Relations and Romance

Scarlet Hollow has a hidden 10-variable relationship system that maps how the player character is perceived by other characters. These variables can influence a lot of dialogue, as well as sprites and the emotional range found in the scene. In some cases, they can even influence different paths in the story or romance routes. The values move a lot in chapters 1-3 as the player character makes a first impression on characters, but by chapter 4, most of the characters in Scarlet Hollow have decided who they think the player character is, and it takes character defining moments to change that.

Having the Hot trait noticeably improves the player characters relationship with every character. This is most noticeable with Miles, where he is more open and willing to talk to the player character upon first interaction.

## Romance

### Main Romanceables

Scarlet Hollow has five main romance routes and a yet to be revealed number of hidden romances in the game. Having the Hot trait significantly boosts relationships with all characters. In order to set these routes in stone, an opportunity will rise for each character to lock in the route. In chapter 3, the player character has an opportunity to hang out with only one of the main romanceables barring Reese.

* Stella
	+ Stella's romance route can be locked in at the end of Chapter 4, if the player managed to create a good relationship with her, and will be offered to spend the night at her house.
	+ Though not a romance lock, Stella has a special CG at the end of Chapter 1 if the player offers to spend a bit more time with each other before going to bed. This can easily be obtained with the Hot trait.
* Kaneeka
	+ Kaneeka's romance route can be locked in in Chapter 4 after having tea (or skipping tea) with Sybil, if the player managed to create a good relationship with Kaneeka, allowing the player character to enter her room and talk more with her.
	+ Kaneeka had a scrapped clinic route in Chapter 4 that was locked to her romance route. A script was written and assets can still be found within the game's files for the route.
* Reese
	+ Reese's route can be locked in near the end of Chapter 4 if you don't kill or let Dr Kelly tranquilize him (i am currently unsure if you can lock in his path if you convince him to not kill his mom i haven't tested it yet will update this when i do)
* Oscar
	+ Oscar's romance route is largely tied to the outcomes of Chapter 2 and 3, having Rosalina saved and getting the ghost to leave the library. His romance route can be locked in if the player chooses to speak more with him after visiting him in Chapter 4. However, you can still romance Oscar without those traits. But your relationship with his daughter will make her hate you if you don't have the traits.
* Avery
	+ Avery's romance route is currently not available as of Chapter 4, though their relationship is largely influenced by whether or not they are invited and included in events.
	+ The player has chances to choose to interact with Avery in Chapter 2 before the library and in Chapter 3, if the player chooses to hang out with them and/or invite them to ghost hunting. If they are invited ghost hunting, they will show up and join the player and Kaneeka's investigation in Chapter 4.

### Hidden Romanceables

Can Someone add an explanation to what hidden romanceables are here

* Wayne
	+ Wayne is the first hidden romanceable to be revealed. The player character is able to flirt with him during an encounter at the end of Chapter 4. They can additionally flirt with him in Chapter 3 if they have the Hot trait, though this is not necessary to trigger his romantic arc. He is programmed to only have romantic feelings for the player if he is flirted with.
* Dr. Kelly
	+ Dr. Kelly is the second hidden romanceable to be revealed. If the player manages to create a good relationship and flirts with her she will be more open at the end of Chapter 4 if she survives. The player character has more chances to flirt with her if they chose to give up years of their life to the ghost and heads over to the clinic for a check up. Unfortunately, you can only romance Dr. Kelly if you give up your years.
	+ The route was previously exclusive to the Hot trait, but was later patched to be available to all.
* Sybil
	+ Though not presently in the game, Sybil was confirmed to be another romanceable on Black Tabby's twitter. (if anyone has a source for this please list it)

## Other Relationships

* Tabitha
	+ Tabitha's relationship is influenced by how much the player character is open with her, agreeable with her, and ability to push back against her at times, as well as whether or not she is included in the major events. Having a good relationship with Tabitha allows her to open up more during her hang out in Chapter 3, and a whole different path at the end of Chapter 3 (as indicated by a different soundtrack), choosing to give up her own years of her life to the ghost, unwilling to let the player character give up theirs. If you don't have a close relationship yet you may also invite her to the ghost haunting the library. (you need to keep inviting her each episode) Which also helps getting close to her by the end if you choose to just leave the ghost be. In episode 4 toward the end you can choose to go straight home (while either Gretchen or the dogs telling you where Stella is) and you will get to hang out with Tabitha implying that you have a good relationship with her. Leading to a hang out scene with Tabitha.
* Rosalina
	+ Like her father, Rosalina's view of the player character is dependent on the major decisions of Chapter 2 and 3. If the player chose to go after Alexis and Becka, Rosalina will like the character and even more so if the library and annexed are free from the ghost. If the player chose to abandon Alexis and Becka and only rescue Rosalina, she will dislike the player character. Her dislike vehemently increases if the ghost is not exorcised and is forced to take residence at the Old Maxwell Place with her father.
* Miners
	+ If the player ate the gross leftovers (and didn't have the Powerful Build trait) and threw up at the diner, the miners will nickname the player "Pukey."
	+ How the miners treat the player character depends on how much of a threat they view them. If the miners feel okay with the player character, they will allow them to cross the picket line and talk to Tabitha, though if they do not trust them, they will be extremely closed off.

## Hidden Variables

* **Agreeable vs Adversarial**: Does the player tend to agree with or say nice things to a given character? Do they push back when a character is out of line?
* **Open vs Closed**: Is the player emotionally available to a given character? Does the player share an interest in a character’s feelings and does the player offer up their own vulnerabilities?
* **Bold vs Passive**: Does the player take charge in situations around a given character, or do they follow along with other characters’ plans? Likewise, does the player act decisively in stressful situations? Are they direct with their words and desires?
* **Reliable vs Unreliable**: If a character asks the player to do something, will they do it? Can they be trusted with secrets or to have a given character’s back?
* **Insightful vs Dull**: Is the player seen as observant or sharp by a given character? Do they actively contribute to mystery solving? Are they a himbo/bimbo/thembo?

CG
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Stella Chapter 1Stella Chapter 4Oscar Romance LockKaneeka Romance Lock
## Reference

1. ↑ Black Tabby Games Blog: Creating a dynamic relationship system in Scarlet Hollow