Editing Tonk

'''Tonks''' are domesticated [[sandling]]s used as beasts of burden on the [[Dayside]] of [[Taldain]].{{book ref|ws|ars}}{{book ref|ws|3}}

==Appearance and Anatomy==

Tonks are quadrupedal. Their heads and the front halves of their bodies are similar in size and shape to a mule, while their hindquarters more closely resemble those of a kangaroo.{{book ref|ws|3}} Their bodies are covered in gray carapace, which is segmented and particularly thick along the top of the body.{{book ref|ws|3}} They have long, thick tails, prominent horns coming out of their heads at various angles, and clawed feet that appear to have opposable thumbs.{{book ref|ws|3}}

The horns and carapace can be dissolved by water; even a few drops can dissolve most of a horn.{{book ref|ws|1}} As a result of this, they do not drink water and only eat sand in large quantities.

They always give off a faint sulfurous smell and their flatulence is particularly odorous.{{book ref|ws|ars}} [[Khrissalla]] suspects that sandlings can somehow metabolize sand, although she does not understand the science behind the process.{{book ref|ws|ars}}{{book ref|ws|1}} Their droppings are known as tonk guano.{{book ref|ws|prologue}}{{book ref|ws|13}}

==Usage and Behavior==

{{quote|Riding tonks have very weak minds. Whenever they get confused they assume it's a sandstorm and bury themselves beneath the ground.|[[Kenton]], to [[Khrissalla]]{{book ref|ws|4}}}}

Tonks are often used for transportation in the deserts of [[Dayside]], carrying both riders and supplies.{{book ref|ws|3}} They are weak-minded{{book ref|ws|4}} and easy to lead.{{book ref|ws|3}} Calling someone a tonk in Dayside is considered an insult, presumably because it implies that they are slow-witted.{{book ref|ws|prologue}}

When used for riding, they are fitted with a saddle, bridle, and saddlebags. On longer trips through the desert, tonks may be fitted with vessels to carry extra water.{{book ref|ws|3}} Tonks are usually trained to turn or adjust their speed when tapped with a riding mallet on different parts of their carapace;{{book ref|ws|ars}} riders may also use reins to help direct them.{{book ref|ws|prologue}}{{book ref|ws|9}} When they are scared or confused, they tend to bury themselves in the sand with only their horns exposed.{{book ref|ws|4}} Tapping the horns signals the tonk that it is safe to unbury itself.{{book ref|ws|ars}} Skilled riders such as [[Aarik]] may be able to prevent tonks from burying themselves when under duress.{{book ref|ws|9}} Tonks are present in hunting camps in the [[deep sand]], although [[terha]]n are preferred for hunts as they are both larger and faster than tonks.{{book ref|ws|9}}

They are sometimes used by [[Darkside]]rs that are visiting Dayside, but this may be rare, as Khrissalla and her team do not appear to be very familiar with their behavior.{{book ref|ws|prologue}}{{book ref|ws|4}}

Tonks are considered part of the sandling family. They have a number of characteristics also seen in terhan and other sandling species, such as horns, water-soluble carapace, and a propensity to bury themselves in sand.{{book ref|ws|9}} It is unknown if there is a relation, natural or bred, between the various sandling species.{{book ref|ws|part=ars}}

{{complete|[[User:Big Smooth|Big Smooth]] ([[User talk:Big Smooth|talk]]) 22:35, 25 August 2023 (UTC)}}