Concept by Christopher Means. Developed by Christopher Means and Jackie Izawa.

There was no reason to have super mutants in Texas. While I understood why Bethesda brought the FEV virus to the D.C. Wasteland, doing it again in Texas seemed lazy. Having super mutants there because it’s expected in a Fallout game wasn’t a good enough reason. So it became more of a personal challenge to find a good reason to have them there. The simpler answer was to not have super mutants in Texas, but to have one super mutant in Texas. But if there was only going to be one, it really should be a companion.

SHERF STORY AM SAD story

Mutants were the true natives of the wasteland, while humanity became invading settlers in their own land. Super mutants brought an interesting perspective to a harsh world where they didn’t have to struggle to survive.

There was a convenient pattern with these characters to exploit. Aside from Marcus, a 1st Generation (more sapient) super mutant, other “friendly” super mutants had shed most of their characteristic rage by being separated from their kind. Since it was established in the canon, it seemed fair game. He would keep the trademark super mutant violent tendencies, but somehow make them a good thing.

So, separated from his human-hating kind, Sherf was a very large fish-out-of-water, the exiled super mutant that wandered the wasteland, unconsciously searching for purpose.

PAST is MYSTERY! OR is IT?!

Fallout: New Vegas companion Lily is an amazing character because she still has some of her past self clawing at her mutant mind, such as the memories of her grandchildren. Having a human past that informs the monster is far more interesting than leaving it to speculation.

Fellow writer Jackie Izawa came up with the idea that Sherf was a runt. Still large and monstrous, but just small enough to be considered weak by other super mutants. This was because Sherf was a child when he was forcibly exposed to the Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV).

Suddenly, we have the mind of child mutated into the characteristically simple mind of a super mutant. The differences would be subtle, but they could explain a lot.

SHERF MOSEY ALONG...

Knowing more about his origins, we understood that he would be far more impressionable. He would have wandered east from the Core Region, occasionally being harassed by wastelanders who feared him. Wanting to belong, he wouldn’t have understood the reactions of those around him. As he moved into the Pass, the ruthless desert and harsh storms would provide cover in which to explore without being noticed. It was there, in the fringes of old El Paso, that he would find himself.

am sherf now

Sherf found a single-screen movie theater buried to the roof in the sand of the Pass’ black desert. Specifically, he "found" it when the roof of the lobby couldn’t stand his weight and he fell into it. Unable to get out, he explored the theater. It hadn't been scavenged and everything, and everyone, was where they had been when the bombs fell.

His child mind was more adaptive and open to learning. A trait that once caused him to be exiled, was now helping him understand where he was and what the gadgets he’d found might do. Over a month went by as he fiddled with projectors and holotapes, surviving on massive bags of preserved, pre-war unpopped popcorn. When the projector finally kicked on, Sherf watched in awe as the entirety of the 1969 western classic Real Iron flickered onto the wall.

THIS ONE SHERF’S FAVORITE!

Sherf watched it 38 times before passing out with a belly full of hard, oiled corn.

AND THIS ONE! Also THIS!

For months, Sherf watched film after film. Desert Justice, Vengeance on the Rio Grande, Last Stand at Fort McGee, WANTED!!, Not Enough Bullets, the sequel Too Many Bullets, Showdown at River Canyon Gorge, and Jenny the Bullseye Kid. As he sat in front of the screen, he unknowingly indoctrinated himself. When he emerged from the theater, he was a different person. On his chest, nailed right into his thick mutant hide, was a crude metal star with the word “SHERF” gouged into it.

SHERF IS CALLIN’ YOU OUT!

With the romantic notion of western justice seared into his brain, Sherf realized that he wasn’t alone. He was a loner. One Sherf, single-handedly taking on the outlaws of the wasteland. He was the “gud guy” and they were the “bad guys”. His purpose in life was clear. Fitting a cowboy hat onto his giant head, he vanished into the desert.

"If you have any information regarding a green, violent giant, please contact Confederate authorities. Do not attempt to confront this individual. IF FOUND, Retreat is advised."

From the point of view of the wasteland, it was a very different experience.

At first, it was laughable tales told in illegal saloons. Frightened highway robbers ambushed by an unintelligible monster, their accomplices torn in half. The stories were easier to believe as whole raider camps were found splattered with the remains of their former inhabitants. The Confederacy believed they had a serial killer on their hands, or some new wasteland horror.

The story began to change as more reports emerged. An ambushed caravan of innocent merchants saw an entire raiding party explode into red mist. As bits of raider fell from the sky, they turned and saw a giant figure standing dramatically against the night sky, holding a smoking rocket launcher.

A kidnapped women recalled a huge, green, meaty fist reach out from the darkness and grab her assailant by the head. Its fingers wrapped around the man’s entire skull and then dragged him into the darkness. She heard muffled screams and snapping bones, but then only silence. A strange voice in the shadows said “MA’AM!” and she ran.

Tha PEOPLEs HERO!

Sherf became something of a wasteland myth, but one most people knew was "really out there somewhere and you really shouldn’t fuck with him, but I heard he saved some roughnecks out near Bliss from a bunch of cannibals, so I guess he’s alright."

As a companion, Sherf would prefer melee weapons and explosives. When the player takes him into settlements, NPC’s will randomly comment on his presence. Some make hushed comments in fear or awe. Others would cheer openly, with phrases like Sherf’s personal favorite “The Peoples Hero!” (A phrase coined by a Facebook follower when we first announced Sherf.)

He has no qualms about following the Ranger, but if the player abandons Sherf’s code (which he will give you, in detail) too many times, then Sherf may leave the player and require a redemption quest be completed before rejoining.

PREFERRED COMPANION - SPECIAL LADY

Sherf picked up many tropes through the films that reconditioned him. Some noble, some heroic, some... a bit old fashioned. When sharpshooter Rona Ransom joins the Ranger, Sherf identifies her as the "special lady" he's seen in all his movies, the "damsel in distress". While Rona's arc focuses on her fight for fame and recognition, she, ironically, finds Sherf's attachment to her, and his attempts to defend her honor… endearing, mostly due to Sherf's simple mind and his not being human. Something like a giant green puppy who barks at strangers. Though, in this case "barking" is more akin to "crushing skulls", but you take what you can get.

If enemies attack Rona in combat, there is a chance for Sherf to go berserk. Sherf will switch to melee weapons and target the last enemy who attacked Rona, doing 30% more damage. He cannot be commanded otherwise until the target dies.