# Paula - Project Briefing
Last updated: 2026-02-10

## Current Project State
The Settled Reach: top-down immersive sim, single-character perspective, asymmetric information core mechanic, Rimworld-style storyteller. 29 confirmed decisions, 17 discussion rounds complete. Engine selected (D-020). Vertical slice defined (D-027).

## Decisions Relevant to Your Role
- D-005: Asymmetric information as core mechanic driving faction dynamics
- D-013: POI manipulation system - how factions mark and control information
- D-016: Internal monologue - unreliable narrator reflecting faction allegiances
- D-018: Sound system - information quality degrades by range, affecting faction awareness
- D-021: Official title "The Settled Reach"

### Round 17 Decisions (NPC & Dialogue Systems)
- **D-024: NPC triangle model** - Your proposal: 3 NPCs with conflicting interests as atomic intrigue unit. 2 per template minimum, 1 cross-template. 10 consolidated axes (Want, Secret, Relationships 1-3, Tolerance, Routine, Information, Contentment, Personality, Tell, Skills). Combat as component, not axis.
- **D-025: Cross-template triangles via reference links** - NPCs owned by one template, referenced by others with relationship metadata. Enables social site overlap without lifecycle conflicts.
- **D-028: Four relational dialogue layers** - Your design: (1) Access tiers, (2) Relationship history, (3) Trust-gated gossip, (4) Unprompted disclosure. All load-bearing. Social dialogue budgeted 40% more than investigation.
- **D-029: 30/50/20 population split** - Your proposal: 30% flat, 50% mundane triangles, 20% entangled. Mundane triangles ARE the social game. Variable per seed to prevent metagaming.

## Open Questions Assigned to You
- Q-011: Character selection roster for prototype (co-lead with Miri)

## Current Priorities
NPC triangle authoring for vertical slice templates (workplace, bar, smuggling ring). Define cross-template relationship metadata schema for reference links. Design vertical slice character rosters (smuggler + detective perspectives on same NPCs). Map dialogue layers to NPC axes for systemic line selection. Social gameplay loop design — mundane triangles as standalone content.

## Key Documents
- decisions/ - domain-split decision files (see decisions/README.md for index)
- docs/discussions/ - archived rounds
- TEAM.md - team roster