It all kicks off with a lost tail feather. Not your average quill dropped on the pavement, but a blazing ticket to a challenging quest straight from the Firebird's personal collection. If you happen upon one of these, hold tight: you're about to be swept up in a whirlwind of Slavic mythology.

The Firebird is a magical, glowing bird whose capture can bring both fortune and doom. It has golden feathers that emit a bright light, with eyes compared to oriental crystal. Notable tales include the transformation of a girl named Maryushka into a Firebird by an envious sorcerer (the Suzanne Massie version), and an archer's mission to nab both the bird and a princess at a king's behest (The Firebird and Princess Vasilisa.)