Löngeyja (ˈlœŋkˈeiːja)
Löngeyja is the largest and northernmost island in the Eileanan an Iar group to the west of Ynys. It is the heart of the Kingdom of Suðya, a nation primarily made up of immigrants from the Norður Islands, especially Eyju. Their ancestors were raiders who conquered the island about four hundred years ago, driving out the native Albannach people.
The island is divided into two distinct regions by a line of mountains that run east-west, with about two-thirds of the island north of this divide. South of this boundary, the island is still largely populated by the Albannachs, although under the rule of the Eyjamaður lords. To the north, the population is almost entirely Eyjamaður, with smaller populations of Ðurings, Eots, and Biegens. The largest town on the island is Stjórnavágr, but many feel that the spiritual heart of the kingdom is at Kailhaven, due to its proximity to the Kailish Stones.
Notable Spirits
The Shining One of the Kailish Stones and the Skuggabjörn who make up its court are some of the most prominent spirits spoken of on the island. One story is that the first king of Suðya used a coin minted by the Aurelian Bridge to purchase the support of the Shining One in his conquest of the island - some variations say that the coin was used to buy a fated kingship, and the support of the spirit was the way in which it manifested. Both tales agree that the Eyjamaður were aided by the Skuggabjörn in their battles, allowing them to rapidly overwhelm the residents of the island.
In the north, the gods are mostly from the spirits known as the Vættir, and have displaced (or been transformed from) the spirits that were worshipped before the coming of the northerners. However, the spirits of the south are primarily of the Ellyll, and tales of battles between these two families of gods are frequently told, especially near the barrier mountains.
Geography
The island is defined by the range of mountains that divide the northern and lower sections. This range is called the Tairbeart range, and the tallest mountain is Beinn Cliseam which reaches just above 2,500 feet. The southern portion of the island is higher and rockier than the northern regions, and the Albannach clans who live there like to say that the air is too thin for the Eyjamaður. The northern region is comparatively flat and low, with some hills and a few lesser mountains. The most significant landmark in the northern region is Lake Svanaheim. This is the largest and deepest lake found on the smaller islands in the Ynys Archipelago, and is named for the large number of swans who live there during the spring and summer.
There are numerous smaller islands that lie near Löngeyja, most of which are uninhabited. The island of Barraigh off the northwestern coast is the largest inhabited island, while the uninhabited island of Bosta is the largest offshore island, located west of the southern peninsula.
Ecosystem
The wildlife of Löngeyja is varied and plentiful. Birds of all sorts are present on the island, including falcons, gulls, and auks. Longeyja is particularly known for the giant Álka, a five foot tall species of auk which can be found throughout the Norður Islands and in the Northern Region. The Álka is a flightless seabird with glossy black feathers and white belly, and known for its spear-like beak. Álkas are notoriously territorial, and have been known to injure people who impinge on their nesting sites.
In addition to the Álkas, the coasts are home to seals, turtles, and numerous fish species. Inland, the rivers and lakes of the island are home to fish such as salmon and trout, and the hills and fields are home to deer, bears, and wild pigs. Herds of sheep are a common sight, and small creatures such as hedgehogs and mice are plentiful. The northern portion of the island is mostly covered in woodlands, while the hills of the south are dominated by heather and wildflowers, particularly daisies and harebells. There is also the fabled giant hedgehog, which is the size of a brown bear.
Climate
Similar to the other islands in the Eileanan an Iar, the climate is fairly harsh, with cold currents from the north bringing frigid temperatures especially during the winter. Summers are warm but short, and in the fall and winter sudden storms are common out of the west. Those storms that blow in from The Middlesea will sometimes carry strange things on the wind - on one notable occasion, a rain of head-sized stones pummelled Stjórnavágr, collapsing the roofs of many buildings and killing dozens, including the current heir to the throne of Suðya.
Natural Resources
Maps
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Löngeyja
Geographic Details
Location: Northeastern RegionLatitude: 58.25 degrees North
Longitude: 62.66 degrees East
Average Elevation: 92 ft
Highest Point: 2,582 ft (Beinn Cliseam)
Lowest Point: -7 ft (Lake Svanaheim)
Area: 841 sq mi
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