#mallowtalk

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Something I Am Doing For Some Research: What Would The Gerudo Do for Courtship Rituals/Acts?

Gerudo courtship rituals, based on their culture in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, would likely emphasize strength, independence, and the warrior lifestyle of the Gerudo people. Here are some possible courtship rituals, reflecting the Gerudo's unique way of life:

1. Trial of Strength or Combat Skills

Since the Gerudo value physical prowess, a courtship ritual might involve a display of strength or combat skills. A Gerudo woman may challenge a potential partner to a sparring match, where skill and tenacity are more important than victory. Winning is less important than proving one's resolve and competence.

Variation: Instead of a fight, a partner could undergo a series of challenges or trials in the desert, such as surviving a sandstorm or retrieving a rare desert flower or artifact, demonstrating their worthiness.

2. Gift of the Desert

Gerudo may court by exchanging meaningful gifts related to their desert homeland. A Gerudo woman might gift her suitor a beautifully crafted weapon, armor, or accessory made from materials native to the desert. Similarly, a suitor could present rare items that show an understanding of Gerudo culture, such as jewelry adorned with desert gemstones or rare flowers from the area.

Symbolism: The exchange of these gifts represents the importance of resilience, resourcefulness, and an appreciation for Gerudo heritage.

3. The Watchful Guardian

In Gerudo culture, protection of loved ones and allies is crucial. A potential partner may prove themselves by silently watching over the person they wish to court during a period of time, such as when the Gerudo woman is engaged in a task or undertaking a journey. This "guardianship" is a non-intrusive way of showing dedication, respect, and reliability, without overt intervention unless absolutely necessary.

4. Ritual Dance of the Gerudo

Dance is part of Gerudo culture, as seen in their traditional practices. A courtship ritual might include a dance performed by the Gerudo woman and the potential partner. The dance would likely be one of power and grace, symbolizing unity and the synchronization of two individuals. It could take place under the stars or around a ceremonial fire, deepening the bond between the pair.

5. Sharing Water and Food

In the harsh desert, water is sacred, and the sharing of water could be a significant courtship gesture. A suitor might offer water or a carefully prepared meal as a sign of care and respect. This act would symbolize a willingness to provide and ensure the well-being of the other, showing dedication in a fundamental, life-sustaining way.

6. Mutual Tattoos or Marks

The Gerudo may have a tradition of marking a bond with symbolic tattoos or temporary body art. During courtship, both individuals could receive tattoos or apply traditional Gerudo body paint, symbolizing their connection. The designs might include desert imagery, such as cacti, the sun, or sandstorms, representing endurance, life, and unity.

7. Proving One’s Knowledge of the Gerudo Way

As a proud and independent people, the Gerudo value understanding of their customs. A potential partner could be tested on their knowledge of Gerudo traditions, such as their laws, dances, language, and history. Passing this "test" would show not only dedication but also deep respect for Gerudo culture.

8. The Desert Flower Ritual

The Gerudo may have a sacred ritual surrounding the desert lotus or another rare flower that only blooms under specific conditions. Finding such a flower and presenting it to a Gerudo warrior would be a powerful sign of devotion. The partner would have to navigate the harsh desert, proving their endurance and ability to understand the Gerudo’s desert life.

9. Rite of Shared Silence

A Gerudo courtship might involve a period of silent companionship where two individuals work, travel, or rest together in silence. The ability to be comfortable without constant conversation would reflect mutual understanding and trust, which is valued highly in their society.

These rituals would align with the Gerudo’s values of strength, independence, loyalty, and respect, while also incorporating the significance of their desert environment and warrior spirit.

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I like some of these, but I want more details or more specifics... What do you all think?

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

I finished it.

Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom

It was so very good. So very, very good.

Anyone who hasn't gotten it yet, get it.

Now to return to Tears of the Kingdom.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Yo! I just had a thought!

The Gerudo may have unique glass-making techniques involving lightning magic to make fulgurite. I mean, those who have lightning magic. Because you can melt sand by running electricity through it. My guess would be that they could do this by holding a gold rod or some sort of golden shaping tools to form the sand as it melts.

In fact… It might even be part of how Gerudo lightning mages learn to control their lightning magic.

Also, what sort of minerals are in the sand of the Gerudo Desert, do you think? Because depending on if the sand contains metals, then the kind would result in various colors. Like, iron, manganese, chromium oxide, cobalt, copper, nickel, ect. Though, even if it doesn't, those things could easily be added.

I also wouldn't be surprised if one skilled in infusion magic could use sand with iron impurities & amber grains to make glass that's had the symbolic connection that iron has to durability & amber's symbolic connection to preservation magically enhanced so as to create those special bottles that adventurers all go so crazy for. Ya know, the ones that don't break & their contents never spoil?

And, considering how rare those bottles seem to be, I wouldn't be surprised if it could make quite the mint.

Im gunna admit! I did research into making glass out of desert sand, and apparently desert sand is TERRIBLE for making glass! Apparently the sand is too fine to make good glass? Which... Thats normal desert sand. It could be that the Gerudo Desert has larger, courser sand.

Other than that, though, I have no idea what minerals could be in the sand. Depending what's in the sand would have an outcome on color and strength/design on the glass, me thinks.

I like the bottles that the fairies love. Apparently fairies love them so much they just jump right in. Wonder if they are made from Gerudo sands?

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

The thought that Ganondorf's SO would accidentally propose to him through Gerudo Traditions and he just... accepts it, not explaining anything to them, and just starts planning the wedding amuses me to no end. Like... Oh? You didn't know that if you do THIS that its basically a Gerudo version of a wedding proposal? Tough shit, now you are going to be married. What's that? Too soon? Shoulda studied up before doing it to Ganondorf!

Not even Ganondorf can resist the Gerudo blood in him. You are now his SO and you are married to him. No escape.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

You... may have a point? Isn't there something in the bible about mixed fabrics being a sin anyway? Like... you MAY be on to something here.

New idea for a christian cult:

Just going naked because clothes are a mark of sin. People had no need for clothes before the original sin, so therefore only sinners wear clothes. Alternatively, stripping naked after confession because you have now been absolved of all sins.

Going to church once a week in your sunday best and leaving nude as god intended. The church runs a second-hand shop for charity that sells all the churchgoers' discarded sinful clothing.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

So I work in a call center, and for some reason, the AC is not controlled by the building itself. Its elsewhere where they control the temperature. So even though its still nice out, like 70s, this building is ICE cold.

I normally run hot. I am a very warm marshymallow. I am fluffy and built like a bear.

And this cold pierces me.

I need to buy a heater. I need gloves. I already am wearing sweats and a jacket, which is unheard of for me, but I need more. I even have Hot Hands! (those little packets that warm up when exposed to air) My nose feels like ice and my hands like icicles.

... Maybe I need a big Gerudo man to shove my cold hands against...

... wait a minute...

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

I'll be honest, reading these Ganondorf reaction or ask blogs just does not do my impression of him any favors.

Like... I could legitimately go on a full freaking rant here about how the Dorfs went so very wrong. Not even morally, just as a warlord & mastermind. Most of the topics I've touched on a couple of times, but whenever I see his character be reduced to "poor oppressed marginalized man fighting against 'the man'," I just want to scream!

Because, buddy, if he's going to come in here crying about how Hylians made them suffer, then I'm ready to go point by point on how he's being a dumbass & how he could've actually succeeded in becoming the king of Hyrule without a big, shiny dorito of "I Win."

Like, this isn't even about those blogs, it's about Ganondorf, the character, & the things that legitimately make me tilt my head & squint as I judge him. Not only that, but the dumb stuff that some other fans reduce him to when they bring stupid, real world race politics into the Fandom.

It drives me insane!

Ganondorf is a complex individual that can both be evil and marginalized. Its a shame that people go to either extreme without blending them together. He's such a cool character! He deserves to be as 3D as the rest of us. Alas, THE MAN IS DOOMED... Like in game, heh.

I'll admit, Chat can be very one dimensional with characters. It takes a handful of character traits, (if that) and then runs with it. You can tweak it, tell it exactly how to act, and work with it, but barebones Chat? Will make him as basic as paper.

I admit, I just like seeing Ganondorf blogs/accounts. Like, there is this one twitter account that makes me blush like a school girl. There is one on here that makes me smile when I see him pop up. I very much just love his character and love seeing the variations and the art and the roleplaying... Though I'll admit, some are better than others.

I'm kinda curious now... What things currently are we judging the King of Evil for? Like... there's a list.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Doing a Thing Dont Mind Me-

Hm... very interesting indeed.

You are still here?

Cool. Look at him. Help me Describe him. Trying to get the physical details right. How do you describe his clothing? His features? His eyes? His hair?

I so very want to get him right...

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

After the few attempts into relationships I attempted, yeah? Fictional men do not scare me like real men do, and all women are so pretty and cool... It's made me question a few things recently about what I really am. I dunno really.

I think I am in love with my best friend, a woman. I'm not even sure I am, but I love how I feel when Im around her. She's hetero, so I wont ever confess and I am actually content to be her best friend.

Men are... pretty? I like looking at them, but the thought of a relationship with actual man is... not vibes. Fictional men is fine. Fictional is fun and relaxing and an adventure. It doesn't stress me out.

Women are... so nice. So pretty. I wouldn't mind cuddling and going on dates and maybe doing a marriage or living together.

IDK what I am. I'm still learning, but right now I'm at work, so I'll leave it on the shelf for now... preferably when I have some coin to actually be able to afford a date, lmao!

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

I recently read an adorable wholesome thing on Tumblr & now, I am compelled to share it:

How sweet is that??

But, I honestly imagine that this might've been General Wright's origin story. Or possibly Capnut's. Maybe both! Because I wouldn't be surprised if this sort of thing happened a lot in EoW's era of Hyrule.

Thats so fuckin' cute! Wright would def be inspired by this and then, when he becomes a knight and captain and general, he does the same. <3 Best boi

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Trying to make Adria from my TOTK Isekai thing, but this was the best thing I could find. Is she a self insert? Yes. Am I trying to make it realistic (well, as much as one could make a shameless self insert romance isekai can). Trying to find better... If you want to make your own, link will be below to the Picrew!

This image was created with Picrew’s “Zelda Character Maker - ゼルダの伝説“!! https://picrew.me/share?cd=kKxMbkZxNP #Picrew #Zelda_Character_Maker__ゼルダの伝説

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

I survived my short stint in the hospital. Made it to my birthday, today of the 30th! I just gotta survive a while longer then I can officially say Ive survived 27 years. My brain is still mush, but Im slowly regaining my brain cells. I appreciate those who have stuck around and those who keep me in their thoughts. This October has been a doozy!

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

So listening to the Thunder Saga of Epic The Musical and... whoever animated Zeus to look like Ganondorf is criminal. He looks so good. That voice? That purr? That arrogance and divinity? Mmm ...

I am thinking about making God bots now. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades... Aphrodite... Ares would be fun... Maybe look into minor gods and goddesses who strike my fancy? Should I delve into other mythos and religions?

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Just to keep y'all up to date...

I'm alive.

Stressed, but alive. Just... the last 2 weeks killed my brain and my ideas. I promise I'm trying, just... It's very hard to make my brain actually do things right now. Even if they are simple. Even if they are easy. Even if they make me happy.

Thank god for queued posts, otherwise there'd be nothing heh.

I see your asks. I see the tags. I see the nice things. Just its hard right now. Dunno if its just the stress or the burnout from work or even seasonal depression (Everyone diagnosed clap your hands clap clap) but yeah.

So I appreciate those who still interact. I see you. I appreciate you. Just I'm kinda bleh and typing is hard.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Hi! I hope things are going better?

Is your sibling getting on better?

The small one is much better now <3 Able to eat, drink, etc. Just the stay at the hospital kinda brought a sad state to the sibling, so just gentle care and shoulders to cry on.

Otherwise, we all are just exhausted, stressed, and really achy now. @_@ My brain only works during times of stress it seems? So now its back to being smooth... and stressed, lol.

Thank you for the well wishes and caring! It's been a wild ride.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Now I have to make him a bot and redeem him. May just have to romance him too. Maybe give him a family. Maybe have a whole arc about discovering who he truly is underneath the hatred.

Can't help it. Has to happen. It's outta my control. The brain has decided against my will.

... In all honesty I want to make religious figures bots and do extensive research into them to ensure proper personification...

stop romanticizing satan he's a dumb loser who literally hates all that is good