Creative direction: sound as territory, VISION.md, keyart, needle-drop launch

Signature mechanic — auras make sound physical:
 * In The Mix (MRP): allied units within 5 cells of an Amp Stack get +25%
   firepower, pink note decoration. Amp placement is now forward strategy.
 * Low Latency (Stream): allied units within 5 cells of an Edge Node move 30%
   faster, blue chevron decoration. The datacentre build-radius creep now has a
   combat identity to match the lore.
Pure YAML: ProximityExternalCondition -> ExternalCondition + multipliers.

Also: VISION.md (five pillars, one page), THE DROP/SHUFFLE launches now play a
procedural vinyl needle-drop crackle (33rpm rumble + dust pops), and generated
cinematic keyart wired into the loadscreen stripe.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

VISION.md

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# VINYLGOD — creative direction
+
+One page. If a change fights these pillars, the change is wrong.
+
+## The fantasy
+You are fighting a war over whether music gets to be a *thing you hold*.
+Every match is a loudness war made literal.
+
+## Pillars
+
+**1. Loud is strong.**
+Sound is territory. MRP units fight harder *In The Mix* (within earshot of an
+Amp Stack, +25% firepower). Stream units run *Low Latency* near an Edge Node
+(+30% speed). Forward speaker placement is forward strategy. Any new mechanic
+should ask: does this make sound more physical?
+
+**2. The ground remembers.**
+Wax seeps regrow the fields. Explosions scar the asphalt. Groove-etched ground
+marks where the Black Wax surfaced. Battles should leave the map looking
+*played*, like a record collects crackle.
+
+**3. Everything is a record.**
+Weapons are thrown 45s, rotors are LPs, the superweapon is a tonearm. If an
+asset could belong in a generic sci-fi RTS, redesign it until it couldn't.
+
+**4. The Party is loud; the Stream is polite.**
+MRP: rust, hot pink, gaffer tape, warm voices, drums. Stream: seamless white,
+ring lights, customer-service menace, no corners. MRP text shouts. Stream text
+apologises while it deletes you. Never swap these voices.
+
+**5. Real stakes, cartoon delivery.**
+Music is being erased forever — and the robots are having the time of their
+lives defending it. No grimdark. Loss lines hurt ("THE NEEDLE HAS LIFTED"),
+win lines are needle-drops.
+
+## Hard rules (inherited, non-negotiable)
+- 100% original content, generated locally, provenance logged in
+  assets_src/PROMPTS.md. No EA anything. GPL v3 everything.
+- Balance claims require a 5-match arena series (MEGAPLAN §5b), not vibes.
+- Verify with tools/smoketest.sh — a live process is not a passing game.

mods/vinylgod/rules/combat.yaml

@@ -8,6 +8,16 @@
 	AttackMove:
 
 spinner:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -32,6 +42,16 @@ spinner:
 		Weapon: tonearm_blade
 
 stacktank:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -56,6 +76,16 @@ stacktank:
 		Weapon: feedback_burst
 
 basscannon:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -80,6 +110,16 @@ basscannon:
 		Weapon: bass_ring
 
 roadie:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^Unit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -104,6 +144,7 @@ mastering:
 	Inherits: ^EconBuilding
 	Inherits@shape: ^Buildable2x2
 	NukePower:
+		LaunchSound: audio/sfx_needledrop.wav
 		Icon: thedrop
 		Name: power-thedrop.name
 		Description: power-thedrop.description
@@ -135,6 +176,16 @@ mastering:
 		Amount: -40
 
 hornpit:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^EconBuilding
 	Inherits@shape: ^Buildable1x1
 	Buildable:
@@ -198,6 +249,7 @@ algorithm:
 	Power:
 		Amount: -40
 	NukePower:
+		LaunchSound: audio/sfx_needledrop.wav
 		Icon: theshuffle
 		Name: power-theshuffle.name
 		Description: power-theshuffle.description
@@ -219,6 +271,16 @@ algorithm:
 # --- round 5: MRP hero + scout ---
 
 selector:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -245,6 +307,16 @@ selector:
 	SelectionDecorations:
 
 boombike:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -316,6 +388,16 @@ boombike:
 		Categories: Aircraft
 
 flyer45:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^AirUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice

mods/vinylgod/rules/economy.yaml

@@ -83,6 +83,16 @@ popupvan:
 		Facing: 384
 
 djgrunt:
+	ExternalCondition@INTHEMIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+	FirepowerMultiplier@INTHEMIX:
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Modifier: 125
+	WithDecoration@INTHEMIX:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: mix
+		RequiresCondition: inthemix
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: MrpVoice
@@ -198,6 +208,9 @@ pressplant:
 
 ampstack:
 	Inherits: ^EconBuilding
+	ProximityExternalCondition@MIX:
+		Condition: inthemix
+		Range: 5c0
 	Inherits@shape: ^Buildable1x1
 	Buildable:
 		Queue: Building

mods/vinylgod/rules/stream.yaml

@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ streamhub:
 
 datacentre:
 	Inherits: ^EconBuilding
+	ProximityExternalCondition@LATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+		Range: 5c0
 	Inherits@shape: ^Buildable1x1
 	Buildable:
 		Queue: Building
@@ -127,6 +130,16 @@ printfarm:
 		Amount: -20
 
 scraper:
+	ExternalCondition@LOWLATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+	SpeedMultiplier@LOWLATENCY:
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Modifier: 130
+	WithDecoration@LOWLATENCY:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: latency
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^Unit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: StreamVoice
@@ -158,6 +171,16 @@ scraper:
 	DockClientManager:
 
 bufferbot:
+	ExternalCondition@LOWLATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+	SpeedMultiplier@LOWLATENCY:
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Modifier: 130
+	WithDecoration@LOWLATENCY:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: latency
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: StreamVoice
@@ -180,6 +203,16 @@ bufferbot:
 		Weapon: ping
 
 drmwalker:
+	ExternalCondition@LOWLATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+	SpeedMultiplier@LOWLATENCY:
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Modifier: 130
+	WithDecoration@LOWLATENCY:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: latency
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: StreamVoice
@@ -206,6 +239,16 @@ drmwalker:
 # --- round 5: Stream hero + scout ---
 
 curator:
+	ExternalCondition@LOWLATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+	SpeedMultiplier@LOWLATENCY:
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Modifier: 130
+	WithDecoration@LOWLATENCY:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: latency
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^ArmedUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: StreamVoice
@@ -232,6 +275,16 @@ curator:
 	SelectionDecorations:
 
 crawler:
+	ExternalCondition@LOWLATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+	SpeedMultiplier@LOWLATENCY:
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Modifier: 130
+	WithDecoration@LOWLATENCY:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: latency
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^Unit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: StreamVoice
@@ -258,6 +311,16 @@ crawler:
 # --- round 5: air ---
 
 compressor:
+	ExternalCondition@LOWLATENCY:
+		Condition: lowlatency
+	SpeedMultiplier@LOWLATENCY:
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Modifier: 130
+	WithDecoration@LOWLATENCY:
+		Image: auras
+		Sequence: latency
+		RequiresCondition: lowlatency
+		Position: TopRight
 	Inherits: ^AirUnit
 	Voiced:
 		VoiceSet: StreamVoice

mods/vinylgod/sequences/economy.yaml

@@ -321,3 +321,9 @@ scorches:
 		Filename: sequences/assets/scorch3.png
 	sc4:
 		Filename: sequences/assets/scorch4.png
+
+auras:
+	mix:
+		Filename: sequences/assets/aura_mix.png
+	latency:
+		Filename: sequences/assets/aura_latency.png