This story takes place in a jungle surrounded with mystery and guarded by a god sent beast
Kara is a quirky little girl who lives in a village within the jungle. In her village it is tradition that every boy grows up to become a brave warrior so that they may bring food home to their families and protect the village. And it is tradition that every little girl is given by their mother a patron goddess to guide them along their path through life and that they should aspire to take on the qualities of that goddess. Usually girls are given goddesses of fertility and motherhood so that they may become the best wives for their husbands and mothers for their children. However, Kara's mother wanted Kara to become a strong and independent person so she was given the goddess Karadica, the goddess of justice and order, as her patron goddess (this was also how she got her name, but shortened). Having this goddess was out of the norm of the village so Kara has become a bit of an outcast amongst the kids in the village. Kara often plays by herself in the jungle, making up stories, and going on her own daring adventures with her Karadica doll.
The guardian beast of the jungle was sent by the gods to guard the jungle and help it to grow and flourish when the world was first being formed. Kara's village used to be aware of the beast but over generations he has been forgotten. The village now tells the story of an ancient monster that stalks the jungle and it is every warriors dream to strike him down and prove himself as the greatest warrior of them all. The beast lives in a temple deep within the jungle where no human dares to go. His defining characteristic is that the foliage on his back changes with his emotions. When he is calm his back bares lush green leaves, when he is sad his back sprouts a shallow pool that trickles down his body along with his tears, and when he is enraged his back shoots out thick thorn bushes that can be used as weapons.
Kara finds the beast one day in the jungle. The beast, not having human contact in centuries, is about to attack her but upon seeing her Karadica doll, noticing her as one of the goddesses that brought him here, he drops to his knees and becomes friendly towards Kara. They become friends and play everyday. Kara tries to tell her parents about the beast, but they don't believe her (she often tells crazy stories).
Kaz is Kara's older brother. He is a sarcastic boy and likes to annoy Kara to make her mad. He is of the age where boys are meant to go into the jungle and strike down their first animal and take its tooth and wear it around their neck as a sign of manhood and of becoming a warrior. Unfortunately Kaz isn't a very good warrior and often comes back from hunting trips with his father empty handed and disappointed. Kaz actually witnesses Kara and the beast playing in the jungle and hopes to strike down the beast one day and take his tooth and prove that he is a great warrior like his father.
Kara and Kaz's parents. Kara's mother is very loving towards her children and encourages Kara in her wild adventures. Because of her choice to give Kara an non-traditional goddess, she has also become a bit of an outcast amongst the other women of the village. Kara's father is a very strong man, but easily irritated, he puts great pressure on Kaz to become a warrior. Kara's father is revered as one of the greatest warriors in their village and he hopes that Kaz will become one as well.
Some of the kids in the village. The two girls could be called the "Mean Girls" of the village. They often tease Kara about being so weird and how she will never find a husband.
The village elder. He once saw the beast when he was younger, but believed him to be evil. He is one of the people who enforces that the beast is dangerous and to never go into the deeper parts of the jungle.
Kara's secret hideout in the jungle. Its a little spot surrounded by trees that she plays in by herself.
The temple that beast lives in. Inside is a rock inscribed with the ancient writing of the gods that says that he is the guardian of this jungle and a servant of the gods. At night the writing on the rock glows and comforts the beast while he sleeps.
Some sketches!
Some ideas of what Karadica could look like
I've had this story in my head for a while so it was fun to flesh it out a bit and create my own tribe, gods, characters, and some environments to go along with it!
