The nerf was a species of large, shaggy pack animal that was raised as a source of meat, fur, hide, and other consumables. Originally native to the planet Alderaan, these rangy creatures had four curved horns that crowned their heads. The nerf was best-known for its ornery disposition. They also tended to spit quite often, which only added to their generally disgusting image.

Their muscular bodies were lean and supple, and were protected by a thick coat of fur. This long fur matted and tangled easily, creating a mass of hair that collected everything it touched. Thus, a nerf carried a strong odor around with it. The fur of the nerf was often carded into wool, for use in making warm jackets and leggings. Nerfs were also hardy creatures that could adapt to a variety of climates. This made raising them on other planets quite easy, ensuring that the species survived the destruction of their homeworld.

The shepherds that raised nerfs - referred to simply as nerf herders - were looked upon as lesser members of society, but when they brought their meat to market, they lived like kings. Because most nerf herders lived in the fields with their beasts, they were known as a scruffy-looking lot who smelled almost as bad as the nerfs they tended. Because they lived in such close contact with their nerfs, most nerf herders lost their sense of smell over time. While the clothing of a nerf herder took on some of the odor of the beasts, the worst part of a nerf herder's odor came from the spit that sometimes covered their clothes.

As a rule, the males of the species were larger than the females, with more pronounced horns and a meaner temper. They also tended to fight amongst themselves as well as against their herders. Thus, males were often separated from the rest of the herd on farms, to keep them from causing trouble.

Nerfs could see quite well at night, allowing them to discern nocturnal predators.

Because nerfs were among the most profitable herd animals in the galaxy, they were exported from Alderaan and bred to exist on a number of different worlds, most of them in the Mid Rim. The nerfs found on the planet Grizmallt was distinguished by its thinner body.

Source Abbreviations Listing - E5, JS, ISU, TPS, WOTC, UA, NEGA, SWDB