adjudication_pass: promote character-state-ch-07.md original=48831f4a-24af-40bb-ac4d-4b4c6a598f1c

projects/crimson-vows/polished/character-state-ch-07.md

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+# Character State: ch-07
+
+## Queen Seraphine
+Location: The Inner Sanctum, Crimson Cathedral, Aethelgard
+Physical: Severe hemomantic depletion; crystalline scarring appearing on the left palm; vision blurred by red vignettes.
+Emotional: Violated and defiant; experiencing a "hollow" resonance where her ancestral connection used to be.
+Active obligations: Owes Aldric Thorne a reciprocal blood-anchoring to stabilize the glass-line (ch-07) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: [Seraphine & Malcorra] The heresy of the "unfiltered" rite (ch-07) — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-05—unresolved): The Lowen-Court is already compromised by the Blite.
+Arc: 45% — She has consciously bypassed Cathedral dogma to save Aldric, shattering her identity as a "perfect" vessel.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## King Aldric
+Location: Throne Room Ante-chamber, Crimson Cathedral, Aethelgard
+Physical: Recovering from near-stasis; black veins recessed but still visible at the jawline; extreme lethargy.
+Emotional: Indebted and wary; unsettled by the depth of Seraphine’s sacrifice during the forbidden rite.
+Active obligations: Owes Seraphine the truth regarding the "Red Winter" apparitions he saw in the mist (ch-05) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: [Aldric & Malcorra] The threat of excommunication for his "polluted" state (ch-07) — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: None.
+Arc: 40% — Admitted physical dependency on Seraphine’s blood to maintain his cognitive function.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## High Priestess Malcorra
+Location: The High Altar, Crimson Cathedral, Aethelgard
+Physical: No injuries; rubbing fingers together incessantly.
+Emotional: Predatory and observant; she has confirmed the "stain" on the sovereigns.
+Active obligations: Owes the Lowen-Court a purification ritual (ch-02) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: [Malcorra & Seraphine] The price of the forbidden rite (ch-07) — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-03—unresolved): Whether she hears true ancestors or weaponized hallucinations.
+Arc: 25% — Shifted from oversight to active manipulation of the sovereigns’ bond.
+Permanent: YES
+
+## Captain Kaelen
+Location: Cathedral Perimeter, Aethelgard
+Physical: Exhausted; armor dented from holding back the panicked crowd.
+Emotional: Deeply protective; heightened suspicion of the High Priestess's motives.
+Active obligations: Absolute silence regarding the Queen’s flagging physical stamina (ch-03) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: None.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (ch-03—unresolved): Knows the Queen nearly collapsed at Oakhaven.
+Arc: 25% — Has begun prioritizing the Queen’s survival over Cathedral law.
+Permanent: NO
+
+# World State: ch-07
+
+## NPC Memory
+- High Provost Vane (Oakhaven): DECEASED (ch-05)
+- Deacon Valen (Aethelgard): TERRIFIED -- Witnessed the forbidden rite -- Fled to report to the Lowen-Court.
+
+## Faction Attitudes
+- The Crimson Cathedral: HOSTILE -- Views the sovereigns' modified ritual as a direct assault on the Sanguine Vow.
+- The Lowen-Court: FRACTURED -- Rumors of the King's "black-vein" sickness have reached the capital.
+
+## Active World Events
+- The Forbidden Rite: COMPLETED -- The bond between Aldric and Seraphine is now permanent and "unfiltered" by the Church.
+- The Red Winter: ACCELERATING -- Blighted mimicry has been reported within the walls of Aethelgard.