Skellige houses are built to withstand the isles’ harsh climate. Large families (often with more than a dozen members) dwell in rectangular huts that can be up to several dozen yards long. Turf or shingles cover their roofs, providing effective insulation against the cold of autumn and winter. Steep roofs reinforced with thick support beams protect the buildings from piles of snow that would crush structures with gentler roofs or less robust construction. The hearth is a core element of each house’s main chamber, the focal point around which daily life ebbs and flows. Walls are often decorated with hunting trophies, hand-woven tapestries, and weapons of all kinds.