feat(runtime): own character selection flow

docs/architecture/acdream-architecture.md

@@ -219,6 +219,9 @@ src/
                                 generation + teardown
     Session/                  -> J2 canonical session lifetime, ordered
                                 inbound routing + retryable teardown
+      RuntimeCharacterSelectionState.cs -> sole generation-scoped pre-world
+                                roster/highlight/delete/restore/error owner;
+                                borrowed view + ordered deltas + typed commands
     Entities/
       RuntimeEntityDirectory.cs -> sole GUID/incarnation/local-ID authority
       RuntimeEntityRecord.cs  -> presentation-free accepted entity state

docs/architecture/code-structure.md

@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ useful ordering seam, but its ownership status is **partial**.
 | Area | Status | Current truth |
 |---|---|---|
 | Startup options | **Complete** | `RuntimeOptions` owns startup configuration (`eda936dc`). Remaining direct environment reads are legacy runtime diagnostics, not startup configuration. |
-| Network session | **Complete Runtime ownership** | `RuntimeLiveSessionController` owns the sole `WorldSession` generation and resolve/create/Connect/selection/EnterWorld/Tick/stop/reconnect/disposal transaction. Runtime route owners preserve exact inbound/outbound ordering and retryable teardown. App supplies immutable options, graphical/domain callbacks, and one borrowed inertable UI command projection—no mirrored session or reset plan (`75930787`). |
+| Network session | **Complete Runtime ownership** | `LiveSessionController` owns the sole `WorldSession` generation and resolve/create/Connect/pre-world selection/EnterWorld/Tick/stop/reconnect/disposal transaction. Its `RuntimeCharacterSelectionState` owns the full active roster (including greyed entries and retained wire slots), highlight, delete confirmation, restore/delete/error state, generation/lifecycle, borrowed view, ordered deltas, and typed commands. A selector-free graphical launch pauses on that owner; explicit and headless selection retain the established fallback. Runtime route owners preserve exact inbound/outbound ordering and retryable teardown. App supplies immutable options, graphical/domain callbacks, and borrowed projections—no mirrored session, selection state, or reset plan. |
 | World environment | **J6.1 complete Runtime ownership** | `RuntimeWorldEnvironmentState` owns the instance-scoped Dereth calendar, synchronized clock, weather progression/state, selected day group, AdminEnvirons state, and typed debug overrides. App converts immutable DAT sky definitions once and projects the borrowed Runtime snapshot into rendering; no process-global Region origin or second App clock/weather owner remains (`902076c0`). TS-54/TS-55 register the remaining centered UI sound and full fog/ambient/radar behavior gaps. |
 | Live identity/lifetime | **J3 complete** | `RuntimeEntityObjectLifetime` owns the sole `RuntimeEntityDirectory`, live `ClientObjectTable`, direct views, and ordered entity/object stream. The directory owns canonical GUID/incarnation/local-ID identity, accepted snapshots/timestamps, parent state, operation versions, and tombstones. `LiveEntityProjectionStore` owns App graphical sidecars by exact `RuntimeEntityKey`; hydration, presentation components, `GpuWorldState` residence/visibility, and retryable teardown preserve that key without another authority. Exact receipts precede fallible callbacks, re-entrant commits drain synchronously in sequence, and stable reset/disposal must converge the complete ledger to zero (`f46ddb5c`, `420e5eea`, `e937cc36`, `5ef8b537`, `ce3ac310`, `119b7c11`). |
 | Inbound/object-frame order | **Complete App orchestration** | `UpdateFrameOrchestrator` owns the complete typed host phase graph; `RetailInboundEventDispatcher`, `RetailLiveFrameCoordinator`, `LiveObjectFrameController`, `LiveSpatialPresentationReconciler`, streaming/input/teleport/player-mode/camera owners preserve the accepted order. `GameWindow.OnUpdate` is one profiler-scoped handoff (`e91f3102`). |

docs/research/2026-08-14-la7b-character-selection-runtime.md

@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+# LA7b character-selection Runtime evidence
+
+Date: 2026-08-14
+
+This note records the retail evidence and the presentation-independent state
+and flow implemented by Campaign LA slice LA7b. The retained character screen
+is deliberately deferred to LA8.
+
+## Named-retail evidence
+
+The implementation was derived from
+`docs/research/named-retail/acclient_2013_pseudo_c.txt` before code was
+written. The controlling functions are:
+
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::ResetPreviouslySelectedCharacterSlot`
+  (`0x004ebff0`): clears the persisted selected avatar, selected guid, list
+  index, and character-generation slot.
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::SelectCharacter` (`0x004ec160`): resolves the
+  clicked guid back to the `CharacterSet` slot and persists that exact slot.
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::UpdateButtons` (`0x004ec240`): a missing or
+  greyed selection disables Enter and Delete; a selected greyed character
+  hides Delete and shows Restore.
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::RebuildCharacterList` (`0x004ec3a0`): emits every
+  active `CharacterSet` entry, records the previous/slot selection, chooses
+  the first non-greyed entry as the ordinary fallback (the first row remains
+  the all-grey fallback), sorts names with `wcscmp`, and then moves greyed
+  rows to the tail without losing their identity.
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::MakeDeleteCharacterConfirmationDialog`
+  (`0x004ecca0`) and `CloseDeleteCharacterDialog` (`0x004ed4a0`): deletion is
+  modal, and confirmation sends the persisted selected avatar.
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::ListenToElementMessage` (`0x004ed5a0`): Restore
+  sends the selected guid, Enter is accepted from the button and list-row
+  activation, and both delete/restore open retail's wait dialog.
+- `gmCharacterManagementUI::EnterGame` (`0x004ed440`): entry is allowed only
+  for a non-zero selected guid whose `GetGreyedOutFor(GetSlot(guid))` value is
+  zero.
+- `CharacterSet::GetSlot` (`0x004fdf60`) and `GetGreyedOutFor`
+  (`0x004fdfa0`) prove that delete/enter retain the original wire slot even
+  after display sorting, and that any non-zero grey value is disabled.
+- `CPlayerSystem::Handle_CharacterError` (`0x0055d5d0`) clears the ready and
+  awaiting-logon latches before forwarding the typed error. The downstream
+  `gmUIFlow::RecvNotice_CharacterError` (`0x0047a7c0`) bounds its real display
+  switch to enum values below `CHAR_ERROR_NUM_ERRORS`; the `0x19` member is a
+  count sentinel, not a message.
+
+Equivalent state pseudocode:
+
+```text
+on roster:
+    remember selected guid
+    rows = every active CharacterSet entry, retaining original slot
+    fallback = first row, replaced by first non-greyed row in wire order
+    sort rows by ordinal/wcscmp name
+    stable-partition non-greyed before greyed
+    selected = previous guid if still present, otherwise fallback
+
+buttons(selected):
+    none or greyed -> Enter disabled, Delete disabled
+    greyed         -> Delete hidden, Restore visible/enabled
+    active         -> Delete visible/enabled, Restore hidden
+
+enter(selected):
+    require guid != 0 and grey == 0
+    use retained wire slot through the existing EnterWorld transaction
+```
+
+The `CharacterList.DeletedCharacters` array is not projected into this list:
+retail rebuilds from the active `CharacterSet`; pending-delete identities are
+the greyed entries in that active set. No entry is filtered merely because it
+is greyed.
+
+## Runtime ownership and flow
+
+`GameRuntime` owns one `LiveSessionController`, which owns one
+`RuntimeCharacterSelectionState` for the exact `WorldSession` generation.
+The owner contains the canonical roster, wire slots, highlight, delete
+confirmation, delete/restore progress, mapped error, revision, lifecycle, and
+generation. App receives only the borrowed `IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView`;
+all mutation uses synchronous generation-gated typed commands. Ordered deltas
+use one monotonic sequence and preserve re-entrant publication order while
+isolating observer failures.
+
+A graphical launch with no explicit selector sets
+`AwaitCharacterSelection`. Connect reports and adopts the roster, starts the
+sole pre-world receive loop, and returns `AwaitingCharacterSelection` without
+calling EnterWorld. A typed Enter command continues the same session and
+generation through the established two-phase EnterWorld path. Explicit
+graphical selectors and direct/headless callers retain the established
+first-available fallback because the new flag defaults to false.
+
+Immediate/headless entry keeps the original blocking receive/sweep pump until
+ServerReady. Only a host that actually pauses at character selection starts
+the asynchronous pre-world receiver. This preserves reliable-transport
+resend/NAK timing and avoids two concurrent socket readers.
+
+LA7a's wire contracts are routed as follows:
+
+- delete `0xF655`: account plus retained active slot, LoginQueue;
+- restore `0xF7D9`: selected guid, ControlQueue (AD-97 remains the recorded
+  guid-only adaptation);
+- delete ack, restore `0xF643`, refreshed `CharacterList`, and
+  `CharacterError 0xF659`: ordered UIQueue input.
+
+ACE can silently return from restore for an unknown guid. Restore is therefore
+a fire-and-observe command: it installs no command gate and never waits for a
+reply. A later matching response updates the same owner; a fresh roster,
+entry attempt, reset, reconnect, or disposal disarms stale response
+correlation. `CharacterError.NumErrors` is ignored without a revision or
+delta and can never become presentation text.

src/AcDream.App/Composition/SessionPlayerComposition.cs

@@ -1139,7 +1139,9 @@ internal sealed class SessionPlayerCompositionPhase
                 d.Options.LivePort,
                 d.Options.LiveUser ?? string.Empty,
                 d.Options.LivePass ?? string.Empty,
-                d.Options.LiveCharacterSelector));
+                d.Options.LiveCharacterSelector,
+                AwaitCharacterSelection:
+                    d.Options.LiveCharacterSelector is null));
         Fault(SessionPlayerCompositionPoint.SessionHostCreated);
 
         // The ImGui developer-tools debug toast sink was removed at Campaign V

src/AcDream.App/Runtime/CurrentGameRuntimeAdapter.cs

@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ internal sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapter
     public IRuntimeCharacterView Character => _runtime.Character;
     public IRuntimeSocialView Social => _runtime.Social;
     public IRuntimeChatView Chat => _runtime.Chat;
+    public IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView CharacterSelection =>
+        _runtime.CharacterSelection;
     public IRuntimeFellowshipView Fellowship => _runtime.Fellowship;
     public IRuntimeAllegianceView Allegiance => _runtime.Allegiance;
     public IRuntimeActionView Actions => _runtime.Actions;
@@ -97,6 +99,10 @@ internal sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapter
     public IRuntimePortalView Portal => _runtime.Portal;
 
     public IRuntimeSessionCommands Session => _commands;
+    public IRuntimeCharacterSelectionCommands CharacterSelectionCommands =>
+        _runtime.Session;
+    IRuntimeCharacterSelectionCommands IGameRuntimeCommands.CharacterSelection =>
+        _runtime.Session;
     public IRuntimeSelectionCommands Selection => _commands;
     public IRuntimeCombatCommands Combat => _commands;
     public IRuntimeMagicCommands Magic => _commands;

src/AcDream.Core.Net/WorldSession.cs

@@ -12,6 +12,19 @@ using AcDream.Core.Net.Transport;
 
 namespace AcDream.Core.Net;
 
+/// <summary>
+/// EnterWorld was rejected by the server while the transport remains a valid
+/// character-select session. Callers may surface <see cref="Error"/> and let
+/// the user choose another character instead of tearing down the connection.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class CharacterSelectionRejectedException(
+    CharacterError.Parsed error)
+    : InvalidOperationException(
+        $"The server rejected character entry with error 0x{error.RawErrorCode:X8}.")
+{
+    public CharacterError.Parsed Error { get; } = error;
+}
+
 internal interface IWorldSessionTransport : IDisposable
 {
     void Send(ReadOnlySpan<byte> datagram);
@@ -576,6 +589,17 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
     /// <summary>Raised every time the state machine transitions.</summary>
     public event Action<State>? StateChanged;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Pre-world character-management replies. All are decoded on the same
+    /// caller thread and in the same fragment order as ordinary world events.
+    /// ACE routes these replies on UIQueue; the queue is consumed by the
+    /// transport before this typed boundary.
+    /// </summary>
+    public event Action<CharacterList.Parsed>? CharacterListReceived;
+    public event Action? CharacterDeleteAcknowledged;
+    public event Action<CharacterRestore.Parsed>? CharacterRestoreReceived;
+    public event Action<CharacterError.Parsed>? CharacterErrorReceived;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Phase F.1: inbound 0xF7B0 GameEvent dispatcher. Each sub-opcode
     /// handler is registered here (by GameWindow / UI layer / chat
@@ -667,6 +691,7 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
     }
 
     public CharacterList.Parsed? Characters { get; private set; }
+    private CharacterError.Parsed? _lastCharacterSelectionError;
 
     private readonly IWorldSessionTransport _net;
     private long _lastInboundPacketTicks = Stopwatch.GetTimestamp();
@@ -1019,6 +1044,22 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
             SweepTransport();
         }
         if (Characters is null) { Transition(State.Failed); throw new TimeoutException("CharacterList not received"); }
+
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Starts the sole asynchronous receive loop while the session remains at
+    /// character selection. Graphical hosts call this only when they actually
+    /// pause before <see cref="EnterWorld"/>; immediate and headless entry keep
+    /// the original blocking handshake pump until ServerReady is accepted.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void StartCharacterSelectionReceive()
+    {
+        if (CurrentState != State.InCharacterSelect)
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "character-selection receive requires InCharacterSelect state");
+
+        EnsureNetReceiveLoopStarted();
     }
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -1045,14 +1086,56 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
         // the blocking pump (campaign landmine #8): the EnterWorld
         // CreateObject flood — and any NAK it provokes — precedes the
         // first Tick().
-        bool serverReady = false;
-        while (DateTime.UtcNow < deadline && !serverReady)
+        _lastCharacterSelectionError = null;
+        bool serverReady;
+        if (_netReceiveTask is null)
         {
-            var drained = PumpOnce(out var opcodes);
+            // Immediate/headless entry deliberately preserves the blocking
+            // transport pump. Besides matching the established handshake
+            // contract, Receive supplies the clock edge used by the reliable
+            // transport's resend/NAK sweep on otherwise quiet connections.
+            serverReady = false;
+            while (DateTime.UtcNow < deadline
+                   && !serverReady
+                   && _lastCharacterSelectionError is null)
+            {
+                bool drained = PumpOnce(out List<uint> opcodes);
                 SweepTransport();
-            if (!drained) continue;
-            foreach (var op in opcodes)
-                if (op == 0xF7DFu) { serverReady = true; break; }
+                if (!drained)
+                    continue;
+
+                foreach (uint opcode in opcodes)
+                {
+                    if (opcode == 0xF7DFu)
+                    {
+                        serverReady = true;
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            TimeSpan remaining = deadline - DateTime.UtcNow;
+            serverReady = remaining > TimeSpan.Zero
+                && WaitForCharacterLogOffConfirmation(
+                    _inboundQueue.Reader,
+                    remaining,
+                    datagram =>
+                    {
+                        var opcodes = new List<uint>();
+                        ProcessDatagram(datagram.Memory, opcodes);
+                        SweepTransport();
+                        return opcodes.Contains(0xF7DFu)
+                            || _lastCharacterSelectionError is not null;
+                    },
+                    ReturnInboundDatagram);
+        }
+        if (_lastCharacterSelectionError is { } selectionError)
+        {
+            Transition(State.InCharacterSelect);
+            EnsureNetReceiveLoopStarted();
+            throw new CharacterSelectionRejectedException(selectionError);
         }
         if (!serverReady) { Transition(State.Failed); throw new TimeoutException("ServerReady not received"); }
 
@@ -1067,14 +1150,15 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
         // Hidden/pink-bubble login state.
         Transition(State.InWorld);
 
-        // Phase A.3: start the background receive thread now that the
-        // handshake is complete and the session is fully established.
-        // During Connect() and EnterWorld(), PumpOnce() read directly
-        // from the socket (blocking). From here on, Tick() drains the
-        // channel instead.
-        _netReceiveTask = NetReceiveLoopAsync();
+        // A paused selector already owns the socket through the background
+        // receiver. Immediate/headless entry starts that same sole receiver
+        // only after its blocking ServerReady handshake has completed.
+        EnsureNetReceiveLoopStarted();
     }
 
+    private void EnsureNetReceiveLoopStarted() =>
+        _netReceiveTask ??= NetReceiveLoopAsync();
+
     internal readonly record struct EnterWorldSelection(
         CharacterList.Character Character,
         byte[] EnterWorldBody);
@@ -1139,8 +1223,9 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
                 ReturnInboundDatagram(datagram);
             }
             processed++;
-            // Bound ONLY in-world: the handshake uses the blocking PumpOnce path, never Tick
-            // (the async receive owner starts at Transition(State.InWorld)).
+            // Bound ONLY in-world: immediate/headless handshakes use blocking
+            // PumpOnce, while a deliberately paused selector uses Tick without
+            // an in-world flood budget so management replies drain promptly.
             // Acks and NAKs are NOT per-packet: the end-of-Tick sweep below emits them on
             // the scheduler's 2.0 s / 0.6 s gates, and it runs after the budget break, so a
             // deferred inbound tail never defers a due ack, NAK, or resend. The tail itself
@@ -1687,10 +1772,53 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
             if (!dispatchWorldEvents)
                 continue;
 
-            if (op == CharacterList.Opcode && Characters is null)
+            if (op == CharacterList.Opcode)
             {
-                try { Characters = CharacterList.Parse(body); }
-                catch { /* malformed — ignore and keep draining */ }
+                CharacterList.Parsed parsed;
+                try
+                {
+                    parsed = CharacterList.Parse(body);
+                }
+                catch
+                {
+                    // Malformed management messages do not poison the
+                    // remaining ordered UIQueue fragments.
+                    continue;
+                }
+                Characters = parsed;
+                CharacterListReceived?.Invoke(parsed);
+            }
+            else if (op == CharacterDelete.Opcode
+                && CharacterDelete.IsAcknowledgement(body))
+            {
+                CharacterDeleteAcknowledged?.Invoke();
+            }
+            else if (op == CharacterRestore.ResponseOpcode)
+            {
+                CharacterRestore.Parsed parsed;
+                try
+                {
+                    parsed = CharacterRestore.Parse(body);
+                }
+                catch
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                CharacterRestoreReceived?.Invoke(parsed);
+            }
+            else if (op == CharacterError.Opcode)
+            {
+                CharacterError.Parsed parsed;
+                try
+                {
+                    parsed = CharacterError.Parse(body);
+                }
+                catch
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                _lastCharacterSelectionError = parsed;
+                CharacterErrorReceived?.Invoke(parsed);
             }
             else if (op == 0xF7E5u)  // DddInterrogation — server asks "what dat list versions do you have?"
             {
@@ -2040,6 +2168,29 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
         SendGameMessage(gameActionBody);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Send retail CharacterDelete through the login/logon queue. The caller
+    /// supplies the selected entry's active CharacterSet slot, not its guid.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void SendDeleteCharacter(string accountName, int activeIndex)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(accountName);
+        if (activeIndex < 0)
+            throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(nameof(activeIndex));
+        SendGameMessage(
+            CharacterDelete.BuildRequestBody(
+                accountName,
+                checked((uint)activeIndex)),
+            GameMessageGroup.LoginQueue);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Send retail CharacterRestore through the control queue. This is
+    /// deliberately non-blocking because ACE silently drops unknown guids.
+    /// </summary>
+    public void SendRestoreCharacter(uint characterId) =>
+        SendControlMessage(CharacterRestore.BuildRequestBody(characterId));
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Phase I.3: test-only hook. When non-null, <see cref="SendGameAction"/>
     /// invokes this instead of writing to the wire. Lets unit tests verify
@@ -2049,6 +2200,9 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
     /// </summary>
     internal Action<byte[]>? GameActionCapture { get; set; }
 
+    /// <summary>LA7b unit-test seam for queue-sensitive pre-world sends.</summary>
+    internal Action<byte[], GameMessageGroup>? GameMessageCapture { get; set; }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Phase B.2: get and increment the game-action sequence counter.
     /// Call once per outbound movement message; pass the returned value
@@ -2895,6 +3049,11 @@ public sealed class WorldSession : IDisposable
 
     private void SendGameMessage(byte[] gameMessageBody, GameMessageGroup queue)
     {
+        if (GameMessageCapture is { } capture)
+        {
+            capture(gameMessageBody, queue);
+            return;
+        }
         // #260 probe: log the send BEFORE the sequence counters are consumed
         // so the line carries the values this datagram will actually use. The
         // exception filter below logs a wire-write fault WITHOUT catching it

src/AcDream.Runtime/GameRuntime.cs

@@ -527,6 +527,8 @@ public sealed class GameRuntime
     public IRuntimeCharacterView Character => CharacterOwner.View;
     public IRuntimeSocialView Social => CommunicationOwner.SocialView;
     public IRuntimeChatView Chat => CommunicationOwner.View;
+    public IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView CharacterSelection =>
+        Session.CharacterSelection;
     public IRuntimeFellowshipView Fellowship => FellowshipOwner.View;
     public IRuntimeAllegianceView Allegiance => AllegianceOwner.View;
 

src/AcDream.Runtime/GameRuntimeCommands.cs

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ public enum RuntimeSessionStartStatus
     /// exit-code mapping, not a failure.
     /// </summary>
     ProbeComplete,
+    AwaitingCharacterSelection,
 }
 
 public readonly record struct RuntimeSessionStartResult(
@@ -381,6 +382,10 @@ public interface IGameRuntimeCommands
 {
     IRuntimeSessionCommands Session { get; }
 
+    Session.IRuntimeCharacterSelectionCommands CharacterSelection =>
+        throw new NotSupportedException(
+            "This command adapter does not project character selection.");
+
     IRuntimeSelectionCommands Selection { get; }
 
     IRuntimeCombatCommands Combat { get; }

src/AcDream.Runtime/GameRuntimeViews.cs

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using AcDream.Core.Physics;
 using AcDream.Runtime.World;
+using AcDream.Runtime.Session;
 
 namespace AcDream.Runtime;
 
@@ -275,6 +276,10 @@ public interface IGameRuntimeView
 
     IRuntimeChatView Chat { get; }
 
+    IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView CharacterSelection =>
+        throw new NotSupportedException(
+            "This runtime view does not project character selection.");
+
     IRuntimeFellowshipView Fellowship { get; }
 
     IRuntimeAllegianceView Allegiance { get; }

src/AcDream.Runtime/Session/DirectGameRuntimeCommandAdapter.cs

@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ public sealed class DirectGameRuntimeCommandAdapter
     }
 
     public IRuntimeSessionCommands Session => this;
+    public IRuntimeCharacterSelectionCommands CharacterSelection =>
+        _runtime.Session;
     public IRuntimeSelectionCommands Selection => this;
     public IRuntimeCombatCommands Combat => this;
     public IRuntimeMagicCommands Magic => this;

src/AcDream.Runtime/Session/LiveSessionContracts.cs

@@ -29,7 +29,14 @@ public sealed record LiveSessionConnectOptions(
     /// itself does not enforce that pairing — the headless config loader
     /// does, before a <see cref="LiveSessionConnectOptions"/> is ever built.
     /// </summary>
-    bool Probe = false);
+    bool Probe = false,
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Keep the connected transport in Runtime's pre-world selection state
+    /// instead of applying the legacy first-available fallback. Graphical
+    /// composition enables this only when no explicit selector was supplied;
+    /// direct/headless callers retain the existing default behavior.
+    /// </summary>
+    bool AwaitCharacterSelection = false);
 
 public interface IRuntimeLiveSessionFramePhase
 {

src/AcDream.Runtime/Session/LiveSessionController.cs

@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@ public enum LiveSessionStartStatus
     Deferred,
     Failed,
     /// <summary>
+    /// The account transport is connected and Runtime owns a live roster,
+    /// but EnterWorld has deliberately not run yet.
+    /// </summary>
+    AwaitingCharacterSelection,
+    /// <summary>
     /// Campaign LA slice LA2: a <see cref="LiveSessionConnectOptions.Probe"/>
     /// session connected, received (and reported) the character roster, and
     /// gracefully disconnected BEFORE selection/EnterWorld — deliberately a
@@ -167,7 +172,16 @@ public interface ILiveSessionOperations
     WorldSession CreateSession(IPEndPoint endpoint);
     void Connect(WorldSession session, string user, string password);
     CharacterList.Parsed? GetCharacters(WorldSession session);
+    void StartCharacterSelectionReceive(WorldSession session) =>
+        session.StartCharacterSelectionReceive();
     void EnterWorld(WorldSession session, int activeCharacterIndex);
+    void DeleteCharacter(
+        WorldSession session,
+        string accountName,
+        int activeCharacterIndex) =>
+        session.SendDeleteCharacter(accountName, activeCharacterIndex);
+    void RestoreCharacter(WorldSession session, uint characterId) =>
+        session.SendRestoreCharacter(characterId);
     void Tick(WorldSession session);
     void DisposeSession(WorldSession session);
 }
@@ -203,6 +217,9 @@ internal sealed class ProductionLiveSessionOperations : ILiveSessionOperations
 
     public CharacterList.Parsed? GetCharacters(WorldSession session) => session.Characters;
 
+    public void StartCharacterSelectionReceive(WorldSession session) =>
+        session.StartCharacterSelectionReceive();
+
     public void EnterWorld(WorldSession session, int activeCharacterIndex) =>
         session.EnterWorld(activeCharacterIndex);
 
@@ -219,8 +236,49 @@ internal sealed class ProductionLiveSessionOperations : ILiveSessionOperations
 /// </summary>
 public sealed class LiveSessionController
     : IDisposable,
-      IRuntimeLiveSessionFramePhase
+      IRuntimeLiveSessionFramePhase,
+      IRuntimeCharacterSelectionCommands
 {
+    private sealed class CharacterSelectionWireBinding : IDisposable
+    {
+        private WorldSession? _session;
+        private readonly Action<CharacterList.Parsed> _roster;
+        private readonly Action _delete;
+        private readonly Action<CharacterRestore.Parsed> _restore;
+        private readonly Action<CharacterError.Parsed> _error;
+
+        public CharacterSelectionWireBinding(
+            WorldSession session,
+            Action<CharacterList.Parsed> roster,
+            Action delete,
+            Action<CharacterRestore.Parsed> restore,
+            Action<CharacterError.Parsed> error)
+        {
+            _session = session;
+            _roster = roster;
+            _delete = delete;
+            _restore = restore;
+            _error = error;
+            session.CharacterListReceived += roster;
+            session.CharacterDeleteAcknowledged += delete;
+            session.CharacterRestoreReceived += restore;
+            session.CharacterErrorReceived += error;
+        }
+
+        public bool IsDisposed => _session is null;
+
+        public void Dispose()
+        {
+            WorldSession? session = Interlocked.Exchange(ref _session, null);
+            if (session is null)
+                return;
+            session.CharacterListReceived -= _roster;
+            session.CharacterDeleteAcknowledged -= _delete;
+            session.CharacterRestoreReceived -= _restore;
+            session.CharacterErrorReceived -= _error;
+        }
+    }
+
     private sealed class SessionScope(
         WorldSession session,
         ILiveSessionLifecycleHost host,
@@ -232,6 +290,11 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
         public ILiveSessionLifecycleHost Host { get; } = host;
         public RuntimeGenerationToken Generation { get; } = generation;
         public LiveSessionBinding? Binding { get; set; }
+        public CharacterSelectionWireBinding? CharacterSelectionBinding
+        {
+            get;
+            set;
+        }
         public bool HostAttached { get; set; }
         public RuntimeTeardownStage CompletedStages { get; private set; }
 
@@ -242,14 +305,19 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
                 try
                 {
                     Binding?.Dispose();
+                    CharacterSelectionBinding?.Dispose();
                 }
                 finally
                 {
                     if (Binding is null || Binding.CommandsDeactivated)
                         CompletedStages |= RuntimeTeardownStage.CommandsInert;
-                    if (Binding is null || Binding.EventsDetached)
+                    if ((Binding is null || Binding.EventsDetached)
+                        && (CharacterSelectionBinding is null
+                            || CharacterSelectionBinding.IsDisposed))
+                    {
                         CompletedStages |= RuntimeTeardownStage.InboundDetached;
                     }
+                }
                 _teardownStage = 1;
             }
             if (_teardownStage == 1)
@@ -315,8 +383,14 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
     public LiveSessionController(ILiveSessionOperations operations)
     {
         _operations = operations ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(operations));
+        CharacterSelectionState = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
     }
 
+    public RuntimeCharacterSelectionState CharacterSelectionState { get; }
+
+    public IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView CharacterSelection =>
+        CharacterSelectionState.View;
+
     public WorldSession? CurrentSession
     {
         get { lock (_gate) return _scope?.Session; }
@@ -405,6 +479,11 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
             if (_inWorld)
                 return ConnectedResult();
+            if (_scope is not null)
+            {
+                return new LiveSessionStartResult(
+                    LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection);
+            }
             return RunTopLevel(() => StartCore(options, host, resetHost: true));
         }
     }
@@ -492,7 +571,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
         {
             if (_disposed)
                 return;
-            if (!_inWorld || _scope is null || _operationDepth != 0)
+            if (_scope is null || _operationDepth != 0)
                 return;
 
             RunTopLevel(() =>
@@ -517,6 +596,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
                 // the protocol pump above and only when the scope/generation
                 // are still current — a reconnect that happened mid-tick
                 // must not flush against a retired session.
+                if (_inWorld)
                     InvokeAutoSaveTick(scope.Session);
             });
         }
@@ -583,6 +663,8 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
     {
         RuntimeGenerationToken resetGeneration = new(_generation);
         ulong generation = ++_generation;
+        RuntimeGenerationToken activeGeneration = new(generation);
+        CharacterSelectionState.Reset(activeGeneration);
         try
         {
             DrainRetiredScope();
@@ -608,6 +690,8 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(options.User) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(options.Password))
             return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.MissingCredentials);
 
+        CharacterSelectionState.Begin(activeGeneration);
+
         SessionScope? scope = null;
         try
         {
@@ -643,6 +727,9 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
             _operations.Connect(session, options.User, options.Password);
             if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
+            scope.CharacterSelectionBinding = BindCharacterSelection(
+                scope,
+                generation);
             host.ReportConnected();
             if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
@@ -650,7 +737,9 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
             CharacterList.Parsed? characters = _operations.GetCharacters(session);
             if (characters is not null)
             {
-                host.ReportRoster(BuildRosterReport(characters));
+                LiveSessionRosterReport roster = BuildRosterReport(characters);
+                CharacterSelectionState.ApplyRoster(roster);
+                host.ReportRoster(roster);
                 if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
                     return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
             }
@@ -670,6 +759,19 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.ProbeComplete);
             }
 
+            if (options.AwaitCharacterSelection
+                && options.Character is null
+                && characters is not null)
+            {
+                _operations.StartCharacterSelectionReceive(session);
+                if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                    return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
+                Console.WriteLine(
+                    "live: awaiting character selection before EnterWorld");
+                return new LiveSessionStartResult(
+                    LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection);
+            }
+
             if (characters is null
                 || !TrySelectCharacter(
                     characters,
@@ -686,6 +788,12 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
                 selected.Character.Id,
                 selected.Character.Name,
                 characters.AccountName);
+            if (!CharacterSelectionState.TryHighlight(selection.CharacterId)
+                || !CharacterSelectionState.BeginEnter(out _))
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    "Runtime character selection rejected the validated active character.");
+            }
             host.ApplySelectedCharacter(selection);
             if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
@@ -701,6 +809,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
             _inWorld = true;
             _activeSelection = selection;
+            CharacterSelectionState.CompleteEnter(selection.CharacterId);
             host.ApplyEnteredWorld(selection);
             if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
                 return new LiveSessionStartResult(LiveSessionStartStatus.Deferred);
@@ -734,6 +843,273 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
         }
     }
 
+    private CharacterSelectionWireBinding BindCharacterSelection(
+        SessionScope scope,
+        ulong generation) =>
+        new(
+            scope.Session,
+            roster =>
+            {
+                lock (_gate)
+                {
+                    if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                        return;
+                    LiveSessionRosterReport report = BuildRosterReport(roster);
+                    CharacterSelectionState.ApplyRoster(report);
+                    scope.Host.ReportRoster(report);
+                }
+            },
+            () =>
+            {
+                lock (_gate)
+                {
+                    if (IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                        CharacterSelectionState.ApplyDeleteAcknowledged();
+                }
+            },
+            restore =>
+            {
+                lock (_gate)
+                {
+                    if (IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                        CharacterSelectionState.ApplyRestore(restore);
+                }
+            },
+            error =>
+            {
+                lock (_gate)
+                {
+                    if (IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                        CharacterSelectionState.ApplyError(error);
+                }
+            });
+
+    public RuntimeCommandResult Highlight(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration,
+        uint characterId)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            RuntimeCommandStatus gate = ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+                expectedGeneration);
+            if (gate != RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(gate);
+            RuntimeCommandStatus status =
+                CharacterSelectionState.TryHighlight(characterId)
+                    ? RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted
+                    : RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected;
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(status, characterId);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public RuntimeCommandResult Enter(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            RuntimeCommandStatus gate = ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+                expectedGeneration);
+            if (gate != RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(gate);
+            if (_operationDepth != 0)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected);
+            return RunTopLevel(EnterSelectedCore);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public RuntimeCommandResult RequestDelete(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            RuntimeCommandStatus gate = ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+                expectedGeneration);
+            if (gate != RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(gate);
+            RuntimeCommandStatus status =
+                CharacterSelectionState.TryRequestDelete(out uint characterId)
+                    ? RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted
+                    : RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected;
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(status, characterId);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public RuntimeCommandResult ConfirmDelete(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            RuntimeCommandStatus gate = ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+                expectedGeneration);
+            if (gate != RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(gate);
+            if (!CharacterSelectionState.TryTakeDeleteConfirmation(
+                    out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character,
+                    out string accountName))
+            {
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected);
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                _operations.DeleteCharacter(
+                    _scope!.Session,
+                    accountName,
+                    character.ActiveIndex);
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                    RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted,
+                    character.CharacterId);
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                CharacterSelectionState.ApplyError(
+                    new CharacterError.Parsed(
+                        (uint)CharacterError.Code.Delete));
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                    RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+                    character.CharacterId);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public RuntimeCommandResult Restore(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            RuntimeCommandStatus gate = ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+                expectedGeneration);
+            if (gate != RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(gate);
+            if (!CharacterSelectionState.TryBeginRestore(
+                    out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character))
+            {
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected);
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                _operations.RestoreCharacter(
+                    _scope!.Session,
+                    character.CharacterId);
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                    RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted,
+                    character.CharacterId);
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                CharacterSelectionState.ApplyError(
+                    new CharacterError.Parsed(
+                        (uint)CharacterError.Code.Undefined));
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                    RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+                    character.CharacterId);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public RuntimeCommandResult Cancel(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            RuntimeCommandStatus gate = ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+                expectedGeneration);
+            if (gate != RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted)
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(gate);
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                CharacterSelectionState.Cancel()
+                    ? RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted
+                    : RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private RuntimeCommandResult EnterSelectedCore()
+    {
+        SessionScope scope = _scope!;
+        ulong generation = _generation;
+        if (!CharacterSelectionState.BeginEnter(
+                out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character))
+        {
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected);
+        }
+
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot snapshot =
+            CharacterSelectionState.Snapshot;
+        var selection = new LiveSessionCharacterSelection(
+            character.ActiveIndex,
+            character.CharacterId,
+            character.Name,
+            snapshot.AccountName);
+        try
+        {
+            scope.Host.ApplySelectedCharacter(selection);
+            if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Inactive);
+
+            _operations.EnterWorld(scope.Session, character.ActiveIndex);
+            if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Inactive);
+
+            scope.Binding!.ActivateCommands();
+            if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Inactive);
+
+            _inWorld = true;
+            _activeSelection = selection;
+            CharacterSelectionState.CompleteEnter(character.CharacterId);
+            scope.Host.ApplyEnteredWorld(selection);
+            if (!IsCurrent(scope, generation))
+                return CharacterSelectionResult(RuntimeCommandStatus.Inactive);
+
+            Console.WriteLine("live: in world — CreateObject stream active");
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted,
+                character.CharacterId);
+        }
+        catch (CharacterSelectionRejectedException rejected)
+        {
+            if (CharacterSelectionState.Snapshot.Error?.RawCode
+                != rejected.Error.RawErrorCode)
+            {
+                CharacterSelectionState.ApplyError(rejected.Error);
+            }
+            CharacterSelectionState.ReturnToSelection();
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+                character.CharacterId);
+        }
+        catch (Exception error)
+        {
+            _ = StopAfterFailure(error);
+            return CharacterSelectionResult(
+                RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+                character.CharacterId);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private RuntimeCommandStatus ValidateCharacterSelectionCommand(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration)
+    {
+        RuntimeGenerationToken current = new(_generation);
+        if (expectedGeneration != current)
+            return RuntimeCommandStatus.StaleGeneration;
+        if (_disposed || _disposeRequested || _scope is null || _inWorld)
+            return RuntimeCommandStatus.Inactive;
+        return CharacterSelectionState.Snapshot.Lifecycle
+            == RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                ? RuntimeCommandStatus.Accepted
+                : RuntimeCommandStatus.Inactive;
+    }
+
+    private RuntimeCommandResult CharacterSelectionResult(
+        RuntimeCommandStatus status,
+        uint characterId = 0u) =>
+        new(
+            status,
+            new RuntimeGenerationToken(_generation),
+            characterId);
+
     private void StopCore()
     {
         // MUST-FIX 1: TS-71's logout-flush half — retail's
@@ -749,6 +1125,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
         ++_generation;
         _inWorld = false;
         _activeSelection = null;
+        CharacterSelectionState.Reset(new RuntimeGenerationToken(_generation));
         if (_scope is { } scope)
         {
             _scope = null;
@@ -889,6 +1266,7 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionController
     private void DisposeCore()
     {
         StopCore();
+        CharacterSelectionState.Dispose();
         _disposed = true;
     }
 

src/AcDream.Runtime/Session/LiveSessionHost.cs

@@ -318,6 +318,8 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionHost : IRuntimeSessionCommands
                 RuntimeSessionStartStatus.Failed,
             LiveSessionStartStatus.ProbeComplete =>
                 RuntimeSessionStartStatus.ProbeComplete,
+            LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection =>
+                RuntimeSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection,
             _ => throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(
                 nameof(result),
                 result.Status,

src/AcDream.Runtime/Session/RuntimeCharacterSelectionState.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,991 @@
+using AcDream.Core.Net.Messages;
+
+namespace AcDream.Runtime.Session;
+
+public enum RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle
+{
+    Inactive,
+    Connecting,
+    AwaitingSelection,
+    EnteringWorld,
+    InWorld,
+}
+
+public enum RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation
+{
+    None,
+    DeleteRequested,
+    DeleteAcknowledged,
+    RestoreRequested,
+    RestoreSucceeded,
+    RestoreRejected,
+}
+
+public enum RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind
+{
+    Reset,
+    RosterChanged,
+    HighlightChanged,
+    DeleteConfirmationOpened,
+    DeleteConfirmationCancelled,
+    DeleteRequested,
+    DeleteAcknowledged,
+    RestoreRequested,
+    RestoreCompleted,
+    ErrorChanged,
+    EnteringWorld,
+    EnteredWorld,
+}
+
+public readonly record struct RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry(
+    int ActiveIndex,
+    uint CharacterId,
+    string Name,
+    uint SecondsGreyedOut)
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// ACE currently sends a constant one throughout the delete grace window.
+    /// The retail field is therefore exposed, but its only supported semantic
+    /// is the non-zero pending-delete predicate.
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool IsPendingDelete => SecondsGreyedOut != 0u;
+
+    public bool CanEnter => CharacterId != 0u && !IsPendingDelete;
+}
+
+public readonly record struct RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons(
+    bool CanEnter,
+    bool CanDelete,
+    bool CanRestore,
+    bool DeleteVisible,
+    bool RestoreVisible)
+{
+    public static RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons None { get; } =
+        new(false, false, false, true, false);
+}
+
+public readonly record struct RuntimeCharacterSelectionError(
+    uint RawCode,
+    CharacterError.Code Code,
+    string Message);
+
+public readonly record struct RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot(
+    RuntimeGenerationToken Generation,
+    RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle Lifecycle,
+    long Revision,
+    string AccountName,
+    int SlotCount,
+    int RosterCount,
+    uint HighlightedCharacterId,
+    int HighlightedDisplayIndex,
+    uint PendingDeleteCharacterId,
+    uint LastRestoreRequestedCharacterId,
+    RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation Operation,
+    RuntimeCharacterSelectionError? Error,
+    RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons Buttons)
+{
+    public bool IsActive =>
+        Lifecycle is RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+            or RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.EnteringWorld;
+}
+
+public readonly record struct RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta(
+    RuntimeGenerationToken Generation,
+    ulong Sequence,
+    long Revision,
+    RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind Kind,
+    uint CharacterId = 0u,
+    uint ErrorCode = 0u);
+
+public interface IRuntimeCharacterSelectionVisitor
+{
+    void Visit(in RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character);
+}
+
+public interface IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver
+{
+    void OnCharacterSelectionChanged(
+        in RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta delta);
+}
+
+public interface IRuntimeCharacterSelectionEventSource
+{
+    IDisposable Subscribe(IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver observer);
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Borrowed view of the one Runtime-owned pre-world selection graph. Roster
+/// entries are in retail display order (ordinal name order, then every
+/// greyed/pending-delete entry moved to the tail); <see cref=
+/// "RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry.ActiveIndex"/> retains the original wire
+/// slot used by character delete and EnterWorld.
+/// </summary>
+public interface IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView
+    : IRuntimeCharacterSelectionEventSource
+{
+    RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot Snapshot { get; }
+
+    bool TryGetAt(
+        int displayIndex,
+        out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character);
+
+    bool TryGet(
+        uint characterId,
+        out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character);
+
+    void Visit(IRuntimeCharacterSelectionVisitor visitor);
+}
+
+public interface IRuntimeCharacterSelectionCommands
+{
+    RuntimeCommandResult Highlight(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration,
+        uint characterId);
+
+    RuntimeCommandResult Enter(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration);
+
+    RuntimeCommandResult RequestDelete(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration);
+
+    RuntimeCommandResult ConfirmDelete(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration);
+
+    RuntimeCommandResult Restore(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration);
+
+    RuntimeCommandResult Cancel(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken expectedGeneration);
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Sole mutable owner of character-selection state. It contains no App or UI
+/// types; presentation borrows <see cref="View"/> and issues generation-gated
+/// commands through <see cref="LiveSessionController"/>.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class RuntimeCharacterSelectionState : IDisposable
+{
+    private sealed class ViewProjection(RuntimeCharacterSelectionState owner)
+        : IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView
+    {
+        public RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot Snapshot => owner.Snapshot;
+
+        public bool TryGetAt(
+            int displayIndex,
+            out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character) =>
+            owner.TryGetAt(displayIndex, out character);
+
+        public bool TryGet(
+            uint characterId,
+            out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character) =>
+            owner.TryGet(characterId, out character);
+
+        public void Visit(IRuntimeCharacterSelectionVisitor visitor) =>
+            owner.Visit(visitor);
+
+        public IDisposable Subscribe(
+            IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver observer) =>
+            owner._events.Subscribe(observer);
+    }
+
+    private readonly object _gate = new();
+    private readonly RuntimeCharacterSelectionEventStream _events = new();
+    private readonly ViewProjection _view;
+    private RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry[] _entries = [];
+    private RuntimeGenerationToken _generation;
+    private RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle _lifecycle;
+    private long _revision;
+    private string _accountName = string.Empty;
+    private int _slotCount;
+    private uint _highlightedCharacterId;
+    private uint _pendingDeleteCharacterId;
+    private uint _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId;
+    private bool _restoreResponseArmed;
+    private RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation _operation;
+    private RuntimeCharacterSelectionError? _error;
+    private bool _disposed;
+
+    public RuntimeCharacterSelectionState()
+    {
+        _view = new ViewProjection(this);
+    }
+
+    public IRuntimeCharacterSelectionView View => _view;
+
+    public RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot Snapshot
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            lock (_gate)
+            {
+                int selectedIndex = FindDisplayIndex(_highlightedCharacterId);
+                RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons buttons =
+                    BuildButtons(selectedIndex);
+                return new RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot(
+                    _generation,
+                    _lifecycle,
+                    _revision,
+                    _accountName,
+                    _slotCount,
+                    _entries.Length,
+                    _highlightedCharacterId,
+                    selectedIndex,
+                    _pendingDeleteCharacterId,
+                    _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId,
+                    _operation,
+                    _error,
+                    buttons);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal void Begin(RuntimeGenerationToken generation)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            ThrowIfDisposed();
+            _generation = generation;
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.Connecting;
+            ClearSessionState();
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.Reset);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Ports the stateful parts of retail
+    /// gmCharacterManagementUI::RebuildCharacterList @ 0x004ec3a0: retain the
+    /// prior selected guid when it still exists; otherwise choose the first
+    /// non-greyed active entry in CharacterSet wire order (or the first entry
+    /// when every entry is greyed, which keeps Restore reachable); sort
+    /// displayed names with wcscmp semantics and then move greyed entries to
+    /// the tail.
+    /// </summary>
+    internal void ApplyRoster(LiveSessionRosterReport roster)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(roster);
+        uint selected;
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            ThrowIfDisposed();
+            uint previous = _highlightedCharacterId;
+            var wireEntries = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry[
+                roster.Entries.Count];
+            uint fallback = 0u;
+            bool foundAvailableFallback = false;
+            for (int i = 0; i < wireEntries.Length; i++)
+            {
+                LiveSessionRosterEntry source = roster.Entries[i];
+                wireEntries[i] = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry(
+                    i,
+                    source.Id,
+                    source.Name,
+                    source.SecondsGreyedOut);
+                if (fallback == 0u && source.Id != 0u)
+                    fallback = source.Id;
+                if (!foundAvailableFallback
+                    && source.Id != 0u
+                    && source.SecondsGreyedOut == 0u)
+                {
+                    fallback = source.Id;
+                    foundAvailableFallback = true;
+                }
+            }
+
+            Array.Sort(
+                wireEntries,
+                static (left, right) =>
+                    string.CompareOrdinal(left.Name, right.Name));
+            _entries = StablePartitionGreyedToTail(wireEntries);
+            _accountName = roster.AccountName;
+            _slotCount = roster.SlotCount;
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection;
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+            _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId = 0u;
+            _restoreResponseArmed = false;
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.None;
+            _error = null;
+            _highlightedCharacterId = Contains(previous)
+                ? previous
+                : fallback;
+            selected = _highlightedCharacterId;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.RosterChanged,
+            selected);
+    }
+
+    internal bool TryHighlight(uint characterId)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || HasDeleteModalOrRequest()
+                || !Contains(characterId))
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+            if (_highlightedCharacterId == characterId)
+                return true;
+
+            _highlightedCharacterId = characterId;
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+            _error = null;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.HighlightChanged,
+            characterId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    internal bool TryRequestDelete(out uint characterId)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            int index = FindDisplayIndex(_highlightedCharacterId);
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || HasDeleteModalOrRequest()
+                || index < 0
+                || !_entries[index].CanEnter)
+            {
+                characterId = 0u;
+                return false;
+            }
+            characterId = _entries[index].CharacterId;
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = characterId;
+            _error = null;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.DeleteConfirmationOpened,
+            characterId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    internal bool TryTakeDeleteConfirmation(
+        out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character,
+        out string accountName)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            int index = FindDisplayIndex(_pendingDeleteCharacterId);
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || _pendingDeleteCharacterId == 0u
+                || _operation is RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteRequested
+                    or RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteAcknowledged
+                || index < 0
+                || !_entries[index].CanEnter)
+            {
+                character = default;
+                accountName = string.Empty;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            character = _entries[index];
+            accountName = _accountName;
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteRequested;
+            _error = null;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.DeleteRequested,
+            character.CharacterId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    internal bool TryBeginRestore(
+        out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            int index = FindDisplayIndex(_highlightedCharacterId);
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || HasDeleteModalOrRequest()
+                || index < 0
+                || !_entries[index].IsPendingDelete)
+            {
+                character = default;
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            character = _entries[index];
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+            _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId = character.CharacterId;
+            _restoreResponseArmed = true;
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.RestoreRequested;
+            _error = null;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.RestoreRequested,
+            character.CharacterId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    internal bool Cancel()
+    {
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind kind;
+        uint characterId;
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection)
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            if (_pendingDeleteCharacterId != 0u)
+            {
+                characterId = _pendingDeleteCharacterId;
+                _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+                kind = RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.DeleteConfirmationCancelled;
+            }
+            else if (_error is not null)
+            {
+                characterId = 0u;
+                _error = null;
+                kind = RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.ErrorChanged;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(kind, characterId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    internal void ApplyDeleteAcknowledged()
+    {
+        uint characterId;
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || _operation != RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteRequested)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteAcknowledged;
+            characterId = _highlightedCharacterId;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.DeleteAcknowledged,
+            characterId);
+    }
+
+    internal void ApplyRestore(CharacterRestore.Parsed response)
+    {
+        uint characterId;
+        uint errorCode = 0u;
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || !_restoreResponseArmed)
+                return;
+            if (response.Guid is { } responseGuid
+                && responseGuid != _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            _restoreResponseArmed = false;
+            characterId = response.Guid
+                ?? _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId;
+
+            if (response.IsOk
+                && response.Guid is { } guid
+                && response.SecondsGreyedOut is { } seconds)
+            {
+                int index = FindDisplayIndex(guid);
+                if (index >= 0)
+                {
+                    RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry current = _entries[index];
+                    _entries[index] = current with
+                    {
+                        Name = response.Name ?? current.Name,
+                        SecondsGreyedOut = seconds,
+                    };
+                    Array.Sort(
+                        _entries,
+                        static (left, right) =>
+                            string.CompareOrdinal(left.Name, right.Name));
+                    _entries = StablePartitionGreyedToTail(_entries);
+                }
+                _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.RestoreSucceeded;
+                _error = null;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                errorCode = response.VerificationFlag;
+                _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.RestoreRejected;
+                _error = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionError(
+                    response.VerificationFlag,
+                    CharacterError.Code.Undefined,
+                    $"The character could not be restored (verification 0x{response.VerificationFlag:X8}).");
+            }
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.RestoreCompleted,
+            characterId,
+            errorCode);
+    }
+
+    internal void ApplyError(CharacterError.Parsed error)
+    {
+        if (error.AsCode == CharacterError.Code.NumErrors)
+            return;
+
+        string message = MapError(error.RawErrorCode, error.AsCode);
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle is not (
+                    RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                    or RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.EnteringWorld))
+                return;
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+            _restoreResponseArmed = false;
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.None;
+            _error = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionError(
+                error.RawErrorCode,
+                error.AsCode,
+                message);
+            if (_lifecycle == RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.EnteringWorld)
+                _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.ErrorChanged,
+            errorCode: error.RawErrorCode);
+    }
+
+    internal bool BeginEnter(out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            int index = FindDisplayIndex(_highlightedCharacterId);
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection
+                || HasDeleteModalOrRequest()
+                || index < 0
+                || !_entries[index].CanEnter)
+            {
+                character = default;
+                return false;
+            }
+            character = _entries[index];
+            _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+            _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId = 0u;
+            _restoreResponseArmed = false;
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.None;
+            _error = null;
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.EnteringWorld;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.EnteringWorld,
+            character.CharacterId);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    internal void CompleteEnter(uint characterId)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed)
+                return;
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.InWorld;
+            _highlightedCharacterId = characterId;
+            _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.None;
+            _error = null;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.EnteredWorld,
+            characterId);
+    }
+
+    internal void ReturnToSelection()
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed
+                || _lifecycle != RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.EnteringWorld)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection;
+            _revision++;
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal void Reset(RuntimeGenerationToken generation)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed)
+                return;
+            _generation = generation;
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.Inactive;
+            ClearSessionState();
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        Publish(RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.Reset);
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed)
+                return;
+            _disposed = true;
+            _lifecycle = RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.Inactive;
+            ClearSessionState();
+            _revision++;
+        }
+        _events.Dispose();
+    }
+
+    private bool TryGetAt(
+        int displayIndex,
+        out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if ((uint)displayIndex >= (uint)_entries.Length)
+            {
+                character = default;
+                return false;
+            }
+            character = _entries[displayIndex];
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private bool TryGet(
+        uint characterId,
+        out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            int index = FindDisplayIndex(characterId);
+            if (index < 0)
+            {
+                character = default;
+                return false;
+            }
+            character = _entries[index];
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void Visit(IRuntimeCharacterSelectionVisitor visitor)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(visitor);
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            foreach (RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character in _entries)
+                visitor.Visit(in character);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons BuildButtons(int selectedIndex)
+    {
+        if (_operation is RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteRequested
+            or RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteAcknowledged)
+        {
+            return RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons.None;
+        }
+        if (selectedIndex < 0)
+            return RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons.None;
+
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry selected = _entries[selectedIndex];
+        if (selected.IsPendingDelete)
+        {
+            return new RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons(
+                CanEnter: false,
+                CanDelete: false,
+                CanRestore: true,
+                DeleteVisible: false,
+                RestoreVisible: true);
+        }
+
+        return new RuntimeCharacterSelectionButtons(
+            CanEnter: selected.CanEnter,
+            CanDelete: selected.CanEnter,
+            CanRestore: false,
+            DeleteVisible: true,
+            RestoreVisible: false);
+    }
+
+    private int FindDisplayIndex(uint characterId)
+    {
+        if (characterId == 0u)
+            return -1;
+        for (int i = 0; i < _entries.Length; i++)
+        {
+            if (_entries[i].CharacterId == characterId)
+                return i;
+        }
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    private bool Contains(uint characterId) =>
+        FindDisplayIndex(characterId) >= 0;
+
+    private bool HasDeleteModalOrRequest() =>
+        _pendingDeleteCharacterId != 0u
+        || _operation is RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteRequested
+            or RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteAcknowledged;
+
+    private static RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry[] StablePartitionGreyedToTail(
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry[] sorted)
+    {
+        if (sorted.Length < 2)
+            return sorted;
+        var result = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry[sorted.Length];
+        int position = 0;
+        foreach (RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry entry in sorted)
+        {
+            if (!entry.IsPendingDelete)
+                result[position++] = entry;
+        }
+        foreach (RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry entry in sorted)
+        {
+            if (entry.IsPendingDelete)
+                result[position++] = entry;
+        }
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    private static string MapError(
+        uint rawCode,
+        CharacterError.Code code) =>
+        code switch
+        {
+            CharacterError.Code.Logon =>
+                "Another account is already logged on from this client.",
+            CharacterError.Code.LoggedOn =>
+                "This account is already logged on.",
+            CharacterError.Code.AccountLogon =>
+                "The server could not access the account. Please try again shortly.",
+            CharacterError.Code.ServerCrash or CharacterError.Code.AccountInUse =>
+                "The server disconnected. Please try again shortly.",
+            CharacterError.Code.Logoff =>
+                "The server could not log off the character.",
+            CharacterError.Code.Delete =>
+                "The server could not delete the character.",
+            CharacterError.Code.NoPremade =>
+                "No premade character is available.",
+            CharacterError.Code.AccountInvalid =>
+                "The account name is not valid.",
+            CharacterError.Code.AccountDoesntExist =>
+                "The account does not exist.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameGeneric =>
+                "The character could not enter the world.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameStressAccount =>
+                "A stress-test character cannot enter the world.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCharacterInWorld =>
+                "One of this account's characters is still in the world. Please try again shortly.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGamePlayerAccountMissing =>
+                "The server could not find the player account. Please try again later.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCharacterNotOwned =>
+                "This account does not own the selected character.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCharacterInWorldServer =>
+                "One of this account's characters is already in the world.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameOldCharacter =>
+                "The selected character must be updated before entering the world.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCorruptCharacter =>
+                "The selected character's data is corrupt.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameStartServerDown =>
+                "The selected character's starting server is unavailable.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCouldntPlaceCharacter =>
+                "The selected character could not be placed in the world. Please try again shortly.",
+            CharacterError.Code.LogonServerFull =>
+                "The server is currently full. Please try again later.",
+            CharacterError.Code.CharacterIsBooted =>
+                "The selected character is temporarily unavailable.",
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCharacterLocked =>
+                "A save of the selected character is still in progress. Please try again later.",
+            CharacterError.Code.SubscriptionExpired =>
+                "The account subscription has expired.",
+            _ => $"Character selection failed (error 0x{rawCode:X8}).",
+        };
+
+    private void ClearSessionState()
+    {
+        _entries = [];
+        _accountName = string.Empty;
+        _slotCount = 0;
+        _highlightedCharacterId = 0u;
+        _pendingDeleteCharacterId = 0u;
+        _lastRestoreRequestedCharacterId = 0u;
+        _restoreResponseArmed = false;
+        _operation = RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.None;
+        _error = null;
+    }
+
+    private void Publish(
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind kind,
+        uint characterId = 0u,
+        uint errorCode = 0u)
+    {
+        RuntimeGenerationToken generation;
+        long revision;
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed)
+                return;
+            generation = _generation;
+            revision = _revision;
+        }
+        _events.Publish(generation, revision, kind, characterId, errorCode);
+    }
+
+    private void ThrowIfDisposed() =>
+        ObjectDisposedException.ThrowIf(_disposed, this);
+}
+
+internal sealed class RuntimeCharacterSelectionEventStream : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly object _gate = new();
+    private readonly List<RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta> _pending = [];
+    private IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver[] _observers = [];
+    private ulong _sequence;
+    private bool _dispatching;
+    private bool _disposed;
+
+    public IDisposable Subscribe(IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver observer)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(observer);
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            ObjectDisposedException.ThrowIf(_disposed, this);
+            if (Array.IndexOf(_observers, observer) >= 0)
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    "The character-selection observer is already subscribed.");
+            }
+            var replacement = new IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver[
+                _observers.Length + 1];
+            Array.Copy(_observers, replacement, _observers.Length);
+            replacement[^1] = observer;
+            Volatile.Write(ref _observers, replacement);
+        }
+        return new Subscription(this, observer);
+    }
+
+    public void Publish(
+        RuntimeGenerationToken generation,
+        long revision,
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind kind,
+        uint characterId,
+        uint errorCode)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed)
+                return;
+            _pending.Add(new RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta(
+                generation,
+                unchecked(++_sequence),
+                revision,
+                kind,
+                characterId,
+                errorCode));
+            if (_dispatching)
+                return;
+            _dispatching = true;
+        }
+
+        int index = 0;
+        while (true)
+        {
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta delta;
+            lock (_gate)
+            {
+                if (index >= _pending.Count)
+                {
+                    _pending.Clear();
+                    _dispatching = false;
+                    return;
+                }
+                delta = _pending[index++];
+            }
+
+            foreach (IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver observer
+                     in Volatile.Read(ref _observers))
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    observer.OnCharacterSelectionChanged(in delta);
+                }
+                catch (Exception error)
+                {
+                    Console.Error.WriteLine(
+                        $"runtime: character-selection observer failed: {error.Message}");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            if (_disposed)
+                return;
+            _disposed = true;
+            _pending.Clear();
+            _dispatching = false;
+            Volatile.Write(ref _observers, []);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void Unsubscribe(IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver observer)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            int index = Array.IndexOf(_observers, observer);
+            if (index < 0)
+                return;
+            var replacement = new IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver[
+                _observers.Length - 1];
+            if (index > 0)
+                Array.Copy(_observers, 0, replacement, 0, index);
+            if (index < _observers.Length - 1)
+            {
+                Array.Copy(
+                    _observers,
+                    index + 1,
+                    replacement,
+                    index,
+                    _observers.Length - index - 1);
+            }
+            Volatile.Write(ref _observers, replacement);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private sealed class Subscription(
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionEventStream owner,
+        IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver observer)
+        : IDisposable
+    {
+        private RuntimeCharacterSelectionEventStream? _owner = owner;
+
+        public void Dispose() =>
+            Interlocked.Exchange(ref _owner, null)?.Unsubscribe(observer);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Composition/SessionPlayerCompositionTests.cs

@@ -134,6 +134,30 @@ public sealed class SessionPlayerCompositionTests
             "LiveSessionRuntimeFactory.cs")), StringComparison.Ordinal);
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void GraphicalCompositionPausesOnlyWhenCharacterSelectorIsAbsent()
+    {
+        string phase = File.ReadAllText(Path.Combine(
+            FindRepoRoot(),
+            "src",
+            "AcDream.App",
+            "Composition",
+            "SessionPlayerComposition.cs"));
+
+        Assert.Contains(
+            "AwaitCharacterSelection:",
+            phase,
+            StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.Contains(
+            "d.Options.LiveCharacterSelector is null",
+            phase,
+            StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.DoesNotContain(
+            "CharacterList.TrySelectFirstAvailable",
+            phase,
+            StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
     private sealed class RetryBinding(
         string name,
         List<string> calls,

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Configuration/RuntimeOptionsSessionConfigTests.cs

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ public sealed class RuntimeOptionsSessionConfigTests
     }
 
     [Fact]
-    public void AbsentCharacterSelectorLeavesFirstAvailableFallbackInEffect()
+    public void AbsentCharacterSelectorRemainsNullForGraphicalSelectionFlow()
     {
         var config = new SessionConfiguration { Version = 1 };
         var session = new SessionDescriptor

tests/AcDream.App.Tests/Runtime/CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests.cs

@@ -173,6 +173,44 @@ public sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests
                 .ToArray());
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void AdapterBorrowsPreWorldSelectionAndCommandsEnterTheSameRuntimeOwner()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(awaitCharacterSelection: true);
+        RuntimeGenerationToken initial = harness.Runtime.Generation;
+
+        RuntimeSessionStartResult start = harness.Runtime.Session.Start(initial);
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection,
+            start.Status);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection,
+            harness.Runtime.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.Lifecycle);
+        Assert.Equal(2, harness.Runtime.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.RosterCount);
+
+        RuntimeGenerationToken generation = harness.Runtime.Generation;
+        Assert.True(harness.Runtime.CharacterSelectionCommands.Highlight(
+            generation,
+            0x50000001u).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(
+            harness.Runtime.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.Buttons.CanRestore);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+            harness.Runtime.CharacterSelectionCommands.Enter(generation).Status);
+        Assert.True(harness.Runtime.CharacterSelectionCommands.Highlight(
+            generation,
+            Harness.PlayerGuid).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(harness.Runtime.CharacterSelectionCommands.Enter(
+            generation).Accepted);
+
+        Assert.Equal(RuntimeLifecycleState.InWorld, harness.Runtime.Lifecycle.State);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.InWorld,
+            harness.Runtime.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.Lifecycle);
+        Assert.Equal(Harness.PlayerGuid, harness.Identity.ServerGuid);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void GenerationGateRejectsStaleCommandsAndStopAcknowledgesTeardown()
     {
@@ -698,7 +736,7 @@ public sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests
         private readonly IDisposable _combatModeBinding;
         private readonly GameRuntime _gameRuntime;
 
-        public Harness()
+        public Harness(bool awaitCharacterSelection = false)
         {
             CombatAttackOperations = new CombatAttackOperationsSlot();
             CombatModeOperations = new RuntimeCombatModeOperationsSlot();
@@ -758,7 +796,11 @@ public sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests
                 new SelectionTransport(() => _session?.IsInWorld == true),
                 new NoopInteractionMovement());
 
-            Host = CreateHost(_session, Commands, Identity);
+            Host = CreateHost(
+                _session,
+                Commands,
+                Identity,
+                awaitCharacterSelection);
             Runtime = new CurrentGameRuntimeAdapter(
                 _gameRuntime,
                 Host,
@@ -873,7 +915,8 @@ public sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests
     private static LiveSessionHost CreateHost(
         LiveSessionController controller,
         RecordingCommandRouting commands,
-        LocalPlayerIdentityState identity)
+        LocalPlayerIdentityState identity,
+        bool awaitCharacterSelection = false)
     {
         Action noop = static () => { };
         var reset = new LiveSessionResetBindings
@@ -925,7 +968,8 @@ public sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests
                 "127.0.0.1",
                 9000,
                 "user",
-                "password"));
+                "password",
+                AwaitCharacterSelection: awaitCharacterSelection));
     }
 
     private static RuntimeOptions LiveOptions()
@@ -1039,6 +1083,10 @@ public sealed class CurrentGameRuntimeAdapterTests
                 true,
                 true);
 
+        public void StartCharacterSelectionReceive(WorldSession session)
+        {
+        }
+
         public void EnterWorld(WorldSession session, int activeCharacterIndex)
         {
         }

tests/AcDream.Core.Net.Tests/WorldSessionCharacterSelectionTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+using System.Buffers.Binary;
+using System.Net;
+using System.Reflection;
+using AcDream.Core.Net.Messages;
+using AcDream.Core.Net.Packets;
+
+namespace AcDream.Core.Net.Tests;
+
+public sealed class WorldSessionCharacterSelectionTests
+{
+    private sealed class NullTransport : IWorldSessionTransport
+    {
+        public void Send(ReadOnlySpan<byte> datagram) { }
+        public void Send(IPEndPoint remote, ReadOnlySpan<byte> datagram) { }
+        public int Receive(
+            Span<byte> destination,
+            TimeSpan timeout,
+            out IPEndPoint? from)
+        {
+            from = null;
+            return -1;
+        }
+        public ValueTask<NetReceiveResult> ReceiveAsync(
+            Memory<byte> destination,
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken) =>
+            ValueTask.FromCanceled<NetReceiveResult>(cancellationToken);
+        public void Dispose() { }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void CharacterManagementSends_UseRetailQueuesAndExactBodies()
+    {
+        using var session = CreateSession();
+        var sent = new List<(byte[] Body, GameMessageGroup Queue)>();
+        session.GameMessageCapture =
+            (body, queue) => sent.Add((body, queue));
+
+        session.SendDeleteCharacter("Canonical", activeIndex: 3);
+        session.SendRestoreCharacter(0x50000001u);
+
+        Assert.Collection(
+            sent,
+            delete =>
+            {
+                Assert.Equal(GameMessageGroup.LoginQueue, delete.Queue);
+                Assert.Equal(
+                    CharacterDelete.BuildRequestBody("Canonical", 3u),
+                    delete.Body);
+            },
+            restore =>
+            {
+                Assert.Equal(GameMessageGroup.ControlQueue, restore.Queue);
+                Assert.Equal(
+                    CharacterRestore.BuildRequestBody(0x50000001u),
+                    restore.Body);
+            });
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void UiQueueReplies_DispatchInWireOrderAndRosterRefreshReplacesCharacters()
+    {
+        using var session = CreateSession();
+        var events = new List<string>();
+        session.CharacterListReceived += roster =>
+            events.Add($"roster:{roster.Characters[0].SecondsGreyedOut}");
+        session.CharacterDeleteAcknowledged += () => events.Add("delete");
+        session.CharacterRestoreReceived += restore =>
+            events.Add($"restore:{restore.Guid:X8}");
+        session.CharacterErrorReceived += error =>
+            events.Add($"error:{error.RawErrorCode:X}");
+
+        byte[] packet = BuildPacket(
+            BuildRoster(secondsGreyedOut: 0u),
+            BitConverter.GetBytes(CharacterDelete.Opcode),
+            BuildRestoreResponse(),
+            BuildCharacterError(CharacterError.Code.Delete),
+            BuildRoster(secondsGreyedOut: 1u));
+        InvokeProcessDatagram(session, packet);
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            [
+                "roster:0",
+                "delete",
+                "restore:50000001",
+                "error:6",
+                "roster:1",
+            ],
+            events);
+        CharacterList.Character current =
+            Assert.Single(session.Characters!.Characters);
+        Assert.Equal(1u, current.SecondsGreyedOut);
+    }
+
+    private static WorldSession CreateSession() =>
+        new(
+            new IPEndPoint(IPAddress.Loopback, 9000),
+            new NullTransport());
+
+    private static byte[] BuildRoster(uint secondsGreyedOut)
+    {
+        var writer = new PacketWriter(96);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(CharacterList.Opcode);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(0u);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(1u);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(0x50000001u);
+        writer.WriteString16L("Character");
+        writer.WriteUInt32(secondsGreyedOut);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(0u);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(11u);
+        writer.WriteString16L("Canonical");
+        writer.WriteUInt32(1u);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(1u);
+        return writer.ToArray();
+    }
+
+    private static byte[] BuildRestoreResponse()
+    {
+        var writer = new PacketWriter(64);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(CharacterRestore.ResponseOpcode);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(1u);
+        writer.WriteUInt32(0x50000001u);
+        writer.WriteString16L("Character");
+        writer.WriteUInt32(0u);
+        return writer.ToArray();
+    }
+
+    private static byte[] BuildCharacterError(CharacterError.Code error)
+    {
+        byte[] body = new byte[8];
+        BinaryPrimitives.WriteUInt32LittleEndian(
+            body,
+            CharacterError.Opcode);
+        BinaryPrimitives.WriteUInt32LittleEndian(
+            body.AsSpan(4),
+            (uint)error);
+        return body;
+    }
+
+    private static byte[] BuildPacket(params byte[][] messages)
+    {
+        int length = messages.Sum(message =>
+            MessageFragmentHeader.Size + message.Length);
+        var fragments = new byte[length];
+        int position = 0;
+        uint sequence = 1u;
+        foreach (byte[] message in messages)
+        {
+            position += GameMessageFragment.WriteSingleFragment(
+                fragments.AsSpan(position),
+                sequence++,
+                GameMessageGroup.UIQueue,
+                message);
+        }
+        return PacketCodec.Encode(
+            new PacketHeader
+            {
+                Sequence = 1u,
+                Flags = PacketHeaderFlags.BlobFragments,
+            },
+            fragments,
+            outboundIsaac: null);
+    }
+
+    private static void InvokeProcessDatagram(
+        WorldSession session,
+        byte[] datagram)
+    {
+        MethodInfo method = typeof(WorldSession).GetMethod(
+            "ProcessDatagram",
+            BindingFlags.NonPublic | BindingFlags.Instance)!;
+        method.Invoke(
+            session,
+            [new ReadOnlyMemory<byte>(datagram), null, true]);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Runtime.Tests/Session/LiveSessionControllerTests.cs

@@ -57,10 +57,13 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionControllerTests
         public bool ThrowOnCreate { get; set; }
         public bool ThrowOnCharacters { get; set; }
         public bool ThrowOnEnterWorld { get; set; }
+        public CharacterError.Parsed? EnterWorldRejection { get; set; }
         public bool ThrowOnTick { get; set; }
         public bool FailDisposeOnce { get; set; }
         public List<WorldSession> Sessions { get; } = [];
         public Dictionary<WorldSession, int> DisposeCounts { get; } = [];
+        public List<(string Account, int ActiveIndex)> DeleteRequests { get; } = [];
+        public List<uint> RestoreRequests { get; } = [];
         public int EnterWorldCount { get; private set; }
         public int TickCount { get; private set; }
 
@@ -98,15 +101,35 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionControllerTests
             return Characters;
         }
 
+        public void StartCharacterSelectionReceive(WorldSession session) =>
+            calls.Add("start-character-selection-receive");
+
         public void EnterWorld(WorldSession session, int activeCharacterIndex)
         {
             calls.Add($"enter:{activeCharacterIndex}");
             EnterWorldCount++;
             OnEnterWorld?.Invoke();
+            if (EnterWorldRejection is { } rejection)
+                throw new CharacterSelectionRejectedException(rejection);
             if (ThrowOnEnterWorld)
                 throw new InvalidOperationException("enter failure");
         }
 
+        public void DeleteCharacter(
+            WorldSession session,
+            string accountName,
+            int activeCharacterIndex)
+        {
+            calls.Add($"delete:{activeCharacterIndex}");
+            DeleteRequests.Add((accountName, activeCharacterIndex));
+        }
+
+        public void RestoreCharacter(WorldSession session, uint characterId)
+        {
+            calls.Add($"restore:{characterId:X8}");
+            RestoreRequests.Add(characterId);
+        }
+
         public void Tick(WorldSession session)
         {
             calls.Add("tick");
@@ -340,6 +363,179 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionControllerTests
         Assert.True(calls.IndexOf("roster") < calls.IndexOf("selected"));
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public void Start_GraphicalNoSelectorStopsBeforeEnterWorldThenTypedEnterContinuesSameScope()
+    {
+        var calls = new List<string>();
+        var operations = new TestOperations(calls);
+        var host = new TestHost(calls);
+        var controller = new LiveSessionController(operations);
+
+        LiveSessionStartResult result = controller.Start(
+            LiveOptions(awaitSelection: true),
+            host);
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection,
+            result.Status);
+        Assert.False(controller.IsInWorld);
+        Assert.NotNull(controller.CurrentSession);
+        Assert.Equal(0, operations.EnterWorldCount);
+        Assert.False(host.CommandBuses[0].Active);
+        RuntimeGenerationToken generation = controller.Generation;
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection,
+            controller.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.Lifecycle);
+
+        // Greyed entries remain highlightable but cannot enter.
+        Assert.True(controller.Highlight(generation, 0x50000001u).Accepted);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+            controller.Enter(generation).Status);
+        Assert.True(controller.Highlight(generation, 0x50000002u).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(controller.Enter(generation).Accepted);
+
+        Assert.True(controller.IsInWorld);
+        Assert.Equal(1, operations.EnterWorldCount);
+        Assert.Contains("enter:1", calls);
+        Assert.True(host.CommandBuses[0].Active);
+        Assert.Same(operations.Sessions[0], controller.CurrentSession);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Start_ExplicitSelectorStillEntersWhenGraphicalPauseFlagIsSet()
+    {
+        var calls = new List<string>();
+        var operations = new TestOperations(calls);
+        var host = new TestHost(calls);
+        var controller = new LiveSessionController(operations);
+
+        LiveSessionStartResult result = controller.Start(
+            LiveOptions(
+                selector: new LiveSessionCharacterSelector(
+                    CharacterId: 0x50000002u),
+                awaitSelection: true),
+            host);
+
+        Assert.Equal(LiveSessionStartStatus.Connected, result.Status);
+        Assert.True(controller.IsInWorld);
+        Assert.Equal(1, operations.EnterWorldCount);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void EnterRejection_SurfacesErrorAndKeepsExactPreWorldScopeRetryable()
+    {
+        var calls = new List<string>();
+        var operations = new TestOperations(calls)
+        {
+            EnterWorldRejection = new CharacterError.Parsed(
+                (uint)CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCharacterLocked),
+        };
+        var host = new TestHost(calls);
+        var controller = new LiveSessionController(operations);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection,
+            controller.Start(LiveOptions(awaitSelection: true), host).Status);
+        RuntimeGenerationToken generation = controller.Generation;
+        WorldSession session = controller.CurrentSession!;
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCommandStatus.Rejected,
+            controller.Enter(generation).Status);
+        Assert.Same(session, controller.CurrentSession);
+        Assert.Equal(generation, controller.Generation);
+        Assert.False(controller.IsInWorld);
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot rejected =
+            controller.CharacterSelection.Snapshot;
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection,
+            rejected.Lifecycle);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            CharacterError.Code.EnterGameCharacterLocked,
+            rejected.Error!.Value.Code);
+
+        operations.EnterWorldRejection = null;
+        Assert.True(controller.Enter(generation).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(controller.IsInWorld);
+        Assert.Same(session, controller.CurrentSession);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CharacterCommands_UseWireSlotAndRestoreNeverWaitsForReply()
+    {
+        var calls = new List<string>();
+        var operations = new TestOperations(calls);
+        var host = new TestHost(calls);
+        var controller = new LiveSessionController(operations);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection,
+            controller.Start(LiveOptions(awaitSelection: true), host).Status);
+        RuntimeGenerationToken generation = controller.Generation;
+
+        Assert.True(controller.Highlight(generation, 0x50000002u).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(controller.RequestDelete(generation).Accepted);
+        Assert.Equal(0x50000002u,
+            controller.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.PendingDeleteCharacterId);
+        Assert.True(controller.Cancel(generation).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(controller.RequestDelete(generation).Accepted);
+        Assert.True(controller.ConfirmDelete(generation).Accepted);
+        Assert.Equal([("Canonical", 1)], operations.DeleteRequests);
+        Assert.False(controller.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.Buttons.CanEnter);
+        controller.CharacterSelectionState.ApplyDeleteAcknowledged();
+        controller.CharacterSelectionState.ApplyRoster(new LiveSessionRosterReport(
+            "Canonical",
+            11,
+            [
+                new(0x50000001u, "Grey", 10u),
+                new(0x50000002u, "Ready", 1u),
+            ]));
+
+        Assert.True(controller.Highlight(generation, 0x50000001u).Accepted);
+        RuntimeCommandResult restore = await Task.Run(
+                () => controller.Restore(generation))
+            .WaitAsync(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5));
+        Assert.True(restore.Accepted);
+        Assert.Equal([0x50000001u], operations.RestoreRequests);
+        // ACE may send no response for an unknown guid. The synchronous
+        // command has already returned and does not gate later commands.
+        Assert.True(controller.Highlight(generation, 0x50000002u).Accepted);
+        controller.Tick();
+        Assert.Equal(1, operations.TickCount);
+        Assert.False(controller.IsInWorld);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void CharacterCommands_AreGenerationGatedAcrossReconnectAndStop()
+    {
+        var calls = new List<string>();
+        var operations = new TestOperations(calls);
+        var host = new TestHost(calls);
+        var controller = new LiveSessionController(operations);
+        controller.Start(LiveOptions(awaitSelection: true), host);
+        RuntimeGenerationToken first = controller.Generation;
+
+        LiveSessionStartResult reconnect = controller.Reconnect(
+            LiveOptions(awaitSelection: true),
+            host);
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            LiveSessionStartStatus.AwaitingCharacterSelection,
+            reconnect.Status);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCommandStatus.StaleGeneration,
+            controller.Highlight(first, 0x50000002u).Status);
+        RuntimeGenerationToken second = controller.Generation;
+        Assert.True(controller.Highlight(second, 0x50000002u).Accepted);
+        controller.Stop();
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCommandStatus.StaleGeneration,
+            controller.Enter(second).Status);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.Inactive,
+            controller.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.Lifecycle);
+        Assert.Equal(0, controller.CharacterSelection.Snapshot.RosterCount);
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void Start_DisabledAndMissingCredentialsResetButNeverConstructSession()
     {
@@ -1232,7 +1428,8 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionControllerTests
         bool live = true,
         string? user = "user",
         LiveSessionCharacterSelector? selector = null,
-        bool probe = false) =>
+        bool probe = false,
+        bool awaitSelection = false) =>
         new(
             live,
             "127.0.0.1",
@@ -1240,7 +1437,8 @@ public sealed class LiveSessionControllerTests
             user ?? string.Empty,
             "password",
             selector,
-            probe);
+            probe,
+            awaitSelection);
 
     private static CharacterList.Parsed AvailableCharacters() => new(
         0u,

tests/AcDream.Runtime.Tests/Session/RuntimeCharacterSelectionStateTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
+using AcDream.Core.Net.Messages;
+using AcDream.Runtime;
+using AcDream.Runtime.Session;
+
+namespace AcDream.Runtime.Tests.Session;
+
+public sealed class RuntimeCharacterSelectionStateTests
+{
+    private sealed class Collector : IRuntimeCharacterSelectionVisitor
+    {
+        public List<RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry> Entries { get; } = [];
+
+        public void Visit(in RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry character) =>
+            Entries.Add(character);
+    }
+
+    private sealed class Observer(
+        Action<RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta> onDelta)
+        : IRuntimeCharacterSelectionObserver
+    {
+        public void OnCharacterSelectionChanged(
+            in RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta delta) =>
+            onDelta(delta);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplyRoster_PortsRetailOrderFallbackAndDisabledButtonMatrix()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(7));
+
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new(0x50000001u, "Zulu", 1u),
+            new(0x50000002u, "Bravo", 0u),
+            new(0x50000003u, "Alpha", 0u),
+            new(0x50000004u, "Able", 9u)));
+
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot snapshot = state.Snapshot;
+        Assert.Equal(RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.AwaitingSelection, snapshot.Lifecycle);
+        // Retail falls back in CharacterSet wire order, independently of the
+        // alphabetized display order.
+        Assert.Equal(0x50000002u, snapshot.HighlightedCharacterId);
+        Assert.True(snapshot.Buttons.CanEnter);
+        Assert.True(snapshot.Buttons.CanDelete);
+        Assert.False(snapshot.Buttons.CanRestore);
+        Assert.True(snapshot.Buttons.DeleteVisible);
+        Assert.False(snapshot.Buttons.RestoreVisible);
+
+        var collector = new Collector();
+        state.View.Visit(collector);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            [
+                (0x50000003u, 2, false),
+                (0x50000002u, 1, false),
+                (0x50000004u, 3, true),
+                (0x50000001u, 0, true),
+            ],
+            collector.Entries.Select(entry =>
+                (entry.CharacterId, entry.ActiveIndex, entry.IsPendingDelete)));
+
+        Assert.True(state.TryHighlight(0x50000004u));
+        snapshot = state.Snapshot;
+        Assert.False(snapshot.Buttons.CanEnter);
+        Assert.False(snapshot.Buttons.CanDelete);
+        Assert.True(snapshot.Buttons.CanRestore);
+        Assert.False(snapshot.Buttons.DeleteVisible);
+        Assert.True(snapshot.Buttons.RestoreVisible);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ApplyRoster_PreservesHighlightedGuidAcrossDeleteRefresh()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(3));
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new(0x50000001u, "One", 0u),
+            new(0x50000002u, "Two", 0u)));
+        Assert.True(state.TryHighlight(0x50000002u));
+        Assert.True(state.TryRequestDelete(out uint requested));
+        Assert.Equal(0x50000002u, requested);
+        Assert.True(state.TryTakeDeleteConfirmation(
+            out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry deleted,
+            out string account));
+        Assert.Equal(1, deleted.ActiveIndex);
+        Assert.Equal("Canonical", account);
+
+        state.ApplyDeleteAcknowledged();
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.DeleteAcknowledged,
+            state.Snapshot.Operation);
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new(0x50000001u, "One", 0u),
+            new(0x50000002u, "Two", 1u)));
+
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionSnapshot snapshot = state.Snapshot;
+        Assert.Equal(0x50000002u, snapshot.HighlightedCharacterId);
+        Assert.Equal(RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.None, snapshot.Operation);
+        Assert.True(snapshot.Buttons.CanRestore);
+        Assert.False(snapshot.Buttons.CanEnter);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void DeleteConfirmation_CancelIsIdempotentlyGenerationLocal()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(4));
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new LiveSessionRosterEntry(0x50000001u, "One", 0u)));
+
+        Assert.True(state.TryRequestDelete(out _));
+        Assert.Equal(0x50000001u, state.Snapshot.PendingDeleteCharacterId);
+        Assert.False(state.TryHighlight(0x50000001u));
+        Assert.False(state.BeginEnter(out _));
+        Assert.True(state.Cancel());
+        Assert.Equal(0u, state.Snapshot.PendingDeleteCharacterId);
+        Assert.False(state.Cancel());
+
+        state.Reset(new RuntimeGenerationToken(5));
+        Assert.Equal(RuntimeCharacterSelectionLifecycle.Inactive, state.Snapshot.Lifecycle);
+        Assert.Equal(0, state.Snapshot.RosterCount);
+        Assert.Equal(new RuntimeGenerationToken(5), state.Snapshot.Generation);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Restore_IsFireAndObserveAndSuccessUpdatesTheCanonicalEntry()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(11));
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new LiveSessionRosterEntry(0x50000001u, "Grey", 1u)));
+
+        Assert.True(state.TryBeginRestore(out RuntimeCharacterSelectionEntry request));
+        Assert.Equal(0x50000001u, request.CharacterId);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.RestoreRequested,
+            state.Snapshot.Operation);
+        // No response is required to keep using the state. ACE's unknown-guid
+        // branch intentionally sends no reply.
+        Assert.True(state.TryHighlight(0x50000001u));
+
+        state.ApplyRestore(new CharacterRestore.Parsed(
+            VerificationFlag: 1u,
+            Guid: 0x50000001u,
+            Name: "Restored",
+            SecondsGreyedOut: 0u));
+
+        Assert.True(state.View.TryGet(0x50000001u, out var restored));
+        Assert.Equal("Restored", restored.Name);
+        Assert.False(restored.IsPendingDelete);
+        Assert.True(state.Snapshot.Buttons.CanEnter);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.RestoreSucceeded,
+            state.Snapshot.Operation);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void RestoreResponse_FromSupersededRequestCannotCompleteTheCurrentRequest()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(12));
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new(0x50000001u, "First", 1u),
+            new(0x50000002u, "Second", 1u)));
+
+        Assert.True(state.TryBeginRestore(out _));
+        Assert.True(state.TryHighlight(0x50000002u));
+        Assert.True(state.TryBeginRestore(out _));
+        state.ApplyRestore(new CharacterRestore.Parsed(
+            1u,
+            0x50000001u,
+            "First",
+            0u));
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            RuntimeCharacterSelectionOperation.RestoreRequested,
+            state.Snapshot.Operation);
+        Assert.True(state.View.TryGet(0x50000001u, out var first));
+        Assert.True(first.IsPendingDelete);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void CharacterErrors_MapKnownAndUnknownButNeverPublishNumErrorsSentinel()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(2));
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new LiveSessionRosterEntry(0x50000001u, "One", 0u)));
+        var deltas = new List<RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta>();
+        using IDisposable subscription = state.View.Subscribe(
+            new Observer(deltas.Add));
+
+        state.ApplyError(new CharacterError.Parsed(
+            (uint)CharacterError.Code.Delete));
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionError known =
+            Assert.IsType<RuntimeCharacterSelectionError>(state.Snapshot.Error);
+        Assert.Equal(CharacterError.Code.Delete, known.Code);
+        Assert.Contains("delete", known.Message, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        Assert.True(state.Cancel());
+        state.ApplyError(new CharacterError.Parsed(0xDEADBEEFu));
+        RuntimeCharacterSelectionError unknown =
+            Assert.IsType<RuntimeCharacterSelectionError>(state.Snapshot.Error);
+        Assert.Contains("0xDEADBEEF", unknown.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+
+        long revision = state.Snapshot.Revision;
+        int count = deltas.Count;
+        state.ApplyError(new CharacterError.Parsed(
+            (uint)CharacterError.Code.NumErrors));
+        Assert.Equal(revision, state.Snapshot.Revision);
+        Assert.Equal(count, deltas.Count);
+        Assert.Equal(0xDEADBEEFu, state.Snapshot.Error!.Value.RawCode);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void Deltas_AreMonotonicAndReentrantMutationsStayOrdered()
+    {
+        using var state = new RuntimeCharacterSelectionState();
+        state.Begin(new RuntimeGenerationToken(9));
+        var deltas = new List<RuntimeCharacterSelectionDelta>();
+        var observer = new Observer(delta =>
+        {
+            deltas.Add(delta);
+            if (delta.Kind == RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.RosterChanged)
+                Assert.True(state.TryHighlight(0x50000002u));
+        });
+        using IDisposable subscription = state.View.Subscribe(observer);
+
+        state.ApplyRoster(Roster(
+            new(0x50000001u, "Ready", 0u),
+            new(0x50000002u, "Grey", 1u)));
+
+        Assert.Equal(
+            [
+                RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.RosterChanged,
+                RuntimeCharacterSelectionDeltaKind.HighlightChanged,
+            ],
+            deltas.Select(delta => delta.Kind));
+        Assert.True(deltas[0].Sequence < deltas[1].Sequence);
+        Assert.All(
+            deltas,
+            delta => Assert.Equal(new RuntimeGenerationToken(9), delta.Generation));
+    }
+
+    private static LiveSessionRosterReport Roster(
+        params LiveSessionRosterEntry[] entries) =>
+        new("Canonical", 11, entries);
+}