# Character State: ch-02

## Isabella Voss
Location: The Bridal Chamber, High Tower, Blackthorn Keep.
Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; fresh bleeding from wrist scars beneath gloves; stinging from the Peace Vow.
Emotional: Violated and icily resolute; mask of "regal correction" slipping into predatory focus.
Active obligations: Owes Damien Blackthorn a sanctioned heir (ch-01) -- UNPAID; Owes Reginald Thorne Voss bloodline assets (ch-01) -- UNPAID.
Open loops: Survival of the Wedding Night (ch-01) -- RESOLVED; Management of the blood-pact ink (ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Bleeding beneath gloves; CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): true severity of her scarring; knows she has successfully manipulated Damien's blood to create a temporary anchor -- Damien Blackthorn.
Arc: 20% -- Moved from passive hostage to active manipulator by binding Damien’s agency to her own survival via blood ink.
Permanent: YES

## Damien Blackthorn
Location: The Bridal Chamber, High Tower, Blackthorn Keep.
Physical: Uninjured, though physically bound by magical compulsion at chapter end.
Emotional: Shocked, humiliated, and darkly impressed by Isabella’s audacity.
Active obligations: Owes Isabella protection and containment per the Treaty (ch-01) -- UNPAID; Bound to Isabella's physical safety by the blood-ink pact (ch-02) -- UNPAID.
Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella’s hemomancy (ch-01) -- RESOLVED; Consummation of the alliance (ch-01) -- UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Suspects Isabella is hiding scars that violate the "Unmarked Vessel" clause.
Arc: 15% -- Shifted from absolute predator to a tethered participant in Isabella’s survival game.
Permanent: YES

# World State: ch-02

## NPC Memory
- High Priest Malakor (Blackthorn Keep): DISGUSTED -- Isabella’s refusal to kneel during the sealing rite was seen as a breach of protocol -- increased suspicion of the "Nightbloom Witch."
- Blackthorn Guards (Hallways): ADMIRING -- Viewed Damien's entry as a conquest -- reinforced the image of Isabella as a trophy.

## Faction Attitudes
- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT -- Abandoned Isabella to save the collective.
- Blackthorn Coven: DISMISSIVE -- Expecting a quick domestic surrender; unaware of the magical subversion occurring in the High Tower.

## Active World Events
- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE -- Magical pulse punishing Isabella’s dissent with internal pain.
- The Treaty of Thorns: ACTIVE -- Diplomatic framework mandating the union.
- The Unmarked Vessel Clause: ACTIVE -- Isabella has secretly breached this, and Damien has now seen the evidence.
- The Blood-Ink Anchor: ACTIVE -- A localized magical bond created by Isabella during the consummation attempt that links Damien’s life to her own.

## Global Variables
- Location: Blackthorn Keep (The High Tower).
- Tension Level: Extreme (Nuclear standoff between bride and groom).
- Political Climate: Forced Annexation/Fragile Peace.