[Move The Chains] - Plot and Characters (Long.)

While there's a fair bit of rendering (a lot here, honestly. I want a fairly large first release on this), writing, and UI needing to still take place, I feel like the product itself is polished enough to start putting out there for people to see. With the basic plot and outline all but ready for actual writing, I feel like this is a good place to start with this type of promotional content. So, I guess the idea behind this post is to (obviously) reveal the overarching plot. That, and to reveal the character designs, names, and to some extent, the thought process behind some of them. Maybe, and I'll probably decide this as I'm writing this post, I'll go a bit into their role/personality within the frame of the story. Without trying to spoil anything, that is.

So, this'll probably be a long one. Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or some special sauce and, hopefully, enjoy. . .is that even the right thing to say here?

Touted as the nation's top cornerback, a five-star recruit out of Inglewood with scholarship and NIL offers from some of the top schools in the country, you finally have your goal in sight. Getting yourself and the woman who practically raised you out of the dump you called home. But the reality you worked yourself to the bone to create comes crashing down on the night of the semifinals against Mater Dei.

After nearly a year behind bars, you find yourself free once more. Knowing that no school was going to come near you, you resigned yourself to life beyond football before that gavel even came down. That is, until you run into a mysterious someone behind sunglasses - a two-time Superbowl MVP - looking to recruit you to the Texas A&N Wolves. But before you can even get past the starting pistol, another obstacle lands right in front of you. An obstacle that forces you to take matters into your own hands.

Thrust back under the bright lights of the college sports world, you immediately draw both ire and praise, both slander and vindication. But within the hurricane that is your newfound stardom, you not only stumble upon yourself, not only upon redemption, but the many new faces around you. But with the light comes dark, and with new faces comes different paths. Can you handle the temptations that come with this second chance?

Story:

So, I bet you're thinking something like, "Oh, great. The five thousandth VN about some alpha Chad going to college and gathering his harem. Gotta' Catch 'em All!" or "Oh, wonderful. A WVM ripoff. Wondering when that was gonna happen.". I'm going into this partially expecting to hear something near either of these, and probably more comparing it to BaD or some other college VN.

Well, you've got me on the harem part. I'll admit that. I like harem games, sue me. :P Anyhow, that's about as far as the similarities go. Now, that's not to say it'll be completely without similarities, but it's a bit of a different twist on the college VN. What, you ask? Well, you'll have to find that out eventually. But I think it's a bit more of a human view/take (sans the harem) on the star college athlete life.

So, what makes it different from the aforementioned? Well, not to take shots at anyone, but personality. It's not an unending river of attractive women looking at the protagonist like he's swinging a watch (or dick) in front of their face. They aren't going to treat him like the second coming. They'll have lives of their own that don't revolve around the protagonist. Is it a harem? Yes. Is there quite a few women? Sure. But this is a realistic story (sans harem) with (hopefully) realistic people.

Not to make some off-hand comparison to We Were Just Kids, and while Move The Chains isn't nearly as dark, they share some of the same themes. Fighting demons, tendencies, temptation, escapism, and stuff of that sort. The goal I'm really trying to set for this one (for myself) is writing human characters, where what they see and experience feels real. I'm challenging myself a bit with writing this one, as I've never wrote with a hyper-realistic vision in mind. It's always been pseudo-fantasy, where some of those things could really happen, but not to the average man or woman. Whereas something like this needs to be entertaining while also feeling like a life someone could exist in. It's a challenge for me, for sure, but you don't grow without them either.

Visuals:

While (Yay~ more off-hand comparisons) We Were Just Kids has visually improved a lot, the quality of the models is held back by the inconsistencies of the Genesis 8 model textures. There's a lot of good ones, but there's also a lot of bad ones. Some of which are included in We Were Just Kids. Move The Chains is largely Genesis 8.1 figures (short of one male character and one female character, though I'll refrain from mentioned which ones.), which seems to have a more consistent level of detail across multiple PAs. Combined with what I've learned of lighting, postwork, and composition over the year I've been working on WWJK, I'd say this is easily some of the highest quality work I've done (though, still not as good as some out there.).

If you couldn't tell, I do have a bit of thing for alternative girls (emo, goth of most varieties, tattoos, piercings, etc.), and it still sort of shows here. Though, there's far more variety in girls with Move The Chains. That includes my mortal enemy, the shy, nerdy girl.

Now, there's two (mostly) untouched figures/models used in Moving The Chains, both of which I assume are fairly popular given the PA who made them. I'm sure quite a few'll recognize them, but the reason I used them out of the box the way I did is because they more or less completely fit the image I wanted for those characters and didn't see the point in going out of my way to recreate with different morphs just to not hear people saying something along the lines of "I've seen this model before. Unoriginal.". All of the other models have been fairly-to-heavily modified/morphed/etc.

Another area that I'm attempting something different is from third person to first person point of view. Of course, it won't entirely be in first person pov-wise for the sake of visual diversity, but it's definitely more challenging in the lighting and composition department to make first-person renders more aesthetically pleasing. Which is why I split into third person POV at time, for the aforementioned visual diversity.

Themes:

Unlike (again) We Were Just Kids, there isn't a whole lot of 'triggering' material going on in Move The Chains. There is some touching on drug addiction and possibly depression, possible domestic violence, while leaning into some heavier topics, but the story isn't revolving around those things. They're there, but not the core of the story.

There's a lot of psychology laced in the inner monologues. Coming to grips with what/who you are, what you've done, and how you'll change that person - or if you can at all. Growth and the mentioned redemption (not of character, but of oneself) are also fairly noticeable.

Tags:

Apparently, I can't post verbally graphic content without making this a Patreon-only post (you learn something new every day, I guess.). So, I'll be pulling out my urbanthesaurus for this one:

The usual suspects as far as VNs go. Big mammaries+glutes (and petite), funsplosions, roomie, skull, up the spout/deep-seated, lap quilting, peeping, go public, and lastly, male protagonist. The tags for this one are pretty stereotypical for most VNs, but the more 'controversial' ones being Trans (optional) and Netori (also optional).

No, not NTR. Netori. You, the protagonist, will do the stealing for revenge. Even then, it's completely optional. Anyone who bitches about gets outright ignored, and then blocked. NTR won't be a theme in this game, and the aforementioned Netori only comes up once. There will also be a threeway or two with other couples (not the protagonist's LIs). Once again, entirely optional.

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Ryan Spencer, the protagonist:

First and foremost, yes, you can change the protagonist's first name. Seeing as names are often on the back(s) of jerseys, offering the ability to change the last name would've made that a bit screwy.

As you'll see in some of the later renders, the protagonist has sleeves (tattoos). This is explained in the story at a later point when he meets a certain LI. The protagonist, given the theme of the story, is obviously going to be athletic. Not necessarily a "Chad", but athletic. Maybe with a bit too much confidence in his ability, but that depends on your choices. ;)

Now, onto the love interests (or future harem.):

Diana is a "childhood friend" ;) of the protagonist from the beginning. From the same neighborhood he grew up in, to the present day after he's gotten out. Despite her attractiveness, she's quite withdrawn from socialization, tends to keep to herself more than not.

Design Commentary:

More will be explained in the storyline, obviously. She's going to be a key character throughout the VN. Even if rejected, she's still going to be there for the MC (though I wouldn't reject her, personally. :P). Explaining the thought process behind a character design is pretty tricky to put in words sometimes, so bear with me here. Seeing as this is an adult project, nearly everyone is going to be marginally attractive to someone, but attractive doesn't always equal happy. That's kind of what I was going for here. Attractive, but not quite approachable. Not exactly emo, but not outgoing or bright. Not depressed, but not Shirley Temple. Does that make sense? Naturally, the only person she opens up to is MC. :P

Eisley (i-lee) Sosa is the result of an elementary school crush on MC that never materialized into anything. Clingy, perhaps slightly possessive toward MC, hyper-athletic, the living embodiment of the Energizer Bunny. Still only has eyes for MC. Well-liked by nearly anyone, sociable, never seems to be sad.

Design Commentary:

Basically, the counterpart to Diana. Where Diana isn't sociable, Eisley will both approach and include anyone. For better or worse. This is something better shown via render and storyline, but she's essentially the optimist/optimism of/within the story. One of those always-smiley people who never really let anything get them down, or at least never show it. Once again, she's fairly athletic as she did whatever the protagonist did. Sports, exercise, etc.

Alaina Underwood, otherwise known as "Coach's Daughter". Despite the pigment of her hair, she's in her final year of Pre-Med on her way to an MD after having graduated two years ahead of her own class.

Design Commentary:

This one speaks for itself, no? Beyond the shot at blondes (obviously a joke, probably.), the idea here was to create a semi-serious character that's going to a college to further her education rather than wasting time at parties or social events not related to her degree. One of those career-first types of people.

Kara (Car-ahh) Adams is just as new to Texas as the MC is after getting a job at a nearby private middle school, only having arrived days before himself.

Design Commentary:

Hard to go any further there without spoilers, so you'll have to make do. I expect her to be one of the more 'controversial' characters - depending on who you ask, at least. But meh, not everyone has to like it. It's sort of hard to talk about this character without spoiling things entirely, honestly. While she's one of those 'down to earth' type characters to the story, it doesn't mean she doesn't have a past of her own - and one that'll test the people around her.

You know what they say about people with two first names, right? Kelsey Taylor, better known as Swallow (and not for what you're thinking), does what she wants when she wants to and go wherever she wants when she wants. A problem child of sorts, but also responsible enough to (barely) pass her classes.

Design Commentary:

One of the two (and a half-ish) aforementioned 'alt.' characters in Move The Chains. More punk than alternative, but whatever. I basically already said everything above. Kind of speaks for itself, for the most part.

Best friend of Kelsey, Nicole Hardman (no relation). Both perpetually tired and perpetually stoned, she gets away with sleeping through all of her classes due to her somehow perfect GPA. While being what is essentially the polar opposite of Kelsey, they are practically inseparable. With one comes the other. In a multitude of ways.

Design Commentary:

This is the half-ish alt character mentioned above. The design itself sans the colored hair and piercings really don't lean too far into it, so something of a happy-medium there. You have one of those friends/siblings/etc. that seems to always be sleeping regardless of the time of day or place they're at? That's her.

Hazel Clarke is just your average, run-of-the-mill student with a hidden passion for fashion design. The type of person that just sticks to themselves and the type of person the MC is supposed to walked past without ever noticing her. Which would've been the case had he not sat right next to her.

Design Commentary:

The aforementioned mortal enemy :P. The shy, nerdy girl. I'm not going with the who 'bullied nerd' rhetoric here, it's played out. Instead, she's just an average student that has a hard time socializing and/or sticking out (sans her chest).

Lydia is one of the way-too-serious type of characters. Learning, Education, and a career post-University are all that matters to her. But she has to struggle every step of the way.

Design Commentary:

Every story has to have a tsundere (I'm letting my inner weeb out, you say? How dare you.), right? That would be Lydia. Again, I'm sure everyone knows (or knew) that one person who is all work and no play. The whole idea behind this character in three words is 'resting bitch face'. But hopefully she'll warm up to people. :P

Noemi is basically your Asian stereotype. Bookworm, top grades, already has a post-University job lined up despite being in her freshman year. But is that what she wants, or is that what her parents want?

Design Commentary:

If you haven't noticed, a lot of this story and its characters are based around growth and maturation. Where the world tells you to go, what the world tells you to be, and often, fighting against it. Not going to say much more about it, but you get the idea. That's part of the 'human' element I was referring to.

Parker, more or less, is the campus darling. Captain of the cheer team, voluntary tutor for athletes, runs a group for student mental health, spends her weekends volunteering at shelters, and so forth. The goody-two-shoes type, if you will.

Design Commentary:

Not a lot to say here. Basically, an Eisley-type character that isn't obsessed with the protagonist lol.

Phoebe, or better known as "Fame", exploded into popularity after winning the 15th season of Tournament of Ink. She also happens to be the stepsister of Wolves quarterback, Blaine Fitzgerald. But it turns out MC and Fame have a more obscure connection than her own stepbrother.

Design Commentary:

The second 'alt.' character. I like girls with tattoos and piercings. So, again, sue me. :P

Really, though. This character was interesting, as it was my first venture into ZBrush and Substance Painter using a character/figure that would eventually be used. I added some detail to the skin in ZBrush, the tattoos were added (none made by me, to be clear.) with a mix of Substance Painter, Photoshop, and Daz itself.

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That's it for the LIs, currently. This likely isn't all of them, but definitely most of them. There also might be some side pieces that don't want commitment, though I'm not a 100% on that yet.

Below are the other male characters that'll have a fairly large role in story (though non-romantically with any LI) and the lone non-romanceable female character (so far).

Laura is the woman who took in and basically raised the MC, would be hard to say any more without giving spoilers at the same time :/, so I'll just have to keep you wondering for a while on that.

Deshaun and MC met in the YFL, later going to the same junior high and high school. Been friends ever since. Brawls and all.

Blaine isn't all too dissimilar to the MC. A one-track mind for football. Despite coming from old money, he's never accepted the proposed offers from top schools that came based only on his last name before he'd even played a snap in high school. That 1st round projection was the fruition of the work he'd put in the last two seasons. Quiet, confrontational, but the face of Texas A&N.

A 4-Star recruit out of Florida's LMG Academy. A shocking twist to the many who expected the star running back to commit to Alabama.

A wide receiver familiar with the MC, already being labeled as the second coming of L.K. Metcaph going into his sophmore year at Texas A&N.

Supposedly wanted to attend his father's alma mater, Red Mountain State, but the school had since been shut down. Came as a walk-on to Texas A&N and shocked the many who had never heard the name Castle.

(MissFortune's Note: Still pissed they canceled it. >_<)

As it stands, the Diana, Laura, Eisley, Deshaun (not Watson), and the MC designs are final as they've already been rendered an extensive amount. But I'm certainly open to opinions and recommendations.

I probably forgot something, but if you've read this far, you're either a trooper or super dedicated.  Thanks for taking a look!

- MissFortune