The Longing is a phenomenon experienced by the Ogier. During the Breaking of the World, many Ogier stedding were lost or destroyed; the Ogier wandered for a long time searching for them. This period of time apparently sensitized the Ogier to separation from the stedding; a present-day Ogier who leaves the stedding for a long time becomes increasingly ill, among other effects. The Longing, as well as Ogier distaste for the hasty, warlike habits of humanity, is a key reason for the Ogier tendency to stay safely within the stedding.