diff --git a/templates/book_chapter.yml b/templates/book_chapter.yml
index a6ff5d0..1d25c86 100644
--- a/templates/book_chapter.yml
+++ b/templates/book_chapter.yml
@@ -315,6 +315,17 @@ steps:
       Reviewers have NO other way to access the chapter content.
       Do NOT summarize or truncate it — include every word of the chapter.
 
+      NEW CHARACTER DETECTION (Bug G fix):
+      Look at the Character State from PASS 3 above (step 4). For each character listed there
+      whose name slug does NOT already have a "character-{slug}" file in PROJECT DELIVERABLES,
+      emit one additional create_task action per new character using task_type: character_sheet.
+      This ensures new characters introduced in this chapter get proper character sheets.
+
+      PERMANENT CHANGE DETECTION (butterfly effect):
+      For any character in the Character State whose "Permanent:" field is YES,
+      emit one additional create_task action using task_type: character_update.
+      This triggers the character update pipeline to record deaths, power changes, etc.
+
       Now spawn the three independent editorial reviewers
       and the roundtable debate. Use the exact task_names shown — the roundtable depends_on all three.
     schema:
diff --git a/templates/character_sheet.yml b/templates/character_sheet.yml
index 75d8339..34acf5f 100644
--- a/templates/character_sheet.yml
+++ b/templates/character_sheet.yml
@@ -74,6 +74,21 @@ steps:
   - type: document
     filename: "character-{character_name_slug}"
 
+  - type: rag_write
+    asset_id: "voice-sig-{character_name_slug}"
+    hint: |
+      Extract ONLY the voice signature entry for {character_name} in this exact format.
+      Do NOT include any other sections. Do NOT paraphrase — copy directly from the
+      Voice Signature section of the character sheet you just wrote.
+
+      ### {character_name} — Voice Signature
+      - Role: [from ## Identity: Role field]
+      - Voice tone: [from ## Voice Signature: stress scale value]
+      - Speech pattern: [from ## Voice Signature: sentence length pattern]
+      - What they NEVER say: [from ## Voice Signature: never-say entry]
+      - Verbal tic: [from ## Voice Signature: tic/catchphrase entry]
+      - Notes: [first 2 bullets from ## Notes for Writers]
+
   - type: close
     rag_update: true
 
diff --git a/templates/drafting.yml b/templates/drafting.yml
index 2842e77..bd6657c 100644
--- a/templates/drafting.yml
+++ b/templates/drafting.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: drafting
-description: "Write one chapter in draft-only mode — continuity check, draft prompt, draft, then stop."
+description: "Write one chapter in draft-only mode — continuity check, draft prompt, draft, character state extraction, then stop. No editorial pipeline."
 debug: true
 system: agent_prompt
 
@@ -9,11 +9,23 @@ requires:
   - prose_style
   - chapter_target_words
   - chapter_ref
+  - chapter_number
 
-skills:
-  - guides/YAFictionGuide.md
-  - guides/RomanceFictionGuide.md
-  - guides/SciFiFictionGuide.md
+conditional_skills:
+  - path: guides/YAFictionGuide.md
+    genre_contains:
+      - "YA"
+      - "Young Adult"
+  - path: guides/RomanceFictionGuide.md
+    genre_contains:
+      - "Romance"
+      - "Contemporary Romance"
+  - path: guides/SciFiFictionGuide.md
+    genre_contains:
+      - "Science Fiction"
+      - "Sci-Fi"
+      - "SciFi"
+      - "Science-Fiction"
 
 agent_prompt:
   - "= identity.md"
@@ -55,6 +67,13 @@ steps:
         If no outline/bible is available, use the character names and project details
         from the task description above — be CONSISTENT throughout the book.
 
+        CHARACTER VOICE PROFILES (pre-extracted):
+        {character_profiles}
+
+        If this block is empty, search PROJECT DELIVERABLES for the outline file containing
+        "## Voice Signatures" and copy those profiles here. PASS 1 must write every character
+        to their voice profile without exception.
+
       STEP 2 — FIND THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER:
         Look at PROJECT DELIVERABLES for the chapter that comes BEFORE this one.
         If no previous chapter exists (this IS Chapter 1), skip to STEP 4.
@@ -75,6 +94,24 @@ steps:
           - CLOSING HOOK: Exact last image or line that makes readers continue
           - Reminders about continuity, prose style, and target length
 
+      STEP 5 — CHECK LIVE CHARACTER STATE (if available):
+        Look in your RAG context for an asset called [character-state].
+        If it exists — this is WHERE and WHO each character is RIGHT NOW.
+        It OVERRIDES any outline predictions about character state.
+        Record as "LIVE CHARACTER STATE:" for use in PASS 1.
+
+        LOCATION CONTINUITY CHECK (perform this if [character-state] is present):
+        Does this chapter's outline place any character at a location inconsistent
+        with their Location field in [character-state]?
+        If conflict found — FLAG before drafting:
+          "LOCATION CONFLICT: [char] is at [state-location] per last chapter but outline
+          places them at [outline-location]. Resolve by opening in transit or adjusting."
+
+        Also note any Active obligations, Open loops, or Known secrets from [character-state]
+        that should be honored or advanced in this chapter.
+        Check RAG for [world-state] — current NPC attitudes and faction memory.
+        If present, record as "LIVE WORLD STATE:". NPCs listed there behave per their attitude.
+
       Stop here. Output ONLY the draft prompt. Do NOT write chapter prose yet.
 
   - type: think
@@ -88,6 +125,9 @@ steps:
 
       Requirements:
         - Start with the FIRST LINE you planned — make it continue naturally from the previous chapter
+        - If the draft prompt contains a line starting with "LOCKED PREVIOUS CHAPTER HOOK:",
+          your FIRST LINE MUST directly resolve that hook
+        - If the draft prompt contains "AUTHOR'S INTENT:", treat it as a binding directive
         - Follow the KEY BEATS in order, but write with full scene depth
         - All character names must be consistent with the bible/outline
         - Every dialogue exchange must be tight and voice-distinct
@@ -96,14 +136,67 @@ steps:
         - End with the CLOSING HOOK you planned
         - Match the prose style guide: {prose_style}
         - Target length: {chapter_target_words} words — write the FULL chapter, not a summary
+        - ⚠️ DO NOT stop early. If under {chapter_target_words} words, continue with interiority,
+          sensory detail, extended dialogue beats, and transitions until hitting the target.
+
+      VOICE ANTI-PATTERNS — FORBIDDEN ON EVERY PAGE:
+        - Do NOT open with the "didn't just X; it Y" construction. Use varied openers.
+        - Thematic contrast appears max ONCE per scene as metaphor — not every paragraph.
+        - Do NOT label an emotion already shown through action or dialogue.
+        - Do NOT count or reference chapter numbers in the prose. "Five chapters of..." is an AI fingerprint.
+        - Each character must have at least ONE verbal imperfection per scene they appear in.
 
       Output ONLY the draft chapter text.
-      Start directly with the chapter title (e.g., "Chapter N: [Title]") and opening line.
-      No commentary, no plan headers, no "Pass 1" label.
+      Start directly with the chapter title and opening line. No commentary, no "Pass 1" label.
 
   - type: document
     filename: "chapter-{chapter_ref}"
 
+  - type: think
+    hint: |
+      PASS 3 — CHARACTER + WORLD STATE EXTRACTION
+
+      You have just completed the chapter draft. Extract structured state for continuity tracking.
+      Write in compact format — this content is stored as a RAG asset read by the NEXT chapter.
+      Every character who appeared must have an entry.
+
+      OUTPUT FORMAT — write this EXACTLY, filling in real values:
+
+      # Character State: {chapter_ref}
+
+      ## [Character Name]
+      Location: [specific location — building, floor, city — no vague "nearby"]
+      Physical: [injuries, fatigue, notable physical state, or "no injuries"]
+      Emotional: [dominant emotion at chapter end; what they carry into next chapter]
+      Active obligations: [debts/promises owed — format: "owes [person] [what] (Ch[N]) — UNPAID/PAID"]
+      Open loops: [unresolved conflicts — format: "[parties] [issue] (Ch[N]) — UNRESOLVED/RESOLVED"]
+      Known secrets: [info this character has that others don't — "knows [what] — [who does NOT know]"]
+      Arc: [XX%] — [one sentence: what permanently changed, or "no change"]
+      Permanent: [YES if something permanently changed (death, power gained/lost, relationship changed); NO otherwise]
+
+      (Repeat for EVERY named character who appeared in this chapter)
+
+      # World State: {chapter_ref}
+
+      ## NPC Memory
+      - [NPC Name] ([faction/location]): [ATTITUDE] — [what happened] — [behavioral consequence]
+
+      ## Faction Attitudes
+      - [Faction name]: [current attitude toward protagonists] — [reason]
+
+      ## Active World Events
+      - [Event]: [status and expected timeline]
+
+      CRITICAL: Keep total output under 3500 characters. Be precise and specific.
+      Do NOT write prose — only the structured data above.
+
+  - type: rag_write
+    asset_id: "character-state"
+    max_chars: 4000
+
+  - type: document
+    filename: "character-state-{chapter_ref}"
+
   - type: close
     rag_update: true