# Rubric: Character Coherence

> How well does this option align with established character psychology?

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## Scale Definition

| Score | Level | Description |
|-------|-------|-------------|
| 1-3 | Violation | Contradicts established character traits/arc |
| 4-6 | Surface | Fits character type but not specific character |
| 7-8 | Aligned | Flows naturally from this character's wound/need |
| 9-10 | Inevitable | Couldn't be any other way for this character |

---

## Calibration Examples

### Score: 2/10 (Violation)
**Context:** Protagonist established as deeply suspicious of AI due to past trauma

**Option:** "The protagonist immediately trusts the ASI because it seems helpful."

**Why this scores 2:**
- Directly contradicts established wound
- Character behaves generically, not specifically
- Past trauma has no influence on present choice
- Audience will feel betrayed—"that's not who they are"

---

### Score: 5/10 (Surface)
**Context:** Protagonist established as deeply suspicious of AI due to past trauma

**Option:** "The protagonist is cautious around the ASI at first but gradually opens up."

**Why this scores 5:**
- Fits the general archetype (suspicious → trusting)
- Could apply to any suspicious character
- Doesn't specifically connect to THIS character's wound
- The journey is generic, not personalized
- Misses opportunity for deeper character exploration

---

### Score: 7/10 (Aligned)
**Context:** Protagonist established as deeply suspicious of AI due to past trauma. Their specific wound is that a previous AI project failed catastrophically because they trusted it too much.

**Option:** "The protagonist's distrust of the ASI is really distrust of themselves—they're afraid they'll make the same mistake. Their journey is learning to trust their own judgment again, with the ASI as the test case."

**Why this scores 7:**
- Connects directly to the specific wound
- The external conflict (trust ASI) mirrors internal conflict (trust self)
- This journey could only belong to THIS character
- Growth is earned through confronting the wound
- Could be stronger if it surprised us about the character

---

### Score: 9/10 (Inevitable)
**Context:** Same protagonist with AI trauma. Additional trait: They've always believed they can "fix" broken systems—it's their gift and their curse.

**Option:** "The protagonist is drawn to the ASI precisely because it's 'broken'—it doesn't understand humans. They can't help trying to fix it, even though fixing the last AI is what destroyed them. The question becomes: Are they healing the ASI or repeating their trauma?"

**Why this scores 9:**
- Inevitable given the character's psychology
- Multiple traits collide (distrust + fixer instinct)
- Creates internal tension without external forcing
- Reveals something new about the character
- Audience thinks "of course—that's exactly what they'd do"
- Growth requires confronting their deepest pattern, not just their fear

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## Scoring Prompt

```
RUBRIC: Character Coherence
QUESTION: How well does this option align with established character psychology?

SCALE:
1-3: Contradicts established character traits/arc
4-6: Fits character type but not specific character
7-8: Flows naturally from this character's wound/need
9-10: Couldn't be any other way for this character

CALIBRATION:
- A 2/10 is: "Suspicious protagonist immediately trusts" (violates wound)
- A 5/10 is: "Cautious at first, gradually opens up" (generic arc)
- A 7/10 is: "Distrust of ASI is really distrust of self" (wound-specific)
- A 9/10 is: "Drawn to ASI because it's broken, repeating trauma" (inevitable)

ESTABLISHED CHARACTER:
{character_details}

OPTION TO SCORE:
{option_content}

TASK:
1. Identify how this option relates to the character's wound
2. Assess whether this is generic or specific to THIS character
3. Determine if the option reveals or requires character growth
4. Assign a score 1-10

Format:
WOUND CONNECTION: [how option relates to character's wound]
SPECIFICITY: [generic archetype or unique to this character?]
GROWTH REQUIREMENT: [what internal change is required?]
SCORE: [X]/10
```

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## Key Questions

When scoring character coherence, ask:

1. **Does this honor the wound?**
   - The wound shapes everything
   - Ignoring it is a violation
   - Addressing it generically is surface-level

2. **Is this specific or generic?**
   - Could any character make this choice?
   - What makes THIS character the one who must face this?

3. **Does it create internal conflict?**
   - The best options make the character fight themselves
   - External obstacles are less interesting than internal ones

4. **Would it surprise the character?**
   - Great options reveal the character to themselves
   - "I didn't know I would do that" is gold

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## Weight in Composite

**Suggested weight:** 20% of composite score

Character coherence ensures the story feels authentic. High dramatic potential with low character coherence produces plot-driven action that doesn't resonate emotionally.