feat(event): enhance event handling and narrative presentation probes

- Introduce new probes for framing approval and family coalescing
- Implement exact presentation replay checks to prevent duplicate events
- Refactor InterestVariety to manage exact replay cooldowns effectively
- Update EventPresentability to improve candidate approval logic
- Enhance InterestFeeds to streamline event registration and labeling

IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs

@@ -2892,6 +2892,14 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 break;
             }
 
+            case "framing_approval_probe":
+            {
+                bool ok = EventPresentability.HarnessProbeFramingApproval(out string detail);
+                if (ok) _cmdOk++; else _cmdFail++;
+                Emit(cmd, ok, detail: detail);
+                break;
+            }
+
             case "interest_story_clear":
                 StoryPlanner.Clear();
                 _cmdOk++;
@@ -2944,6 +2952,10 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 bool spineOk = WatchCaption.HarnessProbeStorySpineRelevance(out string spine);
                 bool combatOk = StickyScoreboard.HarnessProbeReasonStability(out string combat);
                 bool noveltyOk = InterestVariety.HarnessProbeRoutineReplay(out string novelty);
+                bool familyCoalescingOk =
+                    InterestVariety.HarnessProbeFamilyCoalescing(out string familyCoalescing);
+                bool nameBoundaryOk =
+                    UnitDossier.HarnessProbeNameBoundaries(out string nameBoundary);
                 bool participantOk =
                     NarrativePresentationFactory.HarnessProbeNamedParticipantFallback(
                         out string participant);
@@ -2958,6 +2970,12 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                     NarrativeStoryStore.HarnessProbeCombatLifecycle(out string lifecycle);
                 bool schedulerBoundsOk =
                     NarrativeStoryStore.HarnessProbeSchedulerBounds(out string schedulerBounds);
+                bool runtimeCompactionOk =
+                    NarrativeStoryStore.HarnessProbeRuntimeCompaction(out string runtimeCompaction);
+                bool exactPresentationOk =
+                    CameraDirector.HarnessProbeExactPresentationReplay(out string exactPresentation);
+                bool framingApprovalOk =
+                    EventPresentability.HarnessProbeFramingApproval(out string framingApproval);
                 bool exposureOk =
                     NarrativeExposureLedger.HarnessProbeBalance(out string exposure);
                 bool interruptOk =
@@ -2966,8 +2984,12 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                     NarrativePersistence.HarnessProbeGraphCompaction(out string graph);
                 bool persistenceOk = NarrativePersistence.HarnessRoundTrip(out string persistence);
                 bool ok = contextOk && spineOk && combatOk && noveltyOk
+                          && familyCoalescingOk && nameBoundaryOk
                           && participantOk && loverOk && identityOk && episodeOk
                           && proseOk && lifecycleOk && schedulerBoundsOk
+                          && runtimeCompactionOk
+                          && exactPresentationOk
+                          && framingApprovalOk
                           && exposureOk && interruptOk
                           && graphOk && persistenceOk;
                 if (ok) _cmdOk++; else _cmdFail++;
@@ -2976,10 +2998,15 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                     ok,
                     detail: "context={" + context + "} spine={" + spine
                             + "} combat={" + combat + "} novelty={" + novelty
+                            + "} familyCoalescing={" + familyCoalescing
+                            + "} nameBoundary={" + nameBoundary
                             + "} participant={" + participant + "} lover={" + lover
                             + "} identity={" + identity + "} episode={" + episode
                             + "} prose={" + prose + "} lifecycle={" + lifecycle
                             + "} schedulerBounds={" + schedulerBounds
+                            + "} runtimeCompaction={" + runtimeCompaction
+                            + "} exactPresentation={" + exactPresentation
+                            + "} framingApproval={" + framingApproval
                             + "} exposure={" + exposure + "} interrupt={" + interrupt
                             + "} graph={" + graph
                             + "} persistence={" + persistence + "}");
@@ -4446,8 +4473,13 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                     detail: "schedulerMs=" + StoryScheduler.LastTickMs.ToString("0.00")
                             + " candidates=" + StoryScheduler.LastCandidateCount
                             + "/" + NarrativeStoryStore.SchedulerCopyLimit
+                            + " graphEvents=" + NarrativeEventStore.Count
                             + " graphThreads=" + NarrativeStoryStore.ThreadCount
-                            + " developments=" + NarrativeStoryStore.DevelopmentCount);
+                            + " developments=" + NarrativeStoryStore.DevelopmentCount
+                            + " consequences=" + NarrativeStoryStore.ConsequenceCount
+                            + " characters=" + NarrativeStoryStore.CharacterCount
+                            + " compact=" + NarrativeStoryStore.CompactionCount
+                            + "/" + NarrativeStoryStore.LastCompactionMs.ToString("0.0") + "ms");
                 break;
             }
 
@@ -7214,7 +7246,7 @@ public static class AgentHarness
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Force a sticky StatusOutbreak session: Outbreak - Status (n).
+    /// Force a sticky StatusOutbreak session: Outbreak - Status.
     /// value = status id (default cursed). Seeds live cursed carriers so maintain recounts stick.
     /// </summary>
     private static void DoInterestOutbreakSession(HarnessCommand cmd)

IdleSpectator/CameraDirector.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
 using NeoModLoader.services;
 using UnityEngine;
 
@@ -9,6 +10,9 @@ public static class CameraDirector
     public static string LastWatchLabel { get; private set; } = "";
     public static string LastWatchAssetId { get; private set; } = "";
     public static string LastFormattedWatchTip { get; private set; } = "";
+    private const float ExactPresentationCooldownSeconds = 90f;
+    private static readonly Dictionary<string, float> PresentedLabels =
+        new Dictionary<string, float>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
     public static void FocusUnit(Actor actor, bool updateCaption = true)
     {
@@ -34,6 +38,16 @@ public static class CameraDirector
             return;
         }
 
+        string incomingLabel = (interest.Label ?? "").Trim();
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(incomingLabel)
+            && !string.Equals(incomingLabel, LastWatchLabel, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && WasPresentedRecently(incomingLabel, Time.unscaledTime))
+        {
+            // Sticky maintain paths may reassert a prior label without going through
+            // candidate selection. Do not turn that refresh into a new camera/caption cut.
+            return;
+        }
+
         Actor follow = ResolveFollowUnit(interest);
         if (follow != null && follow.isAlive())
         {
@@ -90,10 +104,59 @@ public static class CameraDirector
         // Sticky Mass tips tick headcounts / side-order / Battle↔Mass often - log structure only.
         if (tipChanged && !framingOnly)
         {
+            NotePresentedLabel(label, Time.unscaledTime);
             LogService.LogInfo($"[IdleSpectator] {tip}");
         }
     }
 
+    private static bool WasPresentedRecently(string label, float now)
+    {
+        string key = EventReason.ReplayStructureKey(label);
+        return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(key)
+               && PresentedLabels.TryGetValue(key, out float shownAt)
+               && now - shownAt >= 0f
+               && now - shownAt < ExactPresentationCooldownSeconds;
+    }
+
+    private static void NotePresentedLabel(string label, float now)
+    {
+        string key = EventReason.ReplayStructureKey(label);
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(key)) return;
+        PresentedLabels[key] = now;
+        if (PresentedLabels.Count <= 128) return;
+        var expired = new List<string>();
+        foreach (KeyValuePair<string, float> entry in PresentedLabels)
+        {
+            if (now - entry.Value >= ExactPresentationCooldownSeconds * 2f)
+            {
+                expired.Add(entry.Key);
+            }
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < expired.Count; i++) PresentedLabels.Remove(expired[i]);
+    }
+
+    public static void ClearReplayLedger()
+    {
+        PresentedLabels.Clear();
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbeExactPresentationReplay(out string detail)
+    {
+        PresentedLabels.Clear();
+        NotePresentedLabel("Duel - Aro vs Bex", 10f);
+        bool sameBlocked = WasPresentedRecently("Duel - Aro vs Bex", 20f);
+        bool reframedBlocked =
+            WasPresentedRecently("Mass - Bex (4) vs Aro (7)", 20f);
+        bool otherOpen = !WasPresentedRecently("Duel - Aro vs Cid", 20f);
+        bool expired = !WasPresentedRecently("Duel - Aro vs Bex", 101f);
+        bool ok = sameBlocked && reframedBlocked && otherOpen && expired;
+        detail = "same=" + sameBlocked + " reframed=" + reframedBlocked
+                 + " other=" + otherOpen
+                 + " expired=" + expired + " pass=" + ok;
+        PresentedLabels.Clear();
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     private static Actor ResolveFollowUnit(InterestEvent interest)
     {
         if (interest == null)

IdleSpectator/EventLivePipelinesHarness.cs

@@ -254,7 +254,13 @@ public static class EventLivePipelinesHarness
             }
 
             InterestDropLog.Clear();
-            InterestRegistry.ForceExpireContaining("worldlog:" + id, Time.unscaledTime);
+            string expectedKey = string.Equals(
+                id,
+                "disaster_earthquake",
+                StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                ? "earthquake:active"
+                : "worldlog:" + id;
+            InterestRegistry.ForceExpireContaining(expectedKey, Time.unscaledTime);
             try
             {
                 if (!TryPostWorldLog(id, unit))
@@ -264,10 +270,14 @@ public static class EventLivePipelinesHarness
                     continue;
                 }
 
-                if (InterestRegistry.CountKeysContaining("worldlog:" + id) > 0)
+                if (InterestRegistry.CountKeysContaining(expectedKey) > 0)
                 {
                     EventLiveCoverageLedger.Claim(
-                        "worldLog", id, "id", "WorldLogMessage.add", "busy_bypass=ForceLiveEventFeeds");
+                        "worldLog",
+                        id,
+                        "id",
+                        "WorldLogMessage.add",
+                        "busy_bypass=ForceLiveEventFeeds;key=" + expectedKey);
                 }
                 else if (DropMentions("createsInterest=false", id))
                 {

IdleSpectator/Events/EventPresentability.cs

@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ public static class EventPresentability
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Stamp the exact identity that passed the intake gate. Repeated scheduler/director
-    /// checks can trust this fingerprint without rescanning the world; any later mutation
+    /// checks can trust this fingerprint without rescanning the world. Ownership changes
-    /// naturally invalidates it.
+    /// invalidate it; explicitly recognized live framing updates retain approval.
     /// </summary>
     public static void MarkApproved(InterestCandidate scene)
     {
@@ -111,16 +111,71 @@ public static class EventPresentability
         scene.HasApprovedPresentation = true;
     }
 
-    public static bool IsApproved(InterestCandidate scene) =>
+    public static bool IsApproved(InterestCandidate scene)
-        scene != null
+    {
-        && scene.HasApprovedPresentation
+        if (scene == null
-        && scene.ApprovedPresentationSubjectId == scene.SubjectId
+            || !scene.HasApprovedPresentation
-        && scene.ApprovedPresentationRelatedId == scene.RelatedId
+            || scene.ApprovedPresentationSubjectId != scene.SubjectId
-        && scene.ApprovedPresentationLeadKind == scene.LeadKind
+            || scene.ApprovedPresentationRelatedId != scene.RelatedId
-        && string.Equals(
+            || scene.ApprovedPresentationLeadKind != scene.LeadKind)
-            scene.ApprovedPresentationLabel,
+        {
-            scene.Label ?? "",
+            return false;
-            StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        }
+
+        string approved = scene.ApprovedPresentationLabel ?? "";
+        string current = scene.Label ?? "";
+        if (string.Equals(approved, current, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        // Sticky scene maintenance may refresh scale/tier without changing ownership.
+        // Re-running UnitDossier's stranger scan across a developed world for every
+        // headcount tick made the scheduler proposal stage hitch badly.
+        bool liveFraming =
+            scene.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
+            || scene.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront
+            || scene.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.StatusOutbreak
+            || scene.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.FamilyPack;
+        if (!liveFraming)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (EventReason.IsHeadcountOnlyChange(approved, current))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        return scene.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
+               && EventReason.IsCombatFramingOnlyChange(approved, current);
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbeFramingApproval(out string detail)
+    {
+        var scene = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            SubjectId = 41,
+            RelatedId = 42,
+            LeadKind = InterestLeadKind.EventLed,
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive,
+            Label = "Battle - Alpha (8) vs Beta (4)"
+        };
+        MarkApproved(scene);
+        scene.Label = "Mass - Beta (3) vs Alpha (12)";
+        bool framingKept = IsApproved(scene);
+        scene.Label = "Mass - Gamma (3) vs Alpha (12)";
+        bool foreignCampRejected = !IsApproved(scene);
+        scene.Label = "Mass - Beta (3) vs Alpha (12)";
+        scene.SubjectId = 99;
+        bool ownerMutationRejected = !IsApproved(scene);
+        bool ok = framingKept && foreignCampRejected && ownerMutationRejected;
+        detail = "framing=" + framingKept
+                 + " foreignCamp=" + foreignCampRejected
+                 + " ownerMutation=" + ownerMutationRejected
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        return ok;
+    }
 
     private static void TrimCache()
     {

IdleSpectator/Events/EventReason.cs

@@ -61,6 +61,25 @@ public static class EventReason
         return SameCombatTheaterCamps(prevKey, nextKey);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Stable player-facing replay identity. Combat tiers, side order, and live
+    /// headcounts are framing, not new story developments.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string ReplayStructureKey(string label)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))
+        {
+            return "";
+        }
+
+        if (TryCombatCampKey(label, out string combatKey))
+        {
+            return "combat:" + combatKey;
+        }
+
+        return label.Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+    }
+
     private static bool SameCombatTheaterCamps(string prevKey, string nextKey)
     {
         if (TryPackSide(prevKey, out string pack) && TryVsSides(nextKey, out string a, out string b))
@@ -140,7 +159,10 @@ public static class EventReason
             return false;
         }
 
-        string rest = StripParenCounts(t.Substring(dash + 3).Trim());
+        string rest = StripParenCounts(t.Substring(dash + 3).Trim())
+            .Replace(" ()", "")
+            .Replace("()", "")
+            .Trim();
         int vs = rest.IndexOf(" vs ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
         if (vs < 0)
         {
@@ -714,19 +736,12 @@ public static class EventReason
             return an + " changes status";
         }
 
-        // Prose often already includes a verb phrase ("is burning").
+        return SubjectLedClause(an, p);
-        if (p.StartsWith("is ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
-            || p.StartsWith("are ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
-        {
-            return an + " " + p;
-        }
-
-        return an + " · " + p;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Sticky status outbreak orange reason: <c>Outbreak - Cursed (4)</c>.
+    /// Stable sticky status outbreak reason, e.g. <c>Outbreak - Cursed</c>.
-    /// Collective status label + carrier count; never unit proper names.
+    /// Counts remain in the typed ensemble but do not churn the orange story sentence.
     /// </summary>
     public static string StatusOutbreak(LiveEnsemble ensemble)
     {
@@ -741,12 +756,12 @@ public static class EventReason
             return "";
         }
 
-        string label = ensemble.SideA.Display ?? "";
-        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label) || LiveEnsemble.IsStatusOutbreakSideKey(label))
-        {
         string statusId = LiveEnsemble.IsStatusOutbreakSideKey(ensemble.SideA.Key)
             ? ensemble.SideA.Key.Substring("status:".Length)
             : "";
+        string label = ensemble.SideA.Display ?? "";
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label) || LiveEnsemble.IsStatusOutbreakSideKey(label))
+        {
             label = LiveEnsemble.StatusDisplayName(statusId);
         }
 
@@ -767,9 +782,29 @@ public static class EventReason
             label = "Afflicted";
         }
 
-        label = char.ToUpperInvariant(label[0]) + (label.Length > 1 ? label.Substring(1) : "");
         int n = Math.Max(0, ensemble.SideA.Count);
-        return "Outbreak - " + label + " (" + n.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture) + ")";
+        return StatusClusterLabel(statusId, label, n);
+    }
+
+    internal static string StatusClusterLabel(string statusId, string display, int count)
+    {
+        string id = (statusId ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+        if (id == "burning" || id == "burned" || id == "on_fire")
+        {
+            return "Fire spreads through the crowd";
+        }
+        if (id == "drowning")
+        {
+            return "A crowd is drowning";
+        }
+
+        string label = (display ?? "").Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))
+        {
+            label = "Afflicted";
+        }
+        label = char.ToUpperInvariant(label[0]) + (label.Length > 1 ? label.Substring(1) : "");
+        return "Outbreak - " + label;
     }
 
     public static string Trait(Actor a, string traitId, bool gained)
@@ -1086,6 +1121,87 @@ public static class EventReason
                          : "Building completed: " + (string.IsNullOrEmpty(id) ? "structure" : id);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>Turn killer-POV Chronicle shorthand into a camera-readable subject-led beat.</summary>
+    public static string SubjectLedKill(string subjectName, string chronicleLine)
+    {
+        string subject = (subjectName ?? "").Trim();
+        string line = (chronicleLine ?? "").Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(subject))
+        {
+            return line;
+        }
+        if (line.StartsWith("Killed ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return subject + " kills " + line.Substring("Killed ".Length);
+        }
+        return string.IsNullOrEmpty(line) ? subject + " takes a life" : subject + " · " + line;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Turn friend-POV Chronicle shorthand into a camera-readable subject-led beat.</summary>
+    public static string SubjectLedFriend(string subjectName, string chronicleLine)
+    {
+        string subject = (subjectName ?? "").Trim();
+        string line = (chronicleLine ?? "").Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(subject))
+        {
+            return line;
+        }
+        if (line.StartsWith("Befriended ", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return subject + " befriends " + line.Substring("Befriended ".Length);
+        }
+        return string.IsNullOrEmpty(line)
+            ? subject + " forms a friendship"
+            : subject + " · " + line;
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>Turn lover-POV Chronicle shorthand into a complete relationship beat.</summary>
+    public static string SubjectLedLover(string subjectName, string chronicleLine)
+    {
+        const string prefix = "Became lovers with ";
+        string subject = (subjectName ?? "").Trim();
+        string line = (chronicleLine ?? "").Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(subject))
+        {
+            return line;
+        }
+        if (line.StartsWith(prefix, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            string partner = line.Substring(prefix.Length).Trim();
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(partner))
+            {
+                return subject + " and " + partner + " become lovers";
+            }
+        }
+        return SubjectLedClause(subject, line);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Turn a POV-style clause into a complete orange story sentence.
+    /// Chronicle and happiness sources sometimes omit the subject or capitalize
+    /// the verb as though it were a standalone history entry.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static string SubjectLedClause(string subjectName, string clause)
+    {
+        string subject = (subjectName ?? "").Trim();
+        string line = (clause ?? "").Trim();
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(subject))
+        {
+            return line;
+        }
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(line))
+        {
+            return subject + " experiences a change";
+        }
+        if (line.StartsWith(subject, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return line;
+        }
+
+        return subject + " " + char.ToLowerInvariant(line[0])
+               + (line.Length > 1 ? line.Substring(1) : "");
+    }
+
     private static string NormalizeBuildingDisplay(string buildingId, string display)
     {
         string raw = (buildingId ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
@@ -1094,12 +1210,28 @@ public static class EventReason
         for (int i = 0; i < cultureSuffixes.Length; i++)
         {
             string suffix = "_" + cultureSuffixes[i];
-            if (!raw.EndsWith(suffix, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            int suffixAt = raw.LastIndexOf(suffix, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+            if (suffixAt < 0)
             {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            string baseId = raw.Substring(0, raw.Length - suffix.Length);
+            string variant = raw.Substring(suffixAt + suffix.Length);
+            bool validVariant = string.IsNullOrEmpty(variant);
+            if (!validVariant && variant[0] == '_')
+            {
+                validVariant = variant.Length > 1;
+                for (int j = 1; j < variant.Length && validVariant; j++)
+                {
+                    validVariant = char.IsDigit(variant[j]);
+                }
+            }
+            if (!validVariant)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            string baseId = raw.Substring(0, suffixAt);
             string fallback = HumanizeId(raw);
             if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(value)
                 || value.Equals(fallback, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
@@ -1133,12 +1265,35 @@ public static class EventReason
         string building = BuildingComplete(null, "tent_human", spectacle: false);
         bool buildingClean = building == "Building completed: Tent"
                              && building.IndexOf("Human", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) < 0;
+        string variantBuilding = BuildingComplete(null, "windmill_elf_0", spectacle: false);
+        bool variantBuildingClean = variantBuilding == "Building completed: Windmill"
+                                    && variantBuilding.IndexOf("Elf", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase) < 0
+                                    && variantBuilding.IndexOf("0", StringComparison.Ordinal) < 0;
+        string kill = SubjectLedKill("Aro", "Killed Tampoo (monkey)");
+        bool killClean = kill == "Aro kills Tampoo (monkey)";
+        string friend = SubjectLedFriend("Eceas", "Befriended Oreero");
+        bool friendClean = friend == "Eceas befriends Oreero";
+        string lover = SubjectLedLover("Starna", "Became lovers with Skenstyr");
+        bool loverClean = lover == "Starna and Skenstyr become lovers";
+        string clause = SubjectLedClause("Tampoo", "Is starving");
+        bool clauseClean = clause == "Tampoo is starving";
+        string fire = StatusClusterLabel("burning", "Burning", 3);
+        string drowning = StatusClusterLabel("drowning", "Drowning", 8);
+        string outbreak = StatusClusterLabel("cursed", "Cursed", 12);
+        bool fireClean = fire == "Fire spreads through the crowd";
+        bool hazardClean = drowning == "A crowd is drowning"
+                           && outbreak == "Outbreak - Cursed";
         string species = LiveEnsemble.SpeciesDisplay("slava");
         string kingdomAsSpecies = LiveEnsemble.SpeciesDisplay("Slava");
         bool collectiveClean = string.Equals(
             species, kingdomAsSpecies, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
-        bool ok = buildingClean && collectiveClean;
+        bool ok = buildingClean && variantBuildingClean && killClean && friendClean
-        detail = "building='" + building + "' species='" + species
+                  && loverClean && clauseClean && fireClean && hazardClean && collectiveClean;
+        detail = "building='" + building + "' variant='" + variantBuilding
+                 + "' kill='" + kill + "' friend='" + friend + "' lover='" + lover
+                 + "' clause='" + clause
+                 + "' fire='" + fire + "' drowning='" + drowning
+                 + "' outbreak='" + outbreak + "' species='" + species
                  + "' kingdomSpecies='" + kingdomAsSpecies + "' pass=" + ok;
         return ok;
     }

IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/InterestFeeds.cs

@@ -160,24 +160,40 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 
         string assetId = message.asset_id ?? entry.Id ?? "worldlog";
         string kingdom = message.special1 ?? "";
-        string key = "worldlog:" + assetId + ":" + kingdom;
+        bool earthquake = string.Equals(
+            assetId,
+            "disaster_earthquake",
+            StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        // Earthquake.startQuake and its WorldLog are two observations of one event.
+        // Give both the same durable card so the player never sees
+        // "Earthquake shakes the land" immediately followed by bare "Earthquake".
+        string key = earthquake
+            ? "earthquake:active"
+            : "worldlog:" + assetId + ":" + kingdom;
         float boost = PeekCivicBoost(kingdom, assetId);
         string category = string.IsNullOrEmpty(entry.Category) ? "WorldLog" : entry.Category;
         string label = entry.MakeLabel(message);
 
         if (EventFeedUtil.TryResolveOwnedAnchor(unit, position, out Actor follow, out Vector3 pos))
         {
+            if (earthquake)
+            {
+                label = EventReason.Earthquake(follow);
+            }
             EventFeedUtil.Register(
                 key,
-                "worldlog",
+                earthquake ? "earthquake" : "worldlog",
                 category,
                 label,
-                assetId,
+                earthquake ? "earthquake" : assetId,
                 evtSeed + boost,
                 pos,
                 follow,
                 minWatch: entry.MinWatch,
-                maxWatch: entry.MaxWatch);
+                maxWatch: earthquake ? 45f : entry.MaxWatch,
+                completion: earthquake
+                    ? InterestCompletionKind.EarthquakeActive
+                    : InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell);
             return;
         }
 
@@ -186,16 +202,19 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         {
             EventFeedUtil.Register(
                 key,
-                "worldlog",
+                earthquake ? "earthquake" : "worldlog",
                 category,
-                label,
+                earthquake ? "Earthquake shakes the land" : label,
-                assetId,
+                earthquake ? "earthquake" : assetId,
                 evtSeed + boost,
                 position,
                 follow: null,
                 locationOnly: true,
                 minWatch: entry.MinWatch,
-                maxWatch: entry.MaxWatch);
+                maxWatch: earthquake ? 45f : entry.MaxWatch,
+                completion: earthquake
+                    ? InterestCompletionKind.EarthquakeActive
+                    : InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell);
         }
     }
 
@@ -657,6 +676,19 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 
         long sid = SafeId(subject);
         long rid = SafeId(related);
+        string cameraLabel = label ?? milestoneKey;
+        if (milestoneKey.Equals("milestone_kill", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            cameraLabel = EventReason.SubjectLedKill(SafeName(subject), cameraLabel);
+        }
+        else if (milestoneKey.Equals("milestone_friend", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            cameraLabel = EventReason.SubjectLedFriend(SafeName(subject), cameraLabel);
+        }
+        else if (milestoneKey.Equals("milestone_lover", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            cameraLabel = EventReason.SubjectLedLover(SafeName(subject), cameraLabel);
+        }
         // Shared key space with happiness canonical merges.
         string key = "chronicle:" + milestoneKey + ":" + sid + ":" + rid;
         var candidate = new InterestCandidate
@@ -672,7 +704,7 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
             RelatedUnit = related,
             SubjectId = sid,
             RelatedId = rid,
-            Label = label ?? milestoneKey,
+            Label = cameraLabel,
             // Milestone id owns AssetId so kill/lover/friend crumbs cool as a class
             // (species id used to land every hunter tip on arc:asset:elf).
             AssetId = milestoneKey,
@@ -831,7 +863,10 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         }
         else if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(occ.PlainClause))
         {
-            label = occ.SubjectName + " " + occ.PlainClause;
+            string subjectName = string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(occ.SubjectName)
+                ? EventFeedUtil.SafeName(subject)
+                : occ.SubjectName.Trim();
+            label = EventReason.SubjectLedClause(subjectName, occ.PlainClause);
         }
         else
         {

IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/StatusOutbreakFeed.cs

@@ -62,7 +62,16 @@ public static class StatusOutbreakFeed
             return;
         }
 
-        ApplySticky(registered, ensemble, statusId, pos);
+        // A group is a different story object from the unit's onset. Publish one
+        // canonical outbreak card instead of mutating every per-unit status key
+        // into an identical crowd card. The latter left several changing cards in
+        // the queue and forced repeated full-world presentation validation.
+        if (TryRegisterOutbreak(subject, statusId, entry))
+        {
+            InterestRegistry.ForceExpireContaining(
+                "status:" + statusId + ":",
+                Time.unscaledTime);
+        }
     }
 
     private static float _lastTickAt = -999f;
@@ -498,5 +507,8 @@ public static class StatusOutbreakFeed
         registered.Label = EventReason.StatusOutbreak(ensemble);
         registered.ParticipantCount = ensemble.ParticipantCount;
         InterestScoring.ScoreCheap(registered);
+        // ApplySticky runs after registry intake. Its generated crowd framing is
+        // authoritative and ownership-preserving, so retain that approval.
+        EventPresentability.MarkApproved(registered);
     }
 }

IdleSpectator/IdleHitchProbe.cs

@@ -167,6 +167,13 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
                 + $"{StoryScheduler.LastThreadScoreMs:0.0}/"
                 + $"{StoryScheduler.LastPendingCopyMs:0.0}/"
                 + $"{StoryScheduler.LastProposalMs:0.0} "
+                + $"selectorParts={EpisodeShotSelector.LastReplayFilterMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastPresentabilityMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastClassificationMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastScoringMs:0.0} "
+                + $"selectorPresent={EpisodeShotSelector.LastPresentabilityChecks} "
+                + $"selectorSlow={EpisodeShotSelector.LastSlowCandidateMs:0.0}:"
+                + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastSlowCandidateKey} "
                 + $"feedParts={InterestFeeds.LastHappinessMs:0.0}/"
                 + $"{InterestFeeds.LastScannerMs:0.0}[{InterestFeeds.LastBattleScanMs:0.0},"
                 + $"{InterestFeeds.LastWarFeedMs:0.0},{InterestFeeds.LastPlotFeedMs:0.0},"

IdleSpectator/InterestCandidate.cs

@@ -116,6 +116,25 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
     public string ScoreDetail = "";
     public readonly List<long> ParticipantIds = new List<long>(4);
 
+    // Replay-key memoization. The scheduler consults all three policies repeatedly while
+    // candidates wait in the registry; rebuilding lowercase/prefixed strings every pass
+    // created avoidable garbage-collection hitches in developed worlds.
+    internal bool ReplayKeysCached;
+    internal string ReplayCacheLabel = "";
+    internal string ReplayCacheKey = "";
+    internal string ReplayCacheAssetId = "";
+    internal string ReplayCacheSource = "";
+    internal string ReplayCacheStatusId = "";
+    internal string ReplayCacheHappinessEffectId = "";
+    internal string ReplayCacheActionId = "";
+    internal long ReplayCacheSubjectId;
+    internal InterestCompletionKind ReplayCacheCompletion;
+    internal NarrativeFunction ReplayCacheFunction;
+    internal bool ReplayCacheHasFunction;
+    internal string CachedEditorialReplayKey = "";
+    internal string CachedExactReplayKey = "";
+    internal string CachedRoutineReplayKey = "";
+
     // Compat forwarders - existing combat maintain/harness code.
     public int CombatPeakParticipants
     {

IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.StickyMaintain.cs

@@ -1135,7 +1135,7 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
             _current.RelatedId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(held.Related);
         }
 
-        // Outbreak stickies are groups only - never "Outbreak - X (0)" / solo (1).
+        // Outbreak stickies are groups only; solo carriers remain individual status beats.
         int carriers = held.SideA != null ? Math.Max(0, held.SideA.Count) : 0;
         if (carriers < 2)
         {

IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.SwitchPolicy.cs

@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
             InterestDropLog.Record("editorial_replay", candidate.Label ?? candidate.Key);
             return false;
         }
+        if (candidate != _current && InterestVariety.IsExactReplayCooled(candidate))
+        {
+            InterestDropLog.Record("exact_replay", candidate.Label ?? candidate.Key);
+            return false;
+        }
 
         if (candidate != _current
             && !StoryScheduler.MayUseCombatShot(candidate))

IdleSpectator/InterestVariety.cs

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ public static class InterestVariety
     public static float FixedDwellBeatCooldownSeconds =>
         Mathf.Max(HardCooldownSeconds, InterestScoringConfig.W.fixedDwellBeatCooldownSeconds);
     public static float EditorialReplayCooldownSeconds => Mathf.Max(HardCooldownSeconds, 24f);
+    public static float ExactReplayCooldownSeconds => Mathf.Max(HardCooldownSeconds, 90f);
     public static float RoutineReplayCooldownSeconds =>
         Mathf.Max(FixedDwellBeatCooldownSeconds, 120f);
 
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ public static class InterestVariety
         LastPickHadBothPools = false;
         _lastArcKey = "";
         _arcStreak = 0;
+        CameraDirector.ClearReplayLedger();
     }
 
     /// <summary>Harness: push an arc into the rarity window without a full selection.</summary>
@@ -186,6 +188,14 @@ public static class InterestVariety
                 Time.unscaledTime + RoutineReplayCooldownSeconds);
         }
 
+        string exactKey = ExactReplayKey(chosen);
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(exactKey))
+        {
+            StampCooldown(
+                exactKey,
+                Time.unscaledTime + ExactReplayCooldownSeconds);
+        }
+
         // Soft life chapters cool ledger heat so the same villagers do not monopolize.
         // Soft-life cool no longer demotes saga MCs (CharacterLedger removed).
     }
@@ -211,6 +221,21 @@ public static class InterestVariety
         return CooldownUntil.TryGetValue(key, out float until) && now < until;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Prevent an identical player-facing sentence from being presented as a fresh cut,
+    /// even when separate hooks generated different candidate keys.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool IsExactReplayCooled(InterestCandidate c, float now = -1f)
+    {
+        string key = ExactReplayKey(c);
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(key))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (now < 0f) now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        return CooldownUntil.TryGetValue(key, out float until) && now < until;
+    }
+
     public static bool HarnessProbeEditorialReplay(out string detail)
     {
         Clear();
@@ -224,7 +249,7 @@ public static class InterestVariety
         var replay = new InterestCandidate
         {
             Key = "combat:pair:1:2:refresh",
-            Label = "Duel - Alpha vs Beta",
+            Label = "Mass - Beta (3) vs Alpha (5)",
             Completion = InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
         };
         var different = new InterestCandidate
@@ -241,12 +266,39 @@ public static class InterestVariety
             StatusId = "sleeping"
         };
         bool sameCooled = IsEditorialReplayCooled(replay);
+        bool structuralExactCooled = IsExactReplayCooled(replay);
         bool differentOpen = !IsEditorialReplayCooled(different);
         bool textureUsesBeatPolicy = !IsEditorialReplayCooled(texture);
-        bool ok = sameCooled && differentOpen && textureUsesBeatPolicy;
+        var life = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            Key = "relationship:1:2:first",
+            Label = "Norron mates with Onaano",
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell
+        };
+        NoteSelection(life, updateMix: false);
+        var lifeReplay = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            Key = "relationship:1:2:second",
+            Label = "Norron mates with Onaano",
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell
+        };
+        var lifeProgress = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            Key = "relationship:1:2:home",
+            Label = "Norron finds a home",
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell
+        };
+        bool exactLifeCooled = IsExactReplayCooled(lifeReplay);
+        bool progressedLifeOpen = !IsExactReplayCooled(lifeProgress);
+        bool ok = sameCooled && structuralExactCooled
+                  && differentOpen && textureUsesBeatPolicy
+                  && exactLifeCooled && progressedLifeOpen;
         detail = "sameCooled=" + sameCooled
+                 + " structuralExact=" + structuralExactCooled
                  + " differentOpen=" + differentOpen
-                 + " textureUsesBeatPolicy=" + textureUsesBeatPolicy;
+                 + " textureUsesBeatPolicy=" + textureUsesBeatPolicy
+                 + " exactLife=" + exactLifeCooled
+                 + " progressedLife=" + progressedLifeOpen;
         Clear();
         return ok;
     }
@@ -319,6 +371,43 @@ public static class InterestVariety
         return ok;
     }
 
+    public static bool HarnessProbeFamilyCoalescing(out string detail)
+    {
+        Clear();
+        var birthFact = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            SubjectId = 41,
+            RelatedId = 43,
+            AssetId = "add_child",
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell
+        };
+        NoteSelection(birthFact, updateMix: false);
+
+        var sameParentReaction = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            SubjectId = 41,
+            HappinessEffectId = "just_had_child",
+            AssetId = "just_had_child",
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell
+        };
+        var otherParentReaction = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            SubjectId = 42,
+            HappinessEffectId = "just_had_child",
+            AssetId = "just_had_child",
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.FixedDwell
+        };
+
+        bool echoCooled = IsBeatCooled(sameParentReaction);
+        bool unrelatedOpen = !IsBeatCooled(otherParentReaction);
+        bool ok = echoCooled && unrelatedOpen;
+        detail = "echo=" + echoCooled
+                 + " unrelated=" + unrelatedOpen
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        Clear();
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Score to subtract when this candidate matches the last shown variety arc.
     /// After one duel show, the next duel pays <c>repeatArcPenaltyPer</c>; a lover resets the streak.
@@ -795,6 +884,12 @@ public static class InterestVariety
                 continue;
             }
 
+            if (IsExactReplayCooled(c, now))
+            {
+                InterestDropLog.Record("exact_replay", c.Label ?? c.Key);
+                continue;
+            }
+
             if (IsRoutineReplayCooled(c, now))
             {
                 InterestDropLog.Record("routine_replay", c.Label ?? c.Key);
@@ -1008,6 +1103,14 @@ public static class InterestVariety
         {
             return "";
         }
+        EnsureReplayKeys(c);
+        return c.CachedEditorialReplayKey;
+    }
+
+    private static string BuildEditorialReplayKey(
+        InterestCandidate c,
+        string normalizedLabel)
+    {
 
         bool stickyCard = c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
                           || c.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront
@@ -1021,22 +1124,37 @@ public static class InterestVariety
             return "";
         }
 
-        string label = (c.Label ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(normalizedLabel))
-        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))
         {
-            return "replay:label:" + label;
+            return "replay:label:" + normalizedLabel;
         }
 
         string key = (c.Key ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
         return string.IsNullOrEmpty(key) ? "" : "replay:key:" + key;
     }
 
+    private static string ExactReplayKey(InterestCandidate c)
+    {
+        if (c == null)
+        {
+            return "";
+        }
+        EnsureReplayKeys(c);
+        return c.CachedExactReplayKey;
+    }
+
     private static string RoutineReplayKey(InterestCandidate c)
     {
         if (c == null || c.SubjectId == 0)
         {
             return "";
         }
+        EnsureReplayKeys(c);
+        return c.CachedRoutineReplayKey;
+    }
+
+    private static string BuildRoutineReplayKey(InterestCandidate c)
+    {
 
         NarrativeFunction function = NarrativeFunctionPolicy.Classify(c);
         if (function != NarrativeFunction.CharacterTexture
@@ -1057,6 +1175,53 @@ public static class InterestVariety
             : "routine:" + c.SubjectId + ":" + family;
     }
 
+    private static void EnsureReplayKeys(InterestCandidate c)
+    {
+        string label = c.Label ?? "";
+        string key = c.Key ?? "";
+        string assetId = c.AssetId ?? "";
+        string source = c.Source ?? "";
+        string statusId = c.StatusId ?? "";
+        string happinessId = c.HappinessEffectId ?? "";
+        string actionId = c.NarrativePresentation?.ActionId ?? "";
+        if (c.ReplayKeysCached
+            && c.ReplayCacheSubjectId == c.SubjectId
+            && c.ReplayCacheCompletion == c.Completion
+            && c.ReplayCacheFunction == c.NarrativeFunction
+            && c.ReplayCacheHasFunction == c.HasNarrativeFunction
+            && string.Equals(c.ReplayCacheLabel, label, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(c.ReplayCacheKey, key, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(c.ReplayCacheAssetId, assetId, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(c.ReplayCacheSource, source, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(c.ReplayCacheStatusId, statusId, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(
+                c.ReplayCacheHappinessEffectId, happinessId, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(c.ReplayCacheActionId, actionId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        c.ReplayKeysCached = true;
+        c.ReplayCacheLabel = label;
+        c.ReplayCacheKey = key;
+        c.ReplayCacheAssetId = assetId;
+        c.ReplayCacheSource = source;
+        c.ReplayCacheStatusId = statusId;
+        c.ReplayCacheHappinessEffectId = happinessId;
+        c.ReplayCacheActionId = actionId;
+        c.ReplayCacheSubjectId = c.SubjectId;
+        c.ReplayCacheCompletion = c.Completion;
+        c.ReplayCacheFunction = c.NarrativeFunction;
+        c.ReplayCacheHasFunction = c.HasNarrativeFunction;
+
+        string normalizedLabel = EventReason.ReplayStructureKey(label);
+        c.CachedEditorialReplayKey = BuildEditorialReplayKey(c, normalizedLabel);
+        c.CachedExactReplayKey = string.IsNullOrEmpty(normalizedLabel)
+            ? ""
+            : "exact:label:" + normalizedLabel;
+        c.CachedRoutineReplayKey = BuildRoutineReplayKey(c);
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Parenthood / pregnancy / newborn family chapter - variety + ledger cool as a class.
     /// </summary>
@@ -1839,6 +2004,15 @@ public static class InterestVariety
                 yield return "beat:life:love:world";
             }
 
+            // The relationship feed reports the concrete birth first ("gains a child");
+            // happiness can report the same parent's reaction a frame later. They are one
+            // family chapter, so showing the fact suppresses that immediate emotional echo
+            // without cooling unrelated parents or later births world-wide.
+            if (string.Equals(asset, "add_child", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                yield return "beat:life:family:" + subject;
+            }
+
             if (EventCatalog.Decision.IsLifeIntentDecision(asset))
             {
                 yield return "beat:asset:" + asset + ":world";

IdleSpectator/Narrative/EpisodeShotSelector.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using UnityEngine;
 
 namespace IdleSpectator;
@@ -16,32 +17,90 @@ public sealed class EpisodeShotProposal
 /// <summary>Selects the best presentable shot that can explain its place in the active episode.</summary>
 public static class EpisodeShotSelector
 {
+    public static float LastReplayFilterMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastPresentabilityMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastClassificationMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastScoringMs { get; private set; }
+    public static int LastPresentabilityChecks { get; private set; }
+    public static string LastSlowCandidateKey { get; private set; } = "";
+    public static float LastSlowCandidateMs { get; private set; }
+
     public static EpisodeShotProposal Pick(
         IList<InterestCandidate> candidates,
         EpisodePlan episode,
         NarrativeThread thread,
         bool requirePresentable = true)
     {
+        ResetTiming();
         if (candidates == null || candidates.Count == 0 || episode == null) return null;
-        EpisodeShotProposal bestRelated = null;
+        bool trace = IdleHitchProbe.Enabled;
-        EpisodeShotProposal bestInterrupt = null;
+        InterestCandidate bestRelatedCandidate = null;
+        NarrativeInterruptClass bestRelatedKind = NarrativeInterruptClass.OrdinaryInteresting;
+        EpisodeShotRole bestRelatedRole = EpisodeShotRole.Unknown;
+        string bestRelatedSemanticKey = "";
+        float bestRelatedScore = float.MinValue;
+
+        InterestCandidate bestInterruptCandidate = null;
+        NarrativeInterruptClass bestInterruptKind = NarrativeInterruptClass.OrdinaryInteresting;
+        EpisodeShotRole bestInterruptRole = EpisodeShotRole.Unknown;
+        float bestInterruptScore = float.MinValue;
+
         for (int i = 0; i < candidates.Count; i++)
         {
             InterestCandidate c = candidates[i];
             bool harness = c != null && string.Equals(c.Source, "harness", System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
-            if (c == null || c.Selected
+            if (c == null || c.Selected) continue;
-                || InterestVariety.IsEditorialReplayCooled(c)
+
-                || InterestVariety.IsRoutineReplayCooled(c)
+            long stageStarted = trace ? Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0L;
-                || !StoryScheduler.MayUseCombatShot(episode, c)
+            bool replayCooled =
-                || (requirePresentable && !harness && !EventPresentability.WouldShow(c))) continue;
+                InterestVariety.IsEditorialReplayCooled(c)
+                || InterestVariety.IsExactReplayCooled(c)
+                || InterestVariety.IsRoutineReplayCooled(c);
+            if (trace)
+            {
+                LastReplayFilterMs += ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
+            }
+            if (replayCooled || !StoryScheduler.MayUseCombatShot(episode, c)) continue;
+
+            if (requirePresentable && !harness)
+            {
+                stageStarted = trace ? Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0L;
+                bool presentable = EventPresentability.WouldShow(c);
+                if (trace)
+                {
+                    float elapsed = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
+                    LastPresentabilityMs += elapsed;
+                    LastPresentabilityChecks++;
+                    if (elapsed > LastSlowCandidateMs)
+                    {
+                        LastSlowCandidateMs = elapsed;
+                        LastSlowCandidateKey = c.Key ?? "";
+                    }
+                }
+                if (!presentable) continue;
+            }
+
+            stageStarted = trace ? Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0L;
             NarrativeFunction function = NarrativeFunctionPolicy.Classify(c);
-            if (function == NarrativeFunction.Noise) continue;
+            if (function == NarrativeFunction.Noise)
+            {
+                if (trace)
+                {
+                    LastClassificationMs += ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
             NarrativeInterruptClass kind = InterruptPolicy.Classify(c, episode, thread);
             EpisodeShotRole role = RoleFor(c, function, kind, episode);
-            string semanticKey = SemanticKey(c, role);
             bool related = kind == NarrativeInterruptClass.RelatedEscalation;
+            bool advances = related && AdvancesEpisode(episode, role);
+            string semanticKey = related && !advances ? SemanticKey(c, role) : "";
+            if (trace)
+            {
+                LastClassificationMs += ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
+            }
             if (related
-                && !AdvancesEpisode(episode, role)
+                && !advances
                 && episode.RecentSemanticKeys.Contains(semanticKey))
             {
                 continue;
@@ -53,36 +112,91 @@ public static class EpisodeShotSelector
                 continue;
             }
 
+            stageStarted = trace ? Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0L;
             float score = EditorialScore(c, episode, kind, function, role);
-            var proposal = new EpisodeShotProposal
+            if (trace)
             {
-                Candidate = c,
+                LastScoringMs += ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
-                InterruptClass = kind,
+            }
-                EditorialScore = score,
-                Role = role,
-                SemanticKey = semanticKey,
-                Reason = Reason(kind) + ":" + role
-            };
             if (kind == NarrativeInterruptClass.RelatedEscalation)
             {
-                if (bestRelated == null || score > bestRelated.EditorialScore) bestRelated = proposal;
+                if (bestRelatedCandidate == null || score > bestRelatedScore)
+                {
+                    bestRelatedCandidate = c;
+                    bestRelatedKind = kind;
+                    bestRelatedRole = role;
+                    bestRelatedSemanticKey = string.IsNullOrEmpty(semanticKey)
+                        ? SemanticKey(c, role)
+                        : semanticKey;
+                    bestRelatedScore = score;
+                }
             }
             else if (InterruptPolicy.MayInterrupt(kind)
-                     && (bestInterrupt == null || score > bestInterrupt.EditorialScore))
+                     && (bestInterruptCandidate == null || score > bestInterruptScore))
             {
-                bestInterrupt = proposal;
+                bestInterruptCandidate = c;
+                bestInterruptKind = kind;
+                bestInterruptRole = role;
+                bestInterruptScore = score;
             }
         }
 
         // A productive related development owns the episode. Critical/payoff material interrupts
         // only when no related shot is ready, or when its editorial advantage is decisive.
-        if (bestRelated != null
+        if (bestRelatedCandidate != null
-            && (bestInterrupt == null || bestInterrupt.EditorialScore < bestRelated.EditorialScore + 25f))
+            && (bestInterruptCandidate == null || bestInterruptScore < bestRelatedScore + 25f))
         {
-            return bestRelated;
+            return BuildProposal(
+                bestRelatedCandidate,
+                bestRelatedKind,
+                bestRelatedRole,
+                bestRelatedSemanticKey,
+                bestRelatedScore);
         }
 
-        return bestInterrupt ?? bestRelated;
+        if (bestInterruptCandidate != null)
+        {
+            return BuildProposal(
+                bestInterruptCandidate,
+                bestInterruptKind,
+                bestInterruptRole,
+                SemanticKey(bestInterruptCandidate, bestInterruptRole),
+                bestInterruptScore);
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private static void ResetTiming()
+    {
+        LastReplayFilterMs = 0f;
+        LastPresentabilityMs = 0f;
+        LastClassificationMs = 0f;
+        LastScoringMs = 0f;
+        LastPresentabilityChecks = 0;
+        LastSlowCandidateKey = "";
+        LastSlowCandidateMs = 0f;
+    }
+
+    private static float ElapsedMs(long started) =>
+        (float)((Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() - started) * 1000d / Stopwatch.Frequency);
+
+    private static EpisodeShotProposal BuildProposal(
+        InterestCandidate candidate,
+        NarrativeInterruptClass kind,
+        EpisodeShotRole role,
+        string semanticKey,
+        float score)
+    {
+        return new EpisodeShotProposal
+        {
+            Candidate = candidate,
+            InterruptClass = kind,
+            EditorialScore = score,
+            Role = role,
+            SemanticKey = semanticKey ?? "",
+            Reason = Reason(kind) + ":" + role
+        };
     }
 
     private static float EditorialScore(

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeEventStore.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using UnityEngine;
 
 namespace IdleSpectator;
 
@@ -51,4 +52,53 @@ public static class NarrativeEventStore
         Events[record.Id] = record;
         return true;
     }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Keep the event side of the runtime graph aligned with retained developments.
+    /// Recent unprojected observations fill any remaining room so dedupe remains useful.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static int Compact(HashSet<string> retainedDevelopmentIds, int max)
+    {
+        if (Events.Count <= max || max <= 0)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        var retained = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        var ranked = new List<NarrativeEventRecord>(Events.Values);
+        ranked.Sort((a, b) =>
+        {
+            bool aLinked = a != null
+                           && retainedDevelopmentIds != null
+                           && retainedDevelopmentIds.Contains(a.DevelopmentId ?? "");
+            bool bLinked = b != null
+                           && retainedDevelopmentIds != null
+                           && retainedDevelopmentIds.Contains(b.DevelopmentId ?? "");
+            if (aLinked != bLinked) return aLinked ? -1 : 1;
+            float aAt = a?.ObservedAt ?? float.MinValue;
+            float bAt = b?.ObservedAt ?? float.MinValue;
+            int observed = bAt.CompareTo(aAt);
+            if (observed != 0) return observed;
+            return (b?.WorldTime ?? double.MinValue).CompareTo(
+                a?.WorldTime ?? double.MinValue);
+        });
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < ranked.Count && retained.Count < max; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeEventRecord record = ranked[i];
+            if (record != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(record.Id))
+            {
+                retained.Add(record.Id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        int before = Events.Count;
+        var remove = new List<string>();
+        foreach (string id in Events.Keys)
+        {
+            if (!retained.Contains(id)) remove.Add(id);
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < remove.Count; i++) Events.Remove(remove[i]);
+        return Mathf.Max(0, before - Events.Count);
+    }
 }

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeExposureLedger.cs

@@ -90,12 +90,13 @@ public static class NarrativeExposureLedger
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Two routine combat cuts may establish a conflict; another story family must then
+    /// Two combat cuts may establish and escalate a conflict; another story family must
-    /// receive space. World-critical combat bypasses this global exposure cap.
+    /// then receive space. Criticality affects which combat cut wins, not whether combat
+    /// may exceed the global story-first exposure budget.
     /// </summary>
     public static bool MayPresent(InterestCandidate candidate)
     {
-        if (!IsCombat(candidate) || candidate.EventStrength >= 95f)
+        if (!IsCombat(candidate))
         {
             return true;
         }
@@ -150,18 +151,19 @@ public static class NarrativeExposureLedger
         NotePresented(combat);
         NotePresented(combat);
         bool routineBlocked = !MayPresent(combat);
-        bool criticalAllowed = MayPresent(criticalCombat);
+        bool criticalBounded = !MayPresent(criticalCombat);
         for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) NotePresented(family);
         bool routineReopened = MayPresent(combat);
         bool ok = underCovered > prolific
                   && repetition > 0f
                   && diverse == 0f
                   && routineBlocked
-                  && criticalAllowed
+                  && criticalBounded
                   && routineReopened;
         detail = "debt=" + underCovered.ToString("0.0") + "/" + prolific.ToString("0.0")
                  + " repetition=" + repetition.ToString("0.0") + "/" + diverse.ToString("0.0")
-                 + " combat=" + routineBlocked + "/" + criticalAllowed + "/" + routineReopened
+                 + " combat=" + routineBlocked + "/" + criticalBounded
+                 + "/" + routineReopened
                  + " pass=" + ok;
         Clear();
         return ok;

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeModels.cs

@@ -137,6 +137,8 @@ public sealed class NarrativeCastRole
 /// <summary>Durable unresolved question centered on one life.</summary>
 public sealed class NarrativeThread
 {
+    private const int MaxRetainedCast = 16;
+
     public string Id = "";
     public NarrativeThreadKind Kind;
     public long ProtagonistId;
@@ -177,6 +179,18 @@ public sealed class NarrativeThread
     {
         if (id == 0 || HasCast(id)) return;
         Cast.Add(new NarrativeCastRole { CharacterId = id, Role = role ?? "" });
+        while (Cast.Count > MaxRetainedCast)
+        {
+            int removeAt = 0;
+            while (removeAt < Cast.Count
+                   && Cast[removeAt] != null
+                   && Cast[removeAt].CharacterId == ProtagonistId)
+            {
+                removeAt++;
+            }
+            if (removeAt >= Cast.Count) break;
+            Cast.RemoveAt(removeAt);
+        }
     }
 }
 

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeStoryStore.cs

@@ -11,6 +11,13 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
     private const int ConsequencesPerCharacter = 24;
     private const int OpenThreadsPerCharacter = 16;
     private const int ResolvedThreadsPerCharacter = 24;
+    private const int DevelopmentsPerThread = 16;
+    private const int MaxRuntimeEvents = 2200;
+    private const int MaxRuntimeDevelopments = 2000;
+    private const int MaxRuntimeThreads = 650;
+    private const int MaxRuntimeConsequences = 1200;
+    private const int MaxRuntimeCharacters = 2000;
+    private const float RuntimeCompactionIntervalSeconds = 60f;
     internal const int SchedulerCandidateLimit = 96;
     internal const int SchedulerCopyLimit = 128;
     private static readonly Dictionary<string, NarrativeDevelopment> Developments =
@@ -33,11 +40,15 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
     private static readonly Dictionary<string, HashSet<long>> ConflictCastByThread =
         new Dictionary<string, HashSet<long>>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
     private static readonly List<string> IdScratch = new List<string>(SchedulerCandidateLimit);
+    private static float _nextRuntimeCompactionAt;
 
     public static int Revision { get; private set; }
     public static int DevelopmentCount => Developments.Count;
     public static int ThreadCount => Threads.Count;
     public static int CharacterCount => Characters.Count;
+    public static int ConsequenceCount => Consequences.Count;
+    public static float LastCompactionMs { get; private set; }
+    public static int CompactionCount { get; private set; }
 
     public static void Clear()
     {
@@ -52,6 +63,9 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         OpenConflictsByCharacter.Clear();
         ConflictCastByThread.Clear();
         IdScratch.Clear();
+        _nextRuntimeCompactionAt = 0f;
+        LastCompactionMs = 0f;
+        CompactionCount = 0;
         NarrativeEventStore.Clear();
         Revision++;
         StoryScheduler.Clear();
@@ -189,7 +203,10 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         }
 
         Developments[development.Id] = development;
-        CharacterStoryState subject = GetOrCreateCharacter(development.SubjectId, development.Subject);
+        if (ShouldProjectDevelopment(development))
+        {
+            CharacterStoryState subject =
+                GetOrCreateCharacter(development.SubjectId, development.Subject);
             TouchDevelopment(subject, development);
             if (development.OtherId != 0)
             {
@@ -197,6 +214,8 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
             }
 
             NarrativeThreadRules.Apply(development);
+        }
+        MaybeCompactRuntimeGraph();
         Revision++;
         return true;
     }
@@ -236,6 +255,7 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         thread.UpdatedAt = development.OccurredAt;
         thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId = development.Id;
         if (!thread.DevelopmentIds.Contains(development.Id)) thread.DevelopmentIds.Add(development.Id);
+        TrimThreadDevelopmentHistory(thread);
         thread.AddCast(protagonistId, "protagonist");
         if (development.OtherId != 0) thread.AddCast(development.OtherId, CastRole(development.Kind));
         thread.Momentum = Mathf.Min(12f, thread.Momentum + MomentumFor(development.Function));
@@ -252,6 +272,18 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         return thread;
     }
 
+    private static void TrimThreadDevelopmentHistory(NarrativeThread thread)
+    {
+        if (thread == null) return;
+        while (thread.DevelopmentIds.Count > DevelopmentsPerThread)
+        {
+            // The opening evidence remains useful for episode/Legacy context. Evict the
+            // oldest middle beat while retaining the newest state transition.
+            int removeAt = thread.DevelopmentIds.Count > 1 ? 1 : 0;
+            thread.DevelopmentIds.RemoveAt(removeAt);
+        }
+    }
+
     public static void AddConsequence(CharacterConsequence consequence)
     {
         if (consequence == null || consequence.CharacterId == 0 || string.IsNullOrEmpty(consequence.Id)) return;
@@ -494,6 +526,7 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         int repaired = 0;
         foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
         {
+            TrimThreadDevelopmentHistory(thread);
             if (thread != null
                 && thread.Kind == NarrativeThreadKind.Founding
                 && thread.IsOpen
@@ -559,6 +592,398 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         return repaired;
     }
 
+    private static void MaybeCompactRuntimeGraph()
+    {
+        bool overHighWater =
+            NarrativeEventStore.Count > MaxRuntimeEvents * 3 / 2
+            || Developments.Count > MaxRuntimeDevelopments * 3 / 2
+            || Threads.Count > MaxRuntimeThreads * 3 / 2
+            || Consequences.Count > MaxRuntimeConsequences * 3 / 2
+            || Characters.Count > MaxRuntimeCharacters * 3 / 2;
+        if (!overHighWater)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        bool emergency =
+            NarrativeEventStore.Count > MaxRuntimeEvents * 2
+            || Developments.Count > MaxRuntimeDevelopments * 2
+            || Threads.Count > MaxRuntimeThreads * 2
+            || Consequences.Count > MaxRuntimeConsequences * 2
+            || Characters.Count > MaxRuntimeCharacters * 2;
+        if (!emergency && now < _nextRuntimeCompactionAt)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        CompactRuntimeGraph(force: false);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Birth evidence remains in the event/development stores for persistence and dedupe.
+    /// A full mirrored lineage graph is useful only once the family touches the authored cast;
+    /// projecting every anonymous newborn was creating hundreds of disposable threads per minute.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static bool ShouldProjectDevelopment(NarrativeDevelopment development)
+    {
+        if (development == null
+            || development.Kind != NarrativeDevelopmentKind.ChildBorn
+            || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(development.EvidenceSource)
+                && development.EvidenceSource.StartsWith(
+                    "harness", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        if (LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(development.SubjectId)
+            || LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(development.SubjectId)
+            || LifeSagaRoster.IsMcCast(development.SubjectId)
+            || LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(development.OtherId)
+            || LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(development.OtherId)
+            || LifeSagaRoster.IsMcCast(development.OtherId))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        EpisodePlan episode = StoryScheduler.ActiveEpisode;
+        if (episode == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (episode.ProtagonistId == development.SubjectId
+            || episode.ProtagonistId == development.OtherId)
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        NarrativeThread active = Thread(episode.ThreadId);
+        return active != null
+               && (active.HasCast(development.SubjectId)
+                   || active.HasCast(development.OtherId));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Bounds the live narrative graph while protecting the active episode and the
+    /// Saga cast. Persistence already compacts its sidecar; this prevents long-running
+    /// worlds from retaining every anonymous one-shot thread until the next reload.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static bool CompactRuntimeGraph(bool force)
+    {
+        bool needsCompaction =
+            NarrativeEventStore.Count > MaxRuntimeEvents
+            || Developments.Count > MaxRuntimeDevelopments
+            || Threads.Count > MaxRuntimeThreads
+            || Consequences.Count > MaxRuntimeConsequences
+            || Characters.Count > MaxRuntimeCharacters;
+        if (!force && !needsCompaction)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        var stopwatch = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.StartNew();
+        int beforeEvents = NarrativeEventStore.Count;
+        int beforeDevelopments = Developments.Count;
+        int beforeThreads = Threads.Count;
+        int beforeConsequences = Consequences.Count;
+        int beforeCharacters = Characters.Count;
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+
+        var protectedCharacters = new HashSet<long>();
+        LifeSagaRoster.CopySlots(RosterScratch);
+        for (int i = 0; i < RosterScratch.Count; i++)
+        {
+            long id = RosterScratch[i]?.UnitId ?? 0;
+            if (id != 0) protectedCharacters.Add(id);
+        }
+        RosterScratch.Clear();
+
+        EpisodePlan episode = StoryScheduler.ActiveEpisode;
+        if (episode != null && episode.ProtagonistId != 0)
+        {
+            protectedCharacters.Add(episode.ProtagonistId);
+        }
+
+        var retainedThreadIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        if (episode != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(episode.ThreadId)
+            && Threads.ContainsKey(episode.ThreadId))
+        {
+            retainedThreadIds.Add(episode.ThreadId);
+        }
+
+        foreach (long characterId in protectedCharacters)
+        {
+            CharacterStoryState state = Character(characterId);
+            if (state == null) continue;
+            AddExistingIds(state.OpenThreadIds, Threads, retainedThreadIds);
+            AddExistingIds(state.ResolvedThreadIds, Threads, retainedThreadIds);
+        }
+
+        ThreadScratch.Clear();
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        {
+            if (thread != null && !retainedThreadIds.Contains(thread.Id))
+            {
+                ThreadScratch.Add(thread);
+            }
+        }
+        ThreadScratch.Sort((a, b) =>
+            ThreadRetentionScore(b, now).CompareTo(ThreadRetentionScore(a, now)));
+        for (int i = 0;
+             i < ThreadScratch.Count && retainedThreadIds.Count < MaxRuntimeThreads;
+             i++)
+        {
+            retainedThreadIds.Add(ThreadScratch[i].Id);
+        }
+        ThreadScratch.Clear();
+
+        var retainedDevelopmentIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        foreach (string threadId in retainedThreadIds)
+        {
+            NarrativeThread thread = Thread(threadId);
+            AddExistingId(thread?.LatestMeaningfulChangeId, Developments, retainedDevelopmentIds);
+        }
+        foreach (long characterId in protectedCharacters)
+        {
+            CharacterStoryState state = Character(characterId);
+            if (state == null) continue;
+            AddExistingIds(
+                state.RecentDevelopmentIds,
+                Developments,
+                retainedDevelopmentIds,
+                MaxRuntimeDevelopments);
+        }
+
+        var rankedConsequences = new List<CharacterConsequence>(Consequences.Values);
+        rankedConsequences.Sort((a, b) =>
+        {
+            bool aProtected = a != null && protectedCharacters.Contains(a.CharacterId);
+            bool bProtected = b != null && protectedCharacters.Contains(b.CharacterId);
+            if (aProtected != bProtected) return aProtected ? -1 : 1;
+            int importance = (b?.Importance ?? float.MinValue).CompareTo(
+                a?.Importance ?? float.MinValue);
+            if (importance != 0) return importance;
+            return (b?.OccurredAt ?? float.MinValue).CompareTo(
+                a?.OccurredAt ?? float.MinValue);
+        });
+
+        var retainedConsequenceIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        for (int i = 0;
+             i < rankedConsequences.Count
+             && retainedConsequenceIds.Count < MaxRuntimeConsequences;
+             i++)
+        {
+            CharacterConsequence consequence = rankedConsequences[i];
+            if (consequence == null || string.IsNullOrEmpty(consequence.Id)
+                || string.IsNullOrEmpty(consequence.DevelopmentId)
+                || !Developments.ContainsKey(consequence.DevelopmentId))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (!retainedDevelopmentIds.Contains(consequence.DevelopmentId)
+                && retainedDevelopmentIds.Count >= MaxRuntimeDevelopments)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            retainedDevelopmentIds.Add(consequence.DevelopmentId);
+            retainedConsequenceIds.Add(consequence.Id);
+        }
+
+        var rankedDevelopments = new List<NarrativeDevelopment>(Developments.Values);
+        rankedDevelopments.Sort((a, b) =>
+        {
+            float aScore = DevelopmentRetentionScore(a);
+            float bScore = DevelopmentRetentionScore(b);
+            int score = bScore.CompareTo(aScore);
+            if (score != 0) return score;
+            return (b?.OccurredAt ?? float.MinValue).CompareTo(
+                a?.OccurredAt ?? float.MinValue);
+        });
+        for (int i = 0;
+             i < rankedDevelopments.Count
+             && retainedDevelopmentIds.Count < MaxRuntimeDevelopments;
+             i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeDevelopment development = rankedDevelopments[i];
+            if (development != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(development.Id))
+            {
+                retainedDevelopmentIds.Add(development.Id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        RemoveUnretained(Threads, retainedThreadIds);
+        RemoveUnretained(Consequences, retainedConsequenceIds);
+        RemoveUnretained(Developments, retainedDevelopmentIds);
+
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        {
+            if (thread == null) continue;
+            thread.DevelopmentIds.RemoveAll(id => !retainedDevelopmentIds.Contains(id));
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId)
+                && retainedDevelopmentIds.Contains(thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId)
+                && !thread.DevelopmentIds.Contains(thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId))
+            {
+                thread.DevelopmentIds.Add(thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId);
+            }
+            if (!retainedDevelopmentIds.Contains(thread.OpenedByDevelopmentId))
+            {
+                thread.OpenedByDevelopmentId = thread.DevelopmentIds.Count > 0
+                    ? thread.DevelopmentIds[0]
+                    : thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId;
+            }
+            TrimThreadDevelopmentHistory(thread);
+        }
+
+        foreach (CharacterConsequence consequence in Consequences.Values)
+        {
+            if (consequence != null && !retainedThreadIds.Contains(consequence.ThreadId))
+            {
+                consequence.ThreadId = "";
+            }
+        }
+
+        NarrativeEventStore.Compact(retainedDevelopmentIds, MaxRuntimeEvents);
+
+        var retainedCharacterIds = new HashSet<long>(protectedCharacters);
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        {
+            if (thread != null && thread.ProtagonistId != 0)
+            {
+                retainedCharacterIds.Add(thread.ProtagonistId);
+            }
+        }
+        foreach (CharacterConsequence consequence in Consequences.Values)
+        {
+            if (consequence == null) continue;
+            if (consequence.CharacterId != 0) retainedCharacterIds.Add(consequence.CharacterId);
+            if (consequence.OtherId != 0
+                && retainedCharacterIds.Count < MaxRuntimeCharacters)
+            {
+                retainedCharacterIds.Add(consequence.OtherId);
+            }
+        }
+
+        var rankedCharacters = new List<CharacterStoryState>(Characters.Values);
+        rankedCharacters.Sort((a, b) =>
+        {
+            float aScore = EffectiveStoryPotential(a, now);
+            float bScore = EffectiveStoryPotential(b, now);
+            int score = bScore.CompareTo(aScore);
+            if (score != 0) return score;
+            return (b?.LastMeaningfulChangeAt ?? float.MinValue).CompareTo(
+                a?.LastMeaningfulChangeAt ?? float.MinValue);
+        });
+        for (int i = 0;
+             i < rankedCharacters.Count
+             && retainedCharacterIds.Count < MaxRuntimeCharacters;
+             i++)
+        {
+            CharacterStoryState state = rankedCharacters[i];
+            if (state != null && state.CharacterId != 0)
+            {
+                retainedCharacterIds.Add(state.CharacterId);
+            }
+        }
+        RemoveUnretained(Characters, retainedCharacterIds);
+
+        RepairConsistency();
+        Revision++;
+        stopwatch.Stop();
+        LastCompactionMs = (float)stopwatch.Elapsed.TotalMilliseconds;
+        CompactionCount++;
+        _nextRuntimeCompactionAt = now + RuntimeCompactionIntervalSeconds;
+
+        NeoModLoader.services.LogService.LogInfo(
+            "[IdleSpectator][NARRATIVE] runtime compact "
+            + "events=" + beforeEvents + "->" + NarrativeEventStore.Count
+            + " developments=" + beforeDevelopments + "->" + Developments.Count
+            + " threads=" + beforeThreads + "->" + Threads.Count
+            + " consequences=" + beforeConsequences + "->" + Consequences.Count
+            + " characters=" + beforeCharacters + "->" + Characters.Count
+            + " ms=" + LastCompactionMs.ToString("0.0"));
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static float ThreadRetentionScore(NarrativeThread thread, float now)
+    {
+        if (thread == null) return float.MinValue;
+        float age = Mathf.Max(0f, now - thread.UpdatedAt);
+        float freshness = Mathf.Max(0f, 60f - age / 10f);
+        float open = thread.IsOpen ? 45f : 0f;
+        float phase = thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.TurningPoint ? 24f
+            : thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.Outcome ? 18f
+            : thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.Consequence ? 14f : 0f;
+        return freshness + open + phase + thread.Urgency * 3f
+               + thread.Momentum + thread.CoverageDebt;
+    }
+
+    private static float DevelopmentRetentionScore(NarrativeDevelopment development)
+    {
+        if (development == null) return float.MinValue;
+        float function;
+        switch (development.Function)
+        {
+            case NarrativeFunction.TurningPoint: function = 60f; break;
+            case NarrativeFunction.Resolution: function = 55f; break;
+            case NarrativeFunction.Consequence: function = 50f; break;
+            case NarrativeFunction.Escalation: function = 40f; break;
+            case NarrativeFunction.Development: function = 30f; break;
+            case NarrativeFunction.ThreadOpener: function = 25f; break;
+            default: function = 0f; break;
+        }
+        return function + development.Magnitude * 0.2f
+               + development.Confidence * 5f;
+    }
+
+    private static void AddExistingId<T>(
+        string id,
+        Dictionary<string, T> source,
+        HashSet<string> retained)
+    {
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(id) && source.ContainsKey(id))
+        {
+            retained.Add(id);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void AddExistingIds<T>(
+        List<string> ids,
+        Dictionary<string, T> source,
+        HashSet<string> retained,
+        int max = int.MaxValue)
+    {
+        if (ids == null) return;
+        for (int i = 0; i < ids.Count && retained.Count < max; i++)
+        {
+            AddExistingId(ids[i], source, retained);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void RemoveUnretained<T>(
+        Dictionary<string, T> source,
+        HashSet<string> retained)
+    {
+        var remove = new List<string>();
+        foreach (string id in source.Keys)
+        {
+            if (!retained.Contains(id)) remove.Add(id);
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < remove.Count; i++) source.Remove(remove[i]);
+    }
+
+    private static void RemoveUnretained<T>(
+        Dictionary<long, T> source,
+        HashSet<long> retained)
+    {
+        var remove = new List<long>();
+        foreach (long id in source.Keys)
+        {
+            if (!retained.Contains(id)) remove.Add(id);
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < remove.Count; i++) source.Remove(remove[i]);
+    }
+
     public static bool HarnessProbeCombatLifecycle(out string detail)
     {
         Clear();
@@ -697,6 +1122,121 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         return ok;
     }
 
+    public static bool HarnessProbeRuntimeCompaction(out string detail)
+    {
+        Clear();
+        Record(new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "probe:compact:ambient-child",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.ChildBorn,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Consequence,
+            SubjectId = 9000001,
+            OtherId = 9000002,
+            FamilyKey = "probe:ambient-family",
+            EvidenceSource = "natural_soak",
+            OccurredAt = 1f,
+            Magnitude = 76f
+        });
+        bool ambientBirthDeferred = ThreadCount == 0 && CharacterCount == 0;
+        Record(new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "probe:compact:authored-child",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.ChildBorn,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Consequence,
+            SubjectId = 9000011,
+            OtherId = 9000012,
+            FamilyKey = "probe:authored-family",
+            EvidenceSource = "harness_compaction",
+            OccurredAt = 2f,
+            Magnitude = 76f
+        });
+        bool authoredBirthProjected = ThreadCount == 2 && CharacterCount == 2;
+        Clear();
+
+        const int importedDevelopments = 2300;
+        const int importedThreads = 900;
+        for (int i = 0; i < importedDevelopments; i++)
+        {
+            string developmentId = "probe:compact:development:" + i;
+            ImportDevelopment(new NarrativeDevelopment
+            {
+                Id = developmentId,
+                Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeGained,
+                Function = i == importedDevelopments - 1
+                    ? NarrativeFunction.TurningPoint
+                    : NarrativeFunction.CharacterTexture,
+                SubjectId = i + 1,
+                OccurredAt = i + 1,
+                Magnitude = i == importedDevelopments - 1 ? 100f : 5f
+            });
+            NarrativeEventStore.Import(new NarrativeEventRecord
+            {
+                Id = "event:" + developmentId,
+                DevelopmentId = developmentId,
+                SubjectId = i + 1,
+                ObservedAt = i + 1,
+                WorldTime = i + 1
+            });
+            ImportCharacter(new CharacterStoryState
+            {
+                CharacterId = i + 1,
+                LastMeaningfulChangeAt = i + 1,
+                StoryPotential = i % 20
+            });
+            if (i < importedThreads)
+            {
+                var thread = new NarrativeThread
+                {
+                    Id = "probe:compact:thread:" + i,
+                    Kind = NarrativeThreadKind.Founding,
+                    ProtagonistId = i + 1,
+                    OpenedByDevelopmentId = developmentId,
+                    LatestMeaningfulChangeId = developmentId,
+                    Status = NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved,
+                    Phase = NarrativePhase.Outcome,
+                    OpenedAt = i + 1,
+                    UpdatedAt = i + 1,
+                    Momentum = i / 100f
+                };
+                thread.DevelopmentIds.Add(developmentId);
+                thread.AddCast(i + 1, "protagonist");
+                ImportThread(thread);
+            }
+        }
+
+        bool compacted = CompactRuntimeGraph(force: true);
+        bool graphClosed = true;
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        {
+            if (thread == null
+                || Development(thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId) == null)
+            {
+                graphClosed = false;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        bool newestThreadKept = Thread("probe:compact:thread:899") != null;
+        bool bounded = NarrativeEventStore.Count <= MaxRuntimeEvents
+                       && Developments.Count <= MaxRuntimeDevelopments
+                       && Threads.Count <= MaxRuntimeThreads
+                       && Consequences.Count <= MaxRuntimeConsequences
+                       && Characters.Count <= MaxRuntimeCharacters;
+        bool ok = ambientBirthDeferred && authoredBirthProjected
+                  && compacted && bounded && graphClosed && newestThreadKept;
+        detail = "events=" + NarrativeEventStore.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeEvents
+                 + " developments=" + Developments.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeDevelopments
+                 + " threads=" + Threads.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeThreads
+                 + " consequences=" + Consequences.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeConsequences
+                 + " characters=" + Characters.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeCharacters
+                 + " newest=" + newestThreadKept
+                 + " closed=" + graphClosed
+                 + " birth=" + ambientBirthDeferred + "/" + authoredBirthProjected
+                 + " ms=" + LastCompactionMs.ToString("0.0")
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        Clear();
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     private static void AddSchedulerCopy(List<NarrativeThread> into, NarrativeThread thread)
     {
         if (thread == null || into.Count >= SchedulerCopyLimit
@@ -852,6 +1392,7 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
             {
                 thread.DevelopmentIds.Add(terminal.Id);
             }
+            TrimThreadDevelopmentHistory(thread);
         }
 
         if (Characters.TryGetValue(thread.ProtagonistId, out CharacterStoryState state))

IdleSpectator/UnitDossier.cs

@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
         }
 
         int start = i;
-        while (i < text.Length && (char.IsLetterOrDigit(text[i]) || text[i] == '_' || text[i] == '-'))
+        while (i < text.Length && IsNameTokenChar(text[i]))
         {
             i++;
         }
@@ -1016,9 +1016,9 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
                 return false;
             }
 
-            bool leftOk = idx == 0 || !char.IsLetterOrDigit(reason[idx - 1]);
+            bool leftOk = idx == 0 || !IsNameTokenChar(reason[idx - 1]);
             int end = idx + name.Length;
-            bool rightOk = end >= reason.Length || !char.IsLetterOrDigit(reason[end]);
+            bool rightOk = end >= reason.Length || !IsNameTokenChar(reason[end]);
             if (leftOk && rightOk)
             {
                 return true;
@@ -1030,6 +1030,37 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
         return false;
     }
 
+    private static bool IsNameTokenChar(char c)
+    {
+        return char.IsLetterOrDigit(c)
+               || c == '_'
+               || c == '-'
+               || c == '\''
+               || c == '\u2019';
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbeNameBoundaries(out string detail)
+    {
+        bool apostropheSuffixRejected =
+            !ContainsWholeName("O'Ehel decides to try to reproduce", "Ehel");
+        bool curlySuffixRejected =
+            !ContainsWholeName("O\u2019Ehel decides to try to reproduce", "Ehel");
+        bool hyphenSuffixRejected =
+            !ContainsWholeName("Ana-Maria gains a child", "Maria");
+        bool separateNameAccepted =
+            ContainsWholeName("Ulalfa gains a child, Asodahl", "Asodahl");
+        bool ok = apostropheSuffixRejected
+                  && curlySuffixRejected
+                  && hyphenSuffixRejected
+                  && separateNameAccepted;
+        detail = "apostrophe=" + apostropheSuffixRejected
+                 + " curly=" + curlySuffixRejected
+                 + " hyphen=" + hyphenSuffixRejected
+                 + " separate=" + separateNameAccepted
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     private static string EventLabelBeat(string label, UnitDossier d, bool recordDrops = true)
     {
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(label))

IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs

@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
     private static bool _dossierRowsNeedRestore;
     private static float _nextPortraitAt;
     private static long _portraitActorId;
+    private const float PortraitRefreshSeconds = 1f;
     private static string _statusBanner = "";
     private static float _statusBannerUntil;
     private static string _lastLoggedCaption = "";
@@ -921,7 +922,8 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
         long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor);
         float now = Time.unscaledTime;
-        // Same unit: tile refresh every frame hitchs; keep the live pose at ~5 Hz.
+        // The vanilla tile refresh can trigger an expensive UI/layout pass. A portrait is
+        // supporting context, not animation-critical, so refresh it at 1 Hz while held.
         // Focus change always applies immediately.
         if (id == _portraitActorId && now < _nextPortraitAt)
         {
@@ -929,7 +931,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         }
 
         _portraitActorId = id;
-        _nextPortraitAt = now + 0.2f;
+        _nextPortraitAt = now + PortraitRefreshSeconds;
         DossierAvatar.Show(actor);
         BringHeaderFront();
     }