Overview
Prompts are a fun way to bring your Otterpelago characters to life! These creative challenges invite you to develop your character’s personalities and unique stories, as well as explore the world and lore of Makai. By completing prompts, you’ll earn rewards while pushing your creative boundaries and contributing to the community!
All skill levels are welcome! We value creativity and effort over technical skill, and encourage you to try new things and enjoy the creative process!
How do I submit a prompt?
Find the prompt you want to submit in the prompt list or by starting a new submission from your submission queue, then:
1. Upload your piece
It is preferred (but not required) that you submit your piece to the gallery first and use that link as your submission url. Or, link to a common host, but make sure the link is accessible (i.e not password-protected) and don't use Discord CDN links.
2. Add the characters
Include each prominently featured character using their character number (or slug, shown as OTT-### or NPC-###). This will link your piece to these characters in their masterlist entry!
3. Choose a calculator
Add the appropriate calculator (typically Visual Art or Literature), and fill in the selections to automatically tally your rewards! You can ignore the other fields unless otherwise specified.
4. Submit the prompt
Once you submit, your submission will go into the queue for moderator review. You can cancel your prompt at any time to edit and resubmit, or save a draft and come back later. Prompts typically take X days to review - thanks for your patience!
General Guidelines
All prompt submissions should adhere to the following guidelines to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for all players.
All submissions must...
- Follow the prompt: Make sure the submission is relevant and addresses the prompt and its specific requirements.
- Demonstrate effort: Submissions should be complete, show care and attention to detail, and characters should be recognizeable.
- Be original: Submissions must be created by you for the specific prompt.
- Feature eligible characters: Include your own Otterpelago characters, characters with gift art/writing permissions, or NPCs.
- Meet minimum standards: Unless otherwise stated, artwork should be clean and colored. Shading is not required. Literature should be in English, formatted neatly, and spell-checked.
- Adhere to size constraints: Artwork should be at least 300 x 300px (100 x 100px for pixel art), and do not exceed 300mb.
What content is allowed in prompts?
✅ Allowed:
- Generally SFW and wholesome content
- Visual art may include traditional and digital art, including pixel art.
- Literature may include poetry, prose, and roleplay.
- For other creative expressions, share your ideas with staff first so we can thoughtfully reward your effort!
❌ Not Allowed:
- NSFW content or other violations of our ToS
- Mature themes that do not have a content warning
- AI-generated or AI-assisted works
Unsure about your submission? Reach out to staff on Discord for clarification or guidance. We're always happy to help!
Submission Standards
Coming soon!
Backgrounds play a crucial role in your artwork, setting the scene and enhancing the overall composition. While prompt requirements may vary, remember that backgrounds can range from simple to complex and can include platform (character on a small piece of background) and portrait (character on a backdrop or floating) styles.
Complexity
Simple background: This background features minimal detail, with few solid colors and an abstract, almost unfinished appearance. It lacks 3 distinct planes, 3 or more prop elements (rocks, trees, flowers, objects, etc.), and sufficient detail to be considered complex.
Still Simple: This background is more detailed and distinct than the first, but still falls within the simple category. It features 3 distinct planes, but is still missing the minimum 3 prop elements and additional depth and details.
Complex background: This background showcases 3 distinct planes, 3 or more prop elements, and demonstrates depth and visual interest with details and effects.
Colors
✅ Do: Utilize a variety of hues to create visual interest, cohesion, and maintain the intended mood and atmosphere.
❌ Don't: Rely heavily on a limited range of hues that may inaccurately represent the character or setting, unless required by the prompt.
✅ Do: Use saturation levels to enhance the composition and overall visual appeal.
❌ Don't: Submit fully black and white artwork unless specified in the prompt. If submitting grayscale, aim for a wide range of grays to maintain visual interest and character definition.
Effects
✅ Do: Use subtle blur or vignette effects sparingly to bring characters into focus.
❌ Don't: Overuse blur effects to the point where the artwork becomes indistinct or most details are obscured.
✅ Do: Use premade assets, like stamps or brushes, sparingly and creatively to enhance your artwork.
❌ Don't: Heavily rely on repetitive use of premade assets to avoid rendering effort or to "fill in space".
Literature submissions offer a unique opportunity to explore the world of Otterpelago through writing. Whether you prefer prose, poetry, or other creative formats, strive for originality and a strong narrative voice that engages the reader.
Quality and Presentation
- Word Count: Prompts may have specific word count requirements between 250-1500 words.
- Clarity: Write in a clear, concise, and engaging style with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Format with paragraphs and line breaks to enhance readability.
- Language: Submissions must be in English. Translations are permitted, and the inclusion of some foreign words for flavor is acceptable, provided translations are noted.
Story and Character Relevance
- Theme: Make sure your submission directly addresses the prompt's theme and explores its nuances.
- Lore Interpretation: While creative interpretation is encouraged, respect established Otterpelago lore.
- Character Focus: Concentrate on characters with a significant role, and aim to describe them accurately.
- Significant Interaction: Additional characters must include meaningful interactions that contribute to the narrative - not just mentions.
Scoring and Rewards
Want to know how your prompt submissions are scored? This guide breaks down the criteria used to determine your Cowrie Coin rewards. Remember that each prompt may have unique requirements and may offer additional rewards or flat-rate payouts.
Visual Art
Scoring considers factors like display size and overall complexity.
| Character Display Size | |
|---|---|
| Headshot / Bust | 5 CC |
| Halfbody | 8 CC |
| Fullbody | 10 CC |
| Add-ons | |
|---|---|
| Simple BG | + 5 CC |
| Complex BG | + 10 CC |
| Shading | + 10 CC |
Literature
Scored by 250-word increments (max 1500 words).
| Word Count | |
|---|---|
| 250-499 words | 5 CC |
| 500-749 words | 10 CC |
| 750-999 words | 15 CC |
| 1000-1249 words | 20 CC |
| 1250-1499 words | 25 CC |
| 1500+ words | 30 CC |
Universal Bonuses
These bonuses can be applied to visual art or literature submissions.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Spotlight Character | + 5 CC |
| Extra Characters | + 2 CC each (max 5) |
| Special Pet/Item | + 3 CC |