diff --git a/backend/services/regulars_v2.py b/backend/services/regulars_v2.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2a6625
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/services/regulars_v2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+
+HOME = Path.home()
+VAULT = HOME / "code" / "dotfiles"
+SILAS_DIR = VAULT / "silas"
+REGULARS_DIR = VAULT / "regulars"
+ARCHIVED_DIR = REGULARS_DIR / "archived"
+
+
+@dataclass
+class Regular:
+    name: str
+    voice: str
+    age: int
+    arc_state: str
+    lore_body: str
+    file_path: Path
+
+
+def load_regular(path: Path) -> Regular:
+    text = path.read_text()
+    m = re.match(r"^---\n(.*?)\n---\n(.*)$", text, re.DOTALL)
+    if not m:
+        raise ValueError(f"No frontmatter in {path}")
+    fm_raw, body = m.group(1), m.group(2).strip()
+    fm = {}
+    for line in fm_raw.splitlines():
+        if ":" in line:
+            k, v = line.split(":", 1)
+            fm[k.strip()] = v.strip()
+    return Regular(
+        name=fm["name"],
+        voice=fm["voice"],
+        age=int(fm["age"]),
+        arc_state=fm.get("arc_state", ""),
+        lore_body=body,
+        file_path=path,
+    )
+
+
+def load_all_active_regulars() -> list[Regular]:
+    out = []
+    if SILAS_DIR.exists():
+        for f in SILAS_DIR.glob("*.md"):
+            out.append(load_regular(f))
+    if REGULARS_DIR.exists():
+        for f in REGULARS_DIR.glob("*.md"):
+            out.append(load_regular(f))
+    return out
diff --git a/tests/test_regulars_v2.py b/tests/test_regulars_v2.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8b496b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_regulars_v2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+from backend.services.regulars_v2 import Regular, load_regular, REGULARS_DIR, SILAS_DIR
+
+
+def test_load_regular_parses_frontmatter_and_body(tmp_path):
+    lore_file = tmp_path / "silas.md"
+    lore_file.write_text("""---
+name: Silas
+voice: Dennis
+age: 54
+arc_state: Cult is splintering after the eclipse failure
+---
+
+# Silas
+
+Silas runs a small desert cult outside Truth or Consequences...
+
+## Arc Log
+
+- 2026-03-01: First call, introduced the cult
+- 2026-03-20: Prophesied the eclipse
+""")
+    reg = load_regular(lore_file)
+    assert reg.name == "Silas"
+    assert reg.voice == "Dennis"
+    assert reg.age == 54
+    assert "splintering" in reg.arc_state
+    assert "Silas runs a small desert cult" in reg.lore_body