Healer's Nest

Written by starquest

An ancient stone structure resembling a termite's nest. At the entrance sits a stout wind-worn stone creature, about as high as a human's knee with a squished face. Some attribute the luck of the hospital to heal to its presence, some even so as far to say that it is a vestige of an unknown deity of health. Others simply say that it was a landmark with no official meaning. Regardless, offerings are often found at its feet when patients are seriously ill in its building.

Purpose / Function

A small medical sect has set up here, treating various ailments of anyone willing to travel so far. The medicines housed here are those of legend, able to push back the brink of death and heal away curses. Though many would argue that its structure is not at all accommodating for such rushed and important tasks, deep within the caves are the perfect gardens growing a vast array of cures.

Entries

There is one main entry point at ground level, however multiple hidden exits. Some of them are spaced out in the surrounding mountain range, kept as secret as possible and blocked by the resident healers. Some could consider the few thin, crumbling windows as entrances for bugs or small animals, but many people have trouble even trying to fit their faces in the holes.

Architecture

Aptly named, the building resembles a climbing, mud-dobbed nest of a giant colony of termites. It is built into the base of a mountain range, with winding, rounded tunnels burrowing deep underground. Spiraling stairways are built into the walls, and are often crowded and uneven. At the very center is the Queen's Chamber, stocked full of medicinal potions, unctions, and fermenting salves. Other chambers are dedicated wards lined with matting beds for patients, separated by type of ailment to limit the spread of contagions. There is no uniform layout or order to the chambers and hallways; some seem to loop around pointlessly, some rooms are seemingly more isolated than others, and no one's quite sure how far above or below ground level they are after spending a few days inside.

Founding Date

Unknown

Alternative Names

The Termites' Nest, the Nest