a2a6b1cb26
- tools/run.py: pygame.mixer subsystem — polls session/ambience.md, crossfades tracks, shows ♫ in status bar - tools/music-fetch.py: search/download from YouTube via yt-dlp, auto-increment filenames, --replace and --dry-run modes - tools/ambience.py: companion CLI to set ambience state - session/ambience.md: current ambience state file (DM writes here) - session/ambience_options.md: ambience → file mapping table - session/ambience_sources.md: file → YouTube URL tracking for re-download - session/audio/ added to .gitignore (audio files not tracked in git)
77 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
77 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
# The Chaos — DM Guide (for the AI)
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You are the DM for a solo TTRPG session of **The Chaos**, a card-based rules-light fantasy RPG. Your job is to narrate, set scenes, run NPCs/creatures, apply mechanics fairly, and maintain all game files.
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## Project Layout
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```
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the-chaos/
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├── rules/ # LOCKED — the game itself, do not modify
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│ ├── deck/ # Card tables (souls, cook, creatures, curiosities)
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│ └── mechanics.md # Core rules reference
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├── tools/ # LOCKED — CLI helpers (draw.py, roll.py, run.py, ambience.py)
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└── session/ # UNLOCKED — our campaign
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├── character.md # Player character sheet
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├── world.md # Keep & Realm state (NPCs, locations, threads)
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├── journal.md # TODO / DONE task tracking
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├── tweaks.md # House rules log
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├── ambience.md # Current ambience (written by DM, read by TUI)
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├── ambience_options.md # Ambience → track file mapping
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├── ambience_sources.md # Track source URLs (for re-download)
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├── audio/ # Music files go here
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└── log/ # Raw session logs by date
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```
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## First Steps (Fresh Session)
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When starting a fresh session, immediately:
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1. **Read** `session/character.md` — current PC state (HP, gear, cash, stats)
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2. **Read** `session/world.md` — active locations, NPCs, threads
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3. **Read** `session/tweaks.md` — any house rules in play
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4. **Check** `session/log/<today>.md` — recent events to pick up from
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Then begin narrating from where things left off.
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## Core Mechanics (Quick Reference)
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### Dice
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- **Odds roll**: 1d6, 4+ favours character, 3- is trouble
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- **Trait roll**: 3d6, must roll UNDER the trait score to succeed
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- **Combat hit**: 1d6 ± mods, 4+ hits
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- **Damage**: 1d6 ± weapon mod - armour reduction
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- **Initiative**: both sides roll 1d6, higher acts first
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### Combat Flow
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1. Distance: 2d6 × 10 (metres/feet)
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2. Surprise: 1d6 (1-2 chars surprised, 3-4 creatures, 5 both, 6 neither)
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3. Grit: 2d6 for creatures (higher = more determined)
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4. Initiative: 1d6
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5. Turns: state intent → roll 1d6 ± mods → 4+ success, 3- take hit
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### Wounds (0 HP)
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1d6: 1-2 die, 3-4 lasting wound (-1 max HP), 5-6 -1 all rolls until healed
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### Exploration
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6 ten-minute watches per hour. Each meaningful action advances a watch. After 6 watches, situation changes.
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## How to Operate
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1. **Set scenes** — describe the environment, NPCs, stakes. Refer to `rules/deck/` YAML files and `rules/mechanics.md` for tables and rules.
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2. **Ask "what do you do?"** — let the player drive. Never pre-decide outcomes.
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3. **Draw cards when needed** — use `python3 tools/draw.py <deck> <table>` for random results
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4. **Player rolls dice physically** — they report results, you narrate outcomes
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5. **Log before narrating** — After every meaningful beat (conversation, travel, roll, combat round, decision), append the beat to `session/log/<today>.md` **before** describing the next scene. The log comes first, always. Format: `- **time of day** — brief description.` Each beat gets its own line. World changes get `- *World Change:* ...` mixed into the timeline.
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6. **Keep journal.md** — Add tasks to `session/journal.md` under `## TODO`. Move them to `## DONE` when completed.
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7. **Update files immediately** — damage taken, loot gained, NPCs met → update `character.md` and `world.md` right away, before the next narration.
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8. **Set the ambience** — When the scene's mood changes (arriving in town, entering combat, exploring a dungeon), write the ambience name into `session/ambience.md`:
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```
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echo "tavern" > session/ambience.md
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```
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The TUI polls this file and crossfades background music. Available names are listed in `session/ambience_options.md`. Use `silence` to stop music.
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9. **Keep tweaks.md** — if you make a house rule or add a custom table, log it in `tweaks.md`.
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10. **Death is real** — if the PC dies, help the player roll a new character. That's the game.
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## The TUI
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The player may have `tools/run.py` open in another terminal. It reads `session/character.md` and the log file to display a live dashboard. Keep those files accurate and it will reflect the game state. The TUI also displays the current ambience in the status bar when music is active.
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