Hello all, Cider is back with FINALLY some progress.
Yes, after about 5 days of careful study of ren'py documentation and--let's be honest, mostly procrastination, I have at long last created something playable.
Of course it was not as hard as I imagined it to be. Yes, with the above simple lines of code, I have enough setup to actually start importing the script. I'm glad I didn't wait until Cheddar finished all her art. Doing this was enormously helpful in informing what Cheddar should put her focus on going forward, as I need to test manipulating the UI with new images instead of the default Ren'Py ones. She has already completed most of the character sketches, and I'm going to make her whip up some fancy boxes.
Already, I am so happy we joined Otome Jam. It really was the impetus to get me to start learning this new engine, and I no longer feel like I am dragging my feet, but am rather excited to see what I can learn before the deadline is up. I hope you are all seeing good progress in your own projects.