Prototype public deal agreements

docs/PUBLIC_DEALS.md

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+# Public deal records
+
+## Source and prototype scope — 28 October 2026
+
+**Prototyped / Partial.** The [publisher's 2019 rulebook](https://www.gf9games.com/dunegame/wp-content/uploads/Dune-Rulebook.pdf)
+permits public deals between nonallied players, requires legal terms to be
+honored, voids impossible parts and permits release by agreement. Its bribery
+rules prohibit transfers of cards, leaders, forces and faction powers and
+terms that contradict the rules. The user-supplied revised rulebook, physical
+p. 16 (printed p. 14), records the same principles. This implementation does
+not interpret written terms or decide whether they are legal or impossible.
+
+Two human seats that are not allied with each other can record public written
+terms during play, including while a game decision is open. The recipient may
+accept or decline and the proposer may withdraw an unanswered offer. Both
+participants can vote to release an accepted deal; either may withdraw a
+pending release request. Once both agree, the record is released. Existing
+agreements can be released if participants subsequently become allies. Records
+remain visible and active until both release them, even after the players
+consider the terms fulfilled. Their text is public to the whole table.
+
+The record itself moves no spice and creates no automatically enforced game
+action. Players remain responsible for honoring valid terms, and an impossible
+part is void under the rules. Existing [bribe controls](BRIBE_CONTROLS.md)
+make actual eligible payments into the recipient's deferred Mentat supply.
+Automatic interpretation, enforcement and impossibility handling, more than
+two parties, AI negotiation and complete multiplayer/deployed acceptance remain
+open. The text interface is an online convention, not a publisher ruling.
+
+The action uses the normal seat authentication and room version fence. Game
+state carries an additive public ledger; it does not replace the native phase,
+decision, private information or physical components.
+
+Seven related unit files pass 43 cases, including a native Truthtrance response
+continuation; an isolated authenticated HTTP case covers three public views,
+seat-authorized consent, release and subsequent play. The UI tests cover
+proposer and recipient controls and a persistent action-needed notice. This
+evidence does not certify arbitrary written terms or complete game modes.
+An isolated browser room exercised offer, acceptance and mutual release between
+two controlled faction seats, including the automatic response notice, distinct
+faction labels and a result that remains visible until the player closes it.