I am author of Relational pipes -- a data format for relational (i.e. tabular -- rows and columns) data and a set of tools for working with this data. It merges the ideas behind relational/SQL databases and UNIX pipes (resp. GNU/Linux pipes).

Relational pipes are open specification and free software.

So it is a software tool, not a game, but I am looking for a game-like illustration and a mascot for it and it should be free (as in free speech) so I am asking here.

The idea:
The graphics should express how this software works: relational data (sequences of tables) flows through pipes among various nodes.

The nodes can be of several types:

• inputs: converts data from other formats (XML, CSV, ODS, INI, regexp-parseable text, YAML, JSON, ASN.1 etc.) or commands (ls, find, grep, ip, netstat, ss, lsof, strace, sql-dk, sqlite etc.)
• transformers: various conversions, functions, projection and restriction, SQL-like operations (WHERE, ORDER BY, JOIN, UNION etc.), system command executions, network interactions etc.
• outputs: converts data to other formats (XML, CSV, ODS, SQL, table printed/formatted on terminal, LaTeX, XHTML, GUI window with a table or a graph etc.)

Each node/tool should do one thing and do it well. Nodes or filters can be replaced, added or removed and Relational pipes format works as a common language for all of them.

So my idea is that it should look like a chemical laboratory consisting of glass pipes that connect the nodes like flasks, bulbs, beakers, distillery etc.

The glass pipes are transparent which is important because it symbolizes the open format and the fact that the user can monitor and examine every step in his "laboratory" resp. data pipeline.

The data flows through pipes in form of liquid of various nice and bright colors (green, red, purple etc.) and it could end (on the output side) in form of other liquid or even in form of some nice crystals or maybe gas/steam.

On the source side of the pipeline, there might be data in form of small stones, grit/gravel (not so nice crystals), some brown or dark liquid, sometimes a nice liquid, compressed gas in cylinders etc.

The mascot should be an animal rather than a human, it should be funny and friendly like Glenda, Jazz or Titus. It is not necessarilly a bunny or a fox -- it is up to you to find an appropriate animal kind. I also like turtles but I don't know whether they are good for this role, maybe...
The mascot should help the user with work in the "laboratory" and be the guide here.

Form:
The pipes and nodes should be in form of tiles, so various laboratory aparatus/setups can be build from it. There should be straight and bended pipes, simple joints and nodes with various inputs and outputs.
There might be some place for labels on/under the nodes, so nodes can be labeled.
It would be nice to have animated fluids (with small particles representing the tables, rows and columns) in pipes, so it will be visible, how and where it flows through the pipeline.
And there should be some background behind the pipes and other things.

The style:
In order to describe the desired style, there are some examples what I like:

• Jazz Jackrabbit (2 is great, but 1 is also wonderful)
• Titus The Fox (Moktar)
• TMNT
• Glenda, the Plan 9 Bunny
• backgrounds in videos called "Random chiptune mix"

Please do not copy it, just for inspiration and to describe what styles I like.
It should (probably) look a bit retro, but please not too much low-res ugly pixels. Visible pixels are OK, but it should look nice.
I expect some pixelart, but maybe you suggest something better that would express the ideas behind Relational pipes.
We should look together at some existing graphics and your portfolio to choose best style...
In Relational pipes project we don't have any graphics yet, so it is completely green-field job and we are not limited by any already existing art that should match with newly created one.

Budget:
Several grams of pure gold delivered to you in form of Monero/XMR (you can easily convert it to other cryprocurrencies like BTC/ETH/LTC/etc. or even to fiat money like USD, RUB, CNY, JPY, CHF etc. if you still use them)

Other conditions:

• free license: CC BY SA (no NC nor ND) and GNU FDLv1.3+, so you can also use it in your portfolio or even other projects; will be published here
• must be created using free sofware (Gimp, Krita, Inkscape etc.)
• must include the editable source form
• should be original content (it might contain some already existing arts if it really makes sense, but if so, tell me in advance)

Graphics created will be used in Relational pipes documentation and website. But it could be reused in someone's game too!

I am looking for a good artist who likes the free software and the idea of Relational pipes.

P.S. It would be also nice to have some chiptune/midi background music in our laboratory (but this request is primary focused on graphics)