# 🔒 MASTER REFERENCE - STYLE 32 LOCK-IN

**⚠️ DO NOT MODIFY THESE FILES! ⚠️**

These 5 images are the **definitive style guide** for all character generation.

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## 📸 MASTER REFERENCES:

1. **ref_kai.png** - Kai (main character)
2. **ref_gronk.png** - Gronk (companion orc)
3. **ref_ana.png** - Ana (story character)
4. **ref_susi.png** - Susi (baby dinosaur pet)
5. **ref_zombie.png** - Zombie Policist (enemy template)

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## 🎨 STYLE 32 SPECIFICATIONS:

### **Core Rules:**
- ✅ **Chibi proportions** (big head, small body)
- ✅ **Very thick black outlines** (4-5px)
- ✅ **Flat colors** (NO gradients)
- ✅ **Eyes WITH pupils** (like Kai reference - colored eyes with visible pupils) ✅ CONFIRMED
- ✅ **Pastel meets gothic** (cute-dark aesthetic)
- ✅ **Adorable with edge** (charming sinister balance)
- ✅ **Clean vector cartoon** (NOT pixel art)
- ✅ **Chroma green background** (#00FF00)

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## 🔐 LOCK-IN MANDATES:

### **1. COLOR CONSISTENCY:**
- **Kai's dreadlocks:** Exact green shade from ref_kai.png
- **Gronk's dreadlocks:** Exact pink shade from ref_gronk.png
- **Gronk's skin:** Exact pastel green from ref_gronk.png
- **Ana's hair:** Exact pink/magenta from ref_ana.png
- **Susi's colors:** Exact black/orange from ref_susi.png
- **Zombie skin:** Exact gray-green decay from ref_zombie.png

**No variation allowed! Match to the pixel!**

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### **2. OUTLINE CONSISTENCY:**
- **Thickness:** 4-5px black outlines (as in references)
- **Style:** Smooth vector, NO jagged edges
- **Coverage:** Every element must have thick outline

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### **3. PROPORTION CONSISTENCY:**
**All new animations (walk, run, attack, tools) must maintain:**
- Same head-to-body ratio as references
- Same limb proportions
- Same facial feature size/placement
- Same clothing fit/style

**Example:**
- Kai's hoodie must always be oversized with patches
- Gronk's shirt must always be WIDE and baggy
- Ana's vest must always be tactical style

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### **4. DETAIL CONSISTENCY:**

**Kai:**
- Green dreadlocks (exact shade)
- Multiple piercings: eyebrow, nose, ear gauges
- Torn hoodie with patches
- Ripped black pants
- Sneakers
- Backpack

**Gronk:**
- Pink dreadlocks (exact shade)
- Pastel green orc skin
- Multiple piercings and ear gauges
- **ALWAYS holds vape pen** (not cigarette!)
- WIDE baggy tribal shirt
- Pink sneakers
- **ONLY 2 ARMS** (common error!)

**Ana:**
- **TWIN SISTER of Kai** (similar facial features!)
- Pink/magenta short hair (vs Kai's green dreads)
- Tactical vest over t-shirt
- Cargo shorts
- Hiking boots
- **Eyes:** Same style as Kai (with pupils)

**Susi:**
- Dachshund-shaped dinosaur
- Black and orange colors
- Bright pink collar
- Always cute/friendly

**Zombie:**
- Matted dirty dreadlocks
- Torn dark blue police uniform
- Badge hanging loose
- Gray-green decayed skin
- Dark gothic blood stains
- Shambling horror pose

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### **5. NEW CHARACTER RULES:**

**When creating NEW characters (not in MASTER_REFS):**
- Follow **exact same style** as these 5
- Match outline thickness (4-5px)
- Match chibi proportions
- Match color palette (pastel + gothic)
- Use chroma green background (#00FF00)

**When creating NEW zombies:**
- All zombies must look like "brothers" of ref_zombie.png
- Same decayed style
- Same outline thickness
- Same pastel horror aesthetic
- Can vary clothing/poses but keep core style

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## 🚫 FORBIDDEN CHANGES:

❌ **DO NOT:**
- Change outline thickness
- Change proportions (no realistic bodies!)
- Remove pupils from eyes (Style 32 HAS pupils!)
- Use gradients or shading
- Change chibi ratio
- Modify reference colors
- Make zombies "too cute" or "too scary"
- Give Gronk more than 2 arms
- Give Gronk cigarette instead of vape

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## ✅ ANIMATION WORKFLOW:

**When generating animations:**

1. **Load reference** (e.g., ref_kai.png)
2. **Extract exact colors** (eyedropper)
3. **Match proportions** (measure head-to-body)
4. **Maintain outlines** (4-5px throughout)
5. **Verify consistency** (compare side-by-side)

**Frame-by-frame checklist:**
- [ ] Same dreadlock color?
- [ ] Same skin tone?
- [ ] Same clothing style?
- [ ] Same outline thickness?
- [ ] Same proportions?
- [ ] Chroma green background?

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## 📊 GENERATION PROMPTS:

**Use this template for ALL Style 32 generation:**

```
[Character name] in Style 32 Cult of the Lamb cute-dark chibi. 
[Physical description from reference].
Chibi proportions (big head, small body), very thick black outlines 4-5px, 
flat colors NO gradients, [specific color notes], eyes with pupils, 
adorable with edge aesthetic, charming sinister balance, clean vector cartoon. 
[Pose/action]. 
Solid chroma green background (#00FF00).
```

**Always include:**
- "Style 32"
- "Chibi proportions"
- "Very thick black outlines 4-5px"
- "Flat colors NO gradients"
- "Eyes with pupils"
- "Adorable with edge aesthetic"
- "Clean vector cartoon"
- "Solid chroma green background (#00FF00)"

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## 🎯 QUALITY CONTROL:

**Before saving ANY new asset:**

1. Compare to master reference
2. Check color match (pixel-perfect)
3. Verify outline thickness (4-5px)
4. Confirm chibi proportions
5. Validate chroma green background
6. Ensure NO gradients/shading

**If ANY check fails → REJECT and regenerate!**

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## 📝 VERSION CONTROL:

**Master References created:** 03.01.2026 03:08 CET  
**Style:** Style 32 (Cult of the Lamb cute-dark chibi)  
**Status:** 🔒 **LOCKED** - Do not modify!  

**These references are FINAL and APPROVED.**  
**All future assets MUST match these exactly.**

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## 🚀 PRODUCTION START:

With these locked references, production can begin on:
- Character animations (idle, walk, run, attack, tools)
- NPC variations
- Enemy variations (zombie types)
- Environment assets (with Style 30 for vegetation)

**Estimated:** ~3,000 frames for Kickstarter demo  
**Cost:** ~€36 (at €0.012/image)  
**Timeline:** 4-5 days  

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**✅ MASTER REFERENCES LOCKED AND READY!** 🎨🔒