Progress! I wanted my updates on DZ & Riggy vs the World(s) II to die down before I started committing more to this project. I've been able to cobble together another original asset - my side view battle character template! As evidenced by Layla's battle sprite, it is heavily inspired (and based on) the FF4/FF6 battle sprites. 

Anyway, been doing more work on the story outside of RPG Maker lately, but in-game progress will pick up soon.