Thanks for the clarification, though if the mechanics are the issue wouldn't a system like the wardrobe with a true/false system work has an on off switch? By that something like (this is not formal coding just idea) makeup true = character model shown has makeup tf makeup false = character model shown without makeup tf.
Rather a cosmetic overlay, in which tfs unlock new character options. The character picture is swapped out via tf tags, rather than actually change the character. Sort of like the costume system but with display options if I'm conveying this correctly. Basically a full tf character has all options unlocked in a similar manner to the costume system just changing which pictures of the mc we see, this wouldn't so much be used for dialogue or gameplay.
(This is purely speculation btw... actually wouldn't a debug menu for quick advancement scene testing overlay with this? Hmm... if the is a debug/dev cheat menu depending on what you programmed in you could create a menu with a limited toggle-link for such a system... Actually that depends on the engines coding limitations, and I've begun code rambling here.)
Coincidently I noticed the message about the game reaching the end of development on your Patreon, do you have another game idea, are you open to suggestions, or going to take a break from game design? I may have some ideas you can add to a future game.
Finally, you have me intrigued by that answer, you already had me hooked but that just makes me even curious has to what will happen to the sanctimonious prick.
P.S. I highly suggest crossovers in future games, seeing this group in a side story of a future game would certainly make for an interesting lore point, maybe interlinking the future games in some varying capacity to the realm system having a greater scope than anyone imagined especially in this game,. In the sense that this game only sees a tiny fragment of the full realm system. I mean the realm system make this it possible for this to be the case. It could also be used to advertise previous games if someone gets introduced say 3-4 games from now and they don't know of this and the games between them. Just a thought.