# CLAUDE.md -- Book 3: "[Working Title TBD]"

> **STATUS: NOT STARTED.** Book 3 is planned but not yet in development. This file contains known seeds and constraints from the series arc.

This file contains Book 3-specific instructions. The series-level CLAUDE.md at the project root governs voice, world, characters, formatting, and continuity rules.

---

## Chapter Development Workflow

Each chapter follows the `/chapter-workflow` skill pipeline:

1. **Seed** -- Author fills `chXX-input.md` (copied from `chapter-input-template.md`)
2. **Scene Breakdown** -- Claude proposes scene plan, author approves
3. **Draft** -- Full chapter drafted into `chXX-draft.md`
4. **Review** -- Author edits, then Claude reviews clarity/grammar/flow
5. **Continuity Update** -- Update world/character files with new canon

---

## Premise

The Arcane Compact becomes a direct pressure. Phelan's Flaw Sight ability can no longer stay quiet -- too many impossible jobs, too many broken "unbreakable" workings. The Compact wants to understand what he can do, control it, or eliminate it.

## Opening Situation

<!-- To be filled after Book 2 is complete -- depends on where Book 2 leaves Phelan -->

## The Case

<!-- To be developed. Known constraints from series arc:
- The antagonist should be connected to the Compact's institutional power
- Cassius Rykhard's arc from Books 1-2 should reach a climax or pivot
- Phelan's ability is no longer secret -- this changes how he operates
- Kae's testimony/evidence from Book 2 may be a catalyst
-->

## Themes

- Institutional power vs. individual ability -- the Compact as a system, not just corrupt individuals
- What happens when you can't hide anymore -- Phelan forced into visibility
- The cost of being useful to powerful people
- Series-level relationship and personal arcs reaching resolution points

## Milestone Beats

*(To be developed after Book 2 is complete)*

1. Opening -- new status quo post-Book 2
2. The Compact moves against Phelan directly
3. ...
4. ...
5. Climax -- Phelan vs. Compact pressure
6. Resolution + series arc payoffs

## Key Callbacks

| Prior Thread | Book 3 Connection |
|---|---|
| Cassius Rykhard (Books 1-2) | Series antagonist arc reaches climax |
| Kae's testimony / Compact corruption evidence (Book 2) | Catalyst for Compact action? |
| Phelan's Flaw Sight secrecy | Can no longer stay quiet -- too many impossible jobs |
| Compact regulatory pressure (Book 1 bribe, threats) | Escalates to direct institutional pressure |
| Leon's pre-Compact artifact knowledge | Likely relevant to understanding Compact history/power |

## Character Arcs

<!-- To be developed. Known threads:
- Phelan: forced visibility, must decide how to handle institutional attention
- Mere: relationship deepened across two books, house/farm goal progress
- Cassius: series antagonist resolution
- Leon: continued integration into the team
- Devod: ongoing competence arc
- Kae: if recurring, his post-recovery status
-->

## Open Questions

- Working title
- Central case/mystery -- what specific problem does Phelan face?
- Is this the final book or does the series continue beyond 3?
- Cassius's fate -- defeated, escaped, or transformed?
- Does Phelan's Flaw Sight have a deeper origin that's revealed here?
- The house -- does it finally get built?