Unreviewed Matsumoto Spa

[Thelma Goth]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a location for RP and add to the site lore of Necropolis.
• Image Credit:
  • Trip to Japan
  • Romantic Asheville
  • Shoji Spa
  • Olivia's Aesthetics
• Canon: N/A
• Permissions:
  • Waters of Resoration [Open Market]
• Links: N/A

SETTING INFORMATION

• Structure Name: Matsumoto Spa
• Classification: Spa & Retreat
• Location: Summerhaven, Necropolis
• Affiliation: Jaina Grayson
• Accessibility: Located in the mountains, this is a public business that anyone can access, provided they are willing to walk, drive or pilot to its location.
• Description: An Atrisian-style spa located in the mountainous resort town of Summerhaven, this lavish retreat mainly caters to (and regularly fleeces) wealthy vacationers looking for "exotic" luxury. Its unique status as an Atrisian cultural export in the middle of such a small community makes it stand out—and the fact that little is known about its eccentric owner certainly adds to the mystique.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Matsumoto Onsen - The Atrisian-style onsen is a public bathing facility utilizing "water" allegedly sourced from a nearby volcanic hot spring. The Matsumoto Spa maintains a standard temperature of 41°C (105.8°F) and is rich in minerals which are supposed to be good for the skin and overall health. The spa charges 90 credits per person for every hour in the onsen, which is divided by sex. Female facilities are located on the eastern half and males on the western.

For those preferring a more exclusive soak, private hot tubs are available for 175 credits per hour. As an alternative to paying by the hour just for access to the tub, guests can instead rent the attached room and tub for a princely 350 credits per night. The rooms generally feature only one bed, enough for two people to sleep comfortably. Availability is limited, especially during the busy summer months.

Continuing their focus on "traditional" Atrisian services, the spa offers guests their very own in-house signature tea blend served with raw unfiltered honey and Atrisian tea crackers, all delivered tub side upon request. It makes for a nice addition to your soak, but is not complementary, costing an extra 10 credits.

Attendants will offer massages to guests for 210 credits per 90 minutes, using special oils imported from Atrisia. The masseuses are licensed and trained in a wide range of techniques; some of them are even actually Atrisian, though most are either biots or local Necropolitans. A pricier deep tissue massage is also available at a going rate of 272 credits per 90 minutes, as well as a prenatal massage for pregnant women looking to be pampered in their second or third trimester.

The resort also provides guests with a "traditional" Atrisian head spa starting at 79 credits. This treatment is designed mainly to improve scalp health, though it can also be used for relaxation. The Holonet site gives details about how the spa workers analyze the head to determine exactly what treatment is required, but they are known to exaggerate and claim that patrons require more care than they actually need in order to jack up the price. Regardless, the head spa is a genuinely luxurious experience and has practical use in treating conditions like dandruff and psoriasis, as well as conditioning the hair. A facial can be included for an extra 30 credits.

The Caverns - A less advertised aspect of this location are the submerged caverns beneath the structure. The "waters" of the onsen are actually sourced from these caves, which are not accessible to the public; indeed, the average visitor would not even be aware that they exist. The "waters" of the caverns are imbued with the Force and have healing properties roughly equivalent to bacta, though by the time they are piped into the onsen these effects are somewhat diluted.

SECURITY
Low; the majority of the spa is easy to access. Gates and doors feature industry standard electronic locks during off hours. There is a burglar alarm system, but it is nothing special and could probably be hacked by a good slicer. There have been problems in the past with teenagers breaking into the spa at night, but these incidents are rare and considered mostly harmless by the owner, who has not sought legal action.

The caverns, on the other hand, are more thoroughly blocked off, with the only entrance covered by a reinforced door that requires a voice-activated passcode to enter.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

In 829, the building which now houses the Matsumoto Spa was built as the summer home of an Anzati necromancer named Calistan Rico. Calistan was eager to get his foot in the door of Necropolis' underground vampiric enterprises, utilizing the then empty caves beneath the house to conceal his illegal activities. Unfortunately, his career as a brain-eating crime lord was cut short when he was killed in a police raid. His lavish home in the mountains subsequently went up for sale, but many locals considered the location haunted and discouraged visitors from buying it.

By 889 ABY, the house had fallen in disrepair. The property was unexpectedly purchased by a woman named Jaina Grayson. Jaina refurbished the building and converted it into an Atrisian style onsen/spa, successfully out-competing another similar business nearby. Sometimes seen working as a masseuse or as an overseer of the other workers, Jaina is known to frequently leave town and remains a largely enigmatic figure to the people of Summerhaven, who find her behavior and demeanor... eccentric. But as long as she doesn't cause trouble, they are content to live and let live.