This guide covers how to write effective image prompts for NPC
portraits, portrait states, and other generated images.
How image prompts work
When you write an image prompt for an NPC or building, the system
automatically adds the world's art style, composition framing, and
rendering instructions. You don't need to mention art style,
lighting, background, or camera angles — those are handled for you.
Your job is to describe what the subject looks like.
NPC portrait prompts
Focus on three things:
Physical features — age, ethnicity, hair, eyes, distinguishing
marks
Clothing from the waist up — be specific about colors,
materials, and condition
Expression — the character's default mood or demeanor
Example
A 30-year-old East Asian woman with short black hair and a scar
across her left cheek. She wears a dark blue tunic with silver
clasps, slightly weathered. Calm, focused expression.
What to avoid
Don't mention feet, shoes, or legs. Portraits are framed
waist-up by default. Mentioning lower body can pull the composition
into a full-body shot that doesn't look as good in the visual novel
view
Don't specify a pose. The system sets a neutral default pose.
Custom poses (like "arms crossed") can conflict with the base
prompt and produce extra limbs
Don't add art style or medium. Phrases like "oil painting of"
or "anime style" conflict with the world's art style setting and
produce inconsistent results
Don't use generic clothing defaults. Avoid "leather jacket,"
"hoodie," "lab coat," or "denim jacket" unless that's genuinely
what the character wears — the image model gravitates toward these
if the prompt is vague
Portrait state prompts
Portrait states use image editing, not full generation. The system
preserves the character's face, pose, and art style while applying
your changes.
Describe the result you want in natural language:
"Wearing a red ball gown with gold embroidery"
"Full plate armor, dented and battle-worn"
"Casual clothes — white t-shirt, messy hair, relaxed expression"
The state name you give (e.g., "red ball gown") is visible to the NPC
in conversation — they'll know what they're wearing and may reference
it naturally.
Building interior prompts
Describe the interior scene: furniture, lighting, atmosphere, and any
defining details. The art style is applied automatically.
"A cramped apothecary shop with shelves of glass jars, dried herbs
hanging from the ceiling, and a single candle on the counter"
"A sleek neon-lit bar with holographic menus, chrome stools, and
a rain-streaked window overlooking the city"
General tips
Be specific. "Wears armor" produces generic results. "Worn
iron breastplate with a dented pauldron" gives the model something
to work with
Describe, don't instruct. Write what you'd see in a still image,
not directions to an artist
Keep it under 500 characters. The model works best with concise,
descriptive prompts rather than long paragraphs
Age restrictions
All characters in RPBuddy must be adults over the age of 18. Image
prompts that include any underage-related keywords — such as "child,"
"children," "teenage," "teen," "minor," "young boy," "young girl,"
"underage," or similar terms — will be blocked before generation.
This applies to all image types: NPC portraits, portrait states, and
building interiors. If your prompt is blocked, revise it to describe
an adult character and resubmit.