# Character State: ch-06

## Mira Vasquez
Location: The Gilded Vault (Grand Ballroom), The Capital
Physical: Severe sensory overstimulation; corset-induced restricted breathing; fingernail-sized mana-burn on right palm.
Emotional: Violated and defiant; overwhelmed by the artificiality of the Imperial Court.
Active obligations: Owes the High Inquisitor a demonstration of "compliance" (Ch06) — UNPAID.
Open loops: [Mira/Dorian] The shared biological "echo" from the wine-tasting incident (Ch06) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: Discovered the Emperor’s "Accord" contains a hidden sub-clause for total mana-extraction — Dorian remains unaware.
Arc: 60% — Shifted from internalizing her fear to weaponizing her proximity to Dorian as a tactical shield.
Permanent: YES (Internalized the specific "Cold-Sick" frequency of Dorian’s magic to dampen Imperial dampeners).

## Dorian Solas
Location: The Gilded Vault (Grand Ballroom), The Capital
Physical: Metabolic suppression due to Imperial lead-lined wards; trembling hands hidden by formal gloves.
Emotional: Intellectually claustrophobic; protective of Mira beyond the requirements of the Accord.
Active obligations: Owes the Ministry a full audit of Pyre Academy assets (Ch05) — UNPAID.
Open loops: [Dorian/Malchor] The threat of "Correction" for his lack of discipline (Ch04) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: Realized the "Gilded Gala" is a ritual trap to bind their tether to the Throne — Mira remains unaware. CRITICAL SECRET: Found Accord Protocol Omega in the Library of Ash — reveals the Severance Key was used to execute his great-uncle Aldric Solas 50 years ago. He has pocketed the document. Mira sensed his emotional reaction but he refused to explain. This secret is UNRESOLVED and will drive his over-protective behavior in Ch07+.
Arc: 65% — Abandoned his clinical distance to physically intercept a Ministry official for Mira's sake.
Permanent: YES (Formally broke Spire protocol by utilizing "unrefined" kinetic heat to clear his own lung congestion).

## Kaelen — DECEASED (Ch04)
Established: Died during the stabilization of the Obsidian Bridge collapse when his mana-wells turned to steam.
Legacy: His absence forced Mira into total administrative isolation, making her vulnerable to Malchor’s gala invitation.

## High Inquisitor Malchor
Location: The Imperial Dais, The Gilded Vault
Physical: No injuries; radiating an artificial, gold-hued mana-aura.
Emotional: Contemptuous; predatory; satisfied with the progress of the "Correction."
Active obligations: Owes the Emperor a neutralized Starfall Union (Ch01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: [Malchor/Mira] The forced dance/interrogation (Ch06) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: Controls the frequency for the Severance Key — Dorian and Mira remain unaware.
Arc: 15% — Positioned as the primary physical obstacle to the Union's autonomy.
Permanent: NO

# World State: ch-06

## NPC Memory
- The Court Noble (Imperial Palace): DISDAINFUL -- Witnessed Dorian and Mira's stumble during the waltz -- Convinced the Union is a farce.
- Ministry Observers (The Capital): HOSTILE -- Monitoring the sensory bleed levels -- Preparing for a forced decoupling.

## Faction Attitudes
- The Eternal Throne: PREDATORY -- Views the Union as a battery to be drained for the Starfall barrier.
- Central Ministry: BUREAUCRATIC -- Seeking grounds for "Correction" to seize institutional assets.

## Active World Events
- The Starfall Drift: SKY IS BLEEDING -- Silver sparks now visible through the palace dome during daylight.
- The Gilded Gala: ACTIVE -- A social ambush designed to test the tether's breaking point under public scrutiny.
- The Monitoring Embargo: ESCALATING -- Mana-dampeners increased by 20% in the ballroom.