Editing Larkin

{{lifeform
|image=Chiri-Chiri.jpg
|type=Animal
|sapient=Yes
|native=[[Aimia]]
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
'''Larkin''' are small, highly-valued, flying crustacean animals native to [[Aimia]] on [[Roshar]]. They can consume Stormlight as well as other forms of Investiture. They have been a critically-endangered species since the [[scouring of Aimia]].{{wob ref|1080}} They are known as the '''Ancient Guardians''', or '''Guardians of Ancient Sins''', and have traditionally guarded the [[Dawnshard]] on Aimia.{{book ref|sa3.5|16}} 

The larkin are associated with the [[Knights Radiant]], though the specifics of their connection remain a mystery.{{file ref|TWoK Front Endsheet.jpg|The Way of Kings Front Endsheet}} One effect of this connection is possibly that Surgebinders can sense a larkin's mood.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}

== Appearance and Anatomy ==
Larkin are generally between a hand and a small melon in size.{{wob ref|1080}} They are somewhat similar to [[cremling]]s in appearance, although, unlike the cremlings' crabbish faces, the larkin have small faces, like those of [[axehound]]s, with a snout, mouth, and shimmering eyes of solid silver, as well as wings that fold out of their backs. Their wings are strong enough that they can fly, at least short distances.{{wob ref|1080}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} 

Larkin are capable of hearing [[rhythm]]s, similar to [[singers]].{{book ref|sa4|i|8}} They are also able to understand human languages, and can even crudely replicate it.

During their lifespan a larkin bonds a particular kind of [[luckspren]] only found on Aimia and must migrate there every few years to do so. Larkin can grow to great sizes but most now remain small, likely because they aren't bonding luckspren. It is unclear what the difference between larkin and [[lanceryn]] is but they are very closely related.{{wob ref|6497}} Of the few larkin that exist, Chiri-Chiri is the only known creature to travel and bond a mandra in a long time.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

Larkin may have some sort of special connection to the [[Tai-na]]; [[Vstim]] says that [[Chiri-Chiri]] is given to [[Rysn]] by [[Relu-na]] itself.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} According to [[Talik]], a family of [[Reshi]] gods, the [[Na-Alind]], made an agreement to keep safe the few surviving larkin after Aimia fell.{{book ref|sa3.5|1}}

=== Feeding on Investiture ===
The most outstanding feature of larkin is their ability to feed on [[Investiture]] (commonly [[Stormlight]], as they originate from Roshar). This ability is related to both [[Chromium#Allomantic Use|Leechers]] and [[Nightblood]], although they can't hold as much Investiture as the latter.{{wob ref|5023}}{{wob ref|14775}} They can suck Stormlight out of [[Surgebinder]]s and [[Shardplate]] at will, causing the Light to stream visibly through the air and into the larkin's mouth.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{wob ref|3864}} Larkin can also eat Stormlight that has been stored in gems and drain the [[Voidlight]] from a [[Fused]]. After absorbing a large amount of Stormlight from the [[King's Drop]], Chiri-Chiri becomes noticeably bigger.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} Since larkin feed on Investiture, they are incapable of pushing it ''into'' people.{{wob ref|3231}} Larkin cannot feed on the Investiture of a person clad in [[aluminum]] or [[Shardplate]], though they can feed on the investiture powering the Shardplate itself.{{wob ref|3864}}

A larkin would be able to prevent someone from becoming [[Returned]] by ingesting the [[Divine Breath]] as it attempted to enter the person.{{wob ref|6364}} Larkin could also kill a Returned by feeding on all of their Investiture.{{wob ref|13419}}

== History ==
In the past, larkin have guarded the Dawnshard on Aimia, giving them the title Ancient Guardians.{{book ref|sa3.5|16}} During this time, the larkin were given eight Soulcasters as an offering, though it is unclear as to why.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}} Since the scouring of Aimia, larkin have become extremely rare,{{wob ref|1080}} but are not totally unknown; [[Shallan]] thinks of the phrase "rare as a larkin" when she has a moment of freedom{{book ref|sa2|45}} and kings are willing to pay fortunes for their corpses.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

After the disappearance of the larkin from Aimia, the [[Sleepless]] took over the task of guarding the Dawnshard, although they still revere the original protectors.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

== Notable Larkin ==
* [[Elhokar Kholin]] has the corpse of a larkin trapped inside a block of crystal to use as a paperweight in his conference room in the [[Pinnacle]].{{book ref|sa2|5}}
* Vstim trades a considerable quantity of goods for the corpse of a larkin.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}
* Rysn is given a live larkin by Relu-na.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She names it [[Chiri-Chiri]].{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}
* [[Nale]] uses one to drain [[Lift]] of Lifelight while attempting to capture her.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
* [[Kaza]] briefly encounters a creature that fits the description of a larkin in its native Aimia.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}}

== Trivia ==
* [[Brandon Sanderson]] and [[Isaac Stewart]] sometimes refer to them as "dragon bugs".{{wob ref|6429}}
* The Sleepless have crossbred their hordelings with larkin in order to gain the ability to drain Investiture.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}
* The Sleepless know of three larkin that have survived.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

== Notes ==
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{{Stormlight}}
[[es:Larkin]]