Procedural Mission Specification: Side Ops

This document defines the logic for generating "Side Ops" that match the fidelity of Story Missions.

1. System Architecture

Class: MissionGenerator
Responsibility: Factory that produces temporary Mission objects.
Triggers: Daily Reset, Mission Complete.

2. Generation Logic

A. Naming & Flavor (The Hook)

Missions use a context-aware "Operation: [Adjective] [Noun] [Numeral]" format.

Skirmish Nouns: Thunder, Storm, Iron, Fury, Shield, Hammer.
Salvage Nouns: Cache, Vault, Echo, Spark, Harvest, Trove.
Eliminate Unit Nouns: Viper, Dagger, Fang, Night, Razor, Sting.
Recon Nouns: Eye, Watch, Path, Horizon, Whisper, Scope.

B. Narrative Synthesis (Dynamic Context)

Unlike Story missions which link to static files, Side Ops generate a Narrative Sequence on the fly to give context.

Intro Template:
- Speaker: Faction Representative (e.g., General Kael for Iron Legion requests).
- Text: "Commander, [Faction] scouts report [EnemyType] activity in the [Biome]. We need you to [ObjectiveVerb] them immediately."
Outro Template:
- Speaker: Faction Representative.
- Text: "Target neutralized. Funds transferred. Good hunting, Explorer."

The Generator creates these JSON blobs and registers them with the NarrativeManager using a generated ID (e.g., NARRATIVE_SIDE_123_INTRO).

C. Biome & Hazards

Select Unlocked Region.
Roll Density: Low (Scouting), Medium (Standard), High (Warzone).
Roll Hazards: 30% chance to add a Biome-specific hazard (e.g., HAZARD_POISON_SPORES for Fungal Caves) to make the tactical layer interesting.

D. Mission Archetypes (Objectives)

1. Skirmish (Combat Focus)

Objective: ELIMINATE_ALL.
Icon: assets/icons/mission_sword.png.
Config: Medium Density, Standard Rewards.

2. Salvage (Resource Focus)

Objective: INTERACT with 3-5 "Supply Crates".
Icon: assets/icons/mission_coin.png.
Config: High Cover Density.
Reward Bonus: Items/Materials.

3. Eliminate Unit (Boss Focus)

Objective: ELIMINATE_UNIT (Named Elite).
Icon: assets/icons/mission_skull.png.
Config: Spawns a Unit with stats: { hp: 200%, attack: 150% } and a unique name (e.g., "Gorgon the Rot").
Reward Bonus: High Currency.

4. Recon (Speed Focus)

Objective: REACH_ZONE (3 Zones).
Icon: assets/icons/mission_search.png.
Config: Large Map, Low Density.
Turn Limit: 8 Turns.

3. Rewards Scaling

Currency: Base (50) _ TierMultiplier _ Random(0.8, 1.2).
Reputation: +10 to Patron Faction.
Loot: 20% chance for a Chest Key or Consumable Bundle.

4. Implementation Prompt

"Create src/systems/MissionGenerator.js.

Templates: Define text templates for Intros/Outros for each Faction Leader.
Generate: Implement generateSideOp(tier, regionId).
- Construct the Mission object.
- Construct the Narrative objects (Intro/Outro) dynamically.
- Register Narratives to NarrativeManager (or return them to be registered).
Hazards: Map Biomes to valid Hazards and roll for inclusion."

5. Detailed Example (Generated Output)

This is what the output JSON looks like—indistinguishable from a Story Mission to the Game Engine.

{
  "id": "SIDE_OP_170932",
  "type": "SIDE_QUEST",
  "config": {
    "title": "Operation: Crimson Viper II",
    "description": "General Kael requests the elimination of a high-value target in the Crystal Spires.",
    "difficulty_tier": 2,
    "recommended_level": 3,
    "icon": "assets/icons/mission_skull.png"
  },
  "biome": {
    "type": "BIOME_CRYSTAL_SPIRES",
    "generator_config": {
      "seed_type": "RANDOM",
      "seed": 982374,
      "size": { "x": 22, "y": 12, "z": 22 },
      "room_count": 0,
      "density": "MEDIUM"
    },
    "hazards": ["HAZARD_GRAVITY_FLUX"]
  },
  "deployment": {
    "squad_size_limit": 4
  },
  "narrative": {
    "intro_sequence": "NARRATIVE_SIDE_170932_INTRO",
    "outro_success": "NARRATIVE_SIDE_170932_OUTRO",

    "_dynamic_data": {
      "intro": {
        "id": "NARRATIVE_SIDE_170932_INTRO",
        "nodes": [
          {
            "id": "1",
            "type": "DIALOGUE",
            "speaker": "General Kael",
            "portrait": "assets/images/portraits/vanguard.png",
            "text": "Scouts have spotted 'Krag the Breaker' in this sector. He's dangerous. Put him down.",
            "next": "END"
          }
        ]
      },
      "outro": {
        "id": "NARRATIVE_SIDE_170932_OUTRO",
        "nodes": [
          {
            "id": "1",
            "type": "DIALOGUE",
            "speaker": "General Kael",
            "portrait": "assets/images/portraits/vanguard.png",
            "text": "Target confirmed KIA. Good work, soldier. Funds transferred.",
            "next": "END"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "objectives": {
    "primary": [
      {
        "id": "OBJ_HUNT",
        "type": "ELIMINATE_UNIT",
        "target_def_id": "ENEMY_ELITE_ECHO_KRAG",
        "description": "Eliminate Krag the Breaker."
      }
    ]
  },
  "rewards": {
    "guaranteed": {
      "xp": 350,
      "currency": { "aether_shards": 150 }
    },
    "faction_reputation": { "IRON_LEGION": 15 }
  },
  "expiresIn": 3
}

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