Caldia Bathhouse

“All of the Southwark can fit into the gilded dome of the Caldia Bathhouse, and many of the higher classes rather wish that they did. Alas, the cost of such a service is too much for those who barely have enough to eat, so the service goes unused except by those who wouldn’t normally be caught in this part of town. Rest assured, any excess money and obvious treasures carried by you may mysteriously vanish as you approach the place, never to be seen again. Such is the price of getting clean while talking with the colourful folk who frequent the place.”
~ The City of Cities

Purpose / Function

People flock from all over the city to engage in steamy conversation while bathing here. Because of this, there is commonly a short wait to get in. A large hall is out front where the bathmaids provide you with rooms to take off your clothes and rinse off. Following that, one enters the main bath chamber, which has several heated pools. A selection of shampoos and perfumes are also for sale with a purchase in advance from the sign-in table.

Prices

The usual cost is 3sp for using the bathhouse, but those wanting scented shampoos or perfumes usually pay twice that.

Architecture

This structure is easily the largest bathhouse in the city. Located near Caldia Park, this building is dominated by a great stone dome which has slight gilding along the rim to indicate its treasured status among the city’s buildings.
Inside, the building is decorated with mosaics and tile patterns that go along the floor of all rooms and even the underside of the central dome. This feature in particular gives the place its nickname of “the Empress’s Tilehouse”.
The pools are made out of solid stone and come in a variety of heats, from nearly scalding to close to frigid. Heating comes from a serious of heated fires in underground chambers, with chilling being handled in a similar manner. The water is cycled out via the city’s sewer system.

History

The building was originally built during the reign of the Empress whose name has been given to the structure. Over the centuries, larger and more elaborate pools have been added inside, and the halls of the place have grown in an organic fashion to keep up with the numbers of people in the city.

Alternative Names

The Empress's Tilehouse

Type

Bathhouse

Parent Location

Gratic City

Owner

Alti the Bathhouse Owner

Characters in Location

• Alti the Bathhouse Owner

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)