diff --git a/server/src/llm/__tests__/llmService.test.ts b/server/src/llm/__tests__/llmService.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e5507d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/llm/__tests__/llmService.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach, afterEach } from 'vitest';
+import { createLlmService } from '../llmService.js';
+
+describe('llmService', () => {
+  let originalFetch: typeof globalThis.fetch;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    originalFetch = globalThis.fetch;
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    globalThis.fetch = originalFetch;
+    delete process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY;
+  });
+
+  it('returns null when LLM is disabled (no API key)', async () => {
+    delete process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY;
+    const service = createLlmService();
+    const result = await service.generate('backstory', { npcName: 'Test' });
+    expect(result).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('generates text using a named template', async () => {
+    process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY = 'test-key';
+    globalThis.fetch = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      json: () => Promise.resolve({
+        choices: [{ message: { content: 'A brave warrior from the north.' } }],
+      }),
+    });
+
+    const service = createLlmService();
+    const result = await service.generate('backstory', {
+      npcName: 'Brynn',
+      stats: 'STR:15, DEX:12, CON:14, INT:8, PER:10, SOC:6, COU:16, CUR:11, EMP:7, TMP:13',
+    });
+
+    expect(result).toBe('A brave warrior from the north.');
+  });
+
+  it('exposes queue depth and clear', async () => {
+    process.env.OPENROUTER_API_KEY = 'test-key';
+    globalThis.fetch = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+      ok: true,
+      json: () => Promise.resolve({
+        choices: [{ message: { content: 'ok' } }],
+      }),
+    });
+
+    const service = createLlmService();
+    expect(service.queueDepth()).toBe(0);
+    service.clear();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/server/src/llm/llmService.ts b/server/src/llm/llmService.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..074bc24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/llm/llmService.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import { getLlmConfig } from '../config/llmConfig.js';
+import { createOpenRouterClient } from './openRouterClient.js';
+import { createGenerationQueue } from './generationQueue.js';
+import { renderTemplate } from './promptTemplate.js';
+import { templates } from './templates.js';
+
+export interface LlmService {
+  generate(templateName: string, variables: Record<string, string>): Promise<string | null>;
+  queueDepth(): number;
+  clear(): void;
+}
+
+export function createLlmService(): LlmService {
+  const config = getLlmConfig();
+
+  if (!config.enabled) {
+    return {
+      generate: async () => null,
+      queueDepth: () => 0,
+      clear: () => {},
+    };
+  }
+
+  const client = createOpenRouterClient(config);
+  const queue = createGenerationQueue(client, {
+    requestsPerMinute: config.requestsPerMinute,
+  });
+
+  return {
+    async generate(
+      templateName: string,
+      variables: Record<string, string>,
+    ): Promise<string | null> {
+      const template = templates[templateName];
+      if (!template) {
+        console.warn(`Unknown LLM template: ${templateName}`);
+        return null;
+      }
+      const rendered = renderTemplate(template, variables);
+      return queue.enqueue(rendered);
+    },
+
+    queueDepth(): number {
+      return queue.depth();
+    },
+
+    clear(): void {
+      queue.clear();
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/server/src/llm/templates.ts b/server/src/llm/templates.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e7fab0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/src/llm/templates.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import type { PromptTemplate } from './promptTemplate.js';
+
+export const templates: Record<string, PromptTemplate> = {
+  backstory: {
+    name: 'backstory',
+    systemPrompt:
+      'You are a narrator for a medieval fantasy village simulation. ' +
+      'Write brief, evocative NPC backstories. Keep responses to 1-2 sentences. ' +
+      'Do not use cliches. Ground details in daily village life.',
+    userPrompt:
+      'Generate a short backstory for an NPC named {{npcName}}.\n' +
+      'Their stats: {{stats}}\n' +
+      'The backstory should reflect their personality stats. ' +
+      'High sociability means outgoing, low means reclusive. ' +
+      'High courage means bold, low means timid. ' +
+      'High empathy means caring, low means self-focused. ' +
+      'High temperament means volatile, low means calm.',
+  },
+
+  socialNarration: {
+    name: 'socialNarration',
+    systemPrompt:
+      'You are a narrator for a medieval fantasy village simulation. ' +
+      'Describe NPC social interactions in 1 sentence. ' +
+      'Be specific and grounded. No purple prose.',
+    userPrompt:
+      '{{npc1Name}} ({{npc1Personality}}) had a {{outcome}} interaction with ' +
+      '{{npc2Name}} ({{npc2Personality}}). ' +
+      'They are currently {{relationship}} (sentiment: {{sentiment}}/100).\n' +
+      'Describe what happened in one vivid sentence.',
+  },
+
+  innerMonologue: {
+    name: 'innerMonologue',
+    systemPrompt:
+      'You are voicing the inner thoughts of an NPC in a medieval village simulation. ' +
+      'Write a single brief thought (1 sentence) in first person. ' +
+      'Reflect their personality and current situation. Be natural, not dramatic.',
+    userPrompt:
+      'NPC: {{npcName}} ({{personality}})\n' +
+      'Current state: {{currentState}}\n' +
+      'Recent events: {{recentEvents}}\n' +
+      'What is {{npcName}} thinking right now?',
+  },
+};