# Final campaign module freeze

This pass locks the campaign concept as a product layer rather than a string of normal cases.

## Core distinction

One-shot cases use the deck to make the best of one live situation.

Campaigns use the same deck, but the story shapes what support is available. The campaign file defines cards removed from the deck, cards restored by outcomes, cards locked by consequences, named character states, Threadlight and final ending bands.

Campaigns are not just longer cases. They are persistent narrative deck-shaping stories.

## Campaign deck rule

A campaign must never start with a generic reduced deck such as "remove all face cards" unless the story specifically demands it.

Instead, every campaign defines:

- `starting_removed`, exact cards to remove before Chapter 1
- `starting_reason`, the story reason those cards are unavailable
- `restore_market`, limited story-approved cards players may restore with Threadlight
- per-chapter `on_stepped_away.restore` and `on_not_stepped_away.restore`
- optional per-chapter `lock` cards

The app shows unavailable/restored cards as visible card chips so players can prepare the physical deck quickly.

## Threadlight

Threadlight is the campaign resource.

It is used for:

- replaying completed chapters
- restoring story-approved cards
- preventing the player from retrying infinitely without pressure

The campaign keeps a floor, usually 1 Threadlight, so the player does not enter a death spiral.

## Standard campaign chapter

Campaign chapters are balanced around Standard 10-minute play.

A chapter should contain:

1. story opening
2. focus character
3. deck note
4. normal Step Away session
5. binary campaign result
6. character stat changes
7. card restore/lock changes
8. Threadlight gain
9. final campaign ending check

## Campaign outcomes

For campaign branching:

- one-shot `live` counts as `stepped_away`
- one-shot `fragile` and `dark` count as `not_stepped_away`

This keeps campaign endings readable.

## Death spiral prevention

Every campaign should include at least three protections:

- Threadlight floor
- small Threadlight gain or low card restore after failure
- no permanent mass card destruction by default
- endings that bend based on outcome rather than instantly ending

## Paid campaign value

A £2.99 campaign should justify itself with:

- named recurring characters
- 5-7 linked chapters
- story-shaped deck preparation
- persistent character board
- Threadlight economy
- multiple ending bands
- replay hooks

The free pilot exists to teach this structure and encourage people to buy later campaigns.
