Local Spotlight: Aisling and The Three Bird's Tavern

When the blue hour begins to wane, and the lanterns hanging beneath the eaves of the Three Birds Tavern begin to glow like trapped stars, many a creature will feel pulled to the comforting warmth and ambient din nestled around the hearth. 

Behind the polished bar stands Aisling, already pouring a warm cup of cloverwine as you shuffle in. Everyone is here; the locals laughing over a mug, the traders settling in for a warm bite and bed for the evening, and the family visiting from out of town who would never miss a chance to enjoy her signature sun-dried gooseberry and mushroom pie. 

Ask anyone in Rhode about Aisling, and they’ll all tell you she’s kind, sharp-eyed, and keeps the best drink outside of Galevallum (though some would even say better). They’ll say the hearth in the Three Birds never goes out, and that Aisling can break up a bar brawl with just a raised eyebrow.

Yet the impression of her is like a song you can hum but can’t remember learning. A private woman, she smirks when I ask her her age, or question her about her past. As she polishes a glass, the well worn lines around her eyes and smile hint at the stories she might tell, but instead she just leans close, smelling like honeyed cedar, and states she’s a simple woman with an unremarkable life, but that she’ll never give up the secret tricks to her recipes.

Profession:

Owner of the Three Bird's Tavern, acting as cook and barkeep.

Where she calls home:

"Forever Rhode of course, it's as good of a home to make as any. Besides, I couldn't possibly trust anyone else to run the Bird's"

Age:

"Well I was born in the month of Freyja, but don't you know its rude to ask your elders their age? How else could I possibly retain enough mystery to keep people coming round"

Anyone special in your life?

"Are you asking me if I'm seeing anyone? How does this possibly count as journalism?"

Any groups you take part in?

"I'm certainly not in any artistry or makers guilds, I would never send fees to Galevallum"

How do you feel about the Capitol/Duke Barrett?

"...Are you trying to get your feature banned by asking people that?"

Any wisdom for the youth?

"Waste all of your stupid mistakes on foolish things, not big choices"

Author's Note: I did ask Aisling once what the meaning behind the name and image of the Three Bird's was, to which she joked all good tavern's need a beautiful woman and a catchy name to draw people in. If you ask me, the beautiful woman in question here seems a little too morose to just be a figurehead, but perhaps I just don't see the vision.