Larkin

Overview

Larkin combine small armoured bodies with fold-out wings, bright silver eyes and a muzzle that differs from the crabbish faces of ordinary cremlings. Their defining ability is feeding on Investiture: visible streams of Stormlight can pass from gems or magical users into their mouths. This gives even a small animal consequences far beyond its size. Chiri-Chiri, Rysn's companion, can deprive opponents of a resource on which their powers depend; it is feeding, rather than ordinary breath damage or a returned supply of light.

Dawnshard makes a larkin's needs central to a voyage. Sanderson's official synopsis identifies Chiri-Chiri as a member of a species once thought extinct and sends Rysn toward Akinah when the animal becomes ill. It also explains why the expedition cannot simply fly there: approaching Radiants find their Stormlight drained. The journey therefore connects companionship to geography and the limits of magical travel. The novel develops Chiri-Chiri's need for a spren bond associated with the ancestral region, which helps explain why surviving small larkin do not by themselves reveal the species' full mature potential. Chiri-Chiri remains a particular individual with a history, not a template guaranteeing that every larkin shares all of her experiences.

First appearances & development

The Way of Kings (2010) includes larkin imagery and rarity, while Words of Radiance and Dawnshard bring a living example into Rysn's story. The 2020 novella makes the species' ancestral home and Chiri-Chiri's health a major narrative concern. Small surviving individuals are not used to define an unquestioned universal adult size.

Canon & continuity

The inspected author synopsis directly supports the winged, Stormlight-ingesting creature, perceived extinction, illness and Akinah voyage. The Coppermind supplies chapter-indexed anatomy and Investiture feeding. Dawnshard chapter 16 is a specific primary locator; the related lanceryn terminology is left unresolved rather than presented as a separately proven life stage.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Way of Kings

   Brandon Sanderson · 2010

   Front endsheet and rare-creature references.

2. 02

   Words of Radiance

   Brandon Sanderson · 2014

   Rysn interludes introduce Chiri-Chiri and her Investiture-related behaviour.

3. 03

   Dawnshard

   Brandon Sanderson · 2020

   Rysn's Akinah expedition and Chiri-Chiri's recovery; chapter 16 develops growth and bonding.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. ReferenceThe Coppermind: LarkinResearch access: 2026-10-05
2. OfficialSanderson: Stormlight series — Dawnshard synopsisResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.