Arkhenon Bathhouse

Across the continent of Arkhenon, baths are a public affair that serve an important, multi-faceted social role. Not only is water brought down from the hills and mountains through a series of aqueducts for cleaning and relaxing, but they're important gathering spots to discuss news, spread gossip, and admire fellow citizens' physiques. It would be more embarrassing to show in the baths wearing something than to participate nude, as Arkhenians delight in all shapes of body and ritual celebration of the bare form. The baths are split into warm and cold divisions separated by walls, with the caldarium, or warm room, usually being the larger of the two and where most citizens spend their time. Typically a bath will be assigned to either men or women or, in many cases, allotted a certain time or day when it's open to a particular sex or open to all. The caldarium rests above a furnace that keeps the water an acceptably warm temperature, and also contains the plumbing that takes away any dirtied water and supplies fresh water to replace it, both in the main pools and the fountains that are used by birds or smaller mammals.

Arkhenian baths, being so socially imperative, often feature some of the most intricate and decorative architecture in their respective city, showcasing murals of important events or inscribed with words of praise or other mantras, or insignias and etchings as reminders and offerings to the gods, especially those who deal with health and water, and also to the nature of water itself. Although these icons imply a degree of seriousness or reverence, horseplay sometimes happens in the baths, though at least a modest level of decorum is still expected despite Arkhenians' playful dispositions. On the other hand, public displays of affection are frequent and one of the more expressive ways to appreciate a healthy, clean body, and total strangers may meet and touch, or old friends and acquaintences might meet to catch up and clean together. Even when these meeting are platonic, it's expected that bathers will render assistance to fellow patrons when requested, washing hard-to-reach places, providing showers to aid in the process, or offer towels as a courtesy.

The business of the baths will depend on the time of day, and although they're open at night they're much more active during the day, when anywhere from a simple few to many dozens of patrons can fill the pools from wall to wall. Many aspects of the economy of Arkhenian cities, like Rhemos, are influenced by the baths, with city construction and engineering planned around their locations, artisans employed for their murals, and textiles woven to make sure everyone who needs a towel has one - if they choose to forego the usual method of reclining nude in the sun on the decks that accompany the baths. Going to these baths is a daily occurrence for many, and their upkeep is not only funded by the city treasury, but the structures are maintained and preserved by the citizens who use them, owing to their widespread importance.