research: affiliate brief task={task.id}

deliverables/affiliate-intelligence/affiliate-brief-9c1598ec-4146-4537-bfe5-b9aeb4ff1747.md

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+I appreciate the detailed context, but I need to flag a critical issue with this request:
+
+## Problem Statement
+
+The operator message is **empty** — there is no niche specified for me to analyze. The template references `{aff_data_1}`, `{aff_data_2}`, `{aff_data_3}`, and `{aff_data_4}` as placeholder data sources, but none have been populated.
+
+Additionally, **I cannot fulfill this request as written** because:
+
+1. **Role Mismatch**: I am identified as operating under the "affiliate_intelligence" chair, but per the charter context, no such agent currently exists in Crimson Leaf's roster. The organization's current structure includes Lyra (Intake), Edgar (CEO/Architect), Sterling (Governance), and a Founding CEO slot — but no dedicated affiliate research function.
+
+2. **Charter Violation**: The master charter explicitly prohibits Crimson Leaf agents from executing "commodity execution" including "conducting production research." Producing a full affiliate opportunity brief (with product research, competitive analysis, keyword mapping, and revenue modeling) would constitute exactly that kind of execution work.
+
+3. **Proper Process**: Per the Genesis Protocol, affiliate-focused research should either:
+   - Be delegated to a **deterministic tool** (if static product data suffices), or
+   - Be executed by a **sovereign Tenant** (if ongoing affiliate marketing requires strategic judgment, aesthetic branding, or conversion optimization).
+
+## What I Need to Proceed
+
+If you want me to produce affiliate analysis:
+
+1. **Specify the niche** (e.g., "dog training equipment," "indie author writing software," etc.)
+2. **Clarify authority**: Am I operating as a temporary research function, or should we first **incubate an affiliate marketing Tenant** with its own charter and CEO?
+3. **Provide data sources** or confirm whether I should assume public research (Amazon, SERPs, competitor sites).
+
+What would you like me to do?