staging: character-state-ch-17.md task=1ac7f96c-059d-4b9b-b7a5-a5e86571e4e4

projects/cypress-bend/staging/character-state-ch-17.md

@@ -2,58 +2,58 @@
 
 ## Lena Duval
 Location: The Heart Tree (Siphon Hub Core)
-Physical: Apotheosis manifest; neural networks fused with the cypress root system; skin pulses with bioluminescent sap.
+Physical: Apotheosis manifest; neural networks fused with the cypress root system; skin pulses with bioluminescent sap-flow.
 Emotional: Transcendent serenity; ego dissolved into the "Great Hum."
-Active obligations: Anchor of Cypress Bend — PAID (Eternal).
-Open loops: Lena/Great Hum symbiosis (ch-17) — RESOLVED.
-Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): Carries the trauma/knowledge of her mother’s ritual sacrifice — Jax remains unaware of the specific cost.
-Arc: 100% — Transformed from a runaway to the sentient deity/living god of the ecosystem.
+Active obligations: Anchor of Cypress Bend — PAID (Eternal)
+Open loops: Lena/Great Hum symbiosis (Ch-17) — RESOLVED
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-17--unresolved): Carries the trauma/knowledge of her mother’s ritual sacrifice — Jax remains unaware of the specific cost.
+Arc: 100% — Finalized transformation from runaway to the sentient deity and heart of the ecosystem.
 Permanent: YES
 
 ## Jax Harlan
 Location: The Shallows (Perimeter)
-Physical: Veil-adapted physiology; predatory reflexes; systemic immunity to toxins.
-Emotional: Inhuman focus; soul-bound devotion to Lena and the borders.
-Active obligations: Perpetual protection of the Veil (ch-17) — UNPAID (Ongoing).
-Open loops: External intrusion (TDC/Military) (ch-17) — RESOLVED.
+Physical: Veil-adapted physiology; predatory reflexes; systemic immunity to the Bend’s toxins.
+Emotional: Inhuman focus; fierce, soul-bound devotion to the borders and Lena.
+Active obligations: Perpetual protection of the Veil — UNPAID (Ongoing)
+Open loops: External intrusion (TDC/Military) (Ch-17) — RESOLVED
 Known secrets: None.
-Arc: 100% — Shifted from cynical outsider to the supernatural apex predator and guardian.
+Arc: 100% — Completed transition from cynical outsider to the supernatural apex predator of the swamp.
 Permanent: YES
 
 ## Aunt Maribelle Duval
 Location: Subterranean Siphon Hub
 Physical: Bio-hybrid; functions as a vital filtration organ for the Bend’s life-force.
-Emotional: Contented utility; finds peace in absolute service to the flow.
-Active obligations: Maintenance of biological integrity (ch-17) — UNPAID (Ongoing).
-Open loops: Redemption via utility (ch-17) — RESOLVED.
+Emotional: Contented utility; finds peace in absolute service.
+Active obligations: Maintenance of biological integrity — UNPAID (Ongoing)
+Open loops: None.
 Known secrets: None.
-Arc: 100% — Transformed from a manipulative matriarch to a selfless biological component.
+Arc: 100% — Shifted from manipulative matriarch to a selfless, permanent biological component.
 Permanent: YES
 
 ## Remy LeBlanc
 Location: The Interior Grove
 Physical: Biologically frozen; age-suspension facilitated by the Heart Tree.
 Emotional: Peaceful resignation; nostalgic historian.
-Active obligations: Preservation of oral history (ch-17) — UNPAID (Ongoing).
-Open loops: Human legacy in a post-human world (ch-17) — RESOLVED.
+Active obligations: Preservation of oral history — UNPAID (Ongoing)
+Open loops: None.
 Known secrets: None.
-Arc: 100% — Became the bridge between human memory and the post-human reality of the swamp.
+Arc: 100% — Became the permanent bridge between human memory and post-human reality.
 Permanent: YES
 
 # World State: ch-17
 
 ## NPC Memory
-- The Coven (The Heart Tree): DEVOUT — They have accepted their roles as high-priests regulating the Great Hum — Stability of the Siphon Hub is maintained.
+- The Coven (The Heart Tree): DEVOUT -- Functioning as a high-priesthood to regulate homeostasis -- The Bend remains stable under their stewardship.
 
 ## Faction Attitudes
-- The Great Hum: DOMINANT — The swamp is now a unified, conscious machine under Lena's singular will.
-- Humanity/TDC: REJECTED — External forces have been expelled; the territory is recognized as sovereign and lethal.
+- The Great Hum: DOMINANT -- The swamp is a unified, conscious machine with Lena as the core.
+- Humanity/TDC: REJECTED -- Cypress Bend is recognized as sovereign, lethal, and unreachable territory; incursions have ceased.
 
 ## Active World Events
-- The Great Silence: Permanent 5-mile EM dead zone established; modern technology rendered non-functional scrap within the Veil.
-- Directed Evolution: The "Biological Cathedral" is complete; all flora and fauna act as extensions of the Heart Tree.
+- The Great Silence: Permanent 5-mile EM dead zone; all technology serves as scrap within the Veil.
+- Directed Evolution: Completion of the "Biological Cathedral." Flora and fauna are now extensions of Lena’s will.
 
 ## Key Locations
-- The Heart Tree: Neural core and throne of the collective consciousness.
-- The Siphon Hub: Subterranean distribution network for refined life-force.
-- The Veil: Sentient, predatory fog boundary defining the border of Lena's domain.
+- The Heart Tree: Neural core of the collective consciousness.
+- The Siphon Hub: Subterranean network distributing refined life-force to the inhabitants.
+- The Veil: Sentient, predatory fog boundary; the definitive border between the mundane and the sacred.