Monster Mash: J is for Jerff

The jerff is a large spotted ermine beast found in the forested mountains of the Hold and the bordering territories. They are a paradox and the paradox hinges on the fullness of their stomach: when sated they are friendly and curious creatures but when hungry they become savage beasts that attack and eat more than they need.

"Feed the Jerff... The jerff are harmless when well-fed. They are omnivores and, as long as they can find plenty of insects, fruits, and small prey, are happy to make friends with other animals and humanoids. They are fluffy creatures that enjoy gamboling and playing with other creatures, surprisingly smart and quick-to-learn, and are a favorite animal of wood elves. Elves recommend that traveling parties befriend and feed a jerff. It will then follow you to the edge of its territory, which can span several miles, warding off threats, and even try to warn travelers off of dangerous paths with pitfalls. But the elves remind you to feed it well and often, especially if it is already drooling, as this is a sign the beast's territory has scant food, because if you don't, the jerff will turn on its friends in a mindless and ravenous rage.


... Or Be Eaten." The jerff is a creature with an extremely large appetite and an unfortunately large hypocampus that overrides their senses when they can't find enough food. When this happens, the jerff's kind eyes become dull and predatory, it drools and grumbles, and it sniffs at the air for any hint of food. They lose control and attack the nearest sources of food. They use their powerful claws and bites, knocking them aside with their whipping tails, and slay their prey so that they can gorge. When this hungry, the jerff will eat until it becomes sick with fullness.

Round As A Barrel. If food is placed before the jerff, hungry or full, it will eat it. It has no self-control. It will eat until it becomes sluggish, falls into a stupor, and collapses. When this happens, the jerff will usually first dig out a small burrow with its massive claws between two close trees to prevent itself from rolling down the mountainside in its sleep.