Exploration System Creator

Create exploration content for SHINOBI WAY: THE INFINITE TOWER following the node-based navigation system with intel-gated path choices.

Core Hierarchy

REGION (e.g., Land of Waves)
├── LOCATION × 10-15 (e.g., The Docks, Fishing Village)
│   ├── ROOM × 10 per location (1→2→4→2→1 branching)
│   │   ├── Rooms 1-9: Random activities (combat, event, merchant, etc.)
│   │   └── Room 10: INTEL MISSION (always elite fight)
│   └── PATHS (connections to other locations)
└── BOSS (final destination)

Key Mechanics

Mechanic	Description
Forward-Only	Cannot backtrack to previous locations (roguelike style)
Path Choice	With intel: choose path. Without: random destination
Intel Mission	Room 10 elite fight. Win = intel. Skip = random path
Loops	Special paths back to earlier locations (discovered via intel)
Secrets	Hidden locations unlocked by intel, items, karma, or story

Workflow

Step 1: Design Region

Define the region's identity:

const region: Region = {
  id: 'region_id',
  name: 'Region Name',
  theme: 'Narrative theme description',
  description: 'Atmospheric description',
  entryPoints: ['location_1', 'location_2'],  // 1-2 starting locations
  bossLocation: 'boss_location_id',
  lootTheme: {
    primaryElement: ElementType.WATER,
    equipmentFocus: ['speed', 'dexterity'],
    goldMultiplier: 0.8
  }
};

See region-system.md for complete region structure.

Step 2: Plan Locations (10-15)

Map locations with danger progression:

Column	Stage	Danger	Location Count
0	Entry	1-2	1-2 locations
1	Early	3-4	2-3 locations
2	Mid	4-5	3-4 locations
3	Late	5-6	2-3 locations
4	Boss	7	1 location

Location Types:

Type	Combat	Merchant	Rest	Focus
settlement	Low	Yes	Yes	Story, social
wilderness	Medium	No	Maybe	Exploration
stronghold	High	Maybe	No	Heavy combat
landmark	Medium	Maybe	Maybe	Balanced, story
secret	Varies	Rare	Rare	Unique rewards
boss	BOSS	No	No	Final encounter

See location-system.md for location data structure and terrain types.

Step 3: Define Room Activities

Each location has 10 rooms in a 1→2→4→2→1 branching structure. Player visits 5 rooms per location.

Activity Weights (Rooms 1-9 only):

Activity	Weight	Description
combat	40%	Fight enemies from location pool
event	25%	Atmosphere event with choices
merchant	10%	Buy/sell (max 1 per location)
rest	8%	Recover HP/Chakra (max 1 per location)
treasure	8%	Loot chest
training	5%	Permanent stat upgrade
story_event	4%	Narrative from story tree

Room 10 is ALWAYS an Intel Mission - elite fight or boss.

See room-system.md for room layout and connections.

Step 4: Configure Intel Missions

Every location's Room 10 contains an Intel Mission:

Player reaches Room 10 → FIGHT or SKIP
├── FIGHT → Win → Intel + Loot → CHOOSE next path
├── FIGHT → Lose → Game Over
└── SKIP → No rewards → RANDOM next path

Elite scaling by location type:

Location Type	Elite Level	Notes
Settlement	2-3	Guards, spies
Wilderness	3-5	Beasts, bandits
Stronghold	5-7	Commanders
Landmark	4-5	Guardians
Secret	4-7	Unique elites
Boss	8-10	Cannot skip

See intel-mission-system.md for intel rewards and boss handling.

Step 5: Map Path Network

Define connections between locations:

Path Types:

Type	Direction	Discovery	Description
forward	→	Always visible	Standard progression
branch	→	Always visible	Alternative route
loop	←	Via intel hint	Return to earlier location
secret	→	Via intel/item/karma	Hidden location access
boss	→	Always visible	Final path to boss

Navigation Rules:

1. Forward-only (except loops)
2. Visited locations are closed
3. Intel = player chooses path
4. No intel = random destination
5. Loops are one-time use
6. Boss completes region

See navigation-system.md for path data structures and loop system.

Step 6: Validate

Region Checklist:

• [ ] 10-15 locations total
• [ ] 1-2 entry points (isEntry: true)
• [ ] 1 boss location (isBoss: true)
• [ ] All locations reachable from entry
• [ ] Multiple paths to boss (2-3 minimum)
• [ ] Danger curve: Entry (1-2) → Boss (7)

Location Checklist:

• [ ] Unique id and name
• [ ] Valid type and danger level
• [ ] 1-3 forward paths (except boss)
• [ ] Intel mission defined
• [ ] Flags match type

Room Checklist:

• [ ] 10 rooms per location
• [ ] Room 10 = intel_mission
• [ ] Max 1 merchant, max 1 rest
• [ ] Connections follow 1→2→4→2→1

See types.md for complete TypeScript interfaces.

Reference Files

• region-system.md - Region structure and data
• location-system.md - Location types, terrain, flags
• room-system.md - 10-room layout and activities
• intel-mission-system.md - Elite fights and intel rewards
• navigation-system.md - Paths, loops, secrets
• types.md - TypeScript type definitions
• example-waves.md - Complete Land of Waves region

Output Format

Generate TypeScript code for new regions/locations ready to integrate into the game systems.