Homebrew Gerudo Species Details

"It was written that Calamity Ganon once adopted the form of a Gerudo. And that... will make this victory all the more satisfying. I like that. Now I can take this more personally."

- Urbosa, Pilot of the Divine Beast Vah Naboris

 

The Gerudo people are all biologically Female. Why this is - is a mystery, but Sheikah Scholars suggest it may have something to do with what they have called "DNA" - a sort of coding that designates how a person is made. Gerudo are generally much taller in stature than the other races of Hyrule, and hone their bodies for combat as mercenaries, guardsmen, and other athletic pursuits. Every so often there are those that come along gifted with powerful magic; but this is generally taboo and reminiscent of the Demon King Ganondorf. They are a resilient people, and have lived in desert conditions for as long as can be remembered.

Powerful Magic

Though incredibly uncommon, those few Gerudo who are blessed with Din's Power have great potential as Sorceresses. Should they have this power, great things may be expected of them, either terrible or benevolent. Every Gerudo who has shown promise with magic has a great story, and a name to match. The most infamous being Kotake and Koume - the Sisters Twinrova. This includes all men born of the Gerudo, who are said to be incarnations of the sealed god Demise, a great and powerful embodiment of darkness, who seeks to break free his shackles every 100 years to wreak his vengeance upon Hylia and her Champion whom defeated him a millennia ago.

Desert Dwellers

The Gerudo call home the desert that shares their name. Their garb, architecture, economy and entire way of life are fashioned around enduring these elements. Many monuments remain within the desert sands to recognize leaders past, shrines and tombs of various warrior goddesses and embodiments of Din. In time these became known to be the Seven Heroines, for skill, spirit, endurance, knowledge, flight, motion and gentleness. An Eighth Heroine is also said to exist, but was erased from history, and only a secluded statue remains. The environment lends itself to a distinct niche of goods, and the Gerudo make the most of this by working as traveling merchants, bringing Zapfruits and precious metals, gemstones and otherwise to the other races. The other most common occupations for Gerudo are as Entertainers and Mercenaries, as it is said that the Gerudo were fashioned in the image of the Goddess Din, who is often represented as a Dancer, and governs the Triforce of Power. In the desert, the harsh environment has coarsened the Gerudo to embrace a Militaristic society, and rank and position are vital to maintaining structure, balance, and ones place in the world. There are an abundance of highly dangerous scorpions, moldugas, moldorms, keese, and a number of other monsters that roam the desert

On Foreign Sands

Not all Gerudo reside in the desert, others live out amongst the islands that dot the Great Sea, upon their own sands and oases. These Gerudo are still very capable as entertainers, mercenaries, and merchants, their culture is also quite similar in its militaristic basis. However, as these Gerudo must travel much more than their mainland sisters, privateering has become a very viable vocation.

Of Voes and Vais

Being an all-female Race, the Gerudo have a very keen understanding of "gender" as it relates to the other races. However, amongst their own culture, traditional "gender roles" are irrelevant. Of course, each Gerudo is unique, and an individual. No matter if a Gerudo uses Voe or Vai pronouns, they are allowed within the walls of Gerudo Town. The same cannot be said of other races. All men, males, boys, or otherwise are strictly prohibited from entering the city. In very rare cases, should an outsider exceptionally prove themselves, they may be granted audience. Gorons however, are exempt from this, perhaps for a few reasons; due to their unique form of reproduction, that they too are unable to "choose their gender at birth", or perhaps due to their mutual patronage of the Goddess Din. It is quite common for Gerudo to find life partners in other Gerudo, and form communal families. On the flipside, should a Gerudo be more lenient in a heterosexual way, they are culturally pressed upon to begin searching for a suitable mate once they are able, despite the culture's seeming distrust of men. However, the continued survival of the Gerudo people is more important. This isn't to say that all Gerudo merely come and go as lovers, though there certainly are some incredibly promiscuous Gerudo, there too are those that believe wholly in Monogamy. Some know beforehand that they plan on being "single mothers" and returning to birth the child in Gerudo Town, (assuming they are female). In most every occurrence of the offspring, Males are non-Gerudo and follow after the father's race, and females follow after the mother and are also Gerudo. Due to all of this, there are of course many sayings regarding the Gerudo, particularly if you're an eligible Hyrulean Male. The most popular amongst them being, "Gird Your Loins"

Gerudo Names

The Gerudo emulate strong, exotic sounds for both their language and in their nomenclature.
Here are some words and phrases to be familiar with;
Voe - Man : Vai - Woman : Vure - Bird : Vehvi - Child : Vaba - Grandmother
Sav'otta - Good Morning : Sav'aaq - Good Day : Sav'orr Good Night
Sav'saaba - God Evening : Vasaaq - Greetings : Sav'orq - Farewell
Sarqso - Thank You : Sa'oten - Good Heavens

Reputable Gerudo: Nabooru, Riju, Urbosa, Telma, Kotake, Koume, Buliara

Gerudo Names: Ramella, Barta, Liana, Malena, Dalia, Greta, Isha, Sesami, Laine, Rotana, Tali, Zaya, Nerrhya, Ploka, Reeza, Estan, Olu, Nellie, Lorn, Fegran, Saula, Ardin

Gerudo Traits

The Militant Matriarchal society of Gerudo allows for these traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 1. In addition, one other ability score of your choice increases by 2. (Do NOT select Dexterity)

Age

Gerudo mature at the same rate as Hyruleans, and typically live just under a century. They are a hearty race, their fortitude in tolerating the scorching desert provides them a longer lifespan.

Alignment

Gerudo tend to be more lawful, as they have a strict guidance and order to their society. Depending on their personal followings and beliefs in their heritage, they fill the spectrum from good to evil.

Size

Your size is Medium. Gerudo have a distinctive shape of incredibly tiny waists and broad hips, with many variants in weight depending on the individual. They range from around 6.5 to 8 feet on average, and if a Male Gerudo is seen, they can grow to as tall as 9 feet.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Deserts' Blaze

Whenever you make a weapon attack, you may add 1d6 fire damage. This ability is limited to once per attack roll. The number of times you can use this ability is equal to your level. You regain the use of this ability after a long rest.

Matriarchal Guidance

You know the Guidance cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Bless spell as a 1st-level spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the Magic Weapon as a 2nd-level spell spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Military Training

Gain Weapon Proficiencies in Glaives, Halberds, Scimitars, and Javelins

Gerudo Prowess

You gain proficiency with two of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Hyrulean and Gerudan