Grizerel

In short, grizerel are essentially the secret love-child of a wolverine and a Sun Bear in a very compact package. Closer in size to the wolverine than the sun bear, the grizerel has short, coarse and tightly curly fur, similar in some respects to a poodle (but don't let them hear you say that) with distinctive brown, orange and cream swirls across chest and shoulders and in a vague triangle about halfway down their back. These swirls are kind of like cowlicks, which could be why grizerels seem irritated so much of the time. A bristly mohawk of orange-tipped black quills runs from their eyebrows to the base of their skull. Don’t run, don’t make eye contact, and don’t turn your back on them. If unmolested and unantagonized, they may saunter off with growly disdain and unconcern. If not, a sword, spear, or big stick would come be handy.
This ferocious creature is displayed on the banner of Isselt Mountain Rhejhe and is their official mascot (though really that term seems a bit too casual for how the Isseltians feel about the grizerel). Like the Isseltians themselves, grizerels are rather short and stalky. The only creatures grizerel are said to run from are dragons. However, since no one has seen a dragon in the Isselts for a few hundred'Rounds, this is largely unconfirmed.
Essentially, the grizerel are tough, brave (some say psychotic instead), and strong at a level entirely disproportionate to their size and the Isseltians admire the heck out of them at a respectful distance. So much so, that many Isseltians adopt a similar hairstyle--a three inch ridge of hair along the center line from front to back, stiffened with wax or red clay. The rest of the hair may be long or short by personal preference. During summer, all hair but the ridge of may be shaved off, being allowed to grow in again as the seasons turn colder. The style is not gender dependent. Much of the time, it looks better on the grizerel, but since Isseltians are not particularly long on patience it is better to keep such observations to oneself.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

They live in rocky burrows and mountain caves, but have been known to move downslope into heavily wooded areas if food is scarce. Cold doesn't much bother them, but heat makes them grumpy. Very grumpy. "Madder than a hot grizerel" is a common phrase in Isselt Mountain, Horse Valley and Five Garrisons Rhejhe that has gradually seeped into common usage throughout the Haka'am. The two conditions in which you do not want to encounter a grizerel are hungry and over-heated.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Though omnivorous, they generally prefer medium-sized rodents and mammals, and have been known to take down the occasional sheep and even wolf-size predators if properly motivated. If they kill something in self-defense, they will eat it, but they don't scavenge. If it's not fresh, it's not on the menu. With the exception of fruit. Overripe fruit seems to be a favored snack.

Behaviour

Grizerel saunter around like a predator twice their size and are highly unpredictable. Their general attitude seems to be "if it runs, it's food." Very cunning and highly intelligent, once a grizerel moves into the neighborhood it can be hard to get them out. They have a reputation for not only avoiding, but for cleverly escaping virtually any trap set for them. Strangely, they seem to respect the Isseltians about as much as the Isseltians respect them and only rarely attack haka'a'manem in Isselt Mountain Rhejhe. For the most part, grizerel are solitary, but after mating, will settle in with their mate long enough to raise their offspring before going separate ways. Once weaned, grizerel cubs stick with dad for a few Circles, learning the ins and outs of being a successful grizerel.

Additional Information

Domestication

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Average Height

About two feet at the shoulder

Average Weight

Somewhere between 20 and 45 lbs

Average Length

36-48 inches long including tail