#botw ashai

[kashkadavr]

I was today years old when I found out that they were part of a love triangle and none of them stayed with man. So hear me out - neither of them are with a man because they are with each other.

[link-is-a-dork]

[mylonelydreaming]

I see zelink as having romantic feelings for each other, and go on cute dates to lover's pond or rutile lake or what have you, but they don't actually put an official, public label on what they have, they just kinda make out occasionally behind the scenes and ignore formal rules of courtship entirely

[blocodibujo]

30 days until Tears of the Kingdom releases (can’t believe there’s only one month left!)

Drawing 31/60: Ashai

[daremo-desu]

Oh hi 👋

This is old art of an au I thought of a long time ago. Basically tmnt x botw/totk. I’ll write more about the characters below. Takes place post botw, pre totk. They’re the only 4 of their kind, no explanations on how they got there (though Donnie is determined to find something).

Mikey

The Gerudo took him in (they couldn’t tell his gender, being a unique species and all) Ashai (cooking teacher in botw) raised him and taught him all her cooking skills. He has a desire to travel the world and learn cooking from all regions. At 14 he is granted his wish and he begins to venture out. His first location is Death Mt for the famous goron spice.

Donnie

Part of the research team in the Sheikah clan. Works closely with Robbie, and their team recently moved to central Hyrule to continue Zonai research. One day, Mikey walks up on his way to Death Mt, and Donnie is shocked to see another one of his kind. He wants to learn more about Mikey and their similarities, so he decides to join him on his trip to the Goron village (though he pretends it’s for Zonai research.)

Raph

Lives with the Goron. He works in the mine to get rocks and ore, though he can’t eat them. (His teeth are chipped from trying) He loves spending time in the hot springs. He lives a simple life, until one day two turtles show up and he can’t help but feel attracted to them. He shows them around, and when they go to leave, he reluctantly decides to join them. (He’s never felt overly adventurous, and it’s hard to leave the only life you’ve ever known)

Leo

He’s part of the Yiga clan. He wants to get higher in the ranks because he’s sick of getting stuck on the worst missions in the worst spots. (Usually he’s stationed in the depths, it’s dark and boring) One day, he gets to go with a search party to the surface because Link and Zelda are missing (he’s never even seen them before) He catches sight of the crew after they leave Hateno village and are on their way to Faron. He steals their food and heads back to his hideout. Donnie put a tracker on him and they find him, eventually Leo realizes that sticking with Donnie might get him close to the royal family and he can get his promotion. He’ll just let them believe that he hangs around because of their turtleness..

Not really any plot. They just kind of hang out in Hyrule.

[matriarchsdevotee-archive]

Twinrova theory:

Okay so the promised twinrova conspiracy theory. This comes with the standard caveat of I don't expect this to be played out on here and it seldom comes up anyway, but the jist of it is that, when I was beginning the Gerudo historia project, I made peace with the fact that Ganondorf probably wasn't going to be consistent with tribal trends and it was in my better interest to push it away and leave it to the gan stans to worry about. The Gerudo are one of the very few self-consistent tribes in Zelda, it's part of what attracts me to them as a writer, so I was decidedly unbothered if I found discrepancy with Gan's philosophy/customs/religious foundations, and so on.

The thing is, though... He's really not terribly inconsistent with them. Physically, he is of course very different than his sisters, but he does functionally look like what a male Gerudo would be expected to look like - extremely well--muscled, broad shouldered, red hair and yellow eyes (which, while uncommon, are seen among other Gerudo across games - it's essentially the human equivalent of Blue or green eyes). If Nintendo canon heights are to be believed, he's shorter than his countrywomen, but given that there's in-game flavor text that suggests Gerudo men tend to be sickly or weaker than their counterparts, that also tracks. He wears the same makeup that a Gerudo chieftain does across all his appearances as a man and even some of his later appearances as his monstrous form, Ganon (Red eyeshadow, black garb, and golden lipstick, gold being the color of religious figures amongst the Gerudo (see also Maike in botw and Nabooru)). He's certainly an extremist amongst his people, but it's not like the Gerudo are pro-Hyrule. Even Nabooru seems to be in the camp of "get Ganondorf out but so help me god if Hyrule tries to colonize us." Realistically, the most out of character trait that Ganondorf has as a Gerudo is his massive magical capabilities. Some Gerudo are minor prophets and they're often seen with magical weapons, but trust me when I say I have scoured the source material and Ganondorf is the only one who can wield traditional magic...

Except for his mothers. His white-haired, magical, extremely long-lived, surrogate mothers who have names that are intensely un-Gerudo, both at the time (Koume and Kotake don't share any phonetic similarities with Nabooru, Ganondorf or Aveil, and are blatantly just. Japanese names) and with the help of the Gerudo phonetics in Four Swords Adventures and Breath of the Wild (And acompannying breath of the wild companion games). His mothers, who have an even greater animosity for Hyrule than the rest of the Gerudo put together. Who have a distinct hatred for the royal family.

Anyway, what I'm alluding to is that the Twinrova are Sheikah.

I say this because, as consistent as Ganondorf is with his people, Koume and Kotake simply aren't. As we discussed, magical ability is very uncommon amongst the Gerudo, and their names share much more in common with Sheikah phonetics than they do (as the Sheikah names in botw often borrow Japanese phonetics) than they do Gerudo or even Hylian names. There are no other Gerudos with white hair. Very old Gerudo in Botw go pink and Ashai, who we can reasonably assume has a melanin issue of some kind due to her very light eyes and skin, has pink hair instead of red or white. In Four Swords Adventures, the Gerudo chief is pictured in her character art with red hair, though she's clearly aged elsewhere.  Even when they transform during their bossfight, they don't have red hair, as their youthful form would suggest. (This is weaker evidence, as it's pretty clear their design was more meant to mirror the fire/ice archetype, but the fact that the only Gerudo trait their son retains consistently when he transforms is his red hair leads me to believe this isn't entirely invalid).

Speaking of the transformation, that's something of an odd power, isn't it? Ganon doesn't transform as a disguise, but you know who does? Explicitly into a Gerudo?

This motherfucker.

During the Age of Calamity mission in which you recruit Urbosa, Kogha distracts the chieftain and is able to slip into Gerudo town in magical disguise in order to try to kill Zelda (Frankly, even if Urbosa hadn't arrived when she did, this wasn't going to end well as the Gerudo were already becoming suspicious, but I digress).

In conclusion, we have a pair of sisters with little relation to the tribe they allegedly belong to who raised a child specifically to violently despise Hyrule's royal family and train his power so he can destroy them, who phonetically, canonically, and in terms of design share much more in common with the Sheikah tribe than they do the Gerudo. Was this the intent? I'm willing to bet money that it absolutely was not, but you can pry it from my cold dead hands.

[aikoiya]

LoZ - Gerudo Nomenclature

I'm gonna put this here so that anyone who wants to help can comment or reblog what they think each name means.

If there are any other Gerudo names you know of, I'm all ears.

---

Plot Relevant Gerudo:

Ganondorf = Warlock-Sorcerer. A Hyrulean transliteration of Gánōendōrfè; from Gánōen meaning "black magics" & Dōrfè meaning "sorcerer." - Both Gánōen & Gánōn are technically correct, however Gánōen is considered proper grammar & is thus more formal when it's used as a word rather than a name.

- Dragmire = Noble dragon general. A Hyrulean transliteration of Drāgamīr; from the words Drāga being an old Gerudan word meaning "dragon lord" or "noble dragon" & Mīr meaning "general." When put together, it translates to "draconian leader."

Kōme = In Japanese, this means "small plum." However, it's possible that her father was a Sheikah. If so, then this name wouldn't be Gerudo in origin.

Kotake = In Japanese, this means "little bamboo." However, it's possible that her father was a Sheikah. If so, then this name wouldn't be Gerudo in origin.

Nàbooru =

Ūrbōsa = Someone made the suggestion that Ūrbōs could mean "lightning."

Màkeela = Gracious.

Rïjú = Possibly meaning "seal friend;" from Rï meaning "friend or companion" & Jú meaning "seal."

Bulïàra (Rïjú's personal guard) =

BotW

At Large:

Pauda =

Bedi =

Anté (guard) =

Flavï =

Malena =

Balora =

Calïsa =

Desert:

Ampu =

Aroha =

Augissa (guard) =

Bàretta =

Bylla =

Ektis =

Esta =

Flegra =

Freya =

Kalàna (little Vai) =

Kàttōru (guard) =

Laina (guard) =

Konora =

Lànja (guard) =

Liné (guard) =

Màku =

Màtori (guard) =

Màrïna (guard) =

Mauva (elder) =

Neru (elder) =

Ōla =

Padoru (guard) =

Pinja (guard) =

Rinora (elder) =

Saiga =

Semidi =

Sumati =

Talïa (little Vai) =

Tekla (guard) =

Velora =

Sudra (guard) =

Emrï (elder) =

Kahu =

Piloru =

Ribia (guard) =

Lukàn =

Dālïa (little Vai that grows Wildberries) =

Totk

Gerudo At Large:

Karsh (Bedrock Bistro frequenter) =

Ramella (Goron City gem buyer) =

Payu (racer) =

Shabbone (elder race trainer) =

Rïsa (most martial minded of the Outskirt Stable Trio, enthusiastic about finding a Voe taller than her) =

Pasha (one of the Outskirt Stable Trio, doesn't think the voe she's met measure up) =

Dïna (one of the Outskirt Stable Trio, heard of the hero) = Passionate dance.

Kyra (at Dueling Peaks Stable, talks about twins & love triangles) =

Desert Gerudo:

Kohm (sand seal seller) =

Kàra Kàra Gerudo:

Faundï (Kàra entrance guard) =

Ripp (patroling Kàra guard) =

Boraa (young spearwoman) =

Maike (Kàra grilled meat vender) =

Saula (Kàra clothes vender) =

Kachoo (Kàra archery store owner) =

Shaillu (Kàra inn owner) =

Gerudo Town:

Dorrah (Gerudo Town east gate guard) =

Lorn (fruit vender) =

Dālïa (teen Vai & Lorn's daughter; owns the circle orb) =

Īsha (jeweler) =

Cara (jeweler) =

Romah (masseuse) =

Olu (masseuse apprentice) =

Danda (elder arrow vendee) =

Kalàni (teen Vai & Danda's granddaughter) =

Makure (little Vai & Kalani's sister) =

Pritàna (Voe & You studant) =

Spera (food vender) =

Àrdin (mushroom vender) =

Rima (elder) =

Frelly (sand seal vender) =

Pokki (archeologist?) =

Fegran (napping lady) =

Greta (Secret Club owner) =

Perda (wife of Wabbin & mother of Aaqlet, you matchmade them in BotW) =

Furosa (elder canteen owner) =

Pyra =

Sumàtï =

Deltan (Voe & You studant) =

Yaidō = Spearwoman.

Rōtàna (archeologist lady) =

Essa (sand seal sweeper) =

Bàbï (spearwoman) =

Smaudè (spearwoman) =

Leena =

Lïàna =

Kōtta =

Bàrta (cannon fanatic) =

Màrta (spear examining spearwoman) =

Teakè (guard trainer) =

Aaqlet (little Vai & Mattison's friend) = Daylight possibly; from Aaq meaning "day or morning" & Let possibly meaning "light."

Calybàn (callous romantic) =

Kàtta (Wabbin's guard) =

Ashai (Voe & You teacher) =

Nàli (Voe & You studant) =

Ploka (palace guard) =

Reeza (palace guard) =

Pàdda (Patricia's caretaker) =

Pearlé (teen Vai seal watcher & future scholar) =

Gerudàn Landmarks

Gerudo Highlands:

Risōka = The name of a snowfield in the Gerudo Highlands.

Agaat = Mount Agaat is the most Western mountain in the Gerudo Highlands.

Mystàthï = The name of a snowshelf on the north side of Gerudo Highlands.

Hemaar = The slope north Risōka Snowfield is called Hemaar's Descent.

Ruvàra = Refers to the cliffs east of Mystàthï's Shelf.

Vatórsa = A snowfield just southeast of the Gerudo Summit.

Rútimàla = Found just south of Risōka Snowfield is Rutimàla Hill.

Méadela = The outcroping south of the Gerudo Summit is referred to as Méadela's Mantle.

Lāpàroh = A snowy mesa in the eastern part of the Gerudo Highlands.

Zirkō = A snowy mesa southeast of Lāpàroh Mesa.

Sàpphïa = A tableland directly west of Zirkō Mesa.

Bīrida = Referred to as a Lookout, this is the southmost part of the Highlands. It overlooks most of the desert, ergo its name.

Taafei = A hill bordering Gerudo Canyon.

Gerudo Canyon:

Nephra = While called a hill, it is a mountain decline.

Koukôt = A plateau near the center of the canyon. North of Spectacle Rock.

Yàrna = The name of a small valley tucked at the foot between Spectacle Rock & East Gerudo Mesa.

Nàboôrú = The mountain at the center of the canyon.

Stàlry = A plateau due east of Spectacle Rock.

Granàjh = A mountain in the most southern part of the canyon.

Dāvàl = This peak is the most southeastern part of the canyon.

Gerudo Desert:

Torúma = The name given to the dunes to the far western edge of the Gerudo Desert.

Pālû = The wasteland between Gerudo Town & the East Gerudo Ruins.

Kàrúsa = The valley west of Bīrida Lookout.

Gerudo Names I Made Up:

Female:

Geladïna = The full name of the Gerudo Goddess of the Sand. Means "one who dances passionately upon the sand."

Sāqmàla = Name of the Gerudo Goddess of Life, Vivifatility, & Sex, & mother of Geladïna & Amàhrta. Translates to "one who lives without regrets."

Amàhrta = Name of the Gerudo Goddess of the Moon, Mirrors, Dreams, Prophecy, & Visions. Means "virtuous moon."

Kàvtrïna = Name of the Gerudo Goddess of Love, Passion, & Marriage. A sort of carry over from Hyrule as she was originally a Hyrulean goddess. Loosely translates to "bond of passion."

Tïsàla = Joyous.

Nīra = Amrit or nectar or pure water or liquor.

Sàvàrï = Circle of goodness. The name I've given to the ancient Sage of Lightning from TotK.

Dàkhmàra = Fruitful.

Ïmàja = Birthgiver or mother of cradles.

Ïmīàlfa = Mother of 10,000 children.

Nīsha = Special. Gift from the goddess.

Eizra or Ézra = Humble or salvation. The roots of this word has deep association with Vah Kàvtrïna's mercy, protection, & healing magics. Parents tend to give their daughters this name in hopes that the Oasis Mother will protect them.

Hamàhla = Halo around the moon.

Junamàh = Silver pearls.

Keasïya = Monsoon flower.

Hàzimé & Hàsimé = Gentle & fortunate winds.

Vithára = A small harp or lyre. Associated with music, inspiration, & creativity. Symbolizes life's beauty. The Gerudo equivalent of Lyra.

Male:

Jawàrik = The name of the Gerudo god of war, conquest, & strife. Ex-husband to the Goddess of the Sand. A name meaning "a strong, powerful warrior."

Gàlondo = Gerudo god of war, power, conquest, fire, lightning, pride, destruction, bloodlust, & the burning desert sun. The only begotten son of Geladïna & Jawàrik. Means "one prepared to battle in the sands."

Amïn = Safe. Translates to reliable, secure, faithful, loyal, straightforward, & honest.

Asïm = Protector; also an old name from before the all-female curse.

Jubàr = One who mends.

Ïdanek = Father of many.

Ïmanek = Despite being a masculine name, it translates to “mother of multitudes.”

Hànrysé = Clever or proficient. The name of a prominent figure in the Gerudo myth called "King Hànrysé's Folly." In which, he was a Gerudo king from before the Division War that ended in the female-only curse. Due to his portrayal in the story, the name has now become associated with foolishness or arrogance.

Bàssōl = A merging of the old Gerudàn boy name Bàssel meaning "man who is lion-hearted" or “brave & noble lion” & the Gerudàn word Sōl, meaning "sun."

Hàrrīun = Warrior lion.

Àkram = Most generous.

---

I'm sure that there are some names here that aren't of Gerudo origin such as Rhondson & Mattison likely are.

LoZ Cultural Masterlist

[buggyofthewild]

I thought maybe if I made some and gave it to her it'd help her but she wasn't interested, so here's the results in case any of y'all were curious!

[kaiju-dayo]

Riju owns cultural nights 👏🏼

*She takes dance lessons from Ashai; who also teaches cooking class and sex ed at their school

[arakn0]

“Oh, are you interested in that classes I teach to vai before they set off from Gerudo Town?”

I think it’s funny how short Link is compared to everyone else in game.

[loz-furbies]

Gerudo cooking class.

[botw-photography]

Someone has a crush!

[botwphotography]

Ashai

[annyllel]

I’ve known for a while now that Ashai’s name is just one vowel different from Ashei in Twilight Princess. But now that I’ve talked to her before the cooking class starts, and with the way she tacked a “yeah” onto the end of her sentence, the remembrances are getting stronger. I guess it’s just a fun little Easter egg.

[chungledownbeamcannon]

Some rare pairs I thought up/ am considering for a botw thing. Also might do my Korok/ Kokiri girl falling for Riju thing there too.

(I should consider some mlm and mlf ships but...am lesbian so these were my first instinct.)

[sandsealsunlimited]

*eyeball emoji*