Gerudo: Difference between revisions

Special; Characteristics	Nearly all-female
Games	Ocarina of Time; Majora's Mask; Four Swords Adventures; Breath of the Wild; Age of Calamity; Tears of the Kingdom
Location	Ocarina of Time; Gerudo's Fortress; Majora's Mask; Great Bay; Four Swords Adventures; Desert of Doubt; Breath of the Wild; Tears of the Kingdom; Gerudo Town; Kara Kara Bazaar
Key Characters	Nabooru; Ganondorf; Twinrova; Aveil; Riju; Urbosa

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Revision as of 21:30, July 20, 2024

This article is about the Gerudo race. For the province named after them, see Gerudo (Province).

The Gerudo are a recurring race in The Legend of Zelda series. They are unique amidst the races of Hyrule for the fact that virtually all of them are female. It is only once per century that a Gerudo male is born, the only known examples of which being the various portrayals of Ganondorf. This unusual facet of the Gerudo's biology, along with their desirable status among Hylian males, has produced a very distinct society in which men are simultaneously revered and despised.

Gerudo culture is further shaped by their affinities for both combat and thievery—skills in the former being especially prized, but desirability of the latter having diminished over time. They live predominantly in desert areas usually bearing their namesake and have likewise become adept at traversing them, though they frequently travel elsewhere in search of worthy husbands.

Throughout the Zelda series, the Gerudo are always depicted as a dark-skinned, red-haired race of females that don long, sharp noses.

Ocarina of Time

"Nabooru's gang of thieves stands for cruelty and brutality. She claims to be a chivalrous robber, but...no way!"

Female Gerudo make their debut in Ocarina of Time. They are encountered only within their homeland of Gerudo Valley, in which most occupy the Gerudo's Fortress. They harbor much disdain towards men, though they are said to sometimes venture into Castle Town in search of "boyfriends."^[1] They initially extend this resentment to Link, but he is able to earn their respect once he proves to them his impressive thieving skills.^[2]

It is also in Ocarina of Time that the Gerudo are first shown to be apt thieves and fighters, quite often using their talents to commit criminal acts. They seem to carry a bad reputation among Hylians, some of whom can even be frightened by the Gerudo Mask if worn in their vicinity. The Gerudo are implicated in the destruction of a bridge that was built by the Carpenters, most of whom they later imprison. Furthermore, it seems that most Gerudo do indeed swear allegiance to their king, Ganondorf. To what lengths their allegiance goes is unknown, however, as their admiration for him is only sparsely alluded to.^[3]

Notable Gerudo

Second within the Gerudo chain of command is Nabooru, junior only to Ganondorf himself. While her position may seem indicative of where her loyalties lie, Nabooru is actually a strong opponent of Ganondorf's ambitions. She assists Link during his foray into the Desert Colossus and is later awakened as the Sage of Spirit.

Another prominent, albeit unnamed, individual is the Gerudo Warrior, allegedly put in charge by Nabooru during her leave of absence. She grants Link the Gerudo Token as a show of respect, very much impressed by his successful infiltration of the Gerudo Fortress.

Majora's Mask

Main article: Gerudo Pirate

In Majora's Mask, the term "Gerudo" is rarely used, most of Termina's residents instead opting for the colloquial term of "pirate." These Terminian Gerudo exhibit a malicious and xenophobic nature much the same as their Hyrulean counterparts. They inhabit the Pirate's Fortress located within Great Bay, and are implicated in the theft of Lulu's eggs.

Four Swords Adventures

In Four Swords Adventures, the Gerudo inhabit Gerudo Village within the Desert of Doubt, having left their previous home in the Gerudo Desert around the time that the events of Twilight Princess occurred. They are depicted as having become aware of the suffering they caused in the past—denouncing the actions of their former king, Ganondorf—and now wish to make amends with the Hylians.^[4] Furthermore, Ganondorf's own presence has failed to sway them, remaining firm that he has broken the law by embarking on his quest to steal the Trident.

Breath of the Wild

In Breath of the Wild, the identity of the Gerudo has been expanded upon significantly. Their name is lent to the province of Gerudo as well as its principal community, Gerudo Town, in which lives the highest concentration of Gerudo in Hyrule. Since last appearing in the series, the nomadic nature that is characteristic to the race has seemingly developed even further. Gerudo women are found to be wandering in all parts of Hyrule, many times with the aim of selling their wares to, or trading with, distant customers. Due to the lack of Gerudo males, however, it is more typically the case that they are on quests in search of the perfect mate. This will often take a significant portion of the Gerudo's life, and some are never able to find their true love.

It is by this time that the Gerudo's status as that of a band of thieves seems to have greatly diminished. They are held in good economic and social affluence among the other races of Hyrule, including the Hylians, who once feared them. Proficiency in combat is still seen as a very valuable trait, as is tradition, but seems to now hold a similar value to that of worldliness and entrepreneurship.

Physiology

The Gerudo take on a very physically imposing appearance in Breath of the Wild. While individuals in previous depictions are shown to be of an average height and build when compared to the other human races, Gerudo in Breath of the Wild are much larger all-around. Adults regularly grow to heights of over eight feet, and even those that are not fighters by trade are remarkably muscular. These attributes do tend to fade with age, however, much like one would expect. Their ears appear to have become more pointed over time, resembling those of a Hylian. Most attest this to the many generations of intermingling between the two races. However, others perceive it to be a gift from the gods—the Gerudo's ears having been supposedly opened to hearing divine messages.^[5]

Breath of the Wild further marks the debut of Gerudo young, whom feature very noticeably different proportions from that of their adult counterparts. The Gerudo, usually striking for their distinctive noses and shapely midriffs, seem to take many years before fully developing into them. Riju, a Gerudo adolescent, sports a much smaller nose than those of the adults around her.

The Gerudo are known to possess an innate tolerance of extreme temperatures, hot or cold, likely due to their storied history of living in deserts. The volcanic heat of Eldin Province, however, is too much to bear, requiring the use of Elixirs.

Culture and Customs

Gerudo females of varying ages

The Gerudo are known for their pride and exuberance, leading to a somewhat stubborn nature towards other Hyrulean races—though they are on more amicable terms with said peoples than as depicted previously. In terms of romantic prospects, they have only ever been shown in pairings with Hylians, and it is unknown as to whether the Gerudo are compatible with Rito, Zora, or Goron partners. Gorons in particular may not be suitable mates, as suggested by their toleration within Gerudo Town, where men are typically denied entry. One Goron, Strade, remarks that he is unsure of why he is allowed admittance.^[6]

Desert survival is an aspect in which the Gerudo excel. They are quite comfortable in the heat, and display advanced methods of traversing over sand. This is primarily demonstrated through their use of domesticated Sand Seals, which also provide a means of entertainment in the form of Sand Seal Racing. The Gerudo in Breath of the Wild are also known to derive pleasure from lounging about at The Noble Canteen, a bar famous for its signature drink.

In terms of dress, typical Gerudo wear bright colors and intricate patterns. Their clothing is fashioned to be light and minimal, often leaving the midriff and shoulders uncovered, so as to be better suited for desert living. Those whose livelihood is as fighters may sport shin guards and facemasks, and elders commonly wear shortcoats. Jewelry is popular among all walks of life, the many varieties of which includes earrings and hair dressings.

The Gerudo chiefdom follows a matrilineal hereditary succession system with no male influence, and it is not known what status, if any, the Chief's husband holds, though it is assumed to be completely negligible. The current Chief of the Gerudo as of Breath of the Wild is Makeela Riju.

Language

Though the Gerudo speak to visitors in Hylian, they often intersperse words from their own language when speaking. It is recommended that travelers learn a few phrases before their visit to Gerudo Town:

Vasaaq: welcome
Sav'otta: Good morning
Sav'aaq: Good day
Sav'orq: Good-bye
Sarqso: Thank you
Vai: Woman
Voe: Wan

The Great Fairy Tera, who dwells in the Gerudo Great Skeleton sometimes welcomes Link to her fountain while using these expressions.

Gerudo Weapons and Armor

The Gerudo make many varieties of weapons tailored to their fighting styles. Gerudo weapons and armor available in Breath of the Wild are listed below.

Weapon	Image	Description
Gerudo Scimitar		A short, curved weapon used by Gerudo for self-defense
Gerudo Spear		An unusually weighted spear most people are not able to use; Gerudo are specially trained in its use
Golden Claymore		A two-handed sword used by only the most talented Gerudo
Moonlight Scimitar		A ceremonial weapon decorated with a variety of carvings
Scimitar of the Seven		The favored weapon of the Gerudo Champion Urbosa
Gerudo Shield		An emblazoned traditional shield of the Gerudo; very common
Radiant Shield		A Gerudo Captain's shield
Daybreaker		The favored shield of the Gerudo Champion Urbosa
Golden Bow		A bow to strike distant targets
Thunder Helm		A precious heirloom of the Gerudo, a lightning-proof helm
Gerudo Set		A customary Gerudo Vai garb
Desert Voe Set		A customary Gerudo Voe garb, seldom seen due to the absence of Gerudo men
Radiant Set		A special garb for members of the Gerudo Secret Club

Age of Calamity

Tears of the Kingdom

Trivia

Although their namesake desert makes an appearance, female Gerudo are not present in Twilight Princess.
Though marketed as Gerudo customary head wear in Breath of the Wild, the Gerudo Veil is not worn by any Gerudo women.
The Gerudo's eye color varies between series entries. Whether this is due to their intermingling with other races is not known.
- In Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, their eyes are yellow; in Four Swords Adventures, they are red; and in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, they are green.

Gallery

Artwork of Nabooru from Ocarina of Time
Artwork of a Gerudo Guard from Ocarina of Time
A Gerudo Thief from Ocarina of Time
Gerudo sprite from Four Swords Adventures
Concept artwork of Urbosa from Breath of the Wild
Artwork of a Gerudo male, Ganondorf, as appearing in Tears of the Kingdom

References

↑ "They say that Gerudo sometimes come to Hyrule Castle Town to look for boyfriends." — Gossip Stone, Ocarina of Time.
↑ "From now on, you're free to come and go as you please through the gate to the desert. You'll find the Spirit Temple, where the exalted Nabooru lives, out there in the desert." — Gerudo Warrior, Ocarina of Time.
↑ "I've seen your fine work. To get past the guards here, you must have good thieving skills. I used to think that all men, besides the great Ganondorf, were useless...but now that I've seen you, I don't think so anymore! The exalted Nabooru, our leader, put me in charge of this fortress. Nabooru is the second-in-command to the great Ganondorf, King of the Gerudo Thieves. Her headquarters are in the Spirit Temple, which is at the end of the desert. Say, you must want to become one of us, eh? All right, then! You're in from now on! Take this. With it, you will have free access to all areas of the fortress!" — Gerudo Warrior, Ocarina of Time.
↑ "When Ganondorf is then executed in Twilight Princess, the Gerudo are driven out of the desert altogether. They find a new home in the Desert of Doubt in Four Swords Adventures, and work to foster a more positive relationship with the Hylians, condemning the actions of their former leader." — page 45, The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia
↑ "It is said that, long ago, the ancient Gerudo had rounded ears. The prevailing theory is that the shape of their ears changed gradually after so many generations of partnering with Hylian voes, but a competing narrative is more supernatural in nature. There is a story that the shame that the Gerudo felt over giving birth to the source of Calamity Ganon so long ago opened them up to listening for messages from the goddesses. So, they came to have the same long, pointed ears as the Hylians, which some believe allow them to receive special messages from the divine." — page 401, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion
↑ "I made it to Gerudo Town! But I'm not sure why they let me in...", — Strade, Breath of the Wild

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{specify|the virtually all-female race|the province named after them|[[Gerudo (Province)]]}}
+{{specify|the Gerudo race|the province named after them|[[Gerudo (Province)]]}}
 {{Infobox|race
-| image		= [[File:Gerudo-Master.png|100px]]
+| image		= [[File:Rhondson - TotK Character Profile art.png|300x450px]]
-| caption	= A Gerudo from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''
+| caption	= [[Rhondson]], a typical Gerudo in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''
-| special	= Almost all women<br/>Sharp, bird-like noses{{Ref|name=Quote1|pg. 148|[Ganondorf's] sharp, birdlike nose is characteristic of the Gerudo.|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia|Hyrule Historia]]''}}
+| special	= Nearly all-female
 | game		= ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''<br/>''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity|Age of Calamity]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''
-| location	= '''''Ocarina of Time'''''<br/>[[Gerudo's Fortress]]<br/>'''''Majora's Mask'''''<br/>[[Great Bay]]<br/>'''''Four Swords Adventures'''''<br/>[[Desert of Doubt]]<br/>'''''Breath of the Wild'''''<br/>[[Gerudo Town]]<br/>[[Kara Kara Bazaar]]
+| location	= '''''Ocarina of Time'''''<br/>[[Gerudo's Fortress]]<br/>'''''Majora's Mask'''''<br/>[[Great Bay]]<br/>'''''Four Swords Adventures'''''<br/>[[Desert of Doubt]]<br/>'''''Breath of the Wild'''''<br/>'''''Tears of the Kingdom'''''<br/>[[Gerudo Town]]<br/>[[Kara Kara Bazaar]]
-| characters	= [[Aveil]]<br/>[[Ganon]]dorf<br/>[[Nabooru]]<br/>[[Riju]]<br/>[[Twinrova]]<br/>[[Urbosa]]
+| characters	= [[Nabooru]]<br/>[[Ganon]]dorf<br/>[[Twinrova]]<br/>[[Aveil]]<br/>[[Riju]]<br/>[[Urbosa]]
 }}
+The '''Gerudo''' are a recurring race in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]]. They are unique amidst the races of [[Hyrule]] for the fact that virtually all of them are female. It is only once per century that a Gerudo male is born, the only known examples of which being the various portrayals of [[Ganondorf]]. This unusual facet of the Gerudo's biology, along with their desirable status among [[Hylian]] males, has produced a very distinct society in which men are simultaneously revered and despised.
-{{Quote|A kid like you may not know this, but the Gerudo race consists only of women. Only one man is born every hundred years...|[[Nabooru]]}}
+Gerudo culture is further shaped by their affinities for both combat and thievery—skills in the former being especially prized, but desirability of the latter having diminished over time. They live predominantly in desert areas usually bearing [[Gerudo Desert|their namesake]] and have likewise become adept at traversing them, though they frequently travel elsewhere in search of worthy husbands.
-The '''Gerudo''' are a recurring race in [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]]. The most prominent trait of the Gerudo is the race only consisting of females except one male being born every one hundred years.
+Throughout the ''Zelda'' series, the Gerudo are always depicted as a dark-skinned, red-haired race of females that don long, sharp noses.
 ==''Ocarina of Time''==
-In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', the Gerudo live in the [[Gerudo Desert]], which is located northwest of [[Hyrule]]. They are a race of thieves and have a giant fortress called [[Gerudo's Fortress]]. They always live together as a pack in big forts and worship the [[Goddess of the Sand]]. They have built a huge monument for her as well as a [[Spirit Temple (Ocarina of Time)|Spirit Temple]] in the [[Desert Colossus]].
+{{Quote|[[Nabooru]]'s gang of thieves stands for cruelty and brutality. She claims to be a chivalrous robber, but...no way!}}
+Female Gerudo make their debut in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''. They are encountered only within their homeland of [[Gerudo Valley]], in which most occupy the [[Gerudo's Fortress]]. They harbor much disdain towards men, though they are said to sometimes venture into [[Castle Town]] in search of "boyfriends."{{Ref|OoT|597|[[Gossip Stone]]}} They initially extend this resentment to [[Link (Ocarina of Time)|Link]], but he is able to earn their respect once he proves to them his impressive thieving skills.{{Ref|OoT|1626|[[Gerudo Warrior]]}}
-===Culture===
+It is also in ''Ocarina of Time'' that the Gerudo are first shown to be apt thieves and fighters, quite often using their talents to commit criminal acts. They seem to carry a bad reputation among [[Hylians]], some of whom can even be frightened by the [[Gerudo Mask]] if worn in their vicinity. The Gerudo are implicated in the destruction of a bridge that was built by the [[Carpenters]], most of whom they later imprison. Furthermore, it seems that most Gerudo do indeed swear allegiance to their king, [[Ganondorf]]. To what lengths their allegiance goes is unknown, however, as their admiration for him is only sparsely alluded to.{{Ref|OoT|1625|[[Gerudo Warrior]]}}
-The Gerudo is a dark-toned race consisting of only females with the exception of one male being born every one hundred years. That male according to legend is supposed to be their king. However, Nabooru rebelled against her king in ''Ocarina of Time'', the king being [[Ganon#Ocarina of Time|Ganondorf]]. The Gerudo females are usually dressed in purple attire, have red hair and wield Shamshir-like swords. They seem to not like Hylian culture at all and the relations with Hylian men are purely for survival reasons. The Gerudo seem to think that worshipping the [[Golden Goddesses]] and having gender roles is out of the ordinary.
+===Notable Gerudo===
+Second within the Gerudo chain of command is [[Nabooru]], junior only to [[Ganondorf]] himself. While her position may seem indicative of where her loyalties lie, Nabooru is actually a strong opponent of Ganondorf's ambitions. She assists [[Link (Ocarina of Time)|Link]] during his foray into the [[Desert Colossus]] and is later awakened as the [[Sage]] of Spirit.
+Another prominent, albeit unnamed, individual is the [[Gerudo Warrior]], allegedly put in charge by Nabooru during her leave of absence. She grants Link the [[Gerudo Token]] as a show of respect, very much impressed by his successful infiltration of the [[Gerudo Fortress]].
 ==''Majora's Mask''==
-In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', the Gerudo are referred to as "pirates". They have stolen the [[Zora Egg]]s that belong to [[Lulu]], the singer of [[The Indigo-Go's]]. Their fortress is surrounded by guards that throw [[Link (Ocarina of Time)#Majora's Mask|Link]] out if he is caught.
+{{Main|Gerudo Pirate}}
+In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', the term "Gerudo" is rarely used, most of [[Termina|Termina's]] residents instead opting for the colloquial term of "pirate." These [[Terminian]] Gerudo exhibit a malicious and xenophobic nature much the same as their [[Hyrule|Hyrulean]] counterparts. They inhabit the [[Pirate's Fortress]] located within [[Great Bay]], and are implicated in the theft of [[Lulu|Lulu's]] [[Zora Egg|eggs]].
 ==''Four Swords Adventures''==
-Only in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'' is the entire Gerudo tribe friendly. Their abode is located in the [[Desert of Doubt]]. [[Link (Four Swords Adventures)|Link]]'s passage through [[Gerudo Village]] is initially halted by closed gates. This is due to [[Ganon#Four Swords Adventures|Ganondorf]] passing to try to claim the power of the sacred Pyramid for himself in direct violation of the Gerudo law code.
+In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'', the Gerudo inhabit [[Gerudo Village]] within the [[Desert of Doubt]], having left their previous home in the [[Gerudo Desert]] around the time that the events of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' occurred. They are depicted as having become aware of the suffering they caused in the past—denouncing the actions of their former king, [[Ganon#Four Swords Adventures|Ganondorf]]—and now wish to make amends with the [[Hylians]].{{Ref|The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia|''When Ganondorf is then executed in Twilight Princess, the Gerudo are driven out of the desert altogether. They find a new home in the Desert of Doubt in Four Swords Adventures, and work to foster a more positive relationship with the Hylians, condemning the actions of their former leader.''|page 45}} Furthermore, Ganondorf's own presence has failed to sway them, remaining firm that he has broken the law by embarking on his quest to steal the [[Trident]].
 ==''Breath of the Wild''==
-[[File:Nali.jpg|thumb|250px|<center>[[Nali]], an adult Gerudo</center>]]
+In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'', the identity of the Gerudo has been expanded upon significantly. Their name is lent to the province of [[Gerudo (Province)|Gerudo]] as well as its principal community, [[Gerudo Town]], in which lives the highest concentration of Gerudo in [[Hyrule]]. Since last appearing in the series, the nomadic nature that is characteristic to the race has seemingly developed even further. Gerudo women are found to be wandering in all parts of Hyrule, many times with the aim of selling their wares to, or trading with, distant customers. Due to the lack of Gerudo males, however, it is more typically the case that they are on quests in search of the perfect mate. This will often take a significant portion of the Gerudo's life, and some are never able to find their true love.
-[[File:Dalia-3.jpg|thumb|250px|<center>[[Dalia]], a Gerudo child</center>]]
-[[File:Danda.jpg|thumb|250px|<center>[[Danda]], a Gerudo elder</center>]]
-[[File:Teake.jpg|thumb|250px|<center>[[Teake]], a Gerudo Captain of Guards</center>]]
-The Gerudo are a female race primarily living in [[Gerudo Town]]. When [[Link (Breath of the Wild)|Link]] first arrives at Gerudo Town, no voe (men) are allowed in to the town, requiring him to return Kara Kara Bazaar in order to buy the [[Gerudo Clothes]] so he can pass as a woman and be allowed to enter. No male Gerudo are ever met, but Gerudo voe clothing can be bought from the [[Gerudo Secret Club]] indicating that Gerudo men do indeed exist but are rarely born, similar to previous games, where the Gerudo King has been the only male baby born in the century.
-[[Riju|Makeela Riju]] is the current chief of the Gerudo, having succeeded her mother after her death. She assists Link in his efforts to reclaim the [[Divine Beast]] [[Vah Naboris]]. Because of the implication of Riju being in cahoots with a voe to reclaim the Divine Beast in spite of voes being banned in town, Link cannot ever enter Gerudo Town in the game without wearing the aforementioned vai clothes, notwithstanding the great service provided to the Gerudo by reclaiming the Divine Beast.
+It is by this time that the Gerudo's status as that of a band of thieves seems to have greatly diminished. They are held in good economic and social affluence among the other races of [[Hyrule]], including the [[Hylian]]s, who once feared them. Proficiency in combat is still seen as a very valuable trait, as is tradition, but seems to now hold a similar value to that of worldliness and entrepreneurship.
 ===Physiology===
-The Gerudo are known for being tremendously fit, tall and shapely, exceeding heights of 8 feet as adults, though they tend to become thinner and daintier when they become old. Even Gerudo not involved in combat by trade are fit, and often tower over Hylians in comparison. Adult Gerudo exhibit small torsos, wide hips and long legs, as well as a slight non-pathologic spinal lordosis that gives them a characteristic backwards lean when standing.
+The Gerudo take on a very physically imposing appearance in ''Breath of the Wild''. While individuals in previous depictions are shown to be of an average height and build when compared to the other human races, Gerudo in ''Breath of the Wild'' are much larger all-around. Adults regularly grow to heights of over eight feet, and even those that are not fighters by trade are remarkably muscular. These attributes do tend to fade with age, however, much like one would expect. Their ears appear to have become more pointed over time, resembling those of a [[Hylian]]. Most attest this to the many generations of intermingling between the two races. However, others perceive it to be a gift from the gods—the Gerudo's ears having been supposedly opened to hearing divine messages.{{Ref|[[Creating a Champion|The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion]]|It is said that, long ago, the ancient Gerudo had rounded ears. The prevailing theory is that the shape of their ears changed gradually after so many generations of partnering with Hylian voes, but a competing narrative is more supernatural in nature. There is a story that the shame that the Gerudo felt over giving birth to the source of Calamity Ganon so long ago opened them up to listening for messages from the goddesses. So, they came to have the same long, pointed ears as the Hylians, which some believe allow them to receive special messages from the divine.|page 401}}
-Gerudo young children exhibit paradoxical physiology compared to adults, presented by the fact that their torsos are big and their legs are short, which are contrary features to those of adults.
-Most, if not all of Gerudo have hair colors which are variations of red; their skin colors range from dark brown ([[Sumati]], [[Nali]], [[Marta]]), to olive ([[Buliara]], [[Isha]]), to leucistic ([[Teake]], [[Calyban]], [[Ashai]]). They also present an innate resistance to the desert heat, but can only resist the volcanic heat of the Eldin Province through [[Elixir]]s, expressing discomfort towards it all the while. They can also deal amicably with the cold, for they battle it every night when the Gerudo Desert drops below freezing. This may have helped them when they constructed the [[Statue of the Eighth Heroine]] in the snowy mountaintops.
+''Breath of the Wild'' further marks the debut of Gerudo young, whom feature very noticeably different proportions from that of their adult counterparts. The Gerudo, usually striking for their distinctive noses and shapely midriffs, seem to take many years before fully developing into them. [[Riju]], a Gerudo adolescent, sports a much smaller nose than those of the adults around her.
-Their facial features are striking, with protruding noses and stern expressions, and like Hylians, they have elfin-looking ears. Gerudo sport makeup, particularly different-colored lipstick and face painting, which is also used by young girls. It's shown that the more makeup a Gerudo sports, the less striking their features become (like in the case of [[Urbosa]]). These facial features become more pronounced the older the Gerudo is.
+The Gerudo are known to possess an innate tolerance of extreme temperatures, hot or cold, likely due to their storied history of living in deserts. The volcanic heat of [[Eldin Province]], however, is too much to bear, requiring the use of [[Elixir]]s.
 ===Culture and Customs===
-Though most Gerudo continue to live in Gerudo Town, many leave to travel across Hyrule and are met by Link during their travels. The most frequent reason for Gerudo leaving is to either sell their wares in distant locations or to marry. With no Gerudo voe, Gerudo who wish to marry leave Gerudo Town to travel across Hyrule in hopes of finding a husband, and maintain an eager curiosity towards Voe, domestic life and the concept of marriage as a whole fueled by their isolationist status. Even after marrying, many Gerudo return to Gerudo Town to sell wares they procure during their travels.
+[[File:BotW-Gerudo-women.jpg|thumb|277px|<center>Gerudo females of varying ages]]
+The Gerudo are known for their pride and exuberance, leading to a somewhat stubborn nature towards other Hyrulean races—though they are on more amicable terms with said peoples than as depicted previously. In terms of romantic prospects, they have only ever been shown in pairings with Hylians, and it is unknown as to whether the Gerudo are compatible with [[Rito]], [[Zora]], or [[Goron]] partners. Gorons in particular may not be suitable mates, as suggested by their toleration within [[Gerudo Town]], where men are typically denied entry. One Goron, [[Strade]], remarks that he is unsure of why he is allowed admittance.{{Ref| — [[Strade]], ''[[Breath of the Wild]]''|''I made it to Gerudo Town! But I'm not sure why they let me in...''}}
-The Gerudo are known for their pride and exuberance leading to a somewhat stubborn nature towards other Hyrulean races, albeit they are on more amicable terms with said races, unlike other previous depictions of the race. In terms of romantic prospects, it's shown that Gerudo mainly prefer Hylian partners, and may consider [[Goron]]s too removed from their preference to consider marriage or childbearing. In spite of all this, many Gerudo are shown to be playful and goofy at times, and some are presented as being coy and flirty.
-Many Gerudo are trained in combat. They are trained by [[Teake]] and [[Liana]] in Gerudo Town and guard the city to prevent any voe from entering. Gerudo guardswomen also protect [[Kara Kara Bazaar]] from the many monsters in the province. A training compound is located in Gerudo Town where Gerudo warriors train against each other and on dummies made for practice. Gerudo guardswomen greatly admire combat prowess as a trait in their fellow kin, as well as a personal goal.
-Gerudo clothing is often brightly patterned and colored. Due to the heat of their home, Gerudo clothing is typically light and minimal in style. Their outfits consist of cross-neck tops with no shoulder covers and midriff baring, knee-high [[Gerudo Sirwal]]s and high heels, being surprisingly swift sporting said footwear in their desert environment. They also wear jewelry like large earrings and gold arm, wrist and ankle bands. Elders often wear short coats, and soldiers sport mouth-covering masks, vambraces and shin guards.
-For entertainment, the Gerudo often watch or participate in Sand-Seal Racing or can be found at the Noble Canteen where the Noble Pursuit is a favorite among the Gerudo. Local spots of interest include the [[Northern Icehouse]], the [[Kara Kara Bazaar]], and the [[Gerudo Great Skeleton]].
+Desert survival is an aspect in which the Gerudo excel. They are quite comfortable in the heat, and display advanced methods of traversing over sand. This is primarily demonstrated through their use of domesticated [[Sand Seal]]s, which also provide a means of entertainment in the form of Sand Seal Racing. The Gerudo in ''Breath of the Wild'' are also known to derive pleasure from lounging about at [[The Noble Canteen]], a bar famous for its [[Noble Pursuit|signature drink]].
-The Gerudo Chiefdom follows a matrilineal hereditary succession system with no male influence, and it's not known what status, if any, the Chieftainess' husband holds, though it's assumed to be completely negligible. The status of past Gerudo men is not known either, other than that of [[Ganon]]dorf.
+In terms of dress, typical Gerudo wear bright colors and intricate patterns. Their clothing is fashioned to be light and minimal, often leaving the midriff and shoulders uncovered, so as to be better suited for desert living. Those whose livelihood is as fighters may sport shin guards and facemasks, and elders commonly wear shortcoats. Jewelry is popular among all walks of life, the many varieties of which includes earrings and hair dressings.
-The Gerudo, unlike in many previous game depictions of the race, are in good economic and social affluence in spite of the presence of the [[Divine Beast Vah Naboris]] hindering their free movement in their desert home, having amicable relations with other Hyrulean races, and being in generally good spirits. Also, unlike other depictions in previous games, the Gerudo in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' do not engage in banditry or other illegal activities due to marginalization.
+The Gerudo chiefdom follows a matrilineal hereditary succession system with no male influence, and it is not known what status, if any, the Chief's husband holds, though it is assumed to be completely negligible. The current Chief of the Gerudo as of ''Breath of the Wild'' is [[Riju|Makeela Riju]].
 ===Language===
-Though the Gerudo speak to visitors in Hylian, they have their own language and often use certain terms when speaking to travelers. They recommend that travelers learn a few words to help with their visit to Gerudo Town:
+Though the Gerudo speak to visitors in Hylian, they often intersperse words from their own language when speaking. It is recommended that travelers learn a few phrases before their visit to Gerudo Town:
 *Vasaaq: welcome
-*Sav'otta: good morning
+*Sav'otta: Good morning
-*Sav'aaq: good day
+*Sav'aaq: Good day
-*Sav'orq: good-bye
+*Sav'orq: Good-bye
-*Sarqso: thank you
+*Sarqso: Thank you
-*Vai: woman
+*Vai: Woman
-*Voe: man
+*Voe: Wan
 The [[Great Fairy Tera]], who dwells in the [[Gerudo Great Skeleton]] sometimes welcomes Link to her fountain while using these expressions.
 ===Gerudo Weapons and Armor===
-In addition to being strong warriors, the Gerudo also make many weapons that are specifically designed to match Gerudo training techniques.
+The Gerudo make many varieties of weapons tailored to their fighting styles. Gerudo weapons and armor available in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|''Breath of the Wild]]'' are listed below.
-Their weapons and armor include:
 {| class="wikitable"
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 |}
-==General Trivia==
+==''Age of Calamity''==
-*The [[Gerudo Desert|desert]] in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' is named after the [[Gerudo]]; but ironically enough, there are no Gerudo in the game. The [[Bulblin Fortress|Camps]] in the desert are populated by [[Bulblin]]s.
+{{TotK-Stub|section}}
-*According to ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia|Hyrule Historia]]'', [[Ganon]]dorf's sharp, bird-like nose is characteristic of the [[Gerudo]].{{Ref|name=Quote1}}
-*According to a [[Gossip Stone]] in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', the [[Gerudo]] go to [[Castle Town|Hyrule Castle Town]] to find boyfriends.
+==''Tears of the Kingdom''==
-*When a Gerudo woman finds a suitable male - generally a Hylian - to have a baby with, the baby will also be a Gerudo. This genetic dominance has kept them alive for generations. Interestingly though, after so many millennia of breeding with Hylians, their genetics began to slowly mutate to match their forefathers'. In ''Ocarina of Time'', their eyes were yellow and their ears were round. By the time the [[Zonai]] arrived to the world and [[Rauru (Tears of the Kingdom)|Rauru]] had founded the latest Kingdom of Hyrule, their eyes has turned green and their ears were now pointed, which remained as such for the entire history of this Kingdom, all the way up to ''Breath of the Wild'' and beyond.
+{{TotK-Stub|section}}
-**The Gerudo themselves are said to prefer the theory that their atonement for Ganondorf's actions in ''Ocarina of Time'' drove them closer to the Gods, granting them pointed ears like the more pious Hylians and Sheikah.
-===''Breath of the Wild'' Trivia===
+==Trivia==
-*The Chieftainesses of the Gerudo shown in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' ([[Riju]] and [[Urbosa]]) are shown to be more coiffed and exuberant than other Gerudo, and are noted for their rich, flowing long hair. They are also among the only Gerudo that wear skirts. [[Isha]], the jeweler, also seems to have a wealthy trade, sharing many attire aspects with the Chieftainesses.
+*Although their [[Gerudo Desert|namesake desert]] makes an appearance, female Gerudo are not present in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''.
-*Though sold as a Gerudo customary head wear, the [[Gerudo Veil]] is used by no Gerudo women at all.
+*Though marketed as Gerudo customary head wear in ''Breath of the Wild'', the [[Gerudo Veil]] is not worn by any Gerudo women.
-*It's shown through [[The Secret Club's Secret]] quest that not all Gerudo obey or abide to the no-Voes-allowed rule in [[Gerudo Town]].
+*The Gerudo's eye color varies between series entries. Whether this is due to their intermingling with other races is not known.
-*Almost all Gerudo wear high heels (except the elderly).
+**In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', their eyes are yellow; in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'', they are red; and in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]'', they are green.
-*A recurring joke regarding Link wearing a vai garb is that, because adult Gerudo are not used to men, they can't recognize them easily. When Link speaks with [[Muava]], a world-weary elder Gerudo, she immediately recognizes him as a Voe.
-*Like the other races in the game, the Gerudo are not masters of their own land, as the looming threat of [[Molduga]]s and the [[Divine Beast Vah Naboris]] prevent them from fully controlling their native province.
-*The procurement of water is implied to be one of the reasons for why the Chiefdom of the Gerudo hold power on their subjects. The palace of the chief is directly below a towering natural water spring implied to be the main source of water for the town, and the reason the town itself was built around it. The procurement of ice is also crucial, and it's made from water found in an underground spring at the [[Northern Icehouse]], and it's transported to the town at great peril from monster attacks; this water is implied to be melt water from the slopes of the [[Gerudo Highlands]], accounting for its coldness at the Icehouse.
-*The Gerudo in ''Breath of the Wild'', unlike those of ''Ocarina of Time'', have pointed rather than rounded ears. The most plausible explanation is consistent repopulating with Hylian males, though the Gerudo hold the belief that it stems from their newfound closeness to the Goddesses.
 ==Gallery==
@@ Line 130: / Line 117: @@
 File:Nabooru Pic.png|Artwork of [[Nabooru]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''
 File:Gerudo-Guard-Art.png|Artwork of a [[Gerudo Guard]] from ''Ocarina of Time''
-File:Ganondorf Artwork (Ocarina of Time).png|[[Ganon]]dorf, a Gerudo male
-File:Twinrova.png|[[Twinrova]], the amalgamated form of [[Kotake]] and [[Koume]]
 File:Gerudo-Thief.png|A [[Gerudo Thief]] from ''Ocarina of Time''
-File:Gerudo FSA.png|A Gerudo from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''
+File:Gerudo_FSA_HiRes.png|Gerudo sprite from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''
+File:Pre-Champion_Urbosa_-_Concept_Art.png|Concept artwork of [[Urbosa]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|''Breath of the Wild]]''
+File:Ganondorf_-_TotK_key_art_2_nobg.png|Artwork of a Gerudo male, [[Ganondorf]], as appearing in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''
 </gallery>

Gerudo: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:30, July 20, 2024

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