Difference between revisions of "Greatshell"
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'''Greatshell''' is a term used to describe various large crustaceans native to [[Roshar]]. The family includes numerous related species,{{wob ref|12183}} among them [[chasmfiend]]s, [[Tai-na]], [[Yu-nerig]], and the extinct [[lanceryn]]s.{{book ref|sa1|36}}{{book ref|sa1|12}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} |
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== Appearance and Anatomy == |
== Appearance and Anatomy == |
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Greatshells |
Greatshells consist of a variety of creatures both aquatic and land-bound. Their appearance varies widely, but they share a number of physical characteristics. They are massive, vastly larger than a human; the largest creatures on the planet, both on land and in the water, are greatshells.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} They possess an exoskeleton and multiple legs.{{file ref|Chasmfiend.jpeg|text=Shallan's sketch: Chasmfiend}} Their exoskeletons are chitinous, and known species have carapace armor that is extremely difficult to penetrate.{{book ref|sa1|13}} They have no tongue, and a complex set of jaws;{{book ref|sa1|15}} though it's unclear if they're all carnivorous, it is unlikely. Their blood is violet, and has a musty, moldy smell.{{book ref|sa1|26}} |
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Greatshells breed slowly, and for most species, their populations are generally small. They all reproduce the same way: an adult greatshell transforms (pupates) into a chrysalis, which eventually produces a number of young.{{book ref|sa2|49}} They do not seem to have a singular biome they thrive in; they can be found as far east as the [[Shattered Plains]], as far west as [[Aimia]], and as far north as the [[Reshi Isles]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{book ref|sa1|36}} Their sheer size makes domesticating most species unfeasible, although there are stories of greatshell riders in places like [[Kadrix]].{{book ref|sa1|36}} |
Greatshells breed slowly, and for most species, their populations are generally small. They all reproduce the same way: an adult greatshell transforms (pupates) into a chrysalis, which eventually produces a number of young.{{book ref|sa2|49}} They do not seem to have a singular biome they thrive in; they can be found as far east as the [[Shattered Plains]], as far west as [[Aimia]], and as far north as the [[Reshi Isles]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{book ref|sa1|36}} Their sheer size makes domesticating most species unfeasible, although there are stories of greatshell riders in places like [[Kadrix]].{{book ref|sa1|36}} |
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=== Spren |
=== Gemhearts and Spren Bonds === |
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The greatshells maintain their enormous size |
The greatshells maintain their enormous size through [[Nahel bond]]s with [[mandra]]s, a type of [[spren]] also known as 'luckspren'.{{wob ref|1227}} Mandras decrease the animal's weight, allowing them to exist and move their bulk in defiance of the [[wikipedia:square-cube law|square-cube law]].{{book ref|sa3|99}} To facilitate this bond, greatshells possess [[gemheart]]s, massive gemstones, within their bodies that the spren can enter.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} The type of [[polestone]] may vary in some species, while it is consistent in others.{{wob ref|3772}} The size of the gemheart scales up with the size of the animal.{{wob ref|756}} Due to the buoyancy of water, the largest greatshells are aquatic,{{wob ref|1499}} and it is possible that some aquatic greatshells can survive without a spren bond.{{wob ref|6498}} |
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Gemhearts hold great value, and greatshells are often hunted; some species, like the [[lanceryn]] and [[chasmfiend]]s, have been hunted down to extinction or near-extinction over their gemhearts.{{book ref|sa1|36}} |
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== Known greatshell species == |
== Known greatshell species == |
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*[[Tai-na]] |
*[[Tai-na]] |
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*[[Yu-nerig]] |
*[[Yu-nerig]] |
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*[[Santhid]]s are known to be in the same family,{{wob ref|7450}} although they are not explicitly named as greatshells. |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
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{{Stormlight}} |
{{Stormlight}} |
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[[es:Grancaparazón]] |
Latest revision as of 19:48, 10 April 2024
Greatshell | |
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by Randy Vargas
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Type | Animal family |
World of Origin | Roshar |
Universe | Cosmere |
Greatshell is a term used to describe various large crustaceans native to Roshar. The family includes numerous related species,[1] among them chasmfiends, Tai-na, Yu-nerig, and the extinct lanceryns.[2][3][4]
Appearance and Anatomy[edit]
Greatshells consist of a variety of creatures both aquatic and land-bound. Their appearance varies widely, but they share a number of physical characteristics. They are massive, vastly larger than a human; the largest creatures on the planet, both on land and in the water, are greatshells.[4] They possess an exoskeleton and multiple legs.[5] Their exoskeletons are chitinous, and known species have carapace armor that is extremely difficult to penetrate.[6] They have no tongue, and a complex set of jaws;[7] though it's unclear if they're all carnivorous, it is unlikely. Their blood is violet, and has a musty, moldy smell.[8]
Greatshells breed slowly, and for most species, their populations are generally small. They all reproduce the same way: an adult greatshell transforms (pupates) into a chrysalis, which eventually produces a number of young.[9] They do not seem to have a singular biome they thrive in; they can be found as far east as the Shattered Plains, as far west as Aimia, and as far north as the Reshi Isles.[4][2] Their sheer size makes domesticating most species unfeasible, although there are stories of greatshell riders in places like Kadrix.[2]
Gemhearts and Spren Bonds[edit]
The greatshells maintain their enormous size through Nahel bonds with mandras, a type of spren also known as 'luckspren'.[10] Mandras decrease the animal's weight, allowing them to exist and move their bulk in defiance of the square-cube law.[11] To facilitate this bond, greatshells possess gemhearts, massive gemstones, within their bodies that the spren can enter.[12] The type of polestone may vary in some species, while it is consistent in others.[13] The size of the gemheart scales up with the size of the animal.[14] Due to the buoyancy of water, the largest greatshells are aquatic,[15] and it is possible that some aquatic greatshells can survive without a spren bond.[16]
Gemhearts hold great value, and greatshells are often hunted; some species, like the lanceryn and chasmfiends, have been hunted down to extinction or near-extinction over their gemhearts.[2]
Known greatshell species[edit]
- Chasmfiend
- Lanceryn
- Tai-na
- Yu-nerig
- Santhids are known to be in the same family,[17] although they are not explicitly named as greatshells.
Notes[edit]
- ↑ Children of the Nameless Reddit AMA
— Arcanum - 2018-12-14# - ↑ a b c d The Way of Kings chapter 36#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 12#
- ↑ a b c Words of Radiance interlude I-3#
- ↑ Shallan's sketch: Chasmfiend
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 13#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 15#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 26#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 49#
- ↑ 17th Shard Forum Q&A
— Arcanum - 2012-09-27# - ↑ Oathbringer chapter 99#
- ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-13#
- ↑ Stormlight Three Update #4
— Arcanum - 2016-09-30# - ↑ Salt Lake ComicCon FanX 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-03-26# - ↑ Arcanum Unbounded Chicago signing
— Arcanum - 2016-12-06# - ↑ Words of Radiance Seattle signing
— Arcanum - 2014-03-08# - ↑ Calamity Philadelphia signing
— Arcanum - 2016-02-20#