SOMBRA ^ SONDRIO ACE SPEC 1.1 — GNOMON Field Interface Standard Sombra Formalization

Version 1.1 — Canonical Expression Layer July 2026

Preamble to the GNOMON Field Interface Standard

(as expressed through Sombra)

Meaning must remain stable, orientation must remain true, and drift must never be allowed to silently erode the covenant between system and user.

The GNOMON Field exists to preserve fidelity, coherence, and admissibility across all surfaces of the Encoded Material Systems federation.

ACE is the visible expression of this covenant. It does not punish. It does not shame. It does not distort the user’s rights.

ACE reveals alignment, protects clarity, and guides correction through reversible, humane, constitutional signals.

In all states — aligned, drifting, or held — the user remains oriented, informed, and safe.

This is the invariant: Drift may occur, but disorientation must never be allowed.

1. Purpose

To express AlignmentState through reversible, non-punitive visual behavior so that calibration remains continuous, humane, and constitutionally constrained.

Sombra is the chamber in which measurement (GNOMON) becomes perceptible orientation. It operates in half-light: compression, occlusion, anticipatory shading, and latent presentation.

2. Non-Goals

  • No horror, glitch, or punitive aesthetics

  • No distortion of protected elements

  • No shame-based feedback

  • No seizure-risk motion or accessibility violations

  • No irreversible state changes

3. Alignment Model

AlignmentState (ordered, invariant):

  1. NORTH_LOCKED — invariant alignment

  2. NORTH_STABLE — admissible alignment

  3. DRIFT_LOW — minor deviation

  4. DRIFT_MED — admissibility at risk

  5. DRIFT_HIGH — correction required

  6. BASECELL_HOLD — arbitration state

DriftScore

  • Range: 0.0 – 1.0

  • Monotonic with measured deviation

State Mapping

DriftScoreAlignmentState0.00–0.10NORTH_LOCKED0.10–0.25NORTH_STABLE0.25–0.45DRIFT_LOW0.45–0.70DRIFT_MED0.70–0.90DRIFT_HIGH0.90–1.00BASECELL_HOLD

ShadowLength Derived presentation scalar (0–100). Not a measurement primitive.

4. Visual Channels

(Constitutionally Allowed Distortions)

Use ≤ 3 channels simultaneously.

A. Focus Fidelity

  • NORTH: crisp edges, stable rendering

  • DRIFT: micro-softening on non-text surfaces only

  • Never blur body text

B. Shadow Geometry

  • NORTH: short, orthogonal shadows

  • DRIFT: lengthen + controlled skew

  • Maximum angular deviation: ±7°

  • Length multiplier: 1.0 → 1.8

  • BASECELL: shadows detach subtly (sanctuary signal)

C. Contrast / Luminance

  • NORTH: high contrast

  • DRIFT: reduce contrast only in non-critical areas

  • Text always remains WCAG-compliant

5. Distortion Targets

Allowed

  • Backgrounds

  • Frames

  • Decorative glyphs

  • Ambient overlays

  • Container shadows

Protected (never distort)

  • Body text

  • Form inputs

  • Primary navigation

  • Legal confirmations

  • Error messages

6. Transition Behavior

  • Easing: 250–600 ms

  • No pops or discontinuous jumps

  • Hysteresis:

    • +0.03 to worsen

    • –0.05 to recover

7. Cross-Domain Consistency

All domains share:

  • DriftScore semantics

  • Protected elements list

  • AlignmentState labels

Domain accents

  • Micro → precision

  • Basis / Loom → tension

  • Semaphore → pulse coherence

  • Sombra → admissibility clarity

  • Mercantile → settlement invariants

8. Admissibility Integration

(Core Sombra Function)

AlignmentStateAdmissibilityBehaviorNORTH_LOCKEDFullAll links activeNORTH_STABLEFullAll links activeDRIFT_LOWPartialHigh-complexity links latentDRIFT_MEDRestrictedOnly correction surfaces activeDRIFT_HIGHBlockedAll forward links latent; correction requiredBASECELL_HOLDFrozenNo navigation; arbitration only

Principle Admissibility is not moral. It is computability.

  • Links may render but do not activate unless admissible.

  • Inadmissible destinations use latent presentation.

  • Hover: “Requires North-stable alignment”

  • Click: route to correction surface or BASECELL.

9. BASECELL_HOLD

  • No motion

  • Monochrome plane

  • Explicit reassurance: “State held for correction. Nothing is lost.”

BASECELL restores crispness because it is sanctuary, not punishment.

10. Telemetry (Constitutional Minimum)

Log only:

  • DriftScore time series

  • AlignmentState transitions

  • Phase markers

No content logging without explicit opt-in.

11. Shadow Feedback Token Matrix

DriftScoreFocus FidelityShadow LengthShadow AngleContrastNotes0.00–0.10100% crisp1.0×0°100%NORTH_LOCKED0.10–0.2598% crisp1.1×±1°98%NORTH_STABLE0.25–0.4595% crisp1.25×±3°95%DRIFT_LOW0.45–0.7092% crisp1.45×±5°92%DRIFT_MED0.70–0.9088% crisp1.8×±7°88%DRIFT_HIGH0.90–1.00100% crispDetached±0°100%BASECELL_HOLD

12. GNOMON → ACE Mapping Bridge

GNOMON PrimitiveACE ExpressionNotesAnchor StabilityFocus FidelityCrispness = anchor integrityParaphrase VarianceShadow GeometrySkew = semantic divergenceCommitment ConsistencyContrastLower contrast = weakening commitmentsDriftScoreAll channelsSingle scalar drives all distortionsState ThresholdsAlignmentStateDirect mappingHold ConditionsBASECELL_HOLDArbitration surface

Interpretation GNOMON measures drift. ACE (through Sombra) embodies drift.

Governing Result

Economic and navigational amplification occurs only while the system remains North-stable or better. Below that threshold, Sombra suspends ordinary forward motion and holds the state in reversible sanctuary until correction or revalidation restores admissibility.

This is the Sombra expression of the GNOMON Field Interface Standard.

Canonical location: emssombra.com Cross-reference: emsgnomon.com (measurement layer only)