Location: Near Modnar’s Tower to the west
Terrain: Light forest foothills, rocky outcroppings
Feature Type: Ancient spa complex / elemental vent site
Discharges Into: A mossy runoff stream that warms the Viremere River
🧭 Overview
Tucked into a secluded hollow of mist-wrapped forest lies a partially restored cluster of stone-lined hot springs, long known as the Moonbaths of Modnar. Thick fog lingers in the air, clinging to silver-barked ash trees, moss-choked masonry, and curious runic glyphs etched into stones. Some are fresh.
Though derelict for decades, the area no longer feels abandoned. New growth creeps in, and the pools now hum with strange energies—some soothing, some searing. Creatures drink cautiously from the cooler shallows, while broken columns suggest a place once revered... and maybe still protected.
💧 The Pools Themselves
There are five main pools, each with its own mood, hazards, and history:
| Pool Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 🩸 The Scalding Maw | The smallest but hottest pool, at the highest elevation. It hisses violently at times. The edges are blackened. |
| 🌕 The Sibling Pools | Two medium-sized pools once ringed by columns. One is collapsed, forming a shallow basin; the other still steams gently. Signs of troll-sized footprints and a snapped spa bench suggest larger creatures once bathed here. Marked with graffiti (“Beggars Bathe Best”). |
| 🦌 The Hollow Basin | A wide, shallow pool favored by forest animals. Soft moss carpets the edges, and visitors may see hoofprints or claw marks. |
| 🛡️ The Forgotten Font | Hidden behind a toppled stone wall. The water is unnaturally still, and glows faintly beneath moonlight. |
| 🌫️ The Runoff Stream | A shallow, meandering flow running northward. The water is warm year-round and creates fog-choked glades down to the Viremere. |
🌲 Current State & Influence
Though still dangerous, the Pools now show signs of stewardship—though subtle:
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Roots twist gently into cracked stones, reinforcing walls.
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Glyphs appear like frost on rocks, warding against predators.
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The air smells of orchids and wet ash, not just sulfur and heat.
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Runes—elegant spirals—mark trees at the forest’s edge, offering silent judgment.
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Crushed grass and old blood hint at recent monster visits: troll stink lingers in one pool; a broken spider husk lies curled behind a mossy bench; scorch marks burn in crescent patterns.
🍻 Tavern Rumors Still Circulating
| # | Rumor | Truth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “An elf once said the Pools were sacred. Used for moon rites. He also talks to mushrooms though…” | Mostly true. The Pools were tied to lunar cycles, and Nymelis has begun restoring these rites. |
| 2 | “A brigand saw a unicorn bathing. He couldn't sleep for a month after.” | True. Thalorion visits only during calm nights—and marks those who intrude upon him with dream-visions. |
| 3 | “The deep pool boiled a man alive.” | Sadly true. The Scalding Maw’s pressure surges can flash-boil the unwary. |
| 4 | “The trees bleed sap that smells like burnt silver.” | True. That’s residual planar essence—especially near the Forgotten Font. |
| 5 | “Even trolls bathe there. And ghosts smile in the steam.” | Unfortunately, yes. Both trolls and spectres have been seen, though the fey are working to reclaim the space. |