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Difference between revisions of "Sandling"

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|type=Animal
 
|world=Taldain
  
|world=Taldain
 
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
  
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
 
|books=[[White Sand]]
  
|books=[[White Sand]]
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'''Sandlings''' are creatures that live in the deep sand of [[Taldain]].
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'''Sandlings''', often called '''deep sandlings''', are creatures that live in the deep sand on the [[Dayside]] of [[Taldain]].{{book ref|ws1|1}}
   
 
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
  
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
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Sandlings are large creatures, significantly larger than a human. They appear to be arthropods, with a hard, segmented carapace. However, some sections of a Sandling's body are covered in interlocking scales, like a reptile. Unlike arthropods, they have mouths with long teeth, a tongue, and liquid saliva. Though they appear to have eyelids, they cannot see, and must "feel" to find their prey.{{book ref|ws1|1}} As seen in [[White Sand Volume 2]], they have different varieties, such as one that works as a trap, hiding in the sand until something touches it, and one that looks nothing like the original, showing a form similar to a giant, wingless dragon.
 +
Sandlings come in various sizes, with several species being significantly larger than a human. They appear to be arthropods, with a hard, segmented carapace. However, some sections of a sandling's body are covered in interlocking scales, like a reptile. Unlike arthropods, they have mouths with long teeth, a tongue, and liquid saliva. Though they appear to have eyelids, they cannot see, and must "feel" to find their prey.{{book ref|ws1|1}} They are usually gray in color.{{book ref|ws2|3}}
  +
=== Interactions with Investiture ===
  +
Some sandlings have '''terken''' shells, making them immune to [[sand mastery]]. Any [[Investiture|Invested]] sand that touches terken shells becomes black and loses it power. Terken shells can also be made into an oil-based liquid and smeared on people or objects to make them immune.{{book ref|ws2|2}} Assassins covet this oil for use in fighting sand masters,{{book ref|ws2|4}} although it does not suppress sand masters from manipulating objects not actually covered in the oil.{{book ref|ws2|2}}
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[[Khrissalla]] takes a scientific interest in both sandling carapace and sand excreted by the sandlings; she discovers some unusual properties after performing various experiments.{{book ref|ws1|5}}{{book ref|ws1|6}} She eventually realizes that the sand gains a microflora after being ingested by the sandlings, which is the key to harnessing the planet's Investiture.{{au ref|taldain}}
   
 
== Ecology ==
  
== Ecology ==
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Sandlings live in deep sand and only surface to hunt. Their shell and skin is dissolved by water.{{book ref|ws1|1}} Plants such as the [[Dorim vine]] have water inside them for protection against Sandlings and other sand creatures.{{book ref|ws1|3}} Some Sandlings have Terken shells, making them immune to Sand Mastery. Any sand touching terken shells becomes black, and it can be made into liquid form to make a user immune. Terken shells are said to be on only the oldest Sandlings, and Terken sandlings are very rare.
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Sandlings live in deep sand and only surface to hunt. They will eat almost anything, and they are able to ingest sand.{{book ref|ws2|3}} They can move very quickly through the sand.{{book ref|ws1|1}} They are "nearly indestructible" under normal circumstances, but their shell and skin can be dissolved by water.{{book ref|ws1|1}} Guns can also penetrate their carapace.{{book ref|ws1|4}} Plants such as the [[dorim vine]] have water inside them for protection against sandlings, since a sandling's mouth will dissolve if it tries to eat the vines.{{book ref|ws1|3}}
   
  +
Smaller sandlings can be hunted by groups of humans using conventional weapons such as spears and swords.{{book ref|ws2|3}} Humans may use carved carapace for various purposes, such as making arrowheads.{{book ref|ws1|4}}
⚫
== Trivia ==
  
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Sandlings are similar to [[Chasmfiend]]s, and other [[greatshell]]s found on [[Roshar]].
  
   
  +
== Species ==
⚫
Sandlings are also similar to (and probably inspired by) the Sandworms of Arrakis, found in Frank Herbert's ''Dune''. Sandworms are also gargantuan creatures that live beneath the desert sands, and emerge when they feel a disturbance in the sand. Water is toxic to Sandworms, and they avoid it just as Sandlings do. Brandon has acknowledged ''Dune'' as significant inspiration for [[White Sand]]. {{book ref|ws1|Introduction}}
 
  +
Multiple species of sandlings have been seen in ''White Sand'':
  +
*a terken sandling used in the "Mastrell's path", a trial faced by members of the [[Diem]] - it is incredibly large, with clawed legs, a long tail, spiked carapace, and a huge round mouth rimmed with conical teeth.{{book ref|ws1|1}} It is not clear how this particular sandling ended up outside of its usual habitat.{{book ref|ws1|2}}
  +
*an unnamed species that is very small; groups of individuals coordinate movements and feeding, like a school of fish.{{book ref|ws2|3}}
  +
*Delrak (pl. Delraiken) - it is not aggressive, but it functions as a trap, hiding in the sand with only its triangle-shaped head showing; when anything touches it, it devours it.{{book ref|ws2|3}}
  +
*Karak - has a form similar to a four-legged wingless dragon with a forked tongue, frilled neck, and long tail; a baby is the size of an elephant, while an adult is approximately seventy feet tall.{{book ref|ws2|3}}
  +
===Domesticated relatives===
  +
{{theory}}
  +
Several beasts of burden on Taldain may be related to sandlings. [[Tonk]]s are known to bury themselves in the sand,{{book ref|ws1|4}} and [[terha]] are treated with a special liquid from birth to avoid water damage to their shell.{{book ref|ws2|3}} Both animals have horns and carapace, although their appearance is much less extreme than deep sandlings.
  +
  ⚫
== Trivia ==
  +
*Sandlings have a similar appearance to [[Chasmfiend]]s and other [[greatshell]]s found on [[Roshar]], although they are not intended to parallel each other.{{wob ref|2655}} In a hypothetical fight between the two, the environment would affect the outcome.{{wob ref|10485}}
  ⚫
*Sandlings are also similar to (and probably inspired by) the Sandworms of Arrakis, found in Frank Herbert's ''Dune''. Sandworms are also gargantuan creatures that live beneath the desert sands, and emerge when they feel a disturbance in the sand. Water is toxic to Sandworms, and they avoid it just as Sandlings do. Brandon has acknowledged ''Dune'' as significant inspiration for [[White Sand]].{{book ref|ws1|Introduction}}
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
 
<references />
  
<references />
−
{{partial}}
 +
{{complete}}
 
{{White Sand}}
  
{{White Sand}}

Revision as of 19:54, 9 April 2019

Sandling
Type Animal
World of Origin Taldain
Universe Cosmere

Sandlings, often called deep sandlings, are creatures that live in the deep sand on the Dayside of Taldain.[1]

Appearance and Anatomy

Sandlings come in various sizes, with several species being significantly larger than a human. They appear to be arthropods, with a hard, segmented carapace. However, some sections of a sandling's body are covered in interlocking scales, like a reptile. Unlike arthropods, they have mouths with long teeth, a tongue, and liquid saliva. Though they appear to have eyelids, they cannot see, and must "feel" to find their prey.[1] They are usually gray in color.[2]

Interactions with Investiture

Some sandlings have terken shells, making them immune to sand mastery. Any Invested sand that touches terken shells becomes black and loses it power. Terken shells can also be made into an oil-based liquid and smeared on people or objects to make them immune.[3] Assassins covet this oil for use in fighting sand masters,[4] although it does not suppress sand masters from manipulating objects not actually covered in the oil.[3]

Khrissalla takes a scientific interest in both sandling carapace and sand excreted by the sandlings; she discovers some unusual properties after performing various experiments.[5][6] She eventually realizes that the sand gains a microflora after being ingested by the sandlings, which is the key to harnessing the planet's Investiture.[7]

Ecology

Sandlings live in deep sand and only surface to hunt. They will eat almost anything, and they are able to ingest sand.[2] They can move very quickly through the sand.[1] They are "nearly indestructible" under normal circumstances, but their shell and skin can be dissolved by water.[1] Guns can also penetrate their carapace.[8] Plants such as the dorim vine have water inside them for protection against sandlings, since a sandling's mouth will dissolve if it tries to eat the vines.[9]

Smaller sandlings can be hunted by groups of humans using conventional weapons such as spears and swords.[2] Humans may use carved carapace for various purposes, such as making arrowheads.[8]

Species

Multiple species of sandlings have been seen in White Sand:

  • a terken sandling used in the "Mastrell's path", a trial faced by members of the Diem - it is incredibly large, with clawed legs, a long tail, spiked carapace, and a huge round mouth rimmed with conical teeth.[1] It is not clear how this particular sandling ended up outside of its usual habitat.[10]
  • an unnamed species that is very small; groups of individuals coordinate movements and feeding, like a school of fish.[2]
  • Delrak (pl. Delraiken) - it is not aggressive, but it functions as a trap, hiding in the sand with only its triangle-shaped head showing; when anything touches it, it devours it.[2]
  • Karak - has a form similar to a four-legged wingless dragon with a forked tongue, frilled neck, and long tail; a baby is the size of an elephant, while an adult is approximately seventy feet tall.[2]

Domesticated relatives

This page or section deals with theories or speculation.
Please read carefully and note that this is not necessarily canonical.

Several beasts of burden on Taldain may be related to sandlings. Tonks are known to bury themselves in the sand,[8] and terha are treated with a special liquid from birth to avoid water damage to their shell.[2] Both animals have horns and carapace, although their appearance is much less extreme than deep sandlings.

Trivia

  • Sandlings have a similar appearance to Chasmfiends and other greatshells found on Roshar, although they are not intended to parallel each other.[11] In a hypothetical fight between the two, the environment would affect the outcome.[12]
  • Sandlings are also similar to (and probably inspired by) the Sandworms of Arrakis, found in Frank Herbert's Dune. Sandworms are also gargantuan creatures that live beneath the desert sands, and emerge when they feel a disturbance in the sand. Water is toxic to Sandworms, and they avoid it just as Sandlings do. Brandon has acknowledged Dune as significant inspiration for White Sand.[13]

Notes

  1. ↑ a b c d e White Sand Volume 1 chapter 1#
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g White Sand Volume 2 chapter 3#
  3. ↑ a b White Sand Volume 2 chapter 2#
  4. ↑ White Sand Volume 2 chapter 4#
  5. ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter 5#
  6. ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter 6#
  7. ↑ Arcanum Unbounded - The Taldain System#
  8. ↑ a b c White Sand Volume 1 chapter 4#
  9. ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter 3#
  10. ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter 2#
  11. ↑ OdysseyCon 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-04-08#
  12. ↑ Idaho Falls signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-07-21#
  13. ↑ White Sand Volume 1 chapter Introduction#
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This page contains most of the knowledge we have on the subject at this time.
It has yet to be reviewed.
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