# 👥 NPC GENERATION MASTER PLAN
**Version:** 2.0 - Optimized  
**Date:** January 5th, 2026  
**Total NPCs:** 8 Unique + 15 Variations = **23 Base Sprites**

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## 🎯 **STRATEGY:**

Instead of generating 180 unique NPCs, we create:
- **8 UNIQUE** characters (story-critical, unique portraits)
- **15 VARIATION** templates (recolored for different biomes)

**This covers ALL 27 towns across 20 biomes!**

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## 📊 **TIER 1: UNIQUE PORTRAITS (8 Characters)**

These get **full unique designs** with **master reference images**.

### **1. KAI MARKOVIĆ** 🗡️
**Role:** Main playable character  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (CRITICAL)

**Visual Details:**
- Pink and green dreadlocks
- Stretched ear gauges, multiple piercings (nose, lip, eyebrow)
- Katana strapped to back
- Post-apocalyptic torn jacket, ripped jeans
- Combat boots, survival backpack
- Athletic, wiry build
- **Eyes:** Red with dark pupils (human, NOT zombie)

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait (front-facing, full body)
- 4-direction idle sprites
- 4-direction walking animations
- Combat poses (sword attacks)
- Dialogue portrait (close-up, expressive)

**Total:** ~10 sprites

---

### **2. ANA MARKOVIĆ** 👩‍🔬
**Role:** Twin sister, main quest target  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (CRITICAL)

**Visual Details:**
- Light blonde hair (short, practical cut)
- Blue eyes WITH dark pupils (friendly NPC style)
- Determined, survival-ready expression
- Adventure vest with pockets
- Research backpack
- Scientist/survivor hybrid look

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait
- Dialogue portraits (3 emotions: neutral, happy, worried)
- Cutscene sprite (for flashbacks)
- Rescued sprite (end-game)

**Total:** ~6 sprites

---

### **3. GRONK** 🧌
**Role:** Kaijev prijatelj, tamed troll companion  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (CRITICAL)

**Visual Details:**
- MASSIVE green troll (3m tall in chibi proportions)
- Pink dreadlocks
- Stretched ear gauges, nose ring
- Vape always in hand (essential!)
- Black t-shirt: "TROLL SABBATH" (purple text)
- Torn baggy skater pants
- Pink sneakers
- Friendly giant aesthetic

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait
- 4-direction idle (massive size)
- Walking animations
- Combat poses (earthquake slam)
- Vaping animation (idle variant)
- Dialogue portrait

**Total:** ~10 sprites

---

### **4. MIRO PRAVNIK** ⚖️
**Role:** Lawyer (divorces, legal services)  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐ (High)

**Visual Details:**
- Starejši moški (older man, 50s-60s)
- Wrinkled brown office suit (worn, apocalypse-aged)
- Rusty briefcase
- Tired, weathered expression
- Dark humor in eyes
- Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait
- Idle sprite (standing behind desk)
- Dialogue portrait
- Gesture sprites (signing papers, adjusting glasses)

**Total:** ~4 sprites

---

### **5. MAYOR/ŽUPAN** 🏛️
**Role:** Town administrator, restoration permits  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High)

**Visual Details:**
- Serious lik (authoritative, official)
- Long green coat with official sash
- Old tablet computer in hand
- Bureaucratic but fair expression
- Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait
- Idle sprite (standing, official pose)
- Dialogue portrait
- Gesture sprite (handing permit document)

**Total:** ~4 sprites

---

### **6. IVAN KOVAČ** ⚒️
**Role:** Blacksmith (tool repair, enchanting)  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (CRITICAL - already partially generated)

**Visual Details:**
- Močan lik (strong, muscular build)
- Protective goggles pushed up on forehead
- Blacksmith apron (soot-covered, leather)
- Muscular arms, soot on face
- Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait ✅ (HAVE: download.jpg)
- Hammering animation ✅
- Idle standing ✅
- Showing sword ✅
- Dialogue portrait ✅
- Additional: Enchanting pose (at magic table)

**Total:** ~6 sprites (5 done, 1 needed)

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### **7. ARBORIST/GOZDAR** 🌲
**Role:** Tree planter, forest management  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐ (High)

**Visual Details:**
- Work clothes (green/brown palette)
- Gardening gloves
- Seed bags across chest
- Dirt-stained, nature-loving
- Calm, patient expression
- Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait
- Idle sprite (holding sapling)
- Dialogue portrait
- Planting animation (kneeling, placing tree)

**Total:** ~4 sprites

---

### **8. ZOMBI SKAVT** 🧟
**Role:** Friendly zombie companion, explorer  
**Priority:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High)

**Visual Details:**
- Friendly zombie with red OR blue bandana around neck
- Small backpack
- **Red eyes WITH dark pupils** (special friendly variant)
- Chibi zombie proportions
- Non-threatening, helpful pose

**Evolution Stages (4 visual levels):**
1. **Base (Lv 1-4):** Basic zombie scout, bandana, backpack
2. **Lantern (Lv 5-9):** Gains glowing lantern
3. **Armored (Lv 10-14):** Light armor plates
4. **Winged (Lv 15-19):** Small wings (can fly/scout)
5. **LEGENDARY (Lv 20):** Glowing purple aura, all upgrades

**Sprites Needed:**
- Master reference portrait (base form)
- 4-direction idle × 5 evolution stages = 20
- Walking animations × 5 stages = 20
- Pointing/discovering animation × 5 = 5
- Digging animation × 5 = 5

**Total:** ~50 sprites (ALL evolution stages)

---

## 📊 **TIER 2: VARIATION TEMPLATES (15 Base Sprites)**

These are **recolored for different biomes**. Generate 1 base, recolor for all 20 biomes.

### **A) GENERIC CITIZENS (6 variations)**

**Purpose:** Populate restored towns

**1. Citizen - Male A** (Worker type)
- Generic laborer clothing
- Neutral expression
- Red eyes with dark pupils
- **Recolor for:** Forest (brown), Desert (tan), Frozen (white), etc.

**2. Citizen - Male B** (Merchant type)
- Vest, trader outfit
- Friendly expression
- **Recolor for:** All biomes

**3. Citizen - Female A** (Farmer type)
- Work dress, apron
- Kind expression
- **Recolor for:** All biomes

**4. Citizen - Female B** (Shopkeeper type)
- Professional clothing
- Welcoming expression
- **Recolor for:** All biomes

**5. Citizen - Child** (Generic kid)
- Simple clothes, energetic
- Playful expression
- **Recolor for:** All biomes

**6. Citizen - Elder** (Old person)
- Simple robes, walking stick
- Wise expression
- **Recolor for:** All biomes

**Total per variation:** 1 base sprite × 20 biome recolors = 20 variants each  
**Total:** 6 base sprites → 120 biome variants

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### **B) NOMAD RAIDERS (4 variations)**

**Purpose:** Dynamic enemy threat

**1. Desert Nomad** (Medium threat)
- Tan robes, scimitar, turban
- Desert-themed gear
- Hostile expression

**2. Frost Bandit** (High threat)
- Fur armor, ice axe
- Frost-themed gear
- Aggressive expression

**3. Jungle Marauder** (Very high threat)
- Tribal mask, poison darts
- Jungle-themed gear
- Dangerous expression

**4. Tech Scavenger** (Extreme threat)
- Cyberpunk gear, laser weapon
- Neon-themed gear
- Menacing expression

**Total:** 4 unique raider types × 3 unit variants (warrior, archer, brute) = **12 raider sprites**

---

### **C) TROLLS (3 variations)**

**Purpose:** Town inhabitants, companions

**1. Troll - Male (Friendly)**
- Similar build to Gronk
- Different color (gray, blue)
- Work clothes
- Friendly expression

**2. Troll - Female (Friendly)**
- Slightly smaller than male
- Different color palette
- Town clothing
- Welcoming expression

**3. Troll - Wild (Enemy)**
- Hostile variant
- Ragged clothing
- Aggressive pose
- No pupils (enemy variant)

**Total:** 3 troll variations × 5 color variants = **15 troll sprites**

---

## 📊 **TOTAL SPRITE COUNT**

### **Unique Characters:**
| Character | Sprites | Priority |
|-----------|---------|----------|
| Kai | 10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ana | 6 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Gronk | 10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Miro Pravnik | 4 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mayor | 4 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ivan Kovač | 1 (5 done) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Arborist | 4 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Zombi Skavt | 50 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| **TOTAL** | **89** | |

### **Variation Templates:**
| Type | Base Sprites | Recolors | Total |
|------|--------------|----------|-------|
| Citizens | 6 | 20 biomes | 120 |
| Raiders | 12 | - | 12 |
| Trolls | 3 | 5 colors | 15 |
| **TOTAL** | **21** | | **147** |

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## 🎯 **KICKSTARTER DEMO PRIORITY**

**Generate ONLY these for demo:**

### **Phase 1 (Immediate):**
1. ✅ Ivan Kovač - 1 more sprite (enchanting pose)
2. ⭐ Zombi Skavt - Base form (8 sprites)
3. ⭐ Mayor - Complete set (4 sprites)
4. ⭐ 1 Citizen variation (male + female)
5. ⭐ 1 Raider type (Desert Nomad)

**Total Phase 1:** ~20 sprites

### **Phase 2 (Post-Demo):**
- Kai full sprite set (10)
- Ana full sprite set (6)
- Gronk full sprite set (10)
- Remaining NPCs

---

## 📁 **FOLDER STRUCTURE**

```
/references/
  ├── main_characters/
  │   ├── kai/
  │   │   └── master_reference.png
  │   ├── ana/
  │   │   └── master_reference.png
  │   └── gronk/
  │       └── master_reference.png
  │
  ├── npcs/
  │   ├── ivan_kovac/
  │   │   └── master_reference.png (✅ HAVE: download.jpg)
  │   ├── mayor/
  │   ├── miro_pravnik/
  │   └── arborist/
  │
  ├── companions/
  │   └── zombie_scout/
  │       ├── base_form.png
  │       ├── level_5_lantern.png
  │       ├── level_10_armored.png
  │       ├── level_15_winged.png
  │       └── level_20_legendary.png
  │
  ├── enemies/
  │   └── nomad_raiders/
  │       ├── desert_nomad.png
  │       ├── frost_bandit.png
  │       ├── jungle_marauder.png
  │       └── tech_scavenger.png
  │
  └── species/
      └── trolls/
          ├── male_friendly.png
          ├── female_friendly.png
          └── wild_hostile.png
```

---

## ✅ **GENERATION RULES**

### **ALL NPC Sprites:**
- ✅ Style 32 Dark-Chibi Noir
- ✅ Thick black outlines (4-5px)
- ✅ 32x32px base size (larger for portraits)
- ✅ Green background for easy keying
- ✅ Chibi proportions

### **Eye Rules (CRITICAL):**
- 👥 **Friendly NPCs/Humans:** Red eyes WITH dark pupils
- 🧟 **Weak/Tamed Zombies:** White eyes, NO pupils
- 🧟 **Strong/Wild Zombies:** Red eyes, NO pupils
- 🧡 **Zombi Skavt:** Red eyes WITH pupils (special exception)

---

## 🚀 **NEXT STEPS:**

1. ✅ Generate Phase 1 sprites (~20)
2. ✅ Organize into `/references/` folders
3. ✅ Create master reference sheet for each unique character
4. ✅ Test recoloring system for citizen variations
5. ✅ Update asset browser with new NPCs

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**Status:** 🟢 **READY FOR GENERATION**  
**Estimate:** Phase 1 = ~2 hours (20 sprites)  
**Total Project:** ~240 sprites (with all variations)