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+# Character State: ch-02
+
+## King Aldric
+Location: The Great Hall, The Crimson Citadel
+Physical: Severe tremors in the right hand; cold, localized numbness in the palms; high exhaustion from stabilizing Seraphine.
+Emotional: Guarded and unsettled by the physical transformation of his touch.
+Active obligations: Owes Seraphine a stabilized border defense (Ch-02) -- UNPAID.
+Open loops: [Aldric & Seraphine] The physiological reaction of his "glass" essence on her skin (Ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01—unresolved): The Blight’s acceleration is doubling every lunar cycle—faster than his own reports suggest. Knows his touch has the power to petrify Valerius flesh -- Seraphine.
+Arc: 15% -- Has moved from a conceptual alliance to a terrifyingly physical and supernatural tether to the Queen.
+
+## Queen Seraphine
+Location: The Great Hall, The Crimson Citadel
+Physical: Recovering from Aether-shock; temporary "marble-cold" patch of skin on the forearm where Aldric touched her.
+Emotional: Viscerally shaken; her analytical armor is compromised by physical vulnerability.
+Active obligations: Owes Aldric a formal signature on the Bilateral Seal (Ch-01) -- UNPAID.
+Open loops: [Seraphine & the Law] The heresy of a Valerius body reacting to a Thorne’s touch (Ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01—unresolved): The Blight has breached the inner glass-line; the Lowen-Court is already compromised. Knows Aldric’s curse is literally transmutive -- Malcorra.
+Arc: 12% -- Has traded her absolute biological isolation for a survival pact that is physically altering her.
+
+## High Priestess Malcorra
+Location: The Great Hall, The Crimson Citadel
+Physical: No injuries; radiating a "chilled" aura of disapproval.
+Emotional: Predatory and suspicious.
+Active obligations: Owes the Cathedral a report on the "purity" of the parley (Ch-01) -- UNPAID.
+Open loops: [Malcorra & Aldric] Her surveillance of his "glass" corruption (Ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01—unresolved): Uses the blood-link to send psychic stings.
+Arc: 08% -- Has witnessed a physical anomaly between the High Bloods that she intends to weaponize as heresy.
+
+## Captain Kaelen
+Location: The Great Hall, Royal Guard Perimeter, The Crimson Citadel
+Physical: No injuries; hand white-knuckled on his sword hilt.
+Emotional: Suppressed panic; protective instinct at a fever pitch.
+Active obligations: CARRIED (Ch-01—unresolved): Absolute silence regarding the Queen’s flagging physical stamina.
+Open loops: [Kaelen & Aldric] Defensive mistrust regarding the King's proximity to Seraphine (Ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED.
+Arc: 05% -- Forced to stand down while a "rival" sovereign physically touched and saved his Queen.
+
+# World State: ch-02
+
+## NPC Memory
+- High Priestess Malcorra (The Cathedral): HOSTILE -- Witnessed Aldric making physical contact with Seraphine during her collapse -- Will likely use this as evidence of Thorne "pollution."
+
+## Faction Attitudes
+- The Crimson Monarchy (Lowen-Court): Wary -- They see Aethelgard's Citadel as a fragile relic.
+- The Crimson Throne (Aethelgard): Relieved/Terrified -- The signing has begun, but the Queen's visible weakness has rattled the court.
+
+## Active World Events
+- The Bilateral Seal: The signing ceremony is underway; the first droplets of blood have been exchanged.
+- The Glass Curse Manifestation: Confirmed that Thorne blood/essence causes a petrifaction effect on Valerius skin upon direct contact.
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