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HORIZON #2: THE BIRD'S NEST (DEMOLISHED.)
Mar. 13th, 2020 08:52 pm
HORIZON: THE BIRD’S NEST
Where once stood green hills and the vibrant, lush leaves of his vineyard, there are now fragments of a dirty, stinking city with the main attraction being a single full standing building. A swinging sign above the front door names it The Bird’s Nest, and even outside can the muffled sounds of chatter, clinking glasses and a single singer be heard.
Inside is an often crowded tavern full of faceless, shadowed shapes, warmly lit by ensconced candles all along the walls and a hanging chandelier above. A deer skull gazes out over a large hearth, though no fire burns in it and never will, with only glowing logs remaining. Wooden shelves line the walls holding strange antiquities, rows of books, and various musical instruments on their stands.
There is a special glass cabinet set to the side that holds gifts Jaskier has received from others: a pearlescent scale set into a broach rests on a satin pillow; a potted grape plant, fruit full and hanging off a vine; what is clearly an anachronistic CD player with two jewels cases of CDs next to it. An open box of elaborately decorated chocolates lays on a lower shelf, a few empty spots left behind, and the lowest shelf holds bottles of all his named and appropriately labeled vintages -- Heartsblood, Twin Dragons, Vegas, Slave to Bone, Wolfteeth and Sweet Kiss. Inexplicably, there is a white peacock perched upon the top of this case in a cushioned bed, and it will cry and bite at anyone who seems to be trying to open the cabinet.
A bar counter sits just to the right of the front door, with bottles of aged wine and liquor waiting to be poured. Instead of a barkeep, there stands a strange creature with a glowing pom springing from his head on the bar top. Where once Moglad the moogle was dressed in the finery of a bard, he now has donned a dark set of armor, a large broadsword hanging on the wall nearby that appears perfectly sized for his hands. As long as you approach in a friendly manner, Moglad will remove his helmet and bid you welcome to The Bird’s Nest, ready to pour you a drink.
When the tavern goes quiet enough, creaking and soft voices can be heard from underneath the floorboards. There is a hidden door that leads to a storage area downstairs, holding mostly barrels of ale and foodstuffs. However, faint voices can still be heard here, and the air is heavy. Only people Jaskier considers close friends can find this door; otherwise, Moglad will protect it with his life and will not hesitate to drive anyone out who causes too much trouble. The location of the door changes often. It is down here that the remains of his vineyard still thrive, with grapevines growing up the walls and reaching for what bare sunbeams make it through the floorboards. A few slit windows look out into a busy, active city center, far different from the real exterior of the tavern.
On the rare occasion when the domain’s master is feeling low, the candles of the tavern will not be lit. The inside will be dark, tables and chairs shoved and piled to the side. A single chair will sit in the middle of the floor, blood staining its seat and the ground at its feet, rope coiled around it. Stare too long and a single flame will ignite with the sound of a snap, the shadow of a man moving through the dark.
Ominous.
Outside the tavern is mostly nondescript ruin; there is an attempt to hold onto the alleys and streets of a bustling city, but it ends up only with some cracked, open walls, empty market stalls and the vague smell of chickens and salt water. Various creatures wander the grounds and will eye or follow strangers. The air is thick with birds of all species, from brightly colored parrots to the humble grey pigeon; these are merely decoration and will not interact with visitors. A pair of somewhat demonic-looking horses will snort and huff cold air, their hooves clicking against cobblestone. It’s not rare to see them chasing after rats or chickens to devour like a pair of wolves. Friends may know their names as Radu and Dănești, and can approach without much fanfare. They two horses accept a few pats or offerings of nibbling before running off.
On the roof of The Bird’s Nest – and maybe to those who don’t know Jaskier well enough, seemingly where its moniker stems from – a great golden bird nests, pink crystals erupting from between leaves and straw. It will mostly give you a curious glance as you enter the tavern, then go back to curling up to sleep.
Nowhere in Jaskier’s domain do fires burn except on the candles lining the tavern walls, which appear to be more light than actual flame. Fire magic cannot be summoned here, and if anyone attempts a few too many times, one of Jaskier’s various creatures will be happy to escort you off the premises.
DENIZENS OF THE BIRD’S NEST AND SURROUNDING STREETS OF GORS VELEN
The Goldfinch
An enormous, vulture-sized bird decorated with crystals that has nested on top of the tavern. This creature is a gift from Hector upon their first meeting in the Horizon, when both were without memories. Jaskier is very fond of the bird and will often be found hanging up treats for the bird to fly down and fetch, anything from hanging slabs of meat to pinecones covered in peanut butter and birdseed. The goldfinch generally will not approach visitors, but will keep an eye on them from its perch.
Lukasz
A temperamental white peacock that perches on the glass case of Jaskier’s souvenirs inside the tavern, received as a Christmas gift from Julie. He’s taken to biting anyone who draws too near, and leaves feathers all inside and outside the tavern. Feel free to take one if you wish, as long as Lukasz is not near enough to catch you doing it. He will give chase. The only creature he appears to adore is Moglad, who can walk straight up and pluck off a feather with nary a glared eye.
Radu and Dănești
A pair of bonded, vampiric horses, whose origins stem from a mid-winter ride with Alucard in Jaskier’s old vineyard that lingered after their creation. With dark violet colors, sharp teeth, and curling, twisted horns, sometimes their glowing red eyes can be seen in the distance, the sounds of squeals following them as they catch and devour rodents, stray birds and other pests. They are only seen when dark falls over the domain, and will tolerate a few pets from anyone Jaskier deems a friend.
Moglad the Moogle
A friend first met in Himeka’s domain. Moglad is, like all moogles, a trickster, a drinker, and a fool. Moglad first joined Jaskier with the promise of being trained as an apprentice bard. Moglad took to music well and passed his music lessons with flying colors; unfortunately, he, like the rest of the domain, has been shaped by Jaskier’s emotional state. He has taken up the dark knight’s sword to defend his master, serving as The Bird’s Nest’s bartender, bookkeeper, muscle and general good company.
