I tried to make a timeline be the first VOB on the output. I created it 1st in the project, I put it right after the 1st menu which linked other menus.
I'm not sure what putting it right after the first menu means? I assume you created in this order: a) new project, b) added the blank asset, c) created timeline and added asset (or as b and c imported blank asset as timeline), d) added a menu, and e) linked the first button in the menu to that timeline.
Did you try making it an orphan timeline?
I think Encore sucks and I'll have to apply to something more predictable
Encore has its issues, but it was never intended for this kind of operation.