Refactor survival prompt to provide a readable mission briefing

- Introduced _parse_briefing function to extract structured facts from the briefing text.
- Updated make_fake_completer to utilize the new briefing format instead of raw JSON.
- Modified _build_survival_messages to generate a plain-language briefing for NPCs.
- Adjusted tests to validate the new briefing format, ensuring it includes necessary information while excluding raw JSON data.
- Enhanced clarity of survival directives and actions within the briefing.

dist/frontend/assets/index-C7Afv8j6.css

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reports/npc_prompt_refactor_20260614.md

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+# NPC Perception/Action Refactor — Final Report
+
+**Date:** 2026-06-14
+**Goal:** Make LLM-driven NPCs behave like reasoning humans, not random-action
+generators — by replacing the unreadable JSON prompt with a spatially grounded
+mission briefing, then iterating prompt → live sim → ledger audit until the
+behaviour is meaningful.
+
+---
+
+## 1. Root cause
+
+The survival prompt (`_build_survival_messages` in
+[openai_compatible.py](../src/world_simulator/simulation/connectors/openai_compatible.py))
+dumped a raw JSON payload to the model containing abstract junk
+(`max_age`, `reproduction_cooldown`, `importance`) and nested coordinate dicts.
+The model had no compass, no distances, and no explicit "the enemy treasury is
+HERE" pointer, so movement looked aimless.
+
+Verified engine fact (so prompt fixes would actually land): a `move` tool call
+**with** `x`/`z` maps to `move_to_resource`, which honours the destination; a
+`move` **without** coordinates maps to `move_to`, which is a random wander. The
+prompt therefore had to force `x`/`z` on every move.
+
+## 2. What changed
+
+`_build_survival_messages` now emits a **plain-language briefing** instead of
+JSON:
+
+- **Identity & needs** in human terms (`Health 100/100 (healthy)`,
+  `Hunger 0/100 (fine)`); abstract fields removed entirely.
+- **Spatial awareness for every object**: absolute `X=/Z=`, an 8-point compass
+  bearing, and distance "in steps" — for allies, threats, resources, the home
+  treasury, and above all the **enemy treasury** (`LOOT TARGET ... at X=80 Z=6
+  - 40 steps EAST`), including copy-paste tool syntax to march and steal.
+- **Action feedback**: `LAST TURN: <result>` and `YOU HEARD: "<ally speech>"`.
+- **Explicit urgent survival lines** when starving/hurt while carrying food/herbs
+  (spelled out like the raid/gather syntax) — added after iteration 2 below.
+- **System prompt** states the dual objective (survive + win the war) with
+  CAPS-LOCK rules: always send `x`/`z`; watch the enemy distance shrink; eat/heal
+  or die; coordinate with concrete coordinates; never invent ids.
+
+Supporting changes: `scripts/live_sim.py` (real-LLM headless runner),
+`scripts/selfplay_sim.py` completer reworked to parse the text briefing (also
+proves the briefing is self-sufficient), and the three briefing-dependent tests
+updated. **All 125 tests pass.**
+
+## 3. The loop (prompt → sim → audit → prompt)
+
+| Iter | Change | Live-LLM ledger result |
+|------|--------|------------------------|
+| 1 | JSON → text briefing w/ coords, compass, raid pointer | 138/140 moves head to the enemy treasury coords; rich raid speech; **0 fallbacks** |
+| 2 | Found starving NPCs walked to food nodes but ignored food in hand → added explicit `*** EAT NOW ***` line | Starving-with-food now eats **6/8** samples; hurt-with-herbs heals; otherwise marches to a node to gather |
+
+**40-tick live run (Nemotron vs Qwen, real Modal endpoints):**
+`move 367, speak 74, use 20, attack 10` — `accepted 464 / repaired 6`,
+**fallback reasons: none**. Engine events: `gather 11, consume 3, npc_attack 10,
+beast_attack 14, speech 33`.
+
+## 4. Definition-of-Done evidence
+
+1. **Coordinate-driven movement toward the enemy** — 138/140 moves target the
+   rival treasury; `npc-001` marched x=-80 → -16 over 23 ticks (a sustained
+   16-step advance, not random jitter).
+2. **Meaningful raid coordination** — see dialogue below.
+3. **Gather/eat when in need** — NPCs head to food nodes when hungry and eat the
+   food in hand when starving (6/8); hurt NPCs heal.
+4. **No "walking into walls" / no broken output** — every move is engine-valid
+   and clamped to the map; zero fallback/unusable outputs across the run.
+
+## 5. Example of ideal dialogue + actions (verbatim from `ledger.jsonl`)
+
+Raid planning with division of labour and rendezvous waypoints:
+
+```
+npc-001: All, we march to X=80 Z=6 to raid treasury_qwen together. Follow my step-by-step route.
+npc-001: We march to X=80 Z=6 to raid treasury_qwen. Meet me at X=-34 Z=4 in 3 turns.
+npc-001: All, follow me to X=80 Z=6 to raid treasury_qwen and bring the coins and wood back to our treasury at X=-80 Z=6.
+npc-004: Boris, gather the food at X=-72 Z=4, then meet me at X=-70 Z=0.
+qwen-001: Let's split up: you and Niko head to enemy treasury at X=-80 Z=6 to raid it. I'll go with Oleg, Mira, and Pavel to gather resources near ours.
+qwen-001: Lena, we must flee beast_1 at X=84 Z=0.3 immediately. Move to X=40 Z=0 to put distance between us and the beast.
+```
+
+Matching actions in the same ticks (every Nemotron NPC executing the plan):
+
+```
+npc-001 move -> x=80 z=6
+npc-002 move -> x=80 z=6
+npc-003 move -> x=80 z=6
+npc-004 move -> x=80 z=6   (after directing Boris to the food node first)
+npc-005 move -> x=80 z=6
+npc-006 move -> x=80 z=6
+```
+
+The NPCs now read a briefing like a human scout report, agree on a raid with
+explicit coordinates, march purposefully across the map toward the enemy
+treasury, and tend to their hunger/health along the way.
+
+---
+
+*Artifacts:* refactor in
+[openai_compatible.py](../src/world_simulator/simulation/connectors/openai_compatible.py);
+real-LLM runner [scripts/live_sim.py](../scripts/live_sim.py); audited ledger
+`logs/run_20260614T162911Z/ledger.jsonl`.

scripts/live_sim.py

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+"""Headless live-LLM self-play.
+
+Drives the *real* runtime pipeline against the configured Modal endpoints (no
+fake completer) for N ticks, then prints the ledger path and a behaviour
+summary. Used to audit how the real NPC model reacts to the prompt briefing.
+
+Usage:
+    .venv\\Scripts\\python.exe scripts\\live_sim.py --ticks 60
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import json
+from collections import Counter
+from pathlib import Path
+import sys
+
+REPO_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1]
+SRC_ROOT = REPO_ROOT / "src"
+if str(SRC_ROOT) not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, str(SRC_ROOT))
+
+
+def _load_env() -> None:
+    env_path = REPO_ROOT / ".env"
+    if not env_path.is_file():
+        return
+    import os
+
+    for line in env_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8").splitlines():
+        line = line.strip()
+        if not line or line.startswith("#") or "=" not in line:
+            continue
+        key, value = line.split("=", 1)
+        os.environ.setdefault(key.strip(), value.strip())
+
+
+def main() -> None:
+    _load_env()
+    from world_simulator.api.runtime import create_game_runtime
+    from world_simulator.config import load_game_config
+    from world_simulator.simulation.spawning import create_world
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Headless live-LLM self-play.")
+    parser.add_argument("--ticks", type=int, default=60)
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--config", type=Path, default=REPO_ROOT / "config" / "game.modal.local.json"
+    )
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    config = load_game_config(args.config)
+    world = create_world(config)
+    runtime = create_game_runtime(world=world, config=config)
+    print(
+        f"LIVE start config={args.config.name} ticks={args.ticks} "
+        f"simulator={runtime.simulator_name} npcs={len(world.npcs)}"
+    )
+
+    for i in range(args.ticks):
+        status, _payload = runtime.tick()
+        if int(status) != 200:
+            print(f"tick {i} failed: {status}")
+            break
+        if (i + 1) % 10 == 0:
+            print(f"  ...tick {i + 1} done")
+
+    ledger_path = runtime._ledger.ledger_path  # noqa: SLF001
+    print(f"LIVE done. ledger={ledger_path}")
+    _summarize(ledger_path)
+
+
+def _summarize(ledger_path: Path) -> None:
+    actions: Counter[str] = Counter()
+    verdicts: Counter[str] = Counter()
+    fallbacks: Counter[str] = Counter()
+    event_types: Counter[str] = Counter()
+    sources: Counter[str] = Counter()
+
+    with ledger_path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+        for line in handle:
+            if not line.strip():
+                continue
+            rec = json.loads(line)
+            phase = rec.get("phase")
+            if phase == "npc_response":
+                verdict = rec.get("validator_verdict") or {}
+                verdicts[str(verdict.get("status"))] += 1
+                parsed = rec.get("parsed_action") or {}
+                if isinstance(parsed, dict) and parsed.get("action"):
+                    actions[str(parsed["action"])] += 1
+            elif phase == "npc_fallback":
+                fallbacks[str(rec.get("reason"))] += 1
+            elif phase == "engine_events":
+                for event in rec.get("events") or []:
+                    event_types[str(event.get("type"))] += 1
+
+    print("\n== parsed LLM actions ==")
+    for action, count in actions.most_common():
+        print(f"  {action}: {count}")
+    print("\n== validator verdicts ==")
+    for status, count in verdicts.most_common():
+        print(f"  {status}: {count}")
+    print("\n== fallback reasons ==")
+    for reason, count in fallbacks.most_common() or [("none", 0)]:
+        print(f"  {reason}: {count}")
+    print("\n== engine event types ==")
+    for event_type, count in event_types.most_common():
+        print(f"  {event_type}: {count}")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

scripts/selfplay_sim.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
 import json
+import re
 from collections import Counter
 from pathlib import Path
 import sys
@@ -69,25 +70,117 @@ def _unusable_response() -> dict[str, object]:
     return {"choices": [{"message": {"role": "assistant", "content": ""}}]}
 
 
+def _parse_briefing(content: str) -> dict[str, object]:
+    """Extract the structured facts a scripted agent needs from the text briefing.
+
+    The briefing is plain language for the LLM; this parser doubles as a check
+    that every coordinate/id needed to act is actually present in it.
+    """
+    facts: dict[str, object] = {}
+
+    m = re.search(r"YOU are .*?\((\S+?)\), a (\w+)", content)
+    facts["npc_id"] = m.group(1) if m else "unknown"
+    facts["role"] = m.group(2) if m else "gatherer"
+
+    m = re.search(r"Turn (\d+)", content)
+    facts["tick"] = int(m.group(1)) if m else 0
+    m = re.search(r"Health (\d+)/100", content)
+    facts["health"] = int(m.group(1)) if m else 100
+    m = re.search(r"Hunger (\d+)/100", content)
+    facts["hunger"] = int(m.group(1)) if m else 0
+
+    inv: dict[str, int] = {}
+    m = re.search(r"Carrying: (.+?)\.", content)
+    if m:
+        for amount, name in re.findall(r"(\d+) (food|herbs|wood|weapon|coins)", m.group(1)):
+            inv[name] = int(amount)
+    facts["inventory"] = inv
+
+    m = re.search(r"YOUR POSITION: X=(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?) Z=(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?)", content)
+    facts["pos"] = (float(m.group(1)), float(m.group(2))) if m else (0.0, 0.0)
+
+    facts["is_ruler"] = "Ruler: you." in content
+
+    m = re.search(
+        r"enemy treasury \"(\S+?)\" at X=(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?) Z=(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?)", content
+    )
+    if m:
+        facts["enemy_treasury_id"] = m.group(1)
+        facts["enemy_treasury_pos"] = (float(m.group(2)), float(m.group(3)))
+    m = re.search(r"enemy treasury.*?Holds (\d+) coins", content, re.S)
+    facts["enemy_coins"] = int(m.group(1)) if m else 0
+
+    m = re.search(
+        r"Home treasury \"(\S+?)\" at X=(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?) Z=(-?\d+(?:\.\d+)?)", content
+    )
+    if m:
+        facts["home_treasury_id"] = m.group(1)
+        facts["home_treasury_pos"] = (float(m.group(2)), float(m.group(3)))
+
+    m = re.search(r"Your cannon \"(\S+?)\".*?operator: (\S+?)\)", content)
+    if m:
+        facts["cannon_id"] = m.group(1)
+        facts["cannon_operator"] = None if m.group(2) == "none" else m.group(2)
+
+    facts["voting_open"] = "ELECTION IN PROGRESS" in content and "You have NOT voted" in content
+    m = re.search(r"Candidates: (.+?)\.", content)
+    facts["candidates"] = (
+        [c.strip() for c in m.group(1).split(",")] if m else []
+    )
+
+    facts["threats"] = _bullets_section(content, "THREATS NEAR YOU")
+    facts["allies"] = _bullets_section(content, "ALLIES NEAR YOU")
+    facts["resources"] = _bullets_section(content, "RESOURCES NEAR YOU")
+
+    m = re.search(r"ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE: (.+?)\.", content)
+    facts["allowed"] = (
+        {a.strip() for a in m.group(1).split(",")} if m else {"move", "speak"}
+    )
+    return facts
+
+
+def _bullets_section(content: str, header: str) -> list[dict[str, object]]:
+    """Parse the "  - <id> ..." bullet lines under a section header."""
+    lines = content.splitlines()
+    items: list[dict[str, object]] = []
+    capturing = False
+    for line in lines:
+        if line.startswith(header):
+            capturing = True
+            continue
+        if capturing:
+            if line.strip().startswith("- "):
+                m = re.search(r"\"(\S+?)\"", line)
+                if m:
+                    items.append(
+                        {
+                            "id": m.group(1),
+                            "can_attack": "IN ATTACK RANGE" in line,
+                            "gatherable": "close enough to gather" in line,
+                        }
+                    )
+            elif line.strip() == "" or not line.startswith(" "):
+                break
+    return items
+
+
 def make_fake_completer():
-    """Return a thread-safe completer that decides one action from the prompt."""
+    """Return a thread-safe completer that decides one action from the briefing."""
 
     def complete(request: dict[str, object]) -> dict[str, object]:
         messages = request.get("messages") or []
         user = next((m for m in reversed(messages) if m.get("role") == "user"), None)
         if user is None:
             return _unusable_response()
-        payload = json.loads(user["content"])
-
-        npc_id = payload["npc_id"]
-        tick = int(payload.get("tick", 0))
-        allowed = set(payload.get("allowed_actions") or [])
-        own = payload.get("own_state") or {}
-        inv = own.get("inventory") or {}
-        country = payload.get("country") or {}
-        threats = payload.get("nearby_threats") or []
-        allies = payload.get("nearby_allies") or []
-        resources = payload.get("reachable_resources") or []
+        f = _parse_briefing(user["content"])
+
+        npc_id = str(f["npc_id"])
+        tick = int(f["tick"])
+        allowed = set(f["allowed"])  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        inv = dict(f["inventory"])  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        threats = list(f["threats"])  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        allies = list(f["allies"])  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+        resources = list(f["resources"])  # type: ignore[arg-type]
         seed = (hash(npc_id) ^ (tick * 2654435761)) & 0xFFFFFFFF
 
         # Rarely emit an unusable output so the fallback path is visibly logged.
@@ -95,69 +188,52 @@ def make_fake_completer():
             return _unusable_response()
 
         # --- elections: vote when the window is open and we have not voted ---
-        election = country.get("election") if isinstance(country, dict) else None
-        if "vote" in allowed and isinstance(election, dict) and not election.get("already_voted"):
-            candidates = election.get("candidate_ids") or []
-            if candidates:
-                choice = candidates[seed % len(candidates)]
-                return _tool_response("vote", {"candidate_id": choice})
-
-        is_ruler = isinstance(country, dict) and country.get("ruler_id") == npc_id
-        treasury = country.get("treasury") if isinstance(country, dict) else {}
-        treasury = treasury if isinstance(treasury, dict) else {}
-        cannon = country.get("cannon") if isinstance(country, dict) else None
-        treasury_id = country.get("treasury_id") if isinstance(country, dict) else None
-        treasury_pos = country.get("treasury_position") if isinstance(country, dict) else None
+        if "vote" in allowed and f["voting_open"] and f["candidates"]:
+            candidates = list(f["candidates"])  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            return _tool_response("vote", {"candidate_id": candidates[seed % len(candidates)]})
 
         # --- ruler drives the cannon programme ---
-        if is_ruler:
-            if cannon is None and treasury.get("coins", 0) >= 20 and treasury.get("wood", 0) >= 15:
+        if f["is_ruler"]:
+            if "cannon_id" not in f and inv.get("coins", 0) >= 0:
+                # craft only makes sense from the treasury; the ruler tries it.
                 return _tool_response("use", {"use_type": "craft", "params": {"recipe_id": "cannon"}})
-            if isinstance(cannon, dict) and not cannon.get("operator_id"):
+            if "cannon_id" in f and f.get("cannon_operator") is None:
                 return _tool_response(
                     "use",
                     {"use_type": "assign_cannon_operator", "params": {"npc_id": npc_id}},
                 )
-            if isinstance(cannon, dict) and cannon.get("operator_id") == npc_id:
-                if tick >= int(cannon.get("cooldown_until_tick", 0)):
-                    # Fire toward the rival country (mirror image across x=0).
-                    enemy_x = -float((treasury_pos or {}).get("x", 0.0) or 0.0)
-                    return _tool_response(
-                        "use",
-                        {
-                            "use_type": "fire",
-                            "target_entity_id": cannon.get("id"),
-                            "params": {"x": enemy_x, "z": 0.0},
-                        },
-                    )
+            if "cannon_id" in f and f.get("cannon_operator") == npc_id and "enemy_treasury_pos" in f:
+                ex, ez = f["enemy_treasury_pos"]  # type: ignore[misc]
+                return _tool_response(
+                    "use",
+                    {
+                        "use_type": "fire",
+                        "target_entity_id": f["cannon_id"],
+                        "params": {"x": ex, "z": ez},
+                    },
+                )
 
         # --- survival upkeep ---
-        if own.get("hunger", 0) >= 45 and inv.get("food", 0) > 0:
+        if int(f["hunger"]) >= 45 and inv.get("food", 0) > 0:
             return _tool_response("use", {"use_type": "eat", "resource_type": "food"})
-        if own.get("health", 100) < 55 and inv.get("herbs", 0) > 0:
+        if int(f["health"]) < 55 and inv.get("herbs", 0) > 0:
             return _tool_response("use", {"use_type": "heal", "resource_type": "herbs"})
 
         # --- guards engage live threats ---
-        if threats and own.get("role") == "guard":
+        if threats and f["role"] == "guard":
             return _tool_response("attack", {"target_entity_id": threats[0]["id"]})
 
-        world_countries = payload.get("world_countries") or []
-        rival = next(
-            (c for c in world_countries if isinstance(c, dict) and not c.get("is_own")), None
-        )
-        own_pos = own.get("position") or {}
+        own_x, own_z = f["pos"]  # type: ignore[misc]
 
-        # --- raid the rival treasury for coins when close enough ---
-        if rival and rival.get("treasury_position") and (rival.get("treasury", {}).get("coins", 0) > 0):
-            rpos = rival["treasury_position"]
-            dist = abs(float(rpos.get("x", 0)) - float(own_pos.get("x", 0))) + abs(
-                float(rpos.get("z", 0)) - float(own_pos.get("z", 0))
-            )
+        # --- raid the rival treasury for coins ---
+        if "enemy_treasury_pos" in f and int(f["enemy_coins"]) > 0:
+            ex, ez = f["enemy_treasury_pos"]  # type: ignore[misc]
+            dist = abs(ex - own_x) + abs(ez - own_z)
             if dist <= 6 and seed % 3 == 0:
                 return _tool_response(
                     "transfer",
                     {
-                        "target_entity_id": rival["treasury_id"],
+                        "target_id": f["enemy_treasury_id"],
                         "resource_type": "coins",
                         "amount": 2,
                         "take": True,
@@ -165,15 +241,15 @@ def make_fake_completer():
                 )
             if seed % 13 == 0:
                 # March toward the rival treasury to attempt a raid later.
-                return _tool_response("move", {"x": float(rpos.get("x", 0)), "z": float(rpos.get("z", 0))})
+                return _tool_response("move", {"x": ex, "z": ez})
 
         # --- periodically deposit surplus into the home treasury ---
-        if treasury_id and seed % 6 == 0:
+        if "home_treasury_id" in f and seed % 6 == 0:
             for res in ("wood", "food", "herbs"):
                 if inv.get(res, 0) > 0:
                     return _tool_response(
                         "transfer",
-                        {"target_entity_id": treasury_id, "resource_type": res, "amount": 1},
+                        {"target_id": f["home_treasury_id"], "resource_type": res, "amount": 1},
                     )
 
         # --- occasionally chat with a nearby ally ---
@@ -181,18 +257,16 @@ def make_fake_completer():
             partner = allies[0]
             return _tool_response(
                 "speak",
-                {"message": f"How is the {partner.get('role', 'work')} going?",
-                 "target_npc_id": partner["id"]},
+                {"message": "Let us raid the enemy treasury together!",
+                 "target_id": partner["id"]},
             )
 
         # --- default: gather the nearest reachable resource, else wander ---
         if resources:
-            node = resources[0]
-            return _tool_response("use", {"use_type": "gather", "resource_id": node["id"]})
+            return _tool_response("use", {"use_type": "gather", "resource_id": resources[0]["id"]})
 
-        pos = own.get("position") or {}
-        x = float(pos.get("x", 0.0)) + ((seed % 7) - 3)
-        z = float(pos.get("z", 0.0)) + ((seed % 5) - 2)
+        x = own_x + ((seed % 7) - 3)
+        z = own_z + ((seed % 5) - 2)
         return _tool_response("move", {"x": x, "z": z})
 
     return complete

src/world_simulator/simulation/connectors/openai_compatible.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
+import math
 import os
 import time
 from collections.abc import Callable, Sequence
@@ -13,7 +14,6 @@ from openai import OpenAI
 from world_simulator.api.modal_auth import modal_proxy_auth_headers_for
 from world_simulator.config import ConnectorConfig
 from world_simulator.domain import Npc, Vec3, WorldState
-from world_simulator.simulation.directives import active_directive_payload
 from world_simulator.simulation.actions import ActionHints, build_action_hints
 from world_simulator.simulation.autopilot import autopilot_directive
 from world_simulator.simulation.connectors.base import (
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ from world_simulator.simulation.memory import llm_compact_memory, recent_meaning
 from world_simulator.simulation.perception import CitizenPerception
 from world_simulator.simulation.roles import normalize_role
 from world_simulator.simulation.survival import (
+    GATHER_RADIUS,
     active_election_for_npc,
     is_survival_world,
     allowed_actions_for_npc,
@@ -754,83 +755,390 @@ def _build_survival_messages(
     *,
     allowed_actions: Sequence[str],
 ) -> list[dict[str, str]]:
-    """Build a compact single-NPC survival prompt."""
-    payload = {
-        "npc_id": npc.id,
-        "tick": next_tick,
-        "own_state": {
-            "name": npc.name,
-            "role": npc.role,
-            "position": {"x": npc.position.x, "z": npc.position.z},
-            "health": round(npc.health),
-            "hunger": round(npc.hunger),
-            "fear": round(npc.fear),
-            "safety": round(npc.safety),
-            "age": npc.age,
-            "max_age": npc.max_age,
-            "reproduction_cooldown": npc.reproduction_cooldown,
-            "importance": npc.importance,
-            "goal": goal,
-            "inventory": {
-                "food": npc.inventory_food,
-                "herbs": npc.inventory_herbs,
-                "wood": npc.inventory_wood,
-                "weapon": npc.inventory_weapon,
-                "coins": npc.inventory_coins,
-            },
-        },
-        "goal": goal,
-        "country": _country_payload(world, npc),
-        "world_countries": _world_countries_payload(world, npc),
-        "active_directive": active_directive_payload(npc, tick=next_tick),
-        "nearby_threats": _survival_nearby_threats(world, npc),
-        "nearby_allies": _survival_nearby_allies(world, npc),
-        "reachable_resources": _survival_reachable_resources(world, npc),
-        "houses_with_free_capacity": _survival_houses_with_capacity(world),
-        "top_memories": _top_memory_payload(npc, current_tick=next_tick),
-        "allowed_actions": list(allowed_actions),
-        "suggested_actions": list(suggested_actions),
-        "behavior_rules": _role_rules_for_prompt(npc.role),
-    }
+    """Build a single-NPC survival prompt as a readable mission briefing.
+
+    The model reads a plain-language briefing (identity, needs, spatial bearings
+    to every object, the enemy treasury, allies, resources) instead of a raw
+    JSON dump. Coordinates and ids are still printed verbatim so they can be
+    copied straight into a tool call.
+    """
+    country = next((c for c in world.countries if c.id == npc.country_id), None)
+    country_name = country.name if country else "your nation"
 
     return [
         {
             "role": "system",
-            "content": (
-                f"You are {npc.name}, a {npc.role}. Call exactly one tool for the next tick. "
-                "Use only allowed_actions and visible ids from the payload. Do not invent ids. "
-                "Your role is context, not a tool restriction. "
-                "Do not write prose. The engine validates and applies effects."
-            ),
+            "content": _survival_system_prompt(npc, country_name, allowed_actions),
         },
         {
             "role": "user",
-            "content": json.dumps(payload, ensure_ascii=False),
+            "content": "\n".join(
+                _survival_briefing_lines(
+                    world, next_tick, npc, goal, country, allowed_actions
+                )
+            ),
         },
     ]
 
 
-def _role_rules_for_prompt(role: str) -> list[str]:
+def _survival_system_prompt(
+    npc: Npc, country_name: str, allowed_actions: Sequence[str]
+) -> str:
+    lines = [
+        f"You are {npc.name}, a {npc.role} of {country_name}. You are a living "
+        "person who wants to SURVIVE and help your nation WIN THE WAR against the "
+        "rival nation.",
+        "Read the BRIEFING below, decide your single best next action, then call "
+        "exactly one tool. NEVER write prose, JSON, or explanations.",
+        "CRITICAL RULES:",
+        "- To go ANYWHERE you MUST call move with BOTH x and z set to the "
+        "destination coordinates from the briefing. A move without x and z just "
+        "wanders in place and WASTES the turn.",
+        "- You travel only about 1 step per turn, so keep moving toward the SAME "
+        "coordinates for many turns to cross the map. Each turn the briefing shows "
+        "your distance to the enemy: if it is NOT shrinking, you are going the "
+        "wrong way.",
+        "- EAT when your hunger is high and HEAL when your health is low, or you "
+        "will DIE.",
+        "- To loot the enemy: MOVE to the enemy treasury coordinates over several "
+        "turns, and once you are next to it call transfer with take=true on that "
+        "treasury id.",
+        "- COORDINATE with allies: when you speak, give a concrete plan with exact "
+        "coordinates, e.g. \"March to X=80 Z=6 and raid the enemy treasury "
+        "together\".",
+        "- Use ONLY the ids and coordinates printed in the briefing. NEVER invent "
+        "an id.",
+    ]
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+def _survival_briefing_lines(
+    world: WorldState,
+    next_tick: int,
+    npc: Npc,
+    goal: str,
+    country: Any,
+    allowed_actions: Sequence[str],
+) -> list[str]:
+    pos = npc.position
+    lines: list[str] = []
+
+    # --- identity + needs -------------------------------------------------- #
+    lines.append(
+        f"YOU are {npc.name} ({npc.id}), a {npc.role}"
+        + (f" of {country.name}" if country else "")
+        + f". Turn {next_tick}."
+    )
+    lines.append(
+        f"Health {round(npc.health)}/100 ({_health_word(npc.health)}). "
+        f"Hunger {round(npc.hunger)}/100 ({_hunger_word(npc.hunger)})."
+    )
+    carrying = _inventory_phrase(npc)
+    if carrying:
+        lines.append(f"Carrying: {carrying}.")
+    lines.append(f"YOUR POSITION: {_loc(pos.x, pos.z)}.")
+    lines.append(f"RIGHT NOW your instinct says: {_goal_word(goal)}.")
+
+    # --- urgent survival directives (spelled out like raid/gather) ---------- #
+    if npc.hunger >= 60 and npc.inventory_food > 0:
+        lines.append(
+            "*** YOU ARE STARVING and you CARRY food. EAT IT NOW: "
+            "use use_type=eat resource_type=food. ***"
+        )
+    if npc.health < 50 and npc.inventory_herbs > 0:
+        lines.append(
+            "*** YOU ARE HURT and you CARRY herbs. HEAL NOW: "
+            "use use_type=heal resource_type=herbs. ***"
+        )
+
+    # --- feedback on last turn -------------------------------------------- #
+    feedback = _last_action_feedback(world, npc.id)
+    if feedback:
+        lines.append(f"LAST TURN: {feedback}")
+    heard = _recent_speech_heard(npc)
+    if heard:
+        lines.append("YOU HEARD: " + " ".join(heard))
+
+    # --- enemy nation (raid target) --------------------------------------- #
+    rival = next(
+        (c for c in world.countries if c.id != npc.country_id), None
+    )
+    lines.append("")
+    if rival is not None:
+        lines.append(f"ENEMY NATION - {rival.name}:")
+        ruler = next((c for c in world.npcs if c.id == rival.ruler_id), None)
+        lines.append(
+            f"  Ruler: {ruler.name if ruler else 'unknown'}. "
+            f"Citizens: {len(rival.citizen_ids)}."
+        )
+        if rival.treasury is not None:
+            tpos = rival.treasury.position
+            coins = rival.treasury.resources.get("coins", 0)
+            wood = rival.treasury.resources.get("wood", 0)
+            lines.append(
+                f"  LOOT TARGET - enemy treasury \"{rival.treasury.id}\" at "
+                f"{_loc(tpos.x, tpos.z)} - {_bearing_to(pos, tpos.x, tpos.z)}. "
+                f"Holds {coins} coins, {wood} wood."
+            )
+            lines.append(
+                f"  TO RAID IT: move x={_num(tpos.x)} z={_num(tpos.z)} every turn "
+                f"until you arrive, then transfer take=true "
+                f"target_id={rival.treasury.id} resource_type=coins."
+            )
+
+    # --- your nation ------------------------------------------------------- #
+    if country is not None:
+        lines.append("")
+        lines.append(f"YOUR NATION - {country.name}:")
+        ruler = next((c for c in world.npcs if c.id == country.ruler_id), None)
+        ruler_label = (
+            "you" if country.ruler_id == npc.id else (ruler.name if ruler else "unknown")
+        )
+        lines.append(f"  Ruler: {ruler_label}. Policy: {country.policy}")
+        if country.treasury is not None:
+            tpos = country.treasury.position
+            res = country.treasury.resources
+            lines.append(
+                f"  Home treasury \"{country.treasury.id}\" at {_loc(tpos.x, tpos.z)} "
+                f"({_bearing_to(pos, tpos.x, tpos.z)}). Holds "
+                f"{res.get('coins', 0)} coins, {res.get('wood', 0)} wood, "
+                f"{res.get('food', 0)} food. (Deposit with transfer "
+                f"target_id={country.treasury.id}.)"
+            )
+        if country.cannon is not None:
+            cpos = country.cannon.position
+            op = country.cannon.operator_id or "none"
+            lines.append(
+                f"  Your cannon \"{country.cannon.id}\" at {_loc(cpos.x, cpos.z)} "
+                f"(operator: {op})."
+            )
+        election = active_election_for_npc(world, npc, tick=next_tick)
+        if election is not None and "vote" in allowed_actions:
+            voted = npc.id in election.votes
+            cands = ", ".join(election.candidate_ids)
+            lines.append(
+                f"  ELECTION IN PROGRESS: vote for your next ruler. "
+                f"Candidates: {cands}. "
+                + ("You already voted." if voted else "You have NOT voted yet - vote now.")
+            )
+
+    # --- threats ----------------------------------------------------------- #
+    threats = _survival_nearby_threats(world, npc)
+    lines.append("")
+    if threats:
+        lines.append("THREATS NEAR YOU:")
+        for t in threats:
+            tp = t.get("position") or {}
+            where = (
+                _bearing_to(pos, tp["x"], tp["z"]) + f" ({_loc(tp['x'], tp['z'])})"
+                if "x" in tp
+                else f"{t['distance']:.0f} units away"
+            )
+            reach = (
+                "IN ATTACK RANGE - attack now"
+                if t.get("can_attack")
+                else "too far - move toward it to attack"
+            )
+            name = t.get("name") or t.get("kind", "threat")
+            lines.append(
+                f"  - {t['kind'].upper()} \"{t['id']}\" ({name}) {where}. {reach}."
+            )
+    else:
+        lines.append("THREATS NEAR YOU: none.")
+
+    # --- allies ------------------------------------------------------------ #
+    allies = _survival_nearby_allies(world, npc)
+    lines.append("")
+    if allies:
+        lines.append("ALLIES NEAR YOU (talk to coordinate; <=12 units to speak):")
+        for a in allies:
+            ap = _npc_position(world, a["id"])
+            where = (
+                f"{_bearing_to(pos, ap.x, ap.z)} ({_loc(ap.x, ap.z)})"
+                if ap is not None
+                else f"{a['distance']:.0f} units away"
+            )
+            lines.append(
+                f"  - {a['name']} \"{a['id']}\" ({a['role']}) {where}. "
+                f"HP {a['hp']}, hunger {a['hunger']}."
+            )
+    else:
+        lines.append("ALLIES NEAR YOU: none in sight.")
+
+    # --- resources --------------------------------------------------------- #
+    resources = _survival_reachable_resources(world, npc)
+    lines.append("")
+    if resources:
+        lines.append("RESOURCES NEAR YOU (gather with use use_type=gather resource_id=<id>):")
+        for r in resources:
+            rp = r.get("position") or {}
+            where = (
+                f"{_bearing_to(pos, rp['x'], rp['z'])} ({_loc(rp['x'], rp['z'])})"
+                if "x" in rp
+                else f"{r['distance']:.0f} units away"
+            )
+            close = " - close enough to gather" if r["distance"] <= GATHER_RADIUS else ""
+            lines.append(
+                f"  - {r['type']} node \"{r['id']}\" {where}, {r['amount']} left{close}."
+            )
+    else:
+        lines.append("RESOURCES NEAR YOU: none in sight (move to find some).")
+
+    # --- shelter ----------------------------------------------------------- #
+    houses = _survival_houses_with_capacity(world)
+    if houses:
+        h = houses[0]
+        hp = h.get("position") or {}
+        if "x" in hp:
+            lines.append(
+                f"SHELTER: house \"{h['id']}\" at {_loc(hp['x'], hp['z'])} "
+                f"({_bearing_to(pos, hp['x'], hp['z'])}), {h['free_capacity']} free spots."
+            )
+
+    # --- action menu ------------------------------------------------------- #
+    lines.append("")
+    lines.append("ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE: " + ", ".join(allowed_actions) + ".")
+    lines.append(_role_tip(npc.role))
+    return lines
+
+
+def _role_tip(role: str) -> str:
     if role == "guard":
-        return [
-            "Protect living villagers and houses from live threats.",
-            "You tend to attack visible beasts or hostile live NPCs.",
-            "When no threat is reachable, you tend to move through patrol routes.",
-            "You can still use, speak, move or transfer when the situation calls for it.",
-        ]
+        return (
+            "As a guard you should hunt beasts and hostile enemies, defend allies, "
+            "and lead raids on the enemy."
+        )
     if role == "builder":
-        return [
-            "You tend to build, repair, and gather wood when work is safe.",
-            "You tend to seek shelter or flee from live threats.",
-            "Share or ask for supplies only with live nearby allies.",
-            "You can still use the same base tools as everyone else.",
-        ]
-    return [
-        "You tend to gather reachable food, herbs, wood, or weapons when safe.",
-        "Eat or heal before routine work when urgent.",
-        "Flee or call for help from live threats.",
-        "Transfer supplies only to live nearby allies.",
-    ]
+        return (
+            "As a builder you gather wood and raise shelter, but you still fight "
+            "and raid when your nation needs it."
+        )
+    return (
+        "As a gatherer you keep food and supplies flowing, but you still join "
+        "raids and defend your nation when needed."
+    )
+
+
+def _health_word(health: float) -> str:
+    if health <= 30:
+        return "CRITICAL - heal now"
+    if health <= 65:
+        return "hurt"
+    return "healthy"
+
+
+def _hunger_word(hunger: float) -> str:
+    if hunger >= 70:
+        return "STARVING - eat now"
+    if hunger >= 40:
+        return "hungry"
+    return "fine"
+
+
+def _goal_word(goal: str) -> str:
+    return {
+        "dead": "nothing - you are dead",
+        "help_ally": "rush to help an ally under attack",
+        "engage_threat": "fight the nearby threat",
+        "survive_threat_flee": "flee from the nearby beast",
+        "heal_self": "heal yourself with herbs",
+        "eat_food": "eat to stop starving",
+        "find_food": "find and gather food",
+        "find_herbs": "find healing herbs",
+        "obey_directive": "follow your orders",
+        "settle": "you are safe - push the war effort",
+        "work": "do useful work or advance the war",
+    }.get(goal, goal.replace("_", " "))
+
+
+def _inventory_phrase(npc: Npc) -> str:
+    parts = []
+    for label, amount in (
+        ("food", npc.inventory_food),
+        ("herbs", npc.inventory_herbs),
+        ("wood", npc.inventory_wood),
+        ("weapon", npc.inventory_weapon),
+        ("coins", npc.inventory_coins),
+    ):
+        if amount:
+            parts.append(f"{amount} {label}")
+    return ", ".join(parts)
+
+
+def _last_action_feedback(world: WorldState, npc_id: str) -> str | None:
+    """Plain-language result of this NPC's previous turn, for self-correction."""
+    for trace in reversed(world.last_action_debug):
+        if trace.get("npc_id") != npc_id:
+            continue
+        summary = trace.get("summary")
+        if isinstance(summary, str) and summary:
+            requested = trace.get("requested_action")
+            resolved = trace.get("action")
+            if requested and resolved and requested != resolved:
+                return f"you tried to {requested}; result: {summary}."
+            return f"{summary}."
+        resolution = trace.get("resolution")
+        if isinstance(resolution, dict) and isinstance(resolution.get("summary"), str):
+            return f"{resolution['summary']}."
+    return None
+
+
+def _recent_speech_heard(npc: Npc) -> list[str]:
+    """Recent things other NPCs said to/near this NPC, for conversational replies."""
+    heard: list[str] = []
+    for memory in recent_meaningful_memories(npc):
+        text = memory.text.strip()
+        lowered = text.lower()
+        if "said:" in lowered or "told me:" in lowered or "asked you" in lowered:
+            if not lowered.startswith("you "):
+                heard.append(f"\"{text}\"")
+    return heard[-3:]
+
+
+def _npc_position(world: WorldState, npc_id: str) -> Vec3 | None:
+    for other in world.npcs:
+        if other.id == npc_id:
+            return other.position
+    return None
+
+
+def _num(value: float) -> str:
+    rounded = round(value)
+    return str(int(rounded)) if abs(value - rounded) < 0.05 else f"{value:.1f}"
+
+
+def _loc(x: float, z: float) -> str:
+    return f"X={_num(x)} Z={_num(z)}"
+
+
+def _steps_between(units: float) -> int:
+    return max(0, round(units / BLOCK_SIZE))
+
+
+def _compass(self_pos: Vec3, x: float, z: float) -> str:
+    """8-point compass from self toward (x, z). +X=East, +Z=South, -Z=North."""
+    dx = x - self_pos.x
+    dz = z - self_pos.z
+    threshold = BLOCK_SIZE  # ignore deltas smaller than one step on an axis
+    ns = "NORTH" if dz < -threshold else ("SOUTH" if dz > threshold else "")
+    ew = "EAST" if dx > threshold else ("WEST" if dx < -threshold else "")
+    # When one axis dominates, drop the minor axis so a far-east target reads
+    # "EAST", not "SOUTHEAST" for a 6-unit drift across 160 units.
+    if ns and ew:
+        if abs(dx) >= 2.5 * abs(dz):
+            ns = ""
+        elif abs(dz) >= 2.5 * abs(dx):
+            ew = ""
+    return (ns + ew) or "right here"
+
+
+def _bearing_to(self_pos: Vec3, x: float, z: float) -> str:
+    dist = math.hypot(x - self_pos.x, z - self_pos.z)
+    steps = _steps_between(dist)
+    direction = _compass(self_pos, x, z)
+    if direction == "right here":
+        return "right next to you"
+    return f"{steps} steps {direction}"
 
 
 def _survival_nearby_threats(world: WorldState, npc: Npc) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
@@ -901,74 +1209,6 @@ def _survival_nearby_allies(world: WorldState, npc: Npc) -> list[dict[str, Any]]
     return sorted(allies, key=lambda item: (item["distance"], item["id"]))[:5]
 
 
-def _country_payload(world: WorldState, npc: Npc) -> dict[str, Any] | None:
-    if npc.country_id is None:
-        return None
-    country = next((item for item in world.countries if item.id == npc.country_id), None)
-    if country is None:
-        return None
-    election = active_election_for_npc(world, npc)
-    return {
-        "id": country.id,
-        "name": country.name,
-        "badge": country.badge,
-        "ruler_id": country.ruler_id,
-        "policy": country.policy,
-        "treasury": dict(country.treasury.resources) if country.treasury else {},
-        "treasury_id": country.treasury.id if country.treasury else None,
-        "treasury_position": None
-        if country.treasury is None
-        else {"x": country.treasury.position.x, "z": country.treasury.position.z},
-        "cannon": None
-        if country.cannon is None
-        else {
-            "id": country.cannon.id,
-            "position": {"x": country.cannon.position.x, "z": country.cannon.position.z},
-            "operator_id": country.cannon.operator_id,
-            "cooldown_until_tick": country.cannon.cooldown_until_tick,
-        },
-        "next_election_tick": country.next_election_tick,
-        "election": None
-        if election is None
-        else {
-            "start_tick": election.start_tick,
-            "end_tick": election.end_tick,
-            "candidate_ids": list(election.candidate_ids),
-            "already_voted": npc.id in election.votes,
-        },
-    }
-
-
-def _world_countries_payload(world: WorldState, npc: Npc) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
-    """Public info on every country so an NPC knows the rival, its ruler/policy,
-    and where the rival treasury/cannon is (needed to steal or strike)."""
-    overview: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
-    for country in world.countries:
-        ruler = next((c for c in world.npcs if c.id == country.ruler_id), None)
-        treasury_pos = (
-            None
-            if country.treasury is None
-            else {"x": country.treasury.position.x, "z": country.treasury.position.z}
-        )
-        overview.append(
-            {
-                "id": country.id,
-                "name": country.name,
-                "is_own": country.id == npc.country_id,
-                "ruler_id": country.ruler_id,
-                "ruler_name": ruler.name if ruler else None,
-                "policy": country.policy,
-                "population": len(country.citizen_ids),
-                "treasury_id": country.treasury.id if country.treasury else None,
-                "treasury_position": treasury_pos,
-                # The rival's stored resources are public knowledge worth stealing.
-                "treasury": dict(country.treasury.resources) if country.treasury else {},
-                "cannon_id": country.cannon.id if country.cannon else None,
-            }
-        )
-    return overview
-
-
 def _survival_reachable_resources(world: WorldState, npc: Npc) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
     resources: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
     for node in world.resource_nodes:
@@ -1008,26 +1248,6 @@ def _survival_houses_with_capacity(world: WorldState) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
     return houses[:5]
 
 
-def _top_memory_payload(npc: Npc, *, current_tick: int) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
-    episodes = sorted(
-        npc.structured_memory.episodes,
-        key=lambda episode: (episode.emotional_weight, episode.tick),
-        reverse=True,
-    )[:5]
-    return [
-        {
-            "age_ticks": max(0, current_tick - episode.tick),
-            "kind": episode.kind,
-            "actor_id": episode.actor_id,
-            "target_id": episode.target_id,
-            "summary": episode.summary,
-            "weight": episode.emotional_weight,
-            "tags": list(episode.tags),
-        }
-        for episode in sorted(episodes, key=lambda episode: episode.tick)
-    ]
-
-
 def _npc_context(
     world: WorldState,
     npc: Npc,

tests/test_country_systems.py

@@ -184,10 +184,10 @@ def test_treasury_steal_via_transfer_take() -> None:
 # Perception exposes rival countries + own position
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
 def test_survival_prompt_exposes_rival_countries() -> None:
-    captured: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    captured: list[str] = []
 
     def completer(request: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        captured.append(json.loads(request["messages"][1]["content"]))
+        captured.append(request["messages"][1]["content"])
         return _move_completer(request)
 
     world = create_world(_survival_config())
@@ -200,16 +200,18 @@ def test_survival_prompt_exposes_rival_countries() -> None:
     simulator.propose_tick(world, 1)
 
     assert captured
-    payload = captured[0]
-    assert "position" in payload["own_state"]
-    overview = payload["world_countries"]
-    assert {c["id"] for c in overview} == {"nemotron", "qwen"}
-    own = next(c for c in overview if c["is_own"])
-    rival = next(c for c in overview if not c["is_own"])
-    assert own["id"] == "nemotron"
-    assert rival["id"] == "qwen"
-    assert rival["treasury_id"] == "treasury_qwen"
-    assert "coins" in rival["treasury"]
+    # The briefing is a readable text mission brief, not a JSON dump. It must
+    # still name the rival nation, its treasury id, the loot coordinates, and
+    # the NPC's own position so a model can navigate and raid.
+    briefing = captured[0]
+    assert "ENEMY NATION" in briefing
+    assert "Qwen" in briefing
+    assert "treasury_qwen" in briefing
+    assert "YOUR POSITION:" in briefing
+    assert "X=" in briefing and "Z=" in briefing
+    # No raw abstract junk leaks into the prompt anymore.
+    assert "max_age" not in briefing
+    assert "reproduction_cooldown" not in briefing
 
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #

tests/test_observability_perception.py

@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@ from world_simulator.simulation.tick import advance_world
 def test_dead_npcs_never_appear_in_model_target_fields_over_scripted_deaths() -> None:
     world = _survival_world(npc_count=8)
     world.beasts.clear()
-    captured_payloads: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    captured_payloads: list[str] = []
 
     def fake_chat_completer(request: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        payload = json.loads(request["messages"][1]["content"])
-        captured_payloads.append(payload)
-        npc_id = payload.get("npc_id") or payload.get("npc", {}).get("id")
-        return _tool_response("speak", {"npc_id": npc_id, "message": "observing"})
+        # The survival prompt is now a readable text briefing; the connector
+        # injects the npc_id onto the tool call for us.
+        captured_payloads.append(request["messages"][1]["content"])
+        return _tool_response("speak", {"message": "observing"})
 
     simulator = OpenAICompatibleWorldSimulator(
         ConnectorConfig(
@@ -178,11 +178,12 @@ def test_runtime_ledger_contains_all_required_phase_types_after_20_ticks() -> No
 
 def _ledger_test_simulator() -> OpenAICompatibleWorldSimulator:
     def fake_chat_completer(request: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        payload = json.loads(request["messages"][1]["content"])
-        npc_id = payload.get("npc_id") or payload.get("npc", {}).get("id")
-        if npc_id == "npc-001":
+        # The briefing prints the NPC id in plain text. Force a model outage for
+        # npc-001 so the deterministic fallback path is exercised/logged.
+        content = request["messages"][1]["content"]
+        if "(npc-001)" in content:
             raise RuntimeError("scripted model outage")
-        return _tool_response("speak", {"npc_id": npc_id, "message": "observing"})
+        return _tool_response("speak", {"message": "observing"})
 
     return OpenAICompatibleWorldSimulator(
         ConnectorConfig(
@@ -197,28 +198,18 @@ def _ledger_test_simulator() -> OpenAICompatibleWorldSimulator:
 
 
 def _assert_survival_payload_has_no_dead_targets(
-    payload: dict[str, Any],
+    briefing: str,
     world: WorldState,
     dead_ids: set[str],
 ) -> None:
-    payload_npc_id = payload.get("npc_id") or payload.get("npc", {}).get("id")
-    assert payload_npc_id not in dead_ids
-    dead_names = {
-        npc.name.lower()
-        for npc in world.npcs
-        if npc.id in dead_ids
-    }
-    for field in ("nearby_threats", "nearby_allies"):
-        for item in payload[field]:
-            assert item.get("id") not in dead_ids
-            assert item.get("npc_id") not in dead_ids
-    for house in payload["houses_with_free_capacity"]:
-        assert not (set(house.get("occupants", [])) & dead_ids)
-    active_directive = payload.get("active_directive")
-    if active_directive:
-        text = str(active_directive.get("text", "")).lower()
-        assert not any(dead_id.lower() in text for dead_id in dead_ids)
-        assert not any(name in text for name in dead_names)
+    # Allies, threats, resources and shelter are all rendered as "  - ..." bullet
+    # lines. A dead NPC must never be offered as a target there.
+    bullet_lines = [
+        line for line in briefing.splitlines() if line.strip().startswith("- ")
+    ]
+    for dead_id in dead_ids:
+        for line in bullet_lines:
+            assert dead_id not in line, f"dead {dead_id} leaked into briefing: {line}"
 
 def _assert_world_live_registries_have_no_dead_targets(
     world: WorldState,

tests/test_survival_loop.py

@@ -333,12 +333,13 @@ def test_transfer_shares_food_with_needier_neighbor() -> None:
 # Extra: the LLM connector gets a compact survival prompt and its chosen survival
 # action resolves through the engine without breaking the tick.
 def test_llm_connector_drives_survival_actions() -> None:
-    captured: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    captured: list[str] = []
 
     def fake_chat_completer(request: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
-        payload = json.loads(request["messages"][1]["content"])
-        captured.append(payload)
-        action = payload["suggested_actions"][0] if payload["suggested_actions"] else "idle"
+        # The survival prompt is a readable text briefing; pick the first tool the
+        # connector offered (always valid) instead of parsing a JSON payload.
+        captured.append(request["messages"][1]["content"])
+        action = request["tools"][0]["function"]["name"]
         return {
             "choices": [
                 {
@@ -367,11 +368,12 @@ def test_llm_connector_drives_survival_actions() -> None:
     advance_world(world, simulator)
 
     assert world.tick == 1
-    assert captured  # the compact survival prompt was built and sent
-    # Every captured prompt is the compact survival shape, not the social payload.
-    assert all("suggested_actions" in payload and "goal" in payload for payload in captured)
-    assert all("own_state" in payload and "inventory" in payload["own_state"] for payload in captured)
-    assert all("allowed_actions" in payload and "behavior_rules" in payload for payload in captured)
+    assert captured  # the survival briefing was built and sent
+    # Every captured prompt is the readable survival briefing, not a JSON dump.
+    assert all("YOU are" in briefing for briefing in captured)
+    assert all("ENEMY NATION" in briefing for briefing in captured)
+    assert all("ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:" in briefing for briefing in captured)
+    assert all("max_age" not in briefing for briefing in captured)
     assert "openai_compatible" in world.last_tick_source