Gerudo (5e Race)
Gerudo[edit]
Physical Description[edit]
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| Gerudo amid desert dunes, poised to strike. Source |
Gerudo bear a strong resemblance to the more abundant hylian race. Gerudo however are of a uniformly darker skin tone, and always have red hair. Their eyes are usually golden, but are occasionally more exotic colors such as blue-green or violet. A typical female Gerudo stands over 6 feet tall. They are particularly muscular, but this may be more of a cultural difference than a physiological one, as gerudo prize athletes and warrior elites.
Perhaps the most characteristic aspect of gerudo, however, is that they are almost universally female.
Gender and Reproduction[edit]
The basic physiology, lifespan, and reproduction of gerudo is almost identical to that of hylians, with one major exception. A gerudo is almost never born male. Such a child is said to be less than one in a thousand, at most. When a male is born, reactions to him vary wildly from one town of gerudo to the next. In some places, he is heralded as a god-king that is destined to rule. In others, he is treated as a woman, and dresses in traditional female garb. In a few, a male gerudo is seen as a curse—and in these instances, the child is seldom allowed to live.
Regardless of the circumstances, the entire race does not depend on these few sparse males for reproduction. Rather, the gerudo race as a whole has become dependent on the males of the hylian race, as the two are capable of interbreeding. In these instances, little if any of the male's genetic material is incorporated into the child the gerudo herself births.
The exact circumstances of the father vary widely. It is often the result of unwilling copulation, but other times the result of a more traditional union and partnership. In any case, the child is considered gerudo herself by wider society, and usually raised as such. The tan skin, red hair, and golden eyes make it difficult for a gerudo child to fit in as if she were a hylian.
History and Society[edit]
It is widely believed that gerudo were once a race as widespread and prosperous as hylians, if not more so. Ruins of their kingdom are spread widely throughout the Gerudo Desert, named after them. Although gerudo persevere, their numbers have been gradually declining for millennia. This is believed to be the result of the race's odd gender imbalance, which makes procreation for them even more difficult.
All that remains today are a few small outposts of gerudo, most of whom live traditional gerudo lives in the shadows of their ancestors. Many of these outposts survive as organized thieves or pirates. A sparse few have interwoven themselves in the societies of other races. The eponymous Gerudo Town, a village built on an oasis in the depths of the Gerudo Province in Hyrule, is perhaps the last upstanding bastion of traditional gerudo culture.
The proudest of gerudo believe that an unjust curse befell their race in an age long past—that this curse is the reason their race is so imbalanced, and the cause behind their dwindling numbers. The purported reasoning, cause, effects, and origin of this supposed curse vary. Belief in this curse is somewhat controversial, as even though there are historical references to it, there is little solid evidence to support it.
Ganon, in his humanoid form, was said to take the form of a male gerudo. Whereas most moblins praise what little connection to Ganon they have, this attitude is rare among gerudo. For them, the creature's wanton evil and spreading of chaos is usually seen as shameful. Most gerudo, but not all, prefer to distance themselves from such a beast.
Gerudo Names[edit]
Female: Ardin, Aveil, Barta, Dalia, Danda, Deltan, Dorrah, Essa, Fegran, Frelly, Furosa, Isha, Kalani, Lashley, Lorn, Malena, Maku, Merina, Nabooru, Nali, Olu, Pearle, Pokki, Risa, Riju, Ripp, Rotana, Saula, Spera, Urbosa
Gerudo Traits[edit]
Tall, beautiful, powerful, and brutal, the race of almost nothing but women is both coveted and feared.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 2, your Dexterity score increases by 2, or both scores increase by 1 each.
Age. Gerudo reach adulthood in their mid-teens, and rarely can live over a century.
Alignment. Gerudo obey their chieftains or leaders without question, and have strong ties to their traditions and to their kin group. They are often comfortable alienating, manipulating, robbing, ravishing, and even murdering strangers. Gerudo as a whole have a tendency towards lawful evil.
Size. The average height of a gerudo is about 6' 6". Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Ganon's Blessing. You have advantage on all Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws against magic.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write both Common and
Gerudo.
Subrace. Gerudo have three aesthetically similar but culturally different subraces. Choose one from coastal, desert, or Dark.
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| An armed gerudo guard. Traditional clothing leaves the midriff exposed. Source |
Coastal Gerudo[edit]
Coastal gerudo are those who have historically settled along oceans. They are most often comprised of seafaring pirates, thieves, and other such ne'er do wells.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Swim Speed. You have a swim speed of 30 feet.
Tool Proficiency. You are proficient with one of the following tools: navigator's tools, thieves' tools, fishing tackle, or a musical instrument of your choice.
Savage Piracy. You are proficient in your choice of the Acrobatics, Athletics, or Intimidation skills.
Desert Gerudo[edit]
The most populous variety of gerudo, these traditional warriors are well-adapted to desert life. They have a reputation as being the most well-organized and prosperous culture of gerudo.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Desert Dweller. You can endure unusually dry or hot climates without difficulty, and have advantage on Survival checks made in desert terrain.
Naturally Nimble. You are proficient in the Acrobatics skill.
Ancestral Arms. You are proficient with the scimitar, the spear, and the shortbow. If you would otherwise gain proficiency with one of these weapons, you instead gain a +1 bonus on damage rolls with that weapon.
Dark Gerudo[edit]
- This subrace assumes use of the magic points and stamina points rules of the Hyrule campaign setting.
Although they are a small minority of a small race, a handful of gerudo belong to cults who praise Ganon as their god. From one generation to the next, they pass along ancient secrets of magic and villainy. Compared to other gerudo, they have a particularly strong tendency towards evil.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence or Charisma score increases by 1.
Magic Adept. Your people are uncannily skilled with magic. Your magic point maximum increases by 2.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from fire bolt, ray of frost, shocking grasp, or true strike. Intelligence is your casting ability for this spell.
Dark Art. You know one spell from the following options: charm person, dark dive, or Ganon's fist. You can your chosen spell at its lowest level by expending 2 magic points. Intelligence is your casting ability for this spell.
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write the
Blin language.
| Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1. Cantrip. You know one cantrip of your choice from fire bolt, ray of frost, shocking grasp, or true strike. Intelligence is your casting ability for this spell. Dark Art. You know one spell from the following options: charm person, dark dive, or ganon's fist. You can cast your chosen spell at its lowest level. Intelligence is your casting ability for it. If you cast the spell using this trait, you must complete a long rest before doing so again. Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write the Blin language. |
Random Height and Weight[edit]
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier |
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| 5′ 2″ | +3d10 | 120 lb. | × (2d4) lb. |
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