diff --git a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
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--- a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
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@@ -1,50 +1,50 @@
 # Character State: ch-01
 
 ## Isabella Voss
-Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais.
-Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; silk gloves saturated with blood; internal "lashing" from the Peace Vow; fresh wrist scarring hidden by lace.
-Emotional: Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a "regal correction" mask; masking panic by tracing wrist scars.
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
+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 marriage (ch-01) — PAID; owes Blackthorn Coven production of sanctioned heir (ch-01) — UNPAID.
 Open loops: Isabella/Damien survival of the wedding night (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED; secrecy of hemomantic scarring from Reginald (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
-Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Actively bleeding beneath gloves (Damien/Reginald unaware); CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Severity of scarring hidden from Elders; CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Using mother’s death as a template for survival.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Bleeding beneath gloves (Damien/Reginald unaware); severity of scarring hidden from Elders; using 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: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais.
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
 Physical: Predatory vitality; no injuries.
-Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure; taunts mask a budding protectiveness.
-Active obligations: Owes Blackthorn Coven presentation of the "vassal-bride" (ch-01) — PAID; owes Isabella protection/containment (ch-01) — UNPAID.
-Open loops: Damien/Isabella testing the limits of Hemomancy (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED.
-Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Knows Isabella is hiding hemomantic bleeding/scarring from the Elders.
+Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
+Active obligations: Owes Blackthorn Coven presentation of the vassal-bride (ch-01) — PAID; 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: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais.
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
 Physical: Aged, commanding; aura of acquisitive power.
-Emotional: Triumphant; views Nightbloom lineage as a harvestable resource.
-Active obligations: Overseeing integration of Voss bloodline (ch-01) — UNPAID.
+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 Isabella once a viable heir is produced.
-Arc: 05% — Architect of the Annexation and witness to the binding.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-01--unresolved): Plans to discard/sacrifice Isabella once a viable heir is produced.
+Arc: 05% — Positioned as the architect of the Annexation.
 Permanent: YES
 
 ## Elara Voss -- DECEASED (Prior)
-Established: Executed for breaking a coven vow before the story's start.
-Legacy: Her death serves as a cautionary template for Isabella and fuels her terror of disloyalty.
+Established: Executed for breaking a coven vow prior to the start of the narrative.
+Legacy: Her death serves as Isabella's primary trauma and template for survival under the Treaty.
 
 # 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.
+- Blackthorn Court (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 legal annexation of enemy assets.
+- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL — View the marriage as the formal annexation of enemy assets.
 
 ## Active World Events
-- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE — Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s dissent with physical lashes.
-- The Binding Ritual: COMPLETE — Legal and magical ceremony linking the Voss and Blackthorn lines.
+- 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.
 - The Annexation: COMPLETE — The formal absorption of Nightbloom assets via the marriage contract.
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