City of Birdseye (bɜ:rdzaɪ)
The city of Birdseye is famous around the world, for its magnificence, wealth and splendour. Few cities can boast such a dramatic site as Birdseye, perched upon Hoy's Torn, a pillar of rock that juts out from the Darí Plateau , and towering over the [unnamed sea]. The towers, domes and spires of the city's skyline are visible to ships many miles away, while visitors arriving on the land-ward side come face-to-face with the great Birdseye Bridge, one of the world's greatest marvels of construction.
The sky around the city is alive with the flight of decolines, which come from ports near and far to trade in Birdseye's renowned markets, bazaars, and emporiums. The Bridge District itself is crowded with shops, inns, warehouses and the offices of trading companies, while the Fairmaid Markets lie just a short distance away, housing the widest assortment of goods anywhere in the world. Day and night, the market bustles with activity, as people come to buy and exchange fine clothes, carpets, spices, silks and textiles, incense and perfumes, confectionaries, wines and liquors, feathers, glasswares, teas and coffees.
Most prized of all, however, are the works of finest gold and silver and gemstones that are wrought by the artisans of Old Quarry Square, a district that has been the home of the city's jewellers for centuries. More than anything else, Birdseye owes it wealth to this industry
The sky around the city is alive with the flight of decolines, which come from ports near and far to trade in Birdseye's renowned markets, bazaars, and emporiums. The Bridge District itself is crowded with shops, inns, warehouses and the offices of trading companies, while the Fairmaid Markets lie just a short distance away, housing the widest assortment of goods anywhere in the world. Day and night, the market bustles with activity, as people come to buy and exchange fine clothes, carpets, spices, silks and textiles, incense and perfumes, confectionaries, wines and liquors, feathers, glasswares, teas and coffees.
Most prized of all, however, are the works of finest gold and silver and gemstones that are wrought by the artisans of Old Quarry Square, a district that has been the home of the city's jewellers for centuries. More than anything else, Birdseye owes it wealth to this industry
Government
Since the Act of Union of 38th Achuary 584, the city of Birdseye has been formally under the rule of the Kingdom of Cestrania, with the prince regent acting as head of state.
In most cases, the daily management of the city is left to the Lord Guv, and his cabinet of advisors and assistants.
Defences
For most of the city's history, the natural defences were the primary deterrent for any potential threats. Until the construction of the Birdseye Bridge, and attackers would need to scale the sheer rockface of Hoy's Torn in order to assault the city, a feat that is so difficult that the city was rendered virtually impregnable from the beach.
Despite this challenge, the city did suffer several raids from pirate fleets during its early years. The pirates, who would secretly climb the rock under cover of night, raided the settlement and took both loot and slaves with them. As a protection again these raids, the fortifications of Birdseye were expanded: first, with the construction of a keep adjacent to the partially ruined Seawatch Tower, and later with a stone wall that encircled the town. In subsequent periods, the keep was expanded to become Birdseye Castle. Since the construction of these defences, no foreign force has ever successfully attacked the city.
When the Birdseye Bridge was completed in Geruary 600, two small fortresses were included at both ends. While these fortresses do possess some military capacity, they serve more as gates to control who enters and leaves the city, and in the collection of tolls and taxes.
Since the Act of Union, the defence of Birdseye has primarily been the responsibility of the Kingdom of Cestrania, which took over the rule of the city, and thus also the obligations for it's protection.
Industry & Trade
The city of Birdseye is one of the most prosperous in Ocea, with an economy that is both diverse and robust. Historically, the city's economy has mostly been tied to the sea, and this is still true to some extent.
Guilds and Factions
Many of the professions of Birdseye are organised into guilds, with considerable history and political influence shared amongst them. Due to the power of the guilds, many vie with one another for status within the city, and have consequently been divided into three categories, or orders. The prestige of a guild is communicated via an honorific: thus, guilds of the first order (the most powerful) are known as Worshipful Companies; guilds of the second order are known as Esteemed Companies; and guilds of the third order are described as Excellent Companies.
Worshipful Company of Auctioneers: the most powerful of all of Birdseye’s guilds, the Auctioneers hold a special place in the city.
Worshipful Company of Jewellers: one of the largest and most influential of the guilds of Birdseye, incorporating the Company of Goldsmiths, the Company of Silversmiths, and the Company of Jewellers. They are responsible for worn items made of gold, silver, gems, and other precious materials. The livery hall of this guild, Jeweller’s House, is located in Old Quarry Square, close to where many jewellers ply their trade.
Worshipful Company of Mercers: a comparatively young guild, the Mercers incorporate the Company of Silk Merchants and the Company of Silk Workers. The rise of decoline and air-trade has resulted in a sharp increase in the level of influence held by the Mercers.
Esteemed Company of Merchant Tailors: incorporating the Company of Milliners and the Company of Glovers
Esteemed Company of Glassworkers
Esteemed Company of Clothworkers and Fabric Merchants: incorporating the Company of Dyers and Colourers, and the Company of Linen and Wool Makers and Merchants
Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Excellent Company of Leatherers: incorporating the Company of Curriers, and the Company of Cordwainers.
Worshipful Company of Moneylenders
Worshipful Company of Physicians, Surgeons and Barbers
Worshipful Company of Salters, Spicers and Apothecaries
Worshipful Company of Scriveners and Clerks
Esteemed Company of Masons and Bricklayers
Excellent Company of Advocates and Scholars-in-Law
Esteemed Company of Bankers and Money-Changers
Excellent Company of Butchers and Graziers
Esteemed Company of Bakers and Pastry-Makers
Excellent Company of Airmen and Decoliníers
Esteemed Company of Metallurgists: incorporating the Company of Blacksmiths, the Company of Ironmongers and Steeliers, the Company of Pewterers and Brasiers, and the Company of Armourers and Cutlers.
Worshipful Company of Grocers
Worshipful Company of Carpenters and Woodsmiths
Worshipful Company of Drapers
Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
Worshipful Company of Auctioneers: the most powerful of all of Birdseye’s guilds, the Auctioneers hold a special place in the city.
Worshipful Company of Jewellers: one of the largest and most influential of the guilds of Birdseye, incorporating the Company of Goldsmiths, the Company of Silversmiths, and the Company of Jewellers. They are responsible for worn items made of gold, silver, gems, and other precious materials. The livery hall of this guild, Jeweller’s House, is located in Old Quarry Square, close to where many jewellers ply their trade.
Worshipful Company of Mercers: a comparatively young guild, the Mercers incorporate the Company of Silk Merchants and the Company of Silk Workers. The rise of decoline and air-trade has resulted in a sharp increase in the level of influence held by the Mercers.
Esteemed Company of Merchant Tailors: incorporating the Company of Milliners and the Company of Glovers
Esteemed Company of Glassworkers
Esteemed Company of Clothworkers and Fabric Merchants: incorporating the Company of Dyers and Colourers, and the Company of Linen and Wool Makers and Merchants
Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Excellent Company of Leatherers: incorporating the Company of Curriers, and the Company of Cordwainers.
Worshipful Company of Moneylenders
Worshipful Company of Physicians, Surgeons and Barbers
Worshipful Company of Salters, Spicers and Apothecaries
Worshipful Company of Scriveners and Clerks
Esteemed Company of Masons and Bricklayers
Excellent Company of Advocates and Scholars-in-Law
Esteemed Company of Bankers and Money-Changers
Excellent Company of Butchers and Graziers
Esteemed Company of Bakers and Pastry-Makers
Excellent Company of Airmen and Decoliníers
Esteemed Company of Metallurgists: incorporating the Company of Blacksmiths, the Company of Ironmongers and Steeliers, the Company of Pewterers and Brasiers, and the Company of Armourers and Cutlers.
Worshipful Company of Grocers
Worshipful Company of Carpenters and Woodsmiths
Worshipful Company of Drapers
Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
Architecture
- Silvervein Palace: the Silvervein Palace is the official residence of the Prince Regent of Birdseye. Built about 150 years ago, the palace acquired its name from the fine silver filigree inlaid into the palace walls (interior)
- Old town wall: the old town wall of Birdseye has not been functional for a very long time. Consequently, the people of the city have taken to building on it, in it, or taking away the stones for their houses elsewhere.
- Markets: the markets of Birdseye are located beside a fissure where rainwater drains from the higher outcropping of the rock. The spring that formed there was turned itno the city’s first bathhouse, and, over time, brothels began establishing themselves nearby. People began conducting business in the bathhouses and brothels, and gradually the streets, and then the buildings themselves, were transformed into the city’s largest indoor market.
Geography
Birdseye sits on top of a pillar of rock, Hoy's Torn, above the ... Ocean.
Alternative Name(s)
Birdseye
Type
Large city
Population
~250,000-300,000
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Birdsavians
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Characters in Location
Blesserfolk Religion
Comments
Author's Notes
Inspiration
The overall look of Birdseye was heavily inspired by a series of digital artworks by Jesse van Dijk (Project Indigo), as well as Italian hill towns generally. The residential buildings of Birdseye are particularly associated with medieval vernacular Italian architecture. In particular, the buildings of Siena, Venice, Perugia, and Bologna (and countless other towns, such as Petroio, Pienza, Castel Madama, Orvieto, Manarola). Other important influences include Byzantine, Maltese, and Turkish (Ottoman) architecture, with features such as shallow or flared domes, Maltese balconies, colonnaded galleries around courtyards or overlooking streets, and shop- and market-awnings. Additionally, the architectural styles of Birdseye's residential buildings are likely to reflect different historic periods and social classes; thus, the more recently built palace of the rich are inspired by Venetian buildings; whereas the older parts of the city have a more Romanesque and Byzantine appearance; and the areas that grew after a surge in immigration may bring an Ottoman Turkish feel. The areas around the edge of the rock, where the buildings cascade over the sides and are, in many places, cantilevered over empty space, are inspired by many images: notably Jesse van Dijk's paintings; the monasteries of Meteora and Mt Athos in Greece (especially Dionysiou and Simonos Petras diaojiaolou architecture in China; the hanging houses of Cuenca, Spain; and Trajan's markets in Rome, Italy. Inspiration can also be found in dense and crowded cities like El Alto, Bolivia; the favelas of Rio de Janeiro; and Jalousie slum in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Many of Birdseye's grander buildings (for example, theatres, palaces, guild halls) are either baroque or Renaissance in style. The military buildings of Birdseye (old walls, towers, forts) are mostly Romanesque in design—massive, simple, undecorated, and functional.Specific Locations
Silvervein Palace: the Doge's Palace in Venice, ItalyHoy's Torn: stone forest at Zhangjiajie, China
Birdseye Bridge: Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy; (old) London Bridge in London, UK; Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy; The Bridge District by Dain (Cartographers' Guild)
Birdseye Town Hall: St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy; Guildhall in London, UK
Jewellers' House: guild halls around Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium
Canarde's Tower: Palazzo Signoria in Florence, Italy; Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, Italy
Old town wall: houses on the walls of Jesi/Iesi, Italy; houses built into the walls of Split, Croatia
Fairmaid Markets: Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey; Topkapi Harem in Istanbul, Turkey; Roman bath-house designs
Birdseye Gardens: renaissance gardens in Italy and France, especially Isola Bella, Italy; Trsteno Arboretum, Croatia