Long (Lohng)

The Long of Tír na nÓg is not large nor loud—but every curve of its body and flick of its whiskered face whispers wisdom older than language. Descended from the great Chinese dragons, this miniature version glides above streams and forest glades, its pearlescent body reflecting sky and river alike. It does not breathe fire. It does not claim territory. Instead, it offers something far rarer: stillness shaped by knowledge.   Dwelling near sacred springs, moonlit lakes, and shaded rivers, the Long prefers the presence of quiet rather than solitude. It drifts just above the water, propelled by breath and thought, rarely disturbing a ripple. Many claim that springs grow purer, mists clearer, and minds calmer in its presence. It does not speak, but its gaze seems to see to the bottom of one's spirit. Some say they dream more clearly after a Long glides past—even if they never saw it directly.

Anatomy & Physiology

The Long’s anatomy mirrors the flowing grace of water itself. Slender and elongated, its serpentine body is covered in smooth, luminous scales that shift from jade to pearl with the angle of light. A mane of soft, feathery strands begins behind its ears and flows down its spine like a current frozen in time. The dragon's whiskers and ribbon-like tendrils pulse and shift gently even when the air is still, acting as extensions of its heightened sensory awareness. Its limbs are small and tucked beneath its form when gliding, rarely used except to perch delicately on stones or low branches near water.

Ecological Niche

The Long is found only in the most undisturbed ecosystems—springs where moonlight clings to mist, lakes so still they mirror dreams, and groves whose roots press into the memory of the island. It thrives on sacred lotuses, dew-gathered lichens, and enchanted water plants, favoring the most delicate flora of the Divine Groves. Though herbivorous, its presence influences the behavior of the surrounding ecosystem: insects still their songs, fish swim in spirals, and flora bloom in quiet reverence. Their scales glow more brightly during full moons, and they are often spotted only in these liminal times, when Tír na nÓg itself holds its breath.

Behavior & Communication

Solitary and elusive, the Long does not vocalize in the conventional sense. Instead, it communicates through atmospheric cues—harmonic resonance in the breeze, ripples on otherwise still waters, or subtle shifts in scent and sensation. It appears most often in moments of internal or spiritual crossroads, making its presence known with neither fanfare nor threat. It performs ritual movements that some interpret as forms of silent guidance, and even in rest, its coiled form resembles the shape of sacred sigils and symbols found in old stone circles. Though it rarely interacts directly, its influence lingers long after it departs.

Cultural Significance

Among the many peoples of Tír na nÓg, the Long is regarded as a sacred keeper—not of places, but of balance. It does not protect a treasure or territory, but the very harmony of intention. Temples are rarely built in its honor; instead, quiet places are left untouched, offerings laid in stillness: a leaf boat on a pond, a pebble in concentric circles. Its scales, when found naturally shed, are used only in the most sacred healing rites or woven into spells of emotional clarity. To glimpse a Long is not considered luck, but an invitation—one must earn the wisdom it embodies through reflection, restraint, and respect.