staging: character-state-ch-04.md task=cf7881d4-01c9-4750-86cb-6d3514541903

projects/echoes-of-the-forest/staging/character-state-ch-04.md

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+# Character State: ch-04
+
+## Elara Vance
+Location: The Whispering Grove, near the crystalline falls
+Physical: Minor scrapes on forearms; moderate physical exhaustion
+Emotional: Rejuvenated yet cautious
+Active obligations: owes Kaelen a debt of trust (Ch-02) -- UNPAID
+Open loops: Elara and Kaelen investigating the source of the blight (Ch-03) -- UNRESOLVED
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): knows the location of the hidden archives -- the Village Council
+Arc: 35% -- Elara successfully communed with the Grove's Heart, regaining her connection to the forest’s ancient rhythm.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## Kaelen
+Location: The Whispering Grove, southern perimeter
+Physical: No injuries; high alertness
+Emotional: Skeptical but protective
+Active obligations: owes Elara protection during the ritual (Ch-04) -- PAID
+Open loops: Kaelen's suspicion regarding the Village Council's motives (Ch-03) -- UNRESOLVED
+Known secrets: None
+Arc: 30% -- Kaelen witnessed the forest respond to Elara, forcing him to accept the supernatural reality of the blight.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## Elder Thorne -- DECEASED (Ch-04)
+Established: Struck down by a corrupted vine-construct during the defense of the Grove’s entrance.
+Legacy: His death leaves the Village Council without its primary voice of moderation, increasing factional tension.
+
+# World State: ch-04
+
+## NPC Memory
+- Sentry Mira (The Whispering Grove): GRATEFUL -- Elara saved her from a blight-thicket -- Mira is now a loyal informant for the duo.
+
+## Faction Attitudes
+- The Sentinels: SUPPORTIVE -- They witnessed the Grove's Heart reactivate, validating Elara's mission.
+- The Village Council: HOSTILE -- They view the loss of Elder Thorne as a direct result of Elara’s "reckless" rituals.
+
+## Active World Events
+- The Awakening of the Grove: Ritual completed; the local blight is temporarily pushed back, blooming anew in a 1-mile radius.
+- The Great Blight: Ongoing; spreading rapidly in the northern territories beyond the Whispering Grove's influence. Over 40% of the forest is now corrupted.