# Character State: ch-01

## Isabella Voss
Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; silk gloves saturated with hidden blood; internal lashing from the Peace Vow; fresh wrist scarring concealed by lace.
Emotional: Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a “regal correction” mask.
Active obligations: Owes Damien Blackthorn marriage—PAID; owes Blackthorn Coven production of sanctioned heir—UNPAID.
Open loops: Isabella/Damien survival of the wedding night—UNRESOLVED; secrecy of hemomantic scarring from Reginald—UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: Bleeding beneath gloves; severity of scarring hidden from Elders; using mother’s death as a template for survival.
Arc: 15% — Transitioned from POW to legally bound hostage-bride via 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: Owes Blackthorn Coven presentation of the vassal-bride—PAID; owes Isabella protection/containment—UNPAID.
Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella's Hemomancy—UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: Suspects Isabella is hiding hemomantic bleeding/scarring from the Elders.
Arc: 08% — Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
Permanent: YES

## Lord Reginald Thorne
Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
Physical: Aged, commanding; aura of acquisitive power.
Emotional: Triumphant; viewing the Voss bloodline as a harvestable resource.
Active obligations: Overseeing integration of Voss assets—UNPAID.
Open loops: Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause—UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: Plans to discard/sacrifice Isabella once a viable heir is produced.
Arc: 05% — Positioned as the architect of the Annexation.
Permanent: YES

# World State: ch-01

## NPC Memory
- Blackthorn Court: DERISIVE — Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission; view her as a conquered trophy and biological asset.

## Faction Attitudes
- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT — Traded Isabella for a fragile peace under the Treaty of Thorns.
- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL — View the marriage as the formal annexation of enemy assets and bloodlines.

## Active World Events
- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE — Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s dissent with internal lashes.
- The Binding Ritual: COMPLETE — Magical ceremony linking the Voss and Blackthorn lines.
- The Treaty of Thorns: ACTIVE — Diplomatic framework mandating the union.
- The Annexation: COMPLETE — Formal absorption of Nightbloom assets via the marriage contract.