diff --git a/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs b/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs
index 57d7065..96cb60e 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs
@@ -2961,6 +2961,8 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                         out string participant);
                 bool loverOk =
                     HappinessEventRouter.HarnessProbeLiveLoverRecoveryPolicy(out string lover);
+                bool boundedHappinessOk =
+                    HappinessEventRouter.HarnessProbeBoundedDrain(out string boundedHappiness);
                 bool identityOk =
                     UnitDossier.HarnessProbeIdentityJobPresentation(out string identity);
                 bool episodeOk =
@@ -2985,7 +2987,8 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 bool persistenceOk = NarrativePersistence.HarnessRoundTrip(out string persistence);
                 bool ok = contextOk && spineOk && combatOk && noveltyOk
                           && familyCoalescingOk && nameBoundaryOk
-                          && participantOk && loverOk && identityOk && episodeOk
+                          && participantOk && loverOk && boundedHappinessOk
+                          && identityOk && episodeOk
                           && proseOk && lifecycleOk && schedulerBoundsOk
                           && runtimeCompactionOk
                           && exactPresentationOk
@@ -3001,6 +3004,7 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                             + "} familyCoalescing={" + familyCoalescing
                             + "} nameBoundary={" + nameBoundary
                             + "} participant={" + participant + "} lover={" + lover
+                            + "} boundedHappiness={" + boundedHappiness
                             + "} identity={" + identity + "} episode={" + episode
                             + "} prose={" + prose + "} lifecycle={" + lifecycle
                             + "} schedulerBounds={" + schedulerBounds
@@ -15219,7 +15223,9 @@ public static class AgentHarness
             var loadWorld = AccessTools.Method(smType, "loadWorld", new[] { typeof(string), typeof(bool) });
             if (loadWorld != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(path))
             {
-                loadWorld.Invoke(instance, new object[] { path, true });
+                // The boolean is pLoadWorkshop, not "start immediately". Passing true
+                // dereferences currentWorkshopMapData and falls back to a random world.
+                loadWorld.Invoke(instance, new object[] { path, false });
                 detail = $"loadWorld slot={slot} path={path}";
                 return true;
             }
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/DossierAvatar.cs b/IdleSpectator/DossierAvatar.cs
index 80f1d22..e1632a7 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/DossierAvatar.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/DossierAvatar.cs
@@ -235,17 +235,10 @@ public static class DossierAvatar
         if (_usingVanilla && _instance != null && _shownActorId == id && _instance.gameObject.activeSelf
             && formKey == _shownFormKey)
         {
-            // Same unit + same life stage: only refresh the floor tile underfoot.
+            // The portrait and life stage are unchanged. updateTileSprite() rebuilds vanilla
+            // avatar chrome/layout and produced 45-77ms caption stalls on developed worlds.
+            // The terrain tile is decorative; refresh it on focus/form changes via show().
             HideFallback();
-            try
-            {
-                _instance.updateTileSprite();
-            }
-            catch
-            {
-                // ignore tile refresh failures
-            }
-
             return;
         }
 
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/InterestFeeds.cs b/IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/InterestFeeds.cs
index af7f981..6bc4d38 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/InterestFeeds.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Events/Feeds/InterestFeeds.cs
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 {
     private static ulong _happinessCursor;
     private static readonly List<HappinessOccurrence> HappinessDrain = new List<HappinessOccurrence>(64);
+    private const int MaxHappinessPerTick = 8;
     private static float _lastScannerAt = -999f;
     private const float ScannerInterval = 1.25f;
     private static int _tickParity;
     public static float LastHappinessMs { get; private set; }
+    public static int LastHappinessCount { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastHappinessMaxItemMs { get; private set; }
+    public static string LastHappinessMaxEffectId { get; private set; } = "";
     public static float LastScannerMs { get; private set; }
     public static float LastBattleScanMs { get; private set; }
     public static float LastWarFeedMs { get; private set; }
@@ -34,6 +38,9 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
         CivicBoostUntil.Clear();
         InterestDropLog.Clear();
         LastHappinessMs = 0f;
+        LastHappinessCount = 0;
+        LastHappinessMaxItemMs = 0f;
+        LastHappinessMaxEffectId = "";
         LastScannerMs = 0f;
         LastBattleScanMs = 0f;
         LastWarFeedMs = 0f;
@@ -722,7 +729,13 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 
     private static void DrainHappiness()
     {
-        ulong next = HappinessEventRouter.DrainSince(_happinessCursor, HappinessDrain);
+        ulong next = HappinessEventRouter.DrainSince(
+            _happinessCursor,
+            HappinessDrain,
+            MaxHappinessPerTick);
+        LastHappinessCount = HappinessDrain.Count;
+        LastHappinessMaxItemMs = 0f;
+        LastHappinessMaxEffectId = "";
         if (HappinessDrain.Count == 0)
         {
             _happinessCursor = next;
@@ -731,7 +744,15 @@ public static class InterestFeeds
 
         for (int i = 0; i < HappinessDrain.Count; i++)
         {
-            IngestHappiness(HappinessDrain[i]);
+            HappinessOccurrence occurrence = HappinessDrain[i];
+            long started = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
+            IngestHappiness(occurrence);
+            float elapsed = ElapsedMs(started);
+            if (elapsed > LastHappinessMaxItemMs)
+            {
+                LastHappinessMaxItemMs = elapsed;
+                LastHappinessMaxEffectId = occurrence?.EffectId ?? "";
+            }
         }
 
         _happinessCursor = next;
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/HappinessEventRouter.cs b/IdleSpectator/HappinessEventRouter.cs
index ba3f2d0..5738817 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/HappinessEventRouter.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/HappinessEventRouter.cs
@@ -98,7 +98,10 @@ public static class HappinessEventRouter
     /// Drain occurrences with Sequence &gt; <paramref name="sinceSeq"/>.
     /// Returns the highest sequence drained (pass back next call). Diagnostics may still use <see cref="Latest"/>.
     /// </summary>
-    public static ulong DrainSince(ulong sinceSeq, List<HappinessOccurrence> destination)
+    public static ulong DrainSince(
+        ulong sinceSeq,
+        List<HappinessOccurrence> destination,
+        int maxCount = int.MaxValue)
     {
         if (destination == null)
         {
@@ -106,6 +109,11 @@ public static class HappinessEventRouter
         }
 
         destination.Clear();
+        if (maxCount <= 0)
+        {
+            return sinceSeq;
+        }
+
         ulong max = sinceSeq;
         for (int i = 0; i < Recent.Count; i++)
         {
@@ -120,11 +128,43 @@ public static class HappinessEventRouter
             {
                 max = occ.Sequence;
             }
+
+            if (destination.Count >= maxCount)
+            {
+                break;
+            }
         }
 
         return max;
     }
 
+    public static bool HarnessProbeBoundedDrain(out string detail)
+    {
+        ClearSession();
+        for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++)
+        {
+            Remember(new HappinessOccurrence
+            {
+                EffectId = "harness_bounded_" + i,
+                Applied = true
+            });
+        }
+
+        var drain = new List<HappinessOccurrence>(8);
+        ulong cursor = DrainSince(0, drain, 8);
+        int first = drain.Count;
+        cursor = DrainSince(cursor, drain, 8);
+        int second = drain.Count;
+        cursor = DrainSince(cursor, drain, 8);
+        int third = drain.Count;
+        bool complete = cursor == CurrentSequence;
+        bool ok = first == 8 && second == 8 && third == 4 && complete;
+        detail = "chunks=" + first + "/" + second + "/" + third
+                 + " complete=" + complete + " pass=" + ok;
+        ClearSession();
+        return ok;
+    }
+
     public static void ResetCountersForSubject(long subjectId)
     {
         _counterSubjectId = subjectId;
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/IdleHitchProbe.cs b/IdleSpectator/IdleHitchProbe.cs
index 6160e2f..66d5746 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/IdleHitchProbe.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/IdleHitchProbe.cs
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
     private static float _maxDirectorMs;
     private static float _maxCaptionMs;
     private static float _maxDiscoveryMs;
+    private static float _nextDetailLogAt;
+    private const float DetailLogIntervalSeconds = 0.5f;
 
     public static void SetEnabled(bool on)
     {
@@ -56,6 +58,7 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
         _maxDirectorMs = 0f;
         _maxCaptionMs = 0f;
         _maxDiscoveryMs = 0f;
+        _nextDetailLogAt = 0f;
         _nextSummaryAt = Time.unscaledTime + 5f;
     }
 
@@ -144,6 +147,11 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
         }
 
         float dt = Time.unscaledDeltaTime;
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        bool recordBreaking = dt > _maxDt
+                              || _directorMs > _maxDirectorMs
+                              || _captionMs > _maxCaptionMs
+                              || _discoveryMs > _maxDiscoveryMs;
         _maxDt = Mathf.Max(_maxDt, dt);
         _maxDirectorMs = Mathf.Max(_maxDirectorMs, _directorMs);
         _maxCaptionMs = Mathf.Max(_maxCaptionMs, _captionMs);
@@ -156,9 +164,14 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
         if (frameSpike || sliceSpike)
         {
             _spikes++;
-            string idle = SpectatorMode.Active ? "on" : "off";
-            LogService.LogInfo(
-                $"[IdleSpectator][HITCH] spike idle={idle} dt={dt * 1000f:0.0}ms "
+            // Continuous Unity logging can itself create GC/I/O hitches. Preserve every
+            // record-breaking sample and otherwise cap detail to two lines per second.
+            if (recordBreaking || now >= _nextDetailLogAt)
+            {
+                _nextDetailLogAt = now + DetailLogIntervalSeconds;
+                string idle = SpectatorMode.Active ? "on" : "off";
+                LogService.LogInfo(
+                    $"[IdleSpectator][HITCH] spike idle={idle} dt={dt * 1000f:0.0}ms "
                 + $"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} "
@@ -171,19 +184,34 @@ public static class IdleHitchProbe
                 + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastPresentabilityMs:0.0}/"
                 + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastClassificationMs:0.0}/"
                 + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastScoringMs:0.0} "
+                + $"selectParts={InterestDirector.LastSelectCopyMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{InterestDirector.LastSelectFilterMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{InterestDirector.LastSelectStoryMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{InterestDirector.LastSelectVarietyMs:0.0} "
                 + $"selectorPresent={EpisodeShotSelector.LastPresentabilityChecks} "
                 + $"selectorSlow={EpisodeShotSelector.LastSlowCandidateMs:0.0}:"
                 + $"{EpisodeShotSelector.LastSlowCandidateKey} "
+                + $"captionParts={WatchCaption.LastReconcileMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastPortraitMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastTaskMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastIdentityMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastStatusesMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastHistoryMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastReasonMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{WatchCaption.LastSpineMs:0.0} "
                 + $"feedParts={InterestFeeds.LastHappinessMs:0.0}/"
+                + $"{InterestFeeds.LastHappinessCount}/"
+                + $"{InterestFeeds.LastHappinessMaxItemMs:0.0}:"
+                + $"{InterestFeeds.LastHappinessMaxEffectId}/"
                 + $"{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;
+                    + $"hot={_hotMark}({_hotMarkMs:0.0}ms)");
+                _hotMark = "";
+                _hotMarkMs = 0f;
+            }
         }
 
-        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
         if (now >= _nextSummaryAt)
         {
             _nextSummaryAt = now + 5f;
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs b/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs
index 3184439..f5c1473 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/InterestDirector.cs
@@ -73,6 +73,10 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
     private const float CombatTheaterLeadOutnumberedBonus = 28f;
     private const float CombatTheaterLeadNearRadius = 20f;
     private static readonly List<InterestCandidate> PendingScratch = new List<InterestCandidate>(96);
+    public static float LastSelectCopyMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastSelectFilterMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastSelectStoryMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastSelectVarietyMs { get; private set; }
 
     public static string CurrentTierName => CurrentScoreLabel;
 
@@ -2007,12 +2011,20 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
 
     private static InterestCandidate SelectNext(float now)
     {
+        bool profile = IdleHitchProbe.Enabled;
+        LastSelectCopyMs = 0f;
+        LastSelectFilterMs = 0f;
+        LastSelectStoryMs = 0f;
+        LastSelectVarietyMs = 0f;
+        long stageStarted = profile ? System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0;
         InterestRegistry.CopyPending(PendingScratch);
+        if (profile) LastSelectCopyMs = SelectStageMs(stageStarted);
         if (PendingScratch.Count == 0)
         {
             return null;
         }
 
+        stageStarted = profile ? System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0;
         float onCurrent = now - _currentStartedAt;
         float sinceSwitch = now - _lastSwitchAt;
         bool softQuiet = StoryPlanner.SoftFillQuietActive;
@@ -2061,13 +2073,16 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
                 PendingScratch.RemoveAt(i);
             }
         }
+        if (profile) LastSelectFilterMs = SelectStageMs(stageStarted);
 
         if (PendingScratch.Count == 0)
         {
             return null;
         }
 
+        stageStarted = profile ? System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0;
         InterestCandidate storyChoice = StoryScheduler.SelectForCamera(PendingScratch, _current, now);
+        if (profile) LastSelectStoryMs = SelectStageMs(stageStarted);
         if (storyChoice != null)
         {
             return storyChoice;
@@ -2080,7 +2095,16 @@ public static partial class InterestDirector
 
         // When no episode owns a usable development, select bounded ambient/world context.
         // EnrichTopK runs inside InterestVariety.Pick once - avoid a second top-K meta walk here.
-        return InterestVariety.Pick(PendingScratch, _current);
+        stageStarted = profile ? System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() : 0;
+        InterestCandidate picked = InterestVariety.Pick(PendingScratch, _current);
+        if (profile) LastSelectVarietyMs = SelectStageMs(stageStarted);
+        return picked;
+    }
+
+    private static float SelectStageMs(long started)
+    {
+        return (float)((System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() - started)
+            * 1000d / System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.Frequency);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeDevelopmentRouter.cs b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeDevelopmentRouter.cs
index e0f890c..7728dc2 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeDevelopmentRouter.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeDevelopmentRouter.cs
@@ -177,8 +177,8 @@ public static class NarrativeDevelopmentRouter
         string developmentId)
     {
         return Record(
-            gained ? NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeFounded : NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeLost,
-            gained ? NarrativeFunction.TurningPoint : NarrativeFunction.Consequence,
+            gained ? NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeGained : NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeLost,
+            gained ? NarrativeFunction.Development : NarrativeFunction.Consequence,
             subject,
             null,
             developmentId,
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeModels.cs b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeModels.cs
index e7a387b..cd5a71a 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeModels.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeModels.cs
@@ -96,7 +96,8 @@ public enum CharacterConsequenceKind
     JoinedPlot,
     PlotResolved,
     Transformed,
-    Recovered
+    Recovered,
+    FoundHome
 }
 
 /// <summary>Evidence-backed semantic state transition. Contains no final player-facing prose.</summary>
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeProse.cs b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeProse.cs
index 177696d..44c24a5 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeProse.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeProse.cs
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ public static class NarrativeProse
                 return "Founded a new home";
             case CharacterConsequenceKind.LostHome:
                 return "Lost their home";
+            case CharacterConsequenceKind.FoundHome:
+                return "Found a home";
             case CharacterConsequenceKind.EnteredWar:
                 return "Entered a war";
             case CharacterConsequenceKind.SurvivedWar:
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeStoryStore.cs b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeStoryStore.cs
index f2a870d..29795be 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeStoryStore.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeStoryStore.cs
@@ -621,14 +621,15 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Birth evidence remains in the event/development stores for persistence and dedupe.
-    /// A full mirrored lineage graph is useful only once the family touches the authored cast;
-    /// projecting every anonymous newborn was creating hundreds of disposable threads per minute.
+    /// Ambient evidence remains in the event/development stores for persistence and dedupe.
+    /// A full character/thread/consequence graph is useful only once the event touches the
+    /// authored cast; projecting every anonymous death, breakup, friendship, move, and birth
+    /// created hundreds of disposable objects between minute-level compactions.
     /// </summary>
     private static bool ShouldProjectDevelopment(NarrativeDevelopment development)
     {
         if (development == null
-            || development.Kind != NarrativeDevelopmentKind.ChildBorn
+            || !DefersAnonymousGraphProjection(development.Kind)
             || (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(development.EvidenceSource)
                 && development.EvidenceSource.StartsWith(
                     "harness", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
@@ -663,6 +664,23 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
                    || active.HasCast(development.OtherId));
     }
 
+    private static bool DefersAnonymousGraphProjection(NarrativeDevelopmentKind kind)
+    {
+        switch (kind)
+        {
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.BondFormed:
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.BondBroken:
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.ChildBorn:
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.FriendFormed:
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Death:
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeGained:
+            case NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeLost:
+                return true;
+            default:
+                return false;
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Bounds the live narrative graph while protecting the active episode and the
     /// Saga cast. Persistence already compacts its sidecar; this prevents long-running
@@ -1085,12 +1103,15 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         var stopwatch = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.StartNew();
         for (int i = 0; i < 200; i++) CopyOpenThreads(candidates);
         stopwatch.Stop();
-        bool bounded = candidates.Count <= SchedulerCandidateLimit;
+        // The recent-thread index is capped at SchedulerCandidateLimit, then active
+        // main-cast threads may be folded back in up to SchedulerCopyLimit. A populated
+        // live roster therefore legitimately produces more than 96 candidates.
+        bool bounded = candidates.Count <= SchedulerCopyLimit;
         StoryScheduler.Clear();
         StoryScheduler.Tick(Time.unscaledTime + 1f);
         float schedulerMs = StoryScheduler.LastTickMs;
         int schedulerCandidates = StoryScheduler.LastCandidateCount;
-        bool schedulerFast = schedulerCandidates <= SchedulerCandidateLimit
+        bool schedulerFast = schedulerCandidates <= SchedulerCopyLimit
                              && schedulerMs < 50f;
 
         var home = new NarrativeDevelopment
@@ -1112,7 +1133,7 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
         bool fast = stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds < 50;
         bool ok = bounded && schedulerFast && foundingTerminal && fast;
         detail = "imported=" + imported
-                 + " candidates=" + candidates.Count + "/" + SchedulerCandidateLimit
+                 + " candidates=" + candidates.Count + "/" + SchedulerCopyLimit
                  + " copies200Ms=" + stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds
                  + " scheduler=" + schedulerMs.ToString("0.00") + "ms/"
                  + schedulerCandidates
@@ -1137,7 +1158,28 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
             OccurredAt = 1f,
             Magnitude = 76f
         });
-        bool ambientBirthDeferred = ThreadCount == 0 && CharacterCount == 0;
+        Record(new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "probe:compact:ambient-death",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.Death,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Resolution,
+            SubjectId = 9000003,
+            OtherId = 9000004,
+            EvidenceSource = "natural_soak",
+            OccurredAt = 1.1f,
+            Magnitude = 100f
+        });
+        Record(new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "probe:compact:ambient-home",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeGained,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Development,
+            SubjectId = 9000005,
+            EvidenceSource = "natural_soak",
+            OccurredAt = 1.2f,
+            Magnitude = 64f
+        });
+        bool ambientGraphDeferred = ThreadCount == 0 && CharacterCount == 0;
         Record(new NarrativeDevelopment
         {
             Id = "probe:compact:authored-child",
@@ -1151,6 +1193,21 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
             Magnitude = 76f
         });
         bool authoredBirthProjected = ThreadCount == 2 && CharacterCount == 2;
+        Record(new NarrativeDevelopment
+        {
+            Id = "probe:compact:authored-home",
+            Kind = NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeGained,
+            Function = NarrativeFunction.Development,
+            SubjectId = 9000013,
+            CorrelationKey = "probe-home",
+            EvidenceSource = "harness_compaction",
+            OccurredAt = 2.1f,
+            Magnitude = 64f
+        });
+        NarrativeThread homeThread = Thread("thread:home:probe-home:9000013");
+        bool authoredHomeProjected = homeThread != null
+                                     && homeThread.Kind == NarrativeThreadKind.Recovery
+                                     && !homeThread.IsOpen;
         Clear();
 
         const int importedDevelopments = 2300;
@@ -1221,7 +1278,7 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
                        && Threads.Count <= MaxRuntimeThreads
                        && Consequences.Count <= MaxRuntimeConsequences
                        && Characters.Count <= MaxRuntimeCharacters;
-        bool ok = ambientBirthDeferred && authoredBirthProjected
+        bool ok = ambientGraphDeferred && authoredBirthProjected && authoredHomeProjected
                   && compacted && bounded && graphClosed && newestThreadKept;
         detail = "events=" + NarrativeEventStore.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeEvents
                  + " developments=" + Developments.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeDevelopments
@@ -1230,7 +1287,9 @@ public static class NarrativeStoryStore
                  + " characters=" + Characters.Count + "/" + MaxRuntimeCharacters
                  + " newest=" + newestThreadKept
                  + " closed=" + graphClosed
-                 + " birth=" + ambientBirthDeferred + "/" + authoredBirthProjected
+                 + " deferred=" + ambientGraphDeferred
+                 + " authoredBirth=" + authoredBirthProjected
+                 + " authoredHome=" + authoredHomeProjected
                  + " ms=" + LastCompactionMs.ToString("0.0")
                  + " pass=" + ok;
         Clear();
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeThreadRules.cs b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeThreadRules.cs
index f3512af..f0069f5 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeThreadRules.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/Narrative/NarrativeThreadRules.cs
@@ -166,17 +166,23 @@ public static class NarrativeThreadRules
     {
         string anchor = FirstNonEmpty(d.CityKey, d.KingdomKey, d.CorrelationKey, d.SubjectId.ToString());
         bool lost = d.Kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeLost;
+        bool founded = d.Kind == NarrativeDevelopmentKind.HomeFounded;
         NarrativeThread t = NarrativeStoryStore.OpenOrUpdateThread(
             "thread:home:" + anchor + ":" + d.SubjectId,
-            lost ? NarrativeThreadKind.HomeLoss : NarrativeThreadKind.Founding,
+            lost ? NarrativeThreadKind.HomeLoss
+                : founded ? NarrativeThreadKind.Founding : NarrativeThreadKind.Recovery,
             d.SubjectId, anchor, d,
-            lost ? "Where will they go after losing their home?" : "They established a home",
+            lost ? "Where will they go after losing their home?"
+                : founded ? "They established a home" : "They found a place to belong",
             lost ? NarrativePhase.TurningPoint : NarrativePhase.Outcome,
             lost ? NarrativeThreadStatus.Active : NarrativeThreadStatus.Resolved);
-        if (!lost && t != null) t.Resolution = "home established";
+        if (!lost && t != null) t.Resolution = founded ? "home established" : "found a home";
         AddConsequence(d, t, d.SubjectId,
-            lost ? CharacterConsequenceKind.LostHome : CharacterConsequenceKind.FoundedHome,
-            lost ? "displaced" : "founder", 0, lost ? 90f : 82f);
+            lost ? CharacterConsequenceKind.LostHome
+                : founded ? CharacterConsequenceKind.FoundedHome : CharacterConsequenceKind.FoundHome,
+            lost ? "displaced" : founded ? "founder" : "resident",
+            0,
+            lost ? 90f : founded ? 82f : 64f);
     }
 
     private static void ApplyWar(NarrativeDevelopment d)
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/UnitDossier.cs b/IdleSpectator/UnitDossier.cs
index 1160b2c..ef14aad 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/UnitDossier.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/UnitDossier.cs
@@ -476,7 +476,13 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
             }
         }
 
-        string beat = EvaluateSceneLabel(scene, d, recordDrops: true) ?? "";
+        // Registry intake already ran the complete stranger/foreign-name gate and stamped
+        // this exact label + ownership fingerprint. Repeating both population scans when
+        // the director first paints an approved scene made every cut hitch in large worlds.
+        bool approvedPresentation = EventPresentability.IsApproved(scene);
+        string beat = approvedPresentation
+            ? (EventLabelBeat(scene.Label, d, recordDrops: false) ?? "")
+            : (EvaluateSceneLabel(scene, d, recordDrops: true) ?? "");
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(beat))
         {
             d.ReasonRelatedId = 0;
@@ -485,7 +491,11 @@ public sealed class UnitDossier
 
         // Dossier subject must own the leading proper name on non-ensemble tips.
         // Catches Follow/Subject drift where the tip Label still names someone else.
-        if (!IsEnsembleCombatReason(beat) && ReasonLeadsWithForeignDossierName(beat, actor, d, scene))
+        // An exact intake approval already proved that any living names are scene owners;
+        // UnitIsReasonPrincipal above proves this dossier actor owns the selected scene.
+        if (!approvedPresentation
+            && !IsEnsembleCombatReason(beat)
+            && ReasonLeadsWithForeignDossierName(beat, actor, d, scene))
         {
             InterestDropLog.Record("identity_filter", "dossier_foreign:" + beat);
             d.ReasonRelatedId = 0;
diff --git a/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs b/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs
index 7e3cbb2..ddccee2 100644
--- a/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs
+++ b/IdleSpectator/WatchCaption.cs
@@ -124,6 +124,28 @@ public static class WatchCaption
     private static string _statusBanner = "";
     private static float _statusBannerUntil;
     private static string _lastLoggedCaption = "";
+    // OwnedEventReason performs stranger-name presentability checks against the living
+    // population. A developed world makes that expensive, while the active director
+    // candidate is normally unchanged for many 0.2-second caption refreshes.
+    private static bool _ownedReasonCacheValid;
+    private static long _ownedReasonActorId;
+    private static InterestCandidate _ownedReasonScene;
+    private static string _ownedReasonSceneKey = "";
+    private static string _ownedReasonSceneLabel = "";
+    private static long _ownedReasonSubjectId;
+    private static long _ownedReasonRelatedId;
+    private static bool _ownedReasonQuietGrace;
+    private static string _ownedReasonHarnessOverride = "";
+    private static long _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedId;
+    private static string _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedName = "";
+    public static float LastReconcileMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastPortraitMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastTaskMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastIdentityMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastStatusesMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastHistoryMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastReasonMs { get; private set; }
+    public static float LastSpineMs { get; private set; }
 
     private sealed class TraitSlot
     {
@@ -480,6 +502,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     public static void Clear()
     {
+        InvalidateOwnedReasonCache();
         _current = null;
         _boundActor = null;
         LastHeadline = "";
@@ -595,6 +618,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
                 LastCaptionText = LastHeadline;
                 LastHistoryPreview = "";
                 LastHistoryJoined = "";
+                InvalidateOwnedReasonCache();
                 _current = null;
                 _boundActor = null;
                 EnsureBuilt();
@@ -618,6 +642,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     public static void SetFromActor(Actor actor, string label = null)
     {
+        InvalidateOwnedReasonCache();
         if (!_pinnedWhilePaused)
         {
             ClearStatusBanner();
@@ -646,6 +671,7 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             return;
         }
 
+        InvalidateOwnedReasonCache();
         if (!_pinnedWhilePaused)
         {
             ClearStatusBanner();
@@ -680,6 +706,8 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     public static void Update()
     {
+        ResetUpdateTelemetry();
+
         // History / manual pause: keep dossier pinned even after the banner timer expires.
         if (_pinnedWhilePaused && ModSettings.ShowDossierCaption)
         {
@@ -758,8 +786,10 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         // Safety net: any focus change that skipped SetFromActor (or rematched follow)
         // must not leave the nametag on the previous person for a frame.
         // Caption Identity/Beat/Context always track camera focus; hover only adds panel depth.
+        long perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
         LifeSagaViewController.Tick();
         ReconcileDossierToFocus();
+        LastReconcileMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
         float now = Time.unscaledTime;
         if (now < _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt)
         {
@@ -769,19 +799,66 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         _nextRoutineLiveRefreshAt = now + RoutineLiveRefreshSeconds;
         if (!LifeSagaViewController.IsHoverPreview)
         {
+            perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
             RefreshLivePortrait();
+            LastPortraitMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
+
+            perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
             RefreshLiveTask();
+            LastTaskMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
         }
 
+        perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
         RefreshLiveIdentity();
+        LastIdentityMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
         if (!LifeSagaViewController.IsHoverPreview)
         {
+            perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
             RefreshLiveStatuses();
+            LastStatusesMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
+
+            perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
             RefreshHistoryIfChanged();
+            LastHistoryMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
         }
 
+        perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
         RefreshOwnedReason();
+        LastReasonMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
+
+        perfStarted = StartPerfSample();
         RefreshStorySpine();
+        LastSpineMs = EndPerfSample(perfStarted);
+    }
+
+    private static void ResetUpdateTelemetry()
+    {
+        LastReconcileMs = 0f;
+        LastPortraitMs = 0f;
+        LastTaskMs = 0f;
+        LastIdentityMs = 0f;
+        LastStatusesMs = 0f;
+        LastHistoryMs = 0f;
+        LastReasonMs = 0f;
+        LastSpineMs = 0f;
+    }
+
+    private static long StartPerfSample()
+    {
+        return IdleHitchProbe.Enabled
+            ? System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp()
+            : 0;
+    }
+
+    private static float EndPerfSample(long started)
+    {
+        if (started == 0)
+        {
+            return 0f;
+        }
+
+        long elapsed = System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.GetTimestamp() - started;
+        return (float)(elapsed * 1000.0 / System.Diagnostics.Stopwatch.Frequency);
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -852,6 +929,11 @@ public static class WatchCaption
 
     public static void ClearStatusBanner()
     {
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(_statusBanner) || _statusBannerUntil != 0f)
+        {
+            InvalidateOwnedReasonCache();
+        }
+
         _statusBanner = "";
         _statusBannerUntil = 0f;
         if (_reasonText != null)
@@ -952,9 +1034,35 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             return;
         }
 
+        InterestCandidate scene = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
+        long actorId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(actor);
+        string sceneKey = scene != null ? (scene.Key ?? "") : "";
+        string sceneLabel = scene != null ? (scene.Label ?? "") : "";
+        long subjectId = scene != null ? scene.SubjectId : 0;
+        long relatedId = scene != null ? scene.RelatedId : 0;
+        bool quietGrace = InterestDirector.InQuietGrace;
+        string harnessOverride = UnitDossier.HarnessReasonOverride ?? "";
+        long harnessRelatedId = UnitDossier.HarnessReasonRelatedId;
+        string harnessRelatedName = UnitDossier.HarnessReasonRelatedName ?? "";
+
+        if (_ownedReasonCacheValid
+            && _ownedReasonActorId == actorId
+            && ReferenceEquals(_ownedReasonScene, scene)
+            && string.Equals(_ownedReasonSceneKey, sceneKey, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && string.Equals(_ownedReasonSceneLabel, sceneLabel, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && _ownedReasonSubjectId == subjectId
+            && _ownedReasonRelatedId == relatedId
+            && _ownedReasonQuietGrace == quietGrace
+            && string.Equals(_ownedReasonHarnessOverride, harnessOverride, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            && _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedId == harnessRelatedId
+            && string.Equals(_ownedReasonHarnessRelatedName, harnessRelatedName, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
         // Honor harness reason override the same way FromActor/BuildStoryBeat does.
         string next;
-        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(UnitDossier.HarnessReasonOverride))
+        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(harnessOverride))
         {
             string subject = _current.Name ?? "";
             if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(subject))
@@ -962,12 +1070,12 @@ public static class WatchCaption
                 subject = EventFeedUtil.SafeName(actor);
             }
 
-            string relatedName = UnitDossier.HarnessReasonRelatedName ?? "";
-            _current.ReasonRelatedId = UnitDossier.HarnessReasonRelatedId != 0
-                ? UnitDossier.HarnessReasonRelatedId
+            string relatedName = harnessRelatedName;
+            _current.ReasonRelatedId = harnessRelatedId != 0
+                ? harnessRelatedId
                 : ActivityLog.ResolveLivingUnitIdByName(relatedName, _current.UnitId);
             next = ActivityProse.ColorizePersonNames(
-                UnitDossier.HarnessReasonOverride.Trim(),
+                harnessOverride.Trim(),
                 subject,
                 relatedName);
         }
@@ -976,6 +1084,18 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             next = UnitDossier.OwnedEventReason(actor, _current) ?? "";
         }
 
+        _ownedReasonCacheValid = true;
+        _ownedReasonActorId = actorId;
+        _ownedReasonScene = scene;
+        _ownedReasonSceneKey = sceneKey;
+        _ownedReasonSceneLabel = sceneLabel;
+        _ownedReasonSubjectId = subjectId;
+        _ownedReasonRelatedId = relatedId;
+        _ownedReasonQuietGrace = quietGrace;
+        _ownedReasonHarnessOverride = harnessOverride;
+        _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedId = harnessRelatedId;
+        _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedName = harnessRelatedName;
+
         string prev = _current.ReasonLine ?? "";
         if (next == prev)
         {
@@ -985,7 +1105,6 @@ public static class WatchCaption
         // Transient ownership miss mid-handoff: keep the last orange reason while a
         // labeled event tip is still active (avoids a blank frame during Love Follow swaps).
         // Do not keep across character-fill / empty-Label vignettes.
-        InterestCandidate scene = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(next)
             && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(prev)
             && scene != null
@@ -1015,6 +1134,21 @@ public static class WatchCaption
             LastContextLine);
     }
 
+    private static void InvalidateOwnedReasonCache()
+    {
+        _ownedReasonCacheValid = false;
+        _ownedReasonActorId = 0;
+        _ownedReasonScene = null;
+        _ownedReasonSceneKey = "";
+        _ownedReasonSceneLabel = "";
+        _ownedReasonSubjectId = 0;
+        _ownedReasonRelatedId = 0;
+        _ownedReasonQuietGrace = false;
+        _ownedReasonHarnessOverride = "";
+        _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedId = 0;
+        _ownedReasonHarnessRelatedName = "";
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Quiet context under the orange beat (story spine or stake).
     /// Recompose Identity/Beat/Context; show Cast/Legacy panel only while hovering.