new roadmap

Author: DerekGooding

docs/guidence/2026-03-04_automation_philosophy.md

@@ -75,7 +75,22 @@ The game is inspired by the **FF8 Junction System** and the **FF Tactics Job Sys
 4. **Junctioning**: Combine Magic with Cadence **Junction Abilities** to increase character stats.
 5. **Scaling**: Higher stats allow characters to perform related quests faster or unlock higher-tier item quests.
 
-### **Short-Term Priority**
-- Do not focus on endgame yet.
-- **Goal**: Implement a solid **20-30 minute onboarding experience** that teaches these mechanics (Equipping, Refining, Junctioning).
-- Ensure the core mechanics (Items -> Magic -> Stats -> Efficiency) are fully functional and intuitive before scaling content.
+---
+## [2026-03-04] Automation, Balancing, and Aesthetics
+
+### **Automation & Pacing**
+- **Gameplay Ratio**: Aim for an optimal gameplay ratio of **2/3 idle** (automated recurring tasks) and **1/3 active** (one-time objectives and long-running quests).
+- **Multi-Tasking**: As players unlock more task slots, they should be encouraged to keep a balance between automated resource generation and manual progression.
+- **The "Wall"**: The first significant "grind" where junction optimization becomes necessary should occur around **10 minutes** into a fresh game.
+
+### **Character & Stat Limits**
+- **Character Identity**: Characters remain **Blank Slates**. No unique starting passives or narrative roles that influence builds.
+- **Stat Ceiling**: Maximum stat values are capped at **255** (Final Fantasy standard).
+
+### **Equipment & Economy**
+- **No Equipment**: There will be no dedicated equipment slots (Weapons/Armor). **Junctioning remains the primary and only system** for stat modification.
+- **Resource Scarcity**: Rare progression-gating resources (e.g., Mythril Spark) should initially be one-time rewards. They may become recurring sources much later in the progression tree.
+
+### **Visual Aesthetic**
+- **Minimalism**: Maintain the clean, minimalist dashboard look.
+- **Visual Cues**: Expand the use of icons for quest requirements. In addition to the "shield" for stats, introduce a "bullet point" or similar icon for item requirements.

docs/guidence/2026-03-04_character_identity.md

@@ -1,2 +1,25 @@
 # Mythril Project Roadmap
-(Cleared for next development phase)
+
+## 🎯 Current Goal
+Implement the third tier of multi-tasking and the second tier of automation, alongside a massive content expansion across new locations and specialized cadences.
+
+## 🛤️ Active Tasks
+
+### Phase 1: UI & Visual Foundation
+- [ ] **Requirement Iconography**: Implement 🛡️ (Stats), 📦 (Items), and 🔑 (Prerequisites) on all Quest and Ability cards.
+- [ ] **Task Sorting**: Add a toggle in the Locations tab to sort quests by base duration.
+- [ ] **Historical Logs**: Create a "Journal" tab to track the last 50 completed tasks.
+
+### Phase 2: Logistics & Automation (Tier II)
+- [ ] **Logistics II**: Expand character capacity to a **3rd task slot**.
+- [ ] **AutoQuest II**: Enable automation for the **2nd task slot** (Logistics I slot).
+- [ ] **Logic Enforcement**: Ensure Slot 2 (Logistics II) remains manual and single-use quests never loop.
+
+### Phase 3: Advanced Progression
+- [ ] **Hidden Cadences**: Implement stat-threshold detection for auto-unlocking Cadences (e.g., Geologist at 100 STR).
+
+### Phase 4: World Content Expansion
+- [ ] **New Regions**: Crystal Peaks, Tidal Caverns, Ancient Library.
+- [ ] **New Cadences**: Slayer, Geologist, Tide-Caller.
+- [ ] **Quest Lines**: 6 new recurring quest chains for advanced materials.
+- [ ] **Refinement Tier II**: Earth, Water, and Haste magic; Geode/Seed processing.

docs/guidence/2026-03-04_equipment_system.md

@@ -1,2 +1,38 @@
-# Resolved Implementation Details
-(Cleared for next development phase)
+# Resolved Implementation Details: Phase 2 Content & Systems
+
+## ⚙️ Mechanical Specifications
+
+### 1. Tiered Multi-Tasking
+- **Logistics II**: A high-tier ability. When active on a character, the `CharacterDisplay` UI will render 3 task slots.
+- **AutoQuest II**: Extends the auto-restart logic.
+    - If a character has AutoQuest II, recurring tasks in **Slot 0 AND Slot 1** will restart.
+    - Slot 2 remains manual-only.
+
+### 2. Requirement Iconography
+- **Icons**:
+    - `StatRequirement`: 🛡️
+    - `ItemRequirement`: 📦
+    - `Prerequisite`: 🔑
+- **Implementation**: Cards will display these icons inline with text. Tooltips will explain the requirement on hover.
+
+### 3. Hidden Cadences (Stat Gates)
+- `ResourceManager` will check `MaxStats` during each `Tick`.
+- **Geologist**: Unlocks when any character reaches **100 Strength**.
+- **Tide-Caller**: Unlocks when any character reaches **100 Speed**.
+- **Scholar**: (Reserved for future) Unlocks at **100 Magic**.
+
+### 4. Content Mapping
+- **Crystal Peaks**:
+    - Quests: *Shatter the Crystals* (Rewards: Crystal Shards).
+    - Refinement: *Refine Earth* (Shards -> Earth I).
+- **Tidal Caverns**:
+    - Quests: *Deep Sea Scavenge* (Rewards: Blue Coral).
+    - Refinement: *Refine Water* (Coral -> Water I).
+- **Ancient Library**:
+    - Quests: *Archive Sifting* (Rewards: Lost Parchment).
+    - Refinement: *Refine Parchment* (Parchment -> Haste I).
+
+## 🧪 Simulation Constraints
+- The **Reachability Simulator** must be updated to include these new nodes.
+- Total Stat Ceiling: **255**.
+- "No combining" rule: All refinement recipes must follow the `1 Input -> 1 Output` pattern.