Hval (ʋɑːl)
Hval is a medium-sized island in the Northeastern Region, near the edge of the Middlesea. It is a fairly remote island; the nearest inhabited islands are in the Vestaeyjar group, nearly three hundred miles to the east. The island is home to a mixed community of Unughuit from the Northern Region of the Great Ring and Ðurings from the Norður Islands. There are also communities of Tuniit Selkies who have winter homes on the islets to the north of Hval.
The most famous resident of Hval is Tyrdur the Lost, whose maps can be found throughout the Great Ring. While many criticize their accuracy, they remain the most comprehensive work of cartography available.
The largest community on Hval is the town of Sommerstadt, which is built over the waters of the Sommersee. This lake is the home to the Hval catfish, which has the magical ability to keep the waters of the lake much warmer than they would be otherwise - the city of Sommerstadt is largely made up of stilt houses built over the waters to take advantage of the heat. The second largest community is the port town of Osthafen on the east coast of the island - this is the only significant port on the island, and is much smaller than Sommerstadt.
Notable Spirits
Local legends talk about a race of tiny people known as the Tweedles, who have inhabited Hval since before humans or selkies ever set foot upon the land. The Tweedles were violently opposed to the invasion by the large and clumsy outsiders, and warred with the humans in an attempt to drive them away. In the end, the Tweedles lost this fight, and were driven into the deepest and darkest corners of the island to wait their time for vengeance. Children on Hval are cautioned not to explore caves or remote copses, lest the Tweedles steal them away.
Geography
Hval is easily recognized by the an unusual formation of volcanic rocks near the eastern shore which strongly resembles the tail of an enormous whale from the vantage of an approaching ship and marks the entrance to the harbor at Osthafen. The formation has been hollowed out and reinforced, and converted into Wal Lighthouse.
The central area of the island is dominated by the Sommersee, a large and deep lake which is unnaturally warm throughout the year. The island's coastline has a combination of long beaches, dunes, red sandstone cliffs, salt water marshes, and numerous bays and harbours. On the north shore, there is a beach known as the 'Nirivuqaruaq'. The white sand found at Nirivuqaruaq is unique; the sand grains cause a musical noise as they rub against each other when walked on, and have been called the "singing sands". The highest point on the island is Frühlingshügel, a hill near the center of the island overlooking the Sommersee.
Ecosystem
There are many species native to Hval, including moose, bears, caribou, and wolves. Much of the island is forested, where it hasn't been cleared for agriculture. In addition to the larger animals, skunks and raccoons can be found in the forests, as can many species of bird including blue jays and robins. On the shores, seabirds such as the piping plover are common, and the waters around the island are filled with fish, molluscs, and crustaceans. The great lake of the Sommersee has its own unique ecosystem made possible by the Hval Catfish. This animal has the magical ability to keep the waters of the lake at a temperature of around 73 degrees, allowing many species of aquatic life to thrive on Hval that would otherwise find the island too cold.
Climate
The climate of Hval is unusually warm, most likely due to the influence of the Sommersee. It is also prone to rapid shifts in weather, and can rapidly shift from warm and sunny to cold and rainy - sometimes multiple times in a single day. Temperature swings are common, and different areas of the island can be experiencing wildly different conditions at the same time.
Geographic Details
Location: Northeastern RegionLatitude: 63.30 degrees North
Longitude: 26.46 degrees East
Average Elevation: 26 ft
Highest Point: 1,030 ft
Lowest Point: -10 ft
Area: 2,190 sq mi
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