Zharal

The zharal is a medium-sized to large antelope common across the arid lands of the Sirdabi Caliphate. Several types can be found across this large area, living in a variety of landscapes including sand and gravel desert, dry grassland, and mountain foothills.

Depending on the particular kind of zharal and where they live, these attractive and hardy antelopes can have hides in a variety of different colors and patterns. Seldom unmarked, they are usually either mottled or striped, with colors ranging from black and grey to fawn brown, chestnut, or rust. This helps to camouflage them amidst rock-strewn sands and scrub, while the white ring around their rump, usually concealed by their short tails, serves as a signal to other members of their herd. The males also possess short spiralling horns that sweep back towards their withers before curving up into sharp points.

The zharal is one of the most important animals hunted by the nomadic tribes of the desert, whether Sirdabi, Tessouare, or Angrosh. Many of these tribes use fleet and long-legged sighthounds to help them in these hunts, while the Angrosh typically strike the zharal with a poison dart from their blowguns and then stalk the creature until the poison takes full effect. Besides providing meat that can be eaten fresh or made or into jerky, zharal are greatly valued for their hides which can be used to make a variety of durable leather goods from clothing and footwear to bags and saddles.

See also

• Zharalhide