# Character State: ch-05

## Elara Vance
Location: The Whispering Grove, Heart of the Elderwood
Physical: Severe exhaustion, minor lacerations from briars, glowing resonance in fingertips
Emotional: Solemn and determined
Active obligations: owes Kaelen a debt of protection (Ch-02) -- UNPAID
Open loops: Elara and the Grove Sentinels regarding the breach of the inner sanctum (ch-05) -- UNRESOLVED
Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-03--unresolved): knows the location of the Sunstone shard -- Kaelen; knows the corruption is spreading from the roots up -- The Council
Arc: 45% -- Elara accepted her role as a potential Vessel after the Grove recognized her bloodline.
Permanent: YES

## Kaelen
Location: The Whispering Grove, Heart of the Elderwood
Physical: Healed from previous shoulder wound, visible fatigue
Emotional: Relieved but wary
Active obligations: owes Elara his life (Ch-02) -- UNPAID
Open loops: Kaelen and the Seekers regarding his desertion (Ch-01) -- UNRESOLVED
Known secrets: knows he stole the map to the Grove -- Elara
Arc: 40% -- Kaelen chose to stay and fight rather than flee when the Grove's defenses wavered.
Permanent: YES

## Elder Thalric -- DECEASED (ch-05)
Established: Severely wounded by a Shadow Wraith while maintaining the barrier, he succumbed to his injuries after passing the Sigil to Elara.
Legacy: His death leaves the village of Oakhaven without a spiritual leader and forces Elara to lead the ritual.

## Mira
Location: Oakhaven medical hut
Physical: No injuries
Emotional: Anxious and grieving
Active obligations: none
Open loops: Mira and the refugees regarding the waning supplies (ch-05) -- UNRESOLVED
Known secrets: none
Arc: 20% -- Mira stepped into a leadership role among the villagers in the wake of the attack.
Permanent: YES

# World State: ch-05

## NPC Memory
- Grove Sentinels (Elderwood): NEUTRAL -- Allowed Elara and Kaelen passage after the Sigil was presented -- Will monitor their exit.
- Refugee Group (Oakhaven): GRATEFUL -- Elara provided light during the shadow attack -- Increased trust in her abilities.

## Faction Attitudes
- The Circle of Thorns: HOSTILE -- Attacked the Grove to prevent the ritual -- Seeking the Sigil.
- The Elderwood Inhabitants: CAUTIOUS -- Distrustful of outsiders but honoring the ancient laws of blood.

## Active World Events
- The Great Blight: Manifesting as Shadow Wraiths in the Elderwood; containment failing.
- The Vessel Ritual: Commenced in ch-05; requires three more sanctums to complete.