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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
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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 encompasses a wide variety of creatures.{{book ref|sa1|4
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
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 are poisonous, and indicate so by having vividly red claws.{{book ref|sa3|18}}
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.
== Ecology ==
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
== 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 this seems to be a habit limited to the [[Horneater]]s.{{book ref|sa3|55}} They taste similarly to crabs.{{book ref|sa3|63}}
▲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 had a symbiotic relationship with [[shalebark]]. The 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 people collect various species of cremlings, pinning them to boards like butterflies.{{book ref|sa3|i|4}} Others enjoy harming them, tearing off their legs and claws, although this is usually a sign of mental issues rather than acceptable behaviour.{{book ref|sa1|i|2}}
▲In turn, the cremlings are preyed upon by [[graspers]], who will swiftly seize them and pull them into their lairs.{{book ref|sa1|57}}
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}}
▲It is possible that for an unknown reason cremlings may sometimes shed their carapace.{{book ref|sa1|49}}
== 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
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|47}}
== Notes ==
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{{Stormlight}}
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