Added Character Age Document

PlotLine/Docs/Features/PlotDirector_Character_Age_and_Story_Date_Management.md

@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+# PlotDirector Feature Specification: Character Age and Story Date Management
+
+## Overview
+
+PlotDirector should support both precise age calculations and
+approximate author-supplied ages without forcing authors into
+unnecessary data entry.
+
+The primary goal is to assist authors with continuity and timeline
+management while respecting the fact that not every character requires
+an exact birth date.
+
+The system should only perform calculations when sufficient information
+has been explicitly provided by the author.
+
+## Design Principles
+
+### 1. Only Calculate What the Author Defines
+
+PlotDirector should never invent information.
+
+If an author provides:
+
+-   A Date of Birth
+-   A scene with a resolvable date
+
+Then PlotDirector should calculate exact ages.
+
+If an author only provides:
+
+-   "45 years old"
+-   "Mid forties"
+-   "About 30"
+
+Then PlotDirector should preserve that approximate information without
+attempting to generate birthdays or age progression.
+
+### 2. Precision Should Match Author Intent
+
+Authors intentionally vary the precision of character information.
+
+Characters with known birthdays should benefit from automatic age
+calculation. Characters with approximate ages should remain descriptive
+only.
+
+## Story Calendar Model
+
+### Project Story Start Date
+
+Projects may optionally define a Story Start Date that acts as a default
+reference point.
+
+### Book Story Start Date
+
+Each book may optionally override the project start date. If specified,
+the book start date takes precedence.
+
+## Scene Date Resolution
+
+Scenes may have varying levels of temporal precision.
+
+Supported modes:
+
+-   Exact Date
+-   Exact Date and Time
+-   Relative Day Offset
+-   Relative Sequence Only
+-   Unknown
+
+## Effective Scene Date
+
+The system should derive an EffectiveSceneDate used for calculations.
+
+Rules:
+
+1.  Use exact scene date if specified.
+2.  Use relative day calculations if possible.
+3.  Use inherited dates only where the author has explicitly enabled
+    such behaviour.
+4.  Otherwise, leave unresolved.
+
+The system should avoid silently making assumptions.
+
+## Character Age Model
+
+### Exact Age Tracking
+
+Characters with a Date of Birth participate in automatic age
+calculations.
+
+Required Data:
+
+``` csharp
+DateTime? DateOfBirth
+```
+
+Example output:
+
+-   Maggie Grant: 17 years, 8 months
+-   Beth MacDonald: 18 years, 0 months
+
+### Approximate Age Tracking
+
+Characters without a Date of Birth may store an approximate age.
+
+Required Data:
+
+``` csharp
+int? ApproximateAge
+```
+
+Optional:
+
+``` csharp
+DateTime? ApproximateAgeAsOfDate
+```
+
+Example:
+
+-   Mary Grant: Approximately 45 years old
+
+No further calculations occur.
+
+## Age Calculation Rules
+
+### Exact Ages
+
+Calculate only when:
+
+-   Date of Birth exists
+-   Effective Scene Date exists
+
+Formula:
+
+``` text
+Scene Date - Date of Birth
+```
+
+Display:
+
+-   17 years, 8 months
+-   18 years, 0 months
+-   22 years, 3 months
+
+### Approximate Ages
+
+Display author-entered values unchanged.
+
+No progression occurs.
+
+No birthdays are inferred.
+
+No calculations are performed.
+
+### Unknown Ages
+
+If neither Date of Birth nor Approximate Age exists:
+
+Display:
+
+``` text
+Unknown
+```
+
+## Continuity Assistance Features
+
+These features should only apply to characters with exact birth dates.
+
+### Birthday Transition Warnings
+
+Example:
+
+-   Beth turns 18 between Scene 14 and Scene 15.
+
+### Incorrect Age References
+
+Example:
+
+-   Character notes describe Maggie as 17 years old.
+-   However, in this scene she is actually 18 years old.
+
+### Timeline Insights
+
+Possible reporting:
+
+-   Character age at start of book.
+-   Character age at end of book.
+-   Character age range throughout series.
+
+## User Interface Recommendations
+
+### Character Editor
+
+#### Exact Age Section
+
+-   Date of Birth: \[Date Picker\]
+-   Enable automatic age calculation.
+
+#### Approximate Age Section
+
+-   Approximate Age: \[45\]
+-   As of: \[Book Start\]
+
+Help text:
+
+> Use this when the exact birth date is unknown or unimportant to the
+> story.
+
+### Scene Inspector
+
+Display age contextually.
+
+Exact age example:
+
+-   Maggie Grant
+-   Date of Birth: 1 September 1965
+-   Age in this Scene: 17 years, 8 months
+
+Approximate age example:
+
+-   Mary Grant
+-   Approximate Age: 45
+-   Age in this Scene: Approximately 45
+
+Unknown example:
+
+-   Barbara Jones
+-   Age: Unknown
+
+## System Behaviour Summary
+
+  Character Data    Scene Date Available   Result
+  ----------------- ---------------------- -----------------------------------
+  DOB               Yes                    Calculate exact age
+  DOB               No                     Display DOB only
+  Approximate Age   Yes                    Display approximate age unchanged
+  Approximate Age   No                     Display approximate age unchanged
+  No age data       Any                    Display unknown
+
+## Key Philosophy
+
+PlotDirector should function as an intelligent continuity assistant
+rather than an automated co-author.
+
+The system should:
+
+-   Calculate exact information when sufficient data exists.
+-   Preserve ambiguity when the author intentionally provides
+    approximate information.
+-   Never invent birthdays or age progression.
+-   Never assume precision beyond the information supplied.
+
+This approach provides powerful continuity support for plot-critical
+characters while remaining lightweight and flexible for secondary
+characters.