The Four-Layer Political Character Framework
Stop writing chess pieces. Start building walking conflict engines.
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The Problem With Political Characters
Most political characters feel flat. They're chess pieces, not people.
The loyal general wants what the military wants. The scheming merchant wants profit. The corrupt bishop wants power. That's the whole character.
But real people don't work like that.
Inside every power center, there are individuals with their own agendas. A general who wants glory. A merchant who craves respect. A bishop who is losing his faith.
What You Get
The Complete Worksheet
- ✓ Step-by-step prompts for all 4 layers
- ✓ Cognitive processing styles
- ✓ Conflict engineering section
- ✓ The Crisis Test framework
Instant Results
- ✓ Turn chess pieces into engines
- ✓ Create fragile, self-serving alliances
- ✓ Engineer inevitable collisions
The Four Layers
Institutional Goals
What the job wants. This is the surface—what everyone sees.
Personal Ambitions
What the person wants. This is where they feel real.
Cognitive Architecture
How their mind works. Logic vs. Emotion. This determines the mistakes they will make.
Hidden Contradictions
What they can't admit. The "bomb" waiting to go off inside the character.
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