# [THREAD NAME]

> Rule: a thread is good when the player can say, "I learned this by living the job."

## 1) Thread identity
- Core question:
- Who benefits from the truth staying buried:
- Why a captain can stumble into this:

## 2) Source paths
- Trade source:
- Combat source:
- Cultural / social source:
- Crew source:
- Optional alternate source:

## 3) Knowledge ladder
- Rumor:
- Suspicion:
- Corroborated clue:
- Actionable lead:
- Proof:
- Resolution:

## 4) Fragment structure
- Example journal fragment:
- Source attribution:
- Grade:
- What it implies without overstating:

## 5) Campaign effects
- What new trade options appear:
- What new encounter pressure appears:
- What crew reactions change:
- What factions react:
- What route or station meaning changes:

## 6) Delay / neglect law
- What happens if ignored:
- Escalation timeline:
- Opportunity cost:
- Threat escalation:

## 7) Endgame connection
- What this unlocks:
- What this closes:
- What it changes in the wider world:

## 8) Validation
- At least 2 progression paths:
- Partial truth usable:
- Delay consequence real:
- No quest-objective framing:
