Editing Chull

{{lifeform

|type=Animal

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

{{update|sa3|sa4}}

The '''chull''' is a species of domesticated Rosharan animal. There are differing breeds of chulls with a vast array of phenotypes.{{cite}} They are found all across [[Roshar]].{{file ref|Chull.jpg|Shallan's Sketchbook: Chulls}}

== Taxonomy ==

The chull is considered to be a cousin to the [[greatshell]] grouping, in particular compared to the [[Tai-na]].{{cite}} <!--- Currently an unadded Word of Ben, will be added shortly --->

== Appearance and Anatomy ==

{{image|Chull Life Cycle.jpeg|A depiction of the five stages of life for a chull: Larva (chull cremling), first Pupation, Adult, second Pupation, and Senescence.|side=left|width=250px}}

Chulls are massive crustaceans with thick legs with large claws and a stone-like shell. Their carapaces are typically red.{{book ref|WoK|4}} Chulls have whip-like antennae that grow in pace with their shell as they age, so that the chull can sense out spaces to determine if they're large enough to pass through,{{wob ref|14936}} and beady fist-size black eyes.{{book ref|WoK|28}}

=== Shell ===

Chull shells are a light, porous stone created from minerals the chull consumes in its food and water and then excretes through channels in the back and legs, particularly rock and crem.{{url ref|url=http://inkthinker.deviantart.com/art/The-Way-of-Kings-Chulls-179074546|text=Inkthinker's comments on the Chull page from Shallan's Sketchbook|site=Deviant Art}}{{wob ref|15379}}

Since the shell is not alive, chulls are not hurt when their shells are cracked, shaped, or smoothed.

Their shell naturally grows in clusters of Fibonacci spirals, comparable to [[wikipedia:Romanesco broccoli|Romanesco broccoli]]. This creates spaces for various plants to take root and cremlings to find homes, allowing for the creation of complex symbiotic ecosystems to form on the backs of wild chulls.{{file ref|Chull.jpg|Shallan's Sketchbook: Chulls}}{{cite}} The smooth shells of domestic chulls are due to domestic care, with owners sanding down and shaping the shell for whatever purpose they are needed for, be it practical or decorative.{{cite}}

The shell of a Chull is not only used for protection, but also as a means of camouflage.{{book ref|sa1|23}}{{cite}}

Chulls pull their legs and head into their shell when they sleep, and as a result sleeping chulls look like large boulders or small hills.{{book ref|WoK|23}}

The [[Reshi]], and likely others, paint their chulls' shells. One can identify what island a Reshi chull handler is from by the colors and patterns on their chulls' shells.{{book ref|WoK|28}}

=== Reproduction ===

They reproduce in a similar manner to [[chasmfiend]]s,{{wob ref|762}} and are known to, in some manner, produce eggs.{{book ref|sa3|68}}

=== Life Cycle ===

Chulls begin life as an egg,{{book ref|sa3|68}} which eventually hatches into larvae known as a '''chull cremling''' before eventually undergoing a process known as the '''First Pupation''', in which they surround themselves with a shell and metamorphize into an adult chull. First Pupation can be encouraged by feeding the chull cremling a consistent diet of [[rocklily]] leaves.{{file ref|Chull Life Cycle.jpeg|The Life Cycle of a Chull}} The chull loses its memory of its larval state after its metamorphosis, and training must resume as if with a new chull.{{file ref|Chull Life Cycle.jpeg|The Life Cycle of a Chull}}

Their '''Second Pupation''' has some correlation with [[highstorm]]s, and one can help prevent it by keeping a chull sheltered during highstorms. Second Pupation can also be delayed by feeding a chull crushed [[shelltick]] and mixing [[shalebark]] oil into their water.{{file ref|Chull Life Cycle.jpeg|The Life Cycle of a Chull}}

== Behavior ==

Chulls are generally docile creatures. They have claws that are said to be strong enough to break a man's arm, but it is very unusual for them to behave aggressively.{{book ref|WoK|4}} They tend to move with a slow, lumbering gait and are generally slower than humans.

They are capable of making a wide range of noises, including a gravelly bleating, trumpeting, and snorting.{{book ref|WoK|12}}{{book ref|WoK|21}}{{book ref|WoK|26}}

Chulls are considered less intelligent than horses{{book ref|sa3|10}} and in some cases, stubborn.{{book ref|sa3|18}}

=== Diet ===

Chulls are omnivorous creatures with a varied diet. They eat everything from [[rockbud]]s to slugs to smaller crustaceans.{{book ref|WoK|4}}{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{wob ref|15379}} Domestic chulls are often fed lavis grain.{{book ref|WoK|2}}

== Training ==

There are several different methods of training chull.

* In the rural areas of [[Jah Keved]], chulls are harnessed and controlled with complex leather bridles.{{file ref|Chull.jpg|Shallan's Sketchbook: Chulls}}

* In the coastal region around [[Kharbranth]], chull drivers often sit directly on the chull's shell and direct them by tapping on their antennae with long poles.{{file ref|Chull.jpg|Shallan's Sketchbook: Chulls}}

* Some chulls are trained to respond to different rhythms tapped out on their shells with a guiding reed. These reeds are often as long as a person is tall and allow the driver to drive from the wagon or cart rather than riding on the chull itself.{{book ref|WoR|17}}

== Use ==

{{image|Chull_Painting.png|width=200px|side=left}}

Chull are highly valued as work animals and are considered to be worth more than the average slave.{{book ref|Wok|46}} Some people maintain chull herds and rent their labor out on a contract basis.{{book ref|WoK|15}}They are slow but strong and are used to pull everything up to and including the large complex bridges [[Dalinar]] uses for chasm crossings.{{book ref|WoK|15}} Since their shells can be carved without harming the animal, some people sand flat places on top of a chull to ride and many carts are hooked to fittings drilled directly into their shells. Shelves and racks can also be carved into or attached directly to chull shells.{{file ref|Chull.jpg|Shallan's Sketchbook: Chulls}}

Since it is lightweight and durable, chull shell is used as a crafting material. [[Shallan]] had a [[havah]] with chull-shell buttons.{{book ref|WoK|3}}

Chull meat is edible. It can be dried and stored as jerky.{{book ref|WoR|70}} In some cultures, including [[Herdazian]] and [[Unkalaki]], chull head is considered a delicacy.{{book ref|WoR|12}}

During the [[War of Reckoning]], [[Dalinar Kholin]] used them to pull his bridges, rather than put the lives of [[bridgemen]] at risk.{{book ref|sa1|15}}

== Cultural References ==

{{image|ChIsForChull.png|side=right|width=250px}}

There is a tavern in Dalinar's warcamp called the "[[Ornery Chull]]."{{book ref|WoR|46}}

=== Idioms ===

{{quote

|You think I'm scared of a lumbering chull like you?

|[[Teft]]'s nervous retort.{{book ref|WoK|23}}

}}

{{quote

|Jasnah is inordinately fond of dust, I believe she thrives on it, feeding off the particles like a chull crunching rockbuds.

|[[Shallan Davar]] talking with [[Kabsal]]{{book ref|WoK|33}}

}}

{{quote

|An army was like a massive chull at times, lumbering along, slow to react

|[[Dalinar]] regarding his army.{{book ref|WoK|56}}

}}

{{quote

|Everyone has a place. You're out of yours. Like a chull in a dining hall

|[[Kaladin]]'s impression of the lighteyes regard for him and his guards.{{book ref|WoR|44}}

}}

{{quote

|Storms, he was like a rat gnawing on the toes of a chull

|[[Adolin]]'s inner monologue while battling a Thunderclast.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

}}

== Trivia ==

* Chull whiskers are similar to those of a cat.{{wob ref|14936}}

* There are currently no chulls that are holding [[Shards]].{{wob ref|14953}}

== Notes ==

<references/>

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