# ✓ CHAPTER POLISH EXTRACTION — CH-12 [FINALIZED]

## Character State: ch-12 [POLISHED FINAL]

### ELARA VANCE
- **Location:** Inner Sanctum of the Heart-Root/Threshold
- **Physical:** Silver-white Sigil bonded to right palm; moderate spiritual exhaustion; bruised ribs; mud-stained damp clothing
- **Emotional:** Transcendent but weary; carries heavy forest restoration responsibility
- **Arc Status:** 100% COMPLETE — Transitioned from reactive survivor to proactive Voice of the Forest; accepted sacrificial leadership
- **Active Obligations:** Owes Kaelen protection (Ch-06) — UNPAID
- **Carried Secrets:** Council's role in Blight origin (evidence possessed); Kaelen unaware
- **Open Loop:** Elara & Council [Corruption Reckoning] — UNRESOLVED (emerging political consequence)
- **Status:** PERMANENT CHARACTER

### KAELEN
- **Location:** Threshold of the Heart-Root
- **Physical:** Left arm mangled/scarred; weak, pale; stable, long-term recovery needed
- **Emotional:** Stoic, contemplative; at peace with guardian identity
- **Arc Status:** 100% COMPLETE — Redemption finalized; committed to Heart-Root/Vessel protection
- **Active Obligations:** None
- **Carried Secrets:** Sun-Guard bloodline (Elara unaware); Grove map location (Elara unaware)
- **Open Loops:** None
- **Status:** PERMANENT CHARACTER

---

## World State: ch-12 [POLISHED FINAL]

### FACTIONS
- **Circle of Thorns:** EXTINCT — scouts fled; magical resonance destroyed; Thorne Blackroot deceased (calcified/shattered)
- **Forest Spirits (Elderwood):** VIBRANT — actively reshaping environment; singing new growth
- **Council of Oakhaven:** PARIAHS — political collapse imminent; survivors questioning complicity in Blight

### ACTIVE EVENTS
- **The Great Weaving:** ONGOING — magical reforestation reclaiming scorched lands
- **Heart-Root Activation:** PERMANENT — pulse steady/expanding; actively healing corrupted zones
- **The Council's Reckoning:** EMERGING — political tension rising as Blight's true origin becomes public

### ALLIES & SUPPORT
- **Mira (Oakhaven):** GRATEFUL — witnessed clearing sky; will likely support Elara against Council investigation

### THEMATIC RESONANCE
Truth of corruption exposed; natural order reasserting dominion; leadership burden upon the willing; redemption through sacrifice finalized.

---

**POLISHED STATUS:** Ready for publication. All character arcs closed. World state stable with emerging political consequence hook.