# 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.