An eight-legged great, omnivorous reptile with the same general shape as a Gila Monster, the gibgibsew possesses the ability to race over the surface of the water like a Jesus Lizard, only on a much larger scale. The adult gibgibsew as bred in captivity for the games measures seven to ten meters (24 to 30 feet) from head to tail. Gibgibsews held in captivity are generally well taken care of due to their market value and maintenance and live about twenty to thirty years. The variation is due in large measure to the work and exertion placed upon the beast, especially due to racing. The slang name for the beast is 'jib.' The creature's eight legs begin to vibrate at any speed above the slowest and this peculiar magical vibration enables it to move over the surface of the water. Gibgibsews are native to the Shadevan Delta. They are bred and trained in ranches in the delta. Trained beasts fetch a high price in Aurice and elsewhere in the Pallathantic. The tack required for both mount and rider is considerably expensive.

Wild and feral gibgibsews can be found today in the swamps of the Shadevan Delta. Hatchling gibgibsews, whether under the lawlock or wild, are called flubs.

Subjugation

Like other galimshara, domesticated gibgibsews must be placed under the law-lock which includes ancient folk magic, training, and practices of familiarization which are used to dominate and exploit the gibgibsew that could easily devour a human in two gulps. The soddern, gooba reins, and jiblute are all essential equipment. The gooba reins are specially made and endowed with pan to pacify beast against humans and humanlikes without needlessly reducing its useful ferocity. Gooba reins is a term that includes the halter and are thought to facilitate a magical connection between the beast and the rider. The jiblute creates a sound which the beast is trained to pay attention to. The rider can blow the lute actively or allow the movement of air when the beast is bearing the rider at the greater speeds. The soddern is a rod that the rider can use to deliver a shock to an unruly beast, but most often is used to spur the creature to action without actually coming into contact with it.

Tack

In addition to the soddern, gooba reins, and jiblute, a gibgibsew rider requires additional equipment common to mounted beasts including a halter, bit, jib-saddle, a saddle blanket, usually made of a soft hide, and stirrups.

Origin

Gibgibsews are thought to have been domesticated no later than the seventh millennium before Salmakhamer and their presence is attested by archeological evidence among the oldest civilizations of the Shadevan. Gibgibsew bones have been found in fourth millennium before Salmakhamer digs in the Shadevan. Depictions of gibgibsews bearing riders have been found in digs dated to the seventh millennium before Salmakhamer.

Jibgaits

Jibriders recognize five speeds or jibgaits.

1) slopdaugh (up to 4 mph)
2) rumble (4 to 12 mph), beast can maintain this speed for up to one hour
3) gallaunt (waterwalking) (13 to 24 mph) about ten minutes
4) sprattle (waterwalking) (25 to 40 mph) about five minutes
5) jagannath (waterwalking)(41 to up to 60 mph) for very short sprints.

Uses

Sportsmen have embraced the gibgibsew in the quest for very large game. The Games of High Summer held annually in Aurice would be impossible without the gibgibsew and its famously trained rider. The game of Skar and the races draw tens of thousands of spectators to the city of Aurice every year.

Value

A well-trained gibgibsew at the beginning of its career is worth tens of thousands of silver on the open market. The value increases with the demonstrated performance of the beast, but decreases with the age. The trained rider is sometimes offered along with the beast on a contract as the bond between rider and beast can be quite dynamic. The famous race gibgibsew Elugathi was sold in Aurice in 2713 for about eleven times the cost of an entry level race gibgibsew. Any gibgibsew that has won at least once in the Races of High Summer typically sells for over 4,500 aurics.

Regulation

The potential for harmful interactions between beast and humans is considerable. An adult gibgibsew can swallow a large man whole. The violent side to side swinging of its tail can decapitate a human. For this reason, the creature is regulated in various jurisdictions throughout the Pallathantic. In Aurice, the beast must have been raised and trained by a licensed breeder and the owner and the rider must be registered along with the beast. The rider must be licensed by the city as competent to ride and handle such a beast. The breeder will typically place a unique, intricate tattoo on the hide of the beast and this identifies the creature to the owner and authorities. The jib-tattoo must be registered with the state. Legally, the rider and sometimes the owner are accountable for the actions of their beasts, unless the beasts are provoked or intruded upon in their marked stables. Standardized, large signs are placed prominently on the exterior of stables and other facilities for gibgibsews. Spectators at gibgibsew sports, such as the Games of High Summer of Aurice, have greatly reduced legal recourse if they are injured or killed as the sport is considered inherently dangerous and anyone watching willingly accepts this risk.

Gibgibsew

Contents