CLOSED - 7.5 mil in Prizes - An OC & Creature Contest

What do you want to make?

A character.	36.7%	[ 18 ]
A creature.	34.7%	[ 17 ]
A world.	10.2%	[ 5 ]
A wild and wacky adventure!	18.4%	[ 9 ]
Total Votes:			[ 49 ]

[Once we were T]

Your Prompt:

Create a creature or character, from a completely fantastical world. It can be about lifeforms on the moon, or an inhabitant of an alien jungle, a bird-lady, the answer to a question (what if the dinosaurs never went extinct?), the personification of a color, a creature composed of crystal, a new take on a mythological beast, or whatever you like.

-= Deadline =-
Accepting Entries until March 10th at 12PM MST

What's the purpose of this contest?
I have this account, and a bunch of gold that I can't see myself using as school and work takes more and more of my time. So I'm giving it away before I go. Second, this is a contest idea that has always appealed to me--it's something I would enjoy doing myself, and I really love looking at others' creations.

- Note -
Deadline will be extended if there are fewer than ten entries by March 10th.

Do NOT draw my avatar. This is NOT an avatar contest. In fact.. if your entry is too Gaia-esque, rather than your own creation, you probably won't be able to win the contest.

[Once we were T]

Rules & Guidelines (please read carefully):
i. Even if you can make a science-fiction world, the strongest element should be fantasy. That is not to say, throw out research if you like to do research (haha), just make sure the end result is exotic.

ii. No fan-characters or fandoms of any kind. If I recognize something as a direct ripoff, theft, (rather than as inspiration,) etc... you will immediately be disqualified.

iii. You must follow the Gaia ToS. (No mature content, etc).

iv. Any of the suggestions in the prompt are okay if you don't have your own idea of where to start.

v. You may submit as many characters and creatures as you like, but can only win once.

vi. If you start from a mythological or fairytale creature, you must show how your particular take is unique. (i.e., a sparkly rainbow unicorn won't count for much).

vii. Be respectful and civilized.

viii. You must create a new character/creature for this prompt, please!

Format Rules
You may make the image in character sheet format if you like, but a blank or simple background is perfectly acceptable as well (it has no bearing on winning). What you do need, with each entry, is an explanation of what it is in about a paragraph (or more, if you want).

Keep in mind that I am judging this on three factors--the fantastical elements of each the artistic design of your character/creature, the backstory/concept behind your character/creature, and the overall effort

[Once we were T]

Gee, Tetriin, what are you going to do with my idea?
Nothing. It's yours. I am a big fan of fantasy and weird/fantastic characters and creatures and want to see more of them. Once, a long time ago, I started on a story based on a similar contest prompt, and it inspired a whole fantasy world that I've been making pictures for ever since. So hopefully you will find it fun, too.

Help, I don't have any ideas....
Most of the time, if you're struggling with an idea, your personal prompt is too broad. Try giving yourself a constraint. Make a list of themes that inspire you. How about water? Fire? Moonlight? Turn that into a question: what if there was a creature who lived off of moonlight? What would that creature look like? What does the moonlight theme mean to this creature? Does it have anything to do with the ideas we already hold of the moon? By narrowing it down, it will be much easier to create.

This is probably waaay more than you need, but here are some more world-building resources:
ProjectWorld on deviantART
World Builder Resources
Patricia C. Wrede's World-Building Questions

[Once we were T]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx-= Enter the Contest =-
xxxxxxxxxxxyou know you want to.....

Username:
What are you submitting? (Describe and name your character or creature in a short paragraph or more.)
Image: (Please link it or use a thumbnail rather than pasting a large image).
Page #: (So it's easier for me to keep track)
Your Gallery/Samples: (Optional)
Other Info:

[Once we were T]

-= Categories =-

Best Overall: 3,000,000 gold
Best Idea: 2,000,000 gold
Best Character: 1,000,000 gold
Best Creature: 1,000,000 gold

-=If exceeding of 20 entries, there are two additional categories=-

Most Intriguing World: Padmavati's Lotus (worth approx. 300k as of this writing).
Most Touching: Captain Ara's Nestegg (worth 200k aprox as of this writing).


-=Notice=-
For the Best Idea and Most Intriguing World categories, you can win with minimal artistic skill, as long as the idea is interesting.

Also, if you wish, you may substitute your prize for some of my art. Or maybe we can come up with some sort of in-between compromise--a drawing for half your gold prize. Or take the gold. xD

[Once we were T]

I prefer you post here to a PM, because it's easier to keep track of entries. Feel free to PM me questions about the contest, though.

-=Entries=-
1. X-haduri (Angelie)
2. Zetsubou Ninja (albus dolicho-ehynchos)
3. Marukawabubblegum (Water Skipper)
4. Classical Hands - Plant reptile (herba reptilia)
5. jordahn19 (Landon) (Shar) (Decealia and Dontan) (Male Shandars, Whimsaily, Rabpiggly)
6. Pixie Postal Service (Salm'Sare)
7. loud ox (Brandmunkittel)
8. Tirannaniel (Project 31)
9. OkiPookySaylor-sama (Divu Saskaroties Skaistums)
10. Iyubov (She who lies beneath the blue)
11. Nye U-chan (LIMITLESS)
12. Chocobosweet (Moltnir)
13. Ephemeral-Insanity (Acua-DragoCampus)
14. x wildfyre x (Ariella)
15. Faylun (Sirenia, the Aubade)
16. Kawari Taizu (Sampson the Ten Armed Monster, Serra)
17. Fruity-Parfait (Leize & Rei, tree, Eaidun, Pahana)
18. Fintwint (http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m423/hagirlya/Elephine-1.jpg)
19. Amai Orenji (Olkrum, Kraedo and Kuro: Panels 1 & 2, Panels 3 & 4, Panels 5 & 6, Full Front View, Full Back View)
20. J U PA N I E E (Project Digitalis)
21. Epic Aki (Kayne)

-=Additional Questions and FAQ=-

Is a group of different creatures in the same picture okay?
Yes!

[Once we were T]

another bump or so to get started and we'll be good to go...

[Once we were T]

-=Affiliates=-