A table for a dozen wizards, begun by its host

Rooms take up to twelve seats and the host begins the duel with whoever
is seated; a full table begins by itself. The lobby is a roster with a
bot seat and the host's begin button. The ledger pins the turn and your
own columns and scrolls sideways to the rest; the phone bar shows every
wizard's health; a wizard who is out watches the rest; each charmed
wizard gets their own gesture; an unnamed spell goes at whoever hurt you
last, else the weakest opponent; a stab has a target from the start.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5.1 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_0141G6xqLeNRYEtviLWSB5Up

server/src/index.ts

@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 //
 //   POST /api/rooms                 {name, size?}      create a duel and take seat A
 //   POST /api/rooms/:id/join        {name}             take the next seat
-//   POST /api/rooms/:id/bot         {token}            seat a bot (any seated player may)
+//   POST /api/rooms/:id/bot         {token}            seat a bot (any seated player may, before the duel begins)
+//   POST /api/rooms/:id/begin       {token}            the host begins the duel with the wizards seated so far
 //   GET  /api/rooms/:id?token=      the view for that seat
 //   POST /api/rooms/:id/turn        {token, input}     this seat's move
 //   WS   /ws?room=:id&token=        {type:"update", seq} whenever the room changes
@@ -109,6 +110,12 @@ async function handle(req: IncomingMessage, res: ServerResponse): Promise<void>
 		const seat = rooms.seatOf(room, body.token as string);
 		return send(res, 200, rooms.view(room, seat.id));
 	}
+	if (action === 'begin') {
+		const token = typeof body.token === 'string' ? body.token : undefined;
+		rooms.begin(room, token);
+		const seat = rooms.seatOf(room, token);
+		return send(res, 200, rooms.view(room, seat.id));
+	}
 	if (action === 'turn') {
 		const token = typeof body.token === 'string' ? body.token : undefined;
 		rooms.submit(room, token, body.input);

server/src/rooms.ts

@@ -11,8 +11,9 @@ import { createGame, inDuel, type GameState, type TurnInput, type WizardId } fro
 import { viewFor, type RoomView } from '../../src/lib/game/view';
 import type { LedgerLine, Store } from './store';
 
-const SEAT_IDS: WizardId[] = ['A', 'B', 'C', 'D'];
-const BOT_NAMES = ['Aldric', 'Morwenna', 'Thessaly', 'Gandric', 'Ysolde', 'Ormund', 'Corwin', 'Isaura'];
+/** A dozen seats at most: a turn resolves only when every seat has moved, and the slowest sets the pace. */
+const SEAT_IDS: WizardId[] = 'ABCDEFGHJKLM'.split('');
+const BOT_NAMES = ['Aldric', 'Morwenna', 'Thessaly', 'Gandric', 'Ysolde', 'Ormund', 'Corwin', 'Isaura', 'Bellamy', 'Hesper', 'Lucan', 'Wynne'];
 export const MAX_SEATS = SEAT_IDS.length;
 
 export interface Seat {
@@ -55,6 +56,10 @@ function newCode(): string {
 	return [...bytes].map((b) => CODE_ALPHABET[b % CODE_ALPHABET.length]).join('');
 }
 
+function newSeed(): number {
+	return (Date.now() ^ (Math.random() * 0xffffffff)) >>> 0;
+}
+
 export function normalizeCode(raw: string): string {
 	return raw.trim().toUpperCase();
 }
@@ -109,7 +114,7 @@ export class Rooms {
 	}
 
 	create(name: string, size: number): { room: Room; seat: Seat } {
-		if (!Number.isInteger(size) || size < 2 || size > MAX_SEATS) throw new RoomError(`A duel seats 2 to ${MAX_SEATS} wizards.`);
+		if (!Number.isInteger(size) || size < 2 || size > MAX_SEATS) throw new RoomError(`A table seats 2 to ${MAX_SEATS} wizards.`);
 		let id = newCode();
 		while (this.rooms.has(id)) id = newCode();
 		const room: Room = { id, size, createdAt: Date.now(), seats: [], state: null, pending: {}, seq: 0, updatedAt: Date.now() };
@@ -120,11 +125,22 @@ export class Rooms {
 	}
 
 	join(room: Room, name: string): Seat {
+		if (room.state) throw new RoomError('The duel has begun; no more seats are taken.', 409);
 		return this.sit(room, name, false);
 	}
 
+	/** The host, who opened the table, begins the duel once at least two are seated. A full table begins by itself. */
+	begin(room: Room, token: string | undefined): void {
+		const seat = this.seatOf(room, token);
+		if (seat.id !== room.seats[0]?.id) throw new RoomError('Only the wizard who opened the table may begin the duel.', 403);
+		if (room.state) throw new RoomError('The duel has already begun.', 409);
+		if (room.seats.length < 2) throw new RoomError('A duel needs at least two wizards.', 409);
+		this.commit(room, { t: 'start', seed: newSeed() });
+	}
+
 	addBot(room: Room, token: string | undefined): Seat {
 		this.seatOf(room, token);
+		if (room.state) throw new RoomError('The duel has begun; no more seats are taken.', 409);
 		const taken = new Set(room.seats.map((s) => s.name.toLowerCase()));
 		const pool = BOT_NAMES.filter((n) => !taken.has(n.toLowerCase()));
 		const name = pool[Math.floor(Math.random() * pool.length)] ?? 'The Construct';
@@ -137,7 +153,7 @@ export class Rooms {
 		if (room.seats.some((s) => s.name.toLowerCase() === name.toLowerCase())) throw new RoomError('Another wizard here already has that name.', 409);
 		const seat: Seat = { id: SEAT_IDS[room.seats.length], name, token: bot ? '' : newId(18), bot };
 		this.commit(room, { t: 'seat', id: seat.id, name, token: seat.token, bot });
-		if (room.seats.length === room.size) this.commit(room, { t: 'start', seed: (Date.now() ^ (Math.random() * 0xffffffff)) >>> 0 });
+		if (room.seats.length === room.size) this.commit(room, { t: 'start', seed: newSeed() });
 		return seat;
 	}
 
@@ -175,6 +191,7 @@ export class Rooms {
 			seq: room.seq,
 			size: room.size,
 			me: seatId,
+			host: room.seats[0]?.id ?? seatId,
 			seats: room.seats.map((s) => ({ id: s.id, name: s.name, bot: s.bot })),
 			waitingOn: waitingOn(room),
 			state: room.state ? viewFor(room.state, seatId) : null

src/lib/components/Board.svelte

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 	import SpellSheet from './SpellSheet.svelte';
 	import TurnSummary from './TurnSummary.svelte';
 	import WizardStatus from './WizardStatus.svelte';
-	import { castKey, tokensText, type Duel } from '$lib/game/duel.svelte';
+	import { castKey, listText, tokensText, type Duel } from '$lib/game/duel.svelte';
 	import { GESTURE_SHORT, glyph } from '$lib/game/glyphs';
 	import { MAGIC_GESTURES } from '$lib/game/spells';
 
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 	const foeMonsters = $derived(duel.state.monsters.filter((m) => m.owner !== duel.me));
 	const outcome = $derived(duel.state.over);
 	const won = $derived(outcome?.winner === duel.me);
-	const charmedName = $derived(duel.charmedFoe ? duel.state.wizards[duel.charmedFoe].name : '');
-	const charmedHandName = $derived(duel.charmedFoe ? duel.state.wizards[duel.charmedFoe].constraints.charmed?.hand : '');
 </script>
 
 <main class="board">
@@ -35,6 +33,12 @@
 				{/if}
 			</div>
 		{:else}
+			{#if duel.out}
+				<section class="move out" aria-labelledby="move-heading">
+					<h2 id="move-heading">{duel.you.alive ? 'You have yielded' : 'You have fallen'}</h2>
+					<p class="threats muted">The duel goes on without you. Watch the ledger fill; {listText(duel.others.filter((id) => duel.state.wizards[id].alive && !duel.state.wizards[id].surrendered).map((id) => duel.state.wizards[id].name))} still stand.</p>
+				</section>
+			{:else}
 			<section class="move" aria-labelledby="move-heading">
 				{#if duel.timeStopped}
 					<h2 id="move-heading">Time stands still. Take your extra turn.</h2>
@@ -162,23 +166,23 @@
 							</select>
 						</label>
 					{/if}
-					{#if duel.youCharmedFoe}
+					{#each duel.charmedFoes as id (id)}
 						<label class="field">
-							<span>{charmedName}'s charmed {charmedHandName} hand makes</span>
-							<select bind:value={duel.charmGesture}>
+							<span>{duel.state.wizards[id].name}'s charmed {duel.state.wizards[id].constraints.charmed?.hand} hand makes</span>
+							<select bind:value={duel.charmGestures[id]}>
 								{#each MAGIC_GESTURES as g (g)}
 									<option value={g}>{glyph(g)} {GESTURE_SHORT[g]}</option>
 								{/each}
 							</select>
 						</label>
-					{/if}
+					{/each}
 				</div>
 
 				{#if duel.remote?.error}
 					<p class="warning">{duel.remote.error}</p>
 				{/if}
 				{#if duel.moved}
-					<p class="waiting">Your move is in. Waiting for {duel.awaiting.join(' and ')}.</p>
+					<p class="waiting">Your move is in. Waiting for {duel.awaitingText}.</p>
 				{/if}
 				{#if duel.surrendering}
 					<p class="warning">Both palms at once is surrender. You will lose the duel.</p>
@@ -191,6 +195,7 @@
 					{duel.moved ? 'Waiting' : duel.sending ? 'Sending' : duel.surrendering ? 'Surrender' : duel.timeStopped ? 'Act in the stopped moment' : 'Reveal gestures'}
 				</button>
 			</section>
+			{/if}
 		{/if}
 	</section>
 

src/lib/components/Hall.svelte

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 		error = '';
 		try {
 			rememberName(name);
-			const remote = await Duel.createRoom(name.trim(), 2);
+			const remote = await Duel.createRoom(name.trim());
 			await goto(`/join/${remote.roomId}`);
 		} catch (e) {
 			error = e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'The duel could not be opened.';
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
 	<div class="lid-head">
 		<h1>Waving Hands</h1>
 		<p class="pitch">Two wizards. Two hands each. The right run of gestures is a spell.</p>
-		<p class="tag">Richard Bartle's 1977 pencil-and-paper duel, free in your browser. Each turn both wizards choose a gesture per hand and reveal them together; a Fireball is F-S-S-D-D on one hand, a Shield is a single palm. Play the bot, or a friend by turns.</p>
+		<p class="tag">Richard Bartle's 1977 pencil-and-paper duel, free in your browser. Each turn every wizard chooses a gesture per hand and all reveal together; a Fireball is F-S-S-D-D on one hand, a Shield is a single palm. Play the bot, or open a table for up to a dozen wizards and play by turns.</p>
 		<a class="about-link" href="#about" onclick={() => (aboutOpen = true)}>about this game — a labor of love</a>
 	</div>
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
 			{/if}
 		</p>
 		<div class="ways">
-			<button type="button" class="quiet" disabled={!ready || busy} onclick={create}>Create a duel</button>
+			<button type="button" class="quiet" disabled={!ready || busy} onclick={create}>Open a table</button>
 			<form class="joinform" onsubmit={join}>
 				<span class="or">or join one</span>
 				<input type="text" class="code" bind:value={code} maxlength="4" placeholder="CODE" autocapitalize="characters" autocomplete="off" aria-label="room code" />

src/lib/components/Ledger.svelte

@@ -79,14 +79,14 @@
 			<tr>
 				<th class="turn" scope="col"><span class="visually-hidden">Turn</span></th>
 				{#each columns as who (who)}
-					<th class:you={who === duel.me} class:foe={who !== duel.me} colspan="2" scope="colgroup">{duel.state.wizards[who].name}{#if who === duel.me}&nbsp;(you){/if}</th>
+					<th class:you={who === duel.me} class:foe={who !== duel.me} class:gone={!duel.state.wizards[who].alive || duel.state.wizards[who].surrendered} colspan="2" scope="colgroup">{duel.state.wizards[who].name}{#if who === duel.me}&nbsp;(you){/if}</th>
 				{/each}
 			</tr>
 			<tr class="hands">
 				<th></th>
 				{#each columns as who (who)}
-					<th scope="col">left</th>
-					<th scope="col">right</th>
+					<th scope="col" class:pin-left={who === duel.me}>left</th>
+					<th scope="col" class:pin-right={who === duel.me}>right</th>
 				{/each}
 			</tr>
 		</thead>
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
 					<td class="turn">{row.label}{#if row.note}<span class="rownote">{row.note}</span>{/if}</td>
 					{#each columns as who (who)}
 						{#each ['left', 'right'] as const as hand (hand)}
-							<td class="cell" class:you={who === duel.me} class:foe={who !== duel.me}>
+							<td class="cell" class:you={who === duel.me} class:foe={who !== duel.me} class:pin-left={who === duel.me && hand === 'left'} class:pin-right={who === duel.me && hand === 'right'}>
 								{#each row.cells[who] as p (p.index)}
 									{@const notes = notesFor(who, p.index, hand)}
 									{@const other = hand === 'left' ? p.entry.right : p.entry.left}
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
 				<tr class="draft" class:stopped={duel.timeStopped}>
 					<td class="turn">{duel.timeStopped ? '' : duel.turnNumber}{#if duel.timeStopped}<span class="rownote">time stop</span>{/if}</td>
 					{#each ['left', 'right'] as const as hand (hand)}
-						<td class="cell you">
+						<td class="cell you" class:pin-left={hand === 'left'} class:pin-right={hand === 'right'}>
 							{#each duel.activeSets as set (set)}
 								{@const undecided = duel.chosenGesture(set, hand) === null || duel.charmedHand === hand}
 								{@const cast = duel.chosen[set][hand]}
@@ -138,17 +138,53 @@
 <style>
 	.scroller {
 		max-height: clamp(170px, 30vh, 400px);
-		overflow-y: auto;
+		overflow: auto;
 		border-top: 1px solid var(--rule-strong);
 		border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule-strong);
 	}
 
+	/* With many wizards the table grows sideways; the turn and your own two columns stay pinned on the left. */
 	.ledger {
-		width: 100%;
-		border-collapse: collapse;
+		min-width: 100%;
+		border-collapse: separate;
+		border-spacing: 0;
 		table-layout: fixed;
 	}
 
+	.ledger th,
+	.ledger td {
+		min-width: 4.5rem;
+	}
+
+	th.pin-left,
+	td.pin-left,
+	th.pin-right,
+	td.pin-right {
+		position: sticky;
+		z-index: 1;
+		background: var(--slate-deep);
+	}
+
+	th.pin-left,
+	td.pin-left {
+		left: 2.9rem;
+	}
+
+	th.pin-right,
+	td.pin-right {
+		left: 7.4rem;
+	}
+
+	thead th.pin-left,
+	thead th.pin-right {
+		z-index: 3;
+	}
+
+	thead th.gone {
+		text-decoration: line-through;
+		color: var(--bone-dim);
+	}
+
 	thead th {
 		position: sticky;
 		top: 0;
@@ -177,7 +213,12 @@
 
 	th.turn,
 	td.turn {
+		position: sticky;
+		left: 0;
+		z-index: 2;
+		background: var(--slate-deep);
 		width: 2.9rem;
+		min-width: 2.9rem;
 		color: var(--bone-faint);
 		text-align: right;
 		padding-right: 0.5rem;
@@ -266,4 +307,8 @@
 		border-bottom: 2px solid var(--ember);
 	}
 
+	tr.draft td.turn {
+		background: var(--slate);
+	}
+
 </style>

src/lib/components/MobileBar.svelte

@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@
 
 {#if !duel.state.over}
 	<div class="bar">
-		<div class="health">
+		<div class="health" class:many={duel.others.length > 1}>
 			<span><em>{duel.you.name}</em> {duel.you.hp}/{MAX_HP}</span>
-			<span><em>{duel.foe.name}</em> {duel.foe.hp}/{MAX_HP}</span>
+			{#each duel.others as id (id)}
+				{@const w = duel.state.wizards[id]}
+				<span class:gone={!w.alive || w.surrendered}><em>{w.name}</em> {w.hp}/{MAX_HP}</span>
+			{/each}
 		</div>
 		<div class="gestures" aria-label="Chosen gestures">
 			{#each HANDS as hand (hand)}
@@ -18,7 +21,7 @@
 			{/each}
 		</div>
 		<button type="button" class="reveal" disabled={!duel.ready} onclick={() => duel.reveal()}>
-			{duel.surrendering ? 'Surrender' : duel.timeStopped ? 'Act' : 'Reveal'}
+			{duel.out ? 'Out' : duel.moved ? 'Waiting' : duel.surrendering ? 'Surrender' : duel.timeStopped ? 'Act' : 'Reveal'}
 		</button>
 	</div>
 {/if}
@@ -55,10 +58,22 @@
 		line-height: 1.3;
 	}
 
+	.health.many {
+		flex-direction: row;
+		flex-wrap: wrap;
+		gap: 0 0.6rem;
+		font-size: 0.72rem;
+	}
+
 	.health em {
 		color: var(--bone);
 	}
 
+	.health .gone {
+		text-decoration: line-through;
+		opacity: 0.6;
+	}
+
 	.gestures {
 		display: flex;
 		gap: 0.5rem;

src/lib/components/SpellSheet.svelte

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 										onclick={() => duel.follow(hand, plan)}
 									>
 										<span class="which">Plan with {hand} hand</span>
-										<span class="rest">{#if plan.done.length}<span class="done">{tokensText(plan.done)}</span> then {/if}{tokensText(plan.remaining)} <span class="count">({plan.remaining.length} more)</span></span>
+										<span class="rest">{#if plan.done.length}<span class="done">{tokensText(plan.done)}</span>&nbsp;then&nbsp;{/if}{tokensText(plan.remaining)} <span class="count">({plan.remaining.length} more)</span></span>
 									</button>
 								{/each}
 							</div>

src/lib/game/bot.ts

@@ -356,14 +356,16 @@ function toChoice(s: Situation, hand: Hand, completion: Completion): CastChoice
 	return choice;
 }
 
-/** The gesture that most disrupts a charmed hand's sequences. */
-function charmGesture(s: Situation): Gesture {
-	const foeW = s.state.wizards[s.foe];
+/** The gesture that most disrupts a charmed wizard's hand. */
+function charmGesture(s: Situation, who: WizardId): Gesture {
+	const foeW = s.state.wizards[who];
 	const charmedHand = foeW.constraints.charmed?.hand ?? 'left';
+	const hist = visibleHistory(s.state, s.me, who);
+	const theirs = handSequence(hist, charmedHand);
 	let best: Gesture = 'P';
 	let bestScore = Infinity;
 	for (const g of MAGIC_GESTURES) {
-		const seq = [...s.foeSeq[charmedHand], { own: g, other: '-' as Gesture }];
+		const seq = [...theirs, { own: g, other: '-' as Gesture }];
 		let score = 0;
 		for (const spell of SPELLS) {
 			if (!HOSTILE_SPELLS.includes(spell.id)) continue;
@@ -453,6 +455,7 @@ export function chooseBotTurn(state: GameState, me: WizardId, rng: () => number
 			input.release = { target: choice.target, monsterTarget: choice.monsterTarget };
 		}
 	}
-	if (state.seats.some((id) => state.wizards[id].constraints.charmed?.by === me)) input.charmGesture = charmGesture(s);
+	const charmed = state.seats.filter((id) => state.wizards[id].constraints.charmed?.by === me);
+	if (charmed.length) input.charmGestures = Object.fromEntries(charmed.map((id) => [id, charmGesture(s, id)]));
 	return input;
 }

src/lib/game/client.ts

@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ export const api = {
 	create: (name: string, size: number) => call<Seated>('POST', '/api/rooms', { name, size }),
 	join: (roomId: string, name: string) => call<Seated>('POST', `/api/rooms/${roomId}/join`, { name }),
 	addBot: (roomId: string, token: string) => call<RoomView>('POST', `/api/rooms/${roomId}/bot`, { token }),
+	begin: (roomId: string, token: string) => call<RoomView>('POST', `/api/rooms/${roomId}/begin`, { token }),
 	view: (roomId: string, token: string) => call<RoomView>('GET', `/api/rooms/${roomId}?token=${encodeURIComponent(token)}`),
 	turn: (roomId: string, token: string, input: TurnInput) => call<RoomView>('POST', `/api/rooms/${roomId}/turn`, { token, input })
 };

src/lib/game/duel.svelte.ts

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ import {
 	NOWHERE,
 	createGame,
 	enemyOf,
+	inDuel,
 	visibleHistory,
 	type CastChoice,
 	type GameState,
@@ -139,6 +140,12 @@ export interface Highlight {
 	to: number;
 }
 
+/** Names as a sentence lists them. */
+export function listText(names: string[]): string {
+	if (names.length <= 1) return names.join('');
+	return `${names.slice(0, -1).join(', ')} and ${names[names.length - 1]}`;
+}
+
 /** A token in Bartle's notation: a bracketed lower-case letter is a two-handed gesture. */
 export function tokenText(t: Token): string {
 	return t.both && t.gesture !== 'C' ? `(${t.gesture.toLowerCase()}` : t.gesture;
@@ -201,6 +208,7 @@ function readPreference(key: string, fallback: boolean): boolean {
 export interface Remote extends HeldSeat {
 	roomId: string;
 	size: number;
+	host: WizardId;
 	seats: RoomView['seats'];
 	waitingOn: WizardId[];
 	started: boolean;
@@ -218,7 +226,8 @@ export class Duel {
 	monsterOrders = $state<Record<string, TargetId>>({});
 	/** Narrow screens get shorter lists and a sticky bar; the page sets this from a media query. */
 	compact = $state(false);
-	charmGesture = $state<Gesture>('P');
+	/** The gesture each wizard you charmed will make, by their seat. */
+	charmGestures = $state<Record<WizardId, Gesture>>({});
 	/** Where to loose the banked spell this turn; empty keeps it. */
 	release = $state<TargetId | ''>('');
 	/** Which cast to bank or make permanent when more than one qualifies. */
@@ -261,6 +270,8 @@ export class Duel {
 	 */
 	syncAll(): void {
 		for (const s of SET_NAMES) for (const h of HANDS) this.syncSpell(s, h);
+		// A knife needs someone to stab: the same wizard a spell would go at.
+		if (this.stabbing && !this.stabTarget) this.stabTarget = this.foeId;
 	}
 
 	/** Rename the player for this duel and every duel after it. An empty name goes back to a drawn one. */
@@ -317,6 +328,8 @@ export class Duel {
 	awaiting = $derived(
 		this.remote ? this.remote.waitingOn.filter((id) => id !== this.me).map((id) => this.state.wizards[id]?.name ?? id) : []
 	);
+	/** "Ysolde", "Ysolde and Grey", "Ysolde, Grey and Ormund". */
+	awaitingText = $derived(listText(this.awaiting));
 	hasted = $derived(this.you.hasteTurns > 0 && !this.timeStopped);
 	activeSets = $derived<SetName[]>(this.hasted ? ['main', 'haste'] : ['main']);
 
@@ -336,9 +349,10 @@ export class Duel {
 		return set === 'haste' ? this.forcedSecond[hand] : this.forced[hand];
 	}
 	charmedHand = $derived<Hand | undefined>(this.timeStopped ? undefined : this.you.constraints.charmed?.hand);
-	/** The opponent whose hand is yours to command this turn, if any. */
-	charmedFoe = $derived(this.others.find((id) => this.state.wizards[id].constraints.charmed?.by === this.me));
-	youCharmedFoe = $derived(this.charmedFoe !== undefined && !this.timeStopped);
+	/** The wizards whose hands are yours to command this turn. */
+	charmedFoes = $derived(this.timeStopped ? [] : this.others.filter((id) => this.state.wizards[id].constraints.charmed?.by === this.me));
+	/** Dead or surrendered: the duel goes on without you, and you may watch. */
+	out = $derived(!inDuel(this.you));
 
 	/** The gesture a hand will make: forced by an enchantment, or chosen, or nothing yet. */
 	chosenGesture(set: SetName, hand: Hand): Gesture | null {
@@ -566,6 +580,7 @@ export class Duel {
 	yourMonsters = $derived(this.state.monsters.filter((m) => m.owner === this.me));
 	ready = $derived(
 		!this.state.over &&
+			!this.out &&
 			!this.moved &&
 			!this.sending &&
 			this.activeSets.every((set) =>
@@ -671,7 +686,9 @@ export class Duel {
 			};
 		}
 		if (this.release && this.you.banked) yours.release = { target: this.release, monsterTarget: this.foeId };
-		if (this.youCharmedFoe) yours.charmGesture = this.charmGesture;
+		if (this.charmedFoes.length) {
+			yours.charmGestures = Object.fromEntries(this.charmedFoes.map((id) => [id, this.charmGestures[id] ?? 'P']));
+		}
 		return yours;
 	}
 
@@ -711,6 +728,7 @@ export class Duel {
 		const r = this.remote!;
 		r.seats = view.seats;
 		r.size = view.size;
+		r.host = view.host;
 		r.waitingOn = view.waitingOn;
 		const wasStarted = r.started;
 		r.started = view.state !== null;
@@ -730,7 +748,21 @@ export class Duel {
 		return watchRoom(r.roomId, r.token, refresh, (open) => (r.connected = open));
 	}
 
-	/** Seat the bot in the empty chair. */
+	/** You opened this table, so the duel begins when you say. */
+	isHost = $derived(!!this.remote && this.remote.host === this.remote.seat);
+
+	/** Begin the duel with whoever is seated. */
+	async begin(): Promise<void> {
+		const r = this.remote;
+		if (!r) return;
+		try {
+			this.apply(await api.begin(r.roomId, r.token));
+		} catch (e) {
+			r.error = e instanceof Error ? e.message : 'The duel could not begin.';
+		}
+	}
+
+	/** Seat the bot in an empty chair. */
 	async addBot(): Promise<void> {
 		const r = this.remote;
 		if (!r) return;
@@ -777,6 +809,7 @@ export class Duel {
 		this.release = '';
 		this.bankPick = '';
 		this.permanentPick = '';
+		this.charmGestures = {};
 		this.highlight = null;
 	}
 
@@ -787,8 +820,8 @@ export class Duel {
 		this.resetDrafts();
 	}
 
-	/** Open a duel for another person on the server, seated as the first wizard. */
-	static async createRoom(name: string, size = 2): Promise<Remote> {
+	/** Open a table on the server, seated as its host; it takes up to a dozen and begins when the host says. */
+	static async createRoom(name: string, size = 12): Promise<Remote> {
 		const seated = await api.create(name, size);
 		rememberSeat(seated.view.roomId, { seat: seated.seat, token: seated.token });
 		return remoteFrom(seated.view, seated.token);
@@ -819,6 +852,7 @@ function remoteFrom(view: RoomView, token: string): Remote {
 		seat: view.me,
 		token,
 		size: view.size,
+		host: view.host,
 		seats: view.seats,
 		waitingOn: view.waitingOn,
 		started: view.state !== null,

src/lib/game/engine.test.ts

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { chooseBotTurn } from './bot';
 import { completedSpells, handSequence, castsConflict, completableIn, progressToward } from './gestures';
 import { resolveTurn } from './resolve';
 import { SPELLS, SPELL_BY_ID, parseSequence, type Gesture } from './spells';
-import { createGame } from './state';
+import { createGame, enemyOf } from './state';
 import { lcg, noop, play, runSequence } from './test-helpers';
 
 describe('spell table', () => {
@@ -446,3 +446,41 @@ describe('more than two wizards', () => {
 		expect(s.wizards.A.history.at(-1)?.hiddenFrom).toEqual(['B', 'C']);
 	});
 });
+
+describe('at a table of several wizards', () => {
+	it('an unnamed spell goes at whoever hurt you last, else the weakest opponent', () => {
+		let s = createGame({ A: 'Black', B: 'White', C: 'Grey' }, 1);
+		// Nobody has hurt anyone: the weakest opponent is the default; all equal, so table order.
+		expect(enemyOf(s, 'A')).toBe('B');
+		// Grey stabs Black; Black's next unnamed spell goes back at Grey.
+		s = resolveTurn(s, { A: noop(), B: noop(), C: { ...noop(), left: '>', stabTarget: 'A' } });
+		expect(s.wizards.A.lastHurtBy).toBe('C');
+		expect(enemyOf(s, 'A')).toBe('C');
+		s = runSequence(s, 'A', 'SD', '--', { casts: [{ hand: 'left', spellId: 'missile' }] });
+		expect(s.wizards.C.hp).toBe(14);
+		// With Grey gone, the grudge lapses to the weakest opponent standing.
+		s.wizards.C.alive = false;
+		expect(enemyOf(s, 'A')).toBe('B');
+	});
+
+	it('a wizard who charms two others names a gesture for each', () => {
+		let s = createGame({ A: 'Black', B: 'White', C: 'Grey' }, 1);
+		// Both palms at once would be a surrender, so the two charms finish a turn apart.
+		const left = 'PSDF-';
+		const right = '-PSDF';
+		for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
+			const casts = [];
+			if (i === 3) casts.push({ hand: 'left' as const, spellId: 'charm_person' as const, target: 'B', chosenHand: 'left' as const });
+			if (i === 4) casts.push({ hand: 'right' as const, spellId: 'charm_person' as const, target: 'C', chosenHand: 'left' as const });
+			s = resolveTurn(s, {
+				A: { ...noop(), left: left[i] as Gesture, right: right[i] as Gesture, casts, charmGestures: i === 4 ? { B: 'W' } : undefined },
+				B: { ...noop(), left: 'D' },
+				C: { ...noop(), left: 'D' }
+			});
+		}
+		expect(s.wizards.B.history.at(-1)?.left).toBe('W');
+		s = resolveTurn(s, { A: { ...noop(), charmGestures: { C: 'F' } }, B: { ...noop(), left: 'D' }, C: { ...noop(), left: 'D' } });
+		expect(s.wizards.C.history.at(-1)?.left).toBe('F');
+		expect(s.wizards.B.history.at(-1)?.left).toBe('D');
+	});
+});

src/lib/game/resolve.ts

@@ -214,7 +214,8 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 			return [prev.left, prev.right];
 		}
 		if (c.charmed) {
-			const g = c.charmedGesture ?? input(c.charmed.by).charmGesture ?? '-';
+			const charmer = input(c.charmed.by);
+			const g = c.charmedGesture ?? charmer.charmGestures?.[w.id] ?? charmer.charmGesture ?? '-';
 			if (w.permanent.charmed && !w.permanent.charmedGesture) w.permanent.charmedGesture = g;
 			if (c.charmed.hand === 'left') left = g;
 			else right = g;
@@ -495,7 +496,8 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 		};
 		state.monsters.push(m);
 		orders.set(m.id, c.choice.monsterTarget ?? enemyOf(state, controller));
-		log(`A ${stats.name.toLowerCase()} answers ${W[controller].name}'s summons.`, 'spell');
+		const creature = stats.name.toLowerCase();
+		log(`${/^[aeiou]/.test(creature) ? 'An' : 'A'} ${creature} answers ${W[controller].name}'s summons.`, 'spell');
 	}
 
 	let fireStorm = live().some((c) => c.spell.id === 'fire_storm');
@@ -727,8 +729,9 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 	const damage = new Map<TargetId, number>();
 	const healing = new Map<TargetId, number>();
 	const slain = new Set<TargetId>();
-	const hurt = (id: TargetId, n: number, why: string) => {
+	const hurt = (id: TargetId, n: number, why: string, by?: WizardId) => {
 		damage.set(id, (damage.get(id) ?? 0) + n);
+		if (isWizard(id) && by && by !== id) W[id].lastHurtBy = by;
 		note(id, tidy(why), -n);
 		log(`${beingName(state, id)} takes ${n} from ${why}.`, 'damage');
 	};
@@ -743,31 +746,32 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 				if (isShielded(t)) {
 					facts.shieldBlocked.add(t);
 					log(`${guard(t)} turns the missile aside.`, 'fizzle');
-				} else hurt(t, 1, 'a missile');
+				} else hurt(t, 1, 'a missile', c.caster);
 				break;
 			case 'finger_of_death':
 				slain.add(t);
+				if (isWizard(t)) W[t].lastHurtBy = c.caster;
 				note(t, 'Finger of death', -(isWizard(t) ? W[t].hp : 0));
 				log(`The finger of death touches ${beingName(state, t)}.`, 'death');
 				break;
 			case 'lightning_bolt':
 			case 'lightning_bolt_quick':
 				if (isShielded(t)) facts.throughShield.push({ target: t, spell: 'a lightning bolt' });
-				hurt(t, 5, 'a lightning bolt');
+				hurt(t, 5, 'a lightning bolt', c.caster);
 				break;
 			case 'cause_light_wounds':
 				if (isShielded(t)) facts.throughShield.push({ target: t, spell: 'cause light wounds' });
-				hurt(t, 2, 'cause light wounds');
+				hurt(t, 2, 'cause light wounds', c.caster);
 				break;
 			case 'cause_heavy_wounds':
 				if (isShielded(t)) facts.throughShield.push({ target: t, spell: 'cause heavy wounds' });
-				hurt(t, 3, 'cause heavy wounds');
+				hurt(t, 3, 'cause heavy wounds', c.caster);
 				break;
 			case 'fireball':
 				if (resists(t, 'heat')) log(`${beingName(state, t)} shrugs off the fireball.`, 'fizzle');
 				else {
 					if (isShielded(t)) facts.throughShield.push({ target: t, spell: 'a fireball' });
-					hurt(t, 5, 'a fireball');
+					hurt(t, 5, 'a fireball', c.caster);
 				}
 				break;
 			case 'cure_light_wounds':
@@ -825,7 +829,7 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 					if (isShielded(id)) continue;
 					if (isWizard(id) && W[id].invisibleTurns > 0) continue;
 				}
-				hurt(id, m.attack, `the ${m.name.toLowerCase()}`);
+				hurt(id, m.attack, `the ${m.name.toLowerCase()}`, m.owner);
 			}
 			continue;
 		}
@@ -842,7 +846,7 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 			log(`${m.name} flails at the air where ${W[target].name} used to be.`, 'fizzle');
 		} else {
 			if (m.createdTurn === turn && phase === 'main') facts.newMonsterAttacked = m.name;
-			hurt(target, m.attack, `the ${m.name.toLowerCase()}`);
+			hurt(target, m.attack, `the ${m.name.toLowerCase()}`, m.owner);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -859,7 +863,7 @@ export function resolveTurn(previous: GameState, inputs: Record<WizardId, TurnIn
 				facts.shieldBlocked.add(target);
 				log(`${w.name}'s knife skids off ${guard(target)}.`, 'fizzle');
 			} else {
-				hurt(target, 1, `${w.name}'s knife`);
+				hurt(target, 1, `${w.name}'s knife`, id);
 			}
 		});
 	}

src/lib/game/state.ts

@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ export interface WizardState {
 	permanencyTurns: number;
 	banked: BankedSpell | null;
 	usedQuickLightning: boolean;
+	/** The wizard whose spell, creature or knife hurt this one most recently. */
+	lastHurtBy?: WizardId;
 }
 
 export interface Monster {
@@ -171,7 +173,9 @@ export interface TurnInput {
 	release?: { target?: TargetId; monsterTarget?: TargetId };
 	stabTarget?: TargetId;
 	monsterOrders?: Record<string, TargetId>;
-	/** When this wizard charmed the opponent last turn: the gesture the charmed hand makes. */
+	/** When this wizard charmed another last turn: the gesture the charmed hand makes, by charmed wizard. */
+	charmGestures?: Record<WizardId, Gesture>;
+	/** The same for one charmed wizard, when only one was charmed. */
 	charmGesture?: Gesture;
 }
 
@@ -190,9 +194,17 @@ export function opponentsOf(state: GameState, id: WizardId): WizardId[] {
 	return state.seats.filter((s) => s !== id && inDuel(state.wizards[s]));
 }
 
-/** The wizard a spell goes at when no target is named: the first opponent still standing. */
+/**
+ * The wizard a spell goes at when no target is named: whoever hurt this one
+ * most recently if they still stand, else the weakest opponent standing, else
+ * anyone else at the table.
+ */
 export function enemyOf(state: GameState, id: WizardId): WizardId {
-	return opponentsOf(state, id)[0] ?? state.seats.find((s) => s !== id) ?? id;
+	const standing = opponentsOf(state, id);
+	const grudge = state.wizards[id]?.lastHurtBy;
+	if (grudge && standing.includes(grudge)) return grudge;
+	if (standing.length) return [...standing].sort((a, b) => state.wizards[a].hp - state.wizards[b].hp)[0];
+	return state.seats.find((s) => s !== id) ?? id;
 }
 
 function makeWizard(id: WizardId, name: string): WizardState {

src/lib/game/view.ts

@@ -19,8 +19,11 @@ export function viewFor(state: GameState, viewer: WizardId): GameState {
 export interface RoomView {
 	roomId: string;
 	seq: number;
+	/** The most seats the table will take. */
 	size: number;
 	me: WizardId;
+	/** The wizard who opened the table and may begin the duel. */
+	host: WizardId;
 	seats: { id: WizardId; name: string; bot: boolean }[];
 	/** Seats that still have to move before the turn resolves. */
 	waitingOn: WizardId[];

src/routes/join/[code]/+page.svelte

@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
 	<section class="lobby">
 		<p class="eyebrow">room {roomId}</p>
 		<h2>Take a seat</h2>
-		<p>Another wizard has opened this duel and is waiting for an opponent.</p>
+		<p>A wizard has opened this table and is gathering opponents.</p>
 		<form class="rename" onsubmit={takeSeat}>
 			<label class="field">
 				<span>Your name</span>
@@ -123,13 +123,34 @@
 		</form>
 	</section>
 {:else if room && lobby}
+	{@const r = room.remote!}
+	{@const hostName = r.seats.find((s) => s.id === r.host)?.name ?? 'the host'}
 	<section class="lobby">
 		<p class="eyebrow">room {roomId}</p>
-		<h2>Waiting for {room.remote!.size - room.remote!.seats.length === 1 ? 'one more wizard' : `${room.remote!.size - room.remote!.seats.length} more wizards`}</h2>
-		<p>Send this link, or the code. Whoever opens it takes the empty seat, and the duel begins.</p>
+		<h2>The table is laid</h2>
+		<p>Send this link, or the code. Whoever opens it takes a seat; the table holds a dozen.</p>
 		<p class="link-row"><code>{link}</code><button type="button" class="quiet" onclick={copyLink}>{copied ? 'Copied' : 'Copy link'}</button></p>
-		<p class="muted">so far: {room.remote!.seats.map((s) => s.name).join(', ')}</p>
-		<p><button type="button" class="quiet" onclick={() => room?.addBot()}>Seat the bot instead</button></p>
+		<ul class="roster">
+			{#each r.seats as s (s.id)}
+				<li>
+					<span class="seat-name">{s.name}</span>
+					<span class="muted">{s.id === r.host ? 'opened the table' : s.bot ? 'the bot' : 'seated'}{s.id === r.seat ? ', you' : ''}</span>
+				</li>
+			{/each}
+			<li class="empty muted">{r.size - r.seats.length} of {r.size} seats empty</li>
+		</ul>
+		<div class="ways">
+			{#if r.seats.length < r.size}
+				<button type="button" class="quiet" onclick={() => room?.addBot()}>Seat a bot</button>
+			{/if}
+			{#if room.isHost}
+				<button type="button" class="reveal small" disabled={r.seats.length < 2} onclick={() => room?.begin()}>Begin the duel</button>
+				<span class="muted">{r.seats.length < 2 ? 'once a second wizard is seated' : `with ${r.seats.length} wizards`}</span>
+			{:else}
+				<span class="muted">{hostName} will begin the duel when the table is ready.</span>
+			{/if}
+		</div>
+		{#if r.error}<p class="notice">{r.error}</p>{/if}
 	</section>
 {:else if room}
 	<Board duel={room} />
@@ -245,6 +266,39 @@
 		font-size: 1rem;
 	}
 
+	.roster {
+		list-style: none;
+		margin: 0.9rem 0 0.6rem;
+		padding: 0;
+		max-width: 28em;
+	}
+
+	.roster li {
+		display: flex;
+		justify-content: space-between;
+		gap: 1rem;
+		padding: 0.3rem 0;
+		border-bottom: 1px solid var(--rule);
+	}
+
+	.roster li.empty {
+		border-bottom: 0;
+		justify-content: flex-start;
+		font-style: italic;
+	}
+
+	.seat-name {
+		font-weight: 500;
+	}
+
+	.ways {
+		display: flex;
+		flex-wrap: wrap;
+		align-items: center;
+		gap: 0.5rem 0.9rem;
+		margin-top: 0.4rem;
+	}
+
 	.link-row {
 		display: flex;
 		flex-wrap: wrap;