diff --git a/projects/echoes-of-the-forest/staging/character-state-ch-02.md b/projects/echoes-of-the-forest/staging/character-state-ch-02.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d653dae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/projects/echoes-of-the-forest/staging/character-state-ch-02.md
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+# Character State: ch-02
+
+## Elara Vance
+Location: The Whispering Grove, beneath the Great Sentinel Tree
+Physical: Minor scrapes on forearms; moderate fatigue from the ritual
+Emotional: Determined yet apprehensive
+Active obligations: owes Valerius a full explanation of the ritual's side effects (ch-02) -- UNPAID
+Open loops: [Elara and Kaelen] the shared vision of the decaying forest (ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED
+Known secrets: knows the ritual did not fully cleanse the corruption -- Valerius and the Council
+Arc: 20% -- She accepted the burden of the "Echo-caller" title, transitioning from a student to a practitioner with a heavy secret.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## Kaelen Thornsby
+Location: The Whispering Grove, near the northern perimeter
+Physical: No injuries
+Emotional: Skeptical and vigilant
+Active obligations: none
+Open loops: [Elara and Kaelen] the shared vision of the decaying forest (ch-02) -- UNRESOLVED
+Known secrets: knows Elara stumbled during the final incantation -- the rest of the scouts
+Arc: 15% -- He shifted from total dismissal of the "old ways" to a begrudging acknowledgment that the forest is reacting to Elara.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## Elder Valerius
+Location: High Terrace overlooking the Whispering Grove
+Physical: Frail; leaning heavily on a staff of weir-wood
+Emotional: Cautiously optimistic
+Active obligations: none
+Open loops: none
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): knows the location of the Sunken Reliquary -- Elara
+Arc: 5% -- He witnessed the first successful (though flawed) ritual in a generation, reaffirming his faith in the prophecy.
+Permanent: NO
+
+## Mira (The Grove Tender)
+Location: The Whispering Grove, tending to the ritual basins
+Physical: No injuries
+Emotional: Awe-struck and fearful
+Active obligations: owes Elara a favor for sparing her from the blast back (ch-02) -- UNPAID
+Open loops: none
+Known secrets: none
+Arc: 10% -- Witnessing the raw power of the Echo-caller has turned her from a casual observer into a devoted assistant.
+Permanent: NO
+
+# World State: ch-02
+
+## NPC Memory
+- Mira (Whispering Grove): ADMIRATION -- Elara pushed her out of the way of a magical discharge during the ritual -- Mira is now fiercely loyal.
+- Kaelen Thornsby (Scouts): DISTRUST -- He saw Elara’s momentary hesitation and believes the ritual was a partial failure -- He will be watching her closely.
+
+## Faction Attitudes
+- The Council of Elders: HOPEFUL -- The performance of the ritual suggests the forest can be saved.
+- The Border Scouts: CYNICAL -- They see the ritual as a waste of resources while the corruption spreads physically at the gates.
+
+## Active World Events
+- The Awakening: The Sentinal Trees have begun to glow with rhythmic amber light, signaling the start of the Echo-calling cycle.
+- The Blight Expansion: The corruption in the Southern Reach has slowed but shifted color from black to a deep, bruised purple.
\ No newline at end of file