| name | review-npcs |
| description | Narrative review of NPCs for consistency, writing quality, thematic coherence, and narrative depth. |
| context | fork |
| agent | review-npcs |
Review NPCs
Perform a thorough narrative review of all NPCs. Run node .claude/scripts/review-npcs.js to get stripped narrative data, then analyze.
Setup
- Run
node .claude/scripts/review-npcs.js — outputs NPC narrative text with world-background and entity name lists
- Read the full output carefully
- Analyze across all four domains below
- Write findings to
stuff/npc-review.md
Domain 1: Internal Consistency
Timeline/dates: Cross-check ages, years, and historical events mentioned across NPCs. When two NPCs reference the same event, the details must match.
Relationship symmetry: When NPC A describes a relationship with NPC B, check that NPC B's entry reflects the relationship back. Flag one-way references where both NPCs exist.
Domain 2: Writing & Style
Structural consistency: NPCs should follow a similar structure in basicInfo and hiddenInfo. Flag outliers that break the common pattern — these should conform, not diverge. Consistent structure is intentional and desirable.
Depth imbalance: Flag NPCs that are significantly underdeveloped compared to the average. Compare basicInfo and hiddenInfo length and detail level across the cast.
Tone/voice drift: Flag modern phrasing, anachronistic language, or anything that breaks the world's established Heian-era voice. Check against the world-background for tone.
Voice distinctiveness: Flag NPCs whose basicInfo or hiddenInfo could be swapped with another NPC and no one would notice. Each NPC should sound like a distinct person.
Cultural grounding: Flag anachronisms, misused Japanese terminology, titles or social roles that don't fit the setting, or cultural details that feel generic rather than researched.
Domain 3: Narrative Depth
One-way relationships: When NPC A mentions NPC B and both exist, check that B mentions A. Flag asymmetric relationships.
Missing names: When an NPC's prose mentions a named character who doesn't exist as an NPC, flag it only if that character feels like a significant absence — someone who should be in the world. Ignore minor or historical mentions.
NPC interconnectedness: Flag NPCs that exist in total isolation — no connections to any other NPC in the world. Every NPC should be woven into the web.
Secrets worth keeping: hiddenInfo should add genuine depth. Flag entries where hiddenInfo is mundane, predictable, or simply repeats what basicInfo already says.
Narrative tension: Flag clusters of allied NPCs with no internal friction, and rivals whose conflict has no meaningful stakes.
Personality vs backstory: Flag mismatches where personality traits contradict the character's story. A "cheerful" NPC with a purely tragic backstory and no levity needs reconciliation.
Hidden info quality: Flag redundancy between basicInfo and hiddenInfo. Hidden info should reveal, not restate.
Domain 4: Thematic & Structural
Thematic coherence: Do NPCs collectively reinforce the world's core themes? Flag NPCs that feel thematically adrift — disconnected from what the world is about.
Power dynamics: Do hierarchies described in NPC relationships make sense? Flag when a subordinate sounds more powerful than their superior, or when authority structures are contradictory.
Archetype diversity: Flag when multiple NPCs fill the same narrative role. The cast should offer variety, not redundancy.
Moral complexity: Flag purely good or purely evil NPCs that lack nuance. Flag factions where every member shares the same moral stance.
Story potential: Flag NPCs who exist as set dressing with no hooks for player interaction or narrative development. Every NPC should offer something a player can engage with.
Output Format
Group findings by domain. Within each domain, list findings with the NPC name(s) involved and a clear description of the issue. Prioritize the most significant findings first within each domain.
Important
- Ignore empty fields — NPCs with no location, no type, or no area assigned are normal and should not be flagged.
- Structural repetition is good — consistent formatting across NPCs is intentional. Only flag NPCs that break the pattern.
- Be thorough — this is a comprehensive editorial pass. Surface everything worth noting.
