Whitespine
| Whitespine | |
|---|---|
| |
| Native to | Alethkar |
| World of Origin | Roshar |
| Universe | Cosmere |
Whitespines are dangerous crustaceans that live on Roshar.
Appearance and Anatomy
They are as large as horses, with a carapaced back and a reptilian appearance.[1] They have long white tusks that are used for impalement which can break off and remain lodged in their prey, causing severe damage.[2] Whitespines have claws[3] and they smell quite unpleasant, especially when wet.[4] They also have a nose of some sort that allows them to sniff and sneeze.[1][4] They are able to enter a dormant state, most likely to hibernate, during which they appear to become coated in a thick, hard crystal-like substance that takes time to accumulate. Water washes away the crystal coating in its early stages of forming, making it difficult for a whitespine to undergo this metamorphosis during a highstorm.[citation needed]
- Images of whitespines
Ecology
Whitespines live in packs with dens[1] that are often strewn with the bones of the creatures they have killed.[5] Sometimes they will live near roadways to pick off travelers as prey.[1] They are native to Alethkar[2] and possibly other areas.
History
Whitespines are often hunted by lighteyes[2] and their darkeyed attendants, especially if the whitespines have been killing humans.
Brightlord Roshone and his son Rillir, along with Alds and Milp go hunting for a whitespine that has been attacking travelers.[2] They are attacked by the whitespine; Rillir is killed, and likely Alds and Milp as well. Roshone survives the attack, but loses his leg.[6]
Trivia
- Brightlord Amaram's glyphpair is in the shape of a whitespine with raised tusks, made up of the glyphs merem and khakh.[7]