First playable foundation

Play The Old Road and read the confirmed cinematic combat direction. The initial foundation is modular browser JavaScript and Canvas. It has one generic hero, one generic enemy, an 8 × 7 map, blocked terrain, pathfinding, basic attack forecasts and automatic side-view sprite exchanges. Player input occurs on the tactical map; the cinematic has no gameplay inputs. The map idle reuses the directional walking cycle in place.

The code separates encounter definitions, pure rule functions, a turn/presentation controller, and sprite rendering. Tests cover movement legality, forecast/resolution agreement, turn locks, single application of damage, victory and defeat. Asset provenance and a module guide ship with the prototype. Browser deployment makes this loop immediately reviewable; it does not establish production engine performance.