Homebrew Gerudo Species Details

The gerudo are a proud race of female warriors that thrive in the deserts at the edge of Hyrule. At times, they have been staunch allies of the Hyrulian people, but the history between the two has been filled with tension and strife. Gerudo are born almost exclusively female, and have rigid rules about allowing men into their midst. Once every 100 years, a male Gerudo is born into the tribe. His birth is treated as a momentous occasion, and it is believed that he will play an important role in the tribe’s future in years to come.

 

Brawn and Beauty

Gerudo resemble humans in their anatomy, but tower over them at an average of 8 feet tall . Their muscles are powerful and toned, and their athletic prowess on land is unmatched. Their skin has been darkened by generations of living in the scorching desert sun. Traditionally, they wear colorful, lightweight fabrics that allow their skin to breath in the heat. They accent their look with golden jewelry and brightly colored gemstones, which tend to shimmer in the desert sun. With vibrant red hair and a commanding personality, Gerudo have a way of capturing the attention of the room.

 

Proud Warriors

Loyal and dedicated, a Gerudo’s number one priority is the safety and prosperity of her tribe. As such, they are frequently found training, hunting, or working within the walls of the city. Most gerudo are in peak physical condition, even into the later years in life, and would gladly give their lives to ensure their tribe’s future.

 Gerudo are very proud, and tend to be hard on themselves when faced with failure. They believe in taking personal responsibility, and it is considered the ultimate shame to attempt to pass blame onto someone else. A failed hunting party or a defeated batalion is an especially gloomy sight, as each member puts the blame squarely upon themselves.

 Gerudo have a commanding presence, and aren’t shy about expressing their desires. Outside their city walls, they care much less about following the laws and

 

Gerudo Society

Gerudo societies have many strict laws that govern all residents and visitors, but perhaps the most notable law is that men are not allowed within the city walls. Even the King of Hyrule is denied entry. Other races send female diplomats to the Gerudo for negotiations and treaties. Gerudo operate outposts near their cities which are less restrictive and allow men to come and go as they please, allowing for easier trade and opportunities for companionship.

 The Gerudo maintain a fierce military force composed of powerful warriors and wise sages. They’ve harnessed the power of the dry desert storms, gaining the ability to channel lightning into their weaponry to enhance their destructive capabilities. While they originally stood behind Ganon in the Great War, they switched sides partway through and were critical for turning the tide in Hyrule’s favor.

 After serving the tribe for a number of years, Adult Gerudo are freed from all responsibilities and allowed to leave their city and live a life of their own. It is then they focus on fulfilling personal ambitions, exploring the land of Hyrule to their heart’s content. Gerudo are known for stirring up trouble in other parts of Hyrule. When one wanders into town, almost everyone takes notice and keeps a close eye on her.

 When a Gerudo has had her fill of adventure and is ready to settle back down again, she hunts for a suitable male with which to conceive a child. Once pregnant, she will return to her city to birth and raise her daughter, and helps to guide the new generations of Gerudo.

 

Their Time in the Sun

An adventuring Gerudo is a woman filled with ambition and passion, letting loose from the restrictive laws that have governed her life thus far. They are bold and tend to seek out adventure at every turn, often prioritizing themselves over the safety of their party members. Despite this, a Gerudo almost always returns home once her adventuring days are behind her.

Gerudo Traits

Racial Traits

Ability Score Increase

Your strength score increases by 2. Your Dexterity increases by 1.

Desert Weapons Training

You are proficient with Scimitars, Glaives, Spears, and Shortbows.

Imposing Presence

You have proficiency in Intimidation and Persuasion.

Fury of the Sands

When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell, you can cause the attack or spell to deal extra damage to the creature. The extra damage equals your proficiency bonus plus your level. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, the uses of which are restored on a Short or Long Rest.

Desert Born

You are acclimated to extreme heat, as described in Chapter 5 of the DMG. Additionally, you are unaffected by difficult terrain caused by sand or earth and you can go without food or water for 3 times as long as a normal human.

Gerudo Endurance

You have advantage on saving throws against exhaustion.

Furious Attacks

When you score a critical hit, add 1d10 lightning damage to the extra damage dealt by the critical hit

Electric Spirit

You are resistant to Lightning damage. You gain the ability to cast the spell absorb elements against attacks which deal lightning damage at 1st level once per short rest. At level 5, you gain the ability to cast Call Lightning once per Long Rest.