The Gerudo Religion is centered upon the worship of a deity known as Gandora - her name, however, is considered sacred, and is spoken only by her clerics. In casual conversation, she is referred to as the Goddess of the Sand, the Spirit Goddess, or the Goddess of Spirit. Some refer to her simply as ‘the goddess’, as although they do include Hylia and the three Golden Goddesses in their pantheon, she is their primary deity.
To speak Gandora’s name without being one of her clerics is considered DISRESPECTFUL, in most situations. This isn’t an issue that commonly occurs, however, as few beyond the Gerudo themselves actually know her name. To take her name in vain is unheard of among their people, and will earn you the ire of nearly every Gerudo who hears you say such things if you dare do so.
There is no differentiation between ‘priests’ and ‘priestesses’ within their religion; cleric is the accepted term for any who guide others through the worship of Gandora, regardless of their gender. Some have misconstrued them as Shamans, thanks to their connection to spirits, however this is not a title they claim for themselves, much the same as the title of priestess. Whether or not they will accept being referred to as such depends on the individual; some will offer a terse smile in response, some will accept it in stride, and others will correct you with their proper title of cleric.
It is the duty of a Cleric of Gandora to ensure that the cycle of rebirth is not interrupted or halted in any way. They specialize in soothing the souls of the dead, and guiding lost souls much like their goddess’s poes do throughout Hyrule. In the eyes of Gandora, there is no ‘happy’ or ‘friendly’ haunting; there are only souls who need to be laid to rest, so that they may rejoin the cycle and be born anew.
Those who have trained to become a cleric of Gandora are gifted with the ability to see and communicate with both spirits and poes without any need for magical aid. Though some spirits may try to hide themselves from the living, a Cleric of Spirit can sense and ultimately see them despite their desire to not be seen.
Another skill known to the clerics of Gandora is the secret to viewing the spirit of one yet living, though the abilities gifted by such knowledge very. Some clerics are able to guide a living spirit through their past life, allowing them to relive moments and lessons through a trance like state. Others are able to sense the age or nature of someone’s soul, and to identify magical or spiritual prowess within their hearts. Truly gifted Clerics are able to take advantage of all of the teachings of Gandora, earning them the title of Divine.
It is not uncommon to find a cleric undertaking a task or a quest given by a lingering spirit to help lay them to rest. Ferrying messages to the living, or finishing unfinished business, is a very common occurrence for a Cleric of Spirit.
To violent ghosts, or spirit-like creatures, a Cleric of Gandora is a powerful enemy. While their skillset and teachings encourage them to aid souls peacefully, they are not without the means to defend themselves should a spirit refuse to let go. Gifted with Divine magic, they are fully capable of both defeating a spiritual enemy, and marking them upon their return to the goddess as one who has done wrong. It is these marked souls, who have been lead forcefully to Gandora by her clerics, who often become Poes.
As a rule, the clerics of Gandora oppose all acts of necromancy, and find the undead distasteful at best. It is the way of their religion to defeat such creatures, though the primary teaching is not to destroy them for destruction’s sake, but to release the souls trapped within.
