Difference between revisions of "Chasmfiend"

'''Chasmfiends''' (ParshendiListener: ''Ulo mas vara'', lit. ''Beast of the Chasms''){{book ref|sa1|45}} are enormous [[greatshell]]s native to the chasms of the [[Shattered Plains]] on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa1|12}}

The chasmfiend's head is triangular, narrowing down to a point like an arrowhead.{{book ref|sa2|70}} Inside the long jaw, it has a circular mouth, surrounded by several rings of teeth. There are several types of teeth present, from sharp fangs and flat molars to small mandibles that shove the food further down the throat.{{book ref|sa1|15}} Flanking the mouth is a pair of smaller foreclaws, which the chasmfiend can use to manipulate objects and pick up food.{{file ref|Chasmfiend.jpeg|Shallan's Sketchbook - Chasmfiend}} Chasmfiend are capable of vocalizing; they make roars that sounds like four bellowing trumpets playing at the same time. The eyes, set above the jaw, are glassy and green.{{book ref|sa2|70}} They also have apparently thick eyelids that close sideways. Possibly a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nictitating_membrane| nictitating membrane].{{file ref|Chasmfiend.jpeg|Shallan's Sketchbook - Chasmfiend}} The nostrils are located at the very end of the maw, while the ears are bare holes slightly behind the eyes.{{file ref|Chasmfiend.jpeg|Shallan's Sketchbook - Chasmfiend}}

The mandras leave the chamsfiend's body in the hours immediately after its death. They look somewhat unlike themselves as they return to [[Shadesmar]], being often mistaken for tongues of smoke.{{book ref|sa1|1315}}

Very little is known about the chasmfiends' youth, and we have not yet seen them, primarily seeing the second and third phases of life{{wob ref|124}}. It's highly likely that they don't live on the [[Shattered Plains]] for most of their life, but rather migrate there when the time comes for them to breed.{{book ref|sa2|49}} Once there, they set up a nest, and continue hunting and scavenging across the chasms.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Eventually, prompted by some unknown instinct, they climb up to one of the plateaus and pupate, forming an immobile, rock-colored '''chrysalis''' around themselves. This pupation typically happens during the night, with the chrysalis already formed come daytime. From then, the chrysalis awaits a [[highstorm]]; what happens once that occurs in unclear, as it is at this point that people typically harvest them.{{book ref|sa2|49}}

Though rarely, adult chasmfiends are also hunted, mostly when one wanders into a territory claimed by one of the [[highprince]]s. First, the chasmfiend is lured to climb up onto the plateau by stringing out hog carcasses and pouring hog blood into the chasms, to let the beast smell it. Once the chasmfiend emerges, which can take up to several hours, a flock of wild hogs is let loose for it to pursue. Archers equipped with [[grandbow]]s -- the only bow type capable of harming the chasmfiend -- then pepper the creature with arrows to weaken it. Eventually, [[Shardbearer]]s approach the beast and cut off its legs with their Blades.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Once toppled, the chasmfiend is set up for a killing stroke, delivered with a Blade thorughthrough the spine. The gemheart can then be harvested from the downed beast.{{book ref|sa1|13}}

{{image|ChasmfiendHistorical oldGreatshell.jpg|An ancient depiction of a [[Voidbringer]], based on a chasmfiend|side=right|width=300px}}

* The inspiration for chasmfiends was a [https://wob.coppermind.net/media/sources/255/Ben%20McSweeney's%20landscape%20concept%20art%20for%20The%20Way%20of%20Kings%2C%20November%202008.jpg concept sketch] that [[Ben McSweeney]] created when Brandon was brainstorming Roshar with him. The sketch contained a picture of a crustacean hiding in a narrow passage based on a coral; the creature eventually became the chasmfiend. That same sketch led to the [[Shattered Plains]] -- originally part of ''[[Dragonsteel Prime]]'' -- to be moved to Roshar.{{wob ref|8580}}