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Discovering Cupid’s Origins

Description

Technologically advanced beings visiting more primitive worlds have often sparked myths and legends. From the Platonian’s influence on ancient Greece on Earth to the Hur’q influencing Klingon legends, contact with alien races often leads to the creation of such stories.

Recently Starfleet xenoarchaeologists have discovered the source of the Earth legend of Cupid. Shocked by their findings, they have uncovered images of this obscure alien race and why they visited Earth so long ago.

For this competition, help the xenoarcheology team uncover the truth about the origins of the Cupid mythos. Feel free to use any medium to create a graphic representation of this alien: pen or pencil and paper, AI art generators, or any other graphics programs at your disposal. Be sure to list how the image was created. Please include a brief synopsis of this alien race and their reason for coming to Earth.

Criteria

  • Submissions must include the original image created as well as tools or software utilized to create it.
  • Submissions must include a short explanation of this alien race and their reason for coming to Earth that inspired the Cupid myth in the competition text box. The explanation can be a single sentence, but shouldn't exceed 250 words.
  • Each submission will be judged out of 30 points total, divided into three categories:
  • 1. Creative Interpretation (10 points): Does the image and description present a unique and imaginative take on the Cupid myth? Does the alien race’s design feel distinct and creative while tying into the concept of cherubic or mythological qualities?
  • 2. Narrative Quality (10 points): How well does the written description explain the alien race’s visit to Earth and their connection to the Cupid myth? Is the narrative plausible, engaging, and consistent with Star Trek themes?
  • 3. Thematic Connection (10 points): How effectively does the submission connect the Cupid myth to the alien race and integrate it into the broader Star Trek universe? Does the image and story align with cherubic or love-related symbolism that resonates with the theme?
  • The winner will be determined by the highest score of total points. If a tie-breaker is needed, an extra 5 points will be awarded to the entry that best aligns with established Star Trek canon and visual language. The image’s "quality" will not be directly judged to ensure fairness, focusing instead on creativity and thematic relevance.
  • Be creative and have fun!

Winners

Submissions

User Content Date Entry
Cressida Brennan (#2765)

My image was created with DALL-E and my inspiration for it were biblically accurate depictions of angels, which are terrifying - not a surprise they start conversations with "Do not be afraid".

This telepathic species is not seen, but always present. Its highly developed olfactory system allows it to detect the chemical aspect of human affection - oxytocin and dopamine metabolism byproducts. They feed on this biochemical residue left in every gentle touch.
They are skilled manipulators, and reach into the minds of lovers, friends, and families, where they twist emotional bonds to ensure their own survival. The blissfully unaware Humans called them force love, giving them round-faced appearances that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
It is not malice that drives them. It’s hunger. And we can never know that their deepest affections are cultivated like seedlings, carefully pruned, and eventually harvested.

2025-02-13 19:19:03
Aelin Maori (#2980)
Private Submission
 2025-02-02 08:50:51

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