Scene 3: hiring a guide

"Hehe, thanks for the hint Trak! Wouldn't wanna insult the people we rely on with our stinking odor. Could you give directions to the public bathhouse? I'll go there right after I've finished breakfast, anyone want to join me?" and Yendil looks around at his companions. "Oh, Trak, is there just one public bathhouse, or are there more in town? And unrelated to that, do you know if the Flaming Fist has taken residence in a building here in town? I might want to try and meet them later this week."

"I was thinking, Elster and I walked past the Hall of Gold yesterday, and it is supposed to be really impressive when the sun is shining upon it. I wanted to check that out, maybe try to make a friend while we're there.
If I still have time, I could go to Jabal and handle the business of hiring Musharib.
Considering Razira, I think we shouldn't stand and wait for a meeting with Kwayothé at Goldenthrone. I could try and ask Chiva, the merchant from Jewel's Market I met on our first day, maybe he has some insight or tips on the matter. If it's on route today, I'll quickly try to find him."

Yendil thinks about all the plans today for a moment, and realizes "Sounds like we've got a lot of things to tackle today, and not much time to achieve it. I'm a fan of working in teams, but I'm not sure how we could get that to work today."

Dozens of small bathhouses across the city operate like private clubs. barmen stress private - you can't get in there without invitation. He explain where is the big public one and how to best get thereOn the entrance requested to leave a donation to the temple of Sune "befitting your station in life".

Once inside many independent masseurs and masseuses are on hand to massage weary muscles - at the additional fee of course

"I'll also head to the public baths after breakfast. Then I'll track down Razira, and update her. Not sure how much time will be left until we have to meet our Patron again, but I want to see if i can pick up any rumors or leads regarding the soulmonger.

"A trip to the bathhouse does seem like wise first stop," Tonby says firmly and before the bartender walks away, he asks. "Does the city have library or a place academics?"

"I suppose a bath wouldn't hurt before I visit the Savras temple to talk to Grandfather Zitembe." Larsie says, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of using a public bathhouse.

"Afterwards I will visit Grandfather Zitembe and see if he would be willing to perform he ritual to help us locate the soulmonger. Should we meet up at some point this afternoon to discuss what we've figured out?"

Yendil looks at Larsies unease, and without adressing her directly, he asks the bartender "Hey Trak, do you know where we could get an invite to a private bathhouse? Are they like organizations we'll need to join to enter, corporations we can pay, or just owned by wealthy citizens?"

To his companions "I'll check out the Hall of Gold after, and after a quick lunch visit Jabal's villa to hire Musharib. Oh wait a second, we did not get the money from Syndra right? Maybe we should ask her for that first. It was 150gp right? 5gp a day, and a 30-day advance? I'm not that rich yet! Anyone wants to meet for lunch, or team up at Wakanga's villa after lunch?".Not knowing what to expect at the bathhouse, Yendil will donate 4 cp, and might give more on the way out if he thinks it's worth it. He will check the prices for a masseur.

There is no "a library" in the city, but you can seek some books and scrolls in Savras temple
You don't get an invite to a private bathhouse, you get an invite to an event in the bathhouse. Or - if you have enough money - you could even book one yourself.

Elster once again leaves his weapons and shield in his room, as he sets out with the others to the bathhouse.
Elster donates 1 silver at the public bath house, but looking in his coin purse, he makes a mental note that he can't afford to spend at the rate he has been.
After the bathhouse, he will head to Goldenthrone and talk to the guards. "Good Morning, I'm not looking for Kwayothé today, but checking to see if Razira is here looking for him?"

Yendil visit one of the masseurs and get involved into a long conversation and listen for advertisement and finally learn that "only today and only for him the price would be 9 sp.

As you enter the building you realize it consist of many smaller pools and saunas. Acolytes explain you the procedure typically takes an hour or two and the temperature in sauna is not high. Bathhouse is neither empty nor crowded you can take your bath in isolation or join a company. People are welcoming and open for chatting while the slow procedure takes place

Tonby will just head into a solo bath and get cleaned up. He was not one to be social in such a situation.

Elster also heads to a solo bath, but he does take a serpentine route and tries to eavesdrop on conversations as he walks.

Not entirely comfortable, Larsie will head directly to a solo bath. She wants to get in and get out.

Tonby is too busy to notice, but Larsie and Elster notice any amount is received with gratitude: be it 4 cp by Yendil or a gold by Tonby. Tonby, Larsie and Elster don't waste more time than necessary and move

Elster meets Razira. Woman is happy to see you and promise "merchant princes will be here soon, just need to wait a little bit more".

Larsie you meet Grandfather Zitembe at his temple. He recalls you and is happy to see a sister in faith.

Elster will sit next to Razira, impressed by her optimism. "I sincerely hope he does. I looked into other ways to keep you safe. But the only solution involves you moving out of the city. I'll wait with you for a while. Why don't you tell me a bit about what it was like growing up here . . . "

After his refreshing bath, Tonby heads to The temple of Savras. He is looking for books or information on the history of Chult and the winged Serpents that live here.

"It is good to see you again, Grandfather." Larsie greets Zitembe.

Not one to beat around the bush, she gets straight to the point.

"As you know, Grandfather, my companions and I are here in Chult to try and put an end to the cu..." remembering her past conversation with Zitembe, she pauses before the word "curse" is completely out of her mouth.

"...uhm... whatever it is that is affecting the souls of the once dead. We have learned of an artifact named the Soulmonger that we believe is the cause of all of this, but its location is unknown. I am here to ask if you would be willing to use your ability to ask Savras for help, so that we can retrieve the artifact and put all of this to end."

"Special price for me? I doubt that, but I'll come visit you after I've had my bath first." and Yendil will look for a pool with no more than 3-4 people to join. An hour or two is long, so he'd rather spend that in a company to chat about stuff, and hopefully, he might even learn something. Eventually he'll try to steer the conversation to the topic of expeditions. He'll try to avoid it being an interrogation, but will ask a questions like if they know people who have visited the jungle/inland of Chult, and what the general opinion is on these adventurers.
After the bath and chat, he'll take the masseur up on their offer. At the time of stepping into the bath, Yendil plans to visit the Hall of Gold after the bathhouse, but who knows what could come up in the bathhouse.