Desert

The Desert is the area that has undergone severe changes due to desertification. The region was originally known as the Lanayru Desert but became the Gerudo Desert after the Gerudo settled in the area. The region was once a vast sea and had a functioning port, presumably for exporting Timeshift Stone. The region began a sudden desertification several hundred years before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. When humans resettled the Surface at the end of the Sky Era, the Gerudo chose the region and it became the Gerudo Desert^[1].

People

The Gerudo Desert is mostly inhabited by the people of its namesake, the Gerudo. The Gerudo are a resilient people that have managed to thrive in the harsh arid conditions of the desert. Throughout history, several other groups have inhabited the region, including the Zuna, Ancient Robots, and an Ancient Lost Civilization.

Lanayru Period History

Creation

After creation, the desert region, formerly known as Lanayru, was a vast sea and the coastline had a functioning harbor.

Era of the Goddess Hylia

At the end of the Era of the Goddess Hylia, the desert began to undergo rapid desertification. The cause of this rapid change in the environment is unknown. While visiting the region during the events of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, an ancient robot explained to the Hero of the Sky that the desert was once home to an Ancient Lost Civilization. As the region was still a sea at the point, it would indicate that the Ancient Lost Civilization used the habitable land as their home before disappearing entirely.

Sky Era

Throughout the Sky Era, small patches of greenery could still be found throughout the region. with the most industrialized areas showing heavy desertification. By the end of the era, when humans began resettling the Surface, the Gerudo people chose the desert specifically and formed their own kingdom. The motivations behind their decision to settle the arid land are unknown.

Gerudo Period History

Era of Prosperity

The Gerudo of the Era of Prosperity were a high-functioning society that are noted to have displayed magical capabilities. The Gerudo, a matriarchal society were under the rule of Ganondorf, with Koume and Kotake at his side. By the end of the era, Ganondorf was sealed in the Imprisoning Chamber by Rauru.

Era of the Hero of Time

In the Era of the Hero of Time, the Gerudo are guarding and blocking access to the desert. Koume and Kotake are still controlling the tribe from the background. As time split in this era, there are several possible outcomes for the region. In one future, Nabooru, a Gerudo woman awakens as the Sage of Spirit. A new Ganondorf is the King of the Gerudo, but the reality of who that Ganondorf was is up for debate given the events of the King of the Gerudo from the Era of Prosperity.

Twilight Era

Following the events of one outcome the Era of the Hero of Time, the Arbiter’s Grounds is revealed as a prison and execution site, along with a mirror chamber holding the Mirror of Twilight, which was used to banish the Twili to the Twilight Realm. The Gerudo Tribe are not seen as much during this period, except for Ganondorf and a few residents of Hyrule with speculative origins.

Shadow Era

During the Shadow Era, the Gerudo were on good terms with the Kingdom of Hyrule once again. During this time, the Zuna were inhabiting the region along with the Gerudo people. A Large pyramid can be seen in the desert, which is said to be ancient. The exact period of construction for the pyramid is unknown and its relationship to the Lightning Temple is unclear.