Difference between revisions of "Larkin"

'''Larkin''' are small, highly-valued, flying crustacean animals native to [[Aimia]] on [[Roshar]]. They can consume Stormlight as well as other forms of Investiture. They have been a critically-endangered species since the [[scouring of Aimia]].{{wob ref|1080}} They are known as the '''Ancient Guardians''', or '''Guardians of Ancient Sins''', and have traditionally guarded the [[Dawnshard]] on Aimia.{{book ref|sa3.5|16}}

Larkin are generally between a hand and a small melon in size.{{wob ref|1080}} They are somewhat similar to [[cremling]]s in appearance, although, unlike the cremlings' crabbish faces, the larkin have small faces, like those of [[axehound]]s, with a snout, mouth, and shimmering eyes of solid silver, as well as wings that fold out of their backs. Their wings are strong enough that they can fly, at least short distances.{{wob ref|1080}}{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} During their lifespan a larkin bonds a particular kind of luckspen(mandras) only found on Aimia and must migrate there every few years to do so. Larkin used to grow to great sizes but most now remain small. It is unclear what the difference between larkin and [[lanceryn]]is but they are very closely related.{{wob ref|6497}}

The most outstanding feature of larkin is their ability to feed on [[Investiture]] (commonly [[Stormlight]], as they originate from Roshar). This ability is related to both [[Chromium#Allomantic Use|Leechers]] and [[Nightblood]], although they can't hold as much Investiture as the latter.{{wob ref|5023}}{{wob ref|14775}} They can suck Stormlight out of [[Surgebinder]]s and [[Shardplate]] at will, causing the Light to stream visibly through the air and into the larkin's mouth.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{wob ref|3864}} Larkin can also eat Stormlight that has been stored in gems and drain the [[Voidlight]] from a [[Fused]]. After absorbing a large amount of Stormlight from the [[King's Drop]], Chiri-Chiri becomes noticeably bigger.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} Since larkin feed on Investiture, they are incapable of pushing it ''into'' people.{{wob ref|3231}} Larkin cannot feed on the Investiture of a person clad in [[aluminum]] or [[Shardplate]], though they can feed on the investiture powering the Shardplate itself.{{wob ref|3864}}

A larkin would be able to prevent someone from becoming [[Returned]] by ingesting the [[Divine Breath]] as it attempted to enter the person.{{wob ref|6364}} LarkinsLarkin could also kill a Returned by feeding on all of their Investiture.{{wob ref|13419}}

== LoreHistory ==

In the past, larkin have guarded the Dawnshard on Aimia, giving them the title Ancient Guardians,.{{book alsoref|sa3.5|16}} knownDuring asthis Larkintime, orthe Lancerynlarkin were tasked,given perhapseight evenSoulcasters createdas an offering, tothough guardit theis unclear as to dawnshardwhy.{{book ref|sa3.5|1619}} Since the scouring of Aimia, larkin have become extremely rare,{{wob ref|1080}}, but are not totally unknown; [[Shallan]] thinks of the phrase "rare as a larkin" when she has a moment of freedom{{book ref|sa2|45}} and kings are willing to pay fortunes for their corpses.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} Despite this Chiri-Chiri is the only true Larkin known. The others are crossbreeds with the sleepless who desired the larkin ability to drain investiture. The sleepless managed to interbreed with the Larkin and took over their task of guarding the dawnshard after the scouring although they still revere the original protectors.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

== Notable ExamplesLarkin ==

* Rysn is given a live larkin by Relu-na.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She names it [[Chiri-Chiri]].{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}

* [[Nale]] uses one to drain [[Lift]] of StormlightLifelight while attempting to capture her.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}

* The EightSleepless soulcastershave werecrossbred foundtheir onhordelings Aimia.with larkin Theyin wereorder keptto as offerings togain the larkin.ability to It is unclear why they would wantdrain anyInvestiture.{{book ref|sa3.5|19}}

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