3.2 KiB
3.2 KiB
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:
- Seed -- Author fills
chXX-input.md(copied fromchapter-input-template.md) - Scene Breakdown -- Claude proposes scene plan, author approves
- Draft -- Full chapter drafted into
chXX-draft.md - Review -- Author edits, then Claude reviews clarity/grammar/flow
- 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
The Case
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)
- Opening -- new status quo post-Book 2
- The Compact moves against Phelan directly
- ...
- ...
- Climax -- Phelan vs. Compact pressure
- 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
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?