Esuli

Current population: 17

Strange symbiosis

The Esuli lifestyle in centered around skith. The skith are kept in the Esuli territory by regular feeding through the gaiba.

The gaiba is a hobbit who spends his days tied to a tree, blood dripping in the water through cuts on his arms and legs. On early summer the gaiba is submerged in the water up to his neck, letting skith spawn suckle on him. The role of gaiba is usually given to a sick, malformed, or other ways less productive Esuli. At times of leisure, the gaiba is treated better than any other Esuli. He is fed, cared for and pleasured by two Esuli of his choice. Such a caretaker is called a gaisa. After a year the gaiba is allowed to abandon his post, or he may choose to do his duty for another year. Most gaiba don't survive for two years, but some find the lifestyle worth the gamble.

The skith are excellent guard animals. They feel any disturbance in the water and are prone to attack anything that comes in their territory. They are also the Esulis' main source of protein, the tails being a delicacy in any culture.

Economy

Skith. The Esuli are not much for trading, but whatever they need something they can't come by themselves, skith meat is a valuable trading resource.

Relationships

The Esuli are looked down upon by most who know them because of their strange lifestyle.

Esuli of note

Nerma Pianis - hobbit, current Esuli gaiba.

Rolo Viskal - hobbit, current Esuli gaisa.

Lierma Pianis - hobbit, current Esuli gaisa.