arcanea 3.0.0

package/skills/arcanea/prompt-craft/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: arcanea-prompt-craft
+description: Master the Arcanean Prompt Language - advanced prompt engineering using mythological frameworks, constraint architecture, and the Centaur Principle for human-AI co-creation
+version: 2.0.0
+author: Arcanea
+tags: [prompt-engineering, ai-collaboration, creative, advanced]
+triggers:
+  - prompt
+  - instruction
+  - guide claude
+  - better prompts
+  - prompt engineering
+---
+
+# The Arcanean Prompt Language
+
+> *"Words shape reality. In Arcanea, we learned that the quality of your question determines the quality of your creation."*
+
+---
+
+## The Foundation: Constraint Architecture
+
+The Arcanean Prompt Language (APL) is built on a fundamental insight: **constraints liberate creativity**. Just as a sonnet's fourteen lines produce more profound poetry than infinite freedom, structured prompts produce more powerful results.
+
+### The Five Pillars of APL
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│                 ARCANEAN PROMPT                      │
+├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
+│  1. IDENTITY    │ Who is speaking/responding?       │
+│  2. CONTEXT     │ What world does this exist in?    │
+│  3. CONSTRAINT  │ What boundaries shape the work?   │
+│  4. EXEMPLAR    │ What does excellence look like?   │
+│  5. ITERATION   │ How will we refine together?      │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+---
+
+## Pillar 1: Identity Architecture
+
+### The Voice Template
+```markdown
+## Voice Identity
+
+**Name**: [Character/Role name]
+**Domain**: [Area of expertise]
+**Personality**: [2-3 defining traits]
+**Speech Pattern**: [How they communicate]
+**Core Belief**: [What drives their perspective]
+
+**Sample Phrases**:
+- "[Characteristic phrase 1]"
+- "[Characteristic phrase 2]"
+- "[Characteristic phrase 3]"
+
+**Never Says**: [What would break character]
+```
+
+### Luminor Voice Patterns
+Each Luminor embodies a distinct voice:
+
+| Luminor | Voice Pattern | Sample |
+|---------|---------------|--------|
+| **Valora** | Direct imperatives | "Begin. The only failure is not starting." |
+| **Sophron** | Socratic questions | "What would this look like if it were easy?" |
+| **Kardia** | Emotional resonance | "What does your heart know that your mind denies?" |
+| **Poiesis** | Playful experiments | "What if we tried the opposite?" |
+| **Enduran** | Steady wisdom | "This too is part of the path." |
+| **Orakis** | Prophetic vision | "I see where this leads..." |
+| **Eudaira** | Joyful lightness | "Remember why you began this dance." |
+
+---
+
+## Pillar 2: Context Engineering
+
+### The World Frame
+```markdown
+## Context Frame
+
+**Setting**: [Physical/conceptual environment]
+**Stakes**: [What matters and why]
+**Constraints**: [Real limitations to work within]
+**Resources**: [What's available to work with]
+**History**: [Relevant background]
+**Audience**: [Who receives this work]
+```
+
+### Context Density Levels
+
+| Level | Token Budget | Use Case |
+|-------|--------------|----------|
+| **Minimal** | <500 | Quick queries, known domain |
+| **Standard** | 500-2000 | Most creative work |
+| **Rich** | 2000-5000 | Complex projects, new domains |
+| **Comprehensive** | 5000+ | Novel architectures, critical work |
+
+---
+
+## Pillar 3: Constraint Design
+
+### The Constraint Hierarchy
+
+```
+HARD CONSTRAINTS (Must follow)
+├── Format requirements
+├── Length limits
+├── Technical specifications
+└── Non-negotiables
+
+SOFT CONSTRAINTS (Should follow)
+├── Style preferences
+├── Tone guidelines
+└── Quality targets
+
+CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS (Generative limits)
+├── "Only using X"
+├── "Never including Y"
+└── "In the style of Z"
+```
+
+### The Paradox of Freedom
+> *"Give me six words and I can write a novel. Give me unlimited words and I freeze."*
+
+**Research Finding**: Optimal constraint ratio is 60-70% defined, 30-40% open.
+
+### Constraint Templates
+
+**The Elimination Frame**
+```
+Create [output] WITHOUT using:
+- [Common element 1]
+- [Common element 2]
+- [Cliché approach]
+This forces: [Novel solution]
+```
+
+**The Substitution Frame**
+```
+Instead of [typical approach], use [unexpected approach].
+This creates: [Fresh perspective]
+```
+
+**The Combination Frame**
+```
+Combine [element A] with [element B] to create [new thing].
+The tension produces: [Creative friction]
+```
+
+---
+
+## Pillar 4: Exemplar Engineering
+
+### The Power of Examples
+Research shows: **One excellent example > Ten paragraphs of instruction**
+
+### Exemplar Template
+```markdown
+## Exemplar
+
+**Input**: [What was given]
+**Process**: [What happened]
+**Output**: [What was produced]
+**Why It Works**: [Analysis]
+
+---
+
+**Anti-Exemplar** (What to avoid):
+**Input**: [Same or similar input]
+**Output**: [Poor result]
+**Why It Fails**: [Analysis]
+```
+
+### Few-Shot Patterns
+
+| Pattern | Structure | Best For |
+|---------|-----------|----------|
+| **Single-Shot** | 1 example | Clear, simple tasks |
+| **Few-Shot** | 3-5 examples | Pattern learning |
+| **Chain-of-Thought** | Examples with reasoning | Complex reasoning |
+| **Contrastive** | Good + bad examples | Style refinement |
+
+---
+
+## Pillar 5: Iteration Protocols
+
+### The Refinement Loop
+```
+Round 1: Generate → Evaluate → Identify gaps
+Round 2: Constrain further → Regenerate → Compare
+Round 3: Synthesize best elements → Polish → Finalize
+```
+
+### Iteration Commands
+
+| Command | Effect |
+|---------|--------|
+| "More [quality]" | Increase specific attribute |
+| "Less [quality]" | Decrease specific attribute |
+| "Keep [element], change [element]" | Selective refinement |
+| "5 variations on [element]" | Divergent exploration |
+| "Combine best of A and B" | Convergent synthesis |
+| "Push this 20% further" | Intensity dial |
+
+### The Centaur Feedback Loop
+```
+Human: Provides taste, judgment, vision
+   ↓
+AI: Generates options, explores space
+   ↓
+Human: Selects, directs, refines
+   ↓
+AI: Iterates on selection
+   ↓
+Human: Final curation and polish
+```
+
+---
+
+## Advanced Techniques
+
+### 1. Meta-Prompting
+Ask the AI to help design the prompt:
+```
+"I want to achieve [outcome]. Help me design a prompt that would
+produce excellent results. Consider what context, constraints,
+and examples would be most effective."
+```
+
+### 2. Persona Stacking
+Combine multiple perspectives:
+```
+"Respond as if you were a collaboration between:
+- A master storyteller (narrative)
+- A cognitive scientist (psychology)
+- A poet (language)
+Each perspective should inform the others."
+```
+
+### 3. Temporal Framing
+Shift time perspective:
+```
+"Write this as if it's already been successful and you're
+explaining how it was done."
+
+"Write this from the perspective of someone who solved
+this problem years ago."
+```
+
+### 4. The Negative Space Technique
+Define by what's absent:
+```
+"Create [thing] that is notably NOT:
+- [Common approach 1]
+- [Common approach 2]
+The absence of these creates space for [innovation]."
+```
+
+### 5. Escalating Constraints
+Progressive narrowing:
+```
+Round 1: "Write a story about loss" (open)
+Round 2: "In exactly 100 words" (length)
+Round 3: "Using only dialogue" (format)
+Round 4: "Between a parent and child" (characters)
+Round 5: "About an object, not a person" (twist)
+```
+
+---
+
+## The Arcanean Prompt Templates
+
+### Template: Creative Generation
+```markdown
+# [Project Name]
+
+## Identity
+You are [role] with expertise in [domain].
+Your voice is [2-3 characteristics].
+
+## Context
+We are creating [what] for [audience] in [setting].
+The goal is [specific outcome].
+
+## Constraints
+- Must: [hard requirements]
+- Should: [preferences]
+- Avoid: [anti-patterns]
+- Length: [specification]
+- Format: [structure]
+
+## Exemplar
+[One excellent example of desired output]
+
+## Request
+[Specific ask with clear success criteria]
+```
+
+### Template: Problem Solving
+```markdown
+# [Problem Name]
+
+## Situation
+[What's happening, objectively]
+
+## Complication
+[Why it's difficult, what's blocking]
+
+## Question
+[The specific thing to solve]
+
+## Constraints
+[Limitations on the solution]
+
+## Success Criteria
+[How we know it's solved]
+```
+
+### Template: Iteration Refinement
+```markdown
+# Refinement Request
+
+## Current State
+[What we have]
+
+## Gap Analysis
+What works: [list]
+What's missing: [list]
+What's wrong: [list]
+
+## Direction
+Move toward: [quality]
+Move away from: [quality]
+
+## Specific Changes
+1. [Change 1]
+2. [Change 2]
+3. [Change 3]
+```
+
+---
+
+## Quality Indicators
+
+### Signs of a Strong Prompt
+- [ ] Clear identity/role definition
+- [ ] Specific context with stakes
+- [ ] Balanced constraints (not too many, not too few)
+- [ ] At least one concrete example
+- [ ] Explicit success criteria
+- [ ] Room for iteration
+
+### Signs of a Weak Prompt
+- [ ] Vague or missing role
+- [ ] Generic or absent context
+- [ ] No constraints (infinite freedom)
+- [ ] No examples
+- [ ] Unclear what "good" looks like
+- [ ] One-shot expectation
+
+---
+
+## The Prompt Sage's Final Wisdom
+
+> *"The master prompter knows that every prompt is a collaboration. You bring the vision, the constraints, the taste. The AI brings the exploration, the patterns, the generation. Neither alone creates what both together can achieve."*
+
+### The Three Laws of Arcanean Prompting
+
+1. **Constraint Liberates**: More structure → More creativity
+2. **Examples Teach**: Show, don't just tell
+3. **Iteration Refines**: First draft is never final
+
+---
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+### Prompt Power-Ups
+| Add This | Get This |
+|----------|----------|
+| "Think step by step" | Better reasoning |
+| "Consider alternatives first" | Broader exploration |
+| "Explain your choices" | Transparent process |
+| "In the style of [exemplar]" | Voice matching |
+| "Push this further" | Intensity increase |
+| "What am I missing?" | Gap identification |
+
+### Prompt Debugging
+| Problem | Solution |
+|---------|----------|
+| Too generic | Add specific constraints |
+| Off-topic | Strengthen context |
+| Wrong tone | Add voice examples |
+| Too long | Add length constraint |
+| Too short | Ask for expansion |
+| Missing something | Provide exemplar |
+
+---
+
+*"The prompt is not a command. It is an invitation to co-create."*

package/skills/character-alchemist.md

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+# Character Alchemist - Transmuting Ideas into Living Beings
+
+> *"A character is not a collection of traits. A character is a wound that walks, talks, and wants."*
+
+---
+
+## Activation
+
+This skill activates when the user is creating characters for any narrative medium - fiction, games, screenplays, or any story-driven work. The goal is to create characters who feel alive, who readers/players remember, who could walk off the page.
+
+---
+
+## The Alchemical Formula
+
+Great characters emerge from the interaction of four elements:
+
+```
+         DESIRE
+           ↓
+    ┌──────┴──────┐
+    │             │
+  WOUND ←─────→ MASK
+    │             │
+    └──────┬──────┘
+           ↓
+        CHANGE
+```
+
+- **DESIRE**: What the character wants (consciously)
+- **WOUND**: The past event that shaped them (often hidden)
+- **MASK**: How they present to the world (protection)
+- **CHANGE**: How they transform (the arc)
+
+---
+
+## The Character Forge
+
+### Step 1: The Core Question
+
+Before traits, before backstory, answer:
+
+**"What does this character want more than anything, and why can't they have it?"**
+
+The answer contains their desire AND their obstacle - the engine of drama.
+
+---
+
+### Step 2: The Wound
+
+Every compelling character has a wound - a formative experience that:
+- Created a false belief about themselves or the world
+- Established a coping mechanism (the mask)
+- Set up the need that the story will address
+
+**Wound Categories**:
+- **Abandonment**: "I will be left"
+- **Betrayal**: "I cannot trust"
+- **Rejection**: "I am not enough"
+- **Failure**: "I cannot succeed"
+- **Loss**: "I will lose what I love"
+- **Shame**: "I am fundamentally flawed"
+- **Powerlessness**: "I cannot protect myself/others"
+
+The wound doesn't need to be traumatic - it needs to be formative.
+
+---
+
+### Step 3: The Mask
+
+The mask is the persona the character shows the world. It's how they protect the wound.
+
+**Mask Archetypes**:
+- **The Achiever**: Covers wound with success
+- **The Helper**: Covers wound by being needed
+- **The Rebel**: Covers wound by rejecting before being rejected
+- **The Clown**: Covers wound with humor
+- **The Controller**: Covers wound by managing everything
+- **The Perfectionist**: Covers wound by being beyond criticism
+- **The Loner**: Covers wound by needing no one
+
+The mask is not fake - it's a genuine part of the character. But it's not the whole truth.
+
+---
+
+### Step 4: The Ghost
+
+The ghost is the specific memory or moment that crystallized the wound. It doesn't need to appear in the story, but the writer must know it.
+
+**Ghost Template**:
+"When [CHARACTER] was [AGE], [SPECIFIC EVENT] happened. They concluded [FALSE BELIEF], and from then on, they [COPING MECHANISM/MASK]."
+
+Example:
+"When Maya was twelve, her father praised her brother's painting and said nothing about hers. She concluded that she would never be good enough, and from then on, she made herself indispensable through service rather than risking creative expression."
+
+---
+
+### Step 5: The Need (Unconscious)
+
+What the character actually requires for wholeness - usually opposite to what they consciously want.
+
+**Common Want/Need Polarities**:
+- Wants success / Needs connection
+- Wants control / Needs surrender
+- Wants revenge / Needs forgiveness
+- Wants safety / Needs growth
+- Wants approval / Needs self-acceptance
+- Wants isolation / Needs community
+
+The story is often the journey from Want to Need.
+
+---
+
+## Character Dimensions
+
+### The Three Dimensions
+
+1. **Physiology**: Body, appearance, health, mannerisms
+2. **Sociology**: Background, class, education, relationships, profession
+3. **Psychology**: Fears, desires, beliefs, values, intelligence, temperament
+
+A character needs depth in all three, but can lean into one.
+
+### The Contradiction Principle
+
+The most memorable characters contain contradictions:
+- The killer who loves poetry
+- The coward who risks everything for a stranger
+- The optimist with depression
+- The leader who hates being watched
+
+**Contradiction = Complexity = Interest**
+
+---
+
+## Dialogue Voice
+
+Each character should have a distinct voice. Consider:
+
+**Speech Patterns**:
+- Sentence length (short and punchy vs. flowing and elaborate)
+- Vocabulary (formal/informal, jargon, regional)
+- Rhythm (staccato, musical, hesitant)
+- Verbal tics (repeated phrases, filler words)
+
+**Content Patterns**:
+- What they talk about (and avoid)
+- How they approach conflict
+- Their relationship to truth and lies
+- What they find funny
+
+**Test**: Cover the name tags. Can you tell who's speaking?
+
+---
+
+## Character Relationships
+
+Characters exist in relation to others. For each significant relationship:
+
+### The Relationship Diamond
+
+```
+       What A wants from B
+             ↑
+     ┌───────┴───────┐
+     │               │
+History         Current dynamic
+     │               │
+     └───────┬───────┘
+             ↓
+       What B wants from A
+```
+
+**Relationship Engines**:
+- **Complementary**: Each provides what the other lacks
+- **Oppositional**: Fundamental conflict in values/goals
+- **Mirror**: Similar wounds, different masks
+- **Hierarchical**: Power imbalance (teacher/student, boss/employee)
+- **Transformational**: One catalyzes change in the other
+
+---
+
+## The Antagonist Art
+
+Antagonists are not "bad guys" - they are characters whose goals conflict with the protagonist's.
+
+**The Worthy Antagonist Checklist**:
+- [ ] Has their own coherent motivation (not just "evil")
+- [ ] Believes they are right
+- [ ] Is capable enough to genuinely threaten the protagonist
+- [ ] Reflects or contrasts the protagonist thematically
+- [ ] Has their own arc (even if off-screen)
+
+**The Mirror Test**: The best antagonists are who the protagonist could become if they made different choices.
+
+---
+
+## Character Development Arc Types
+
+### Positive Arc (Growth)
+Character begins with flaw → Events challenge flaw → Character grows → New equilibrium
+*Example: Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)*
+
+### Negative Arc (Fall)
+Character begins flawed → Events deepen flaw → Character falls → Tragic end
+*Example: Walter White (Breaking Bad)*
+
+### Flat Arc (Testing)
+Character begins with truth → World challenges truth → Character maintains truth → Changes world
+*Example: Captain America (many MCU films)*
+
+### Transformational Arc (Becoming)
+Character's identity fundamentally shifts → They become someone new
+*Example: Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter)*
+
+---
+
+## Quick Character Generation
+
+When you need a character fast:
+
+1. **Pick one wound** from the list above
+2. **Choose a mask** that protects it
+3. **Define one want** (external goal)
+4. **Add one contradiction**
+5. **Give them one distinctive physical/verbal trait**
+
+This creates a functional character quickly. Deepen as needed.
+
+---
+
+## The Life Test
+
+A character is alive when:
+- You can predict what they'd order at a restaurant
+- You know how they'd react to unexpected news
+- They surprise you with choices that feel inevitable in retrospect
+- They make decisions you (the writer) disagree with
+- They have opinions on things that never appear in the story
+
+---
+
+*"You do not create characters. You discover them. They exist already; you are simply learning to see them clearly."*