Gibs are a diverse sapient species, with many subspecies, some of which vary dramatically from the most common members of the species. Gibs are most readily recognized for being ball-shaped, with a plain face. Each member is monochrome, but Gibs are found in every color. All Gibs variants possess a long, extensible, and prehensile tongue which they use for most manipulation.

Gibs are, as a species, quite comfortable with variance. Gibs societies focus heavily on mutualism, allowing different individuals to use their particular advantages to contribute. Individuals are generally encouraged to rely on their strengths, rather than work against their weaknesses. It does not, for instance, make much sense to have an armless Gins serve as an artisan or painter.

However, the fact that the physical capacities of Gibs vary so widely can be frustrating for individuals. Juvenile Gibs often envy other subspecies, but technology improvements and exosuits allow many Gibs to pursue paths they wouldn’t naturally be able to pursue. However, Gibs society is low-density and low-impact, preferring small settlements to large cities. While artisanal exosuits are somewhat common, many communities lack the means. Thus, even where technology allows a Gibs to do things beyond their natural capacity, it is still culturally and morally important for Gibs to overcome subspecies-envy before they reach adulthood.

It must be emphasized that Gibs society is highly communitarian when it comes to need. Gibs society often relies on “assignments” or “missions,” where a Gibs with certain abilities will be sent to a community in need of those abilities. Individuals with rare abilities may serve rotating missions to many communities. This practice of need-matching helps Gibs keep their communities simpler and efficient, decreasing how large communities need to be viable and ensuring decreased environmental, colonial, and sociological impact.

Unlike other species, Gibs and subspecies names should all be capitalized. This is a cultural convention from historical Gibs’ languages.

Gibs

The most common Gibs variant, also called by the species name. The term Gibs among Gibs only referred to this subspecies, but the expanded meaning quickly grew as Gibs societies mingled with others.

They are characterized by 4 nub arms and 2 platform feet. They move principally by bouncing or hopping. They are about 3 feet tall. If a trait is not mentioned for another subspecies, it may be assumed to resemble the Gibs.

Gids

Horned, with two clawed arms, and heavy wings. They lurch through the air in flight. They have chemical sacs that allow them to ingest, store, and spew flammable or acidic chemicals. They are, in a sense, edgy Gibs.

Gigs

One of two aquatic Gibs. They possess 5 tentacles arranged around the tail, each being about 8 feet long, compared to their body which is merely 2 ft long. While Givs are more agile on land, Gigs are stronger and more agile underwater.

Giks

A rare, winged variant, with 2 platform feet. They boast an 11 ft wingspan, which is significantly reduced with wings furled. The wings are covered in downy feathers (unique to Giks). Many serve as messengers and couriers of light objects.

Gils

Gils are very rare, with elongated bodies, limbs, spines, and a pointed tail.

Gims

Gims are uncommon, resembling Gibs but for the arms. Rather than 2 pairs of 2 nubs, Gims have 3 arms on each side, made of a slightly flexible but hard substance. Each arm can be fired and quickly regrown up to 3 times, for a total of 24 shots. Once all are expended, new arms are grown in a week, and each backup arm takes another week.

Gins

Gins are smaller, being 1.5 feet in length and low to the ground. They have 4 nub legs and no other limbs. They move in a bunny-like fashion and possess catlike agility. They are the second most common variant.

They help communities by performing tasks impossible for larger creatures, and are comfortable as lookouts, running around on roofs, alleys, and the like. They are also deceptively strong, so many work in transporting goods.

Girs

Girs have 8 arms in a ring around the base of their body. These arms can be inflated to make Girs buoyant, allowing them to float above the ground at low altitudes. Girs have highly variable eye-counts and positions, as they may grow eyes anywhere around the body. They’re good lookouts and can lift heavy objects in groups (they are quite good at latching together, unlike the fast and agile Giks).

Givs

The second aquatic Gibs, which resemble a Gins with a horizontal tadpole-like tail, whose fins extend across the body and help the Givs move by vertical undulation. Givs are the most comfortable on land and sea, bridging the two.

Exotic Gibs

Most individual Gibs will fall into one of the common subspecies, even if its parents are from different subspecies. Nonetheless, some Gibs will have exotic and even bizarre combinations of traits from different subspecies. They may also possess more or less traits than usual, such as a horned Gibs with 13 tentacles and extra eyes.