# Character State: ch-01

## Isabella Voss
Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; silk gloves saturated with blood; internal "lashing" from the Peace Vow; fresh wrist scarring hidden by lace.
Emotional: Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a "regal correction" mask.
Active obligations: Compliance for the binding ritual (ch-01) — PAID; Marriage to Damien Blackthorn (ch-01) — PAID; Production of a sanctioned heir (ch-01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: Isabella/Damien survival of the wedding night (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED; Maintaining the "Undamaged Vessel" facade (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Actively bleeding beneath gloves; severity hidden from Elders; Using her mother’s execution as a survival template.
Arc: 15% -- Transitioned from prisoner-of-war to legally bound hostage-bride through the signing of the blood contract.
Permanent: YES

## Damien Blackthorn
Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
Physical: Predatory vitality; no injuries.
Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
Active obligations: Presenting the "vassal-bride" to the Elders (ch-01) — PAID; Protection/Containment of Isabella (ch-01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella’s Hemomancy (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Aware Isabella is hiding hemomantic scarring/bleeding.
Arc: 08% -- Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband during the public annexing ceremony.
Permanent: YES

## Lord Reginald Thorne
Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
Physical: Aged, commanding presence.
Emotional: Triumphant; acquisitive.
Active obligations: Overseeing integration of the Voss bloodline (ch-01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Views Isabella as a pawn to be discarded once an heir is produced.
Arc: 05% -- Architect of the diplomatic annexation who successfully finalized the Peace Vow.
Permanent: YES

## Elara Voss -- DECEASED (Prior)
Established: Executed for breaking a coven vow prior to the start of the narrative.
Legacy: Her death serves as Isabella's primary psychological template for survival and fear of oath-breaking.

# World State: ch-01

## NPC Memory
- Blackthorn Court (Blackthorn Keep): DERISIVE -- Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission and the blood-soaked gloves -- View her as a conquered trophy.

## Faction Attitudes
- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT -- Isabella feels abandoned by her kin for the sake of a fragile peace.
- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL -- The marriage is treated as a legal and magical annexation of enemy assets.

## Active World Events
- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE -- Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s internal dissent with physical pain.
- The Transition: COMPLETE -- Isabella is legally and physically isolated within Blackthorn territory following the signing.

## Objects/Artifacts
- Blood-Soaked Silk Gloves: Hiding hemomantic scarring from the Elders.
- The Binding Contract: High-tier hemomantic artifact; legalizes the annexation of Nightbloom magic.
- Vow-Sealed Locket: Isabella’s last link to her lineage; hidden talisman.