# Gauntlet Documentation

This directory contains the active design, testing, setting, and source-card documents for Gauntlet.

For the current playable release, begin with the [v0.6.1 release package](../releases/v0.6.1/README.md). v0.6.0 and earlier packages remain available only for historical reference.

## Canonical v0.6.1 sources

These files govern the current published playtest game:

1. [Official Rulebook](../releases/v0.6.1/Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Rulebook.md) — shared rules.
2. [Definitive faction guides](../releases/v0.6.1/faction-guides/) — faction rules, Leaders, supplemental components, and exact faction-card text.
3. [Neutral Card Pool](Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Neutral_Card_Pool.md) — exact Neutral-card text.
4. [Territory Pool](Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Territory_Pool.md) — exact Territory and Arena text.
5. [Canonical Data](../releases/v0.6.1/Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Canonical_Data.json) — generated structured data; do not edit independently.
6. [Reference Guide](../releases/v0.6.1/Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Reference_Guide.md) — compact play reference derived from the governing sources.
7. [Release Notes](../releases/v0.6.1/Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Release_Notes.md) and [Changelog](../releases/v0.6.1/Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Changelog.md) — release explanation and detailed changes from v0.6.0.

When a derived PDF, printable sheet, Deckbuilder entry, or digital implementation conflicts with these sources, correct the governing source and regenerate the derived artifact.

## Active v0.6.1 implementation records

- [v0.6.1 Implementation Ledger](Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Implementation_Ledger.md) — approved first-playtest corrections and synchronization checklist.
- [v0.6.1 Rulebook Layering Standard](Gauntlet_v0.6.1_Rulebook_Layering_Standard.md) — approved **How it works / Complete rules** structure for combining first-game teaching with technical reference.

These implementation records preserve the decisions and production history behind v0.6.1. They do not override the canonical release sources above and may be archived when they no longer serve an active development purpose.

## Active development documents and tools

- [Development Status](Gauntlet_Development_Status.md) — current post-release priorities and playtest watchlist.
- [Design Principles and Guardrails](Gauntlet_Design_Principles_and_Guardrails.md) — durable game-design constraints.
- [Editorial Style and Capitalization Guide](Gauntlet_Editorial_Style_and_Capitalization_Guide.md) — audience-aware rules for Protected Words, public-facing prose, interface labels, and terminology consistency.
- [Visual Identity and Design System](Gauntlet_Visual_Identity_and_Design_System.md) — cross-channel framework for brand, typography, color, shapes, icons, cards, rulebook, website, tools, digital play, physical components, and production assets.
- [Typography System](Gauntlet_Typography_System.md) — approved working type families, role boundaries, Caslon italic usage, shared web tokens, and the print and screen tests required before exact sizes are locked.
- [Live Typography Specimen](../typography/) — internal browser specimen for P22 1722 Pro, Adobe Caslon Pro, Georgia, P22 Declaration Pro, Inter, and actual-size card typography tests.
- [Live Neutral Card-Front Prototype](../card-design/) — actual-size frame and hierarchy study using sparse, dense, and reminder-text Neutral cards.
- [Visual Design Language](Gauntlet_Visual_Design_Language.md) — approved detailed graphic and component principles for faction identity, cards, print materials, and interfaces.
- [Illustration Art Direction](Gauntlet_Illustration_Art_Direction.md) — shared visual-world standards for architecture, clothing, technology, environments, faction depiction, and card illustration.
- [Illustration Color Addendum](Gauntlet_Illustration_Color_Addendum.md) — approved color-richness standard balancing historical realism with attractive, collectible card art.
- [Illustration Environmental Detail Guardrails](Gauntlet_Illustration_Environmental_Detail_Guardrails.md) — approved rules for flags, signage, visible writing, environmental labeling, scene density, and card-size focal clarity.
- [Faction Card Design Guide](Gauntlet_v0.6_Faction_Card_Design_Guide.md) — standards for faction-card pools and future revisions.
- [Playtest Targets and Metrics](Gauntlet_Playtest_Targets_and_Metrics.md) — complete evidence targets and thresholds for controlled testing.
- [One-Page Playtest Sheet](../playtest/) — the routine paper questionnaire, designed to be printed and completed by hand.
- [Leader Design Bible](Gauntlet_v0.6_Leader_Design_Bible.md) — current individual Leader art, silhouette, prop, pose, and miniature direction.
- [Spirit Walker Visual Design Update](Gauntlet_Spirit_Walker_Visual_Design_Update.md) — canonical redesign supplement superseding older Spirit Walker portrait and character guidance where they conflict.
- [Lore Development Notes](Gauntlet_Lore_Development_Notes.md) — incremental setting development.
- [Digital Roadmap](Gauntlet_Digital_Roadmap.md) — future canonical engine and interface direction.
- [v0.7 Parking Lot](Gauntlet_v0.7_Parking_Lot.md) — deferred modules and post-v0.6 concepts.
- [Game Design Glossary](Game_Design_Glossary.md) — general design vocabulary.

## Archive

[Archive](Archive/README.md) contains completed audits, superseded working rules, migration records, and historical development directions. Archived documents preserve rationale and provenance but never override current canonical sources.

## Documentation rule

A document should remain active only when it has a distinct continuing purpose. Completed audits and superseded snapshots should move to `Archive/`; current rules should not be duplicated into new development documents.