Gerudo

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The Gerudo are a race of Hyrulians who live in Gerudo Valley. They first appeared as Gerudo Thieves in Ocarina of Time and appeared as pirates in Majora's Mask. Although the race seems to consist of mainly females, every 100 years a male is born in their society. This male is the one destined become the king of all Gerudo. Ganondorf was such a male and is the only one who is mentioned in the series, or the "current" King of Thieves.

The Gerudo live primarily in the desert of Hyrule, which is referred to as the Gerudo Desert. Their territory is marked with an intricately designed fortress, which is constantly guarded with tight security. However, in Four Swords Adventures, they lived in tents. Though the Gerudo Desert exists in Twilight Princess, the Gerudo race (with the exception of Ganondorf) is mysteriously absent. It is not known if the race died out or if the entire desert was not presented in the game, having them and their civilization in some unexplored corner of the desert. It is noted that the barmaid in Castle Town, Telma strongly resembles Gerudo women from previous games, suggesting that the Gerudo may have integrated into the dominant Hylian culture at some point.

The Gerudo are a fearsome race of fighters and thieves who despise trespassers and won't hesitate to lock one up, or worse. One is able to gain their favor, yet it is a hard and perilous task. Link is able to do so in Ocarina of Time, earning the Gerudo Membership Card. Their look resembles an Arabian ninja and dual scimitar swords are common weapons for this band of thieves. The only documented male, Ganondorf doesn't use a weapon in OoT, yet in The Wind Waker he wields dual swords. Ganondorf appears to be able to use magic and can manifest into a boar like creature known as Ganon.

Tales that Gerudo women come into Castle Town to find mates circulate around the Market square. This may have possibly lead to their disappearance. There is a Gerudo Mask which can be borrowed from the Happy Mask Shop in Hyrule town square. Nobody knows how Ganondorf was born, except that Navi mentions that the Twinrova Sisters are surrogate mothers to Ganondorf.

Ocarina of Time
The Gerudo Thieves of Ocarina of Time live in the desert west of Hyrule Field, within the Gerudo Fortress. Once every hundred years, a man is born, and takes the control of the tribe. This time it is Ganondorf. Another notable member of the tribe is the exalted Nabooru, who is second in command. The Gerudo Thieves are similar to the Gerudo Pirates of Majora's Mask.

A typical Gerudo Thief is shown to the left. In addition, the Gerudo Fortress is patrolled by weapon-carrying Guards (right) who will capture and imprison Link if they catch sight of him. These guards can be stunned using the Fairy Bow or the hookshot, allowing Link to pass by.

Majora's Mask
Appearing only in Majora's Mask, Gerudo Pirates are parallel versions to the Gerudo Thieves in Ocarina of Time. These pirates live in the Pirate's Fortress, due north of Great Bay Coast, and have stolen Lulu's eggs. Mikau dies trying to save the eggs, and Link must use his newly aquired Zora Mask to save the eggs, and return them to the Marine Research Laboratory. Their leader is named Aveil. As in Ocarina of Time, most of the Gerudo Link encounters are guards which patrol the Pirate's Fortress (either on foot or by boat), and can be temporarily stunned using the bow or the hookshot.

Also, in a parallel event to the Gerudo Fortress in Ocarina of Time, Link will encounter four pirates as mini-bosses. They are warriors who defend themselves with cutlasses, sharper than razors. To kill them, simply block their attack and target them all the time, then attack them when their guard is down. Look out for them jumping over your head, as they can actually catch you with your guard down then!

Notable Gerudo

 * Ganondorf
 * Nabooru
 * Koume and Kotake
 * Aveil