Giff

Giff were an Animal Race of tall, broad-shouldered folk that resembled hippos.
Some had smooth skin, and others had short bristles on their faces and the tops of their heads. Beings of impressive size and unforgettable appearance, Giff are noticed wherever they go. Giff put their great size to use in all sorts of ways, from lifting heavy loads and tying tight knots to opening stuck doors and seeing over crowds. They're also natural swimmers.
Giff are drawn into space by a divine force. This divine spark also inspired their creation of gunpowder and firearms.
Giff were split into two camps concerning how their name is pronounced. Half of them said it with a hard g, half with a soft g. Disagreements over the correct pronunciation often blossom into hard feelings, loud arguments, and head-butting contests, but they rarely escalate beyond that.