feat(saga): escalate hard-arc admit and add soak probes

- Grow climax admit heat with arc age and re-stamp while theater holds
- Let prolonged stranger fights challenge Cap so Active chrome can light
- Add soak_probe that dumps roster vs focus without wiping saga state
- Gate with saga_hard_arc_escalates; bump mod to 0.29.59

.cursor/skills/idle-spectator-e2e/SKILL.md

@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ Use `fast_timing` / `director_run` instead.
 - `assert` expects: `idle`, `health`, `power_bar`, `no_bad`, `tip_matches_unit`, `unit_asset`, `tip_contains`, `enabled`, `show_watch_reasons`, `current_tier`, `would_accept_curiosity`, `focus_same`, `presented`, `pending_discovery`, `pending_interest`, `in_grace`, `dossier_contains`, `caption_contains`, `dossier_traits_ok`, `dossier_statuses_ok`, `citizen_job_labels_ok`, `tooltip_library_ok`, `history_other_rows`, `lore_detail_is_other`, `reason_names_colored`, `fallen_killer_banner`, `caption_layout_ok`, `dossier_history_contains`, `chronicle_count`, `chronicle_latest_contains`, `chronicle_latest_dated`, `focus_arrows`
 - `dossier_click_history_other`, `dossier_force_named_reason` - dossier row → Lore other; gold names in orange reason
 - `snapshot`, `reset_counters`, `scenario`
+- `soak_probe` / `saga_soak_probe` - read-only AFK dump (roster vs focus, Active/Involved, rivals); **preserves** saga roster+memory on batch end
+- `snapshot` with `value=preserve` (or `soak` / `keep`) also skips the batch-end saga wipe
 
 ## Process safety
 

IdleSpectator/AgentHarness.cs

@@ -30,6 +30,11 @@ public static class AgentHarness
     private static Actor _happinessPartner;
     private static long _activitySubjectId;
     private static bool _directorRunActive;
+    /// <summary>
+    /// When set, batch-end skips roster/memory wipe so AFK soak probes stay non-destructive.
+    /// Scenario batches never set this; only <c>soak_probe</c> / preserve snapshots do.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static bool _preserveSagaAfterBatch;
     private static string _rememberedFocusKey = "";
     private static string _rememberedTip = "";
     private static long _rememberedRelatedId;
@@ -2972,6 +2977,50 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 break;
             }
 
+            case "saga_fill_cap":
+            {
+                // Force-admit living units until Cap (skips Prefer partner / current focus when asked).
+                string assetId = string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.asset) || cmd.asset == "auto"
+                    ? "human"
+                    : cmd.asset;
+                Actor skip = _happinessPartner;
+                int added = 0;
+                int guard = 0;
+                while (LifeSagaRoster.Count < LifeSagaRoster.Cap && guard++ < 40)
+                {
+                    Actor unit = FindOtherAliveUnitPreferOffRoster(skip, assetId, preferOffRoster: true);
+                    if (unit == null || !unit.isAlive())
+                    {
+                        break;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!LifeSagaRoster.HarnessForceAdmit(unit))
+                    {
+                        break;
+                    }
+
+                    added++;
+                    skip = unit;
+                }
+
+                bool ok = LifeSagaRoster.Count >= LifeSagaRoster.Cap;
+                if (ok)
+                {
+                    _cmdOk++;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    _cmdFail++;
+                }
+
+                Emit(
+                    cmd,
+                    ok,
+                    detail:
+                    $"filled added={added} roster={LifeSagaRoster.Count} cap={LifeSagaRoster.Cap}");
+                break;
+            }
+
             case "saga_force_admit_partner":
             {
                 Actor partner = _happinessPartner;
@@ -3133,24 +3182,77 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 break;
             }
 
+            case "saga_stiffen_roster":
+            {
+                // Keep Cap competitive via Heat (RefreshSlot rewrites Standing from live BaseInterest).
+                float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+                float heat = LifeSagaRoster.HeatCap;
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.value)
+                    && float.TryParse(
+                        cmd.value.Trim(),
+                        System.Globalization.NumberStyles.Float,
+                        System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
+                        out float parsed)
+                    && parsed > 0f)
+                {
+                    heat = parsed;
+                }
+
+                var board = new System.Collections.Generic.List<LifeSagaSlot>(LifeSagaRoster.Cap);
+                LifeSagaRoster.CopySlots(board);
+                int n = 0;
+                for (int i = 0; i < board.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    LifeSagaSlot s = board[i];
+                    if (s == null || s.UnitId == 0)
+                    {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    // Standing is overwritten on Tick; heat is the durable harness lever.
+                    LifeSagaRoster.HarnessSetScores(s.UnitId, standing: 1f, heat: heat);
+                    s.AdmittedAt = now;
+                    s.TouchedAt = now;
+                    s.LastChapterAt = now;
+                    n++;
+                }
+
+                LifeSagaRoster.Dirty = true;
+                _cmdOk++;
+                Emit(cmd, ok: true, detail: $"stiffened={n} heat={heat:0.##} roster={LifeSagaRoster.Count}");
+                break;
+            }
+
             case "saga_consider_hard_focus":
             {
                 Actor focus = MoveCamera.hasFocusUnit() ? MoveCamera._focus_unit : null;
                 long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(focus);
-                bool ok = id != 0
-                          && LifeSagaRoster.ConsiderAdmit(id, heat: 6f, hardArcAdmit: true);
-                if (ok)
+                float heat = 6f;
+                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.value)
+                    && float.TryParse(
+                        cmd.value.Trim(),
+                        System.Globalization.NumberStyles.Float,
+                        System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
+                        out float parsed)
+                    && parsed > 0f)
                 {
-                    _cmdOk++;
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    _cmdFail++;
+                    heat = parsed;
                 }
 
-                Emit(cmd, ok,
+                if (id == 0)
+                {
+                    _cmdFail++;
+                    Emit(cmd, ok: false, detail: "no focus");
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                bool admitted = LifeSagaRoster.ConsiderAdmit(id, heat: heat, hardArcAdmit: true);
+                _cmdOk++;
+                Emit(
+                    cmd,
+                    ok: true,
                     detail:
-                    $"hardAdmit id={id} on={LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(id)} roster={LifeSagaRoster.Count}");
+                    $"hardAdmit id={id} on={admitted} heat={heat:0.##} roster={LifeSagaRoster.Count}");
                 break;
             }
 
@@ -3847,9 +3949,19 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 break;
 
             case "snapshot":
+                if (WantsPreserveSaga(cmd))
+                {
+                    _preserveSagaAfterBatch = true;
+                }
+
                 DoSnapshot(cmd);
                 break;
 
+            case "soak_probe":
+            case "saga_soak_probe":
+                DoSoakProbe(cmd);
+                break;
+
             case "scenario":
                 ExpandScenario(cmd);
                 return;
@@ -3881,12 +3993,19 @@ public static class AgentHarness
         {
             // Free AFK after harness must not inherit a leftover crisis closer tip.
             StoryPlanner.PurgeCloserLeftovers();
-            LifeSagaRoster.Clear();
-            LifeSagaMemory.Clear();
+            bool preserve = _preserveSagaAfterBatch;
+            _preserveSagaAfterBatch = false;
+            if (!preserve)
+            {
+                LifeSagaRoster.Clear();
+                LifeSagaMemory.Clear();
+            }
+
             string status = _assertFail == 0 && _cmdFail == 0 ? "PASS" : "FAIL";
-            WriteLastResult(status, $"ok={_cmdOk} fail={_cmdFail} assert_pass={_assertPass} assert_fail={_assertFail}");
+            string wipe = preserve ? "saga_preserved" : "saga_wiped";
+            WriteLastResult(status, $"ok={_cmdOk} fail={_cmdFail} assert_pass={_assertPass} assert_fail={_assertFail} {wipe}");
             LogService.LogInfo(
-                $"[IdleSpectator][HARNESS] batch done status={status} ok={_cmdOk} fail={_cmdFail} assert_pass={_assertPass} assert_fail={_assertFail}");
+                $"[IdleSpectator][HARNESS] batch done status={status} ok={_cmdOk} fail={_cmdFail} assert_pass={_assertPass} assert_fail={_assertFail} {wipe}");
         }
     }
 
@@ -3903,6 +4022,8 @@ public static class AgentHarness
         }
 
         _lastBatchId = string.IsNullOrEmpty(cmd.id) ? name : cmd.id;
+        // Scenario batches always wipe at end - never inherit a prior soak preserve flag.
+        _preserveSagaAfterBatch = false;
         bool keepStats = (cmd.expect ?? "").Trim().Equals("keep", System.StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
         if (!keepStats)
         {
@@ -8555,8 +8676,11 @@ public static class AgentHarness
                 Actor focus = MoveCamera.hasFocusUnit() ? MoveCamera._focus_unit : null;
                 long id = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(focus);
                 LifeSagaRoster.Tick(Time.unscaledTime);
-                pass = id != 0 && LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(id);
-                detail = $"saga focus={SafeName(focus)} id={id} on={pass} prefer={LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(id)}";
+                bool want = ParseBool(cmd.value, defaultValue: true);
+                bool have = id != 0 && LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(id);
+                pass = have == want;
+                detail =
+                    $"saga focus={SafeName(focus)} id={id} on={have} want={want} prefer={LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(id)}";
                 break;
             }
             case "saga_prefer_focus_on":
@@ -12329,6 +12453,16 @@ public static class AgentHarness
             $"[IdleSpectator][ASSERT] {(pass ? "PASS" : "FAIL")} id={cmd.id} expect={expect} {detail}");
     }
 
+    private static bool WantsPreserveSaga(HarnessCommand cmd)
+    {
+        string v = (cmd?.value ?? cmd?.expect ?? "").Trim().ToLowerInvariant();
+        return v == "preserve"
+               || v == "soak"
+               || v == "keep"
+               || v == "keep_saga"
+               || v == "preserve_saga";
+    }
+
     private static void DoSnapshot(HarnessCommand cmd)
     {
         string drops = InterestDropLog.FormatRecent(6);
@@ -12344,6 +12478,116 @@ public static class AgentHarness
         LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator][SNAP] " + snap);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Read-only AFK dump: roster vs camera, Active/Involved chrome, rival/crossover counts.
+    /// Preserves saga roster+memory when the batch ends.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static void DoSoakProbe(HarnessCommand cmd)
+    {
+        _preserveSagaAfterBatch = true;
+        float now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        LifeSagaRoster.Tick(now);
+        LifeSagaRail.Refresh();
+
+        Actor focus = MoveCamera.hasFocusUnit() ? MoveCamera._focus_unit : null;
+        long focusId = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(focus);
+        InterestCandidate tip = InterestDirector.CurrentCandidate;
+        bool focusMc = focusId != 0 && LifeSagaRoster.IsMc(focusId);
+        bool focusPrefer = focusId != 0 && LifeSagaRoster.IsPrefer(focusId);
+        bool focusCast = focusId != 0 && LifeSagaRoster.IsMcCast(focusId);
+        int softRank = tip != null ? LifeSagaRoster.SoftBiasRank(tip) : 0;
+        int touchedMcs = tip != null ? LifeSagaRoster.CountTouchedMcs(tip) : 0;
+
+        bool rival = false;
+        string rivalNote = "";
+        if (LifeSagaMemory.TryGetEarnedRival(focusId, out LifeSagaFact rivalFact) && rivalFact != null)
+        {
+            rival = true;
+            rivalNote = !string.IsNullOrEmpty(rivalFact.Note)
+                ? rivalFact.Note
+                : (rivalFact.Provenance ?? rivalFact.Kind.ToString());
+        }
+
+        int facts = 0;
+        int crossovers = 0;
+        if (focusId != 0)
+        {
+            var list = LifeSagaMemory.FactsFor(focusId);
+            facts = list != null ? list.Count : 0;
+            if (list != null)
+            {
+                for (int i = 0; i < list.Count; i++)
+                {
+                    if (list[i] != null && list[i].McCrossover)
+                    {
+                        crossovers++;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        var board = new List<LifeSagaSlot>(LifeSagaRoster.Cap);
+        LifeSagaRoster.CopySlots(board);
+        var names = new StringBuilder(160);
+        for (int i = 0; i < board.Count; i++)
+        {
+            LifeSagaSlot s = board[i];
+            if (s == null || s.UnitId == 0)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if (names.Length > 0)
+            {
+                names.Append(',');
+            }
+
+            string n = string.IsNullOrEmpty(s.DisplayName) ? ("#" + s.UnitId) : s.DisplayName;
+            if (s.UnitId == focusId)
+            {
+                n = "*" + n;
+            }
+
+            if (s.Prefer || s.GameFavorite)
+            {
+                n += "^";
+            }
+
+            names.Append(n);
+        }
+
+        string tipLabel = tip?.Label ?? CameraDirector.LastWatchLabel ?? "";
+        string detail =
+            $"focus={SafeName(focus)} id={focusId} onRoster={focusMc} prefer={focusPrefer} cast={focusCast} "
+            + $"activeLit={LifeSagaRail.LastActiveHighlight} involvedLit={LifeSagaRail.LastInvolvedHighlightCount} "
+            + $"softRank={softRank} touchedMcs={touchedMcs} "
+            + $"rival={rival} crossoverFacts={crossovers} facts={facts} lives={LifeSagaMemory.LifeCount} "
+            + $"roster={LifeSagaRoster.Count} tip={tipLabel} "
+            + $"score={InterestDirector.CurrentScoreLabel} names=[{names}]";
+
+        _cmdOk++;
+        Emit(cmd, ok: true, detail: detail);
+        LogService.LogInfo("[IdleSpectator][SOAK] " + detail);
+
+        try
+        {
+            EnsureDirs();
+            string path = Path.Combine(HarnessDir(), "soak-probe.txt");
+            File.WriteAllText(
+                path,
+                detail
+                + Environment.NewLine
+                + "rivalNote=" + rivalNote
+                + Environment.NewLine
+                + "preserved=true"
+                + Environment.NewLine);
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // ignore IO
+        }
+    }
+
     private static void DoDiscoveryNote(HarnessCommand cmd)
     {
         string assetId = ResolveAssetId(cmd);

IdleSpectator/HarnessScenarios.cs

@@ -171,6 +171,8 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
                 return SagaRivalRematch();
             case "saga_prefer_cuts_ambient":
                 return SagaPreferCutsAmbient();
+            case "saga_hard_arc_escalates":
+                return SagaHardArcEscalates();
             case "saga_overview_has_mc":
                 return SagaOverviewHasMc();
             case "saga_snapshot_popover":
@@ -387,6 +389,7 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
             Nested("reg_saga_rival_kill", "saga_rival_not_single_kill"),
             Nested("reg_saga_rival_rematch", "saga_rival_rematch"),
             Nested("reg_saga_ambient_cut", "saga_prefer_cuts_ambient"),
+            Nested("reg_saga_hard_arc_heat", "saga_hard_arc_escalates"),
             Nested("reg_saga_overview", "saga_overview_has_mc"),
             Nested("reg_saga_snapshot", "saga_adaptive_dossier"),
             Nested("reg_saga_memory", "saga_memory_survives"),
@@ -3213,6 +3216,40 @@ internal static class HarnessScenarios
         };
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Prolonged hard-arc heat must beat a full Cap of stiff slots; one-shot heat 1.5 must not.
+    /// Mirrors soak: stranger duel stuck off-rail until admit heat escalates.
+    /// </summary>
+    private static List<HarnessCommand> SagaHardArcEscalates()
+    {
+        return new List<HarnessCommand>
+        {
+            Step("she0", "dismiss_windows"),
+            Step("she1", "wait_world"),
+            Step("she2", "set_setting", expect: "enabled", value: "true"),
+            Step("she3", "fast_timing", value: "true"),
+            Step("she4", "spawn", asset: "human", count: 14),
+            Step("she5", "spectator", value: "off"),
+            Step("she6", "spectator", value: "on"),
+            Step("she7", "interest_saga_clear"),
+            Step("she8", "pick_unit", asset: "human"),
+            Step("she9", "happiness_remember_partner"),
+            Step("she10", "saga_fill_cap", asset: "human"),
+            Step("she50", "assert", expect: "saga_roster_count", value: "10"),
+            Step("she51", "saga_stiffen_roster", value: "8"),
+            Step("she60", "focus_partner"),
+            Step("she62", "assert", expect: "saga_has_focus", value: "false"),
+            Step("she63", "saga_consider_hard_focus", value: "1.5"),
+            Step("she64", "assert", expect: "saga_has_focus", value: "false"),
+            Step("she65", "saga_consider_hard_focus", value: "12"),
+            Step("she66", "assert", expect: "saga_has_focus"),
+            Step("she67", "saga_rail_refresh"),
+            Step("she68", "assert", expect: "saga_rail_active_highlight", value: "true"),
+            Step("she90", "fast_timing", value: "false"),
+            Step("she99", "snapshot"),
+        };
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Compact saga snapshot: admission headline, collapsible layout, structured chapters,
     /// no planner jargon / trait descs / Chronicle dumps.

IdleSpectator/Story/LifeSagaRoster.cs

@@ -683,6 +683,26 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
             trimmed);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Hard-arc admit heat grows with climax age so prolonged theater can challenge a full Cap.
+    /// One-shot heat 1.5 loses to a roster of notables; ~2 minutes reaches <see cref="HeatCap"/>.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static float HardArcAdmitHeat(StoryArc arc, float now = -1f)
+    {
+        if (now < 0f)
+        {
+            now = Time.unscaledTime;
+        }
+
+        if (arc == null || arc.StartedAt <= 0f)
+        {
+            return 1.5f;
+        }
+
+        float age = Mathf.Max(0f, now - arc.StartedAt);
+        return Mathf.Min(HeatCap, 1.5f + age / 12f);
+    }
+
     public static void StampChapterFromArc(StoryArc arc, InterestCandidate tip, float now)
     {
         if (arc == null || !arc.IsActive)
@@ -697,6 +717,8 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         }
 
         bool hard = IsHardStoryKind(arc.Kind);
+        float subjectHeat = hard ? HardArcAdmitHeat(arc, now) : 1.5f;
+        float relatedHeat = hard ? Mathf.Max(1.2f, subjectHeat * 0.85f) : 1.2f;
         if (arc.CastIds != null)
         {
             for (int i = 0; i < arc.CastIds.Count; i++)
@@ -704,7 +726,7 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
                 long id = arc.CastIds[i];
                 if (hard)
                 {
-                    ConsiderAdmit(id, 1.5f, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
+                    ConsiderAdmit(id, subjectHeat, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
                     MarkHardArcContext(id, arc.Kind, line);
                 }
 
@@ -720,13 +742,20 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
         {
             if (hard)
             {
-                ConsiderAdmit(tip.SubjectId, 1.5f, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
+                ConsiderAdmit(tip.SubjectId, subjectHeat, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
                 MarkHardArcContext(tip.SubjectId, arc.Kind, line);
                 if (tip.RelatedId != 0)
                 {
-                    ConsiderAdmit(tip.RelatedId, 1.2f, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
+                    ConsiderAdmit(tip.RelatedId, relatedHeat, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
                     MarkHardArcContext(tip.RelatedId, arc.Kind, line);
                 }
+
+                long follow = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(tip.FollowUnit);
+                if (follow != 0 && follow != tip.SubjectId && follow != tip.RelatedId)
+                {
+                    ConsiderAdmit(follow, subjectHeat, hardArcAdmit: true, now);
+                    MarkHardArcContext(follow, arc.Kind, line);
+                }
             }
 
             if (IsMc(tip.SubjectId))
@@ -738,6 +767,15 @@ public static class LifeSagaRoster
             {
                 StampChapter(tip.RelatedId, ToChapterKind(arc.Kind), line, now);
             }
+
+            long followStamp = EventFeedUtil.SafeId(tip.FollowUnit);
+            if (followStamp != 0
+                && followStamp != tip.SubjectId
+                && followStamp != tip.RelatedId
+                && IsMc(followStamp))
+            {
+                StampChapter(followStamp, ToChapterKind(arc.Kind), line, now);
+            }
         }
     }
 

IdleSpectator/Story/StoryPlanner.cs

@@ -210,6 +210,12 @@ public static class StoryPlanner
         _active.HardHold = hardHold || _active.HardHold;
         NoteCastFrom(current, _active);
         StampHeadline(_active, current);
+        // Re-challenge Cap while climax holds: admit heat escalates with arc age so a
+        // prolonged duel/war/plot on a stranger can still join the rail (Active chrome).
+        if (IsHardStoryKind(_active.Kind))
+        {
+            LifeSagaRoster.StampChapterFromArc(_active, current, Time.unscaledTime);
+        }
     }
 
     private static bool IsCombatKind(StoryArcKind kind) =>

IdleSpectator/mod.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "IdleSpectator",
   "author": "dazed",
-  "version": "0.29.57",
+  "version": "0.29.59",
   "description": "AFK Idle Spectator (I) + Lore (L). Killer button retargets dossier to the killer.",
   "GUID": "com.dazed.idlespectator"
 }

docs/life-saga.md

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ Hard-arc admissions also retain the arc kind and chapter context that brought th
 - Prefer and WorldBox favorites are hard pins and fully count toward Cap.
 - Admission-role units always compete on the periodic scan.
 - Non-admission "nobodies" challenge Cap only via hard-arc chapter stamps (Combat / War / Plot / Love / Grief).
+- Hard-arc admit heat escalates with climax age (re-stamped while the arc holds) so a prolonged stranger duel can displace dull Cap slots and light Active chrome.
 - Soft `NoteFeatured` heats existing MCs only.
 - Newcomers need a small challenger margin over the weakest non-pin so the rail does not thrash.
 
@@ -106,6 +107,7 @@ Quiet can refresh briefly when a soft crumb ends (bounded).
 - `StoryPlanner.Clear` does not wipe the roster or saga memory.
 - Lore browse / brief idle-off keeps the roster and memory.
 - World replacement, harness batch end, and `interest_saga_clear` wipe roster + memory.
+- Read-only soak dumps use `soak_probe` (or `snapshot` with `value=preserve`) and skip the batch-end wipe.
 
 ## Harness
 
@@ -120,6 +122,7 @@ Quiet can refresh briefly when a soft crumb ends (bounded).
 - `saga_rival_not_single_kill`
 - `saga_rival_rematch`
 - `saga_prefer_cuts_ambient`
+- `saga_hard_arc_escalates`
 - `saga_overview_has_mc`
 - `saga_adaptive_dossier`
 - `saga_memory_survives`