Svislagna

House Vaught's arena, one of the largest in the Eastern Kingdoms.

Appearance
After Snowhaven and the Heron's Roost, the Heron's Nest is one of the oldest locations in the Great Mountain, although it's been altered and expanded many times before. White pillars fill it with large, wooden, overarching boards directly above the arena's pit. All four sides of the lowest level have Vaught Banners, while the rafts all have them hanging on either side, twelve in all. Its actual seating has never been measured, but during the Vulture's Rebellion, the entire Vaught and Caer armies were able to find seating. Over the years, some of the pillars have begun to crack, weakening them and therefor crippling the chains attached to them's affect.

Usage
The Heron's Nest has normally been used to give prisoners who are exceptionally physically fit a chance to either die in battle, or show off once more for themselves. In essence, it was a creation to make men deemed unworthy to live slow their demise purely for the amusement of the former Kings of the Mountain. However, after their subjugation, the full-out death-or-nothing style of combat has become rarer, forcing House Vaught to let even the most gruesome of traitors yield to one another. However, both combatants are killed in private afterwards, ranging from beheadings to feeding to the beastial gladiators.

During times of peace, it has been used as a place for tournaments, which has kept it from stiring controversy among the Realm's people.

Combat
Although normally for criminals, Knights can volunteer to fight one another, or the gladiators themselves, as long as they're willing to face the same consequences publically. Of course, the executions afterwards aren't carried out for them. In fights between two soldiers, six guardians are put around them, so that when one yields they're pulled away from each other to prevent fatalities. Through-out history, there have been matches between rebel soldiers any bears, yetis, GIant's Sons, packs of wolves, and the monstrous Musk Oxen of the Heron during mating season. With animal duels, death is a constant possibility, though gladiators are forced to agree in front of the entire crowd before starting the match.