diff --git a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
index 7806b39b..cd4002b1 100644
--- a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
+++ b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
@@ -1,51 +1,47 @@
 # 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.
-- **Emotional:** Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a “regal correction” mask.
-- **Active Obligations:** Owes Damien Blackthorn a sanctioned heir (Ch01) — UNPAID; Owes Lord Reginald Thorne the Voss bloodline assets (Ch01) — UNPAID.
-- **Open Loops:** Wedding night survival with Damien (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED; Secrecy of hemomantic scarring from Reginald (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED.
-- **Known Secrets:** CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Bleeding beneath gloves; CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): true severity of scarring; CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): using her mother’s execution as a survival template.
-- **Arc:** 15% — Transitioned from POW to legally bound hostage-bride via the Blood Contract.
-- **Permanent:** YES
+Location: The Bridal Chamber, High Tower, Blackthorn Keep.
+Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; raw, weeping wrist scars beneath silk gloves; internal bruising from Peace Vow lashing; no new injuries.
+Emotional: Violated and icily defiant; maintaining a "regal correction" mask to hide terror.
+Active obligations: Owes Damien Blackthorn a sanctioned heir (Ch01) -- UNPAID; Owes Lord Reginald Thorne the Voss bloodline assets (Ch01) -- UNPAID.
+Open loops: Isabella and Damien wedding night survival (Ch01) -- UNRESOLVED; Secrecy of hemomantic scarring from the Blackthorne Elders (Ch01) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Bleeding beneath gloves; CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Using mother’s execution as a survival template; CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): True severity of hemomantic scarring.
+Arc: 15% -- Transitioned from a prisoner of war to a 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 and containment (Ch01) — UNPAID.
-- **Open Loops:** Testing the limits of Isabella's Hemomancy (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED.
-- **Known Secrets:** CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Suspects Isabella is hiding hemomantic bleeding/scarring from the Elders.
-- **Arc:** 08% — Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
-- **Permanent:** YES
+Location: The Bridal Chamber, High Tower, Blackthorn Keep.
+Physical: No injuries; predatory vitality.
+Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; dominant and mocking.
+Active obligations: Owes Isabella protection and containment per the Treaty (Ch01) -- UNPAID.
+Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella’s hemomancy (Ch01) -- UNRESOLVED; Consummation of the Voss-Blackthorn alliance (Ch01) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Suspects Isabella is hiding hemomantic scarring from the Elders.
+Arc: 08% -- Established as the primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
+Permanent: YES
 
 ## Lord Reginald Thorne
-- **Location:** High Dais, Blackthorn Keep.
-- **Physical:** Aged; commanding presence.
-- **Emotional:** Triumphant; views the Voss bloodline as a harvestable resource.
-- **Active Obligations:** Overseeing integration of Voss assets (Ch01) — UNPAID.
-- **Open Loops:** Monitoring of the "unmarked vessel" clause (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED.
-- **Known Secrets:** CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Intends to discard/sacrifice Isabella once a viable heir is produced.
-- **Arc:** 05% — Architect of the Annexation.
-- **Permanent:** YES
-
-## Elara Voss -- DECEASED (Ch01)
-- **Established:** Executed by the coven for breaking a sacred vow prior to the start of the narrative.
-- **Legacy:** Her death serves as Isabella’s primary trauma and a cautionary template for surviving the Blackthorns.
+Location: High Dais, Blackthorn Keep.
+Physical: Aged; commanding presence; no injuries.
+Emotional: Triumphant and mercenary; views the union as a harvest.
+Active obligations: Overseeing the integration of Voss assets (Ch01) -- UNPAID.
+Open loops: Monitoring of the "unmarked vessel" clause (Ch01) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Intends to discard or sacrifice Isabella once a viable heir is produced.
+Arc: 05% -- Architect of the Annexation and the Treaty of Thorns.
+Permanent: YES
 
 # World State: ch-01
 
 ## NPC Memory
-- **Blackthorn Court (Keep):** DERISIVE — Viewed Isabella as a conquered trophy and enemy asset during the ceremony.
+- Blackthorn Court (Blackthorn Keep): DERISIVE -- Viewed Isabella as a conquered trophy during the ceremony -- Increases Isabella's social isolation.
 
 ## Faction Attitudes
-- **Nightbloom Coven:** SILENT — Traded Isabella for peace under the Treaty of Thorns.
-- **Blackthorn Coven:** IMPERIAL — View the marriage as the formal annexation of enemy assets.
+- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT -- Traded Isabella for survival under the Treaty -- Hostility replaced by abandonment.
+- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL -- View the marriage as the formal annexation of enemy assets -- High scrutiny on Isabella's "purity."
 
 ## 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.
-- **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.
-- **The Unmarked Vessel Clause:** ACTIVE — Requirement that Isabella remain "unmarked" by magic to remain a viable bride.
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+- 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.
+- 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.
+- The Unmarked Vessel Clause: ACTIVE -- Requirement that Isabella remain "unmarked" by magic to remain a viable bride.
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