Cannibalism
When gemigons were first created, their only known source of food was other gemigons. They could've eaten meat, but it could not sustain them for nearly as long as gems could. This lifestyle resulted in a mass killing of gemigons made out of softer gems, and actually wiped out the talc gemigons (the softest gem). Many other gems were getting close to being wiped out before Ekym discovered the modern way of growing gems that did not involve murdering gemigons.
In their current society, gemigons will take their dead and bury them deep into the ground, in special graveyards. The body will stay here for many, many years as it decays. Once all of its flesh is gone, the gems will begin to grow at a considerably faster rate. After a very long time, their "body", which now only looks like a mass of crystals, will be dug up once more and broken into pieces to be eaten. This way of harvesting is seen as completely civilized and necessary by gemigons and they do not see it as cannibalism.
Some gemigons, however, do not practice this way of growing gems. There are some groups and villages that rely heavily on cannibalism, as they are farther away from the capital city and do not have much access to their gem exports. One village in particular, known as Pinatubo, is an extreme example of this. These gemigons not only cannibalize, but are also very feral and wild. All gemigons fear them, and almost no one visits the island, besides those that are given the task of delivering gems to them. This group does not feel the social connection to others that normal gemigons do, and are not against killing their family or village members. The leader of the Pinatubo cannibals is simply known as the "Cannibal King" and he is ruthless and unmerciful. He is a runt, but he is also a diamond, and is therefore respected by his followers. However, not all of his followers are following him willingly. But, to go against the King is to ask for death.
In their current society, gemigons will take their dead and bury them deep into the ground, in special graveyards. The body will stay here for many, many years as it decays. Once all of its flesh is gone, the gems will begin to grow at a considerably faster rate. After a very long time, their "body", which now only looks like a mass of crystals, will be dug up once more and broken into pieces to be eaten. This way of harvesting is seen as completely civilized and necessary by gemigons and they do not see it as cannibalism.
Some gemigons, however, do not practice this way of growing gems. There are some groups and villages that rely heavily on cannibalism, as they are farther away from the capital city and do not have much access to their gem exports. One village in particular, known as Pinatubo, is an extreme example of this. These gemigons not only cannibalize, but are also very feral and wild. All gemigons fear them, and almost no one visits the island, besides those that are given the task of delivering gems to them. This group does not feel the social connection to others that normal gemigons do, and are not against killing their family or village members. The leader of the Pinatubo cannibals is simply known as the "Cannibal King" and he is ruthless and unmerciful. He is a runt, but he is also a diamond, and is therefore respected by his followers. However, not all of his followers are following him willingly. But, to go against the King is to ask for death.