magic-building/SETTINGS_GUIDE.md

# Settings System - Style Reference Guide

## Overview
The Settings system provides reusable visual style references that can be applied across multiple characters, worlds, and scenarios. These are **thematic style guides** rather than specific entities, designed to ensure consistent visual aesthetics across the universe.

## Available Setting Categories

### 📗 Clothing (settings/clothing/)
Visual style references for character attire across different worlds and scenarios.

#### Created Examples:
- **ancient-mage-robes** - Traditional high-status magical practitioner attire
  - Flowing robes, rich fabrics, runic embroidery
  - Perfect for [Character:camelot], [Character:eliot], high-ranking mages
  
- **modern-tactical-gear** - Contemporary military/security equipment
  - Functional tactical clothing, protective gear, modern materials
  - Suitable for [World:modern-world] action scenarios

#### Suggested Additions:
- **medieval-noble-attire** - Royal and aristocratic clothing
- **casual-modern-wear** - Contemporary everyday clothing
- **winter-survival-gear** - Cold weather protective clothing
- **scholar-robes** - Academic and research attire

### 🚗 Transportation (settings/transportation/)
Vehicle and mount styles for different worlds and scenarios.

#### Created Examples:
- **magical-mounts** - Fantasy creature transportation
  - Dragons, unicorns, winged horses, magical steeds
  - Perfect for [World:camelot-world] and fantasy travel
  
#### Suggested Additions:
- **modern-vehicles** - Contemporary cars, motorcycles, aircraft
- **medieval-horses** - Traditional horseback transportation
- **futuristic-transport** - Advanced sci-fi transportation
- **naval-vessels** - Ships and boats for water travel

### ⚔️ Weapons (settings/weapons/)
Weapon styles and designs for different combat scenarios.

#### Suggested Content:
- **medieval-weapons** - Swords, shields, crossbows, traditional arms
- **modern-firearms** - Contemporary weapons and tactical equipment  
- **magical-weapons** - Enchanted and mystical weapons
- **futuristic-weapons** - Advanced technology armaments

### 🌲 Environments (settings/environments/)
Background and environmental style references.

#### Suggested Content:
- **magical-forests** - Enchanted woodland environments
- **urban-landscapes** - Modern city environments
- **ancient-ruins** - Historical and archaeological sites
- **winter-landscapes** - Cold weather and snow environments

### 🏰 Architecture Styles (settings/architecture-styles/)
Building and structure design patterns.

#### Suggested Content:
- **medieval-castles** - Traditional fortress and castle designs
- **modern-buildings** - Contemporary architectural styles
- **magical-towers** - Fantasy magical structure designs
- **ancient-temples** - Religious and ceremonial architecture

### ✨ Magical Effects (settings/magical-effects/)
Visual effect styles for magical phenomena.

#### Suggested Content:
- **elemental-magic** - Fire, water, earth, air magical visualizations
- **healing-magic** - Positive magical effect visualizations
- **dark-magic** - Shadow and necromantic magical effects
- **protective-magic** - Barrier and shielding magical effects

## How Settings Work

### Automatic Application
Claude Code automatically applies appropriate settings based on:
- **Character Status**: High-ranking characters get more elaborate styles
- **World Context**: Settings must match the world's technology/magic level
- **Scenario Requirements**: Combat, formal, casual, travel scenarios need different styles
- **Character Preferences**: Established style preferences from character descriptions

### Cross-References Integration
Settings can be explicitly referenced in entity descriptions:
```markdown
## Cross-References
- **Typical Attire**: [Setting:clothing/ancient-mage-robes]
- **Preferred Transportation**: [Setting:transportation/magical-mounts]
- **Combat Style**: [Setting:weapons/magical-weapons]
```

### Style Override Commands
Users can request specific style applications:
- `"Style Camelot in modern tactical gear"` - Apply unusual style for contrast
- `"Show Eliot in ancient mage robes"` - Apply formal attire
- `"Generate Nataly in winter survival gear"` - Apply environmental clothing

## Creating New Settings

### File Structure Template
```
settings/{category}/{style-name}/
├── description.md          # Comprehensive style guide
├── images/                # Reference images for the style
└── prompts/               # Successful prompts using this style
```

### Description Template
```markdown
# {Style Name} - {Category} Setting

## Basic Information
- **Setting Name**: {Style Name}
- **Category**: {Category}
- **Style Period**: {Time period/aesthetic}
- **Application**: {When/who uses this style}

## Visual Characteristics
[Detailed visual description]

## Applicable Worlds and Characters
[Cross-references to compatible entities]

## Usage Guidelines
[How and when to apply this style]

## Prompt Integration Notes
[Keywords and phrases for prompt generation]
```

## Style Combination Rules

### Compatible Combinations
- **ancient-mage-robes** + **magical-mounts** = Classic high fantasy aesthetic
- **modern-tactical-gear** + **modern-vehicles** = Contemporary action scenario
- **winter-survival-gear** + **winter-landscapes** = Cold environment survival

### Incompatible Combinations
- **ancient-mage-robes** + **modern-vehicles** = Avoid unless specifically requested
- **modern-tactical-gear** + **magical-mounts** = Requires careful narrative justification
- **medieval-weapons** + **futuristic-environments** = Only for specific crossover scenarios

## Quality Standards

### Visual Consistency
- Settings must align with established world aesthetics
- Character status should be reflected in style complexity
- Environmental appropriateness is essential

### Narrative Appropriateness
- Styles must serve the story and character development
- Anachronistic combinations require narrative justification
- Cultural sensitivity in style design and application

### Technical Standards
- All settings follow PROJECT_STANDARDS.md requirements
- High-quality reference materials and detailed descriptions
- Successful prompt patterns documented for reuse

## Integration with Existing Entities

### Character Applications
- **[Character:camelot]**: ancient-mage-robes, magical-mounts, magical-weapons
- **[Character:nataly]**: modern-casual-wear, modern-vehicles, modern-environments
- **[Character:eliot]**: ancient-mage-robes (simpler), magical-mounts, apprentice-weapons

### World Compatibility
- **[World:camelot-world]**: All magical and medieval settings appropriate
- **[World:modern-world]**: Contemporary settings only
- **[World:winter-world]**: Winter-themed settings, magical ice effects

### Location Enhancement
- **[Location:central-castle]**: medieval-architecture, magical-effects, ancient-weapons
- **[City:gronin]**: modern-architecture, urban-environments, contemporary-styles

## Future Expansion

### Priority Categories
1. **Weapons** - Essential for combat scenarios
2. **Environments** - Critical for location consistency
3. **Architecture Styles** - Important for location and world building
4. **Magical Effects** - Key for fantasy world visualization

### Style Suggestions
- **Steampunk Elements** - For worlds mixing magic and technology
- **Cyberpunk Aesthetics** - For futuristic modern world scenarios
- **Post-Apocalyptic** - For destroyed world environments
- **Underwater Themes** - For aquatic world and creature scenarios

The Settings system ensures that every generated image maintains high visual quality and narrative consistency while providing flexibility for creative storytelling across the universe.