feat(narrative): enhance narrative probes and combat lifecycle tracking

- Introduce new probes for combat lifecycle, scheduler bounds, and exposure
- Implement narrative scheduler health probe in harness scenarios
- Update InterestCandidate to include approved presentation details
- Refactor EventPresentability to manage candidate approval and caching
- Improve IdleHitchProbe to track performance metrics during narrative events

IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs

@@ -2954,10 +2954,22 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 bool episodeOk =
                     StoryScheduler.HarnessProbeEpisodeContinuity(out string episode);
                 bool proseOk = EventReason.HarnessProbePresentationProse(out string prose);
+                bool lifecycleOk =
+                    NarrativeStoryStore.HarnessProbeCombatLifecycle(out string lifecycle);
+                bool schedulerBoundsOk =
+                    NarrativeStoryStore.HarnessProbeSchedulerBounds(out string schedulerBounds);
+                bool exposureOk =
+                    NarrativeExposureLedger.HarnessProbeBalance(out string exposure);
+                bool interruptOk =
+                    InterestDirector.HarnessProbePersonalCombatInterrupt(out string interrupt);
+                bool graphOk =
+                    NarrativePersistence.HarnessProbeGraphCompaction(out string graph);
                 bool persistenceOk = NarrativePersistence.HarnessRoundTrip(out string persistence);
                 bool ok = contextOk && spineOk && combatOk && noveltyOk
                           && participantOk && loverOk && identityOk && episodeOk
-                          && proseOk && persistenceOk;
+                          && proseOk && lifecycleOk && schedulerBoundsOk
+                          && exposureOk && interruptOk
+                          && graphOk && persistenceOk;
                 if (ok) _cmdOk++; else _cmdFail++;
                 Emit(
                     cmd,
@@ -2966,7 +2978,10 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                             + "} combat={" + combat + "} novelty={" + novelty
                             + "} participant={" + participant + "} lover={" + lover
                             + "} identity={" + identity + "} episode={" + episode
-                            + "} prose={" + prose
+                            + "} prose={" + prose + "} lifecycle={" + lifecycle
+                            + "} schedulerBounds={" + schedulerBounds
+                            + "} exposure={" + exposure + "} interrupt={" + interrupt
+                            + "} graph={" + graph
                             + "} persistence={" + persistence + "}");
                 break;
             }
@@ -4408,6 +4423,7 @@ public static class AgentHarness
 
             case "hitch_probe":
             {
+                _preserveSagaAfterBatch = true;
                 bool on = ParseBool(cmd.value, defaultValue: true);
                 IdleHitchProbe.SetEnabled(on);
                 IdleHitchProbe.ResetStats();
@@ -4416,6 +4432,25 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 break;
             }
 
+            case "narrative_scheduler_health_probe":
+            {
+                _preserveSagaAfterBatch = true;
+                bool bounded =
+                    StoryScheduler.LastCandidateCount <= NarrativeStoryStore.SchedulerCopyLimit;
+                bool responsive = StoryScheduler.LastTickMs < 50f;
+                bool ok = bounded && responsive;
+                if (ok) _cmdOk++; else _cmdFail++;
+                Emit(
+                    cmd,
+                    ok,
+                    detail: "schedulerMs=" + StoryScheduler.LastTickMs.ToString("0.00")
+                            + " candidates=" + StoryScheduler.LastCandidateCount
+                            + "/" + NarrativeStoryStore.SchedulerCopyLimit
+                            + " graphThreads=" + NarrativeStoryStore.ThreadCount
+                            + " developments=" + NarrativeStoryStore.DevelopmentCount);
+                break;
+            }
+
             case "load_save_slot":
             {
                 int slot = Mathf.Clamp(ParseInt(cmd.value, 2), 1, 5);

IdleSpectator/Events/EventFeedUtil.cs

@@ -119,8 +119,11 @@ public static class EventFeedUtil
             return null;
         }
 
+        EventPresentability.MarkApproved(candidate);
         InterestScoring.ScoreCheap(candidate);
-        return InterestRegistry.Upsert(candidate);
+        InterestCandidate registered = InterestRegistry.Upsert(candidate);
+        EventPresentability.MarkApproved(registered);
+        return registered;
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -183,8 +186,17 @@ public static class EventFeedUtil
             return null;
         }
 
+        if (!IsHarnessSource(candidate.Source))
+        {
+            EventPresentability.MarkApproved(candidate);
+        }
         InterestScoring.ScoreCheap(candidate);
-        return InterestRegistry.Upsert(candidate);
+        InterestCandidate registered = InterestRegistry.Upsert(candidate);
+        if (!IsHarnessSource(candidate.Source))
+        {
+            EventPresentability.MarkApproved(registered);
+        }
+        return registered;
     }
 
     private static bool IsHarnessSource(string source) =>

IdleSpectator/Events/EventPresentability.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using UnityEngine;
+
 namespace IdleSpectator;
 
 /// <summary>
@@ -6,6 +10,35 @@ namespace IdleSpectator;
 /// </summary>
 public static class EventPresentability
 {
+    private const int CacheLimit = 256;
+
+    private sealed class CacheEntry
+    {
+        public string Label = "";
+        public long SubjectId;
+        public long RelatedId;
+        public InterestLeadKind LeadKind;
+        public bool Result;
+        public float LastAccessAt;
+    }
+
+    private sealed class CacheTicket
+    {
+        public string Key = "";
+        public CacheEntry Entry;
+    }
+
+    private static readonly Dictionary<string, CacheEntry> Cache =
+        new Dictionary<string, CacheEntry>(CacheLimit, StringComparer.Ordinal);
+    private static readonly Queue<CacheTicket> CacheOrder =
+        new Queue<CacheTicket>(CacheLimit + 1);
+
+    public static void ClearCache()
+    {
+        Cache.Clear();
+        CacheOrder.Clear();
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// True when the candidate may own Layer A camera.
     /// Empty Label is only allowed for CharacterLed fill (task chip, no orange reason).
@@ -17,12 +50,94 @@ public static class EventPresentability
             return false;
         }
 
+        if (IsApproved(scene))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(scene.Label))
         {
             return scene.LeadKind == InterestLeadKind.CharacterLed;
         }
 
-        return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(UnitDossier.EvaluateSceneLabel(scene, recordDrops: false));
+        string key = scene.Key ?? "";
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(key)
+            && Cache.TryGetValue(key, out CacheEntry cached)
+            && cached.SubjectId == scene.SubjectId
+            && cached.RelatedId == scene.RelatedId
+            && cached.LeadKind == scene.LeadKind
+            && string.Equals(cached.Label, scene.Label, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            cached.LastAccessAt = Time.unscaledTime;
+            return cached.Result;
+        }
+
+        bool result =
+            !string.IsNullOrEmpty(UnitDossier.EvaluateSceneLabel(scene, recordDrops: false));
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(key))
+        {
+            var entry = new CacheEntry
+            {
+                Label = scene.Label,
+                SubjectId = scene.SubjectId,
+                RelatedId = scene.RelatedId,
+                LeadKind = scene.LeadKind,
+                Result = result,
+                LastAccessAt = Time.unscaledTime
+            };
+            Cache[key] = entry;
+            CacheOrder.Enqueue(new CacheTicket { Key = key, Entry = entry });
+            TrimCache();
+        }
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    /// <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
+    /// naturally invalidates it.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static void MarkApproved(InterestCandidate scene)
+    {
+        if (scene == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        scene.ApprovedPresentationLabel = scene.Label ?? "";
+        scene.ApprovedPresentationSubjectId = scene.SubjectId;
+        scene.ApprovedPresentationRelatedId = scene.RelatedId;
+        scene.ApprovedPresentationLeadKind = scene.LeadKind;
+        scene.HasApprovedPresentation = true;
+    }
+
+    public static bool IsApproved(InterestCandidate scene) =>
+        scene != null
+        && scene.HasApprovedPresentation
+        && scene.ApprovedPresentationSubjectId == scene.SubjectId
+        && scene.ApprovedPresentationRelatedId == scene.RelatedId
+        && scene.ApprovedPresentationLeadKind == scene.LeadKind
+        && string.Equals(
+            scene.ApprovedPresentationLabel,
+            scene.Label ?? "",
+            StringComparison.Ordinal);
+
+    private static void TrimCache()
+    {
+        // Happiness bursts can publish hundreds of distinct keys. Scanning the whole
+        // dictionary to find the oldest entry for every insertion made cache maintenance
+        // quadratic. Tickets make eviction constant-time and safely ignore overwritten keys.
+        while (Cache.Count > CacheLimit && CacheOrder.Count > 0)
+        {
+            CacheTicket ticket = CacheOrder.Dequeue();
+            if (ticket != null
+                && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(ticket.Key)
+                && Cache.TryGetValue(ticket.Key, out CacheEntry current)
+                && ReferenceEquals(current, ticket.Entry))
+            {
+                Cache.Remove(ticket.Key);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     /// <summary>

IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/InterestFeeds.cs

@@ -15,6 +15,13 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
     private static float _lastScannerAt = -999f;
     private const float ScannerInterval = 1.25f;
     private static int _tickParity;
+    public static float LastHappinessMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastScannerMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastBattleScanMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastWarFeedMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastPlotFeedMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastFamilyFeedMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastStatusFeedMs { get; private set; }
 
     // Civic aggregate boosts keyed by kingdom+effect.
     private static readonly Dictionary<string, float> CivicBoostUntil = new Dictionary<string, float>(32);
@@ -26,6 +33,13 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         _lastScannerAt = -999f;
         CivicBoostUntil.Clear();
         InterestDropLog.Clear();
+        LastHappinessMs = 0f;
+        LastScannerMs = 0f;
+        LastBattleScanMs = 0f;
+        LastWarFeedMs = 0f;
+        LastPlotFeedMs = 0f;
+        LastFamilyFeedMs = 0f;
+        LastStatusFeedMs = 0f;
     }
 
     /// <summary>Keep drain cursor coherent when the happiness router sequence resets.</summary>
@@ -107,12 +121,17 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 
     public static void Tick()
     {
+        long started = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         DrainHappiness();
+        LastHappinessMs = ElapsedMs(started);
         PruneCivicBoosts();
+        LastScannerMs = 0f;
         // Stagger battle/character scanner off the happiness drain frame.
         if ((_tickParity++ & 1) == 0)
         {
+            started = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
             TickScanner();
+            LastScannerMs = ElapsedMs(started);
         }
     }
 
@@ -750,13 +769,16 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
             return;
         }
 
-        Actor subject = FindUnitById(occ.SubjectId);
+        // Happiness can arrive in large bursts on old, populous worlds. Resolving each
+        // occurrence by walking every living unit turns one drain into O(events * units).
+        // ActorManager already owns an indexed lookup, so keep this path O(events).
+        Actor subject = EventFeedUtil.FindAliveById(occ.SubjectId);
         if (subject == null || !subject.isAlive())
         {
             return;
         }
 
-        Actor related = occ.RelatedId != 0 ? FindUnitById(occ.RelatedId) : null;
+        Actor related = occ.RelatedId != 0 ? EventFeedUtil.FindUnitById(occ.RelatedId) : null;
         NarrativePresentationModel narrativePresentation =
             NarrativePresentationFactory.Happiness(occ, subject, related);
         string cat = string.IsNullOrEmpty(occ.InterestCategory) ? "Emotion" : occ.InterestCategory;
@@ -1072,6 +1094,11 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 
     private static void TickScanner()
     {
+        LastBattleScanMs = 0f;
+        LastWarFeedMs = 0f;
+        LastPlotFeedMs = 0f;
+        LastFamilyFeedMs = 0f;
+        LastStatusFeedMs = 0f;
         float now = Time.unscaledTime;
         if (now - _lastScannerAt < ScannerInterval)
         {
@@ -1090,6 +1117,7 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
                             && InterestDirector.CurrentIsActive
                             && current.ParticipantCount >= 2;
 
+        long stageStarted = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         InterestEvent battle;
         if (stickyCombat)
         {
@@ -1111,10 +1139,14 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         }
         else
         {
-            // Quiet / non-sticky: full ranking is OK (one fighter pass per ScanInterval).
-            battle = WorldActivityScanner.FindHottestBattle();
-            WorldActivityScanner.RegisterTopCharacterCandidates(max: 4);
+            // BattleKeeper plus chunk-local ensembles yields the strongest combat scene
+            // without collecting every fighter in the world. The old extra four combat
+            // vignettes duplicated that scene and made large peaceful worlds pay a full
+            // population scan every refresh.
+            battle = WorldActivityScanner.FindHottestBattleLight(
+                current != null ? current.Position : Vector3.zero);
         }
+        LastBattleScanMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
 
         if (battle != null)
         {
@@ -1131,18 +1163,30 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         }
 
         // Ongoing wars from WarManager (complements WorldLog war start/end).
+        stageStarted = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         WarInterestFeed.Tick();
+        LastWarFeedMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
 
         // Active plots from PlotManager / World.plots.
+        stageStarted = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         PlotInterestFeed.Tick();
+        LastPlotFeedMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
 
         // Active family packs (2+ members) from World.families.
+        stageStarted = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         FamilyInterestFeed.Tick();
+        LastFamilyFeedMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
 
         // Nearby multi-carrier status clusters.
+        stageStarted = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         StatusOutbreakFeed.Tick();
+        LastStatusFeedMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
     }
 
+    private static float ElapsedMs(long started) =>
+        (float)((System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() - started) * 1000d
+                / System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.Frequency);
+
     private static bool ExtendMatching(long subjectId, string keyPrefix, string statusId)
     {
         var pending = new List<InterestCandidate>(32);
@@ -1298,31 +1342,6 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         return (hash & 0xFFFF).ToString("x");
     }
 
-    private static Actor FindUnitById(long id)
-    {
-        if (id == 0)
-        {
-            return null;
-        }
-
-        foreach (Actor actor in WorldActivityScanner.EnumerateAliveUnitsPublic())
-        {
-            try
-            {
-                if (actor != null && actor.getID() == id)
-                {
-                    return actor;
-                }
-            }
-            catch
-            {
-                // continue
-            }
-        }
-
-        return null;
-    }
-
     private static long SafeId(Actor actor)
     {
         if (actor == null)

IdleSpectator/Events/LiveEnsemble.cs

@@ -111,6 +111,36 @@ public sealed class LiveEnsemble
         return ensemble != null && ensemble.HasFocus;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Build a combat snapshot from the spatial chunk index only. Unlike
+    /// <see cref="TryBuildCombat"/>, an empty/stale tile never falls back to walking every
+    /// living unit in the world. Use this for recurring probes over BattleKeeper markers.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool TryBuildCombatLocal(
+        Vector2 pos,
+        float radius,
+        out LiveEnsemble ensemble,
+        ICollection<long> priorParticipantIds = null,
+        float newcomerBonus = 8f)
+    {
+        ensemble = null;
+        var fighters = new List<Actor>(16);
+        float r2 = radius * radius;
+        if (!TryForEachNearbyFromChunks(
+                pos,
+                radius,
+                r2,
+                requireCombat: true,
+                actor => fighters.Add(actor))
+            || fighters.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        ensemble = FromCombatFighters(fighters, pos, priorParticipantIds, newcomerBonus);
+        return ensemble != null && ensemble.HasFocus;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Build a kingdom-vs-kingdom war front from a live <see cref="War"/>.
     /// Counts use kingdom population; focus prefers living kings then any side unit.

IdleSpectator/Events/LiveSceneStickyState.cs

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ public sealed class LiveSceneStickyState
     public string PresentedReason = "";
     public string PendingReason = "";
     public float ReasonChangeSince = -999f;
+    /// <summary>Combat must stay cold briefly before its headline is cleared.</summary>
+    public float CombatColdSince = -999f;
     /// <summary>
     /// After a camp hits 0, stay in mop-up until the thin side recovers to
     /// <see cref="StickyScoreboard.WipeRecoverMin"/> (stops 0↔1 Mass↔Battle thrash).
@@ -67,6 +69,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSceneStickyState
         PresentedReason = "";
         PendingReason = "";
         ReasonChangeSince = -999f;
+        CombatColdSince = -999f;
         MopUpActive = false;
         MopUpSince = -999f;
         SideAKey = "";
@@ -99,6 +102,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSceneStickyState
         other.PresentedReason = PresentedReason;
         other.PendingReason = PendingReason;
         other.ReasonChangeSince = ReasonChangeSince;
+        other.CombatColdSince = CombatColdSince;
         other.MopUpActive = MopUpActive;
         other.MopUpSince = MopUpSince;
         other.SideAKey = SideAKey;

IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs

@@ -193,6 +193,9 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
             case "narrative_story_first_soak":
             case "story_first_soak":
                 return NarrativeStoryFirstSoak();
+            case "narrative_scheduler_health":
+            case "scheduler_health":
+                return NarrativeSchedulerHealth();
             case "narrative_catalog":
             case "narrative_catalog_policy":
                 return NarrativeCatalogPolicy();
@@ -3346,6 +3349,23 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
         };
     }
 
+    private static List<HarnessCommand> NarrativeSchedulerHealth()
+    {
+        return new List<HarnessCommand>
+        {
+            Step("nsh0", "dismiss_windows"),
+            Step("nsh1", "wait_world"),
+            Step("nsh2", "hitch_probe", value: "true"),
+            Step("nsh3", "spectator", value: "on"),
+            Step("nsh4", "director_run", wait: 15f),
+            Step("nsh5", "narrative_scheduler_health_probe"),
+            Step("nsh6", "hitch_probe", value: "false"),
+            Step("nsh7", "soak_probe"),
+            Step("nsh8", "assert", expect: "no_bad"),
+            Step("nsh99", "snapshot", value: "preserve_saga")
+        };
+    }
+
     private static List<HarnessCommand> NarrativeCatalogPolicy()
     {
         return new List<HarnessCommand>

IdleSpectator/IdleHitchProbe.cs

@@ -162,6 +162,15 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
                 + $"dir={_directorMs:0.0}ms disc={_discoveryMs:0.0}ms cap={_captionMs:0.0}ms "
                 + $"other={_otherMs:0.0}ms roster={LifeSagaRoster.Count} pending={InterestRegistry.PendingCount} "
                 + $"scanMs={LifeSagaRoster.LastWorldScanMs:0.0} softMs={LifeSagaRoster.LastSoftRefillMs:0.0} "
+                + $"schedulerMs={StoryScheduler.LastTickMs:0.0} schedulerCandidates={StoryScheduler.LastCandidateCount} "
+                + $"schedulerParts={StoryScheduler.LastThreadCopyMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{StoryScheduler.LastThreadScoreMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{StoryScheduler.LastPendingCopyMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{StoryScheduler.LastProposalMs:0.0} "
+                + $"feedParts={InterestFeeds.LastHappinessMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{InterestFeeds.LastScannerMs:0.0}[{InterestFeeds.LastBattleScanMs:0.0},"
+                + $"{InterestFeeds.LastWarFeedMs:0.0},{InterestFeeds.LastPlotFeedMs:0.0},"
+                + $"{InterestFeeds.LastFamilyFeedMs:0.0},{InterestFeeds.LastStatusFeedMs:0.0}] "
                 + $"hot={_hotMark}({_hotMarkMs:0.0}ms)");
             _hotMark = "";
             _hotMarkMs = 0f;

IdleSpectator/InterestCandidate.cs

@@ -86,6 +86,15 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
     /// <summary>Unscaled time the theater lead was last a live combat participant.</summary>
     public float TheaterLeadLastCombatAt = -999f;
     public string Label = "";
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Intake-time orange-reason approval fingerprint. Registry candidates are immutable
+    /// with respect to this identity unless another fully validated upsert replaces it.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string ApprovedPresentationLabel = "";
+    public long ApprovedPresentationSubjectId;
+    public long ApprovedPresentationRelatedId;
+    public InterestLeadKind ApprovedPresentationLeadKind;
+    public bool HasApprovedPresentation;
     public string AssetId = "";
     public string SpeciesId = "";
     public string Verb = "";
@@ -341,6 +350,11 @@ public sealed class InterestCandidate
             TheaterLeadId = TheaterLeadId,
             TheaterLeadLastCombatAt = TheaterLeadLastCombatAt,
             Label = Label,
+            ApprovedPresentationLabel = ApprovedPresentationLabel,
+            ApprovedPresentationSubjectId = ApprovedPresentationSubjectId,
+            ApprovedPresentationRelatedId = ApprovedPresentationRelatedId,
+            ApprovedPresentationLeadKind = ApprovedPresentationLeadKind,
+            HasApprovedPresentation = HasApprovedPresentation,
             AssetId = AssetId,
             SpeciesId = SpeciesId,
             Verb = Verb,

IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.StickyMaintain.cs

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ namespace IdleSpectator;
 
 public static partial class InterestDirector
 {
+    private const float CombatHeadlineColdGraceSeconds = 4.5f;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Keep camera on the highest-scored combat participant and rewrite tip/counts
     /// from a live <see cref="LiveEnsemble"/> so subject + scale always match focus.
@@ -20,9 +22,19 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
         bool combatHot = InterestCompletion.IsActive(_current, _currentStartedAt, now);
         if (!combatHot)
         {
+            if (_current.Sticky.CombatColdSince < 0f)
+            {
+                _current.Sticky.CombatColdSince = now;
+                return;
+            }
+            if (now - _current.Sticky.CombatColdSince < CombatHeadlineColdGraceSeconds)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
             ClearStaleCombatLabel(now);
             return;
         }
+        _current.Sticky.CombatColdSince = -999f;
 
         float throttle = _current.ParticipantCount >= CombatFocusLargeParticipantThreshold
             ? CombatFocusThrottleLargeSeconds
@@ -1876,7 +1888,7 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
         _current.ClearCombatSticky();
         _current.ClearTheaterLead();
         _lastCombatFocusAt = now;
-        CameraDirector.Watch(_current.ToInterestEvent());
+        CameraDirector.ClearWatchReason();
     }
 
     /// <summary>

IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.SwitchPolicy.cs

@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ namespace IdleSpectator;
 
 public static partial class InterestDirector
 {
+    private const float RelatedPersonalCombatCutSeconds = 3f;
+    private const float PersonalCombatCutSeconds = 6f;
+
     private static bool CanSwitchTo(InterestCandidate candidate, float onCurrent, float sinceSwitch)
     {
         if (candidate == null)
@@ -34,6 +37,15 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
             return false;
         }
 
+        if (candidate != _current
+            && !NarrativeExposureLedger.MayPresent(candidate))
+        {
+            InterestDropLog.Record(
+                "combat_exposure_budget",
+                candidate.Label ?? candidate.Key);
+            return false;
+        }
+
         if (_current == null)
         {
             return IsWorthWatchingNow(candidate, Time.unscaledTime, selectingDuringGrace: false);
@@ -89,6 +101,21 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
                 return IsWorthWatchingNow(candidate, now, selectingDuringGrace: false);
             }
 
+            if (IsPersonalStoryInterrupt(candidate))
+            {
+                float personalDelay = TouchesCurrentPrincipal(candidate)
+                    ? RelatedPersonalCombatCutSeconds
+                    : PersonalCombatCutSeconds;
+                if (onCurrent >= personalDelay
+                    && IsWorthWatchingNow(candidate, now, selectingDuringGrace: false))
+                {
+                    InterestDropLog.Record(
+                        "combat_story_cut",
+                        $"cur={_current.Key} next={candidate.Key} on={onCurrent:0.#}");
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+
             if (IsCombatUrgentPeer(_current, candidate))
             {
                 InterestDropLog.Record(
@@ -358,6 +385,143 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
                && next.TotalScore >= current.TotalScore + urgentMargin;
     }
 
+    private static bool IsPersonalStoryInterrupt(InterestCandidate candidate)
+    {
+        if (candidate == null
+            || candidate.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
+            || candidate.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront
+            || InterestScoring.IsFillScore(candidate.TotalScore)
+            || IsAmbientShot(candidate))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (candidate.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.HappinessGrief)
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        NarrativeDevelopmentKind kind =
+            candidate.NarrativePresentation?.DevelopmentKind
+            ?? NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Unknown;
+        if (kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.BondFormed
+            || kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.BondBroken
+            || kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.ChildBorn
+            || kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Death
+            || kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Recovery)
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        string text = ((candidate.AssetId ?? "") + " "
+                       + (candidate.HappinessEffectId ?? "") + " "
+                       + (candidate.Category ?? "") + " "
+                       + (candidate.Verb ?? "")).ToLowerInvariant();
+        return ContainsPersonalToken(
+            text,
+            "child",
+            "baby",
+            "born",
+            "parent",
+            "lover",
+            "love",
+            "partner",
+            "family",
+            "grief",
+            "mourn",
+            "kiss",
+            "marri");
+    }
+
+    private static bool TouchesCurrentPrincipal(InterestCandidate candidate)
+    {
+        if (_current == null || candidate == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        long currentId = _current.SubjectId != 0
+            ? _current.SubjectId
+            : EventFeedUtil.SafeId(_current.FollowUnit);
+        if (currentId == 0)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (candidate.SubjectId == currentId
+            || candidate.RelatedId == currentId
+            || candidate.PairOwnerId == currentId
+            || candidate.PairPartnerId == currentId)
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < candidate.ParticipantIds.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (candidate.ParticipantIds[i] == currentId)
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    private static bool ContainsPersonalToken(string text, params string[] tokens)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(text) || tokens == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < tokens.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (text.IndexOf(tokens[i], StringComparison.Ordinal) >= 0)
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbePersonalCombatInterrupt(out string detail)
+    {
+        var birth = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            AssetId = "add_child",
+            Category = "Family",
+            TotalScore = 80f
+        };
+        var love = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            HappinessEffectId = "fell_in_love",
+            Category = "Relationship",
+            TotalScore = 75f
+        };
+        var routine = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            HappinessEffectId = "just_slept",
+            Category = "Activity",
+            TotalScore = 70f
+        };
+        var building = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            AssetId = "building_complete",
+            Category = "Building",
+            TotalScore = 80f
+        };
+        bool birthCuts = IsPersonalStoryInterrupt(birth);
+        bool loveCuts = IsPersonalStoryInterrupt(love);
+        bool routineWaits = !IsPersonalStoryInterrupt(routine);
+        bool buildingWaits = !IsPersonalStoryInterrupt(building);
+        bool ok = birthCuts && loveCuts && routineWaits && buildingWaits;
+        detail = "personal=" + birthCuts + "/" + loveCuts
+                 + " waits=" + routineWaits + "/" + buildingWaits
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Politics leadership death spectacles (live WorldLog / catalog ids), not lovers.
     /// </summary>

IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
     public const float InputExitGraceSeconds = 2.5f;
     public const float QuietGraceSeconds = 6f;
     public const float CameraSettleGraceSeconds = 3f;
+    public const float SelectionPollSeconds = 0.12f;
 
     private static float _minDwell = MinDwellSeconds;
     private static float _curiosityDwell = CuriosityDwellSeconds;
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
     private static float _lastInterestingAt = -999f;
     private static float _lastAmbientAt = -999f;
     private static float _lastFeedsAt = -999f;
+    private static float _nextSelectAt = -999f;
     private static float _enabledAt = -999f;
     private static float _inactiveSince = -999f;
     private static float _lastCombatFocusAt = -999f;
@@ -527,6 +529,7 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
         _lastInterestingAt = now;
         _lastAmbientAt = -999f;
         _lastFeedsAt = -999f;
+        _nextSelectAt = now;
         _enabledAt = now;
         _inactiveSince = -999f;
         // Harness scenarios inject their own candidates after enable/focus.
@@ -579,6 +582,7 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
         _inactiveSince = -999f;
         _lastAmbientAt = -999f;
         _lastFeedsAt = -999f;
+        _nextSelectAt = now;
         // Re-bind camera to the frozen story beat when still watchable.
         if (_current != null)
         {
@@ -651,10 +655,15 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
         float sinceSwitch = now - _lastSwitchAt;
 
         IdleHitchProbe.Mark("story");
+        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("planner");
         StoryPlanner.Tick(now);
+        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("planner_done");
         LifeSagaRoster.Tick(now);
+        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("roster_done");
         LifeSagaSession.EnsureBound();
+        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("session_done");
         StoryScheduler.Tick(now);
+        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("scheduler_done");
         IdleHitchProbe.Mark("story_done");
 
         if (ReadPauseActive)
@@ -676,19 +685,23 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
         MaintainFamilyPack(now, force: false);
         MaintainStatusOutbreak(now, force: false);
 
-        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("select");
-        InterestCandidate next = SelectNext(now);
-        IdleHitchProbe.Mark("select_done");
-        if (next != null && CanSwitchTo(next, onCurrent, sinceSwitch))
+        if (now >= _nextSelectAt)
         {
-            if (!InterestScoring.IsFillScore(next.TotalScore))
+            _nextSelectAt = now + SelectionPollSeconds;
+            IdleHitchProbe.Mark("select");
+            InterestCandidate next = SelectNext(now);
+            IdleHitchProbe.Mark("select_done");
+            if (next != null && CanSwitchTo(next, onCurrent, sinceSwitch))
             {
-                _lastInterestingAt = now;
-            }
+                if (!InterestScoring.IsFillScore(next.TotalScore))
+                {
+                    _lastInterestingAt = now;
+                }
 
-            SwitchTo(next, now, resumableInterrupt: false);
-            onCurrent = 0f;
-            sinceSwitch = 0f;
+                SwitchTo(next, now, resumableInterrupt: false);
+                onCurrent = 0f;
+                sinceSwitch = 0f;
+            }
         }
 
         // Pending events own the camera - never Character-fill over them.
@@ -1926,6 +1939,13 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
                     resume.HappinessEffectId ?? resume.AssetId ?? resume.Key ?? "beat");
                 InterestRegistry.Remove(resume.Key);
             }
+            else if (!NarrativeExposureLedger.MayPresent(resume))
+            {
+                InterestDropLog.Record(
+                    "resume_exposure_budget",
+                    resume.Label ?? resume.Key ?? "combat");
+                InterestRegistry.Remove(resume.Key);
+            }
             else
             {
                 SwitchTo(resume, now, resumableInterrupt: false);
@@ -2732,7 +2752,6 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
 
     private static void SwitchTo(InterestCandidate next, float now, bool resumableInterrupt)
     {
-        StoryScheduler.NoteActualSelection(next);
         if (next == null)
         {
             return;
@@ -2752,6 +2771,9 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
             return;
         }
 
+        StoryScheduler.NoteActualSelection(next);
+        NarrativeExposureLedger.NotePresented(next);
+
         if (_current != null
             && _current.Resumable
             && next.TotalScore >= _current.TotalScore + InterestScoringConfig.W.cutInMargin

IdleSpectator/InterestRegistry.cs

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ public static class InterestRegistry
         {
             ByKey.Clear();
         }
+        EventPresentability.ClearCache();
     }
 
     public static InterestCandidate Upsert(InterestCandidate incoming)

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeExposureLedger.cs

@@ -21,15 +21,22 @@ public static class NarrativeExposureLedger
         new Dictionary<long, Exposure>();
     private static readonly Dictionary<string, Exposure> Threads =
         new Dictionary<string, Exposure>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+    private static readonly List<bool> PresentedCuts = new List<bool>(6);
     private static int _maxCharacterCuts;
     private static int _maxThreadCuts;
+    private static int _combatRun;
+    private const int PresentedWindow = 6;
+    private const int CombatWindowBudget = 2;
+    private const int CombatRunBudget = 2;
 
     public static void Clear()
     {
         Characters.Clear();
         Threads.Clear();
+        PresentedCuts.Clear();
         _maxCharacterCuts = 0;
         _maxThreadCuts = 0;
+        _combatRun = 0;
     }
 
     public static void NoteCut(
@@ -82,6 +89,38 @@ public static class NarrativeExposureLedger
         return Mathf.Min(24f, exposure.SameFamilyRun * 6f);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Two routine combat cuts may establish a conflict; another story family must then
+    /// receive space. World-critical combat bypasses this global exposure cap.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static bool MayPresent(InterestCandidate candidate)
+    {
+        if (!IsCombat(candidate) || candidate.EventStrength >= 95f)
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        int combat = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < PresentedCuts.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (PresentedCuts[i]) combat++;
+        }
+
+        return _combatRun < CombatRunBudget
+               && combat < CombatWindowBudget;
+    }
+
+    public static void NotePresented(InterestCandidate candidate)
+    {
+        bool combat = IsCombat(candidate);
+        PresentedCuts.Add(combat);
+        while (PresentedCuts.Count > PresentedWindow)
+        {
+            PresentedCuts.RemoveAt(0);
+        }
+        _combatRun = combat ? _combatRun + 1 : 0;
+    }
+
     public static bool HarnessProbeBalance(out string detail)
     {
         Clear();
@@ -93,9 +132,36 @@ public static class NarrativeExposureLedger
         float prolific = CharacterDebt(1);
         float repetition = RepetitionPenalty(1, "combat");
         float diverse = RepetitionPenalty(1, "lineage");
-        bool ok = underCovered > prolific && repetition > 0f && diverse == 0f;
+        var combat = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive,
+            EventStrength = 80f
+        };
+        var criticalCombat = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            Completion = InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive,
+            EventStrength = 100f
+        };
+        var family = new InterestCandidate
+        {
+            AssetId = "add_child",
+            EventStrength = 70f
+        };
+        NotePresented(combat);
+        NotePresented(combat);
+        bool routineBlocked = !MayPresent(combat);
+        bool criticalAllowed = 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
+                  && routineReopened;
         detail = "debt=" + underCovered.ToString("0.0") + "/" + prolific.ToString("0.0")
                  + " repetition=" + repetition.ToString("0.0") + "/" + diverse.ToString("0.0")
+                 + " combat=" + routineBlocked + "/" + criticalAllowed + "/" + routineReopened
                  + " pass=" + ok;
         Clear();
         return ok;
@@ -127,4 +193,19 @@ public static class NarrativeExposureLedger
             exposure.SameFamilyRun = 1;
         }
     }
+
+    private static bool IsCombat(InterestCandidate candidate)
+    {
+        return candidate != null
+               && (candidate.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.CombatActive
+                   || candidate.Completion == InterestCompletionKind.WarFront
+                   || string.Equals(
+                       candidate.AssetId,
+                       "live_combat",
+                       StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                   || string.Equals(
+                       candidate.AssetId,
+                       "live_battle",
+                       StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+    }
 }

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativePersistence.cs

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ public static class NarrativePersistence
     private const int MaxThreads = 500;
     private const int MaxConsequences = 2400;
     private const int MaxFacts = 4000;
+    private const int MaxCharacters = 1600;
 
     private static readonly Dictionary<long, NarrativePreferenceDto> Preferences =
         new Dictionary<long, NarrativePreferenceDto>();
@@ -109,6 +110,8 @@ public static class NarrativePersistence
             LastPath = path;
             LastStatus = "saved events=" + state.events.Count
                          + " developments=" + state.developments.Count
+                         + " threads=" + state.threads.Count
+                         + " characters=" + state.characters.Count
                          + " facts=" + state.facts.Count
                          + " bytes=" + json.Length;
             LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator] Narrative persistence " + LastStatus);
@@ -330,6 +333,7 @@ public static class NarrativePersistence
         Trim(state.threads, MaxThreads, (a, b) => b.updatedAt.CompareTo(a.updatedAt));
         Trim(state.consequences, MaxConsequences, (a, b) => b.occurredAt.CompareTo(a.occurredAt));
         Trim(state.facts, MaxFacts, (a, b) => b.worldTime.CompareTo(a.worldTime));
+        CompactGraph(state, MaxCharacters);
         state.Pack();
         return state;
     }
@@ -473,6 +477,296 @@ public static class NarrativePersistence
         }
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Trim the sidecar as a graph: retained threads, consequences, and character
+    /// references must point at retained developments. Active casts and player-selected
+    /// lives are protected from character compaction.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void CompactGraph(NarrativeSaveState state, int characterLimit)
+    {
+        if (state == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        var eventDevelopmentIds = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.events.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeEventRecordDto item = state.events[i];
+            if (item == null) continue;
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.developmentId))
+            {
+                eventDevelopmentIds.Add(item.developmentId);
+            }
+            else if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.id)
+                     && item.id.StartsWith("event:", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            {
+                eventDevelopmentIds.Add(item.id.Substring("event:".Length));
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (eventDevelopmentIds.Count > 0)
+        {
+            state.developments.RemoveAll(
+                item => item == null
+                        || string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.id)
+                        || !eventDevelopmentIds.Contains(item.id));
+        }
+
+        var developments = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.developments.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeDevelopmentDto item = state.developments[i];
+            if (item != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.id))
+            {
+                developments.Add(item.id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (int i = state.threads.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
+        {
+            NarrativeThreadDto thread = state.threads[i];
+            if (thread == null)
+            {
+                state.threads.RemoveAt(i);
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            thread.developmentIds = Filter(thread.developmentIds, developments);
+            if (!developments.Contains(thread.latestMeaningfulChangeId))
+            {
+                thread.latestMeaningfulChangeId = thread.developmentIds.Length > 0
+                    ? thread.developmentIds[thread.developmentIds.Length - 1]
+                    : "";
+            }
+            if (!developments.Contains(thread.openedByDevelopmentId))
+            {
+                thread.openedByDevelopmentId = thread.developmentIds.Length > 0
+                    ? thread.developmentIds[0]
+                    : thread.latestMeaningfulChangeId;
+            }
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(thread.latestMeaningfulChangeId))
+            {
+                state.threads.RemoveAt(i);
+            }
+        }
+
+        var threads = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.threads.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeThreadDto item = state.threads[i];
+            if (item != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.id))
+            {
+                threads.Add(item.id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        state.consequences.RemoveAll(
+            item => item == null
+                    || string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.id)
+                    || !developments.Contains(item.developmentId));
+        var consequences = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.consequences.Count; i++)
+        {
+            CharacterConsequenceDto item = state.consequences[i];
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(item.threadId) && !threads.Contains(item.threadId))
+            {
+                item.threadId = "";
+            }
+            consequences.Add(item.id);
+        }
+
+        var protectedCharacters = new HashSet<long>();
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.preferences.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativePreferenceDto preference = state.preferences[i];
+            if (preference != null && preference.characterId != 0)
+            {
+                protectedCharacters.Add(preference.characterId);
+            }
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.threads.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeThreadDto thread = state.threads[i];
+            if (thread == null
+                || thread.status > (int)NarrativeThreadStatus.Dormant)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (thread.protagonistId != 0)
+            {
+                protectedCharacters.Add(thread.protagonistId);
+            }
+            NarrativeCastRoleDto[] cast = thread.cast ?? new NarrativeCastRoleDto[0];
+            for (int j = 0; j < cast.Length; j++)
+            {
+                if (cast[j] != null && cast[j].characterId != 0)
+                {
+                    protectedCharacters.Add(cast[j].characterId);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.characters.Count; i++)
+        {
+            CharacterStoryStateDto character = state.characters[i];
+            if (character == null) continue;
+            if (LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(character.characterId)
+                || LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(character.characterId))
+            {
+                protectedCharacters.Add(character.characterId);
+            }
+            character.openThreadIds = Filter(character.openThreadIds, threads);
+            character.resolvedThreadIds = Filter(character.resolvedThreadIds, threads);
+            character.recentDevelopmentIds = Filter(
+                character.recentDevelopmentIds,
+                developments);
+            character.consequenceIds = Filter(character.consequenceIds, consequences);
+            character.storyPotential = character.storyMomentum
+                                       + character.openThreadIds.Length * 2.5f
+                                       + Mathf.Min(6f, character.consequenceIds.Length * 0.8f);
+        }
+
+        state.characters.RemoveAll(item => item == null || item.characterId == 0);
+        state.characters.Sort((a, b) =>
+        {
+            bool aProtected = protectedCharacters.Contains(a.characterId);
+            bool bProtected = protectedCharacters.Contains(b.characterId);
+            if (aProtected != bProtected) return aProtected ? -1 : 1;
+            int potential = b.storyPotential.CompareTo(a.storyPotential);
+            if (potential != 0) return potential;
+            return b.lastMeaningfulChangeAt.CompareTo(a.lastMeaningfulChangeAt);
+        });
+        int protectedCount = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < state.characters.Count; i++)
+        {
+            if (protectedCharacters.Contains(state.characters[i].characterId))
+            {
+                protectedCount++;
+            }
+        }
+        int keep = Math.Max(Math.Max(0, characterLimit), protectedCount);
+        if (state.characters.Count > keep)
+        {
+            state.characters.RemoveRange(keep, state.characters.Count - keep);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string[] Filter(string[] values, HashSet<string> retained)
+    {
+        if (values == null || values.Length == 0 || retained == null)
+        {
+            return new string[0];
+        }
+
+        var result = new List<string>(values.Length);
+        for (int i = 0; i < values.Length; i++)
+        {
+            string value = values[i];
+            if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(value)
+                && retained.Contains(value)
+                && !result.Contains(value))
+            {
+                result.Add(value);
+            }
+        }
+
+        return result.ToArray();
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbeGraphCompaction(out string detail)
+    {
+        var state = new NarrativeSaveState();
+        state.events.Add(new NarrativeEventRecordDto
+        {
+            id = "event:dev:kept",
+            developmentId = "dev:kept"
+        });
+        state.developments.Add(new NarrativeDevelopmentDto
+        {
+            id = "dev:kept",
+            subjectId = 10,
+            occurredAt = 2f
+        });
+        state.developments.Add(new NarrativeDevelopmentDto
+        {
+            id = "dev:orphan",
+            subjectId = 30,
+            occurredAt = 3f
+        });
+        state.threads.Add(new NarrativeThreadDto
+        {
+            id = "thread:kept",
+            protagonistId = 10,
+            cast = new[]
+            {
+                new NarrativeCastRoleDto { characterId = 10, role = "protagonist" },
+                new NarrativeCastRoleDto { characterId = 20, role = "partner" }
+            },
+            developmentIds = new[] { "dev:kept", "dev:orphan" },
+            latestMeaningfulChangeId = "dev:kept",
+            status = (int)NarrativeThreadStatus.Active
+        });
+        state.threads.Add(new NarrativeThreadDto
+        {
+            id = "thread:orphan",
+            protagonistId = 30,
+            developmentIds = new[] { "dev:orphan" },
+            latestMeaningfulChangeId = "dev:orphan",
+            status = (int)NarrativeThreadStatus.Active
+        });
+        state.consequences.Add(new CharacterConsequenceDto
+        {
+            id = "consequence:kept",
+            characterId = 10,
+            threadId = "thread:kept",
+            developmentId = "dev:kept"
+        });
+        state.consequences.Add(new CharacterConsequenceDto
+        {
+            id = "consequence:orphan",
+            characterId = 30,
+            threadId = "thread:orphan",
+            developmentId = "dev:orphan"
+        });
+        state.characters.Add(new CharacterStoryStateDto
+        {
+            characterId = 10,
+            openThreadIds = new[] { "thread:kept", "thread:orphan" },
+            recentDevelopmentIds = new[] { "dev:kept", "dev:orphan" },
+            consequenceIds = new[] { "consequence:kept", "consequence:orphan" },
+            storyMomentum = 2f,
+            storyPotential = 99f
+        });
+        state.characters.Add(new CharacterStoryStateDto { characterId = 20 });
+        state.characters.Add(new CharacterStoryStateDto
+        {
+            characterId = 30,
+            storyPotential = 200f
+        });
+
+        CompactGraph(state, 2);
+        CharacterStoryStateDto protagonist =
+            state.characters.Find(item => item.characterId == 10);
+        bool ok = state.developments.Count == 1
+                  && state.threads.Count == 1
+                  && state.consequences.Count == 1
+                  && state.characters.Count == 2
+                  && state.characters.Exists(item => item.characterId == 20)
+                  && !state.characters.Exists(item => item.characterId == 30)
+                  && protagonist != null
+                  && protagonist.openThreadIds.Length == 1
+                  && protagonist.recentDevelopmentIds.Length == 1
+                  && protagonist.consequenceIds.Length == 1
+                  && protagonist.storyPotential < 20f;
+        detail = "graph=" + state.developments.Count + "/"
+                 + state.threads.Count + "/" + state.consequences.Count
+                 + " characters=" + state.characters.Count
+                 + " potential=" + (protagonist?.storyPotential.ToString("0.0") ?? "none")
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     private static void Trim<T>(List<T> items, int max, Comparison<T> comparison)
     {
         items.Sort(comparison);

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeStoryStore.cs

@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
 {
     private const int RecentPerCharacter = 16;
     private const int ConsequencesPerCharacter = 24;
+    private const int OpenThreadsPerCharacter = 16;
+    private const int ResolvedThreadsPerCharacter = 24;
+    internal const int SchedulerCandidateLimit = 96;
+    internal const int SchedulerCopyLimit = 128;
     private static readonly Dictionary<string, NarrativeDevelopment> Developments =
         new Dictionary<string, NarrativeDevelopment>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
     private static readonly Dictionary<long, CharacterStoryState> Characters =
@@ -18,6 +22,17 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
     private static readonly Dictionary<string, CharacterConsequence> Consequences =
         new Dictionary<string, CharacterConsequence>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
     private static readonly List<NarrativeThread> ThreadScratch = new List<NarrativeThread>(32);
+    private static readonly Dictionary<string, NarrativeThread> SchedulerCandidates =
+        new Dictionary<string, NarrativeThread>(SchedulerCandidateLimit, StringComparer.Ordinal);
+    private static readonly HashSet<string> SchedulerCopyIds =
+        new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+    private static readonly List<LifeSagaSlot> RosterScratch =
+        new List<LifeSagaSlot>(LifeSagaRoster.Cap);
+    private static readonly Dictionary<long, HashSet<string>> OpenConflictsByCharacter =
+        new Dictionary<long, HashSet<string>>();
+    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);
 
     public static int Revision { get; private set; }
     public static int DevelopmentCount => Developments.Count;
@@ -31,6 +46,12 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         Threads.Clear();
         Consequences.Clear();
         ThreadScratch.Clear();
+        SchedulerCandidates.Clear();
+        SchedulerCopyIds.Clear();
+        RosterScratch.Clear();
+        OpenConflictsByCharacter.Clear();
+        ConflictCastByThread.Clear();
+        IdScratch.Clear();
         NarrativeEventStore.Clear();
         Revision++;
         StoryScheduler.Clear();
@@ -105,21 +126,52 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
 
     internal static void FinishImport()
     {
-        foreach (CharacterStoryState state in Characters.Values)
-        {
-            if (state == null) continue;
-            state.OpenThreadIds.RemoveAll(id => !Threads.ContainsKey(id));
-            state.ResolvedThreadIds.RemoveAll(id => !Threads.ContainsKey(id));
-            state.RecentDevelopmentIds.RemoveAll(id => !Developments.ContainsKey(id));
-            state.ConsequenceIds.RemoveAll(id => !Consequences.ContainsKey(id));
-        }
-
+        RepairConsistency();
         Revision++;
         StoryScheduler.Clear();
         NarrativeTelemetry.Clear();
         NarrativePresentationCoverage.Clear();
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// A death is a terminal answer to every live personal conflict involving that actor.
+    /// This keeps a kill/death from becoming a permanent unresolved-question multiplier.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static int ResolveCombatThreadsForDeath(
+        long deceasedId,
+        NarrativeDevelopment death)
+    {
+        if (deceasedId == 0)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        if (!OpenConflictsByCharacter.TryGetValue(deceasedId, out HashSet<string> indexed)
+            || indexed.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        IdScratch.Clear();
+        foreach (string threadId in indexed) IdScratch.Add(threadId);
+        int resolved = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < IdScratch.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeThread thread = Thread(IdScratch[i]);
+            if (!IsOpenConflict(thread) || !thread.HasCast(deceasedId)) continue;
+            ResolveConflictThread(thread, death, deceasedId);
+            resolved++;
+        }
+        IdScratch.Clear();
+
+        if (resolved > 0)
+        {
+            Revision++;
+        }
+
+        return resolved;
+    }
+
     public static bool Record(NarrativeDevelopment development)
     {
         if (development == null || development.SubjectId == 0 || string.IsNullOrEmpty(development.Id))
@@ -195,6 +247,7 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         CharacterStoryState state = GetOrCreateCharacter(protagonistId, protagonistIdentity);
         MoveThreadReference(state, thread);
         RecalculatePotential(state);
+        TrackThread(thread);
         Revision++;
         return thread;
     }
@@ -219,16 +272,39 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
     {
         if (into == null) return;
         into.Clear();
-        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        SchedulerCopyIds.Clear();
+        IdScratch.Clear();
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        foreach (KeyValuePair<string, NarrativeThread> pair in SchedulerCandidates)
         {
-            if (thread != null
-                && (thread.IsOpen
-                    || (thread.Status == NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved
-                        && Time.unscaledTime - thread.UpdatedAt < 20f)))
+            NarrativeThread thread = pair.Value;
+            if (!IsSchedulerEligible(thread, now))
             {
-                into.Add(thread);
+                IdScratch.Add(pair.Key);
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            AddSchedulerCopy(into, thread);
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < IdScratch.Count; i++) SchedulerCandidates.Remove(IdScratch[i]);
+        IdScratch.Clear();
+
+        // A bounded recent index handles ordinary challengers. Always fold the current
+        // main cast back in so a quieter long-running MC thread cannot be displaced by
+        // a burst of one-shot world events.
+        LifeSagaRoster.CopySlots(RosterScratch);
+        for (int i = 0; i < RosterScratch.Count && into.Count < SchedulerCopyLimit; i++)
+        {
+            CharacterStoryState state = Character(RosterScratch[i].UnitId);
+            if (state == null) continue;
+            for (int j = 0; j < state.OpenThreadIds.Count && into.Count < SchedulerCopyLimit; j++)
+            {
+                NarrativeThread thread = Thread(state.OpenThreadIds[j]);
+                if (IsSchedulerEligible(thread, now)) AddSchedulerCopy(into, thread);
             }
         }
+        RosterScratch.Clear();
+        SchedulerCopyIds.Clear();
     }
 
     /// <summary>Copies bounded story-potential challengers without scanning the world.</summary>
@@ -372,8 +448,22 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
     {
         state.OpenThreadIds.Remove(thread.Id);
         state.ResolvedThreadIds.Remove(thread.Id);
-        if (thread.IsOpen) state.OpenThreadIds.Insert(0, thread.Id);
-        else state.ResolvedThreadIds.Insert(0, thread.Id);
+        if (thread.IsOpen)
+        {
+            state.OpenThreadIds.Insert(0, thread.Id);
+            while (state.OpenThreadIds.Count > OpenThreadsPerCharacter)
+            {
+                state.OpenThreadIds.RemoveAt(state.OpenThreadIds.Count - 1);
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            state.ResolvedThreadIds.Insert(0, thread.Id);
+            while (state.ResolvedThreadIds.Count > ResolvedThreadsPerCharacter)
+            {
+                state.ResolvedThreadIds.RemoveAt(state.ResolvedThreadIds.Count - 1);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     private static void RecalculatePotential(CharacterStoryState state)
@@ -384,6 +474,394 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         state.StoryPotential = state.StoryMomentum + unresolved + consequences;
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Rebuild derived character references and hot-path indexes from the retained graph,
+    /// close legacy terminal threads, and recalculate potential instead of trusting cached DTO values.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal static int RepairConsistency()
+    {
+        var deadIds = new HashSet<long>();
+        foreach (NarrativeDevelopment development in Developments.Values)
+        {
+            if (development != null
+                && development.Kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Death
+                && development.SubjectId != 0)
+            {
+                deadIds.Add(development.SubjectId);
+            }
+        }
+
+        int repaired = 0;
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        {
+            if (thread != null
+                && thread.Kind == NarrativeThreadKind.Founding
+                && thread.IsOpen
+                && thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.Outcome)
+            {
+                thread.Status = NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved;
+                thread.Resolution = string.IsNullOrEmpty(thread.Resolution)
+                    ? "home established"
+                    : thread.Resolution;
+                repaired++;
+            }
+
+            if (!IsOpenConflict(thread))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            NarrativeDevelopment latest = Development(thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId);
+            long deceased = DeadCastMember(thread, deadIds);
+            if (latest?.Kind != NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Kill && deceased == 0)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            ResolveConflictThread(thread, latest, deceased);
+            repaired++;
+        }
+
+        foreach (CharacterStoryState state in Characters.Values)
+        {
+            if (state == null) continue;
+            state.OpenThreadIds.Clear();
+            state.ResolvedThreadIds.Clear();
+            state.RecentDevelopmentIds.RemoveAll(id => !Developments.ContainsKey(id));
+            state.ConsequenceIds.RemoveAll(id => !Consequences.ContainsKey(id));
+        }
+
+        ThreadScratch.Clear();
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values)
+        {
+            if (thread != null && thread.ProtagonistId != 0)
+            {
+                ThreadScratch.Add(thread);
+            }
+        }
+        ThreadScratch.Sort((a, b) => a.UpdatedAt.CompareTo(b.UpdatedAt));
+        for (int i = 0; i < ThreadScratch.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeThread thread = ThreadScratch[i];
+            CharacterStoryState state = GetOrCreateCharacter(
+                thread.ProtagonistId,
+                default);
+            MoveThreadReference(state, thread);
+        }
+        ThreadScratch.Clear();
+
+        foreach (CharacterStoryState state in Characters.Values)
+        {
+            RecalculatePotential(state);
+        }
+
+        RebuildThreadIndexes();
+        return repaired;
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbeCombatLifecycle(out string detail)
+    {
+        Clear();
+        var rival = new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "rival:101:202",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.RivalEncounter,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Escalation,
+            SubjectId = 101,
+            Subject = new LifeSagaIdentity { Id = 101, Name = "Aro", SpeciesId = "human" },
+            OtherId = 202,
+            Other = new LifeSagaIdentity { Id = 202, Name = "Bex", SpeciesId = "orc" },
+            OccurredAt = 1f,
+            Magnitude = 60f
+        };
+        Record(rival);
+        NarrativeThread thread = Thread("thread:conflict:conflict:101:202:101");
+        bool rivalryOpen = thread != null && thread.IsOpen;
+
+        var kill = new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "kill:101:202",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Kill,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Consequence,
+            SubjectId = 101,
+            Subject = rival.Subject,
+            OtherId = 202,
+            Other = rival.Other,
+            OccurredAt = 2f,
+            Magnitude = 90f
+        };
+        Record(kill);
+        thread = Thread("thread:conflict:conflict:101:202:101");
+        CharacterStoryState killer = Character(101);
+        bool killResolved = thread != null
+                            && !thread.IsOpen
+                            && thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.Outcome
+                            && killer != null
+                            && killer.OpenThreadIds.Count == 0;
+
+        var stale = new NarrativeThread
+        {
+            Id = "thread:conflict:legacy:303:404",
+            Kind = NarrativeThreadKind.PersonalCombat,
+            ProtagonistId = 303,
+            LatestMeaningfulChangeId = kill.Id,
+            Status = NarrativeThreadStatus.Active,
+            Phase = NarrativePhase.TurningPoint,
+            UpdatedAt = 3f
+        };
+        stale.AddCast(303, "protagonist");
+        stale.AddCast(404, "opponent");
+        ImportThread(stale);
+        ImportCharacter(new CharacterStoryState
+        {
+            CharacterId = 303,
+            StoryMomentum = 2f,
+            StoryPotential = 99f
+        });
+        int repaired = RepairConsistency();
+        CharacterStoryState migrated = Character(303);
+        bool staleRepaired = !stale.IsOpen
+                             && migrated != null
+                             && migrated.OpenThreadIds.Count == 0
+                             && migrated.StoryPotential < 20f;
+        bool ok = rivalryOpen && killResolved && staleRepaired && repaired == 1;
+        detail = "rivalOpen=" + rivalryOpen
+                 + " killResolved=" + killResolved
+                 + " repaired=" + repaired
+                 + " migratedPotential=" + (migrated?.StoryPotential.ToString("0.0") ?? "none")
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        Clear();
+        return ok;
+    }
+
+    public static bool HarnessProbeSchedulerBounds(out string detail)
+    {
+        Clear();
+        const int imported = 600;
+        for (int i = 0; i < imported; i++)
+        {
+            var thread = new NarrativeThread
+            {
+                Id = "probe:scheduler:" + i,
+                Kind = NarrativeThreadKind.Partnership,
+                ProtagonistId = i + 1,
+                Status = NarrativeThreadStatus.Active,
+                Phase = NarrativePhase.Pressure,
+                UpdatedAt = i,
+                Momentum = i % 8,
+                Urgency = i % 5
+            };
+            thread.AddCast(i + 1, "protagonist");
+            ImportThread(thread);
+        }
+        RepairConsistency();
+
+        var candidates = new List<NarrativeThread>(SchedulerCopyLimit);
+        var stopwatch = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.StartNew();
+        for (int i = 0; i < 200; i++) CopyOpenThreads(candidates);
+        stopwatch.Stop();
+        bool bounded = candidates.Count <= SchedulerCandidateLimit;
+        StoryScheduler.Clear();
+        StoryScheduler.Tick(Time.unscaledTime + 1f);
+        float schedulerMs = StoryScheduler.LastTickMs;
+        int schedulerCandidates = StoryScheduler.LastCandidateCount;
+        bool schedulerFast = schedulerCandidates <= SchedulerCandidateLimit
+                             && schedulerMs < 50f;
+
+        var home = new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "probe:home:700",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeFounded,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Consequence,
+            SubjectId = 700,
+            Subject = new LifeSagaIdentity { Id = 700, Name = "Founder", SpeciesId = "human" },
+            CityKey = "probe-city",
+            OccurredAt = Time.unscaledTime,
+            Magnitude = 80f
+        };
+        Record(home);
+        NarrativeThread homeThread = Thread("thread:home:probe-city:700");
+        bool foundingTerminal = homeThread != null
+                                && !homeThread.IsOpen
+                                && homeThread.Status == NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved;
+        bool fast = stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds < 50;
+        bool ok = bounded && schedulerFast && foundingTerminal && fast;
+        detail = "imported=" + imported
+                 + " candidates=" + candidates.Count + "/" + SchedulerCandidateLimit
+                 + " copies200Ms=" + stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds
+                 + " scheduler=" + schedulerMs.ToString("0.00") + "ms/"
+                 + schedulerCandidates
+                 + " foundingTerminal=" + foundingTerminal
+                 + " pass=" + ok;
+        Clear();
+        return ok;
+    }
+
+    private static void AddSchedulerCopy(List<NarrativeThread> into, NarrativeThread thread)
+    {
+        if (thread == null || into.Count >= SchedulerCopyLimit
+            || !SchedulerCopyIds.Add(thread.Id))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        into.Add(thread);
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsSchedulerEligible(NarrativeThread thread, float now)
+    {
+        if (thread == null) return false;
+        if (thread.IsOpen) return true;
+        float age = now - thread.UpdatedAt;
+        return thread.Status == NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved
+               && age >= 0f
+               && age < 20f;
+    }
+
+    private static void TrackThread(NarrativeThread thread)
+    {
+        if (thread == null || string.IsNullOrEmpty(thread.Id)) return;
+        TrackConflict(thread);
+        if (!IsSchedulerEligible(thread, Time.unscaledTime))
+        {
+            SchedulerCandidates.Remove(thread.Id);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        SchedulerCandidates[thread.Id] = thread;
+        if (SchedulerCandidates.Count <= SchedulerCandidateLimit) return;
+
+        string weakestId = null;
+        float weakest = float.MaxValue;
+        foreach (KeyValuePair<string, NarrativeThread> pair in SchedulerCandidates)
+        {
+            float priority = SchedulerIndexPriority(pair.Value);
+            if (priority < weakest)
+            {
+                weakest = priority;
+                weakestId = pair.Key;
+            }
+        }
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(weakestId)) SchedulerCandidates.Remove(weakestId);
+    }
+
+    private static float SchedulerIndexPriority(NarrativeThread thread)
+    {
+        if (thread == null) return float.MinValue;
+        float open = thread.IsOpen ? 50f : 0f;
+        float phase = thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.TurningPoint ? 16f
+            : thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.Outcome ? 12f
+            : thread.Phase == NarrativePhase.Consequence ? 10f : 0f;
+        float oneShot = thread.Kind == NarrativeThreadKind.Founding ? -40f : 0f;
+        return open + phase + oneShot + thread.Urgency + thread.Momentum
+               + thread.UpdatedAt * 0.01f;
+    }
+
+    private static void RebuildThreadIndexes()
+    {
+        SchedulerCandidates.Clear();
+        OpenConflictsByCharacter.Clear();
+        ConflictCastByThread.Clear();
+        foreach (NarrativeThread thread in Threads.Values) TrackThread(thread);
+    }
+
+    private static void TrackConflict(NarrativeThread thread)
+    {
+        UntrackConflict(thread?.Id);
+        if (!IsOpenConflict(thread)) return;
+
+        var castIds = new HashSet<long>();
+        for (int i = 0; i < thread.Cast.Count; i++)
+        {
+            long characterId = thread.Cast[i]?.CharacterId ?? 0;
+            if (characterId == 0 || !castIds.Add(characterId)) continue;
+            if (!OpenConflictsByCharacter.TryGetValue(characterId, out HashSet<string> ids))
+            {
+                ids = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+                OpenConflictsByCharacter[characterId] = ids;
+            }
+            ids.Add(thread.Id);
+        }
+        ConflictCastByThread[thread.Id] = castIds;
+    }
+
+    private static void UntrackConflict(string threadId)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(threadId)
+            || !ConflictCastByThread.TryGetValue(threadId, out HashSet<long> castIds))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        foreach (long characterId in castIds)
+        {
+            if (!OpenConflictsByCharacter.TryGetValue(characterId, out HashSet<string> ids)) continue;
+            ids.Remove(threadId);
+            if (ids.Count == 0) OpenConflictsByCharacter.Remove(characterId);
+        }
+        ConflictCastByThread.Remove(threadId);
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsOpenConflict(NarrativeThread thread)
+    {
+        return thread != null
+               && thread.IsOpen
+               && (thread.Kind == NarrativeThreadKind.PersonalCombat
+                   || thread.Kind == NarrativeThreadKind.Rivalry);
+    }
+
+    private static long DeadCastMember(NarrativeThread thread, HashSet<long> deadIds)
+    {
+        if (thread == null || deadIds == null || deadIds.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return 0;
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < thread.Cast.Count; i++)
+        {
+            NarrativeCastRole cast = thread.Cast[i];
+            if (cast != null && deadIds.Contains(cast.CharacterId))
+            {
+                return cast.CharacterId;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    private static void ResolveConflictThread(
+        NarrativeThread thread,
+        NarrativeDevelopment terminal,
+        long deceasedId)
+    {
+        if (thread == null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        thread.Status = NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved;
+        thread.Phase = NarrativePhase.Outcome;
+        thread.Resolution = deceasedId != 0 && deceasedId == thread.ProtagonistId
+            ? "protagonist died"
+            : "opponent defeated";
+        if (terminal != null)
+        {
+            thread.UpdatedAt = Mathf.Max(thread.UpdatedAt, terminal.OccurredAt);
+            thread.LatestMeaningfulChangeId = terminal.Id;
+            if (!thread.DevelopmentIds.Contains(terminal.Id))
+            {
+                thread.DevelopmentIds.Add(terminal.Id);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (Characters.TryGetValue(thread.ProtagonistId, out CharacterStoryState state))
+        {
+            MoveThreadReference(state, thread);
+            RecalculatePotential(state);
+        }
+        TrackThread(thread);
+    }
+
     private static float MomentumFor(NarrativeFunction function)
     {
         switch (function)

IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeThreadRules.cs

@@ -127,19 +127,25 @@ public static class NarrativeThreadRules
             "Their life has ended", NarrativePhase.Outcome, NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved);
         if (t != null) t.Resolution = "died";
         AddConsequence(d, t, d.SubjectId, CharacterConsequenceKind.LostLife, "deceased", d.OtherId, 100f);
+        NarrativeStoryStore.ResolveCombatThreadsForDeath(d.SubjectId, d);
     }
 
     private static void ApplyConflict(NarrativeDevelopment d)
     {
         string anchor = PairAnchor("conflict", d.SubjectId, d.OtherId);
-        NarrativeThreadKind kind = d.Kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.RivalEncounter
-            ? NarrativeThreadKind.Rivalry : NarrativeThreadKind.PersonalCombat;
+        bool terminal = d.Kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Kill;
+        NarrativeThreadKind kind = terminal
+            ? NarrativeThreadKind.PersonalCombat
+            : NarrativeThreadKind.Rivalry;
         NarrativeThread t = NarrativeStoryStore.OpenOrUpdateThread(
             "thread:conflict:" + anchor + ":" + d.SubjectId, kind, d.SubjectId, anchor, d,
-            "Will this conflict end their repeated struggle?", NarrativePhase.TurningPoint,
-            NarrativeThreadStatus.Active);
-        if (d.Kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Kill)
+            terminal ? "The fight has reached its outcome"
+                : "Will this conflict become a repeated struggle?",
+            terminal ? NarrativePhase.Outcome : NarrativePhase.Pressure,
+            terminal ? NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved : NarrativeThreadStatus.Active);
+        if (terminal)
         {
+            if (t != null) t.Resolution = "killed opponent";
             AddConsequence(d, t, d.SubjectId, CharacterConsequenceKind.TookLife, "killer", d.OtherId, 82f);
         }
     }
@@ -164,9 +170,10 @@ public static class NarrativeThreadRules
             "thread:home:" + anchor + ":" + d.SubjectId,
             lost ? NarrativeThreadKind.HomeLoss : NarrativeThreadKind.Founding,
             d.SubjectId, anchor, d,
-            lost ? "Where will they go after losing their home?" : "Will what they founded endure?",
+            lost ? "Where will they go after losing their home?" : "They established a home",
             lost ? NarrativePhase.TurningPoint : NarrativePhase.Outcome,
-            NarrativeThreadStatus.Active);
+            lost ? NarrativeThreadStatus.Active : NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved);
+        if (!lost && t != null) t.Resolution = "home established";
         AddConsequence(d, t, d.SubjectId,
             lost ? CharacterConsequenceKind.LostHome : CharacterConsequenceKind.FoundedHome,
             lost ? "displaced" : "founder", 0, lost ? 90f : 82f);

IdleSpectator/Narrative/StoryScheduler.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Diagnostics;
 using UnityEngine;
 
 namespace IdleSpectator;
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ public static class StoryScheduler
     private const float EpisodeMaxSeconds = 75f;
     private const float EarlyEpisodeSwitchMargin = 30f;
     private const float EstablishedEpisodeSwitchMargin = 20f;
+    private const float SchedulerIntervalSeconds = 0.5f;
     public const int EpisodeCombatShotBudget = 3;
     private static readonly List<NarrativeThread> OpenThreads = new List<NarrativeThread>(32);
     private static readonly List<InterestCandidate> Pending = new List<InterestCandidate>(96);
@@ -22,6 +24,12 @@ public static class StoryScheduler
     public static EpisodePlan ActiveEpisode { get; private set; }
     public static EpisodeShotProposal CurrentProposal { get; private set; }
     public static string LastProposal => _lastProposal ?? "";
+    public static float LastTickMs { get; private set; }
+    public static int LastCandidateCount { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastThreadCopyMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastThreadScoreMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastPendingCopyMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastProposalMs { get; private set; }
 
     public static void Clear()
     {
@@ -31,16 +39,47 @@ public static class StoryScheduler
         Pending.Clear();
         _nextTickAt = 0f;
         _lastProposal = "";
+        LastTickMs = 0f;
+        LastCandidateCount = 0;
+        LastThreadCopyMs = 0f;
+        LastThreadScoreMs = 0f;
+        LastPendingCopyMs = 0f;
+        LastProposalMs = 0f;
         NarrativeExposureLedger.Clear();
     }
 
     public static void Tick(float now)
     {
         if (now < _nextTickAt) return;
-        _nextTickAt = now + 0.5f;
+        long started = Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
+        _nextTickAt = float.PositiveInfinity;
+        try
+        {
+            TickDue(now);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            LastTickMs = (float)((Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() - started) * 1000d / Stopwatch.Frequency);
+            // Schedule from completed work, expressed in the caller's time domain.
+            // A slow tick therefore yields before running again instead of entering
+            // a permanent catch-up loop on the following frame.
+            _nextTickAt = now + SchedulerIntervalSeconds + LastTickMs / 1000f;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void TickDue(float now)
+    {
+        LastThreadCopyMs = 0f;
+        LastThreadScoreMs = 0f;
+        LastPendingCopyMs = 0f;
+        LastProposalMs = 0f;
+        long stageStarted = Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         NarrativeStoryStore.CopyOpenThreads(OpenThreads);
+        LastThreadCopyMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
+        LastCandidateCount = OpenThreads.Count;
         NarrativeThread best = null;
         float bestScore = float.MinValue;
+        stageStarted = Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         for (int i = 0; i < OpenThreads.Count; i++)
         {
             NarrativeThread thread = OpenThreads[i];
@@ -56,6 +95,7 @@ public static class StoryScheduler
                 bestScore = score;
             }
         }
+        LastThreadScoreMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
 
         NarrativeThread activeThread = ActiveEpisode != null
             ? NarrativeStoryStore.Thread(ActiveEpisode.ThreadId)
@@ -99,8 +139,12 @@ public static class StoryScheduler
             AddPendingForPurpose(ActiveEpisode, PurposeFor(selectedThread));
         }
 
+        stageStarted = Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         InterestRegistry.CopyPending(Pending);
+        LastPendingCopyMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
+        stageStarted = Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
         CurrentProposal = EpisodeShotSelector.Pick(Pending, ActiveEpisode, selectedThread);
+        LastProposalMs = ElapsedMs(stageStarted);
         if (CurrentProposal != null)
         {
             NarrativeTelemetry.NoteProposal(ActiveEpisode, CurrentProposal, now);
@@ -117,6 +161,9 @@ public static class StoryScheduler
                         + " reason=" + (CurrentProposal?.Reason ?? "none");
     }
 
+    private static float ElapsedMs(long started) =>
+        (float)((Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() - started) * 1000d / Stopwatch.Frequency);
+
     public static void NoteActualSelection(InterestCandidate actual)
     {
         if (ActiveEpisode == null || actual == null) return;

IdleSpectator/Story/LifeSagaRoster.cs

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
     private static readonly List<LifeSagaSlot> Slots = new List<LifeSagaSlot>(Cap);
     private static readonly List<LifeSagaSlot> Scratch = new List<LifeSagaSlot>(48);
     private static readonly List<Actor> ChallengerScratch = new List<Actor>(64);
+    private static readonly List<float> ChallengerPriorityScratch = new List<float>(64);
     private static readonly List<Actor> UnitScanSnapshot = new List<Actor>(512);
     private static readonly HashSet<long> ScanSeen = new HashSet<long>();
     private static readonly HashSet<long> PreviousIds = new HashSet<long>();
@@ -34,6 +35,9 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
     private static bool _dirty = true;
     private static WorldScanPhase _scanPhase = WorldScanPhase.None;
     private static int _scanIndex;
+    private static int _scanLimit;
+    private static int _scanCommitIndex;
+    private static List<Actor> _liveScanSource;
     private static float _scanStartedAt;
     private static int _scanPinCount;
 
@@ -45,7 +49,12 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
     }
 
     /// <summary>Units probed per frame during amortized world admission.</summary>
-    private const int WorldScanUnitsPerFrame = 260;
+    private const int WorldScanUnitsPerFrame = 12;
+
+    /// <summary>Full challenger dossiers built per frame after a world scan.</summary>
+    private const int WorldScanBuildsPerFrame = 2;
+
+    private const int MaxScanAdmits = Cap * 2;
 
     /// <summary>Cadence for starting a spread world admission scan.</summary>
     private const float WorldScanIntervalSeconds = 3.5f;
@@ -74,6 +83,7 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         Slots.Clear();
         Scratch.Clear();
         ChallengerScratch.Clear();
+        ChallengerPriorityScratch.Clear();
         UnitScanSnapshot.Clear();
         ScanSeen.Clear();
         PreviousIds.Clear();
@@ -86,6 +96,9 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         _roleCacheAt = -999f;
         _scanPhase = WorldScanPhase.None;
         _scanIndex = 0;
+        _scanLimit = 0;
+        _scanCommitIndex = 0;
+        _liveScanSource = null;
         _dirty = true;
     }
 
@@ -759,8 +772,10 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         PreviousIds.Clear();
         ScanSeen.Clear();
         ChallengerScratch.Clear();
+        ChallengerPriorityScratch.Clear();
         UnitScanSnapshot.Clear();
         _scanPinCount = 0;
+        _scanCommitIndex = 0;
         _scanStartedAt = now;
 
         for (int i = 0; i < Slots.Count; i++)
@@ -795,7 +810,16 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
 
         try
         {
-            if (World.world?.units != null)
+            // The game already maintains an indexed living-unit list. Keep a reference and
+            // walk a bounded slice per frame instead of copying the entire population up
+            // front; that copy was itself a recurring main-thread hitch on mature worlds.
+            List<Actor> alive = World.world?.units?.units_only_alive;
+            if (alive != null && alive.Count > 0)
+            {
+                _liveScanSource = alive;
+                _scanLimit = alive.Count;
+            }
+            else if (World.world?.units != null)
             {
                 foreach (Actor actor in World.world.units)
                 {
@@ -804,6 +828,8 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
                         UnitScanSnapshot.Add(actor);
                     }
                 }
+
+                _scanLimit = UnitScanSnapshot.Count;
             }
         }
         catch
@@ -822,10 +848,15 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         var sw = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.StartNew();
         if (_scanPhase == WorldScanPhase.Walking)
         {
-            int end = Mathf.Min(_scanIndex + WorldScanUnitsPerFrame, UnitScanSnapshot.Count);
+            int available = _liveScanSource != null
+                ? Mathf.Min(_scanLimit, _liveScanSource.Count)
+                : UnitScanSnapshot.Count;
+            int end = Mathf.Min(_scanIndex + WorldScanUnitsPerFrame, available);
             for (int i = _scanIndex; i < end; i++)
             {
-                Actor actor = UnitScanSnapshot[i];
+                Actor actor = _liveScanSource != null
+                    ? _liveScanSource[i]
+                    : UnitScanSnapshot[i];
                 if (actor == null || !actor.isAlive())
                 {
                     continue;
@@ -842,12 +873,12 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
                     continue;
                 }
 
-                ChallengerScratch.Add(actor);
+                ConsiderWorldScanChallenger(actor);
                 ScanSeen.Add(id);
             }
 
             _scanIndex = end;
-            if (_scanIndex < UnitScanSnapshot.Count)
+            if (_scanIndex < available)
             {
                 sw.Stop();
                 LastWorldScanMs = Mathf.Max(LastWorldScanMs, (float)sw.Elapsed.TotalMilliseconds);
@@ -859,14 +890,10 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
 
         if (_scanPhase == WorldScanPhase.Commit)
         {
-            const int MaxScanAdmits = Cap * 2;
-            if (ChallengerScratch.Count > MaxScanAdmits)
-            {
-                ChallengerScratch.Sort(CompareAdmitPriorityDesc);
-                ChallengerScratch.RemoveRange(MaxScanAdmits, ChallengerScratch.Count - MaxScanAdmits);
-            }
-
-            for (int i = 0; i < ChallengerScratch.Count; i++)
+            int end = Mathf.Min(
+                _scanCommitIndex + WorldScanBuildsPerFrame,
+                ChallengerScratch.Count);
+            for (int i = _scanCommitIndex; i < end; i++)
             {
                 Actor actor = ChallengerScratch[i];
                 long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor);
@@ -878,12 +905,27 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
                 Scratch.Add(BuildSlot(actor, now));
             }
 
+            _scanCommitIndex = end;
+            if (_scanCommitIndex < ChallengerScratch.Count)
+            {
+                sw.Stop();
+                LastWorldScanMs = Mathf.Max(
+                    LastWorldScanMs,
+                    (float)sw.Elapsed.TotalMilliseconds);
+                return;
+            }
+
             FinishRefillFromScratch(now, worldScan: true, sw);
             ChallengerScratch.Clear();
+            ChallengerPriorityScratch.Clear();
             UnitScanSnapshot.Clear();
             ScanSeen.Clear();
+            _liveScanSource = null;
+            _scanLimit = 0;
             _scanPhase = WorldScanPhase.None;
             _scanIndex = 0;
+            _scanCommitIndex = 0;
+            _nextScanAt = now + WorldScanIntervalSeconds;
             return;
         }
 
@@ -1542,6 +1584,36 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         return AdmitPriority(b).CompareTo(AdmitPriority(a));
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Maintain the best bounded challenger set while walking the world. This avoids
+    /// sorting every eligible unit together at scan completion.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void ConsiderWorldScanChallenger(Actor actor)
+    {
+        float priority = AdmitPriority(actor);
+        int insert = 0;
+        while (insert < ChallengerPriorityScratch.Count
+               && ChallengerPriorityScratch[insert] >= priority)
+        {
+            insert++;
+        }
+
+        if (insert >= MaxScanAdmits
+            && ChallengerScratch.Count >= MaxScanAdmits)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        ChallengerScratch.Insert(insert, actor);
+        ChallengerPriorityScratch.Insert(insert, priority);
+        if (ChallengerScratch.Count > MaxScanAdmits)
+        {
+            int last = ChallengerScratch.Count - 1;
+            ChallengerScratch.RemoveAt(last);
+            ChallengerPriorityScratch.RemoveAt(last);
+        }
+    }
+
     private static float AdmitPriority(Actor actor)
     {
         if (actor == null)
@@ -1873,12 +1945,44 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
 
     public static bool IsSpeciesSingleton(Actor actor)
     {
-        if (actor == null)
+        if (actor?.asset == null)
         {
             return false;
         }
 
-        return WorldActivityScanner.IsSingletonSpeciesPublic(actor, SpeciesCountCache);
+        string speciesId = actor.asset.id ?? "";
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(speciesId))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (!SpeciesCountCache.TryGetValue(speciesId, out int population))
+        {
+            // Roster admission only needs singleton/not-singleton. The actor asset already
+            // owns its units, so stop at two instead of rebuilding counts for the whole world.
+            population = 0;
+            try
+            {
+                if (actor.asset.units != null)
+                {
+                    foreach (Actor sameSpecies in actor.asset.units)
+                    {
+                        if (sameSpecies != null && sameSpecies.isAlive() && ++population >= 2)
+                        {
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                population = 2;
+            }
+
+            SpeciesCountCache[speciesId] = population;
+        }
+
+        return population == 1;
     }
 
     private static bool ActorMatchesFounder(object meta, Actor actor)
@@ -1953,21 +2057,6 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         _roleCacheAt = now;
         PlotAuthorCache.Clear();
         SpeciesCountCache.Clear();
-        try
-        {
-            Dictionary<string, int> counts = WorldActivityScanner.CountSpeciesPopulations();
-            if (counts != null)
-            {
-                foreach (KeyValuePair<string, int> kv in counts)
-                {
-                    SpeciesCountCache[kv.Key] = kv.Value;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        catch
-        {
-            // ignore
-        }
 
         try
         {

IdleSpectator/UnitDossier.cs

@@ -582,8 +582,13 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
             return "";
         }
 
+        // Router happiness occurrences already carry authoritative subject/related context.
+        // Once their generated sentence is proven to start with that living subject, do not
+        // rescan the entire population looking for additional names on every occurrence.
+        bool routerOwned = IsTrustedHappinessReason(beat, scene);
+
         // Ownership: never let the reason name a living stranger (not subject/related).
-        if (ReasonNamesStranger(beat, scene))
+        if (!routerOwned && ReasonNamesStranger(beat, scene))
         {
             // Tiered combat tips name sides / duelists on purpose.
             if (!IsEnsembleCombatReason(beat))
@@ -611,6 +616,44 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
         return beat;
     }
 
+    private static bool IsTrustedHappinessReason(string reason, InterestCandidate scene)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(reason) || scene == null)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        string source = scene.Source ?? "";
+        if (!source.Equals("happiness", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            && !source.Equals("happiness_hatch", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            && !source.Equals("happiness_alpha", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        Actor subject = scene.FollowUnit;
+        if (subject == null || !subject.isAlive())
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        long subjectId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(subject);
+        if (scene.SubjectId != 0 && subjectId != scene.SubjectId)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        string subjectName = EventFeedUtil.SafeName(subject);
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(subjectName)
+            || !reason.StartsWith(subjectName, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        int end = subjectName.Length;
+        return end >= reason.Length || !char.IsLetterOrDigit(reason[end]);
+    }
+
     private static bool LeadsWithForeignName(string reason, InterestCandidate scene)
     {
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(reason) || scene == null)
@@ -902,6 +945,14 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
                     continue;
                 }
 
+                // Unnamed creatures commonly report their species as getName() ("Crab",
+                // "Wolf", ...). Those are catalog nouns, not proper-name strangers:
+                // "Crab Bomb" must not be rejected merely because a crab is alive.
+                if (IsSpeciesDisplayName(unit, name))
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
                 if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(subjectName)
                     && name.Equals(subjectName, System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
                 {
@@ -928,6 +979,26 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
         return false;
     }
 
+    private static bool IsSpeciesDisplayName(Actor unit, string name)
+    {
+        if (unit?.asset == null || string.IsNullOrEmpty(name))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        string speciesId = unit.asset.id ?? "";
+        string display = ActivityAssetCatalog.SpeciesDisplayLabel(speciesId);
+        string nametag = ActivityAssetCatalog.SpeciesNametagLabel(speciesId);
+        return name.Equals(speciesId, System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+               || name.Equals(
+                   speciesId.Replace('_', ' '),
+                   System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+               || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(display)
+                   && name.Equals(display, System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+               || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(nametag)
+                   && name.Equals(nametag, System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
+    }
+
     /// <summary>True when <paramref name="name"/> appears as a whole token in <paramref name="reason"/>.</summary>
     private static bool ContainsWholeName(string reason, string name)
     {

IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs

@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
     private static readonly TraitSlot[] _traitSlots = new TraitSlot[UnitDossier.MaxTraitChips];
     private static GameObject _traitsRow;
     private static readonly TraitSlot[] _statusSlots = new TraitSlot[UnitDossier.MaxStatusChips];
+    private static readonly UnitDossier StatusProbe = new UnitDossier();
     private static GameObject _statusesRow;
     private static int _lastStatusesFingerprint = int.MinValue;
 
@@ -110,6 +111,12 @@ public static class WatchCaption
     private static bool _visible;
     private static bool _layoutDirty = true;
     private static string _layoutKey = "";
+    private static string _lastAppliedCaptionFingerprint = "";
+    private static int _lastIdentityMemoryRevision = int.MinValue;
+    private static float _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt;
+    private static float _nextRoutineSpineAt;
+    private const float RoutineLiveRefreshSeconds = 0.2f;
+    private const float RoutineSpineRefreshSeconds = 0.15f;
     private static bool _dossierRowsNeedRestore;
     private static float _nextPortraitAt;
     private static long _portraitActorId;
@@ -496,6 +503,10 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         _lastHistoryCount = -1;
         _lastHistorySubjectId = 0;
         _lastStatusesFingerprint = int.MinValue;
+        _lastAppliedCaptionFingerprint = "";
+        _lastIdentityMemoryRevision = int.MinValue;
+        _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt = 0f;
+        _nextRoutineSpineAt = 0f;
         _headlineLocked = false;
         _historyColW = HistoryColMinW;
         _statusBanner = "";
@@ -619,6 +630,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         LastCaptionText = dossier.CaptionText ?? "";
         EnsureBuilt();
         ApplyVisual(actor, dossier);
+        _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt = Time.unscaledTime + RoutineLiveRefreshSeconds;
         SetVisible(ModSettings.ShowDossierCaption && (SpectatorMode.Active || _pinnedWhilePaused));
         LogCaptionIfChanged(LastCaptionText);
     }
@@ -747,6 +759,13 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         // Caption Identity/Beat/Context always track camera focus; hover only adds panel depth.
         LifeSagaViewController.Tick();
         ReconcileDossierToFocus();
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        if (now < _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt = now + RoutineLiveRefreshSeconds;
         if (!LifeSagaViewController.IsHoverPreview)
         {
             RefreshLivePortrait();
@@ -822,7 +841,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
         _layoutDirty = true;
         // Route through spine/rail refresh so caption compose and hover panel stay consistent.
-        RefreshStorySpine();
+        RefreshStorySpine(force: true);
     }
 
     private static bool HasStatusBanner()
@@ -981,7 +1000,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
         // Mass tip headcount ticks must not Relayout the whole dossier every second.
         // RefreshStorySpine recomposes Beat+Context and Relayouts when chrome changes.
-        RefreshStorySpine();
+        RefreshStorySpine(force: true);
         if (headcountOnly)
         {
             return;
@@ -998,13 +1017,20 @@ public static class WatchCaption
     /// Quiet context under the orange beat (story spine or stake).
     /// Recompose Identity/Beat/Context; show Cast/Legacy panel only while hovering.
     /// </summary>
-    private static void RefreshStorySpine()
+    private static void RefreshStorySpine(bool force = false)
     {
         if (!_visible)
         {
             return;
         }
 
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        if (!force && now < _nextRoutineSpineAt)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _nextRoutineSpineAt = now + RoutineSpineRefreshSeconds;
         bool statusBanner = HasStatusBanner();
         if (statusBanner)
         {
@@ -1112,6 +1138,15 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             reasonRelatedId,
             spineFiltered,
             statusBannerOwnsBeat);
+        if (string.Equals(
+                model.Fingerprint,
+                _lastAppliedCaptionFingerprint,
+                StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _lastAppliedCaptionFingerprint = model.Fingerprint;
 
         if (!_headlineLocked)
         {
@@ -1131,7 +1166,10 @@ public static class WatchCaption
                         shown = CaptionComposer.TruncateIdentity(shown, 48);
                     }
 
-                    _nameText.text = shown;
+                    if (!string.Equals(_nameText.text, shown, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+                    {
+                        _nameText.text = shown;
+                    }
                 }
             }
             else if (_current != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_current.Headline))
@@ -1482,7 +1520,17 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     private static void ApplyStorySpine(string spine)
     {
-        LastStorySpine = spine ?? "";
+        string next = spine ?? "";
+        bool show = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(next);
+        if (string.Equals(LastStorySpine, next, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && (_storySpineText == null
+                || (_storySpineText.gameObject.activeSelf == show
+                    && string.Equals(_storySpineText.text, next, StringComparison.Ordinal))))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        LastStorySpine = next;
         if (_storySpineText == null)
         {
             return;
@@ -1490,7 +1538,6 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
         // This row is Caption Context (short-arc spine or durable stake). A status
         // banner replaces Beat only, so Context remains visible and live.
-        bool show = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(LastStorySpine);
         _storySpineText.text = show ? LastStorySpine : "";
         _storySpineText.color = StorySpineColor;
         _storySpineText.gameObject.SetActive(show);
@@ -1607,6 +1654,15 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         string prevHeadline = LastHeadline ?? "";
         string prevJob = _current.JobLabel ?? "";
         string prevTag = _current.IdentityTag ?? "";
+        int memoryRevision = SagaProse.MemoryRevision;
+        if (string.Equals(job, prevJob, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(tag, prevTag, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && memoryRevision == _lastIdentityMemoryRevision)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _lastIdentityMemoryRevision = memoryRevision;
         ApplyComposedCaption(
             actor,
             _current.ReasonLine ?? "",
@@ -1648,11 +1704,10 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             return;
         }
 
-        UnitDossier probe = new UnitDossier();
-        UnitDossier.RefreshTopStatuses(probe, actor);
-        int fp = StatusFingerprint(probe);
+        UnitDossier.RefreshTopStatuses(StatusProbe, actor);
+        int fp = StatusFingerprint(StatusProbe);
         if (fp == _lastStatusesFingerprint
-            && StatusChipsMatch(_current.TopStatuses, probe.TopStatuses))
+            && StatusChipsMatch(_current.TopStatuses, StatusProbe.TopStatuses))
         {
             return;
         }
@@ -2085,12 +2140,22 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         }
 
         bool hasReason = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(reasonRichOrPlain);
+        string next = hasReason ? reasonRichOrPlain : "";
+        long subjectId = CurrentUnitId;
+        long nextOtherId = otherId != 0 && otherId != subjectId ? otherId : 0;
+        if (_reasonText.gameObject.activeSelf == hasReason
+            && string.Equals(_reasonText.text, next, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && _reasonOtherId == nextOtherId)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
         _reasonText.supportRichText = true;
         _reasonText.color = ReasonColor;
         _reasonText.horizontalOverflow = HorizontalWrapMode.Wrap;
         _reasonText.verticalOverflow = VerticalWrapMode.Overflow;
         _reasonText.resizeTextForBestFit = false;
-        _reasonText.text = hasReason ? reasonRichOrPlain : "";
+        _reasonText.text = next;
         _reasonText.gameObject.SetActive(hasReason);
         WireReasonClick(hasReason ? otherId : 0);
     }

IdleSpectator/WorldActivityScanner.cs

@@ -411,7 +411,9 @@ public static class WorldActivityScanner
     private static InterestEvent BuildHottestBattleLight(Vector3 anchor)
     {
         InterestEvent best = RankBattleKeeper(allFighters: null);
-        if (LiveEnsemble.TryBuildCombat(anchor, 14f, out LiveEnsemble local)
+        if (anchor != Vector3.zero
+            && !float.IsNaN(anchor.x)
+            && LiveEnsemble.TryBuildCombat(anchor, 14f, out LiveEnsemble local)
             && local != null
             && local.ParticipantCount >= 1)
         {
@@ -449,7 +451,7 @@ public static class WorldActivityScanner
                 LiveEnsemble.CollectCombatFightersNear(allFighters, pos, 14f, nearby);
                 ensemble = LiveEnsemble.FromCombatFighters(nearby, pos);
             }
-            else if (!LiveEnsemble.TryBuildCombat(pos, 14f, out ensemble))
+            else if (!LiveEnsemble.TryBuildCombatLocal(pos, 14f, out ensemble))
             {
                 ensemble = null;
             }

scripts/harness-run.sh

@@ -84,6 +84,13 @@ if [[ -z "$scenario" && -z "$raw_cmd" ]]; then
 fi
 
 worldbox_running() {
+  # Manually launched games may live outside the caller's PID namespace even though
+  # the mod inbox remains reachable. Allow diagnostics to bypass process discovery
+  # explicitly without starting a second Steam instance.
+  if [[ "${HARNESS_ASSUME_RUNNING:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+
   local pid cmd
   for pid in $(pgrep -a worldbox 2>/dev/null | awk '{print $1}'); do
     cmd=$(tr '\0' ' ' < "/proc/$pid/cmdline" 2>/dev/null || true)