Ghi

The Ghi are squat, primitive creatures who fiercely covet trinkets, garbage and bric-a-brac which more civilized races would find worthless or otherwise repulsive. They tend to live below bridges and inside trash heaps and sewers. The presence of Ghi is now known as the inevitable consequence of densely populated cities.

The trinkets which are so coveted are the backbone of Ghi economy, which is fueled by a complex web of appraisals. Trading a bushel of apple cores for the head of a dead cat is a sound example of a Ghi transaction. Different Ghi have different tastes, however, and as humans do Ghi may value certain items over others. Many have tastes aligned with items crafted by human tools. As a result, many such Ghi flock to such settlements, where they live as a subhuman caste.

Rats and pigeons are considered by them an extreme nuisance - they steal what is otherwise the Ghi's to adorn their nests and feed their filthy, screeching young. Many Ghi go out of their way to stomp such beasts, and a very focused culture involving the torture of rodents and carrion continues to evolve.

A small number of Ghi can sometimes be found in raiding parties. Generally they have no desire for coin, not understanding the human desire for so many copper circles. While their bigger, stronger brothers in arms are shaking down a wagon for gold, a Ghi may be plucking a feather from a victim's hat, or joyously reaching for a broken wooden fork. Having no interest in "taking a cut" in a traditional sense, this can make them an excellent accompaniment for looters.

Ghi do various things with the treasures which they covet. Many become repurposed as tools, weapons, piercings, and decorations. These new contexts are often far reaching and bizarre - and appear very odd to humans. Some items are simply thrown into a growing pile, often rarely seen again except to stroke their curves and bask in their unique beauty.

Ghi may often be inclined to think of other creatures as living aggregates of collectible "parts" as well, prying off fingers and ears if there is something desirable to them. Those in close quarters with them are advised to dress consistently and familiar, as Ghi have a very poor ability to recognize the faces of comrades outside their race.