Difference between revisions of "Whitespine"
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Truthwatch3r (talk | contribs) (Expanded a bit, moved trivia to new cultural references section) |
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== Appearance and Anatomy == |
== Appearance and Anatomy == |
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− | They are as large as horses, with a carapaced back and a reptilian appearance.{{book ref|sa1|31}} They have long white tusks that are used for impalement which can break off and remain lodged in their prey, causing severe damage.{{book ref|sa1|41}} Whitespines have claws{{book ref|sa1|45}} and they smell quite unpleasant, especially when wet.{{book ref|sa1|22}} They also have a nose of some sort that allows them to sniff and sneeze.{{book ref|sa1|31}}{{book ref|sa1|22}} 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, |
+ | The eponymous spine is a row of spikes that runs from the head along the back of a whitespine. They are as large as horses, with a carapaced back, powerful legs, and a reptilian appearance.{{book ref|sa1|31}}{{book ref|sa2|55}} They have long white tusks that are used for impalement which can break off and remain lodged in their prey, causing severe damage.{{book ref|sa1|41}} Whitespines have claws, including a set of vestigial claws behind their primary legs,{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{wob ref|13255}} and they smell quite unpleasant, especially when wet.{{book ref|sa1|22}} They also have a nose of some sort that allows them to sniff and sneeze.{{book ref|sa1|31}}{{book ref|sa1|22}} 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, which would make it difficult for a whitespine to undergo this metamorphosis during a [[highstorm]].{{book ref|sa2|55}} |
<gallery caption="Images of whitespines"> |
<gallery caption="Images of whitespines"> |
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== Ecology == |
== Ecology == |
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− | Whitespines live in packs |
+ | Whitespines live in packs in dens{{book ref|sa1|31}} that are often strewn with the bones of the creatures they have killed.{{book ref|sa1|11}} Sometimes they will live near roadways to pick off travelers as prey.{{book ref|sa1|31}} They hide near the carcass of their recent kill after consuming its meat, then hunt the scavengers that are attracted to the carcass.{{book ref|sa3|22}} Whitespines are native to [[Alethkar]]{{book ref|sa1|41}} and possibly other areas. They are "nastier" than [[chasmfiend]]s.{{wob ref|2940}} |
== History == |
== History == |
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Brightlord [[Roshone]] and his son [[Rillir]], along with [[Alds]] and [[Milp]] go hunting for a whitespine that has been attacking travelers.{{book ref|sa1|41}} They are attacked by the whitespine; Rillir is killed, and likely Alds and Milp as well. Roshone survives the attack, but loses his leg.{{book ref|sa1|44}} |
Brightlord [[Roshone]] and his son [[Rillir]], along with [[Alds]] and [[Milp]] go hunting for a whitespine that has been attacking travelers.{{book ref|sa1|41}} They are attacked by the whitespine; Rillir is killed, and likely Alds and Milp as well. Roshone survives the attack, but loses his leg.{{book ref|sa1|44}} |
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− | == |
+ | == Cultural References == |
− | + | [[Brightlord]] [[Amaram|Amaram's]] [[glyphpair]] is in the shape of a whitespine with raised tusks, made up of the [[glyphs]] merem and khakh.{{book ref|sa1|47}} |
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+ | === Idioms === |
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+ | {{quote |
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+ | |A little like the mink wandering into the whitespine’s den and asking when dinner is... |
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+ | |{{book ref|sa2|20}} |
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+ | }} |
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+ | |||
+ | {{quote |
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+ | |The interior bristled with spears. Like the proverbial whitespine’s den. |
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+ | |{{book ref|sa3|83}} |
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+ | }} |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
Revision as of 02:00, 16 October 2020
Whitespine | |
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Native to | Alethkar |
World of Origin | Roshar |
Universe | Cosmere |
Whitespines are dangerous crustaceans that live on Roshar.
Appearance and Anatomy
The eponymous spine is a row of spikes that runs from the head along the back of a whitespine. They are as large as horses, with a carapaced back, powerful legs, and a reptilian appearance.[1][2] They have long white tusks that are used for impalement which can break off and remain lodged in their prey, causing severe damage.[3] Whitespines have claws, including a set of vestigial claws behind their primary legs,[4][5] and they smell quite unpleasant, especially when wet.[6] They also have a nose of some sort that allows them to sniff and sneeze.[1][6] 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, which would make it difficult for a whitespine to undergo this metamorphosis during a highstorm.[2]
Ecology
Whitespines live in packs in dens[1] that are often strewn with the bones of the creatures they have killed.[7] Sometimes they will live near roadways to pick off travelers as prey.[1] They hide near the carcass of their recent kill after consuming its meat, then hunt the scavengers that are attracted to the carcass.[8] Whitespines are native to Alethkar[3] and possibly other areas. They are "nastier" than chasmfiends.[9]
History
Whitespines are often hunted by lighteyes[3] 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.[3] They are attacked by the whitespine; Rillir is killed, and likely Alds and Milp as well. Roshone survives the attack, but loses his leg.[10]
Cultural References
Brightlord Amaram's glyphpair is in the shape of a whitespine with raised tusks, made up of the glyphs merem and khakh.[11]
Idioms
“A little like the mink wandering into the whitespine’s den and asking when dinner is... ”
—[12]
“The interior bristled with spears. Like the proverbial whitespine’s den. ”
—[13]
Notes
- ↑ a b c d The Way of Kings chapter 31#
- ↑ a b Words of Radiance chapter 55#
- ↑ a b c d The Way of Kings chapter 41#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 45#
- ↑ General Reddit 2017
— Arcanum - 2017-01-28# - ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 22#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 11#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 22#
- ↑ Figment chat
— Arcanum - 2015-01-19# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 44#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 47#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 20#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 83#