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{{lifeform
{{Flora & Fauna
|image=ShalebarkCremlings.jpg▼
|type=Animal
▲|image=Shalebark.jpg
|appearance= Multicolored, many legged and small
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
A '''cremling''' was a type of scavenger crustacean on [[Roshar]] that was native to the [[Shattered Plains]],{{ref|b|twok|c|4}} the [[Purelake]],{{ref|b|twok|i|1}} [[Kharbranth]],{{ref|b|twok|c|39}} and likely other areas, such as [[Alethkar]].{{ref|b|twok|c|41}} The term "cremling" seems to be more of a generalized name for a whole group of small scavenger crustaceans.{{ref|b|twok|c|4}} They were reviled by humans, who often called others cremlings to degrading and insult them.{{ref|b|twok|c|6}}
A '''cremling''' is a type of scavenger crustacean that can be found almost everywhere on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa1|4}}{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}{{book ref|sa1|39}}{{book ref|sa1|41}} Rather than a single species, the term — derived from [[crem]], a type of sediment — encompasses a wide variety of creatures.{{book ref|sa1|4}} Cremlings that live in the ocean are sometimes called '''sealings'''.{{book ref|dawnshard|8}}
 
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
{{image|Cremlings by Vaigerika.png|side=right|height=250px}}
As there are many species of cremlings, their appearance is not uniform. They have claws{{ref|b|twok|c|57}} and a carapace{{ref|b|twok|c|49}} and tend to be tiny, multilegged, and thin,{{ref|b|twok|c|39}} with elongated bodies.{{ref|b|twok|c|57}} In the Purelake, at least, cremlings have a multitude of colors.{{ref|b|twok|i|1}} The cremlings in the chasms of the Shattered Plains had a reddish hue, but their carapace was semi-transparent, so their organs could be seen.{{ref|b|twok|c|27}} As a group, cremlings seem to share the trait of purple blood.{{ref|b|twok|c|31}} Some cremlings, most notably in Kharbranth, had carapaces that were shaded like the feelers of [[shalebark]].{{ref|b|twok|c|39}}
As there are many species of cremlings, their appearance is not uniform. They tend to be tiny, multilegged, and thin, with elongated bodies and purple blood.{{book ref|sa1|39}}{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa1|31}} Most have claws and a carapace.{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa1|49}} One known variety is [[skrip]], which has a flat tail, two large claws and long antennae.{{book ref|sa3|68}}
 
Cremlings come in variety of colors. Ones living in the chasms of the [[Shattered Plains]] have a reddish hue with semi-transparent carapace, making their organs visible.{{book ref|sa1|27}} In [[Kharbranth]], there are cremlings shaded like the feelers of [[shalebark]], while in the Purelake, they have a multitude of colors.{{book ref|sa1|i|1}}{{book ref|sa1|39}} Some species, including a variety called "sigs cremlings" by the [[listener]]s, are poisonous, and indicate so by having vividly red claws or bright coloring on their backs.{{book ref|sa4|62}}{{book ref|sa3|18}}
It is possible that for an unknown reason cremlings may sometimes shed their carapace.{{ref|b|twok|c|49}}
 
Cremlings can make sounds, including screeching and clicking.{{book ref|sa3|26}}{{book ref|sa3|25}} [[Songling]] - a small crustacean capable of far wider vocal range - might be a type of cremling.
== Niche ==▼
Cremlings had two primary food sources. The first was scavenging. They drank blood,{{ref|b|twok|c|56}} as well as ate the flesh of the deceased humans,{{ref|b|twok|c|27}} [[Parshendi]],{{ref|b|twok|c|56}} and other creatures, such as [[chasmfiend]].{{ref|b|twok|c|15}} The other source of food came from plants. After [[highstorm]]s, plants would often unfurl to drink in the nutrient rich rainwater. The cremlings would feed on the newly exposed parts of the plants.{{ref|b|twok|c|11}}
 
▲== NicheEcology ==
Cremlings lived in burrows often located in cracks in the rock.{{ref|b|twok|c|57}}
Cremlings grow from larvae, which mature in stagnant pools of water.{{book ref|sa1|43}} Adults live in burrows often located in cracks in the rock.{{book ref|sa1|57}} Some creatures that Rosharans call cremlings are actually larvae forms of larger animals, like [[chull]]s or maybe even [[Tai-na]].{{wob ref|10372}}{{wob ref|12183}}
 
Cremlings have two primary food sources: scavenging and plant matter. Typically, they drink blood and eat the flesh of the deceased humans, [[Parshendi]], and other creatures, such as [[chasmfiend]]s.{{book ref|sa1|56}}{{book ref|sa1|27}}{{book ref|sa1|15}} In the period immediately after [[highstorm]]s, they expand their diet to plants, as those will often unfurl to drink in the nutrient-rich rainwater, allowing the cremlings to feed on the newly-exposed parts.{{book ref|sa1|11}} In addition, some cremlings seem to have a symbiotic relationship with [[shalebark]]. They clean the shalebark by eating anything that has built up on it, and take on coloring that helps them blend with it, disguising them from predators.{{book ref|sa1|39}}
Some cremlings seem to have had a symbiotic relationship with shalebark.{{ref|b|twok|c|39}} The cleaned the shalebark by eating anything that had built up on the shalebark. The coloring of these cremlings helped them blend with the shalebark, disguising them from predators.
 
TheCremlings cremlingsare werein turn preyed upon by [[graspers]], who wouldwill swiftly seize cremlingsthem and pull them into their layerslairs.{{book ref|b|twok|csa1|57}}▼
The cremlings grew from larvae, which matured in stagnant pools of water.{{ref|b|twok|c|43}}
 
For an unknown reason, some cremlings molt occasionally, shedding their carapace.{{book ref|sa1|49}}{{book ref|sa3|19}} Some cremlings are capable of seeing [[Investiture]].{{wob ref|13312}}
▲The cremlings were preyed upon by [[graspers]], who would swiftly seize cremlings and pull them into their layers.{{ref|b|twok|c|57}}
 
== Culture ==
Cremlings are generally reviled on [[Roshar]], being treated as little more than annoying and disgusting pests. Calling someone a cremling is one of Roshar's most common insults, with meaning similar to "rat" or "snake".{{book ref|sa1|6}} In idioms, cremlings are usually synonymous with cautious or cowardly behaviour.{{book ref|sa3|13}}{{book ref|sa3|52}}
 
Cremlings are edible for humans. While not considered high-quality, their overabundance makes them a reliable food source, and a good cook can turn them into a fine dish.{{book ref|sa3|55}}{{book ref|sa3|68}} They are usually boiled, and the water left afterwards can be drank, although the latter seems to be a habit limited to the [[Horneater]]s.{{book ref|sa3|55}} They taste similarly to crabs.{{book ref|sa3|63}}
 
Some people collect various species of cremlings, pinning them to boards like butterflies.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}}
 
As with "[[chicken]]" and "[[spren]]", the term "cremling" is often misapplied by Rosharans to refer to creatures that aren't part of the same group, like some non-crustacean hordelings, insects and [[greatshell]] larvae.{{wob ref|3346}}{{wob ref|3978}}{{wob ref|10372}}
 
== Sleepless ==
{{for|Sleepless}}
 
Some cremlings are part of [[Sleepless]] swarms, and share a common hive mind. Such cremlings, called hordelings, are typically heavily-specialized, with some trained to act as ears or eyes, or to assume humanoid coloring so as to allow the Sleepless to pretend to be human.{{book ref|sa2.5|18}}{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} They can operate at a significant distance from the rest of their swarm, making them perfect spies.{{wob ref|11603}} Through heavy breeding, over multiple generations, they can be evolved to do almost anything, including mimicking [[larkin]] abilities.{{wob ref|12658}}
 
In the past, hordelings have directly participated in the [[Desolation]]s, fighting on the side of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa2.5|18}} Dalinar witnesses a burnt pile of them in one of his dream-visions.{{book ref|sa3|42}}
 
== Notes ==
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{{Stormlight}}
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