The Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time is filled with children embracing nature at every turn; from the plant homes they live in to the green lead-like clothes they wear. One particular Kokiri Child is liked by all, playing a song on her ocarina and always having kindness in her heart. Her love for the forest and all those in it are the traits is why she was entrusted with great power to protect it all. Her love, her wisdom and her childish charm makes her the perfect guardian for such a vibrant and wild part of lands. Artist GloriaDei reimagined Saria’s childish clothes and captured a protector, a guardian, a Sage of the Forest.
GloriaDei took up the challenge to draw Saria in their style as part of a Facebook Character Design Challenge Group. Each month, artists are challenged to draw a unique design based on a theme or character. When Saria came up as a prompt, GloriaDei redesigned the little spirit of the forest in their own style: a combination of 2D pencil work and digital illustration. Their work turned Saria into something whimsical, ancient, adorable and natural.
Gone is Saria’s short green jumpsuit and in its place is an elegant dress of green embellished with markings of gold. A gold-brown cloak wraps around her shoulders billowing in a soft breeze. A satchel hangs over her shoulder. Food for the animals inside perhaps, or maybe trinkets she finds through the woods, from those lost who might wish for their return. One can’t miss the ocarina by her hip or the green medallion hung around her neck. In her hand, a wooden staff twisting around to just above her height. Leaves still sprout from twigs and the top is a perfect home for a squirrel. Unlike her canon design, GloriaDei’s new design reflects the wisdom of being a Sage without sacrificing her childish heart.
When coming up with the design, GloriaDei had imagined Saria as a caretaker of the forest, not just a guardian. It was her responsibility to direct the balance of the ecosystem within her little realm and as always, she looks out for the small creatures that roam the woods. The birds sit on her hands, joining in with her tune. The rabbits hops to her feet, feeling safe bounding around her dress. The pose, the composition and even the color palette of GloriaDei’s work embrace the kindness in Saria’s heart and why she was chosen to be the Sage of the Forest.
The Sages of Ocarina of Time serve to protect Hyrule from darkness. They are strong, they are brave and care deeply about protecting all around them from harm. GloriaDei’s redesign of the character captures what Saria could have become after the events of Ocarina of Time. She may no longer need to be a Sage but she would continue to look over the forest. With every passing year, she would get wiser all while remaining young and hopeful, remembering the childhood friend she used to have.
