This directory contains the knowledge trees for the Trade simulation. Each tree describes a domain of discovery — skills, materials, tools, structures — together with the prerequisite conditions that make each discovery possible.
See also Occupation and Economy Framework for timing targets, gameplay feel guidance, and cross-triad interaction patterns. The trees provide WHAT unlocks, the framework provides WHEN (progression pacing) and WHY (design principles).
- Prerequisites are listed under each entry. When multiple prerequisite lines appear, they represent alternative paths — satisfying any one of them is sufficient unless explicitly marked
AND. - Enables lists what a discovery unlocks: skills, recipes, goals, or entries in other trees.
- Cross-tree links use the format
[Tree › Entry](target-file.md#section-heading). - Entries marked 🔮 are planned but not yet implemented; entries marked ✅ are implemented.
- Discoveries are generally emergent: pawns stumble into them through play, not through a fixed checklist.
| File | Domain |
|---|---|
| skills.md | Skill development — how new capabilities are unlocked |
| materials.md | Raw materials and how they are found or refined |
| tools.md | Hand tools and carried equipment |
| structures.md | Placeable buildings and infrastructure |
| knowledge.md | Invention, pondering, and cross-domain insight |
Three broad civilizational trajectories emerge from the simulation. They are roughly equally likely in an unguided run, and they cross-pollinate freely.
| File | Path |
|---|---|
| tribal-military.md | Hunting, combat, territory, and clan organisation |
| civic-industrial.md | Settlement, production, infrastructure, and governance |
| mercantile-entrepreneurial.md | Trade networks, value creation, and merchant enterprise |
- Skill levels are numeric (e.g.
weaving ≥ 2). - Item exposure counts how many times a pawn has encountered a material type.
- Structure exposure counts how many times a pawn has been near a structure tag.
ORbetween prerequisite lines means any single line suffices.- Back-pressure: once a pawn masters a later discovery they may find earlier prerequisites easier to recognise — this is noted where relevant.