also been lucrative for the Musicians by way of gratuity by the customers. And by around the Third Aeon, 5203 E.A. Some of the Bathhouses began employing independent sex workers for customers that were interested. Though this wasn't a wide spread practice.
In the beginning. The square footage of the Bathhouses had once been standardized at 60,000. But as the ambitions of the Bathhouses administrators rose, so too did the size of the facilities.
Architecture
As was typical of Ellician architecture in buildings designed for public service. The style of the building combined the cultural tones of all the cultures of the Empire. Solid stone foundations running deep in the earth. Vaulted walls sloaping overhead from entrance to Atrium and into every individual chamber. Murals depicting the exploits of the heroes of the empire adorned the walls of every room, hall, and exterior wall. Unique plumbing systems that brought spring water to the baths, the fountains, and the basins ran through the very walls. The windows of the Bathhouses were pendant shaped and covered by oak and rosewood shutters adorned with carvings of dragons all along their surfaces.
Pillars of winding rings held the ceilings up at stong points of the complex. Each of the rings had been carved to resemble the body of one of the Watersong Dragons. The bases of the pillars were carved to appear as Earthsong Dragons holding up the pillars. Lamps and braziers were crafted from iron to look like Firesong Dragons singing fire. And all along the ceilings curves, were carved from white jade to resemble Airsong Dragons dancing in the sky. Truly, the Ellician Spirit was ever alive and well in their structures. Even their Bathhouses.
Pillars of winding rings held the ceilings up at stong points of the complex. Each of the rings had been carved to resemble the body of one of the Watersong Dragons. The bases of the pillars were carved to appear as Earthsong Dragons holding up the pillars. Lamps and braziers were crafted from iron to look like Firesong Dragons singing fire. And all along the ceilings curves, were carved from white jade to resemble Airsong Dragons dancing in the sky. Truly, the Ellician Spirit was ever alive and well in their structures. Even their Bathhouses.
History
Caemon Arteas, Eighth Aesar of The Ellician Empire, sought to expand the local sectors of the Ellician economy. While at the same time, improving the Hygiene of the population. A solution struck the young emperor while he began his bath for the evening. It was recorded in the daily log of the palace guard that the young emperor made his revelation vocal with spirited laughter seemingly from out fo nowhere. Hearing splashes and damp foot falls against the white washed stone floor. The next day, Caemon gathered an assembly of famed and respected artisans, stone masons, carpenters, and engineers from across the Empire. With a proposal none had ever considered. Public Bathhouses, elegant in design and service. Affordable to all.
Caemon and his gathered crafts masters conversed day and night for three weeks before drafting plans for the new building project. Ensuring that every detail would be every bit as exemplary as a Government House, a Fortress, or a Temple in the display of the Ellician Cultural Spirit. A spirit that sought to encompass all of Humanities Cultures. And the purity of The Ellician Virtues.
Caemon and his gathered crafts masters conversed day and night for three weeks before drafting plans for the new building project. Ensuring that every detail would be every bit as exemplary as a Government House, a Fortress, or a Temple in the display of the Ellician Cultural Spirit. A spirit that sought to encompass all of Humanities Cultures. And the purity of The Ellician Virtues.
Tourism
In its early days as a new entertainment asset of the Ellician Economy. Many from elsewhere in the new and vast empire began hearing of these marvels of construction, design, craftsmanship, and engineering. Making the long journey from their homelands to the yet unfamiliar regions of The Heartland. Once they arrived to these new establishments. Opinions were quickly converted to the entertainment prospect that these Bathhouses promised.
Many letters of dignitaries, merchants, travelers, and even government officials from their native administrations survive to the present day. Mostly letters written to loved ones, friends, and contemporaries back home. They all equally testify, however, that the bathhouses were one of the most enjoyable experiences they ever had. Many accounts speak of the pleasant atmosphere, the refreshing waters, and the professionalism of the establishments.
In the Milennia to come. As the establishments were expanded upon and its services broadened. The Bathhouses acclaim only soared. Eventually reaching many more customer bases as the Bathhouses sprung up across the maps of foreign lands. The base visuals of the bathhouses aesthetic remaining essentially Ellician. But molding to the spirit of the local cultures and communities. Even the archetectures of the buildings themselves became unique to the tastes of the lands they resided. Garnering tourism from even the people of the Heartland, where the Bathhouses arose from in the first place.
Like most of the Ellician structures. They became cultural meeting grounds for the cultures of Humankind. With many architectural techniques, preferences, and tastes making an appearance through out the buildings designs. As time went on. They would come to shift and change with the people that visited them.
Many letters of dignitaries, merchants, travelers, and even government officials from their native administrations survive to the present day. Mostly letters written to loved ones, friends, and contemporaries back home. They all equally testify, however, that the bathhouses were one of the most enjoyable experiences they ever had. Many accounts speak of the pleasant atmosphere, the refreshing waters, and the professionalism of the establishments.
In the Milennia to come. As the establishments were expanded upon and its services broadened. The Bathhouses acclaim only soared. Eventually reaching many more customer bases as the Bathhouses sprung up across the maps of foreign lands. The base visuals of the bathhouses aesthetic remaining essentially Ellician. But molding to the spirit of the local cultures and communities. Even the archetectures of the buildings themselves became unique to the tastes of the lands they resided. Garnering tourism from even the people of the Heartland, where the Bathhouses arose from in the first place.
Like most of the Ellician structures. They became cultural meeting grounds for the cultures of Humankind. With many architectural techniques, preferences, and tastes making an appearance through out the buildings designs. As time went on. They would come to shift and change with the people that visited them.
Founding Date
Third Aeon, 16th of Draeduas, 2403 E.A.
Alternative Names
The Temples of Bliss
Type
Bathhouse
Parent Location
Owning Organization
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