# Character State: ch-17

## Lena Duval
Location: The Heart Tree (Siphon Hub Core)
Physical: Apotheosis complete; integrated into cypress root system; skin pulses with bioluminescent sap.
Emotional: Transcendent serenity; individual ego dissolved into the "Great Hum."
Active obligations: Eternal anchor and sentient deity of Cypress Bend (ch-17)—UNPAID
Open loops: Lena and the world’s boundary (ch-17)—RESOLVED
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-17--unresolved): Carries the trauma of her mother's sacrifice; Jax remains unaware of the specific cost.
Arc: 100% -- Transitioned from a runaway human to the living god and biological core of the Bend.
Permanent: YES

## Jax Harlan
Location: The Shallows (Perimeter)
Physical: Veil-adapted; predatory reflexes; systemic immunity to swamp toxins.
Emotional: Inhuman focus; soul-bound devotion to Lena.
Active obligations: Perpetual guardian of the Veil (ch-17)—UNPAID
Open loops: Jax and the external world (ch-17)—RESOLVED
Known secrets: knows the perimeter's lethal lethality—the outside world.
Arc: 100% -- Fully evolved from an outsider boat captain to the swamp’s supernatural apex predator.
Permanent: YES

## Aunt Maribelle Duval
Location: Subterranean Siphon Hub
Physical: Bio-hybrid; functioning as a primary filtration organ/biological component.
Emotional: Contented utility; peace in absolute service to the flow.
Active obligations: Filter the life-force of the Bend (ch-17)—UNPAID
Open loops: Maribelle’s atonement (ch-17)—RESOLVED
Known secrets: None (all biological functions are public to the collective).
Arc: 100% -- Completed transformation from power-hungry manipulator to a selfless biological organ.
Permanent: YES

## Remy LeBlanc
Location: The Interior Grove
Physical: Biologically frozen; age-suspension via Heart Tree integration.
Emotional: Peaceful resignation; functions as the swamp's memory-keeper.
Active obligations: Maintain the archives of the Bend (ch-17)—UNPAID
Open loops: Remy’s humanity (ch-17)—RESOLVED
Known secrets: None.
Arc: 100% -- Became the permanent bridge between human history and post-human reality.
Permanent: YES

# World State: ch-17

## NPC Memory
- The Coven (Siphon Hub): DEVOUT -- Functioning as high-priests to regulate the Great Hum -- The environment is stable and worshipful.

## Faction Attitudes
- The Great Hum: DOMINANT -- Unified, conscious machine under Lena’s singular will.
- Humanity/TDC: REJECTED -- Expelled from the territory; the Bend is recognized as a sovereign, lethal zone.

## Active World Events
- The Great Silence: Permanent 5-mile EM dead zone; all modern technology within the zone is functional scrap.
- Directed Evolution: The "Biological Cathedral" is fully operational; flora and fauna act as direct extensions of Lena’s consciousness.
- The Sovereign Veil: Permanent sentient fog boundary established.