From efc8402d43fd87d661301e7216f47780f686460f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Baity <158404677+MazakTheDwarf@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:34:37 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] PASS 3 prose-first rule: character in prose = alive

---
 templates/book_chapter.yml | 27 ++++++++++++++-------------
 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-)

diff --git a/templates/book_chapter.yml b/templates/book_chapter.yml
index 30cd608..7f18672 100644
--- a/templates/book_chapter.yml
+++ b/templates/book_chapter.yml
@@ -319,15 +319,17 @@ steps:
         Use ONLY what your PASS 1 narrative says.
 
       ══ MANDATORY CHECK — DECEASED CHARACTERS ══
-      STEP 1: Check PASS 0 above. Find every character listed as "(DECEASED)" or "†" or "DEAD".
-      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.
+      STEP 1: PROSE IS GROUND TRUTH — Read your PASS 1 narrative (Turn 2). Find every named
+              character who appears in the prose (speaking, moving, thinking, physically present).
+              → These characters are ALIVE. Use LIVING FORMAT for each one.
+              → If a prior deliverable shows them as DECEASED — the prose OVERRIDES that.
+              → The draft you just wrote is THE authoritative source. No exceptions.
+      STEP 2: For characters NOT present in the PASS 1 prose, check PASS 0 context:
+              → If they were DECEASED in a prior character-state file: carry them forward
+                as DECEASED using the short DECEASED FORMAT.
+              → If they were ALIVE but simply off-screen: omit them (no update needed).
+      STEP 3: NEVER mark a character DECEASED if they speak, act, or appear alive in PASS 1.
+              NEVER give absent-but-alive characters a new Location or Emotional update.
       ══ DECEASED FORMAT(two lines only) ══
         ## [Name] — DECEASED (Ch[N])
         Established: [one sentence: how they died]
@@ -385,10 +387,9 @@ 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.
-      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.
+      EXCEPTION — PROSE OVERRIDE: If the character appears ALIVE in your PASS 1 prose
+        (speaking, acting, physically present), this OVERRIDES any previous DECEASED state.
+        Use LIVING FORMAT. The prose you wrote is always 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.