Prototype unlimited alliance variant

docs/CURRENT_STATUS.md

@@ -17,6 +17,17 @@ open mode gates.
 
 ## Current checkpoint and work
 
+**Staged unlimited alliances — 29 October. Prototyped / Partial.** An explicit
+`coalitionState.variant` of `unlimited` permits up to six faction members;
+absence preserves the existing three-member prototype. Real staged actions
+cover four-member unanimous admission, three-donor funding, departure and
+rejoining, a three-stronghold win, Emperor aid, bot admission and actual table
+controls. Membership and selected faction helper cases cover up to six seats.
+Fourteen related files pass 120 cases, with an additional pair-target case;
+typecheck, lint and the production build pass. Live commitments, other profiles,
+full interactions and lobby entry remain unfinished.
+[Scope](OPTIONAL_ALLIANCE_VICTORY.md#unlimited-alliance-prototype--29-october-2026).
+
 **Basic Kull, Richese and mixed current-lot Truthtrance — 29 October. Prototyped / Partial.**
 Mixed current-fact and ordinary-bid questions can continue through supported
 Kull and Semuta responses. Special-cache questions, other structured
@@ -293,8 +304,8 @@ Connected staged Nexus and shipment controls model unanimous consent, explicit
 donor allocations and edge-bound pledge authorizations. The engine issues and
 revokes those authorizations and refunds escrow; special auctions and transport
 still require integration.
-The separate printed unlimited-size / three-stronghold variant remains missing;
-the current group model deliberately caps membership at three. The combined
+The later staged unlimited prototype above supersedes this earlier three-seat
+limit; normal lobby access and full interactions remain unfinished. The combined
 earlier batch passed 189 cases; the shipment batch passed 58 cases. The latest
 focused funding, Nexus, shipment and Truthtrance union passed 61 cases.
 

docs/OPTIONAL_ALLIANCE_VICTORY.md

@@ -1,5 +1,28 @@
 # Optional three-stronghold alliance victory
 
+## Unlimited alliance prototype — 29 October 2026
+
+**Staged Basic prototype, not a selectable game mode.** The optional
+`unlimited` ledger permits up to the six seated factions in one alliance.
+An existing alliance or an unallied entrant may propose a new member; every
+existing member and the entrant must agree. A departure preserves the other
+members and their original pairwise alliance edges. The table shows the
+participants and pending approvals; minimal bots can request admission and
+answer. Named allies can contribute separately to ordinary bids and physical
+shipments. The staged Guild, Emperor, Fremen, battle preparation and traitor
+paths use the same group membership. A qualifying alliance needs three distinct
+strongholds, plus any separately agreed increase; the existing two-controller
+precedence remains provisional. Other alliances retain their previous targets.
+
+The [publisher's optional alliance table](https://www.gf9games.com/dunegame/wp-content/uploads/Dune-Rulebook.pdf)
+pairs any number of allies with three strongholds. Unanimous admission,
+departure handling, donor-specific escrow and extension of single-ally powers
+are provisional online procedures, not additional publisher rulings. Tests use
+an explicitly staged Basic classic-faction ledger, not a normal lobby start.
+Advanced, expansions, optional modules, live Truthtrance commitments and
+complete group interactions remain unfinished. No lobby creates this ledger;
+the prototype does not certify or open a complete rules mode.
+
 ## Group roster and self-funded Guild transport — 29 October 2026
 
 **Staged Basic prototype, not a selectable game mode.** The public roster
@@ -173,8 +196,8 @@ provisional online procedures, not publisher rulings. This scope excludes
 expansion decks/factions, Advanced, optional modules, live Truthtrance
 commitments and pledged aid. No lobby creates the group ledger: faction ally
 benefits, group funding and other interactions must be connected before any
-player can start the printed larger-alliance option. The separate unlimited
-alliance variant remains missing.
+player can start the printed larger-alliance option. The later unlimited
+prototype above extends this staged groundwork.
 
 **Prototyped / Partial — 28 October 2026.** The host can select a shorter
 two-member alliance game in the lobby. With at least three physical
@@ -191,6 +214,6 @@ two-member alliance with three strongholds as a shorter game. The
 preserves that table. This first version keeps the existing four-stronghold
 target for two physical controllers, including the two-faction-per-person
 setup; priority between that special setup and this optional table is a
-provisional interpretation. Larger alliance variants require separate
-membership and interaction work. Advanced and expansion combinations are not
+provisional interpretation. Larger alliance variants retain separate
+membership and interaction work as described above. Advanced and expansion combinations are not
 certified by the Basic-focused evidence.

docs/RULE_DECISIONS.md

@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Rule decision index
 
+## Unlimited alliances — 29 October 2026
+
+The staged Basic prototype models the publisher's any-size alliance and
+three-stronghold option. Unanimous admission, surviving groups after departure,
+per-donor funding and application of ally powers are provisional compositions.
+[Scope](OPTIONAL_ALLIANCE_VICTORY.md#unlimited-alliance-prototype--29-october-2026).
+
 ## Basic Kull, Richese and mixed current-lot answers — 29 October 2026
 
 Mixed ordinary-lot bid answers now continue through the supported Kull and