From 92311e990424bf63d792799d71d482d190939004 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Baity <158404677+MazakTheDwarf@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:02:48 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] Fix PASS 3: MANDATORY CHECK and DEATH-FORWARD RULE respect
 author_intent retcon

The MANDATORY CHECK was rigidly applying DECEASED status from previous
character-state deliverables even when author_intent explicitly retconned
the character as alive. Similarly, the DEATH-FORWARD RULE had no exception
for author-directed resurrection/retcon.

Fixes:
- MANDATORY CHECK: add STEP 2 resurrection check -- if AUTHOR'S INTENT
  explicitly states character is ALIVE, skip DECEASED format entirely
- DEATH-FORWARD RULE: add EXCEPTION clause -- author_intent overrides
  previous state DECEASED status; prose is authoritative source of truth

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 templates/book_chapter.yml | 17 ++++++++++++++---
 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/templates/book_chapter.yml b/templates/book_chapter.yml
index f3462b2..c400e45 100644
--- a/templates/book_chapter.yml
+++ b/templates/book_chapter.yml
@@ -320,9 +320,14 @@ steps:
 
       ══ MANDATORY CHECK — DECEASED CHARACTERS ══
       STEP 1: Check PASS 0 above. Find every character listed as "(DECEASED)" or "†" or "DEAD".
-      STEP 2: For each such character, use ONLY the short DECEASED format below.
+      STEP 2: RESURRECTION OVERRIDE CHECK — Before marking anyone DECEASED, re-read the
+              EDITORIAL OVERRIDES (AUTHOR'S INTENT) in PASS 0.
+              If the author's intent EXPLICITLY states the character is ALIVE, the editor has
+              retconned the death. Treat that character as ALIVE and use the LIVING FORMAT.
+              The author's intent is BINDING and overrides all prior state files.
+      STEP 3: For characters confirmed dead (no resurrection override in author intent), and
+              who were NOT shown alive in PASS 1 prose, use ONLY the short DECEASED format.
               You MAY NOT give them a Location, Physical, Emotional, or Arc field.
-              They are DEAD. Dead characters do not have locations. They do not have arcs.
       ══ DECEASED FORMAT(two lines only) ══
         ## [Name] — DECEASED (Ch[N])
         Established: [one sentence: how they died]
@@ -374,7 +379,13 @@ steps:
         → Set Permanent: YES (deceased)
       NEVER give a deceased character a living Location, Physical, or Emotional field.
       NEVER assign a deceased character future obligations or arcs.
-      If a character was DECEASED in the previous state, copy their entry forward unchanged.
+      EXCEPTION — AUTHOR RETCON: If the EDITORIAL OVERRIDES (AUTHOR'S INTENT in PASS 0)
+        explicitly state the character IS ALIVE, this OVERRIDES the previous state.
+        The editor has retconned the death. Use LIVING FORMAT for that character.
+        The prose you wrote for this chapter is the authoritative source of truth.
+      If a character was DECEASED in the previous state, copy their entry forward UNCHANGED
+        unless (a) they die in THIS chapter's prose (update the cause), or
+        (b) the author's intent explicitly retcons them as alive.
       IMPORTANT: If a relative, sibling, or successor of a deceased character appears in the
       prose, they are a NEW character — do NOT create or update the deceased character's entry
       based on this relative's traits. Keep the deceased entry exactly as it was.