Sable Antelope
| Species | bovine |
| No. Appearing | 4–40 |
| Behaviour | herd (loose) |
| Range | desert, steppe, woodland |
| Size | 4 ft. at shoulder |
| Weight | 510 lbs. |
| Intelligence | 1 |
| Armour Class | 7 |
| Hit Dice | 2 |
| Action Points | 8 |
| Max. Stride | 20 |
| THAC0 | 20 |
| Hp/Die | d10 |
| Attack Forms | 1: twin horns |
| Damage | horns (2–8) |
| Special Attacks | charging |
Contents
Sable antelope are large hoofed mammals whose range extends from southern Africa to the Indian Subcontinent. They are often confused with the bluebuck, though the latter is smaller and now largely extinct in many regions. Preferring wooded areas throughout the savanna, sable antelope can also be found in semi-arid environments, including the fringes of the Thar and southern Arabian deserts, where they rely on seasonal water sources and hardy vegetation.
Their name comes from the rich dark colour of their coat, which deepens with age, especially in males, whose glossy black pelts contrast with their striking white facial markings. Both males and females possess long, curved horns, with those of the male growing thicker and more pronounced. These horns serve both as a defense against predators such as lions and as weapons in dominance battles between rival males.
Sable antelope skins are highly valued for their durability and aesthetic appeal, often used as luxurious floor coverings or fashioned into sturdy shields, particularly by warrior cultures that prize their resilience. In addition to their practical uses, sable antelope feature prominently in the folklore of several indigenous peoples, often associated with nobility, endurance and the guardianship of sacred lands.
Behaviour
Ordinarily docile, these animals are wary of intruders and instinctively give ground when approached, maintaining a distance of 20-50 hexes. They remain highly alert to changes in their surroundings and will flee rather than fight when given the chance. If pressed or cornered, however, they are formidable opponents, using their sharp, curved horns to defend themselves with surprising ferocity.
A hit with a missile causes the antelope to emit a piercing scream, which triggers immediate panic among the herd. The entire group will bolt into a full-speed flight, reaching up to 35 mph as they rush to escape danger. When pursued by predators that can outrun them — such as lions, cheetahs or packs of wild dogs — the herd instinctively tightens its formation, presenting an outward ring of lethal horns in a defensive stand. This strategy can deter attackers momentarily, but if one antelope is stunned or killed, the cohesion breaks and the remaining herd scatters, leaving their fallen member behind as an offering to the pursuers.
Sable antelopes enter their rutting season in the late dry months, a period lasting 2-3 months when their aggression peaks. Males engage in ritualistic duels to determine dominance, locking horns and testing each other's strength in contests of endurance rather than lethal combat. The victor assumes the role of the lead bull, while the defeated males retreat to bachelor groups. During this rutting period, antelopes may charge aggressively if approached, particularly if their dominance is challenged. A hit with the horns inflicts damage, as the impact is delivered with immense force.
When a herd grows beyond 35 to 40 animals, natural social structures dictate a split into two or three distinct groups. Cows and their young separate first, followed by the males, each newly formed herd led by a dominant bull. Secondary males, often numbering between 3-12 individuals, form independent bachelor herds, staying on the periphery of the larger groups. These younger or less dominant bulls may challenge for leadership in subsequent seasons, ensuring a continual cycle of strength and renewal within the species.
Advantages
Sable antelopes enter their rutting season in the late dry months, a period lasting 2-3 months when their aggression peaks. Males engage in ritualistic duels to determine dominance, locking horns and testing each other's strength in contests of endurance rather than lethal combat. The victor assumes the role of the lead bull, while the defeated males retreat to bachelor groups. During this rutting period, antelopes may charge aggressively if approached, particularly if their dominance is challenged. A hit with the horns inflicts damage, as the impact is delivered with immense force.
See Bestiary
