# Character State: ch-02

## Elara Vance
Location: The Whispering Grove, beneath the Great Sentinel Tree
Physical: Minor scrapes on forearms; moderate fatigue from the ritual
Emotional: Determined yet apprehensive
Active obligations: owes Valerius a full explanation of the ritual's side effects (ch-02) -- UNPAID
Open loops: [Elara and Kaelen] the shared vision of the decaying forest (ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED
Known secrets: knows the ritual did not fully cleanse the corruption -- Valerius and the Council
Arc: 20% -- She accepted the burden of the "Echo-caller" title, transitioning from a student to a practitioner with a heavy secret.
Permanent: YES

## Kaelen Thornsby
Location: The Whispering Grove, near the northern perimeter
Physical: No injuries
Emotional: Skeptical and vigilant
Active obligations: none
Open loops: [Elara and Kaelen] the shared vision of the decaying forest (ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED
Known secrets: knows Elara stumbled during the final incantation -- the rest of the scouts
Arc: 15% -- He shifted from total dismissal of the "old ways" to a begrudging acknowledgment that the forest is reacting to Elara.
Permanent: YES

## Elder Valerius
Location: High Terrace overlooking the Whispering Grove
Physical: Frail; leaning heavily on a staff of weir-wood
Emotional: Cautiously optimistic
Active obligations: none
Open loops: none
Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): knows the location of the Sunken Reliquary -- Elara
Arc: 5% -- He witnessed the first successful (though flawed) ritual in a generation, reaffirming his faith in the prophecy.
Permanent: NO

## Mira (The Grove Tender)
Location: The Whispering Grove, tending to the ritual basins
Physical: No injuries
Emotional: Awe-struck and fearful
Active obligations: owes Elara a favor for sparing her from the blast back (ch-02) -- UNPAID
Open loops: none
Known secrets: none
Arc: 10% -- Witnessing the raw power of the Echo-caller has turned her from a casual observer into a devoted assistant.
Permanent: NO

# World State: ch-02

## NPC Memory
- Mira (Whispering Grove): ADMIRATION -- Elara pushed her out of the way of a magical discharge during the ritual -- Mira is now fiercely loyal.
- Kaelen Thornsby (Scouts): DISTRUST -- He saw Elara’s momentary hesitation and believes the ritual was a partial failure -- He will be watching her closely.

## Faction Attitudes
- The Council of Elders: HOPEFUL -- The performance of the ritual suggests the forest can be saved.
- The Border Scouts: CYNICAL -- They see the ritual as a waste of resources while the corruption spreads physically at the gates.

## Active World Events
- The Awakening: The Sentinal Trees have begun to glow with rhythmic amber light, signaling the start of the Echo-calling cycle.
- The Blight Expansion: The corruption in the Southern Reach has slowed but shifted color from black to a deep, bruised purple.