# Character State: ch-05

## Queen Seraphine
Location: The Private Solar, Castle Sangue
Physical: Severely emaciated; tremors in the extremities; experiencing a violent surge of vitality and heightened sensory input following the consumption of Aldric’s blood.
Emotional: Overwhelmed and physically tethered; the traditional predator-prey dynamic has been inverted.
Active obligations: Owes Aldric Thorne the protection of the Thorne-Valerius borders (ch-03) — UNPAID.
Open loops: [Seraphine & Aldric] The shared sensory intrusion of the blood-bond (ch-05) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-03—unresolved): The Blight has breached the inner glass-line; the Lowen-Court is already compromised.
Arc: 55% — Abandoned her role as the untouchable architect of order by survival-feeding from her political rival.
Permanent: YES

## King Aldric
Location: The Private Solar, Castle Sangue
Physical: Weakened by significant blood loss; puncture wounds on the forearm; skin is paper-pale.
Emotional: Resolute but physically spent; he has moved from a defensive posture to one of voluntary sacrifice.
Active obligations: None.
Open loops: [Aldric & Seraphine] The revelation of the execution of his brother (ch-03) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: None.
Arc: 50% — Shifted from a wary captive/ally to the literal life-line of the Valerius crown.
Permanent: YES

## High Provost Vane — DECEASED (ch-04)
Established: Executed by Queen Seraphine via hemomantic heart-stop after attempting to poison King Aldric.
Legacy: His absence allowed Aldric and Seraphine to meet in the solar without immediate political interference.

## Captain Kaelen
Location: Outside the Solar Doors, Castle Sangue
Physical: Uninjured.
Emotional: Stoic but internally conflicted regarding the Queen's deteriorating physical state.
Active obligations: Absolute silence regarding the Queen’s flagging physical stamina (ch-03) — UNPAID.
Open loops: [Kaelen & Seraphine] The cost of his intervention against the High Priestess (ch-03) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-03—unresolved): Knows the Queen nearly collapsed during the walk to the cellar.
Arc: 25% — Functions as the final barrier between the sovereigns' vulnerability and the prying eyes of the court.
Permanent: YES

# World State: ch-05

## NPC Memory
- The Royal Guard (Castle Sangue): UNSETTLED — Aware of the tension behind closed doors but bound by the Captain's silence.

## Faction Attitudes
- The Lowen-Court: SUSPICIOUS — The prolonged absence of both monarchs from public view is fueling rumors of the Queen's illness.
- The Crimson Cathedral: WAITING — Malcorra’s influence is felt in the shadows as she monitors the strengthening bond.

## Active World Events
- The Oakhaven Breach: CRITICAL — The eastern edge is failing; the Queen's starvation was a direct result of diverting resources here.
- The Sanguine Marriage: The blood-bond is no longer theoretical; it has been physically consummated through the "Debt," merging their metabolic fates.