[ Poll ] Sabin & Sam's AC - Awards Ceremony starts page 222!

Visitor count!

+1 Person ^.^		95.6%	[ 612 ]
I'm just a mule, I've been here before.		4.4%	[ 28 ]

Total Votes: 640

[Quinn Stevens]

At this point, the contest is officially closed to new entries.

The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, September 6 and 5pm CST. Timezone Map - this is subject to change if something unexpected happens, but this sounds like it will be the best time and allow us to make final decisions and write everything up smile You do NOT need to be present to win your award, but it should be fun ^.^
Thank you all SO much!

Hello and welcome to Sabin Duvert and Sam Skip Sam's joint art contest!
Both of us have been around Gaia for some time. Sabin has run or co-run eight other art contests since he joined Gaia in 2003. Sam Skip Sam joined in early 2004 and has run two and assisted two others. And today we join forces to bring... a pretty large contest! Both of us are looking for artwork of our original characters! We are both long-time collectors of artwork of our characters. We love to see different peoples' intrepretations of our characters and peoples' varied art styles.
So welcome, and feel free to take a look around!

SUMMARY

Ends: Sunday, Aug 2, 2009 at 11:59 PM CST (at least a WIP due by this point)
Final versions due No later than: Sunday, August 16, at 11:59 CST (You have until this point to finish up previously submitted WIPs)
Award Ceremony: Sunday September 6 at 5pm CST You do NOT need to be present to win~!
Prize Pot: About 150 Million Gold in prizes!
Entry Fee: NONE! We don't believe in them.
Entries Page: Visual Entries / Written Entries

Table of Contents

• Post 1 = You are here! Introduction
  
• Post 2 = Entries & Entry Form
  
• Post 3 = PRIZES
  
• Post 4 = Rules
  
• Post 5 = Sam Skip Sam's Characters: Overview
  
• Post 6 = Sam's Characters 1: Heroes
  
• Post 7 = Sam's Characters 2: Others
  
• Post 8 = Sam's Characters 3: Villains
  
• Post 9 = Sabin Duvert's Characters: Overview
  
• Post 10 = Sabin's Character: Sabin Duvert
  
• Post 11 = Sabin's Character: Ethan Cuskley
  
• Post 12 = Sabin's Character: Ambrose Maurlias
  
• Post 13 = FAQ
  
• Post 14 = Need Inspiration?
  
• Post 15 = Links and Affiliates

Art used in banner by Hakubaikou, MayaMage2, Crisscoula, Sayael, and Sam Skip Sam

[Quinn Stevens]

ENTRIES PAGE
Photobucket of Visual Entries
Directory for Written Entries
Updated periodically.
Only finished pieces are put on the page, not WIPs. Don't bug us about your piece not being up UNLESS you see a piece up that was submitted after yours. We update the page when time allows and we have enough new submissions to warrant one. We shouldn't miss any. wink

ENTRY FORM

exclaim OMG ENTRY! exclaim
Your Gaia Name:
Character(s) Depicted:
Medium Used:
Post or Link to Entry:

[b][color=red][size=18]:!: OMG ENTRY![/b][/color]:!:[/size]
[b]Your Gaia Name:[/b]
[b]Character(s) Depicted[/b]:
[b]Medium Used:[/b]
[b]Post or Link to Entry:[/b]

Banner art by Sam Skip Sam

[Quinn Stevens]

Rules for Entering & More Information

• Each entry must include at least one of Sabin and/or Sam Skip Sam's listed characters on the front page ((Sabin Duvert, Ambrose Maurlias, Ethan Cuskley, one of the two under heroes, others, and villains in Sam's)) and may contain additional ones that are 'linked' to them as noted in their sections.
  
• Images will be posted to my server as-is. If you want an image to be watermarked when posted online, please add your own watermark or include a watermarked version when you submit your entry. For example, in small print somewhere unobtrusively on the piece, Image (c) you, Character/Characters (c) Arania ((for Sabin)) or Sam Skip Sam
  
• The contest runners (Sabin Duvert and Sam Skip Sam) reserve the rights to use the artwork submitted for purposes such as posting them to the characters' online profiles, printing out a copy for personal use/collection, or using the image in whole or in part as a banner/signature. All credit for the artwork will be given to the artist, and we will never distribute or sell copies of the artwork. Likewise, the artists are welcome to post, etc the artwork as long as credit for the characters are given to their respective owners. While the contest entries are currently being hosted on a photobucket account, we will likely eventually upload the images to the respective characters' pages. See the rule above if you would like a watermark on the image. But please no big, covering, unsightly ones unless you submit an other version as well.
  
• All artwork submitted for the contest must be ORIGINAL works by YOU. Any instances of art theft will result in the person entering being disqualified and reported. If you have an artist friend who is not on Gaia that is willing to enter on your behalf, then please please have them submit the work themsleves via email (arania(@)kamiki(dot)net). Be sure they clearly state the name they want to be credited for and which Gaia username they are entering on behalf of.
  
• All artwork must be drawn specifically for this contest - If you drew for one of us before, then you can not submit a previously-drawn piece. On that note, if you happened to draw a character who resembles one of our characters, you may not submit that either.
  
• The contest ends Sunday, Aug 2, 2009 at 11:59 PM CST. At this point, a WIP (work in progress) may be submitted for preliminary judging purposes. All WIPs at this point in time will be automatically granted an extention. The extention will be given up until Sunday, August 16, at 11:59 CST for the FINAL version to be submitted. The awards ceremony will take place probably a few days after the final extention, DATE TBA..
  
• Each entry is only eligible to win one prize. Priority is, of course, given to the higher value prize that a piece is eligible for. However, each artist can potentially win multiple prizes if they enter multiple pieces. Additionally, if an artist enters several pieces of work and those pieces together are more competitive for a single prize than any piece alone, then multiple entries might be considered for one appropriate category.
  
• Each announced category must have at least one entry from four different people for the prize to be awarded. This can be waived at the end of the contest as per judge's discretion. If a category is not awarded, then the gold/items will be used to create a new category during judging OR to allow another category to have a tie or runner up.
  
• You may post a WIP (work in Progress) or a revision of an entry, but when you do, do not use the entry form - it will just cause confusion ><. Only use the entry form when you are submitting your actual entry (for the first time).
  
• When showing a WIP (or even before you begin), you may ask us for feedback or critiques, or ask questions if something comes up that was not on the characters' profile pages. We can let you know if we spot an error, etc. We will not critique/correct a WIP unless specifically asked to do so.
  
• If you do not want anyone to comment on or critique your work, then please say so when posting the image.
  
• Entries that contain mature content (above a PG-13 rating) CAN NOT be displayed or submitted here. Please refer to the sticky in the forum note about PG-13 and Gaia TOS Here to clarify. If you have a piece that you think might be too revealing, then PM the piece to Sabin Duvert, and it will be censored for display.
  
• Both graphical artwork of ANY medium and writing entries are viable for this contest. See the FAQ if you have any further questions about what sort of writing is valid. The only exceptions are the following rules:
  
• NO Dolls or Avatar edits.
  
• The only acceptable form of writing entries acceptable for this contest are STORIES. No poems. Stories can be vignettes, short stories, or longer stories. However, stories may contain original poetry.
  

Rules for The Thread

• Please read the first page before asking questions. The FAQ should answer a lot. If you have a question not in the rules or FAQ, then you are welcome to ask in the thread (do not PM questions).
  
• If you are going to comment or critique another person's piece or WIP (work in progress) that they have posted, try to keep the comments constructive. Don't just say "OMG that's great!" Say what you like about it. smile On the same note, don't say something like "That sucks!". You may give some polite critiques on the entry unless the person submitting it declines feedback. Let's keep a positive, encouraging environment here!
  
• Check the drama at the door. Arguments or other personal matters should not be discussed in the thread.
  
• Bumping and chit-chat is highly encouraged!
  
• IF, when the contest is over, you have questions as to why judgements were made on which entries win - then come to us and ask privately.

Banner art by Hakubaikou

[Sam Skip Sam]

Overview

1995. Four friends have stumbled upon rising dead in the forest near their town of Maplewood, reanimated bodies inhabited by demonic spirits. They are forced to fight these creatures to save their friends as well as their town, and the story follows their adventures over the next eleven years. They encounter beasts, liches, curses, and a few ancient forces that sweep the battle into a much larger scale in history, even taking them back to the cause of the plague of nonliving in the first place!

The story is broken into six arcs, spanning one year each, with a five-year gap between the third and fourth year, during which time the invasion transforms much of the earth into an apocalyptic scenario where zombies are prevalent.

Read more in the character and 'what I'd like to see' sections for information on what to draw. There is also a wiki to provide more information.

Notes

My characters are all from the same universe and converge upon the same time period but are broken into three sections: Heroes, Villains, and Others. The Others section simply means they are characters outside the core group but have large roles in the story at one point or another.

Each of these characters in each section you may draw with one another, or with any of the characters from Heroes, Villains, and Others on the wiki. The only limitation is you cannot draw a character on the wiki that is not with one of the six presented in my three sections.

Crossovers-

There is a historical timeline where the gang goes back in time to the late 19th century to chase an artifact of power and run into a few conspiring immortals. This is a good chance for not only period entries, but also encounters with Sabin's characters. Be free to invent. Read on...

[Sam Skip Sam]

Heroes

Sand

click the image to be taken to his FULL PROFILE page


Name:Sand Hull

Race: Human/Minotaur(Were-Creature)

Age: 17 at start of war, 27 at end.

Bio: Strong, emotionally grounded, and reliable, Sand is the solid base of the group of friends that makes war with the demons of their home town, Maplewood. The mayhem of battle and the array of enchantment that comes with fighting a supernatural war leaves him an unusual and ancient curse- the ability to transform into a humanoid half-bull creature known as a minotaur. This form allows him superior strength and the ability to lose, if temporarily the nickname of 'shorty'.
He survives the drawn-out war, his body worn out and fatigued from repeatedly changing between forms over the years.

Who He Knows: His best friend, Joey. His girlfriend Erika and close friend River, the others, as well as all of the villains. More on each of these relationships is available on his character page.

References: {x} {x} {x} {x} {x} {x} {x} {x}

NOTE: You can draw him in full minotaur form, I'd like to see that just as much as human form entries!


*
*
*
*

Joey

click the image to be taken to his FULL PROFILE page


Name: Joey Harris

Race: Human/Demon (Soulmerged)

Age: 17 at start of war, 25 upon death, 17 at end of war (time travel).

Bio: Funny, stylish, and deeply emotional, Joey is the passion and drive of the group of friends saving Maplewood. Unfortunately, after a zombie's bite goes too long without treatment, he turns, taken over by a demon. Immortal and Wiccan shop owner Mirra knows the only way to save him is to bind his soul with the demon's spirit and revive his body. Still outwardly human, he transforms into a fearsome demon when he gets very angry. Much more gruesome than Sand's shapeshifting, Joey actually sheds his human flesh off and the demon emerges from beneath, then when reverting back to human the demon skin sheds off. He has to eat voraciously to keep himself from weakening and dying. Over the years the demon in him progresses to take over his psyche, and in his increasingly horrific mental state, he decides to abandon his friends and become a rogue. Later recruited by the evil influence of Akella, he causes much chaos before finally being killed by Callie, but Erika later travels time in her grief to extract him from the past (with consideration of consequence of course), where he then lives on after the war aged ten years less than his surviving friends and with mixed memories of what happened over the course of the war.

Who He Knows: His best friend, Sand. His other close friends Erika and River, his relationship with Bethany, as well as the rest of the others, as well as all of the villains. More on each of these relationships is available on his character page.

References: {x} {x}

NOTE: You can draw him in full demon form, I'd like to see that just as much as human form entries!

Banner art by Romipen

[Sam Skip Sam]

The Others

Bethany

click the image to be taken to her FULL PROFILE page


Name: Bethany Thamzen

Race: Human

Age: 21 at start of war, 22 upon death

History:
She's cold, solitary, and tough... a lone wolf. Also very beautiful. The death of her older sister and another friend at the hands of demons from another gate makes her a fierce, brutal fighter who will sometimes aim her violence sloppily and take her anger out on people. She is a gritty street fighter to the bone.
She came blazing into Westville with Quinn and Callie on the back of a red pickup truck. After Quinn was murdered at the hands of Drake and Callie decided to return to Chicago, she was left a mess, losing her strength and resolve to heavy drinking and smoking. Joey managed to break through her hard exterior and she reluctantly began helping out him, Sand, River, and Erika rather than pushing them aside. They became involved, as she was attracted to his twisted demonic/human nature.

She is slashed across the stomach with a knife by Drake, and dies upon a pier by the lake, an event that shook the foundations of the group for the rest of their years-long struggle.

Who She Knows: Her best friend, Quinn, her eventual love interest Joey, the rest of the heroes, and the villain Drake. She does not live long enough to meet the others.

References:
{x} {x} {x}

Character Profile by Saraneth 6th Bell


*
*
*
*

Donovan

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3666/donovan2.jpg
Name:Donovan

Race: Human

Age: 22 at start of war, 26 at end

History:
Donovan enters the scene close to the final battle against Drake, and is a demon hunter from a group in Los Angeles. He pays no matter to whether or not the group accepts him, he simply straightforwardly offers assistance and some advice on the coming battle.

In the second arc, he discovers the nature of Josephyne's power, a secret he confronts her with. In response, she turns him into a goat to keep him from blowing her cover.

In the sixth arc, Donovan finally becomes human again after a ruse tricks Akella into making him human to get information out of him.

Who He Knows: All of the heroes and other characters, as well as Josephyne, Akella, and Drake, whom he has various encounters with.

References: {x} {x}

[Sam Skip Sam]

Drake

click the image to be taken to his FULL PROFILE page

Name: Drake

Race: Demon

Age: 1

History:
Drake is the primary villain of the first story arc and was created to act essentially as General over the zombies in Maplewood, tasked with planning attacks and takeovers, such as the morgue and army base. He was 'forged' from bone and flesh of human sacrifice deep in the woods to an audience of zombies. This successful creation of a human form with a demonic conscious was a step forward for the invasion and allowed the strengths of a non-decaying body.
His efforts were very successful at first, recruiting fresh bodies from the morgue and war equipment from the army base, as well as killing Quinn. Over time, however, his contact with the mortal world revealed a flaw in this minion- he was growing a conscience and emotion.


Who He Knows: The only human he talks to once gaining a conscience, Bethany, his overseer Alshik, the villains Akella and Agani (as a zombie) and of course the rest of the heroes.

References: {x} {x}

Character Profile art by Sam Skip Sam


*
*
*
*

Akella

click the image to be taken to her FULL PROFILE page

Name: Akella

Race: Human, heavy demonic influence

Age: about 3,000

History:
Akella is one of two of the seven original immortals alive, and uses her powers for selfish goals. She has the power of mind control, to the point of making someone act as her complete puppet, as well as the ability to shapeshift into any person she wants. She is also a versatile warrior and is frighteningly tall, employing a double-ended spear with diamond-like spearheads that she twirls dexterously to saw through opponents.

She is the primary villain of the third and sixth arcs.

Who She Knows: She has a connection to virtually every character in the story, whether it be posing as them in the historical timeline, or battling them during the course of the war. She kills Erika in the sixth arc but is finally killed by Sand in the epic conclusion.

References: {x} {x}

Character Profile art by Sam Skip Sam

[Sabin Duvert]

Overview of Sabin's Characters

For the purpose of this art contest, I am spotlighting my three primary characters: Sabin Duvert, Ambrose Maurlias, and the newest addition to my core characters and new to the contest scene, Ethan Cuskley. Any entry for me must contain at least one of the above characters smile

All three of my characters are from different storylines, however, crossover entries where one might meet another/others of them are perfectly eligible.

There are a few things that all three of my characters have in common:

- All three of these characters have alterante forms. They normally appear human, or mostly human, but each one is something different. Ethan is half-demon. Ambrose is a werewolf. And Sabin was possessed by an original creation called an Anju (a sort of a shadowy manifestation of fear - read more in his profile). Entries can depict them in either (or both!) of their forms smile Or transforming between one form and another!

- All three of them are originally from real-world based historical settings with a magical undertone. Ambrose is from 17th Century France, during the time of the Musketeers. Ethan is from the American Colonies in the 18th Century, though has been spending time sailing - to the Caribbean and beyond. Sabin Duvert is from the 19th Century, and spent a good amount of time in his birth country of France as well as England.

- For fun, I have also developed modern cognates of each of the characters.
Sabin's timeline projects into the modern era, and it is the same character, just older (but not necessarily wiser). Being possessed by an Anju has left him ageless.
Ethan and Ambrose have alternate modern version storylines - placing them being from the modern era. However, projections of the historical versions into the modern era would also be perfectly acceptable entries (for you writers out there!) The Character profiles will focus on the original, historical versions of the characters, but will have notes and links to info about the modern versions. Entries of historical OR modern versions are perfectly fine smile

- These characters don't exist in isolation! They know people! I will have information about other significant characters in their lives. While those characters cannot be depicted independently in an entry, they can be depicted in art or writing with my characters. If you're a writer, and feeling particularly inspired, you can even decide to do a mix and match crossover between one character and a friend/SO of another character.

banner art by Tremolo and Ratbat

[Sabin Duvert]

Victorian-Sabin

click the image to be taken to his FULL PROFILE page


Name: Sabin Duvert

Race: Human/Anju (Shadow Creature)

Setting: Victorian Horror

Character Reference Sheet: Here

Bio (in a tiny nutshell): Smart, inquisitive, and with a longing to know more about the world, Sabin knew he couldn't stay in his tiny French hometown his whole life. Since he was a boy, he dabbled in the occult and had an unhealthy obsession with monsters eventually cost him dearly when he was tricked into summoning a creature of nightmare called an Anju into his own body. He had been possessed by a terrifying monster, the likes of which he had been fascinated with as a boy. The possession was a terrible experiencing, causing him to lose someone important to him, making him dangerous to other people around him, and nearly costing himself his life and sanity. Sabin had to learn the only way to keep his darker half from winning control of his life was to merge with it.

Who He Knows: His wife (after merging with the Anju), Samantha Blaire. Also his good friends Tavis and Wolf, and others from the Victorian Legends Cast.

Best References: Human, Anju, True Form

Banner art and Character Profile by GlassShard


*
*
*
*

Modern-Sabin

Sabin, since then

Name: Sabin Duvert

Race: Human/Anju (Shadow Creature)

Setting: Modern -> Gaia

Bio: Years later, after Sabin's merging with the Anju in his nature, and his marriage to Samantha, he survives up to the modern era. Samantha finally becomes pregnant in the 70's (after a very special ... session) and gives birth to twins - Eric and Alexandria (Alex for short). In order to give them a chance at a normal life, Sabin and Samantha integrate themselves into a very normal identity. Samantha as a veternarian, Sabin as a University professor of Anthropology/Folklore. They don't tell the children about their magical natures. Eric and Alex are born looking mostly human - their eyes are dark brown/almost burgandy color, Eric with curly brown hair, Alex with straighter hair. Their teeth are slightly pointed, and their nails grow fast. Iron would be hot to the touch for them. Eric was very much like his father - finding his job very interesting, and always wanting to be something special, interested in gaming and roleplaying, and the like. Alex, on the other hand, always had the feeling that the family wasn't quite normal, and it scared her. With a desire to be popular and fit in she dyes her hair blonde, and tries to integrate herself into the popular crowd.
They find out about the time they're 14 (this is a general age - you can tweak if you want), after a difficult discussion. Eric takes it very well, Alex doesn't.

More information about the modern version of Sabin can be found at the bottom of Sabin's Main Page

Other things of interest/amusement - Sabin is still a very quirky individual, obsessed with mythology and monsters. He is a strict carnivore, he games with his son, and is a very quirky professor. Woe be to those who fall asleep in his classroom - as they tend to wake up screaming from a nightmare twisted The first time a semester Sabin would warn them passively 'not to sleep in his class' - after that he would look over to them as they sleep, not say anything, and keep on narrating as they wake up... whee

Who He Knows: His wife, Samantha Blaire, his children Eric & Alex.

Alternate Storylines - There are two alternate storylines that split off from the above in the early 2000s begining with Samantha's tragic death in a car accident. One leads to a backstory for Sabin coming to Gaia and meeting Kamiki. The other has him getting involved with a modern Island of Dr. Moreau storyline.

Best References: See the references above for Victorian-era Sabin for his general appearance.
Modern-clothed refs: X, x

Banner Art by Dragonflie

[Sabin Duvert]

Ethan Cuskley

click the image to be taken to his FULL PROFILE page


Name: Ethan Cuskley

Race: Half Demon

Setting: 18th Century Seafaring

Character Reference Sheet:Here

Bio: Ethan was raised by his single mother in colonial Virginia, the mere fact alone ostracized him and his mother from the rest of the small religious community. Little did Ethan know that the accusations of the villagers, calling him a child of a demon, were actually true. The intricate silver Celtic cross that his mother bestowed on him as a babe - and instilled in him to never take off - acted as a powerful charm to make him appear human, with the only tell being an extra finger on his left hand. When his mother disappeared the night before his 16th birthday, Ethan had nothing keeping him in the village. He set off to find his father - going only off of a name of a visitor to the village that passed through at about the right time, a sailor named Dyson Graves.
Despite his demonic heritage, Ethan's personality is anything but when he sets out to make his way in the world. He was raised with strong values of right and wrong, according to his mother's Celtic-Catholic beliefs ((a highly syncretized version of the old Celtic beliefs into Christianity)). He is naive and very impressionable, enthusiastic and curious. He's emerging into the big world and out to experience things, and strongly desired to actually make friends and make people like him.

Who He Knows:
- Amaki - Ethan's best friend and a real Geisha from Japan... (who is the character also featured in the banner for this section smile )
- Dorian - An English nobleman with a skill in the sword turned sailor in search of adventure and a way to put his name in the history books.
- Alrik - A man of Norse barbarian ancestry, and ex-pirate.
- Quinton - An English inventor afraid to get his hands dirty
- Solesh - An Egyptian swordsman member of a cult of Ra
- Tanek - An elderly Polish scientist
((More information about these characters is found at the top of THIS page.


Best References:
Human-form: x, x
Demon Form: Design Sketch, x, x

Character Profile by Reiben Prince
Banner Art by Sayael

Ethan Cuskley: Modern Incarnation

Name: Ethan Cuskley (click to read more info about a modern storyline).

Race: Half Demon

Setting: Modern

Bio: A modern cognate of the historical storyline, described in detail here. But in a nutshell, Ethan's mother is a widow who ran a New Age bookstore, distraught by the loss of her husband to cancer, and who delved into darker studies in her grief and disillusionment. While she regretted her deviation from her beliefs later, not before she became pregnant with Ethan. Similarly, she raised him unaware of his true nature, thanks to the Celtic Cross around his neck. She coddled him, homeschooling him up until High School...

Who He Knows: His mother, Rosemary. Depictions with his father, Dyson Graves, could also be done. Additionally, modern versions of other characters that my chraracters know could be introduced into the backdrop modern storyline (ie, Angelina, a rendition of Amaki, etc).

Best References: See historical references. I do not have any modern-version Ethan art yet!
I envision his clothing style to be indicative of his upbringing by an "Earth Friendly" parent (natural fibers, hemp jewelry, cargo-esque pants, sandals, etc).
Banner Art by GunnerRomantic

[Sabin Duvert]

Swashbuckling Ambrose
Historical/Fantasy Version Ambrose. Click the image for his FULL profile

Name: Ambrose Maurlias

Race: Werewolf - Best Human form pic

Setting: Swashbuckling Horror / Ravenloft

Reference Sheet: Here

Bio: All Ambrose ever wanted to do was make his father proud. Quickly climbing the ranks in the Musketeers, Ambrose's life was turned upside down when his ship ended up wrecking in another plane called Ravenloft. This corrupt land full of unthinkable horrors tests the boundries of Amrbose's sanity. Infected with lycanthropy, he journied throughout the dark ways desperately seeking a way home from the cursed land.


Story Aftermath: Finally finding a way to escape the dread realms, Ambrose, Angelina, and a small remainder of their original party made it back to their homeworld. However with their return, many horrors from the Realms escaped with them. Only after questing to defeat the Dark Lords in their own world could they finally settle down and start a family.
See the "TEN Years Later" section that begins near the bottom of this page

Who He Knows: His fiance (later, wife), Angelina
*NOTE: When Drawing Angelina, THISoutfit (no pointed ears) she wears essentially up to the feyrealm, which is when Ambrose really starts to finally accept what he is becoming. Anything afterwards, THIS Outfit (with the pointed ears) is appropriate. After they get back to France and settle in for the happy life of a Duke and Duchess, you can draw her in more formal outfits.

Best References: X X X X

Banner art by GunnarRomantic
Character Profile art by LoboLeo

High School Ambrose
Modern Ambrose. Click the image for his FULL profile

Name: Ambrose Maurlias

Race: Werewolf

Setting: Modern / High School

Reference Sheet:: Here

Bio: Ambrose, starting as a sophmore in High School with family issues and trying to deal with a conflict of who he is and who he wants to be, a girl he likes but knows would not be approved of, deals with lycanthropy as a case of a family curse that skips generations, and various and sundry complications.

Full Storyline: Click Here

Who He Knows: His Girlfriend, Angelina. She generally dresses punk-ish. Her best references Her General Appearance (not normal clothing) / Appearance and general clothing / Clothing style


Best References: X, X, X
His Hybrid-form is well represented by the swashbuckling-version (including the long hair)

Note: There are other versions of Modern Ambrose described in more detail on the website (Such as an Island of Dr. Moreau version). Those are acceptable to draw, but I would prefer the "high school" (or perhaps after highschool?) Version.

Character Art by Auriana
Banner art by Damalia

[Quinn Stevens]

Q: Can I submit an entry with both Sabin and Sam's characters in it?
A: Yes you may. However, keep in mind that in their canon storylines, none of the characters have met each other. Furthermore, each of Sabin's three characters submitted are from separate storylines. Writing entries in particular might be able to draw upon the characters and write "Crossover" pieces of them meeting up.

Q: Can I draw/write Ambrose with Sabin into the picture/scene when they don't normally "know" each other? How about Ethan and Drake?
A: Yes - these are considered for the "crossover" category. See above smile

Q: Eep! I don't have anywhere to host my finished picture! What can I do?
A: No problem ^_^. I will accept artwork in ANY way you can get it to me ^^. First off, you can try the free image hosting at www.photobucket.com - BUT I know that it limits the space you have, and if you have a high quality image you may not want to use it. Also, if you want, you can email me a piece at arania(at)kamiki.net. I (Sabin) am collecting the artwork since I am the one compiling and hosting the images. The standard way to submit, of course, is posting to the thread. You CAN PM me an image IF YOU HAVE TO - but I would really prefer if you are already hosting the image to just post it so there's less chance I'll lose track of it ^_~ Finally, if you have NO scanning method and you're really desperate and you did it in real media, you could mail it to me as long as it got here before the date. For this, contact me ^_~.

Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: Certainly NOT! You shouldn't have to pay me to draw for us - quite the opposite!

Q: Does it have to be in color?
A: No! Not at all - some of the best pictures we've seen are done with high-detail black and white!

Q: what media can I use?
A: Any media you like! Pencil, pen, markers, watercolors, CG of all types, glitter and glue, we're not picky ^^

Q: Can I write instead of draw?
A: Yes! We accept -all- forms of art, including Writing if that's your forte ^_^. Writing is definitely considered an art form and writing entries will be qualified for any category it is applicable for. HOWEVER, if you choose to enter a writing entry, it MUST be a story, not a poem. Poetry is only acceptable if it is part ofa larger story context. Stories do not have to be LONG, but they must be stories.

Q: What do you mean by writing entry? What can I write?
A:We accept any sort of story writing, from vignettes and short stories, to longer stories. When writing a story, think about the leeway people generally have when writing a fan fiction based around something. You can, for example, focus on a point in the given plotline and go into detail about something that happened, make up a situation that follows the plotline, deviate from the plotline with some creative liscence to shape a story, or even make an alternate universe, blending some of the settings (or "moving" a character to the setting - such as Sabin being swept into the mists of Ravenloft) of characters from the contest who normally don't know each other. Stories can also take place at ANY point in their backgrounds/projection into the future. You can also deviate from the backgrounds given, but try to make it so that the character is still, well, themselves - don't just totally rewrite a background changing significant events and the characters' personality. For example, you could say that Sabin was born, instead, in Ravenloft or in the modern times - but keeping the same basic situation the same. Finally, you can create a new AU (alternate universe) version of one of the characters - be it original, historical or even some fandom. He has already survived multiple incarnations relatively intact as the same basic character. Have a new Idea? Ambrose as a Hogwarts student? In a Romantic setting? Have fun.

As for Sam's characters, writing entries can focus on either the modern storyline , Alternate Universe Historical crossover, or any period in history you think would be interesting (but the characters would be from the modern time, via Erika's time travel ability), all of which is described in more detail in Sam's character sections. Again, you can elaborate on an event or create new situations the characters face or simply write about an interesting day one or two of them have. Additional room to write might be to elaborate on Bethany's past as a demon-fighter before coming to Maplewood or an interesting encounter from a trip back in time. You may also invent some sort of alternate present or future in which events were handled differently or the distant past was meddled with and the outcome was drastic. Think classic consequences of time travel. Additionally, feel free to invent your own alternate universe. More under "Suggestions" near the bottom of the page. Again, have fun!

Q: Can I submit an entry that's a combination of writing and drawing - like a story with an illustration?
A: Sure!

Q: Can I enter one of your other original characters?
A: Not for this contest. At least not alone. However, if you want to do a crossover with one of our other listed characters, that's fine smile

Q: Uhm... I've got a question about one of your characters/is there anything wrong with this entry so far?
A: You are WELCOME to ask me any questions regarding my characters - though please read through their full profiles first to see if it's already answered. Likewise, if you ask me to, I can make suggestions or any corrections to a WIP (work in progress). This is an option available to anyone who enters, so do not feel like you're cheating or anything for asking our input. However, just because a work has been critiqued of errors or suggestions made does not necessarily guarantee it a win ^_~.

Q: Can I change their outfit?
A: Certainly! Have fun ^_^.

Q: Can I enter more than once?
A: Yes! Yes of course! You can enter as many times as you like, as there is only one prize per piece allowed.

Q: Does it have to be one (or more) of your characters?
A: Yes, that's kinda the point >.>

Q: Can I submit a piece I drew for you before?
A: NO. All pieces submitted to this contest must be new for the contest. However, if you've drawn for one of us before, all the better and you've had practice ^_~. The only exception to this is for artwork that we may have made arrangements for already, but the artist has opted to reneg on payment in order to take their chances as a contest entry. Also, any artwork that has already been completed and shown to us before January, the beginning of this thread, is not eligible for this offer.

Q:How do I know that this is legit?
A: Sabin Duvert has run eight other art contests and Sam has run one.. If you want to check some of my previous ones, take a look at one of my last ones:
Sabin's Pure Gold Art Contest
That also shows all of the entries, and the prizes they won smile
Sam's Brick Art Contest 2Sam's Brick Art Contest 2

Q:What kind of styles do you look for in an entry?
A: For Sabin, If you take a look at my last contest (above), you can see the prize-winners last time, compared to all the entries I received. I try my hardest to be open to all styles, and I think that you'll see from the results that I am very objective in my judging smile Also, characterization is almost as important as your adeptness with artwork - so if you can nail my character REALLY well but aren't teh UBAR artist, you still have a damn good chance at doing very well smile
For Sam, I especially like pieces with style. Doesn't matter what sort of style, just pieces that look finished and you can feel the artist's voice put into it!

Q:When I submit my entry, do I have to say what category or categories I'm entering??
A: Nope. Just enter the piece. As I judge, I'll start at the top and work my way down through the prizes by value picking appropriate pieces to win. Most pieces will likely be inherantly eligible for MANY of the categories.



Banner Art by EarthKid

[Quinn Stevens]

Need Inspiration?

Floundering for a good idea to draw/write? Feeling intimidated by the artwork I have? Here are a few concepts that have been niggling at me that I would love to see. These are by no means what you HAVE to draw/write, and I'm not saying that one of these ideas are going to take the prize, but just things that would bring a smile to my face :3

FOR SABIN'S CHARACTERS

VISUAL SCENES
some of these scenes I've even had done before, but I really like the idea and wouldn't mind seeing them again

• Professor Sabin
  
• Sabin NOT looking all angsty and dark, but actually smiling, looking enthusiastic or curious
  
• Ambrose's family at the end of the Swashbuckling campaign
  
• Ambrose & Angelina - Ambrose in hybrid or big wolf form, contrasting against Angelina who's human (or fey for swashbuckler version)
  
• A chibi pic of Angelina glomping onto a rather sheepish or 'putting up with it' Ambrose in big wolf form. ((Think Angelina: "Puppy!" Ambrose: "I am not a dog" kind of expressions))
  
• One theme in particular that I am fond of and don’t mind seeing repeated is Ambrose & Angelina dressed up as the big bad wolf and little red riding hood. Either traditional styles, or a modern-punky version of Little Red. Could be Angelina teasing Ambrose, or them “cast” in the roles, or Halloween costumes (or “costumes” ^_~ ) etc! Be creative biggrin
  
• Ethan in demonform with his two "middle" fingers on his left hand raised in a kind of double-flick-off, sticking out his forked tongue.
  
• Ethan Modern
  
• My three main characters up for this contest all have alternate forms. Ethan's half-demon, Sabin's Anju, and Ambrose is a werewolf. So images that depict more than one "Face" of a character I particularly like. Kudos when there is a reason in the image why more than one form is shown, such as Images with some sort of 'reflection' as the key - such as Ethan facing his demon form in a mirror with trepidation.
  
• More Transformation artwork. Ambrose is the most given, but this can be depictions of Sabin or Ethan as well! All three of my characters have alternate forms. ((Great phrasing nabbed shamelessly from Sam): A physical metamorphosis leaves room for volumes and volumes of emotion and introspection. And they look cool. Intermediaries between human/creature make for lots of creative freedom. Maybe they get into a funny situation. Maybe it's very dramatic and painful.
  
• Illustrations of particular scenes from their storylines smile
  
• Romantic situations. Cannon pairings can include Sabin x Samantha, Ambrose x Angelina, Ethan x Amaki.
  

WRITTEN SCENES

• You have all the freedom of a fanfic writer – these stories are “non-cannon” and you can do what you like with the characters. Try to keep them as in-character as possible, however, but I don’t really have any limits as to what you can and can’t do with them.
  
  
• You can deal with adult themes in these stories.
  
  
• Don't forget about the significant other characters from Sabin, Ambrose and Ethan's storylines! Romantic situations are also encouraged! Angelina, Samantha, Kamiki, Aubrey, and Amaki can all be used in these stories. Heck, you can even cross over side characters, friends & significant others between settings. From chatting with Angelina's player, Angelina and Ethan tend to hit it off very well, for example. Or, alternatively, you can do alternative gender pairings - but if you decide to - try to figure out how to keep it in character as best as possible wink
  
  
• Story themes I LOVE: discovery (how they find out about being something other than human, and then dealing with it - reactions!): coming to terms with what they are, and being supernatural in a relatively normal/low magic setting: a setting where magic isn't believed in or is held in high suspicion. Hunters (esp with Ambrose where he hasn't quite come to terms with what he is himself yet). Also - revealing what they are to someone else - reactions!!! More below!
  
  
• Reactions - I’m a reactions nut! I love seeing how other characters react to meeting mine or finding out that they are something other than human in a setting where that is certainly out of the normal at least. Also, the characters themselves dealing with or finding out themselves about what they are.
  
  
• Crossovers – especially story-form. I play Ambrose, Ethan, and Sabin independently in different settings, and I love to see them interacting because I can’t RP with myself very well. Points for creativity in how they meet, their reactions to each other, etc.
  ******Ideas/Hooks Not mandatory - just some idea seeds ^^
  ****** - Sabin in the modern era is a university professor. Maybe one of the modern incarnations of Ethan or Ambrose are in his class.
  ****** - modern OR historical Sabin is experimenting with something he shouldn't (a book of spells he doesn't fully understand, magical artifact, etc) and winds up in Ravenloft or an earlier point in history
  ****** - Modern Ethan begins public High School, meets Ambrose and/or Angelina
  ****** - Encounter at a Haunted House or Halloween party
  ****** - Someone (Sabin? Angelina?) tries a demon-summoning ritual found in a book, not really believing it will work, and winds up with... Ethan - much to his confusion and their ____?
  
  
• AU’s (alternate universes) are welcome! My characters can adapt to other settings – use the historical vs modern incarnations as a guideline to figure out how to write them into another setting/incarnation. You can put one of them in anothers’ setting, one or more of them into a completely different setting, or even a fan-setting like Lord of the Rings/Middle Earth or something ^_~ (Although, if you decide to do this, I'd prefer it if it were a setting I was at least familiar and/or fond of - don't hesitate to ask smile ). A character can either come into a different setting or rewritten as if they were from that setting. Or you could do a crossover with a modern/real world type setting like, for example, the X-files, Hellboy, Petshop of Horrors, or Harry Potter (real world, just a hidden side of it, after all).
  
  
• I like Quirky and ironic situations – things that really contrast the supernatural aspect of the character in a mundane setting, or interesting ideas (like Ambrose and Angelina dressed as Little Red Riding Hood), Sabin’s childhood misadventures, Halloween with the characters, Modern Sabin giving nightmares to his students who sleep in his class, Ambrose and Angelina swapping clothing styles for a day (punky and preppy) for some reason, Sabin roleplaying, Modern Ethan (before he knows the truth about himself) buying satyr horns at the Ren Faire and startling his mother, a character going shopping and their takes on the options or shopping for that special someone… things like that. Little in-jokes that seem to make the characters all the more real in that they can stand back and poke fun at themselves or really situate them in a real setting. This really applies to both writing AND visual entries here! Be Creative! biggrin
  
  
• Other various story ideas/hooks:
  more will like be added as I think of them. And of course, these are just some ideas, feel FREE to be creative/original! XD
  ****** - Someone in one of (modern) Sabin's classes is convinced that something is different about their professor and tries to figure it out/prove it.
  ****** - modern Sabin joining a cryptozoology expedition (or a haunted house investigation).
  ****** - One of the characters stuck in their non-human forms (or stuck partially transformed).
  ****** - modern Sabin (accidentally?) kills someone, leaving behind some strange evidence, and is subject to an investigation.
  ****** -
  
  

FOR SAM'S CHARACTERS

VISUAL SCENES

• Intimacy!! Love is far from the central focus of the story but after a day of slaying, training, and homework they could all use someone to hold at night! Real pairs include Joey+Bethany, Bethany+Drake (very love-hate, but remember keep it PG-13), Sand+Erika, Donovan+Josephyne. Could be serious or silly, like Erika teasing Sand for his tail while he's switching back to human form, or Donovan miffed about being turned into a goat. Feel free to make up your own pairings as you wish. If you want to be naughty and pair the boys up, I won't say no wink
  
  
• Transformation! A physical metamorphosis leaves room for volumes and volumes of emotion and introspection. And they look cool. Intermediaries between human/creature make for lots of creative freedom. Maybe they get into a funny situation. Maybe it's very dramatic and painful. Maybe Josephyne has gone and transformed the whole lot into a flock of different animals. Show me what you can come up with.
  
  
• Killing of ZOMBIES. Don't forget their day-to-day enemy! Draw someone or a group scene if you're ambitious, fighting off the undead. Here's the weapon cabinet all in one spot: Sand=baseball bat, Bethany=crossbow, Joey=sword, Quinn=fists, Donovan=dual knives, Erika=crossbow, River=fire magic
  
  
• Main characters fighting. Can be a hero fighting a villain or a villain fighting a villain. Now that would be cool! Again, for the villains' weaponry: Drake=teeth, fists, Akella=double-ended spear, Agani=scimitar, Aurochos=teeth, fists, Josephyne=transforming powers.
  
  
• Really good portraits with some sort of background / accessories around them. Do a pin-up! I really need more good reference art!
  
  
• Drake killing Bethany. He chases her down several streets and then catches up and slices her stomach with a long knife. sad Dramatic art of this would be neat.
  
  
• The gang or a character hanging out in Mirra's wiccan shop. Imagine a cozy, old store with wall-to-wall shelves of various magical items. Now, these items will have wild and potentially funny effects on someone if spilled or broken on them. Whoops! Have fun.
  
  
• Akella killing. Anything. She twirls her spear in a manner to mow through opponents, clearing bloody swaths across the battlefield. Some depiction of her in action would be awesome.
  
  
• The schoolyard. They go to school at an old fashioned building, and frequently meet in the courtyard at school to have lunch or chat about what's going on in the night. Good opportunity for a group picture or just one or two.
  
  
• Good historical stuff. It would be cool to see some sort of treatment of a character depicted in an old, yellowed photograph from the 19th century, or shown in an old book. This would work best with old characters like Akella, or anyone from the historical timeline.
  
  

WRITTEN SCENES

• Life. An evening. Share about an experience some of the characters have. Imagine it like an episode of a show like Buffy or Supernatural.
  
  
• Historical adventures: Write about the gang going back in time to some era and encountering the people there, and the problems they encounter. Perhaps they meet one of the immortals.
  
  
• Dealing. Bethany dealing with Quinn's death. Sand dealing with his changes. Joey dealing with his demons. Drake dealing with humanity creeping up inside him. Talk about someone's inner struggles and what actions it drives them to.
  
  
• AU’s (alternate universes) are welcome! Make up a world and drop the characters into it. Perhaps they've all been sucked into a hellish world and have to escape. Perhaps they're astronauts on a deep space mission. Maybe they're all hobbits or cats. Keep them in-character but feel free to change up their world.
  
  
• Romance. Somebody have a steamy evening? Write about it. Remember you can make up your own pairings, gender's no matter.
  
  
• You can deal with adult themes in these stories.
  
  
• Don't forget about the significant other characters in the world. There's a whole array of heroes, villains, and the seven immortals that you can weave into the story and write however you want to.
  

FOR BOTH (Combination Entries)

Sam's characters belong to the same, involved storyline that involves a dramatic occurence in the modern day. However, several of his characters have long lifespans and were around during the historical era. Others have the ability to travel through time. For crossover entries, these might be good jumping off points: pre-modern incarnations of Sabin's characters with Sam's characters at appropriate points in history.


• Focus on the historical timeline, mainly around the Victorian era!
  
  
• Mystery, intrigue! If Sam and Sabin's characters meet, what is it like?
  
  
• Remember for Sam's characters, draw them in appropriate historical attire, as opposed to their modern-day clothing.
  

Banner Art by Bovar

[Quinn Stevens]

Link to Me!

Care to do a link trade? We're always up for it ^.^ Just post your banner & code! biggrin (And if you're a contest or auction, the month it ends smile )

[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/art-contests/t.46390601/][img]http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/SabinSamContest/Banners/banner.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/art-contests/t.46390601/][img]http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg346/SabinSamContest/Banners/banner3.jpg[/img][/url]

****OTHER ART CONTESTS****

Ending in June







http://tinyurl.com/cmjgm6

Ending in July
http://tinyurl.com/ars6a7

http://tinyurl.com/a6nuzh



http://tinyurl.com/8ylwkm

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6366/threeamigosac.jpg


Ending in August




http://i42.tinypic.com/2pzd89z.png



Ending in September
http://i42.tinypic.com/11lr1ix.jpg




Ending in October


End Date TBA

****ART AUCTIONS****

Ending in July





http://i43.tinypic.com/9hnz7n.png








http://i43.tinypic.com/dxz3o3.png

Ending in August
http://gaia.portmanteaux.org/chip/linktochip.png

http://tinyurl.com/lq2th6




http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4810/linkoff.jpg

Ending Date TBA

http://tinyurl.com/dek99o
Hetalia Auction

****PERMANENT SHOPS & OTHER THREADS****

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7145/peejaybanner.jpg




Links Banner Art by Sam Skip Sam
Affiliates Banner Art by Tolueno