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+# NPC Statistics System Design
+
+## Overview
+
+Add a two-tier stat system to NPCs: Physical stats (RPG-rooted) and Personality stats (emotion/behavior-driven). Stats use GURPS-style 3d6 generation (range 3-18, bell curve centered ~10.5). Stats influence needs decay rates, brain decisions, and social interaction outcomes.
+
+## Stat Definitions
+
+### Physical Stats (3d6, range 3-18)
+
+| Stat | Governs |
+|------|---------|
+| **Strength** | Carry capacity, physical task output, melee outcomes |
+| **Dexterity** | Movement speed modifier, dodge/craft precision |
+| **Constitution** | Needs decay rates (high = slower drain), recovery speed |
+| **Intelligence** | Learning rate (baseline drift speed), task efficiency |
+| **Perception** | Awareness radius for social detection, noticing events |
+
+### Personality Stats (3d6, range 3-18)
+
+| Stat | Governs |
+|------|---------|
+| **Sociability** | Likelihood of initiating social interactions, cooldown reduction |
+| **Courage** | Willingness to explore unknown areas, resistance to fleeing |
+| **Curiosity** | Tendency to wander far vs. stay near, goal variety |
+| **Empathy** | Social outcome bias (positive), responsiveness to others' needs |
+| **Temperament** | Emotional stability; high = calm, low = volatile. Scales transient modifier magnitude |
+
+## Data Model
+
+### Stats Component
+
+```typescript
+export interface Stats {
+  // Physical
+  strength: number;
+  dexterity: number;
+  constitution: number;
+  intelligence: number;
+  perception: number;
+  // Personality
+  sociability: number;
+  courage: number;
+  curiosity: number;
+  empathy: number;
+  temperament: number;
+}
+```
+
+### Transient Modifiers Component
+
+```typescript
+export interface StatModifier {
+  stat: keyof Stats;
+  value: number;        // additive (+/-)
+  remaining: number;    // ticks remaining
+}
+
+export interface StatModifiers {
+  modifiers: StatModifier[];
+}
+```
+
+**Effective stat** = base stat + sum of active modifiers, clamped to 3-18.
+
+### Generation
+
+Roll 3d6 per stat at spawn. Pure bell curve, no rerolls or point-buy.
+
+### Baseline Drift
+
+- Base stats stored as floats internally, floored to integer for effective value
+- Stat-relevant events shift base by tiny amounts (e.g., +0.05)
+- Drift capped to 3-18 range
+- Noticeable over hundreds of interactions, not minutes
+
+### Wire Protocol
+
+Stats sent as part of `EntityState` as effective (computed) integer values. Modifiers stay server-side only.
+
+## System Integration
+
+### New System: `statModifierSystem`
+
+Runs each tick **before** needsDecay. System order becomes:
+
+`statModifier` -> `needsDecay` -> `npcBrain` -> `social` -> `movement` -> `broadcast`
+
+Responsibilities per tick:
+1. Decay modifiers (decrement `remaining`, remove expired)
+2. Apply needs-based modifiers (replace, not stack)
+3. Provide `getEffectiveStat()` helper for other systems
+
+### Needs Decay (Constitution)
+
+```
+effectiveDecay = BASE_DECAY * (1 - (constitution - 10) * 0.03)
+```
+
+CON 14 = 12% slower decay. CON 6 = 12% faster. CON 10 = unchanged.
+
+### NPC Brain (Curiosity, Courage)
+
+- **Curiosity** influences wander target selection (high = farther/more varied destinations)
+- **Courage** is a future hook for threat response (no immediate behavior change)
+
+### Social System (Sociability, Empathy, Perception, Temperament)
+
+- **Perception** modifies awareness radius: `AWARENESS_RADIUS + (perception - 10)`
+- **Sociability** modifies global cooldown: `SOCIAL_GLOBAL_COOLDOWN * (1 - (sociability - 10) * 0.04)`
+- **Empathy** biases outcomes: `positiveChance = 0.5 + (empathy - 10) * 0.03`
+- **Temperament** scales modifier magnitude: `modifierValue * (1 + (10 - temperament) * 0.05)`
+
+### Modifier Sources
+
+**Needs-based (ongoing, replaced each tick):**
+- Low hunger (<30): Intelligence -2, Sociability -1
+- Low energy (<20): Dexterity -2, Temperament -2
+
+**Event-based (decaying):**
+- Positive social outcome: Sociability +1 for 100 ticks
+- Negative social outcome: Sociability -1, Empathy -1 for 100 ticks
+
+### Baseline Drift Triggers
+
+- Successful social interaction: Sociability +0.05, Empathy +0.05
+- Negative social interaction: Temperament +0.02
+- Long wander completed: Curiosity +0.03, Courage +0.02
+- Eating/resting: Constitution +0.01
+
+## UI
+
+Stats displayed numerically in the NpcInfoPanel alongside existing needs bars. Future iteration will move to descriptive labels (e.g., "Strong", "Shy").