diff --git a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
index 431eb99a..42d9a488 100644
--- a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
+++ b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/character-state-ch-01.md
@@ -1,66 +1,53 @@
 # Character State: ch-01
 
 ## Isabella Voss
-**Location:** Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
-**Physical:** Severe 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 to hide trauma and pain.
-**Active obligations:**
-- Compliance for the binding ritual (ch-01) — PAID
-- Marriage to Damien Blackthorn (ch-01) — PAID
-- Production of a sanctioned heir (ch-01) — UNPAID
-**Open loops:**
-- Isabella/Damien: Survival of the wedding night (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED
-- Isabella/Reginald: Maintaining the "Undamaged Vessel" facade (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED
-**Known secrets:**
-- CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): Actively bleeding beneath her gloves; severity hidden from Elders.
-- CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): Using her mother’s execution as a survival template.
-**Arc:** 15% — Transitioned from prisoner-of-war to legally bound hostage-bride.
-**Permanent:** YES
+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.
+Active obligations: Compliance for the binding ritual (Ch01) — PAID; Marriage to Damien Blackthorn (Ch01) — PAID; Production of a sanctioned heir (Ch01) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: Survival of the wedding night (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED; Maintaining the "Undamaged Vessel" facade (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Actively bleeding beneath gloves; severity hidden from Elders; Using her mother’s execution as a survival template.
+Arc: 15% -- Transitioned from prisoner-of-war to legally bound hostage-bride.
+Permanent: YES
 
 ## Damien Blackthorn
-**Location:** Blackthorn Keep, The Great Hall
-**Physical:** Radiating predatory vitality; no injuries.
-**Emotional:** Cruelly intrigued; sadistic but focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
-**Active obligations:**
-- Presenting the "vassal-bride" to the Elders (ch-01) — PAID
-- Protection/Containment of Isabella (ch-01) — UNPAID
-**Open loops:**
-- Damien/Isabella: Testing the limits of Isabella’s Hemomancy (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED
-**Known secrets:**
-- CARRIED (Ch-01--unresolved): Aware Isabella is hiding hemomantic scarring/bleeding.
-**Arc:** 08% — Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
-**Permanent:** YES
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, The Great Hall
+Physical: Predatory vitality; no injuries.
+Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
+Active obligations: Presenting the "vassal-bride" to the Elders (Ch01) — PAID; Protection/Containment of Isabella (Ch01) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella’s Hemomancy (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: CARRIED (Ch01--unresolved): Aware Isabella is hiding hemomantic scarring/bleeding.
+Arc: 08% -- Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
+Permanent: YES
 
 ## Lord Reginald Thorne
-**Location:** Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
-**Physical:** Aged, commanding presence; no injuries.
-**Emotional:** Triumphant and acquisitive.
-**Active obligations:**
-- Overseeing the integration of the Voss bloodline (ch-01) — UNPAID
-**Open loops:**
-- Reginald/Isabella: Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause (ch-01) — UNRESOLVED
-**Arc:** 05% — Architect of the diplomatic annexation.
-**Permanent:** YES
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
+Physical: Aged, commanding presence.
+Emotional: Triumphant; acquisitive.
+Active obligations: Overseeing integration of the Voss bloodline (Ch01) — UNPAID.
+Open loops: Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause (Ch01) — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: View Isabella as a pawn to be discarded once an heir is produced.
+Arc: 05% -- Architect of the diplomatic annexation.
+Permanent: YES
 
-## Elara Voss -- DECEASED (Ch-00)
-**Established:** Executed for breaking a coven vow prior to the start of the narrative.
-**Legacy:** Her death serves as Isabella’s primary trauma and survival template for navigating the Blackthorn court.
+## Elara Voss -- DECEASED (Prior)
+Established: Executed for breaking a Nightbloom coven vow.
+Legacy: Her death serves as Isabella's survival template and primary source of trauma.
 
 # World State: ch-01
 
 ## NPC Memory
-- **Blackthorn Court (Keep):** DERISIVE — Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission; view her as a conquered trophy and a political tool.
+- Blackthorn Court (Blackthorn Keep): DERISIVE -- Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission and the bloody saturation of her gloves -- View her as a conquered trophy.
 
 ## Faction Attitudes
-- **Nightbloom Coven:** SILENT — Effectively abandoned Isabella to ensure their own survival.
-- **Blackthorn Coven:** IMPERIAL — Viewing the marriage as a legal and magical annexation of rival power.
+- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT -- Isabella feels abandoned by her kin for the sake of a fragile peace.
+- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL -- The marriage is treated as a legal and magical annexation of enemy assets.
 
 ## Active World Events
-- **The Peace Vow:** ACTIVE — A magical pulse enforcing Isabella’s non-aggression; punishes dissent with physical pain.
-- **The Transition:** COMPLETE — Isabella is legally and physically isolated within Blackthorn territory.
+- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE -- Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s internal dissent with physical pain.
+- The Transition: COMPLETE -- Isabella is legally and physically isolated within Blackthorn territory following the signing.
 
 ## Objects/Artifacts
-- **Blood-Soaked Silk Gloves:** Hiding critical hemomantic scarring from the Elders.
-- **The Binding Contract:** High-tier hemomantic artifact; legalizes the annexation of Nightbloom magic.
-- **Vow-Sealed Locket:** Isabella’s last link to her lineage; hidden talisman of identity.
-- **The Great Throne:** Site of the binding; reinforced with anti-hemomantic wards.
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+- Blood-Soaked Silk Gloves: Currently hiding hemomantic scarring from the Elders.
+- The Binding Contract: High-tier hemomantic artifact; legalizes the annexation of Nightbloom magic.
+- Vow-Sealed Locket: Isabella’s last link to her lineage; hidden talisman.
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