# Character State: ch-01

## Isabella Voss
Location: High Dais, Blackthorn Keep
Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; silk gloves saturated with hidden blood; internal lashing from the Peace Vow; fresh wrist scarring concealed by lace.
Emotional: Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a “regal correction” mask.
Active obligations: Owes Damien Blackthorn a sanctioned heir (ch-01) — UNPAID; Owes Lord Reginald Thorne the Voss bloodline assets (ch-01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: Survival of the wedding night (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED; Secrecy of hemomantic scarring from Reginald (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Bleeding beneath gloves; CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Severity of scarring hidden from Elders; CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Using her mother’s death as a template for survival.
Arc: 15% — Transitioned from POW to legally bound hostage-bride via the Blood Contract.
Permanent: YES

## Damien Blackthorn
Location: High Dais, Blackthorn Keep
Physical: Predatory vitality; no injuries.
Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
Active obligations: Owes Isabella protection/containment (ch-01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella's Hemomancy (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Suspects Isabella is hiding hemomantic bleeding/scarring from the Elders.
Arc: 08% — Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
Permanent: YES

## Lord Reginald Thorne
Location: High Dais, Blackthorn Keep
Physical: Aged, commanding; aura of acquisitive power.
Emotional: Triumphant; viewing the Voss bloodline as a harvestable resource.
Active obligations: Overseeing integration of Voss assets (ch-01) — UNPAID.
Open loops: Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Plans to discard/sacrifice Isabella once a viable heir is produced.
Arc: 05% — Architect of the Annexation.
Permanent: YES

## Elara Voss -- DECEASED (Prior)
Established: Executed by the Nightbloom Coven for breaking a blood vow.
Legacy: Her death serves as Isabella’s primary trauma and a template for survival through submission.

# World State: ch-01

## NPC Memory
- Blackthorn Court (Blackthorn Keep): DERISIVE — Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission — View her as a conquered trophy and biological asset.

## Faction Attitudes
- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT — Traded Isabella for a fragile peace under the Treaty of Thorns.
- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL — View the marriage as the formal annexation of enemy assets and bloodlines.

## Active World Events
- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE — Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s dissent with internal lashes.
- The Binding Ritual: COMPLETE — Magical ceremony linking the Voss and Blackthorn lines during the wedding.
- The Treaty of Thorns: ACTIVE — Diplomatic framework mandating the union to end the inter-coven war.
- The Annexation: COMPLETE — Formal absorption of Nightbloom assets via the marriage contract.