diff --git a/assets/scripts/ash-below-lake.js b/assets/scripts/ash-below-lake.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77da0bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/scripts/ash-below-lake.js
@@ -0,0 +1,955 @@
+(function () {
+  const slot = "ash-below-the-lake";
+  const fallbackKey = "play:rpg:ash-below-the-lake";
+  const tile = 32;
+  const cols = 30;
+  const rows = 15;
+  const worldH = tile * rows;
+  const uiY = worldH;
+  const actions = ["Confront", "Listen", "Forget"];
+  const areas = {
+    harbor: {
+      name: "Harbor Row",
+      act: "Act 1",
+      track: "harbor",
+      floor: ["#222c36", "#263541", "#304650"],
+      accent: "#e0a451",
+      walls: rects([[0, 0, 30, 1], [0, 14, 30, 1], [0, 0, 1, 15], [29, 0, 1, 15], [3, 3, 5, 2], [12, 2, 4, 3], [20, 3, 6, 2], [5, 11, 7, 1], [17, 10, 5, 1]]),
+      exits: [{ x: 28, y: 7, to: "red", px: 1, py: 7 }],
+      props: [{ kind: "lake", x: 1, y: 11, w: 28, h: 3 }, { kind: "stall", x: 9, y: 5 }, { kind: "flowers", x: 23, y: 9 }],
+      start: { x: 3, y: 8 }
+    },
+    red: {
+      name: "The Red Streets",
+      act: "Act 1",
+      track: "red",
+      floor: ["#2f1f2c", "#442237", "#5b283f"],
+      accent: "#db4f62",
+      walls: rects([[0, 0, 30, 1], [0, 14, 30, 1], [0, 0, 1, 6], [0, 9, 1, 6], [29, 0, 1, 15], [4, 3, 4, 3], [12, 4, 3, 8], [20, 2, 5, 3], [22, 9, 4, 2]]),
+      exits: [{ x: 0, y: 7, to: "harbor", px: 28, py: 7 }, { x: 28, y: 12, to: "roots", px: 1, py: 12 }],
+      props: [{ kind: "sign", x: 9, y: 3 }, { kind: "stage", x: 17, y: 6 }, { kind: "poster", x: 26, y: 4 }],
+      start: { x: 2, y: 7 }
+    },
+    roots: {
+      name: "The Roots",
+      act: "Act 2",
+      track: "roots",
+      floor: ["#182725", "#203832", "#2e493e"],
+      accent: "#66c7a2",
+      walls: rects([[0, 0, 30, 1], [0, 14, 30, 1], [0, 0, 1, 11], [0, 13, 1, 2], [29, 0, 1, 15], [5, 2, 2, 10], [11, 5, 7, 1], [15, 8, 2, 5], [22, 3, 3, 9]]),
+      exits: [{ x: 0, y: 12, to: "red", px: 28, py: 12 }, { x: 28, y: 4, to: "chapel", px: 1, py: 4 }],
+      props: [{ kind: "archive", x: 8, y: 8 }, { kind: "root", x: 18, y: 3 }, { kind: "home", x: 25, y: 11 }],
+      start: { x: 2, y: 12 }
+    },
+    chapel: {
+      name: "The Drowned Chapel",
+      act: "Act 3",
+      track: "chapel",
+      floor: ["#172232", "#1c3043", "#263b4f"],
+      accent: "#8bd3ff",
+      walls: rects([[0, 0, 30, 1], [0, 14, 30, 1], [0, 0, 1, 3], [0, 6, 1, 9], [29, 0, 1, 15], [6, 4, 3, 7], [13, 2, 4, 3], [19, 4, 3, 7], [10, 12, 10, 1]]),
+      exits: [{ x: 0, y: 4, to: "roots", px: 28, py: 4 }, { x: 28, y: 10, to: "shore", px: 1, py: 10 }],
+      props: [{ kind: "pew", x: 10, y: 7 }, { kind: "pew", x: 16, y: 7 }, { kind: "glass", x: 14, y: 5 }],
+      start: { x: 2, y: 4 }
+    },
+    shore: {
+      name: "The Hollow Shore",
+      act: "Final Act",
+      track: "shore",
+      floor: ["#111827", "#1b2440", "#211c33"],
+      accent: "#f1f5f9",
+      walls: rects([[0, 0, 30, 1], [0, 14, 30, 1], [0, 0, 1, 9], [0, 12, 1, 3], [29, 0, 1, 15], [7, 3, 3, 2], [16, 2, 2, 10], [22, 7, 4, 1]]),
+      exits: [{ x: 0, y: 10, to: "chapel", px: 28, py: 10 }],
+      props: [{ kind: "lake", x: 2, y: 10, w: 27, h: 4 }, { kind: "flowers", x: 5, y: 6 }, { kind: "rift", x: 24, y: 4 }],
+      start: { x: 2, y: 10 }
+    }
+  };
+  const characters = {
+    ilyas: { name: "Ilyas", colors: ["#3d2b2f", "#e3b27f", "#334b7a", "#f2f0e6"] },
+    mira: { name: "Mira", colors: ["#21191e", "#d98d70", "#b73550", "#f6d36f"] },
+    ferryman: { name: "Ferryman", colors: ["#151719", "#dad9cd", "#56616d", "#0b0d10"] },
+    cinder: { name: "Brother Cinder", colors: ["#1d1512", "#d59667", "#6b2e2f", "#f4c35c"] },
+    sibling: { name: "Your Sibling", colors: ["#1d2531", "#bec8d8", "#52616f", "#dbeafe"] },
+    vendor: { name: "Maribel", colors: ["#2a2023", "#d5a06f", "#3d7b65", "#ffd166"] },
+    performer: { name: "Velvet Noon", colors: ["#2a1724", "#f2bd93", "#8f244d", "#ffe6a8"] },
+    archivist: { name: "Memory Archivist", colors: ["#151f1d", "#b9ddc9", "#386b5c", "#dff7eb"] }
+  };
+  const npcs = {
+    mira: { character: "mira", area: "harbor", x: 10, y: 8 },
+    ferryman: { character: "ferryman", area: "harbor", x: 25, y: 10 },
+    vendor: { character: "vendor", area: "harbor", x: 9, y: 6 },
+    performer: { character: "performer", area: "red", x: 17, y: 8 },
+    archivist: { character: "archivist", area: "roots", x: 9, y: 9 },
+    cinder: { character: "cinder", area: "chapel", x: 15, y: 6 },
+    sibling: { character: "sibling", area: "shore", x: 24, y: 8 }
+  };
+  const items = {
+    letter: { name: "Wet Letter", area: "harbor", x: 5, y: 10 },
+    bell: { name: "Brass Bell", area: "red", x: 27, y: 5 },
+    photo: { name: "Blurred Photo", area: "roots", x: 13, y: 9 },
+    cinderKey: { name: "Chapel Key", area: "chapel", x: 22, y: 12 }
+  };
+  const encounters = {
+    first_erased: {
+      title: "First Erased Person",
+      area: "red",
+      x: 6,
+      y: 9,
+      hp: 18,
+      text: "A person-shaped absence blocks the alley. Their outline mouths a name no one else can hear.",
+      bullets: "drift"
+    },
+    root_husk: {
+      title: "Root Husk",
+      area: "roots",
+      x: 21,
+      y: 9,
+      hp: 24,
+      text: "A house nobody remembers learned to walk. It wants its rooms back.",
+      bullets: "rain"
+    },
+    chapel_memory: {
+      title: "Choir of Ash",
+      area: "chapel",
+      x: 11,
+      y: 10,
+      hp: 30,
+      text: "Voices rise from the drowned pews. Every note sounds like an apology.",
+      bullets: "spiral"
+    }
+  };
+
+  window.AshBelowLakeRpg = function init(root) {
+    const canvas = root.querySelector("[data-rpg-canvas]");
+    const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
+    const els = {
+      speaker: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-speaker]"),
+      line: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-line]"),
+      area: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-room]"),
+      route: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-route]"),
+      resolve: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-hearts]"),
+      journal: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-quests]"),
+      inventory: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-inventory]"),
+      status: root.querySelector("[data-rpg-status]")
+    };
+    const ui = buildUi(root);
+    const audio = makeAudio();
+    let state = freshState();
+    let keys = new Set();
+    let last = performance.now();
+    let saveBusy = false;
+
+    bind();
+    load();
+    requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+
+    function freshState() {
+      return {
+        started: false,
+        mode: "title",
+        area: "harbor",
+        player: { x: 3, y: 8, facing: "down", step: 0 },
+        route: "Undecided",
+        resolve: 20,
+        toldName: null,
+        flags: {},
+        inventory: [],
+        memories: [
+          { id: "letter", text: "Your sibling's letter says: Don't let the lake remember your name.", stable: true },
+          { id: "town", text: "Morrow's End smiles like a town in a postcard someone tried to burn.", stable: true }
+        ],
+        forgets: 0,
+        listens: 0,
+        confronts: 0,
+        companion: false,
+        battle: null,
+        ending: null,
+        dialogue: { speaker: "The Letter", line: "Don't let the lake remember your name." }
+      };
+    }
+
+    function buildUi(rootEl) {
+      const panel = rootEl.querySelector(".rpg-panel");
+      const actionsWrap = document.createElement("div");
+      actionsWrap.className = "ash-choicebar";
+      actionsWrap.innerHTML = actions.map((name) => `<button type="button" data-ash-action="${name.toLowerCase()}">${name}</button>`).join("");
+      panel.insertBefore(actionsWrap, panel.querySelector(".rpg-list"));
+      const meter = document.createElement("div");
+      meter.className = "ash-memory-meter";
+      meter.innerHTML = "<span>Lake Memory</span><i data-ash-memory-fill></i>";
+      panel.insertBefore(meter, actionsWrap);
+      const nameBox = document.createElement("form");
+      nameBox.className = "ash-name-form";
+      nameBox.innerHTML = "<label>Name told to town <input maxlength=\"18\" placeholder=\"Ilyas\" data-ash-name></label><button type=\"submit\">Tell</button>";
+      panel.insertBefore(nameBox, meter);
+      return {
+        actionButtons: Array.from(actionsWrap.querySelectorAll("button")),
+        memoryFill: meter.querySelector("[data-ash-memory-fill]"),
+        nameForm: nameBox,
+        nameInput: nameBox.querySelector("[data-ash-name]")
+      };
+    }
+
+    function bind() {
+      root.querySelector("[data-rpg-start]").addEventListener("click", start);
+      root.querySelector("[data-rpg-save]").addEventListener("click", save);
+      root.querySelector("[data-rpg-load]").addEventListener("click", load);
+      root.querySelector("[data-rpg-reset]").addEventListener("click", newGame);
+      root.querySelector("[data-rpg-act]").addEventListener("click", act);
+      root.querySelectorAll("[data-rpg-move]").forEach((button) => {
+        button.addEventListener("click", () => move(button.dataset.rpgMove));
+      });
+      ui.actionButtons.forEach((button) => button.addEventListener("click", () => chooseBattle(button.dataset.ashAction)));
+      ui.nameForm.addEventListener("submit", (event) => {
+        event.preventDefault();
+        tellName(ui.nameInput.value.trim() || "Ilyas");
+      });
+      window.addEventListener("keydown", (event) => {
+        if (!root.isConnected || ["INPUT", "TEXTAREA"].includes(event.target.tagName)) return;
+        if (["ArrowUp", "ArrowDown", "ArrowLeft", "ArrowRight", "w", "a", "s", "d", " ", "Enter", "Escape"].includes(event.key)) event.preventDefault();
+        keys.add(event.key.toLowerCase());
+        audio.start();
+        if (event.key === " " || event.key === "Enter") act();
+        if (event.key === "Escape" && state.mode === "battle") leaveBattle("You step back from the memory and let it breathe.");
+      });
+      window.addEventListener("keyup", (event) => keys.delete(event.key.toLowerCase()));
+    }
+
+    function start() {
+      audio.start();
+      state.started = true;
+      state.mode = "world";
+      state.dialogue = { speaker: "Ilyas", line: "The letter is damp, but the ink has not run. Morrow's End waits beyond the harbor lamps." };
+      audio.setTrack(areas[state.area].track);
+      save();
+    }
+
+    async function newGame() {
+      state = freshState();
+      localStorage.removeItem(fallbackKey);
+      try {
+        await fetch(`/api/play/rpg/save/${slot}`, { method: "DELETE" });
+      } catch (_error) {
+        /* Local reset is enough when offline. */
+      }
+      audio.setTrack("title");
+      renderHud();
+    }
+
+    async function save() {
+      localStorage.setItem(fallbackKey, JSON.stringify(state));
+      if (saveBusy) return;
+      saveBusy = true;
+      try {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/play/rpg/save/${slot}`, {
+          method: "PUT",
+          headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+          body: JSON.stringify({ payload: state })
+        });
+        els.status.textContent = response.ok ? "Saved to backend." : "Saved locally. Backend rejected the save.";
+      } catch (_error) {
+        els.status.textContent = "Saved locally. Backend save API was not reachable.";
+      } finally {
+        saveBusy = false;
+      }
+    }
+
+    async function load() {
+      try {
+        const response = await fetch(`/api/play/rpg/save/${slot}`);
+        if (response.ok) {
+          const data = await response.json();
+          state = normalize(data.payload);
+          els.status.textContent = "Loaded from backend.";
+          audio.setTrack(state.started ? areas[state.area].track : "title");
+          return;
+        }
+      } catch (_error) {
+        /* Fall through to localStorage. */
+      }
+      const local = localStorage.getItem(fallbackKey);
+      if (local) {
+        state = normalize(JSON.parse(local));
+        els.status.textContent = "Loaded local save.";
+      }
+      audio.setTrack(state.started ? areas[state.area].track : "title");
+    }
+
+    function normalize(candidate) {
+      const base = freshState();
+      const next = Object.assign(base, candidate || {});
+      next.player = Object.assign(base.player, (candidate && candidate.player) || {});
+      next.flags = Object.assign({}, (candidate && candidate.flags) || {});
+      next.inventory = Array.isArray(next.inventory) ? next.inventory.filter((id) => items[id]) : [];
+      next.memories = Array.isArray(next.memories) ? next.memories : base.memories;
+      next.area = areas[next.area] ? next.area : "harbor";
+      next.dialogue = Object.assign(base.dialogue, (candidate && candidate.dialogue) || {});
+      return next;
+    }
+
+    function frame(now) {
+      const dt = Math.min(48, now - last);
+      last = now;
+      update(dt);
+      draw(now);
+      renderHud();
+      requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+    }
+
+    function update(dt) {
+      if (state.mode !== "world") return;
+      const dir = keyDirection();
+      if (!dir) return;
+      state.player.step += dt;
+      if (state.player.step < 115) return;
+      state.player.step = 0;
+      move(dir);
+    }
+
+    function keyDirection() {
+      if (keys.has("arrowup") || keys.has("w")) return "up";
+      if (keys.has("arrowdown") || keys.has("s")) return "down";
+      if (keys.has("arrowleft") || keys.has("a")) return "left";
+      if (keys.has("arrowright") || keys.has("d")) return "right";
+      return null;
+    }
+
+    function move(direction) {
+      if (state.mode !== "world" || !state.started || state.ending) return;
+      const delta = { up: [0, -1], down: [0, 1], left: [-1, 0], right: [1, 0] }[direction];
+      state.player.facing = direction;
+      const nx = state.player.x + delta[0];
+      const ny = state.player.y + delta[1];
+      const area = areas[state.area];
+      const exit = area.exits.find((item) => item.x === nx && item.y === ny);
+      if (exit && canEnter(exit.to)) {
+        state.area = exit.to;
+        state.player.x = exit.px;
+        state.player.y = exit.py;
+        audio.setTrack(areas[state.area].track);
+        remember(`Entered ${areas[state.area].name}.`, true);
+        say("Morrow's End", areaEnterLine(state.area));
+        save();
+        return;
+      }
+      if (area.walls.has(`${nx},${ny}`) || npcAt(nx, ny) || nx < 0 || nx >= cols || ny < 0 || ny >= rows) return;
+      state.player.x = nx;
+      state.player.y = ny;
+      const found = itemAt(nx, ny);
+      if (found) take(found);
+      const encounter = encounterAt(nx, ny);
+      if (encounter && !state.flags[`encounter_${encounter}`]) startBattle(encounter);
+    }
+
+    function canEnter(to) {
+      if (to === "chapel" && !state.flags.rootsTruth && state.forgets < 2) {
+        say("Ferryman", "The chapel is under the lake. It only opens for truth, or for forgetting.");
+        return false;
+      }
+      if (to === "shore" && !state.flags.cinderMet) {
+        say("Brother Cinder", "The shore is not a place. It is a decision. Hear me first.");
+        return false;
+      }
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    function act() {
+      audio.start();
+      if (!state.started) return start();
+      if (state.mode === "battle") return chooseBattle("listen");
+      if (state.ending) return;
+      const front = inFront();
+      const npc = npcAt(front.x, front.y) || npcAt(state.player.x, state.player.y);
+      if (npc) return talk(npc);
+      const found = itemAt(state.player.x, state.player.y);
+      if (found) return take(found);
+      const special = propAt(front.x, front.y) || propAt(state.player.x, state.player.y);
+      if (special) return inspectProp(special);
+      if (state.area === "shore" && state.player.x > 22 && state.player.y > 8) return finalChoice();
+      say("Ilyas", "The town holds its breath. Somewhere, water knocks against stone.");
+    }
+
+    function inFront() {
+      const d = { up: [0, -1], down: [0, 1], left: [-1, 0], right: [1, 0] }[state.player.facing] || [0, 1];
+      return { x: state.player.x + d[0], y: state.player.y + d[1] };
+    }
+
+    function npcAt(x, y) {
+      return Object.keys(npcs).find((id) => {
+        const npc = npcs[id];
+        return npc.area === state.area && npc.x === x && npc.y === y && !forgottenNpc(id);
+      });
+    }
+
+    function itemAt(x, y) {
+      return Object.keys(items).find((id) => {
+        const item = items[id];
+        return item.area === state.area && item.x === x && item.y === y && !state.inventory.includes(id);
+      });
+    }
+
+    function encounterAt(x, y) {
+      return Object.keys(encounters).find((id) => {
+        const e = encounters[id];
+        return e.area === state.area && e.x === x && e.y === y;
+      });
+    }
+
+    function propAt(x, y) {
+      return areas[state.area].props.find((prop) => x >= prop.x && x < prop.x + (prop.w || 1) && y >= prop.y && y < prop.y + (prop.h || 1));
+    }
+
+    function take(id) {
+      state.inventory.push(id);
+      audio.sfx("item");
+      if (id === "letter") remember("The wet letter refuses to dry.", true);
+      if (id === "photo") remember("A photo shows you beside someone whose face keeps changing.", true);
+      if (id === "cinderKey") state.flags.chapelKey = true;
+      say("Found", `${items[id].name} added to your bag.`);
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function talk(id) {
+      audio.sfx("talk");
+      if (id === "mira") {
+        state.companion = true;
+        state.flags.metMira = true;
+        remember("Mira remembers what other people lose.", true);
+        say("Mira", state.forgets > 1 ? "You keep looking through people like windows. Don't do that to me, okay?" : "You look lost. Good. Everyone interesting does.");
+      }
+      if (id === "ferryman") {
+        remember("The Ferryman knows where you have been before you arrive.", state.forgets < 2);
+        say("Ferryman", state.toldName ? `${state.toldName} is a fine name to keep away from water.` : "Names are hooks. I would not throw yours into the lake.");
+      }
+      if (id === "vendor") say("Maribel", "Today's special: one jar of fog, two apologies, and a fish that predicts Thursday badly.");
+      if (id === "performer") {
+        remember("A performer advertised a show called YOUR MISSING YEARS.", state.forgets < 3);
+        say("Velvet Noon", "Clap if you remember me. Clap twice if you are pretending.");
+      }
+      if (id === "archivist") {
+        state.flags.rootsTruth = true;
+        remember("The lake feeds on suffering, but calls it mercy.", true);
+        say("Memory Archivist", "The archives are homes with the people removed. The lake calls that tidying.");
+      }
+      if (id === "cinder") {
+        state.flags.cinderMet = true;
+        remember("Brother Cinder believes forgetting pain is mercy.", true);
+        say("Brother Cinder", "I have seen grief make animals of gentle people. The lake did not begin as a hunger. It began as a kindness.");
+      }
+      if (id === "sibling") {
+        remember("Your sibling entered the lake willingly.", true);
+        say("Your Sibling", "I gave it my name because I was tired of carrying it. Please don't give it yours.");
+        finalChoice();
+      }
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function inspectProp(prop) {
+      audio.sfx("talk");
+      if (prop.kind === "lake") say("Black Lake", state.toldName ? `It almost says ${state.toldName}. Almost.` : "It reflects nothing. Not clouds. Not you.");
+      if (prop.kind === "stall") say("Market Sign", "Fresh eels. Older than regret. Discount if they remember your birthday.");
+      if (prop.kind === "flowers") say("Glowing Flowers", "They lean toward the water like they are listening.");
+      if (prop.kind === "sign") say("Advertisement", "TONIGHT: The Amazing Vanishing Audience. Refunds unavailable after erasure.");
+      if (prop.kind === "stage") say("Stage", "The curtain twitches though there is no wind indoors.");
+      if (prop.kind === "poster") say("Poster", "A smiling face has been scratched out. The scratch is smiling too.");
+      if (prop.kind === "archive") {
+        state.flags.rootsTruth = true;
+        remember("Some memory shelves are empty because nobody dared open them.", true);
+        say("Memory Archive", "A drawer opens by itself. Inside: houses, birthdays, funeral songs, a ticket stub from a train that never arrived.");
+      }
+      if (prop.kind === "root") say("Roots", "They pulse slowly under the town, carrying lake-water like blood.");
+      if (prop.kind === "home") say("Abandoned Home", "Every room is furnished except for the idea of a family.");
+      if (prop.kind === "pew") say("Drowned Pew", "The wood is wet. The prayer book is dry.");
+      if (prop.kind === "glass") say("Sunken Window", "Saints in blue glass lower their eyes toward the lake.");
+      if (prop.kind === "rift") finalChoice();
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function tellName(name) {
+      state.toldName = name.slice(0, 18);
+      remember(`You told Morrow's End your name is ${state.toldName}.`, false);
+      say("Morrow's End", `The town repeats ${state.toldName} very softly. Too softly.`);
+      state.route = state.route === "Undecided" ? "Named" : state.route;
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function startBattle(id) {
+      const e = encounters[id];
+      state.mode = "battle";
+      state.battle = {
+        id,
+        hp: e.hp,
+        maxHp: e.hp,
+        soul: { x: 480, y: 382 },
+        bullets: [],
+        t: 0,
+        grace: 0,
+        turn: 1,
+        message: e.text
+      };
+      audio.setTrack("battle");
+      audio.sfx("battle");
+      say(e.title, e.text);
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function chooseBattle(action) {
+      if (state.mode !== "battle" || !state.battle) return;
+      const battle = state.battle;
+      if (action === "confront") {
+        battle.hp -= 9;
+        state.confronts += 1;
+        state.route = "Confronting";
+        battle.message = "You refuse to move. The memory recoils from your shape.";
+        audio.sfx("hit");
+      }
+      if (action === "listen") {
+        battle.hp -= 7;
+        state.listens += 1;
+        state.route = state.forgets === 0 ? "Carry" : "Listening";
+        battle.message = "You listen until the ache becomes words. The attack softens.";
+        remember(`Listened to ${encounters[battle.id].title}.`, true);
+        audio.sfx("listen");
+      }
+      if (action === "forget") {
+        battle.hp -= 18;
+        state.forgets += 1;
+        state.route = state.forgets >= 3 ? "Forgotten" : "Silence";
+        battle.message = "You let the lake take the hard part. Something else goes with it.";
+        rewriteMemory();
+        audio.sfx("forget");
+      }
+      battle.turn += 1;
+      if (battle.hp <= 0) resolveBattle(action);
+      else say(encounters[battle.id].title, battle.message);
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function resolveBattle(action) {
+      const id = state.battle.id;
+      state.flags[`encounter_${id}`] = action;
+      if (id === "root_husk") state.flags.rootsTruth = true;
+      if (action === "forget" && state.forgets >= 3) return end("forgotten");
+      const line = action === "listen"
+        ? "The memory steps aside, still hurting, but no longer alone."
+        : action === "forget"
+          ? "The memory becomes easy to pass. Behind you, a street sign loses a letter."
+          : "The memory breaks apart like ash under rain.";
+      leaveBattle(line);
+    }
+
+    function leaveBattle(line) {
+      state.mode = "world";
+      state.battle = null;
+      audio.setTrack(areas[state.area].track);
+      say("Afterimage", line);
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function finalChoice() {
+      if (state.forgets >= 3) return end("forgotten");
+      if (state.forgets === 0 && state.listens >= 3 && state.flags.metMira) return end("rest");
+      if (state.route === "Silence" || state.forgets > state.listens) return end("silence");
+      end("carry");
+    }
+
+    function end(kind) {
+      state.ending = kind;
+      state.mode = "ending";
+      state.route = kind === "rest" ? "True: Rest" : kind === "carry" ? "Carry" : kind === "silence" ? "Silence" : "Forgotten";
+      audio.setTrack(kind === "forgotten" ? "void" : "ending");
+      say("Ending", endingLine(kind));
+      remember(endingLine(kind), kind !== "forgotten");
+      save();
+    }
+
+    function endingLine(kind) {
+      if (kind === "silence") return "Silence: you join the lake. Morrow's End becomes peaceful, clean, and almost empty.";
+      if (kind === "carry") return "Carry: the lake breaks. Everyone remembers. The town survives with tears in every lit window.";
+      if (kind === "forgotten") return "Forgotten: the story continues politely around the space where Ilyas used to be.";
+      return "Rest: the lake is forgiven, not destroyed. Mira laughs once, real and afraid, as the shore finally reflects the sky.";
+    }
+
+    function rewriteMemory() {
+      const mutable = state.memories.find((memory) => !memory.stable && !memory.erased) || state.memories.find((memory) => !memory.erased);
+      if (mutable) {
+        mutable.text = state.forgets > 2 ? "There was someone here. There was no one here. Both feel true." : mutable.text.replace(/[aeiou]/gi, "_");
+        mutable.erased = state.forgets > 2;
+      }
+      if (state.forgets === 2) state.flags.vendorForgotten = true;
+      if (state.forgets >= 3) state.flags.performerForgotten = true;
+    }
+
+    function forgottenNpc(id) {
+      return (id === "vendor" && state.flags.vendorForgotten) || (id === "performer" && state.flags.performerForgotten);
+    }
+
+    function remember(text, stable) {
+      if (!state.memories.some((memory) => memory.text === text)) state.memories.push({ id: `m${Date.now()}`, text, stable: Boolean(stable) });
+      if (state.memories.length > 8) state.memories.splice(2, 1);
+    }
+
+    function say(speaker, line) {
+      state.dialogue = { speaker, line };
+    }
+
+    function areaEnterLine(area) {
+      if (area === "red") return "The Red Streets glow warmly, but the laughter arrives half a second late.";
+      if (area === "roots") return "The Roots smell like wet stone and bedrooms left untouched for years.";
+      if (area === "chapel") return "The Drowned Chapel rings with a bell under water.";
+      if (area === "shore") return "The Hollow Shore bends at the edges, as if the world has been folded too many times.";
+      return "Harbor Row keeps its lamps low and its names lower.";
+    }
+
+    function draw(now) {
+      ctx.imageSmoothingEnabled = false;
+      if (!state.started || state.mode === "title") drawTitle(now);
+      else drawWorld(now);
+      if (state.mode === "battle") drawBattle(now);
+      if (state.mode === "ending") drawEnding(now);
+      drawVignette(now);
+    }
+
+    function drawTitle(now) {
+      const g = ctx.createLinearGradient(0, 0, 0, canvas.height);
+      g.addColorStop(0, "#05070c");
+      g.addColorStop(0.55, "#101b28");
+      g.addColorStop(1, "#020306");
+      ctx.fillStyle = g;
+      ctx.fillRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+      drawLake(0, 345, 960, 195, now, 0.4);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.font = "700 50px Georgia, serif";
+      ctx.textAlign = "center";
+      ctx.fillText("Ash Below the Lake", 480, 142);
+      ctx.font = "18px Georgia, serif";
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#b9c6d4";
+      ctx.fillText("A quiet town. A black lake. A name you should not give away.", 480, 178);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#e0a451";
+      ctx.font = "700 18px ui-monospace, monospace";
+      ctx.fillText("Press Start or Space", 480, 246);
+      drawSprite("ilyas", 424, 288, 3, now);
+      drawSprite("mira", 500, 288, 3, now);
+    }
+
+    function drawWorld(now) {
+      const area = areas[state.area];
+      for (let y = 0; y < rows; y += 1) {
+        for (let x = 0; x < cols; x += 1) {
+          const wall = area.walls.has(`${x},${y}`);
+          const c = area.floor[(x + y + Math.floor(now / 800)) % area.floor.length];
+          ctx.fillStyle = wall ? "#0b0d10" : c;
+          ctx.fillRect(x * tile, y * tile, tile, tile);
+          if (!wall) {
+            ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(255,255,255,0.025)";
+            ctx.fillRect(x * tile, y * tile + 30, tile, 2);
+          }
+        }
+      }
+      area.exits.forEach((exit) => drawDoor(exit.x, exit.y, area.accent));
+      area.props.forEach((prop) => drawProp(prop, now));
+      Object.keys(items).forEach((id) => {
+        const item = items[id];
+        if (item.area === state.area && !state.inventory.includes(id)) drawItem(id, item, now);
+      });
+      Object.keys(encounters).forEach((id) => {
+        const e = encounters[id];
+        if (e.area === state.area && !state.flags[`encounter_${id}`]) drawEncounter(e, now);
+      });
+      Object.keys(npcs).forEach((id) => {
+        const npc = npcs[id];
+        if (npc.area === state.area && !forgottenNpc(id)) drawSprite(npc.character, npc.x * tile, npc.y * tile - 12, 2, now);
+      });
+      drawSprite("ilyas", state.player.x * tile, state.player.y * tile - 12, 2, now);
+      if (state.companion && state.area !== "chapel") {
+        const offset = state.player.facing === "left" ? 1 : -1;
+        drawSprite("mira", (state.player.x + offset) * tile, state.player.y * tile - 12, 2, now + 200);
+      }
+      drawTopBar(area);
+    }
+
+    function drawTopBar(area) {
+      ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(3, 6, 10, 0.82)";
+      ctx.fillRect(0, 0, canvas.width, 42);
+      ctx.fillStyle = area.accent;
+      ctx.font = "700 14px ui-monospace, monospace";
+      ctx.textAlign = "left";
+      ctx.fillText(`${area.act} / ${area.name}`, 18, 26);
+      ctx.textAlign = "right";
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.fillText(`Resolve ${state.resolve}  Lake ${state.forgets}`, 940, 26);
+    }
+
+    function drawBattle(now) {
+      const battle = state.battle;
+      battle.t += 1;
+      updateBullets(battle, now);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(4, 5, 8, 0.88)";
+      ctx.fillRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+      ctx.strokeStyle = "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.lineWidth = 3;
+      ctx.strokeRect(296, 252, 368, 190);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.font = "700 24px Georgia, serif";
+      ctx.textAlign = "center";
+      ctx.fillText(encounters[battle.id].title, 480, 82);
+      ctx.font = "16px ui-monospace, monospace";
+      ctx.fillText(`Memory ${Math.max(0, battle.hp)} / ${battle.maxHp}`, 480, 116);
+      drawBattleEnemy(battle.id, now);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#f35f5f";
+      ctx.beginPath();
+      ctx.moveTo(battle.soul.x, battle.soul.y - 8);
+      ctx.bezierCurveTo(battle.soul.x - 13, battle.soul.y - 17, battle.soul.x - 20, battle.soul.y + 4, battle.soul.x, battle.soul.y + 18);
+      ctx.bezierCurveTo(battle.soul.x + 20, battle.soul.y + 4, battle.soul.x + 13, battle.soul.y - 17, battle.soul.x, battle.soul.y - 8);
+      ctx.fill();
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#dbeafe";
+      battle.bullets.forEach((b) => {
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        ctx.arc(b.x, b.y, b.r, 0, Math.PI * 2);
+        ctx.fill();
+      });
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.font = "15px Georgia, serif";
+      wrapText(battle.message, 148, 480, 660, 22);
+    }
+
+    function updateBullets(battle) {
+      const speed = state.forgets > 0 ? 1.15 : 1.55;
+      const move = keyDirection();
+      if (move === "up") battle.soul.y -= 3.3;
+      if (move === "down") battle.soul.y += 3.3;
+      if (move === "left") battle.soul.x -= 3.3;
+      if (move === "right") battle.soul.x += 3.3;
+      battle.soul.x = clamp(battle.soul.x, 312, 648);
+      battle.soul.y = clamp(battle.soul.y, 270, 426);
+      if (battle.t % 26 === 0) {
+        if (encounters[battle.id].bullets === "rain") battle.bullets.push({ x: 315 + Math.random() * 330, y: 256, vx: 0, vy: speed * 2.4, r: 5 });
+        else if (encounters[battle.id].bullets === "spiral") {
+          const a = battle.t / 14;
+          battle.bullets.push({ x: 480, y: 346, vx: Math.cos(a) * speed * 2, vy: Math.sin(a) * speed * 2, r: 5 });
+        } else battle.bullets.push({ x: Math.random() > 0.5 ? 304 : 656, y: 275 + Math.random() * 130, vx: (Math.random() > 0.5 ? -1 : 1) * speed * 2, vy: Math.sin(battle.t) * 0.6, r: 5 });
+      }
+      battle.bullets.forEach((b) => {
+        b.x += b.vx;
+        b.y += b.vy;
+        if (battle.grace <= 0 && Math.hypot(b.x - battle.soul.x, b.y - battle.soul.y) < b.r + 10) {
+          state.resolve = Math.max(0, state.resolve - 1);
+          battle.grace = 24;
+          audio.sfx("hurt");
+          if (state.resolve <= 0) end("forgotten");
+        }
+      });
+      battle.grace -= 1;
+      battle.bullets = battle.bullets.filter((b) => b.x > 280 && b.x < 680 && b.y > 230 && b.y < 455);
+    }
+
+    function renderHud() {
+      root.classList.toggle("is-lake-awake", state.forgets > 1);
+      root.classList.toggle("is-ending", Boolean(state.ending));
+      els.speaker.textContent = state.dialogue.speaker;
+      els.line.textContent = state.dialogue.line;
+      els.area.textContent = areas[state.area].name;
+      els.route.textContent = state.route;
+      els.resolve.textContent = String(state.resolve);
+      ui.memoryFill.style.width = `${Math.min(100, state.forgets * 34)}%`;
+      els.inventory.innerHTML = state.inventory.length ? state.inventory.map((id) => `<li>${items[id].name}</li>`).join("") : "<li>Empty</li>";
+      els.journal.innerHTML = state.memories.map((memory) => `<li class="${memory.erased ? "is-erased" : memory.stable ? "is-done" : ""}">${memory.erased ? "[entry missing]" : memory.text}</li>`).join("");
+      ui.actionButtons.forEach((button) => {
+        button.disabled = state.mode !== "battle";
+      });
+    }
+
+    function drawProp(prop, now) {
+      const x = prop.x * tile;
+      const y = prop.y * tile;
+      if (prop.kind === "lake") return drawLake(x, y, (prop.w || 1) * tile, (prop.h || 1) * tile, now, 1);
+      if (prop.kind === "stall") {
+        ctx.fillStyle = "#7f2d3a"; ctx.fillRect(x, y + 8, 64, 34);
+        ctx.fillStyle = "#e0a451"; ctx.fillRect(x - 4, y, 72, 12);
+      }
+      if (prop.kind === "flowers") for (let i = 0; i < 6; i += 1) { ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(133, 255, 214, ${0.45 + Math.sin(now / 400 + i) * 0.2})`; ctx.fillRect(x + i * 8, y + 12 + (i % 2) * 8, 5, 5); }
+      if (prop.kind === "sign" || prop.kind === "poster") { ctx.fillStyle = "#12151d"; ctx.fillRect(x, y, 38, 32); ctx.fillStyle = "#f3b15d"; ctx.fillRect(x + 5, y + 6, 28, 3); }
+      if (prop.kind === "stage") { ctx.fillStyle = "#210d18"; ctx.fillRect(x, y + 10, 96, 46); ctx.fillStyle = "#d64d62"; ctx.fillRect(x + 8, y, 80, 14); }
+      if (prop.kind === "archive") { ctx.fillStyle = "#4b3a25"; ctx.fillRect(x, y, 58, 52); ctx.fillStyle = "#d8cba8"; for (let i = 0; i < 4; i += 1) ctx.fillRect(x + 8, y + 8 + i * 10, 42, 3); }
+      if (prop.kind === "root") { ctx.strokeStyle = "#6aa27d"; ctx.lineWidth = 5; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(x, y + 28); ctx.bezierCurveTo(x + 26, y - 8, x + 52, y + 48, x + 80, y + 6); ctx.stroke(); }
+      if (prop.kind === "home") { ctx.fillStyle = "#263332"; ctx.fillRect(x, y, 54, 48); ctx.fillStyle = "#080a0c"; ctx.fillRect(x + 20, y + 18, 14, 30); }
+      if (prop.kind === "pew") { ctx.fillStyle = "#33251d"; ctx.fillRect(x, y + 10, 76, 20); }
+      if (prop.kind === "glass") { ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(139,211,255,0.55)"; ctx.fillRect(x, y, 52, 72); ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(255,255,255,0.3)"; ctx.fillRect(x + 23, y, 5, 72); }
+      if (prop.kind === "rift") { ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(248,239,224,${0.5 + Math.sin(now / 200) * 0.3})`; ctx.lineWidth = 3; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(x + 20, y); ctx.lineTo(x + 5, y + 22); ctx.lineTo(x + 27, y + 40); ctx.lineTo(x + 10, y + 70); ctx.stroke(); }
+    }
+
+    function drawLake(x, y, w, h, now, alpha) {
+      const g = ctx.createLinearGradient(0, y, 0, y + h);
+      g.addColorStop(0, `rgba(7, 18, 30, ${0.7 * alpha})`);
+      g.addColorStop(1, `rgba(0, 0, 0, ${0.95 * alpha})`);
+      ctx.fillStyle = g;
+      ctx.fillRect(x, y, w, h);
+      ctx.strokeStyle = `rgba(114, 169, 191, ${0.2 * alpha})`;
+      for (let i = 0; i < 8; i += 1) {
+        ctx.beginPath();
+        const yy = y + 12 + i * 17 + Math.sin(now / 700 + i) * 4;
+        ctx.moveTo(x, yy);
+        for (let xx = 0; xx < w; xx += 24) ctx.lineTo(x + xx, yy + Math.sin(now / 350 + xx / 35 + i) * 3);
+        ctx.stroke();
+      }
+    }
+
+    function drawDoor(x, y, color) {
+      ctx.fillStyle = color;
+      ctx.fillRect(x * tile + 7, y * tile + 4, 18, 26);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#05070c";
+      ctx.fillRect(x * tile + 19, y * tile + 17, 3, 3);
+    }
+
+    function drawItem(id, item, now) {
+      const x = item.x * tile;
+      const y = item.y * tile + Math.sin(now / 220) * 2;
+      ctx.fillStyle = id === "bell" ? "#d6a24a" : id === "photo" ? "#dbeafe" : id === "cinderKey" ? "#f59e0b" : "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.fillRect(x + 10, y + 10, 13, 13);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(255,255,255,0.45)";
+      ctx.fillRect(x + 13, y + 7, 7, 5);
+    }
+
+    function drawEncounter(e, now) {
+      const x = e.x * tile;
+      const y = e.y * tile;
+      ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(210, 225, 245, ${0.35 + Math.sin(now / 260) * 0.16})`;
+      ctx.fillRect(x + 8, y + 4, 16, 27);
+      ctx.clearRect(x + 12, y + 10, 3, 4);
+      ctx.clearRect(x + 19, y + 10, 3, 4);
+    }
+
+    function drawSprite(id, x, y, scale, now) {
+      const c = characters[id].colors;
+      const bob = Math.sin(now / 260 + x) * 1.5;
+      const s = scale;
+      ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(0,0,0,0.28)";
+      ctx.fillRect(x + 5 * s, y + 30 * s, 12 * s, 3 * s);
+      ctx.fillStyle = c[0]; ctx.fillRect(x + 7 * s, y + bob + 2 * s, 10 * s, 7 * s);
+      ctx.fillStyle = c[1]; ctx.fillRect(x + 6 * s, y + bob + 8 * s, 12 * s, 10 * s);
+      ctx.fillStyle = c[2]; ctx.fillRect(x + 5 * s, y + bob + 18 * s, 14 * s, 13 * s);
+      ctx.fillStyle = c[3]; ctx.fillRect(x + 8 * s, y + bob + 12 * s, 2 * s, 2 * s); ctx.fillRect(x + 14 * s, y + bob + 12 * s, 2 * s, 2 * s);
+      ctx.fillStyle = c[0]; ctx.fillRect(x + 4 * s, y + bob + 22 * s, 3 * s, 9 * s); ctx.fillRect(x + 17 * s, y + bob + 22 * s, 3 * s, 9 * s);
+    }
+
+    function drawBattleEnemy(id, now) {
+      if (id === "first_erased") drawEncounter({ x: 14, y: 4 }, now);
+      if (id === "root_husk") { ctx.strokeStyle = "#79c89d"; ctx.lineWidth = 8; ctx.beginPath(); ctx.moveTo(440, 180); ctx.bezierCurveTo(470, 120, 510, 230, 540, 160); ctx.stroke(); }
+      if (id === "chapel_memory") { ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(139,211,255,0.5)"; for (let i = 0; i < 5; i += 1) ctx.fillRect(420 + i * 28, 150 + Math.sin(now / 300 + i) * 8, 16, 54); }
+    }
+
+    function drawEnding(now) {
+      ctx.fillStyle = "rgba(0,0,0,0.72)";
+      ctx.fillRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#f8efe0";
+      ctx.font = "700 42px Georgia, serif";
+      ctx.textAlign = "center";
+      ctx.fillText(state.route, 480 + Math.sin(now / 120) * (state.ending === "forgotten" ? 3 : 0), 202);
+      ctx.font = "18px Georgia, serif";
+      wrapText(state.dialogue.line, 250, 250, 460, 28);
+    }
+
+    function drawVignette(now) {
+      if (state.forgets > 0) {
+        ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(0,0,0,${0.06 + state.forgets * 0.05 + Math.sin(now / 800) * 0.02})`;
+        ctx.fillRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+      }
+      const g = ctx.createRadialGradient(480, 245, 120, 480, 245, 560);
+      g.addColorStop(0, "rgba(0,0,0,0)");
+      g.addColorStop(1, "rgba(0,0,0,0.48)");
+      ctx.fillStyle = g;
+      ctx.fillRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+    }
+
+    function wrapText(text, x, y, maxWidth, lineHeight) {
+      ctx.textAlign = "left";
+      const words = text.split(" ");
+      let line = "";
+      for (const word of words) {
+        const test = `${line}${word} `;
+        if (ctx.measureText(test).width > maxWidth && line) {
+          ctx.fillText(line, x, y);
+          line = `${word} `;
+          y += lineHeight;
+        } else {
+          line = test;
+        }
+      }
+      ctx.fillText(line, x, y);
+    }
+  };
+
+  function makeAudio() {
+    let ctx = null;
+    let master = null;
+    let track = "title";
+    let timer = null;
+    const patterns = {
+      title: [220, 277, 330, 277],
+      harbor: [262, 330, 392, 330],
+      red: [196, 233, 294, 349],
+      roots: [174, 220, 261, 220],
+      chapel: [147, 196, 247, 294],
+      shore: [110, 165, 220, 165],
+      battle: [330, 311, 294, 247],
+      ending: [262, 392, 440, 523],
+      void: [110, 98, 82, 73]
+    };
+    function start() {
+      if (ctx) return;
+      ctx = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();
+      master = ctx.createGain();
+      master.gain.value = 0.055;
+      master.connect(ctx.destination);
+      loop();
+    }
+    function loop() {
+      clearInterval(timer);
+      let i = 0;
+      timer = setInterval(() => {
+        if (!ctx) return;
+        const notes = patterns[track] || patterns.title;
+        tone(notes[i % notes.length], 0.28, track === "battle" ? "sawtooth" : "sine");
+        if (track !== "battle") tone(notes[(i + 2) % notes.length] / 2, 0.7, "triangle", 0.45);
+        i += 1;
+      }, track === "battle" ? 230 : 520);
+    }
+    function tone(freq, dur, type, gainScale) {
+      const osc = ctx.createOscillator();
+      const gain = ctx.createGain();
+      osc.type = type;
+      osc.frequency.value = freq;
+      gain.gain.setValueAtTime(0, ctx.currentTime);
+      gain.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0.25 * (gainScale || 1), ctx.currentTime + 0.02);
+      gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, ctx.currentTime + dur);
+      osc.connect(gain);
+      gain.connect(master);
+      osc.start();
+      osc.stop(ctx.currentTime + dur + 0.03);
+    }
+    return {
+      start,
+      setTrack(next) {
+        track = next;
+        if (ctx) loop();
+      },
+      sfx(kind) {
+        if (!ctx) return;
+        const map = { item: 660, talk: 440, battle: 130, hit: 180, listen: 523, forget: 96, hurt: 80 };
+        tone(map[kind] || 330, kind === "forget" ? 0.8 : 0.18, kind === "forget" ? "sawtooth" : "square", kind === "hurt" ? 1.3 : 0.8);
+      }
+    };
+  }
+
+  function rects(sources) {
+    const set = new Set();
+    sources.forEach(([x, y, w, h]) => {
+      for (let yy = y; yy < y + h; yy += 1) for (let xx = x; xx < x + w; xx += 1) set.add(`${xx},${yy}`);
+    });
+    return set;
+  }
+
+  function clamp(value, min, max) {
+    return Math.max(min, Math.min(max, value));
+  }
+})();
diff --git a/assets/scripts/play.js b/assets/scripts/play.js
index 442d051..90b15b1 100644
--- a/assets/scripts/play.js
+++ b/assets/scripts/play.js
@@ -493,6 +493,7 @@
   }
 
   function rpg(root) {
+    if (window.AshBelowLakeRpg) return window.AshBelowLakeRpg(root);
     const canvas = $("[data-rpg-canvas]", root);
     const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
     const els = {
diff --git a/assets/styles/play.css b/assets/styles/play.css
index 5307e3a..5f16f40 100644
--- a/assets/styles/play.css
+++ b/assets/styles/play.css
@@ -497,11 +497,63 @@
 
 .rpg-shell {
   display: grid;
-  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 768px) minmax(260px, 1fr);
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 960px) minmax(280px, 1fr);
   gap: 1rem;
   align-items: start;
 }
 
+.ash-rpg-root {
+  --ash-black: #05070c;
+  --ash-ink: #0d1420;
+  --ash-panel: #121a27;
+  --ash-line: #344154;
+  --ash-gold: #e0a451;
+  --ash-cold: #8bd3ff;
+  --ash-red: #db4f62;
+  --ash-text: #f8efe0;
+  --ash-muted: #a8b4c2;
+  max-width: 1380px;
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root .play-page-head {
+  padding: 1rem 0;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.18);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root .play-page-head h1 {
+  color: var(--ash-text);
+  font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;
+  text-shadow: 0 0 18px rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.22);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root .play-page-head p,
+.ash-rpg-root .play-back {
+  color: var(--ash-muted);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-shell {
+  position: relative;
+  border-color: rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.22);
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(12, 20, 32, 0.96), rgba(4, 7, 12, 0.98)),
+    var(--ash-black);
+  box-shadow:
+    0 0 0 1px rgba(224, 164, 81, 0.14) inset,
+    0 28px 80px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.42);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-shell::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  background:
+    repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.025), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.025) 1px, transparent 1px, transparent 4px);
+  mix-blend-mode: screen;
+  opacity: 0.35;
+}
+
 .rpg-stage {
   display: grid;
   gap: 0.75rem;
@@ -510,40 +562,53 @@
 .rpg-canvas {
   display: block;
   width: 100%;
-  aspect-ratio: 1.5;
+  aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;
   image-rendering: pixelated;
-  border: 2px solid #18130f;
+  border: 2px solid var(--ash-line);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  background: #14110e;
+  background: var(--ash-black);
+  box-shadow:
+    0 0 0 4px #05070c,
+    0 0 34px rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.16);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-canvas {
+  min-height: 360px;
 }
 
 .rpg-dialogue,
 .rpg-panel {
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border: 1px solid var(--ash-line);
   border-radius: 8px;
-  background: color-mix(in oklab, var(--surface) 86%, #18130f 14%);
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(21, 31, 46, 0.95), rgba(8, 12, 18, 0.96)),
+    var(--ash-panel);
+  color: var(--ash-text);
 }
 
 .rpg-dialogue {
-  min-height: 118px;
-  padding: 0.9rem;
+  min-height: 130px;
+  padding: 1rem;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(248, 239, 224, 0.05) inset;
 }
 
 .rpg-dialogue strong,
 .rpg-list h2 {
-  color: var(--heading);
+  color: var(--ash-gold);
 }
 
 .rpg-dialogue p,
 .rpg-status {
   margin: 0.35rem 0 0;
-  color: var(--muted);
+  color: var(--ash-muted);
+  line-height: 1.55;
 }
 
 .rpg-panel {
   display: grid;
   gap: 1rem;
   padding: 1rem;
+  align-content: start;
 }
 
 .rpg-actions,
@@ -553,6 +618,27 @@
   gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
+.ash-rpg-root button {
+  border-color: rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.28);
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #1a2638, #0c121c);
+  color: var(--ash-text);
+  font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Consolas, monospace;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root button:hover:not(:disabled),
+.ash-rpg-root button:focus-visible {
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #31435f, #142236);
+  color: #ffffff;
+  box-shadow: 0 0 18px rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.22);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root button:disabled {
+  cursor: not-allowed;
+  opacity: 0.42;
+}
+
 .rpg-mobile-pad {
   grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
 }
@@ -585,13 +671,13 @@
   justify-content: space-between;
   gap: 1rem;
   padding-bottom: 0.45rem;
-  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.16);
 }
 
 .rpg-stats dt,
 .rpg-list h2 {
   margin: 0;
-  color: var(--muted);
+  color: var(--ash-muted);
   font-size: 0.78rem;
   font-weight: 800;
   text-transform: uppercase;
@@ -612,14 +698,105 @@
 
 .rpg-list li {
   padding: 0.55rem;
-  border: 1px solid var(--border);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.16);
   border-radius: 6px;
-  background: var(--surface);
+  background: rgba(5, 7, 12, 0.62);
+  color: var(--ash-text);
+  font-size: 0.92rem;
 }
 
 .rpg-list li.is-done {
-  border-color: color-mix(in oklab, var(--play-green) 70%, var(--border));
-  background: color-mix(in oklab, var(--surface) 72%, var(--play-green) 28%);
+  border-color: rgba(102, 199, 162, 0.42);
+  background: rgba(45, 91, 77, 0.34);
+}
+
+.rpg-list li.is-erased {
+  border-color: rgba(219, 79, 98, 0.32);
+  color: rgba(248, 239, 224, 0.42);
+  background: repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(219, 79, 98, 0.08), rgba(219, 79, 98, 0.08) 6px, rgba(5, 7, 12, 0.6) 6px, rgba(5, 7, 12, 0.6) 12px);
+  text-decoration: line-through;
+}
+
+.ash-choicebar {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+.ash-choicebar button {
+  min-height: 50px;
+}
+
+.ash-memory-meter {
+  position: relative;
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 0.45rem;
+  color: var(--ash-muted);
+  font-size: 0.78rem;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.ash-memory-meter::after {
+  content: "";
+  display: block;
+  height: 10px;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.24);
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: #05070c;
+}
+
+.ash-memory-meter i {
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 1px;
+  right: auto;
+  bottom: 1px;
+  width: 0;
+  height: 10px;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--ash-cold), var(--ash-red));
+  transition: width 220ms ease;
+}
+
+.ash-name-form {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  align-items: end;
+}
+
+.ash-name-form label {
+  display: grid;
+  gap: 0.35rem;
+  color: var(--ash-muted);
+  font-size: 0.78rem;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+}
+
+.ash-name-form input {
+  width: 100%;
+  border: 1px solid rgba(139, 211, 255, 0.24);
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  padding: 0.65rem;
+  background: #05070c;
+  color: var(--ash-text);
+  font: inherit;
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root.is-lake-awake .rpg-dialogue,
+.ash-rpg-root.is-lake-awake .rpg-panel {
+  border-color: rgba(219, 79, 98, 0.36);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root.is-lake-awake .ash-rpg-canvas {
+  box-shadow:
+    0 0 0 4px #05070c,
+    0 0 38px rgba(219, 79, 98, 0.22);
+}
+
+.ash-rpg-root.is-ending .rpg-panel {
+  box-shadow: 0 0 34px rgba(224, 164, 81, 0.16);
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 760px) {
@@ -643,4 +820,13 @@
     width: calc(50% - 0.4rem);
     min-height: 160px;
   }
+
+  .ash-choicebar,
+  .ash-name-form {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+
+  .ash-rpg-canvas {
+    min-height: auto;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/build-site.el b/build-site.el
index c78ddcf..ea55e8a 100755
--- a/build-site.el
+++ b/build-site.el
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ FMT / ARGS are passed to `format'."
       "wird-tracker.js"
       "zhd.js"
       "play.js"
+      "ash-below-lake.js"
       )
     "\n")
    (format "<script src=\"%s\"></script>
diff --git a/play.org b/play.org
index eb2b044..3c5d098 100644
--- a/play.org
+++ b/play.org
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
     <a href="/play/terminal.html" data-kind="Story" data-desc="Explore a tiny command-line adventure hidden in the archive."><span>08</span><strong>Archive Terminal</strong></a>
     <a href="/play/study.html" data-kind="Timer" data-desc="Run a focus timer that grows a little desk scene as time passes."><span>09</span><strong>Study Lamp</strong></a>
     <a href="/play/sigil.html" data-kind="Maker" data-desc="Generate a small personal sigil from initials, colors, and motto."><span>10</span><strong>Sigil Press</strong></a>
-    <a href="/play/rpg.html" data-kind="RPG" data-desc="Explore a 2D archive, gather items, resolve quests, save progress, and choose a route."><span>11</span><strong>Hollow Archive</strong></a>
+    <a href="/play/rpg.html" data-kind="RPG" data-desc="Enter Morrow's End, survive memory battles, choose whether to confront, listen, or forget, and decide the lake's fate."><span>11</span><strong>Ash Below the Lake</strong></a>
   </nav>
 </main>
 #+END_EXPORT
diff --git a/play/rpg.org b/play/rpg.org
index d53feaa..d4cb983 100644
--- a/play/rpg.org
+++ b/play/rpg.org
@@ -1,23 +1,23 @@
-#+TITLE: Hollow Archive
+#+TITLE: Ash Below the Lake
 #+OPTIONS: num:nil title:nil toc:nil
 #+NO_SIDENOTES: t
 #+DATE: <2026-05-09 Sat>
 
 #+BEGIN_EXPORT html
-<main class="play-root play-page rpg-root" data-play-page="rpg">
+<main class="play-root play-page rpg-root ash-rpg-root" data-play-page="rpg">
   <a class="play-back" href="/play.html">Back to Play</a>
   <header class="play-page-head">
     <p class="play-kicker">11 / Role Playing Game</p>
-    <h1>Hollow Archive</h1>
-    <p>A tiny 2D RPG base: move through rooms, speak with characters, collect items, complete quests, save progress, and steer the ending.</p>
+    <h1>Ash Below the Lake</h1>
+    <p>A 2D story RPG set in Morrow's End: a town beside a black lake that remembers names, grief, and everyone the world tries to forget.</p>
   </header>
 
-  <section class="play-tool rpg-shell" aria-label="Hollow Archive game">
+  <section class="play-tool rpg-shell ash-rpg-shell" aria-label="Ash Below the Lake game">
     <div class="rpg-stage">
-      <canvas class="rpg-canvas" width="768" height="512" data-rpg-canvas></canvas>
+      <canvas class="rpg-canvas ash-rpg-canvas" width="960" height="540" data-rpg-canvas></canvas>
       <div class="rpg-dialogue" data-rpg-dialogue aria-live="polite">
-        <strong data-rpg-speaker>Archivist</strong>
-        <p data-rpg-line>Press Start to enter the archive.</p>
+        <strong data-rpg-speaker>The Letter</strong>
+        <p data-rpg-line>Don't let the lake remember your name.</p>
       </div>
     </div>
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
         <button type="button" data-rpg-start>Start</button>
         <button type="button" data-rpg-save>Save</button>
         <button type="button" data-rpg-load>Load</button>
-        <button type="button" data-rpg-reset>Reset</button>
+        <button type="button" data-rpg-reset>New Game</button>
       </div>
 
       <div class="rpg-mobile-pad" aria-label="Movement controls">
@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@
       </div>
 
       <dl class="rpg-stats">
-        <div><dt>Room</dt><dd data-rpg-room>Entrance</dd></div>
+        <div><dt>District</dt><dd data-rpg-room>Harbor Row</dd></div>
         <div><dt>Route</dt><dd data-rpg-route>Undecided</dd></div>
-        <div><dt>Hearts</dt><dd data-rpg-hearts>3</dd></div>
+        <div><dt>Resolve</dt><dd data-rpg-hearts>20</dd></div>
       </dl>
 
       <section class="rpg-list">
-        <h2>Quests</h2>
+        <h2>Memory Journal</h2>
         <ul data-rpg-quests></ul>
       </section>
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
         <ul data-rpg-inventory></ul>
       </section>
 
-      <p class="rpg-status" data-rpg-status>Keyboard: arrows or WASD to move, Space or Enter to act.</p>
+      <p class="rpg-status" data-rpg-status>Move with arrows or WASD. Act with Space or Enter. Sound starts after your first input.</p>
     </aside>
   </section>
 </main>
diff --git a/posts/posts-list.org b/posts/posts-list.org
index b08b4cd..5019c21 100755
--- a/posts/posts-list.org
+++ b/posts/posts-list.org
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 See the categories: @@html:<a href="../home/categories.html">Categories</a>@@
 
 * Posts:
-- [[file:career/career-list.org][Career List]] @@html:<span class="post-date">09-05-2026 22:35</span>@@ 
+- [[file:career/career-list.org][Career List]] @@html:<span class="post-date">09-05-2026 22:36</span>@@ 
 - [[file:career/ha-dr.org][High Availability, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity]] @@html:<span class="post-date">11-03-2026 17:18</span>@@ @@html:<a href="/tags/learning.html"><span class="post-tag">learning</span></a>@@ @@html:<a href="/tags/notes.html"><span class="post-tag">notes</span></a>@@
 - [[file:career/javascript.org][Understands the Javascript language]] @@html:<span class="post-date">11-03-2026 16:52</span>@@ @@html:<a href="/tags/learning.html"><span class="post-tag">learning</span></a>@@ @@html:<a href="/tags/notes.html"><span class="post-tag">notes</span></a>@@
 - [[file:career/restful-api.org][Restful API]] @@html:<span class="post-date">15-02-2026 23:00</span>@@ @@html:<a href="/tags/learning.html"><span class="post-tag">learning</span></a>@@ @@html:<a href="/tags/notes.html"><span class="post-tag">notes</span></a>@@
diff --git a/recently-updated.org b/recently-updated.org
index 345ba03..0316036 100755
--- a/recently-updated.org
+++ b/recently-updated.org
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 - [[file:play/terminal.org][Archive Terminal]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
 - [[file:play/study.org][Study Lamp]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
 - [[file:play/sigil.org][Sigil Press]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
-- [[file:play/rpg.org][Hollow Archive]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
+- [[file:play/rpg.org][Ash Below the Lake]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
 - [[file:play/recipe.org][Supper Wheel]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
 - [[file:play/poem.org][Marginalia Machine]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
 - [[file:play/memory.org][Memory Cabinet]] @@html:<span class="post-date">2026-05-09 00:00</span>@@
diff --git a/rpg.md b/rpg.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0da7be2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rpg.md
@@ -0,0 +1,320 @@
+## Title: **Ash Below the Lake**
+
+### Premise
+
+A quiet town sits beside a black lake that never reflects the sky.
+
+Every year, one person disappears into the water.
+
+Nobody talks about it.
+
+You play as a teenager named **Ilyas**, who arrives in the isolated town of **Morrow’s End** after receiving a letter from a sibling who vanished there years ago. The letter contains only one sentence:
+
+> “Don’t let the lake remember your name.”
+
+The game begins normally — odd townsfolk, quirky humor, strange shops — but slowly becomes darker as the player realizes the town itself is alive in a subtle, dreamlike way.
+
+---
+
+# Core Themes
+
+* Memory vs identity
+* Grief and denial
+* The fear of being forgotten
+* Whether pain should be erased or accepted
+
+Like *Undertale*, the game balances:
+
+* humor
+* emotional character writing
+* eerie atmosphere
+* choices that genuinely matter
+
+---
+
+# The World
+
+## Morrow’s End
+
+A sleepy lakeside town with:
+
+* crooked houses
+* underground tunnels
+* abandoned train stations
+* old flood barriers
+* glowing flowers near the shore
+
+The town is split into districts:
+
+1. **Harbor Row** – fishermen, markets, friendly NPCs
+2. **The Red Streets** – entertainment district with unsettling performers
+3. **The Roots** – underground caverns beneath the town
+4. **The Drowned Chapel** – sunken cathedral inside the lake
+5. **The Hollow Shore** – final area where reality begins collapsing
+
+---
+
+# Main Gameplay Twist
+
+The lake “remembers” people.
+
+If someone is forgotten by everybody, they slowly become erased from reality.
+
+Not dead.
+
+Erased.
+
+Photos change.
+Dialogue changes.
+Rooms disappear.
+Music distorts.
+
+As the player progresses, NPCs begin forgetting characters the player met earlier.
+
+Eventually the player questions:
+
+* Is the town cursed?
+* Or is the lake protecting people from painful memories?
+
+---
+
+# Main Characters
+
+## Ilyas (Player)
+
+Quiet protagonist searching for their sibling.
+
+The player can shape Ilyas:
+
+* compassionate
+* detached
+* manipulative
+* fearful
+
+Choices affect dialogue, endings, and combat resolution.
+
+---
+
+## Mira
+
+A sarcastic runaway girl who joins you early.
+
+She uses humor to hide panic and becomes emotionally attached to the player.
+
+She remembers things others forget.
+
+That should be impossible.
+
+---
+
+## The Ferryman
+
+A masked boatman who appears throughout the game.
+
+He speaks in riddles and always knows where the player has been.
+
+Sometimes he appears before important choices.
+
+He may not be human.
+
+---
+
+## Brother Cinder
+
+Leader of the Drowned Chapel.
+
+Believes forgetting pain is mercy.
+
+Wants to feed memories to the lake so humanity can become “peaceful.”
+
+Not purely evil — deeply tragic.
+
+---
+
+## Your Sibling
+
+You spend the whole game searching for them.
+
+Late-game reveal:
+They willingly entered the lake.
+
+And they may no longer fully exist.
+
+---
+
+# Combat System
+
+Similar vibe to *Undertale*:
+
+* turn-based encounters
+* bullet-hell dodging
+* dialogue options during fights
+
+But instead of MERCY/FIGHT:
+
+## Three Main Actions
+
+* **Confront** — direct resistance
+* **Listen** — understand enemies emotionally
+* **Forget** — erase enemies from memory
+
+Using “Forget” makes encounters easier…
+
+…but causes side effects in the world.
+
+NPCs disappear.
+Music tracks vanish.
+Areas become inaccessible.
+
+The player slowly realizes:
+They are becoming part of the lake.
+
+---
+
+# Major Story Beats
+
+## Act 1 — Strange Town
+
+* Meet Mira
+* Discover townsfolk avoid speaking certain names
+* Encounter first erased person
+* Learn your sibling stayed at the old chapel
+
+Tone:
+cozy + unsettling
+
+---
+
+## Act 2 — The Roots
+
+You descend beneath the town.
+
+Find:
+
+* memory archives
+* abandoned homes nobody remembers
+* creatures made from forgotten people
+
+The player discovers:
+The lake feeds on emotional suffering.
+
+---
+
+## Act 3 — The Drowned Chapel
+
+Brother Cinder reveals the truth:
+The lake was created long ago to contain humanity’s collective grief.
+
+Without it:
+people would drown in their pain.
+
+But now it has grown hungry.
+
+---
+
+## Final Act — The Hollow Shore
+
+Reality breaks down:
+
+* menus glitch
+* save points speak
+* NPC dialogue rewrites itself
+* your own name occasionally changes
+
+The player must choose:
+
+### Ending 1 — “Silence”
+
+Join the lake.
+All pain disappears.
+The town becomes peaceful… empty.
+
+---
+
+### Ending 2 — “Carry”
+
+Destroy the lake.
+Everyone regains painful memories.
+The town survives but suffers.
+
+Hopeful but bittersweet.
+
+---
+
+### Ending 3 — “Forgotten”
+
+Use “Forget” too often.
+
+Eventually:
+the protagonist themselves is erased.
+
+The final scene shows the game continuing without you.
+
+No one remembers the player existed.
+
+---
+
+# Tone & Style
+
+Visual Style:
+
+* pixel art
+* heavy shadows
+* warm interiors vs cold outdoor areas
+* subtle environmental animations
+
+Music:
+
+* soft piano
+* detuned music-box melodies
+* distorted ambient tracks late-game
+
+Humor:
+
+* weird NPC dialogue
+* absurd side quests
+* fake advertisements
+* awkward interactions
+
+The humor makes the emotional moments hit harder.
+
+---
+
+# Extra Mechanics
+
+## Memory Journal
+
+Instead of a quest log, the player keeps memories.
+
+Entries can:
+
+* change
+* disappear
+* rewrite themselves
+
+The player cannot always trust it.
+
+---
+
+## Name System
+
+NPCs react differently depending on whether you tell them your real name.
+
+Some characters literally gain power if they know it.
+
+---
+
+# Optional Secret Route
+
+If the player never uses “Forget” and resolves conflicts peacefully:
+
+* hidden areas appear
+* erased characters return temporarily
+* Mira reveals she died years ago and is only remembered because of you
+
+This leads to the true ending:
+The lake is not destroyed.
+
+It is forgiven.
+
+And finally allowed to rest.
diff --git a/sitemap.org b/sitemap.org
index f456950..4c8c206 100755
--- a/sitemap.org
+++ b/sitemap.org
@@ -50,18 +50,18 @@
 - tags
   - [[file:tags/life.sync-conflict-20260417-233423-VT6366A.org][Tag: life]]
   - [[file:tags/review.sync-conflict-20260328-203248-VT6366A.org][Tag: review]]
-  - [[file:tags/learning.org][Tag: learning]]
   - [[file:tags/introduction.org][Tag: introduction]]
+  - [[file:tags/learning.org][Tag: learning]]
   - [[file:tags/notes.org][Tag: notes]]
   - [[file:tags/website.org][Tag: website]]
   - [[file:tags/review.org][Tag: review]]
-  - [[file:tags/life.org][Tag: life]]
   - [[file:tags/emacs.org][Tag: emacs]]
   - [[file:tags/education.org][Tag: education]]
   - [[file:tags/update.org][Tag: update]]
+  - [[file:tags/life.org][Tag: life]]
   - [[file:tags/reading.org][Tag: reading]]
-  - [[file:tags/insights.org][Tag: insights]]
   - [[file:tags/maths.org][Tag: maths]]
+  - [[file:tags/insights.org][Tag: insights]]
 - lima
   - [[file:lima/lima-list.org][Lima]]
 - play
@@ -75,4 +75,4 @@
   - [[file:play/timeline.org][Timeline Tangle]]
   - [[file:play/recipe.org][Supper Wheel]]
   - [[file:play/terminal.org][Archive Terminal]]
-  - [[file:play/rpg.org][Hollow Archive]]
\ No newline at end of file
+  - [[file:play/rpg.org][Ash Below the Lake]]
\ No newline at end of file