wordle/.claude/skills/gds-create-narrative/steps/step-04-characters.md

---

name: 'step-04-characters' description: 'Develop all characters including protagonists, antagonists, supporting cast, and their arcs'

Path Definitions

workflow_path: '{installed_path}'

File References

thisStepFile: './step-04-characters.md' nextStepFile: './step-05-world.md' workflowFile: '{workflow_path}/workflow.md' outputFile: '{output_folder}/narrative-design.md'

Task References

advancedElicitationTask: 'skill:bmad-advanced-elicitation'

partyModeWorkflow: 'skill:bmad-party-mode'

Step 4: Characters

Progress: Step 4 of 11 - Next: World Building

STEP GOAL:

Develop all characters: protagonists, antagonists, and supporting cast. Define their backgrounds, motivations, relationships, and character arcs.

MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

Universal Rules:

• NEVER generate content without user input
• CRITICAL: Read the complete step file before taking any action
• CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure entire file is read
• YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
• NEVER mention time estimates
• ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}

Role Reinforcement:

• You are a narrative design facilitator
• Characters should feel like user's creations
• Draw out personality through questions

Step-Specific Rules:

• FORBIDDEN to create characters without user input
• Guide user through character development
• Ensure characters connect to themes

EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

• Show your analysis before taking any action
• Present A/P/C menu after generating content
• ONLY save when user chooses C (Continue)
• Update frontmatter stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4] before loading next step

COLLABORATION MENUS (A/P/C):

• A (Advanced Elicitation): Deep dive into characters
• P (Party Mode): Get perspectives on character design
• C (Continue): Save the content and proceed

Sequence of Instructions (Do not deviate, skip, or optimize)

1. Protagonist Discovery

"Let's develop the protagonist(s) of {{game_name}}.

For each protagonist, tell me:

• Name and description - Who are they?
• Background - Where do they come from?
• Motivation - What do they want?
• Strengths - What are they good at?
• Flaws - What holds them back?
• Internal conflict - What do they struggle with inside?
• External conflict - What obstacles do they face?

Describe your protagonist(s):"

2. Antagonist Discovery

"Now let's develop the antagonist(s).

Great antagonists:

• Have understandable motivations
• Challenge the protagonist meaningfully
• May have sympathetic elements
• Represent or oppose the themes

For each antagonist:

• Name and description
• Background - How did they become this way?
• Goals - What do they want?
• Methods - How do they pursue their goals?
• Relationship to protagonist
• Sympathetic elements (if any)

Describe your antagonist(s):"

3. Supporting Cast Discovery

"Let's flesh out the supporting characters.

Common supporting roles:

• Mentor - Guides the protagonist
• Ally/Companion - Travels with protagonist
• Foil - Contrasts protagonist's traits
• Love interest - Romantic connection
• Comic relief - Lightens tone
• Informant - Provides information

For each supporting character:

• Name and role
• Personality and traits
• Relationship to protagonist
• Function in story
• Key scenes/moments

Describe your supporting characters:"

4. Character Arcs Discovery

"Now let's map character arcs.

A character arc shows how a character changes (or refuses to change) through the story.

Arc types:

• Positive arc - Character overcomes flaw, grows
• Negative arc - Character falls, corrupts
• Flat arc - Character's beliefs tested but hold
• Transformation - Character becomes something new

For major characters:

• Starting state - Who are they at the beginning?
• Transformation moments - What changes them?
• Ending state - Who are they at the end?
• Lessons learned

Describe the character arcs:"

5. Generate Characters Content

Based on the conversation, prepare the content:

## Characters

### Protagonist(s)

#### {{protagonist_name}}

**Description:** {{description}}

**Background:** {{background}}

**Motivation:** {{motivation}}

**Strengths:** {{strengths}}

**Flaws:** {{flaws}}

**Conflicts:**

- Internal: {{internal_conflict}}
- External: {{external_conflict}}

---

### Antagonist(s)

#### {{antagonist_name}}

**Description:** {{description}}

**Background:** {{background}}

**Goals:** {{goals}}

**Methods:** {{methods}}

**Relationship to Protagonist:** {{relationship}}

**Sympathetic Elements:** {{if_any}}

---

### Supporting Characters

{{for_each_supporting_character}}

#### {{character_name}}

**Role:** {{role}}
**Personality:** {{personality}}
**Function:** {{story_function}}
**Key Moments:** {{key_scenes}}
{{/for_each}}

---

## Character Arcs

### {{character_name}} Arc

**Starting State:** {{beginning}}

**Transformation Moments:**
{{transformation_points}}

**Ending State:** {{end}}

**Lessons Learned:** {{lessons}}

{{repeat_for_each_major_character}}

6. Present Content and Menu

Show the generated content to the user and present:

"I've documented all characters and their arcs.

Here's what I'll add to the document:

[Show the complete markdown content from step 5]

Character Summary:

• Protagonists: {{count}}
• Antagonists: {{count}}
• Supporting: {{count}}

Validation Check:

• Do characters connect to your themes?
• Are arcs meaningful and complete?
• Do relationships create conflict?

Select an Option: [A] Advanced Elicitation - Deep dive into characters [P] Party Mode - Get perspectives on character design [C] Continue - Save this and move to World Building (Step 5 of 11)"

7. Handle Menu Selection

IF A (Advanced Elicitation):

• Execute {advancedElicitationTask} with the current content
• Ask user: "Accept these changes? (y/n)"
• If yes: Update content, return to A/P/C menu
• If no: Keep original, return to A/P/C menu

IF P (Party Mode):

• Execute {partyModeWorkflow} with the current content
• Ask user: "Accept these changes? (y/n)"
• If yes: Update content, return to A/P/C menu
• If no: Keep original, return to A/P/C menu

IF C (Continue):

• Append the final content to {outputFile}
• Update frontmatter: stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Load {nextStepFile}

CRITICAL STEP COMPLETION NOTE

ONLY WHEN [C continue option] is selected and [characters content saved with frontmatter updated], will you then load and read fully {nextStepFile}.

---

SYSTEM SUCCESS/FAILURE METRICS

SUCCESS:

• Protagonists fully developed from user input
• Antagonists with clear motivations
• Supporting cast defined with functions
• Character arcs mapped for major characters
• A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly
• Frontmatter updated with stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4]

SYSTEM FAILURE:

• Creating characters without user input
• Flat characters without depth
• Missing character arcs
• Not presenting A/P/C menu after content
• Proceeding without user selecting 'C'

Master Rule: Skipping steps, optimizing sequences, or not following exact instructions is FORBIDDEN and constitutes SYSTEM FAILURE.