Difference between revisions of "Chasmfiend"

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 [[wikipedia: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}}

 

{{quote

|Bavamar did the calculations on Reshi greatshells, and found they should be crushed by their own weight.

== Ecology ==

{{image|Chasmfiend Fight by Ellie L..png|A chasmfiend hunting a human|side=right|width=300px}}

{{quote

|They must have an interesting life cycle. They haunt these chasms, but I doubt they actually live here.

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 anatomically once that occurs in unclear, as it is at this point that people typically harvest them.{{book ref|sa2|49}} They are however known to take in a lot of Investiture when hit by the Highstorm, this is likely the reason for their location in which they pupate.{{wob ref|3304}}

 

 

 

In the natural ecosystem of the Plains, chasmfiends are the apex predators.{{book ref|sa2|49}} Their segmented, narrow body makes it easy for them to move through the chasms; still, they fill all available space, and their passing is often marked by long scratches and scraped flora as the carapace drags across the chasm wall.{{book ref|sa2|71}} Their massive bulk can also be a form of protection from the [[highstorm]] flooding, as it can lock the chasmfiend in place, stopping the flood water from carrying it off.{{book ref|sa2|74}}

 

Both [[listener]]s and humans hunt chasmfiends down for their [[gemheart]]s, although meat and carapace are also harvested.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Most of the time, only the chrysalis is "hunted", as it is then that the chasmfiend is at both its most vulnerable and least aggressive.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Once the chrysalis is located, the hunters break it open with mallets and [[Shardblade]]s and extract the gemheart within, killing the chasmfiend in the process. On such "hunts", the biggest danger are the other armies after the same chrysalis.{{book ref|sa1|15}}

 

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 through the spine. The gemheart can then be harvested from the downed beast.{{book ref|sa1|13}}

 

Chasmfiends are deservedly said to be the deadliest predators on [[Roshar]] by the [[Alethi]]. Prior to the [[War of Reckoning]], they were considered legendary, with people rarely venturing out into the Plains to hunt them.{{book ref|sa1|28}} Back then, to kill a chasmfiend was extremely rare; king [[Gavilar]] had never slain one, and not for lack of trying. As the war progressed, however, much of the mystique surrounding them has been stripped away, though they are still understood to be extremely dangerous.{{book ref|sa1|12}}

 

There are numerous saying involving chasmfiends; likely, those developed during the War. They include:

 

* As if they had turned into a chasmfiend{{book ref|sa2|33}}

* Like three children attacking a chasmfiend with sticks{{book ref|sa2|33}}

* Rats have a better chance fighting a chasmfiend{{book ref|sa2|85}}