diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 77f12ae..5d612f6 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 docs/
+games/
diff --git a/flake.nix b/flake.nix
index 0f1e00c..35566b8 100644
--- a/flake.nix
+++ b/flake.nix
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@
           ./hosts/vps/disko-config.nix
           ./services/nginx.nix
           ./services/blog.nix
+          ./services/observer-effect.nix
           ./services/phanpy.nix
           ./services/coturn.nix
           ./services/livekit.nix
diff --git a/services/observer-effect.nix b/services/observer-effect.nix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a92f931
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect.nix
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+{ config, pkgs, ... }:
+
+let
+  # Tiny Rust WebSocket relay. cargoLock.lockFile pins deps from the committed
+  # Cargo.lock, so there's no vendor hash to chase on dependency bumps.
+  relay = pkgs.rustPlatform.buildRustPackage {
+    pname = "observer-relay";
+    version = "0.1.0";
+    src = ./observer-effect/relay;
+    cargoLock.lockFile = ./observer-effect/relay/Cargo.lock;
+  };
+
+  # The two static pages (player chronometer + Handler panel) and their assets.
+  site = pkgs.copyPathToStore ./observer-effect/site;
+
+  domain = "observer.ellie.town";
+  port = 8770;
+in
+{
+  # Shared control key. Decrypts to a file the relay reads at startup, so it
+  # never lands in /nix/store.
+  sops.secrets."observer/token" = {
+    sopsFile = ./secrets/observer_vps.yaml;
+    owner = "observer";
+    group = "observer";
+    mode = "0400";
+  };
+
+  users.users.observer = {
+    isSystemUser = true;
+    group = "observer";
+  };
+  users.groups.observer = { };
+
+  systemd.services.observer-relay = {
+    description = "Observer Effect doomsday-clock relay";
+    after = [ "network.target" ];
+    wantedBy = [ "multi-user.target" ];
+
+    environment = {
+      OBSERVER_ADDR = "127.0.0.1:${toString port}";
+      OBSERVER_TOKEN_FILE = config.sops.secrets."observer/token".path;
+    };
+
+    serviceConfig = {
+      ExecStart = "${relay}/bin/observer-relay";
+      User = "observer";
+      Group = "observer";
+      Restart = "on-failure";
+      RestartSec = "5s";
+
+      # Hardening — it only needs a loopback socket and to read one secret.
+      ProtectSystem = "strict";
+      ProtectHome = true;
+      PrivateTmp = true;
+      NoNewPrivileges = true;
+      ProtectKernelTunables = true;
+      ProtectKernelModules = true;
+      ProtectControlGroups = true;
+      RestrictSUIDSGID = true;
+      RestrictAddressFamilies = [ "AF_INET" "AF_INET6" ];
+      LockPersonality = true;
+      MemoryDenyWriteExecute = true;
+      SystemCallFilter = [ "@system-service" ];
+    };
+  };
+
+  services.nginx.virtualHosts.${domain} = {
+    enableACME = true;
+    forceSSL = true;
+    root = site;
+
+    locations."/" = {
+      index = "clock.html";
+    };
+
+    # Tidy URL for the Handler's panel.
+    locations."= /control".return = "302 /control.html";
+
+    # Relay socket: upgrade to WebSocket and hand off to the local service.
+    locations."/ws" = {
+      proxyPass = "http://127.0.0.1:${toString port}";
+      proxyWebsockets = true;
+    };
+  };
+}
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/README.md b/services/observer-effect/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc6ea4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# Observer Effect — doomsday clock
+
+A period-styled (1964) clock for running Delta Green: *Observer Effect* online.
+
+- **Player screen** — `observer.ellie.town/` (`clock.html`): an Olympian Holobeam
+  Array master chronometer. Nixie tubes counting toward 22:03:37, warning lamps
+  that flash on each pulse, a red wash and dissonant flutes/drums as communion
+  nears. Read-only; safe to share with the players.
+- **Handler panel** — `observer.ellie.town/control` (`control.html`): run/hold,
+  scrub the clock, jump to any scenario beat, set the iteration (which resets
+  reality to its wake point), and fire pulse / communion / text effects on the
+  players' screen.
+
+## How it syncs
+
+A tiny Rust WebSocket relay (`relay/`) holds the one authoritative clock. The
+panel sends authenticated commands; every connected screen gets the new state
+and free-runs the digits locally between actions. Late joiners get the current
+state immediately. Served behind nginx with TLS; the relay only listens on
+loopback.
+
+## Deploy
+
+1. DNS: point `observer.ellie.town` at the VPS (A/AAAA). ACME does the cert.
+2. It's already wired into `flake.nix` (vps modules) as
+   `./services/observer-effect.nix`. Rebuild the VPS:
+   `nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#vps` (however you normally deploy).
+
+## The control key
+
+Commands are authenticated with a shared token in `services/secrets/observer_vps.yaml`
+(sops). Enter it once in the panel's **CONTROL KEY** field (saved in that
+browser). Rotate any time with `sops services/secrets/observer_vps.yaml` then
+rebuild.
+
+## Running a session
+
+The clock starts paused at iteration I, 17:00:00 (the Agents' arrival). Drive it
+by hand to match table pacing — **JUMP TO BEAT** for the scripted moments, or
+**RATE ×N** + **RUN** to let it tick. Fire **PULSE** on the live shudders and
+**COMMUNION** at 22:03:37; then hit **ITERATION II/III/IV** to reset reality
+nearer the end as the loop tightens. **SHOW** broadcasts a line of text over the
+players' screen (e.g. *"I see the throne of God."*).
+
+## Sound effects
+
+The player screen's pulse / communion / broadcast-text sounds are pre-rendered
+mp3s in `site/sfx/`, synthesized from pure ffmpeg `lavfi` filtergraphs (no
+samples). Regenerate with:
+
+```sh
+cd site/sfx && nix-shell -p ffmpeg --run ./generate.sh
+```
+
+If a file fails to load the screen falls back to an equivalent WebAudio synth.
+The ambient dread drone is always synth (it's driven by the tension level).
+
+## Local dev (no Nix)
+
+```sh
+cd relay
+OBSERVER_TOKEN=test cargo run            # relay on 127.0.0.1:8770
+# serve ./site on :8080 and proxy /ws -> 127.0.0.1:8770, or just open
+# site/clock.html and append ?, then point common.js' WS at ws://localhost:8770/ws
+```
+The pages connect to `wss?://<host>/ws`, so behind nginx everything is same-origin.
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/devserver.mjs b/services/observer-effect/devserver.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..934db8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/devserver.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+/* Local dev server: serves ./site and proxies /ws to the relay, so the pages
+   run same-origin exactly like they do behind nginx in production.
+
+   Usage:
+     OBSERVER_TOKEN=test cargo run            # in relay/, terminal 1
+     node devserver.mjs                       # terminal 2 -> http://localhost:8080
+   Env: PORT (default 8080), RELAY (default 127.0.0.1:8770). */
+
+import { createServer } from "node:http";
+import { connect } from "node:net";
+import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises";
+import { extname, join, normalize } from "node:path";
+import { fileURLToPath } from "node:url";
+
+const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT || 8080);
+const [RELAY_HOST, RELAY_PORT] = (process.env.RELAY || "127.0.0.1:8770").split(":");
+const SITE = join(fileURLToPath(new URL(".", import.meta.url)), "site");
+
+const MIME = {
+  ".html": "text/html; charset=utf-8",
+  ".css": "text/css; charset=utf-8",
+  ".js": "text/javascript; charset=utf-8",
+  ".mp3": "audio/mpeg",
+  ".wav": "audio/wav",
+};
+
+const server = createServer(async (req, res) => {
+  let path = decodeURIComponent(req.url.split("?")[0]);
+  if (path === "/") path = "/clock.html";
+  if (path === "/control") path = "/control.html";
+
+  // keep it inside SITE
+  const file = join(SITE, normalize(path));
+  if (!file.startsWith(SITE)) {
+    res.writeHead(403).end("forbidden");
+    return;
+  }
+  try {
+    const body = await readFile(file);
+    res.writeHead(200, { "content-type": MIME[extname(file)] || "application/octet-stream" });
+    res.end(body);
+  } catch {
+    res.writeHead(404).end("not found");
+  }
+});
+
+// Proxy the WebSocket upgrade straight through to the relay.
+server.on("upgrade", (req, socket, head) => {
+  const upstream = connect(Number(RELAY_PORT), RELAY_HOST, () => {
+    const lines = [`${req.method} ${req.url} HTTP/1.1`];
+    for (let i = 0; i < req.rawHeaders.length; i += 2) {
+      lines.push(`${req.rawHeaders[i]}: ${req.rawHeaders[i + 1]}`);
+    }
+    upstream.write(lines.join("\r\n") + "\r\n\r\n");
+    if (head && head.length) upstream.write(head);
+    socket.pipe(upstream);
+    upstream.pipe(socket);
+  });
+  const bail = () => socket.destroy();
+  upstream.on("error", bail);
+  socket.on("error", () => upstream.destroy());
+});
+
+server.listen(PORT, () => {
+  console.log(`observer-effect dev server: http://localhost:${PORT}/  (control: /control)`);
+  console.log(`proxying /ws -> ${RELAY_HOST}:${RELAY_PORT}`);
+});
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/relay/.gitignore b/services/observer-effect/relay/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea8c4bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/relay/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/target
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/relay/Cargo.lock b/services/observer-effect/relay/Cargo.lock
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9425f2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/relay/Cargo.lock
@@ -0,0 +1,772 @@
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diff --git a/services/observer-effect/relay/Cargo.toml b/services/observer-effect/relay/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c01a268
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/relay/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+[package]
+name = "observer-relay"
+version = "0.1.0"
+edition = "2021"
+description = "Tiny WebSocket relay that syncs the Observer Effect doomsday clock from the Handler's control panel to every player's screen."
+
+[dependencies]
+axum = { version = "0.7", features = ["ws"] }
+tokio = { version = "1", features = ["rt-multi-thread", "macros", "net", "signal"] }
+serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
+serde_json = "1"
+
+[profile.release]
+lto = true
+strip = true
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/relay/src/main.rs b/services/observer-effect/relay/src/main.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6fc7768
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/relay/src/main.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+//! Observer Effect — doomsday clock relay.
+//!
+//! A single authoritative clock lives here. The Handler's control panel sends
+//! commands (authenticated with a shared token); every connected screen — the
+//! Handler's and every player's — receives the resulting state and reacts.
+//!
+//! The clock is deterministic: we broadcast a snapshot (in-world seconds + a
+//! server timestamp + running/rate) and let each browser free-run from it, so
+//! the wire stays quiet between the Handler's deliberate actions.
+
+use std::{
+    net::SocketAddr,
+    sync::{Arc, Mutex},
+    time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH},
+};
+
+use axum::{
+    extract::{
+        ws::{Message, WebSocket},
+        State, WebSocketUpgrade,
+    },
+    response::IntoResponse,
+    routing::get,
+    Router,
+};
+use serde::Deserialize;
+use serde_json::{json, Value};
+use tokio::sync::broadcast;
+
+/// In-world second-of-day at which Azathoth achieves communion (22:03:37).
+const COMMUNION: f64 = 79_417.0;
+
+/// Where each iteration's reality "resets" to, in second-of-day. Iteration 1
+/// starts when the Agents reach the Array (17:00); later iterations wake nearer
+/// the end, as the loop tightens toward the singularity.
+fn reset_point(iteration: u64) -> f64 {
+    match iteration {
+        1 => 61_200.0, // 17:00:00 — arrival
+        2 => 67_576.0, // 18:46:16 — Takagawa awakens
+        3 => 75_470.0, // 20:57:50 — Klinger's rampage
+        _ => COMMUNION, // 4 — singularity
+    }
+}
+
+fn now_ms() -> u128 {
+    SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_millis()
+}
+
+/// The persistent clock. `inworld`/`updated_ms` form an anchor: while running,
+/// the live time is `inworld + (now - updated_ms) * rate`.
+#[derive(Clone)]
+struct Clock {
+    iteration: u64,
+    running: bool,
+    rate: f64,
+    inworld: f64,
+    updated_ms: u128,
+}
+
+impl Clock {
+    fn current(&self, now: u128) -> f64 {
+        if self.running {
+            let elapsed = (now.saturating_sub(self.updated_ms)) as f64 / 1000.0;
+            self.inworld + elapsed * self.rate
+        } else {
+            self.inworld
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Fold elapsed time into the anchor so we can mutate from a clean baseline.
+    fn settle(&mut self, now: u128) {
+        self.inworld = self.current(now);
+        self.updated_ms = now;
+    }
+
+    fn snapshot(&self, now: u128) -> String {
+        json!({
+            "type": "state",
+            "iteration": self.iteration,
+            "running": self.running,
+            "rate": self.rate,
+            "inworld": self.current(now),
+            "communion": COMMUNION,
+            "serverMs": now,
+        })
+        .to_string()
+    }
+}
+
+struct App {
+    token: String,
+    clock: Mutex<Clock>,
+    tx: broadcast::Sender<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+struct Command {
+    token: Option<String>,
+    cmd: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    rate: Option<f64>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    inworld: Option<f64>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    n: Option<u64>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    text: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[tokio::main]
+async fn main() {
+    let token = std::env::var("OBSERVER_TOKEN")
+        .or_else(|_| {
+            std::env::var("OBSERVER_TOKEN_FILE")
+                .and_then(|p| std::fs::read_to_string(p).map_err(|_| std::env::VarError::NotPresent))
+        })
+        .map(|s| s.trim().to_string())
+        .unwrap_or_else(|_| {
+            eprintln!("warning: no OBSERVER_TOKEN(_FILE) set; control is locked out");
+            String::new()
+        });
+
+    let addr: SocketAddr = std::env::var("OBSERVER_ADDR")
+        .unwrap_or_else(|_| "127.0.0.1:8770".to_string())
+        .parse()
+        .expect("OBSERVER_ADDR must be host:port");
+
+    let (tx, _rx) = broadcast::channel(64);
+    let app = Arc::new(App {
+        token,
+        clock: Mutex::new(Clock {
+            iteration: 1,
+            running: false,
+            rate: 1.0,
+            inworld: reset_point(1),
+            updated_ms: now_ms(),
+        }),
+        tx,
+    });
+
+    let router = Router::new()
+        .route("/ws", get(ws_handler))
+        .route("/healthz", get(|| async { "ok" }))
+        .with_state(app);
+
+    let listener = tokio::net::TcpListener::bind(addr).await.expect("bind");
+    eprintln!("observer-relay listening on {addr}");
+    axum::serve(listener, router)
+        .with_graceful_shutdown(async {
+            let _ = tokio::signal::ctrl_c().await;
+        })
+        .await
+        .expect("serve");
+}
+
+async fn ws_handler(ws: WebSocketUpgrade, State(app): State<Arc<App>>) -> impl IntoResponse {
+    ws.on_upgrade(move |socket| handle_socket(socket, app))
+}
+
+async fn handle_socket(mut socket: WebSocket, app: Arc<App>) {
+    // Greet the newcomer with the world as it stands right now.
+    let hello = app.clock.lock().unwrap().snapshot(now_ms());
+    if socket.send(Message::Text(hello)).await.is_err() {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let mut rx = app.tx.subscribe();
+
+    loop {
+        tokio::select! {
+            // Fan broadcasts out to this client.
+            msg = rx.recv() => match msg {
+                Ok(text) => {
+                    if socket.send(Message::Text(text)).await.is_err() {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                }
+                Err(broadcast::error::RecvError::Lagged(_)) => continue,
+                Err(broadcast::error::RecvError::Closed) => break,
+            },
+            // Read commands from this client (only the Handler's pass auth).
+            incoming = socket.recv() => match incoming {
+                Some(Ok(Message::Text(text))) => handle_command(&app, &text),
+                Some(Ok(Message::Close(_))) | None => break,
+                Some(Ok(_)) => {}      // ping/pong/binary — ignore
+                Some(Err(_)) => break,
+            },
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_command(app: &App, text: &str) {
+    let cmd: Command = match serde_json::from_str(text) {
+        Ok(c) => c,
+        Err(_) => return,
+    };
+
+    // Constant-ish check; empty server token rejects everyone.
+    if app.token.is_empty() || cmd.token.as_deref() != Some(app.token.as_str()) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let now = now_ms();
+
+    // Transient effects don't touch the clock — just relay them.
+    match cmd.cmd.as_str() {
+        "pulse" => return broadcast_fx(app, json!({ "type": "fx", "fx": "pulse" })),
+        "communion" => return broadcast_fx(app, json!({ "type": "fx", "fx": "communion" })),
+        "msg" => {
+            return broadcast_fx(app, json!({ "type": "fx", "fx": "msg", "text": cmd.text }))
+        }
+        _ => {}
+    }
+
+    let snapshot = {
+        let mut clock = app.clock.lock().unwrap();
+        clock.settle(now);
+        match cmd.cmd.as_str() {
+            "play" => clock.running = true,
+            "pause" => clock.running = false,
+            "rate" => {
+                if let Some(r) = cmd.rate {
+                    clock.rate = r.clamp(0.0, 3600.0);
+                }
+            }
+            "set" => {
+                if let Some(s) = cmd.inworld {
+                    clock.inworld = s.clamp(0.0, 86_400.0);
+                }
+            }
+            "iteration" => {
+                if let Some(n) = cmd.n {
+                    clock.iteration = n.clamp(1, 4);
+                    clock.inworld = reset_point(clock.iteration);
+                    clock.running = false;
+                }
+            }
+            _ => return,
+        }
+        clock.snapshot(now)
+    };
+
+    let _ = app.tx.send(snapshot);
+}
+
+fn broadcast_fx(app: &App, value: Value) {
+    let _ = app.tx.send(value.to_string());
+}
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/clock.css b/services/observer-effect/site/clock.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f831817
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/clock.css
@@ -0,0 +1,438 @@
+/* Olympian Holobeam Array — Master Chronometer.
+   Atomic-age console: brushed steel, nixie tubes, warning lamps. 1964. */
+
+:root {
+  --bg: #0a0b0c;
+  --steel-hi: #4c5054;
+  --steel: #2c2f32;
+  --steel-lo: #16181a;
+  --engrave: #0c0d0e;
+  --label: #c9cdd1;
+  --nixie: #ff7a1e;
+  --nixie-core: #ffe2bc;
+  --nixie-glow: #ff6a00;
+  --amber: #ffb347;
+  --red: #ff3b30;
+  --green: #46e06a;
+}
+
+* {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+
+html,
+body {
+  height: 100%;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+body.screen {
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  min-height: 100%;
+  padding: clamp(0.5rem, 3vw, 3rem);
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(120% 120% at 50% 30%, #15171a 0%, var(--bg) 70%);
+  color: var(--label);
+  font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, system-ui, sans-serif;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+/* --- the console body ----------------------------------------------------- */
+.console {
+  width: min(92vw, 880px);
+}
+
+.bezel {
+  position: relative;
+  padding: clamp(1rem, 3.5vw, 2.4rem);
+  border-radius: 14px;
+  background:
+    repeating-linear-gradient(
+      90deg,
+      rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.035) 0 1px,
+      transparent 1px 3px
+    ),
+    linear-gradient(180deg, var(--steel-hi) -20%, var(--steel) 45%, var(--steel-lo));
+  border: 2px solid #0d0e0f;
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 2px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12),
+    inset 0 -3px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6),
+    0 22px 60px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
+}
+
+/* corner screws */
+.bezel::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 10px;
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(circle at 0 0, #555 1.5px, #1a1a1a 3px, transparent 4px) 6px 6px / 100% 100% no-repeat,
+    radial-gradient(circle at 100% 0, #555 1.5px, #1a1a1a 3px, transparent 4px) -6px 6px / 100% 100% no-repeat,
+    radial-gradient(circle at 0 100%, #555 1.5px, #1a1a1a 3px, transparent 4px) 6px -6px / 100% 100% no-repeat,
+    radial-gradient(circle at 100% 100%, #555 1.5px, #1a1a1a 3px, transparent 4px) -6px -6px / 100% 100% no-repeat;
+}
+
+/* --- engraved plates ------------------------------------------------------ */
+.plate {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
+  font-size: clamp(0.6rem, 1.6vw, 0.9rem);
+  color: var(--label);
+  text-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8), 0 -1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
+}
+.stencil {
+  font-weight: 800;
+}
+.subplate {
+  margin: 0.35rem 0 1.1rem;
+  text-align: center;
+  letter-spacing: 0.3em;
+  font-size: clamp(0.5rem, 1.3vw, 0.72rem);
+  color: #8b9094;
+  text-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
+}
+.plate--bottom {
+  margin-top: 1.2rem;
+  justify-content: center;
+  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
+  font-size: clamp(0.45rem, 1.2vw, 0.66rem);
+  color: #7d8286;
+}
+.rec {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.4em;
+  color: #9aa0a4;
+}
+
+/* --- nixie readout -------------------------------------------------------- */
+.readout {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: stretch;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: clamp(0.15rem, 0.8vw, 0.5rem);
+  padding: clamp(0.6rem, 2vw, 1.2rem) clamp(0.4rem, 2vw, 1rem);
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(120% 160% at 50% 0%, #141312 0%, #070605 100%);
+  border: 1px solid #000;
+  box-shadow: inset 0 6px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9), inset 0 -1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);
+}
+
+.tube {
+  position: relative;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  width: clamp(2.6rem, 9vw, 5.2rem);
+  padding: clamp(0.3rem, 1.5vw, 0.9rem) 0;
+  border-radius: 40% 40% 38% 38% / 14% 14% 12% 12%;
+  background:
+    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(80, 70, 55, 0.16), rgba(20, 16, 10, 0.05) 30%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25));
+  box-shadow:
+    inset 0 2px 6px rgba(255, 200, 140, 0.06),
+    inset 0 -8px 14px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+}
+/* curvature vignette behind the digit */
+.tube::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 0;
+  border-radius: inherit;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  background: radial-gradient(120% 130% at 50% 45%, transparent 52%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45) 100%);
+}
+/* curved-glass glare in front (offset to a corner so it doesn't wash the digit) */
+.tube::after {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 3;
+  border-radius: inherit;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  background:
+    radial-gradient(55% 32% at 32% 15%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.28), rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06) 45%, transparent 70%),
+    radial-gradient(38% 22% at 72% 82%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06), transparent 60%);
+}
+
+.digit {
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 2;
+  font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 9vw, 5.4rem);
+  font-weight: 400;
+  line-height: 1;
+  transform: scaleY(1.18);
+  color: var(--nixie-core);
+  text-shadow:
+    0 0 4px var(--nixie),
+    0 0 14px var(--nixie-glow),
+    0 0 34px var(--nixie-glow),
+    0 0 60px rgba(255, 90, 0, 0.55);
+  /* per-tube flicker via vars, so the communion rupture can fully override it */
+  animation: tube-flicker var(--flick-dur, 6s) var(--flick-delay, 0s) infinite steps(40);
+}
+
+/* afterglow: the outgoing numeral lingers and fades (neon de-ionization) */
+.ghost {
+  position: absolute;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 1;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  opacity: 0;
+  font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 9vw, 5.4rem);
+  font-weight: 400;
+  line-height: 1;
+  transform: scaleY(1.18);
+  color: var(--nixie-core);
+  text-shadow: 0 0 4px var(--nixie), 0 0 16px var(--nixie-glow);
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+@keyframes tube-flicker {
+  0%, 97%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
+  98% { opacity: 0.86; }
+  99% { opacity: 0.95; }
+}
+
+.colon {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: clamp(0.5rem, 2vw, 1.2rem);
+  padding: 0 clamp(0.05rem, 0.5vw, 0.3rem);
+}
+.colon i {
+  width: clamp(0.3rem, 1vw, 0.6rem);
+  height: clamp(0.3rem, 1vw, 0.6rem);
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: var(--nixie-core);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 6px var(--nixie), 0 0 16px var(--nixie-glow);
+}
+
+.srtime {
+  position: absolute;
+  width: 1px;
+  height: 1px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  clip: rect(0 0 0 0);
+}
+
+/* --- lamps ---------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.lamps {
+  margin-top: 1.3rem;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: clamp(1rem, 5vw, 3rem);
+}
+.lampcell {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.5em;
+  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
+  font-size: clamp(0.55rem, 1.4vw, 0.78rem);
+  color: #8b9094;
+}
+.lamp {
+  width: 0.85em;
+  height: 0.85em;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: #2a2a2a;
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 3px #000, 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  transition: background 0.08s, box-shadow 0.08s;
+}
+.lamp--rec {
+  width: 0.7em;
+  height: 0.7em;
+}
+.lamp--on {
+  background: var(--green);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 8px var(--green), 0 0 16px rgba(70, 224, 106, 0.6);
+}
+/* REC indicator: steady recording lamp (flavor). */
+.lamp--rec {
+  background: var(--red);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 5px var(--red);
+}
+
+/* --- pulse shudder --------------------------------------------------------- */
+body.pulsing #cellPulse .lamp {
+  background: var(--amber);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 10px var(--amber), 0 0 24px rgba(255, 179, 71, 0.8);
+}
+body.pulsing .bezel {
+  animation: shudder 0.45s ease-out;
+}
+body.pulsing .digit {
+  text-shadow:
+    0 0 6px var(--nixie-core),
+    0 0 20px var(--nixie),
+    0 0 50px var(--nixie-glow),
+    0 0 90px rgba(255, 120, 0, 0.8);
+}
+@keyframes shudder {
+  0%, 100% { transform: translate(0, 0); }
+  20% { transform: translate(-3px, 1px); }
+  40% { transform: translate(3px, -2px); }
+  60% { transform: translate(-2px, -1px); }
+  80% { transform: translate(2px, 1px); }
+}
+
+/* --- dread wash (driven by --tension, 0..1) -------------------------------- */
+.screen::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  background: radial-gradient(120% 120% at 50% 50%, transparent 38%, rgba(120, 0, 0, 0.6) 100%);
+  opacity: calc(var(--tension, 0) * 0.95);
+  z-index: 5;
+}
+/* once the menace is high, the wash starts to crawl */
+body.agitated::before {
+  animation: wash-flicker 0.4s infinite;
+}
+@keyframes wash-flicker {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: calc(var(--tension, 0) * 0.95); }
+  50% { opacity: calc(var(--tension, 0) * 0.7); }
+}
+
+/* --- communion: Azathoth breaks through ------------------------------------ */
+/* A ~6s sequence over three layers: the void (roiling black), the flash (the
+   blue-white detonation), plus a console quake and digit rupture. */
+.void {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 21;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  opacity: 0;
+  background: #000;
+}
+.flash {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 22;
+  pointer-events: none;
+  opacity: 0;
+  mix-blend-mode: screen;
+  background: radial-gradient(circle at 50% 45%, #fff 0%, #dce9ff 12%, #6fb0ff 34%, #163a8f 68%, transparent 100%);
+}
+
+body.communion .console { animation: quake 2.3s cubic-bezier(0.36, 0.07, 0.19, 0.97) both; }
+body.communion .void { animation: thevoid 6s ease-out forwards; }
+body.communion .flash { animation: detonate 6s ease-out forwards; }
+body.communion .digit { animation: digit-rupture 6s steps(60) forwards; }
+body.communion .lamp { animation: panic-lamp 0.18s steps(1) 12; }
+
+@keyframes quake {
+  0%, 100% { transform: translate(0, 0) rotate(0deg); }
+  5% { transform: translate(-14px, 8px) rotate(-0.6deg); }
+  10% { transform: translate(13px, -10px) rotate(0.5deg); }
+  15% { transform: translate(-16px, -6px) rotate(0.4deg); }
+  21% { transform: translate(15px, 11px) rotate(-0.5deg); }
+  27% { transform: translate(-19px, 7px) rotate(0.7deg); }
+  33% { transform: translate(18px, -9px) rotate(-0.6deg); }
+  41% { transform: translate(-11px, 7px) rotate(0.3deg); }
+  52% { transform: translate(8px, -5px) rotate(-0.2deg); }
+  64% { transform: translate(-5px, 3px); }
+  78% { transform: translate(3px, -2px); }
+}
+@keyframes detonate {
+  0% { opacity: 0; }
+  18% { opacity: 0.12; }
+  22% { opacity: 0; }
+  26% { opacity: 1; }
+  30% { opacity: 0.7; }
+  34% { opacity: 1; }
+  44% { opacity: 0.2; }
+  60% { opacity: 0.06; }
+  78%, 100% { opacity: 0; }
+}
+@keyframes thevoid {
+  0%, 30% { opacity: 0; }
+  45% { opacity: 1; }
+  86% { opacity: 1; }
+  100% { opacity: 0; }
+}
+@keyframes digit-rupture {
+  0% { color: var(--nixie-core); text-shadow: 0 0 4px var(--nixie), 0 0 14px var(--nixie-glow); }
+  10% { color: #fff; text-shadow: -3px 0 #ff003c, 3px 0 #00e5ff, 0 0 18px #fff; }
+  20% { text-shadow: 4px 0 #ff003c, -4px 0 #00e5ff, 0 0 22px #fff; }
+  26% { color: #eaf3ff; text-shadow: -6px 0 #ff003c, 6px 0 #00e5ff, 0 0 30px #fff; }
+  34% { opacity: 0.2; }
+  40% { opacity: 1; color: #b9c6ff; text-shadow: -5px 0 #ff003c, 5px 0 #00e5ff; }
+  55% { opacity: 0.5; text-shadow: -3px 0 #6a00ff, 3px 0 #00d0ff; }
+  70% { opacity: 0.12; }
+  82% { opacity: 0.04; }
+  100% { opacity: 1; color: var(--nixie-core); text-shadow: 0 0 4px var(--nixie), 0 0 14px var(--nixie-glow); }
+}
+@keyframes panic-lamp {
+  0% { background: var(--red); box-shadow: 0 0 10px var(--red); }
+  50% { background: #1a0000; box-shadow: inset 0 0 3px #000; }
+}
+
+/* --- message overlay ------------------------------------------------------- */
+.message {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 30;
+  display: grid;
+  place-items: center;
+  padding: 2rem;
+  text-align: center;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
+  font-size: clamp(1.6rem, 7vw, 4.5rem);
+  color: #fff;
+  text-shadow: 0 0 12px #6fb0ff, 0 0 40px #2a6bff;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
+  opacity: 0;
+  visibility: hidden;
+  transition: opacity 0.4s, visibility 0.4s;
+}
+.message.show {
+  opacity: 1;
+  visibility: visible;
+}
+
+/* --- offline -------------------------------------------------------------- */
+body.offline .bezel {
+  filter: saturate(0.5) brightness(0.85);
+}
+
+/* --- sound button --------------------------------------------------------- */
+.sound {
+  position: fixed;
+  right: 0.8rem;
+  bottom: 0.8rem;
+  z-index: 40;
+  padding: 0.4rem 0.8rem;
+  font: inherit;
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
+  color: #9aa0a4;
+  background: #1b1d1f;
+  border: 1px solid #000;
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+.sound.on {
+  color: var(--green);
+  cursor: default;
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .digit,
+  body.agitated::before,
+  body.communion .console,
+  body.communion .digit,
+  body.communion .lamp {
+    animation: none !important;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/clock.html b/services/observer-effect/site/clock.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c4ab8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/clock.html
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8" />
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
+    <meta name="robots" content="noindex" />
+    <title>Warner Center Radio Array — Master Chronometer</title>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="clock.css" />
+  </head>
+  <body class="screen">
+    <main class="console" id="console">
+      <div class="bezel">
+        <header class="plate plate--top">
+          <span class="stencil">WARNER CENTER RADIO ARRAY</span>
+          <span class="rec"><i class="lamp lamp--rec"></i> REC</span>
+        </header>
+        <div class="subplate">MASTER CHRONOMETER</div>
+
+        <div class="readout" id="tubes" aria-hidden="true"></div>
+        <p class="srtime" aria-live="off"><span id="srtime">17:00:00</span> local time</p>
+
+        <div class="lamps">
+          <div class="lampcell">
+            <i class="lamp lamp--green" id="lampLink"></i><span>ARRAY</span>
+          </div>
+          <div class="lampcell" id="cellPulse">
+            <i class="lamp lamp--amber"></i><span>SIGNAL</span>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <footer class="plate plate--bottom">
+          PROPERTY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY · MCMLXIV · AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
+        </footer>
+      </div>
+    </main>
+
+    <div class="void" id="void" aria-hidden="true"></div>
+    <div class="flash" id="flash" aria-hidden="true"></div>
+    <div class="message" id="message" aria-hidden="true"></div>
+    <button class="sound" id="soundBtn" type="button">◌ SOUND OFF</button>
+
+    <script src="common.js"></script>
+    <script src="sound.js"></script>
+    <script src="clock.js"></script>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/clock.js b/services/observer-effect/site/clock.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..384cac8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/clock.js
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+/* Player screen. Read-only and deliberately ignorant of the scenario's
+   structure — no countdown, no iteration counter, nothing the in-world DOE
+   inspectors couldn't see. It shows the Array's current time and reacts to
+   whatever the Handler chooses to push: signal pulses, the catastrophe, text.
+   Dread builds from the pulses the Handler fires, not from any visible clock. */
+(function () {
+  "use strict";
+
+  const $ = (id) => document.getElementById(id);
+  const body = document.body;
+  const reduceMotion =
+    window.matchMedia && window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches;
+
+  // Build six nixie tubes as HH MM SS with two colons; keep digit + ghost refs.
+  const tubeWrap = $("tubes");
+  const digits = [];
+  const ghosts = [];
+  "HH:MM:SS".split("").forEach((ch) => {
+    if (ch === ":") {
+      const c = document.createElement("span");
+      c.className = "colon";
+      c.innerHTML = "<i></i><i></i>";
+      tubeWrap.appendChild(c);
+    } else {
+      const tube = document.createElement("span");
+      tube.className = "tube";
+      // afterglow layer: holds the outgoing numeral as it de-ionizes
+      const g = document.createElement("span");
+      g.className = "ghost";
+      const d = document.createElement("span");
+      d.className = "digit";
+      d.textContent = "0";
+      // each tube flickers on its own rhythm (via CSS vars, so the communion
+      // rupture animation can still fully override the flicker)
+      d.style.setProperty("--flick-dur", (5 + Math.random() * 4).toFixed(2) + "s");
+      d.style.setProperty("--flick-delay", (-Math.random() * 6).toFixed(2) + "s");
+      tube.appendChild(g);
+      tube.appendChild(d);
+      tubeWrap.appendChild(tube);
+      digits.push(d);
+      ghosts.push(g);
+    }
+  });
+
+  function renderDigits(str) {
+    const order = [0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7]; // skip the colon positions
+    const glitching = body.classList.contains("communion");
+    order.forEach((pos, i) => {
+      const ch = str[pos];
+      if (digits[i].textContent !== ch) {
+        // leave a fading ghost of the outgoing numeral (neon persistence)
+        if (!glitching && !reduceMotion) {
+          ghosts[i].textContent = digits[i].textContent;
+          ghosts[i].animate([{ opacity: 0.7 }, { opacity: 0 }], {
+            duration: 160,
+            easing: "ease-out",
+          });
+        }
+        digits[i].textContent = ch;
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  // cathode-poisoning exercise: a rapid slot-machine cycle through 0-9,
+  // staggered per tube, run only while the clock sits idle
+  function renderSpin(now) {
+    for (let i = 0; i < digits.length; i++) {
+      digits[i].textContent = ((Math.floor(now / 45) + i * 2) % 10).toString();
+    }
+  }
+
+  // --- dread / tension -------------------------------------------------------
+  // 0..1, nudged up by each pulse and decaying slowly. Drives the red wash and
+  // the audio drone, so the Handler paces the menace by firing pulses.
+  let tension = 0;
+  function bumpTension(amount) {
+    tension = Math.min(1, tension + amount);
+  }
+
+  // --- effects ---------------------------------------------------------------
+  let pulseTimer = null;
+  function flashPulse() {
+    body.classList.add("pulsing");
+    clearTimeout(pulseTimer);
+    pulseTimer = setTimeout(() => body.classList.remove("pulsing"), 750);
+    bumpTension(0.2);
+    if (window.OESound) OESound.pulse();
+  }
+
+  let communionTimer = null;
+  let scrambleUntil = 0;
+  function communionSeq() {
+    body.classList.remove("communion");
+    void body.offsetWidth; // restart the whole sequence
+    body.classList.add("communion");
+    if (window.OESound && OESound.cancelTicks) OESound.cancelTicks();
+    tension = 1;
+    scrambleUntil = performance.now() + 2300; // digits possessed through the blast
+    clearTimeout(communionTimer);
+    communionTimer = setTimeout(() => body.classList.remove("communion"), 6200);
+    if (window.OESound) OESound.communion();
+  }
+  function renderScramble() {
+    for (const d of digits) d.textContent = ((Math.random() * 10) | 0).toString();
+  }
+
+  const msgEl = $("message");
+  function showMessage(text) {
+    msgEl.textContent = text;
+    msgEl.classList.add("show");
+  }
+  function hideMessage() {
+    msgEl.classList.remove("show");
+  }
+
+  // --- model + connection ----------------------------------------------------
+  const model = OE.ClockModel();
+  let nextTickTime = null; // next scheduled relay click, in AudioContext time
+
+  const conn = OE.connect(OE.defaultWsUrl(), {
+    onstatus(s) {
+      $("lampLink").classList.toggle("lamp--on", s === "open");
+      body.classList.toggle("offline", s !== "open");
+    },
+    onstate(state) {
+      model.apply(state);
+      // drop queued clicks and realign — so pausing stops ticks promptly and a
+      // jump/rate change re-aligns instead of replaying a backlog
+      if (window.OESound && OESound.cancelTicks) OESound.cancelTicks();
+      nextTickTime = null;
+    },
+    onfx(fx) {
+      if (fx.fx === "pulse") flashPulse();
+      else if (fx.fx === "communion") communionSeq();
+      else if (fx.fx === "msg") {
+        if (fx.text) {
+          showMessage(fx.text);
+          if (window.OESound && OESound.enabled()) OESound.message();
+        } else hideMessage();
+      }
+    },
+  });
+  window.addEventListener("beforeunload", () => conn.close());
+
+  // --- tick scheduler --------------------------------------------------------
+  // Schedule relay clicks ahead of time on the AudioContext clock, so they keep
+  // ticking precisely even when the tab is backgrounded (requestAnimationFrame
+  // is paused there, but Web Audio scheduling is not). Each click is aligned to
+  // the in-world second boundary — i.e. the digit changeover.
+  const TICK_LOOKAHEAD = 2.5; // seconds of clicks kept queued
+  function scheduleTicks() {
+    if (!window.OESound || !OESound.enabled()) return (nextTickTime = null);
+    const m = model.now();
+    if (!m.running || body.classList.contains("communion")) return (nextTickTime = null);
+    const aNow = OESound.now();
+    const rate = m.rate || 1;
+    if (nextTickTime === null) {
+      const nextSec = Math.floor(m.inworld) + 1;
+      nextTickTime = aNow + (nextSec - m.inworld) / rate;
+    }
+    const stepGap = Math.max(1 / rate, 0.07); // never buzz at high rates
+    while (nextTickTime < aNow + TICK_LOOKAHEAD) {
+      if (nextTickTime > aNow) OESound.step(nextTickTime);
+      nextTickTime += stepGap;
+    }
+  }
+  setInterval(scheduleTicks, 250);
+
+  // --- render loop -----------------------------------------------------------
+  let last = performance.now();
+  let spinUntil = 0;
+  const SPIN_IDLE = 90000; // exercise the tubes after this long sitting idle
+  let nextSpinAt = performance.now() + SPIN_IDLE;
+  function frame(now) {
+    const dt = (now - last) / 1000;
+    last = now;
+
+    const s = model.now();
+
+    // cathode-poisoning spin, but only while the clock sits idle (paused)
+    if (s.running || body.classList.contains("communion") || reduceMotion) {
+      nextSpinAt = now + SPIN_IDLE;
+    } else if (now >= nextSpinAt && now >= spinUntil) {
+      spinUntil = now + 1600;
+      nextSpinAt = now + SPIN_IDLE;
+    }
+
+    if (now < scrambleUntil) renderScramble();
+    else if (now < spinUntil) renderSpin(now);
+    else renderDigits(OE.clock(s.inworld));
+    $("srtime").textContent = OE.clock(s.inworld);
+
+    // (relay ticks are scheduled on the audio clock above, not here)
+
+    // decay tension and reflect it on the console — quick enough that the
+    // drone and red wash settle within several seconds, not minutes
+    tension = Math.max(0, tension - dt * 0.12);
+    body.style.setProperty("--tension", tension.toFixed(3));
+    body.classList.toggle("agitated", tension > 0.6);
+    if (window.OESound && OESound.enabled()) OESound.setDread(tension);
+
+    requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+  }
+  requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+
+  // --- sound toggle ----------------------------------------------------------
+  const soundBtn = $("soundBtn");
+  soundBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+    if (OESound.enable()) {
+      soundBtn.textContent = "◉ SOUND ON";
+      soundBtn.classList.add("on");
+      soundBtn.disabled = true;
+    }
+  });
+})();
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/common.js b/services/observer-effect/site/common.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e40fa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/common.js
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+/* Observer Effect — shared clock logic for the player screen and the Handler's
+   panel. Classic script (no modules) so the pages also open straight from disk
+   for a quick look. Everything hangs off the global `OE`. */
+(function () {
+  "use strict";
+
+  // In-world second-of-day for the moment Azathoth achieves communion.
+  const COMMUNION = 79417; // 22:03:37
+
+  // The scenario's beats, in second-of-day. `pulse: true` marks the live
+  // on-site shudders the player screen reacts to; the rest are scene markers
+  // and useful jump targets for the Handler.
+  const EVENTS = [
+    { t: 36000, label: "Array activated", time: "10:00:00" },
+    { t: 55735, label: "Power surge", time: "15:28:55" },
+    { t: 59682, label: "Phantom signal", time: "16:34:42" },
+    { t: 61200, label: "Agents arrive", time: "17:00:00" },
+    { t: 63629, label: "Pulse", time: "17:40:29", pulse: true },
+    { t: 67576, label: "Takagawa awakens", time: "18:46:16", pulse: true },
+    { t: 71523, label: "Klinger appears", time: "19:52:03", pulse: true },
+    { t: 75470, label: "Klinger's rampage", time: "20:57:50", pulse: true },
+    { t: COMMUNION, label: "COMMUNION", time: "22:03:37", communion: true },
+  ];
+
+  const RESET_POINTS = { 1: 61200, 2: 67576, 3: 75470, 4: COMMUNION };
+  const ROMAN = { 1: "I", 2: "II", 3: "III", 4: "IV" };
+
+  function pad(n) {
+    return String(Math.floor(n)).padStart(2, "0");
+  }
+
+  // second-of-day (may exceed a day or go negative) -> "HH:MM:SS", clamped 0..24h.
+  function clock(sec) {
+    let s = Math.max(0, Math.min(86399, Math.floor(sec)));
+    return pad(s / 3600) + ":" + pad((s % 3600) / 60) + ":" + pad(s % 60);
+  }
+
+  // A signed duration in seconds -> "H:MM:SS".
+  function duration(sec) {
+    const neg = sec < 0;
+    let s = Math.abs(Math.floor(sec));
+    const h = Math.floor(s / 3600);
+    return (neg ? "-" : "") + h + ":" + pad((s % 3600) / 60) + ":" + pad(s % 60);
+  }
+
+  /* Holds the latest authoritative snapshot and free-runs from it locally, so
+     the digits keep ticking between the Handler's actions. */
+  function ClockModel() {
+    let base = RESET_POINTS[1];
+    let baseAt = performance.now();
+    let running = false;
+    let rate = 1;
+    let iteration = 1;
+
+    return {
+      apply(state) {
+        base = state.inworld;
+        baseAt = performance.now();
+        running = state.running;
+        rate = state.rate;
+        iteration = state.iteration;
+      },
+      now() {
+        const live = running
+          ? base + ((performance.now() - baseAt) / 1000) * rate
+          : base;
+        return {
+          inworld: live,
+          remaining: COMMUNION - live,
+          running,
+          rate,
+          iteration,
+        };
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
+  /* Auto-reconnecting WebSocket. `onstate`/`onfx` get parsed messages;
+     `onstatus` gets "open"/"closed" for the link lamp. */
+  function connect(url, handlers) {
+    let ws;
+    let closed = false;
+
+    function open() {
+      ws = new WebSocket(url);
+      ws.onopen = () => handlers.onstatus && handlers.onstatus("open");
+      ws.onclose = () => {
+        handlers.onstatus && handlers.onstatus("closed");
+        if (!closed) setTimeout(open, 1000);
+      };
+      ws.onerror = () => ws.close();
+      ws.onmessage = (e) => {
+        let m;
+        try {
+          m = JSON.parse(e.data);
+        } catch (_) {
+          return;
+        }
+        if (m.type === "state") handlers.onstate && handlers.onstate(m);
+        else if (m.type === "fx") handlers.onfx && handlers.onfx(m);
+      };
+    }
+    open();
+
+    return {
+      send(obj) {
+        if (ws && ws.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) ws.send(JSON.stringify(obj));
+      },
+      close() {
+        closed = true;
+        if (ws) ws.close();
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
+  // Default WS endpoint: same host, /ws, matching page's TLS.
+  function defaultWsUrl() {
+    const proto = location.protocol === "https:" ? "wss:" : "ws:";
+    return proto + "//" + location.host + "/ws";
+  }
+
+  window.OE = {
+    COMMUNION,
+    EVENTS,
+    RESET_POINTS,
+    ROMAN,
+    clock,
+    duration,
+    pad,
+    ClockModel,
+    connect,
+    defaultWsUrl,
+  };
+})();
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/control.css b/services/observer-effect/site/control.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3af6bc0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/control.css
@@ -0,0 +1,260 @@
+/* Array Control — the Handler's cockpit. Same steel as the chronometer,
+   but laid out as a dense bank of switches and push-buttons. */
+
+:root {
+  --bg: #0a0b0c;
+  --steel-hi: #4c5054;
+  --steel: #2c2f32;
+  --steel-lo: #16181a;
+  --label: #c9cdd1;
+  --amber: #ffb347;
+  --red: #ff3b30;
+  --green: #46e06a;
+}
+
+* {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+html,
+body {
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
+body.panel {
+  min-height: 100vh;
+  padding: clamp(0.6rem, 2.5vw, 2rem);
+  background: radial-gradient(120% 120% at 50% 0%, #15171a, var(--bg) 70%);
+  color: var(--label);
+  font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, system-ui, sans-serif;
+  -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
+}
+
+.rig {
+  width: min(96vw, 760px);
+  margin: 0 auto;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.9rem;
+}
+
+/* engraved header */
+.plate {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  font-weight: 800;
+  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
+  font-size: clamp(0.7rem, 2vw, 0.95rem);
+  text-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
+}
+.link {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.4em;
+  color: #9aa0a4;
+  font-size: 0.78rem;
+}
+.lamp {
+  width: 0.8em;
+  height: 0.8em;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: #2a2a2a;
+  box-shadow: inset 0 0 3px #000;
+  transition: background 0.1s;
+}
+.lamp--on {
+  background: var(--green);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 8px var(--green);
+}
+
+/* --- mirror --------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.mirror {
+  padding: clamp(0.7rem, 2.5vw, 1.2rem);
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: radial-gradient(120% 160% at 50% 0%, #141312, #070605);
+  border: 1px solid #000;
+  box-shadow: inset 0 5px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
+}
+.mirror-time {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: baseline;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 1rem;
+}
+.big {
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  font-size: clamp(2.4rem, 12vw, 4.5rem);
+  font-weight: 400;
+  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
+  color: #ffe2bc;
+  text-shadow: 0 0 6px #ff7a1e, 0 0 22px #ff6a00, 0 0 50px rgba(255, 90, 0, 0.5);
+}
+.run {
+  letter-spacing: 0.2em;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: #7d8286;
+}
+.run.live {
+  color: var(--green);
+  text-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(70, 224, 106, 0.6);
+}
+.mirror-meta {
+  margin-top: 0.6rem;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  justify-content: center;
+  gap: 0.6rem 1.4rem;
+  font-size: clamp(0.6rem, 1.6vw, 0.8rem);
+  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
+  color: #8b9094;
+}
+.mirror-meta b {
+  color: var(--amber);
+}
+
+/* --- banks ---------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.bank {
+  padding: 0.8rem clamp(0.7rem, 2.5vw, 1.1rem) 1rem;
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--steel-hi) -40%, var(--steel) 50%, var(--steel-lo));
+  border: 1px solid #0d0e0f;
+  box-shadow: inset 0 2px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1), inset 0 -3px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+}
+.bank-label,
+.sub {
+  display: block;
+  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
+  font-size: 0.62rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: #8b9094;
+  margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
+  text-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
+}
+.sub {
+  display: inline;
+  margin: 0 0.4rem 0 0;
+  align-self: center;
+}
+.row {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+}
+.row + .row {
+  margin-top: 0.6rem;
+}
+
+/* --- buttons -------------------------------------------------------------- */
+.btn {
+  font: inherit;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  color: #e7eaed;
+  padding: 0.55rem 0.9rem;
+  border-radius: 7px;
+  border: 1px solid #000;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #3c4044, #23262a);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: transform 0.05s, filter 0.1s;
+}
+.btn:hover {
+  filter: brightness(1.15);
+}
+.btn:active {
+  transform: translateY(1px);
+  box-shadow: inset 0 2px 5px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+}
+.btn--wide {
+  flex: 1;
+}
+.btn.active {
+  color: #0a0b0c;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #ffd98a, var(--amber));
+  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(255, 179, 71, 0.6);
+}
+.btn--amber {
+  color: #2a1c00;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #ffd98a, var(--amber));
+}
+.btn--red {
+  color: #fff;
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #ff6a60, var(--red));
+}
+.btn--big {
+  flex: 1;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+  padding: 0.9rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
+}
+
+.grid {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(110px, 1fr));
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  margin-bottom: 0.7rem;
+}
+.jump {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.15rem;
+  align-items: flex-start;
+  text-align: left;
+  padding: 0.5rem 0.7rem;
+}
+.jump b {
+  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+}
+.jump span {
+  font-weight: 400;
+  font-size: 0.62rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
+  color: #aeb3b7;
+}
+.jump.btn--amber span,
+.jump.btn--red span {
+  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65);
+}
+
+.iters .iter {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 90px;
+}
+
+/* --- inputs --------------------------------------------------------------- */
+input {
+  font: inherit;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  color: #e7eaed;
+  background: #101214;
+  border: 1px solid #000;
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  padding: 0.5rem 0.6rem;
+  box-shadow: inset 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
+}
+input:focus {
+  outline: 1px solid var(--amber);
+}
+#token,
+#msg {
+  flex: 1;
+  min-width: 8rem;
+}
+.hint {
+  font-size: 0.7rem;
+  color: var(--amber);
+  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+}
+
+.foot {
+  text-align: center;
+  font-size: 0.72rem;
+  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
+  color: #7d8286;
+}
+.foot a {
+  color: var(--amber);
+}
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/control.html b/services/observer-effect/site/control.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e312a02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/control.html
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8" />
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
+    <meta name="robots" content="noindex" />
+    <title>Array Control</title>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="control.css" />
+  </head>
+  <body class="panel">
+    <main class="rig">
+      <header class="plate">
+        <span class="stencil">ARRAY CONTROL · HANDLER ONLY</span>
+        <span class="link"><i class="lamp" id="lampLink"></i> LINK</span>
+      </header>
+
+      <!-- live mirror of what the players see -->
+      <section class="mirror">
+        <div class="mirror-time">
+          <span class="big" id="mClock">17:00:00</span>
+          <span class="run" id="mRun">PAUSED</span>
+        </div>
+        <div class="mirror-meta">
+          <span>COMMUNION IN <b id="mCountdown">—:—:—</b></span>
+          <span>ITERATION <b id="mIter">I</b></span>
+          <span>NEXT <b id="mNext">—</b></span>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
+      <!-- token -->
+      <section class="bank">
+        <label class="bank-label" for="token">CONTROL KEY</label>
+        <div class="row">
+          <input id="token" type="password" autocomplete="off" placeholder="shared token" />
+          <button class="btn" id="saveToken" type="button">SET</button>
+          <span class="hint" id="tokenHint"></span>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
+      <!-- transport -->
+      <section class="bank">
+        <span class="bank-label">TRANSPORT</span>
+        <div class="row">
+          <button class="btn btn--wide" data-cmd="play" type="button">▶ RUN</button>
+          <button class="btn btn--wide" data-cmd="pause" type="button">⏸ HOLD</button>
+        </div>
+        <div class="row rates" id="rates">
+          <span class="sub">RATE</span>
+          <button class="btn rate" data-rate="1" type="button">×1</button>
+          <button class="btn rate" data-rate="6" type="button">×6</button>
+          <button class="btn rate" data-rate="30" type="button">×30</button>
+          <button class="btn rate" data-rate="60" type="button">×60</button>
+          <button class="btn rate" data-rate="300" type="button">×300</button>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
+      <!-- timeline jumps -->
+      <section class="bank">
+        <span class="bank-label">JUMP TO BEAT</span>
+        <div class="grid" id="jumps"></div>
+        <div class="row">
+          <span class="sub">SET</span>
+          <input id="manualTime" type="time" step="1" value="17:00:00" />
+          <button class="btn" id="manualJump" type="button">JUMP</button>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
+      <!-- iterations -->
+      <section class="bank">
+        <span class="bank-label">ITERATION — resets reality to its wake point</span>
+        <div class="row iters" id="iters">
+          <button class="btn iter" data-iter="1" type="button">I · 17:00</button>
+          <button class="btn iter" data-iter="2" type="button">II · 18:46</button>
+          <button class="btn iter" data-iter="3" type="button">III · 20:57</button>
+          <button class="btn iter" data-iter="4" type="button">IV · SINGULARITY</button>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
+      <!-- effects -->
+      <section class="bank">
+        <span class="bank-label">EFFECTS — fire on the players' screen</span>
+        <div class="row">
+          <button class="btn btn--amber btn--big" data-cmd="pulse" type="button">◉ PULSE</button>
+          <button class="btn btn--red btn--big" data-cmd="communion" type="button">☢ COMMUNION</button>
+        </div>
+        <div class="row">
+          <input id="msg" type="text" maxlength="60" placeholder="broadcast a line of text…" />
+          <button class="btn" id="sendMsg" type="button">SHOW</button>
+          <button class="btn" id="clearMsg" type="button">CLEAR</button>
+        </div>
+      </section>
+
+      <footer class="foot">
+        Player screen: <a id="clockLink" href="clock.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">open the chronometer ↗</a>
+      </footer>
+    </main>
+
+    <script src="common.js"></script>
+    <script src="control.js"></script>
+  </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/control.js b/services/observer-effect/site/control.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..58ddede
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/control.js
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+/* Handler's control panel. Sends authenticated commands to the relay and
+   mirrors the live clock so the Handler sees exactly what the players see. */
+(function () {
+  "use strict";
+
+  const $ = (id) => document.getElementById(id);
+
+  // --- control key (persisted locally) --------------------------------------
+  const tokenInput = $("token");
+  tokenInput.value = localStorage.getItem("oe-token") || "";
+  function saveToken() {
+    localStorage.setItem("oe-token", tokenInput.value.trim());
+    flashHint("key set");
+  }
+  $("saveToken").addEventListener("click", saveToken);
+  tokenInput.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
+    if (e.key === "Enter") saveToken();
+  });
+  let hintTimer = null;
+  function flashHint(text) {
+    const el = $("tokenHint");
+    el.textContent = text;
+    clearTimeout(hintTimer);
+    hintTimer = setTimeout(() => (el.textContent = ""), 1500);
+  }
+
+  // --- connection -----------------------------------------------------------
+  const model = OE.ClockModel();
+  const conn = OE.connect(OE.defaultWsUrl(), {
+    onstatus(s) {
+      $("lampLink").classList.toggle("lamp--on", s === "open");
+    },
+    onstate(state) {
+      model.apply(state);
+      syncRateButtons(state.rate);
+    },
+  });
+  window.addEventListener("beforeunload", () => conn.close());
+
+  function send(obj) {
+    const token = (localStorage.getItem("oe-token") || "").trim();
+    if (!token) {
+      flashHint("no control key set");
+      tokenInput.focus();
+      return;
+    }
+    conn.send(Object.assign({ token }, obj));
+  }
+
+  // --- wire fixed-command buttons (play/pause/pulse/communion) ---------------
+  document.querySelectorAll("[data-cmd]").forEach((btn) => {
+    btn.addEventListener("click", () => send({ cmd: btn.dataset.cmd }));
+  });
+
+  // --- rate -----------------------------------------------------------------
+  document.querySelectorAll(".rate").forEach((btn) => {
+    btn.addEventListener("click", () => send({ cmd: "rate", rate: Number(btn.dataset.rate) }));
+  });
+  function syncRateButtons(rate) {
+    document.querySelectorAll(".rate").forEach((b) => {
+      b.classList.toggle("active", Number(b.dataset.rate) === rate);
+    });
+  }
+
+  // --- iterations -----------------------------------------------------------
+  document.querySelectorAll(".iter").forEach((btn) => {
+    btn.addEventListener("click", () => send({ cmd: "iteration", n: Number(btn.dataset.iter) }));
+  });
+
+  // --- timeline jumps -------------------------------------------------------
+  const jumps = $("jumps");
+  OE.EVENTS.forEach((ev) => {
+    const b = document.createElement("button");
+    b.type = "button";
+    b.className = "btn jump" + (ev.communion ? " btn--red" : ev.pulse ? " btn--amber" : "");
+    b.innerHTML = "<b>" + ev.time + "</b><span>" + ev.label + "</span>";
+    b.addEventListener("click", () => send({ cmd: "set", inworld: ev.t }));
+    jumps.appendChild(b);
+  });
+
+  // manual time -> seconds-of-day
+  $("manualJump").addEventListener("click", () => {
+    const parts = $("manualTime").value.split(":").map(Number);
+    if (parts.length >= 2 && parts.every((n) => !Number.isNaN(n))) {
+      const sec = (parts[0] || 0) * 3600 + (parts[1] || 0) * 60 + (parts[2] || 0);
+      send({ cmd: "set", inworld: sec });
+    }
+  });
+
+  // --- broadcast message ----------------------------------------------------
+  $("sendMsg").addEventListener("click", () => {
+    const text = $("msg").value.trim();
+    if (text) send({ cmd: "msg", text });
+  });
+  $("clearMsg").addEventListener("click", () => send({ cmd: "msg", text: null }));
+  $("msg").addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
+    if (e.key === "Enter") $("sendMsg").click();
+  });
+
+  // player-screen link points at clock.html next to this page
+  $("clockLink").href = new URL("clock.html", location.href).href;
+
+  // --- mirror loop ----------------------------------------------------------
+  function nextBeat(inworld) {
+    const upcoming = OE.EVENTS.filter((e) => e.t > inworld + 0.5);
+    return upcoming.length ? upcoming[0] : null;
+  }
+  function frame() {
+    const s = model.now();
+    $("mClock").textContent = OE.clock(s.inworld);
+    $("mIter").textContent = OE.ROMAN[s.iteration] || s.iteration;
+    $("mCountdown").textContent = s.remaining <= 0 ? "00:00:00" : OE.duration(s.remaining);
+    $("mRun").textContent = s.running ? "RUNNING" : "PAUSED";
+    $("mRun").classList.toggle("live", s.running);
+    const nb = nextBeat(s.inworld);
+    $("mNext").textContent = nb ? nb.time + " " + nb.label : "—";
+    requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+  }
+  requestAnimationFrame(frame);
+})();
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/communion.mp3 b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/communion.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6ff0786
Binary files /dev/null and b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/communion.mp3 differ
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/generate.sh b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/generate.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..79f4ba2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/generate.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Synthesize the Observer Effect SFX with ffmpeg. Pure lavfi synthesis — no
+# samples. Re-run to regenerate the .mp3s in this directory.
+#
+#   nix-shell -p ffmpeg --run ./generate.sh
+#
+# Expressions are deliberately comma-free (logistic gates 1/(1+exp(-k*(t-T)))
+# and exp() envelopes instead of between()/min()/max()) so nothing needs
+# escaping inside the filtergraph.
+set -euo pipefail
+cd "$(dirname "$0")"
+
+SR=48000
+MP3=(-ac 1 -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 128k)
+# Per-second clicks use WAV: mp3 adds a few ms of priming silence at the buffer
+# start, which smears the transient against the digit changeover.
+WAV=(-ac 1 -c:a pcm_s16le)
+
+# --- pulse: a deep drum thump, a rising flute whistle, a metallic shimmer ----
+PULSE='exp(-5*t)*0.9*sin(2*PI*(90*t-25*t*t))'
+PULSE+=' + (1-exp(-25*t))*exp(-3*t)*0.16*sin(2*PI*(1500*t+850*t*t))'
+PULSE+=' + exp(-2.2*t)*0.05*sin(2*PI*2700*t)*(1+0.5*sin(2*PI*7*t))'
+ffmpeg -y -hide_banner -loglevel error \
+  -f lavfi -i "aevalsrc=${PULSE}:s=${SR}:d=1.4" \
+  -af "aecho=0.8:0.7:45|110:0.35|0.2,alimiter=limit=0.95,aresample=44100" \
+  "${MP3[@]}" pulse.mp3
+
+# --- communion: rising roar + noise swell -> sub-bass impact -> screaming
+#     flutes over a beating void drone -------------------------------------
+ROAR='(1-exp(-2.5*t))*exp(-0.28*t)*0.28*(sin(2*PI*(60*t-2.5*t*t))+0.5*sin(4*PI*(60*t-2.5*t*t))+0.33*sin(6*PI*(60*t-2.5*t*t)))'
+IMPACT='(1/(1+exp(-30*(t-1.6))))*exp(-3.2*(t-1.6))*0.95*sin(2*PI*(80*(t-1.6)-35*(t-1.6)*(t-1.6)))'
+FLUTES='(1/(1+exp(-30*(t-1.7))))*exp(-0.9*(t-1.7))*0.07*(sin(2*PI*1700*t)+sin(2*PI*2050*t)+sin(2*PI*2390*t)+sin(2*PI*2900*t)+sin(2*PI*3550*t))*(1+0.4*sin(2*PI*5*t))'
+DRONE='(1/(1+exp(-25*(t-1.7))))*exp(-0.5*(t-1.7))*0.22*(sin(2*PI*40*t)+sin(2*PI*40.5*t))'
+TONAL="${ROAR} + ${IMPACT} + ${FLUTES} + ${DRONE}"
+SWELL="volume=volume='0.4*(1-exp(-2.2*t))*(1/(1+exp(8*(t-1.95))))*(0.6+0.4*sin(2*PI*0.9*t))':eval=frame"
+ffmpeg -y -hide_banner -loglevel error \
+  -f lavfi -i "aevalsrc=${TONAL}:s=${SR}:d=6.5" \
+  -f lavfi -i "anoisesrc=color=white:amplitude=0.6:r=${SR}:d=6.5" \
+  -filter_complex "[1:a]highpass=f=3000,${SWELL}[n];[0:a][n]amix=inputs=2:normalize=0,aecho=0.8:0.85:55|150:0.35|0.2,alimiter=limit=0.96,aresample=44100[out]" \
+  -map "[out]" "${MP3[@]}" communion.mp3
+
+# --- whisper: a brief eerie transmission for broadcast text ------------------
+WHISP='(1-exp(-8*t))*exp(-2*t)*0.12*(sin(2*PI*620*t)+sin(2*PI*623*t))'
+WHISP+=' + exp(-3*t)*0.04*sin(2*PI*(2200*t-300*t*t))'
+WHISP+=' + 0.03*exp(-1.5*t)*sin(2*PI*1240*t)*(1+0.6*sin(2*PI*11*t))'
+ffmpeg -y -hide_banner -loglevel error \
+  -f lavfi -i "aevalsrc=${WHISP}:s=${SR}:d=1.6" \
+  -f lavfi -i "anoisesrc=color=white:amplitude=0.25:r=${SR}:d=1.6" \
+  -filter_complex "[1:a]bandpass=f=1500:width_type=h:w=900,volume=volume='0.18*exp(-2.5*t)*(0.5+0.5*sin(2*PI*13*t))':eval=frame[n];[0:a][n]amix=inputs=2:normalize=0,volume=12dB,aecho=0.8:0.6:70:0.3,alimiter=limit=0.9,aresample=44100[out]" \
+  -map "[out]" "${MP3[@]}" whisper.mp3
+
+# --- relay: a dry electromechanical seconds step (armature snap + body) -------
+#   The seconds advance is a stepping relay, not a pendulum: a sharp broadband
+#   snap with a faint low "thunk" and almost no tonal tail.
+RELAY='exp(-120*t)*0.3*sin(2*PI*430*t) + exp(-220*t)*0.32*sin(2*PI*1700*t)'
+ffmpeg -y -hide_banner -loglevel error \
+  -f lavfi -i "aevalsrc=${RELAY}:s=${SR}:d=0.09" \
+  -f lavfi -i "anoisesrc=color=white:amplitude=0.6:r=${SR}:d=0.09" \
+  -filter_complex "[1:a]bandpass=f=2400:width_type=h:w=2400,volume=volume='0.6*exp(-230*t)':eval=frame[n];[0:a][n]amix=inputs=2:normalize=0,alimiter=limit=0.95,aresample=44100[out]" \
+  -map "[out]" "${WAV[@]}" relay.wav
+
+echo "generated:"
+for f in pulse.mp3 communion.mp3 whisper.mp3 relay.wav; do
+  printf '  %-14s %s\n' "$f" "$(du -h "$f" | cut -f1)"
+done
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/pulse.mp3 b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/pulse.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..202c982
Binary files /dev/null and b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/pulse.mp3 differ
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/relay.wav b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/relay.wav
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a9b3fca
Binary files /dev/null and b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/relay.wav differ
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/whisper.mp3 b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/whisper.mp3
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46ed919
Binary files /dev/null and b/services/observer-effect/site/sfx/whisper.mp3 differ
diff --git a/services/observer-effect/site/sound.js b/services/observer-effect/site/sound.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aee0ada
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/observer-effect/site/sound.js
@@ -0,0 +1,326 @@
+/* Optional soundscape for the player screen — the "flutes and drums" the
+   scenario keeps describing. Silent until the player clicks to enable it
+   (browsers block audio without a gesture). All synthesized; no asset files. */
+(function () {
+  "use strict";
+
+  let ctx = null;
+  let master = null;
+  let droneGain = null;
+
+  // Pre-rendered ffmpeg SFX (see sfx/generate.sh). Decoded into buffers on
+  // enable; if a file fails to load we fall back to the synth below.
+  const FILES = {
+    pulse: "sfx/pulse.mp3",
+    communion: "sfx/communion.mp3",
+    whisper: "sfx/whisper.mp3",
+    relay: "sfx/relay.wav",
+  };
+  const buffers = {};
+
+  function loadBuffers() {
+    for (const [name, url] of Object.entries(FILES)) {
+      fetch(new URL(url, location.href))
+        .then((r) => (r.ok ? r.arrayBuffer() : Promise.reject()))
+        .then((data) => ctx.decodeAudioData(data))
+        .then((buf) => (buffers[name] = buf))
+        .catch(() => {});
+    }
+  }
+
+  function play(name) {
+    const buf = buffers[name];
+    if (!buf || !ctx) return false;
+    const src = ctx.createBufferSource();
+    src.buffer = buf;
+    src.connect(master);
+    src.start();
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  function enable() {
+    if (ctx) return true;
+    const AC = window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext;
+    if (!AC) return false;
+    ctx = new AC();
+    master = ctx.createGain();
+    master.gain.value = 0.8;
+    master.connect(ctx.destination);
+
+    // A near-subaudible drone that swells as communion nears (see setDread).
+    droneGain = ctx.createGain();
+    droneGain.gain.value = 0;
+    droneGain.connect(master);
+    const drone = ctx.createOscillator();
+    drone.type = "sine";
+    drone.frequency.value = 33;
+    const drone2 = ctx.createOscillator();
+    drone2.type = "sine";
+    drone2.frequency.value = 33.4; // beat against the first for unease
+    drone.connect(droneGain);
+    drone2.connect(droneGain);
+    drone.start();
+    drone2.start();
+
+    // Mains hum: this is a high-voltage 1964 nixie device, so it's never truly
+    // silent. A 60 Hz transformer hum with harmonics plus a faint HV whine,
+    // synthesized live so it loops seamlessly. Constant while sound is on.
+    const humGain = ctx.createGain();
+    humGain.gain.value = 0.07;
+    humGain.connect(master);
+    const humLfo = ctx.createOscillator(); // slow amplitude waver
+    humLfo.frequency.value = 0.5;
+    const humLfoGain = ctx.createGain();
+    humLfoGain.gain.value = 0.012;
+    humLfo.connect(humLfoGain).connect(humGain.gain);
+    humLfo.start();
+    const humLp = ctx.createBiquadFilter();
+    humLp.type = "lowpass";
+    humLp.frequency.value = 500;
+    humLp.connect(humGain);
+    [[60, 0.5], [120, 0.32], [180, 0.12]].forEach(([f, g]) => {
+      const o = ctx.createOscillator();
+      o.type = "sine";
+      o.frequency.value = f;
+      const og = ctx.createGain();
+      og.gain.value = g;
+      o.connect(og).connect(humLp);
+      o.start();
+    });
+    const whine = ctx.createOscillator(); // high-voltage supply whine
+    whine.type = "sine";
+    whine.frequency.value = 15000;
+    const whineGain = ctx.createGain();
+    whineGain.gain.value = 0.015;
+    whine.connect(whineGain).connect(humGain);
+    whine.start();
+
+    loadBuffers();
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  function enabled() {
+    return !!ctx;
+  }
+
+  // Low drum thump + a thin flute whistle: one "pulse" of Azathoth's court.
+  function synthPulse() {
+    if (!ctx) return;
+    const t = ctx.currentTime;
+
+    const drum = ctx.createOscillator();
+    const dg = ctx.createGain();
+    drum.type = "sine";
+    drum.frequency.setValueAtTime(64, t);
+    drum.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(34, t + 0.5);
+    dg.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, t);
+    dg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.9, t + 0.02);
+    dg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, t + 0.7);
+    drum.connect(dg).connect(master);
+    drum.start(t);
+    drum.stop(t + 0.75);
+
+    const flute = ctx.createOscillator();
+    const fg = ctx.createGain();
+    flute.type = "triangle";
+    flute.frequency.setValueAtTime(1900, t);
+    flute.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(3300, t + 0.6);
+    fg.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, t);
+    fg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.12, t + 0.05);
+    fg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, t + 0.65);
+    flute.connect(fg).connect(master);
+    flute.start(t);
+    flute.stop(t + 0.7);
+  }
+
+  function noise(dur) {
+    const len = Math.floor(ctx.sampleRate * dur);
+    const buf = ctx.createBuffer(1, len, ctx.sampleRate);
+    const data = buf.getChannelData(0);
+    for (let i = 0; i < len; i++) data[i] = Math.random() * 2 - 1;
+    return buf;
+  }
+
+  // The full extrusion: a rising roar and noise swell that detonate into a
+  // sub-bass impact, then a cluster of screaming flutes over a void drone.
+  // Timed so the impact lands with the visual blast (~1.6s in).
+  function synthCommunion() {
+    if (!ctx) return;
+    const t = ctx.currentTime;
+    const blast = t + 1.6;
+
+    // rising roar into the blast
+    const roar = ctx.createOscillator();
+    const rg = ctx.createGain();
+    roar.type = "sawtooth";
+    roar.frequency.setValueAtTime(26, t);
+    roar.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(64, blast);
+    roar.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(30, blast + 2.6);
+    rg.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, t);
+    rg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.5, blast);
+    rg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 3.2);
+    roar.connect(rg).connect(master);
+    roar.start(t);
+    roar.stop(blast + 3.4);
+
+    // reverse-cymbal noise swell sucking up into the blast
+    const sw = ctx.createBufferSource();
+    sw.buffer = noise(2);
+    const swf = ctx.createBiquadFilter();
+    swf.type = "highpass";
+    swf.frequency.setValueAtTime(200, t);
+    swf.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(9000, blast);
+    const swg = ctx.createGain();
+    swg.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, t);
+    swg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.22, blast);
+    swg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 0.4);
+    sw.connect(swf).connect(swg).connect(master);
+    sw.start(t);
+    sw.stop(blast + 0.5);
+
+    // THE IMPACT: a plunging sub-bass body + a broadband burst
+    const imp = ctx.createOscillator();
+    const ig = ctx.createGain();
+    imp.type = "sine";
+    imp.frequency.setValueAtTime(82, blast);
+    imp.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(18, blast + 0.8);
+    ig.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, blast);
+    ig.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.95, blast + 0.03);
+    ig.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 1.4);
+    imp.connect(ig).connect(master);
+    imp.start(blast);
+    imp.stop(blast + 1.5);
+
+    const burst = ctx.createBufferSource();
+    burst.buffer = noise(1);
+    const bf = ctx.createBiquadFilter();
+    bf.type = "bandpass";
+    bf.frequency.value = 1100;
+    bf.Q.value = 0.4;
+    const bg = ctx.createGain();
+    bg.gain.setValueAtTime(0.55, blast);
+    bg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 0.6);
+    burst.connect(bf).connect(bg).connect(master);
+    burst.start(blast);
+    burst.stop(blast + 0.7);
+
+    // screaming flute cluster after the rupture
+    [1700, 2050, 2390, 2900, 3550, 4200].forEach((f, i) => {
+      const o = ctx.createOscillator();
+      const g = ctx.createGain();
+      o.type = "triangle";
+      o.frequency.setValueAtTime(f, blast);
+      o.frequency.linearRampToValueAtTime(f * 1.22, blast + 2.6);
+      g.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + i * 0.06);
+      g.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.06, blast + 0.3 + i * 0.06);
+      g.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 3);
+      o.connect(g).connect(master);
+      o.start(blast + i * 0.06);
+      o.stop(blast + 3.2);
+    });
+
+    // void drone tail (two detuned sines, beating)
+    const vg = ctx.createGain();
+    vg.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 0.2);
+    vg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.3, blast + 1);
+    vg.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, blast + 4);
+    vg.connect(master);
+    [40, 40.5].forEach((f) => {
+      const o = ctx.createOscillator();
+      o.type = "sine";
+      o.frequency.value = f;
+      o.connect(vg);
+      o.start(blast);
+      o.stop(blast + 4.2);
+    });
+  }
+
+  // level 0..1 — swells the drone with tension, but cuts cleanly to silence
+  // once tension is spent so the deep pulse doesn't hang around.
+  function setDread(level) {
+    if (!ctx || !droneGain) return;
+    const clamped = Math.max(0, Math.min(1, level));
+    const now = ctx.currentTime;
+    if (clamped <= 0.08) {
+      droneGain.gain.cancelScheduledValues(now);
+      droneGain.gain.setTargetAtTime(0, now, 0.3);
+      return;
+    }
+    droneGain.gain.setTargetAtTime(clamped * 0.22, now, 1.5);
+  }
+
+  // File first, synth as fallback.
+  function pulse() {
+    if (!play("pulse")) synthPulse();
+  }
+  function communion() {
+    if (!play("communion")) synthCommunion();
+  }
+  function message() {
+    play("whisper");
+  }
+
+  // Per-second stepping relay — consistent level, no variation. Optionally
+  // scheduled at a future AudioContext time (`when`) so ticks keep firing while
+  // the tab is backgrounded. Pending clicks are tracked so they can be canceled.
+  let pendingTicks = [];
+  function step(when) {
+    if (!ctx) return;
+    const at = when || ctx.currentTime;
+    const g = ctx.createGain();
+    g.gain.value = 0.4;
+    g.connect(master);
+    let node;
+    if (buffers.relay) {
+      node = ctx.createBufferSource();
+      node.buffer = buffers.relay;
+      node.connect(g);
+      node.start(at);
+    } else {
+      node = ctx.createOscillator();
+      node.type = "square";
+      node.frequency.value = 1800;
+      const e = ctx.createGain();
+      e.gain.setValueAtTime(0.0001, at);
+      e.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.4, at + 0.002);
+      e.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.0001, at + 0.03);
+      node.connect(e).connect(g);
+      node.start(at);
+      node.stop(at + 0.04);
+    }
+    pendingTicks.push({ node, at });
+    if (pendingTicks.length > 64) {
+      pendingTicks = pendingTicks.filter((p) => p.at > ctx.currentTime - 1);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Stop any clicks scheduled for the future (e.g. on pause or a clock jump).
+  function cancelTicks() {
+    if (!ctx) return;
+    const t = ctx.currentTime;
+    for (const p of pendingTicks) {
+      if (p.at > t) {
+        try {
+          p.node.stop(t);
+        } catch (_) {}
+      }
+    }
+    pendingTicks = pendingTicks.filter((p) => p.at > t);
+  }
+
+  function audioNow() {
+    return ctx ? ctx.currentTime : 0;
+  }
+
+  window.OESound = {
+    enable,
+    enabled,
+    pulse,
+    communion,
+    message,
+    step,
+    cancelTicks,
+    now: audioNow,
+    setDread,
+  };
+})();
diff --git a/services/secrets/observer_vps.yaml b/services/secrets/observer_vps.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c2ab9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/services/secrets/observer_vps.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+observer:
+    token: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:0qpwXX4QtrQFkmCZJ1RnvIbI+1DN+lB9OAIvvLvh694=,iv:3T5KFJxrzYkOr+LwNmk+FeKoySub+BJ5brf4kJvfxAE=,tag:6gVWgBPD5KYMVYzhkN7Nyg==,type:str]
+sops:
+    age:
+        - recipient: age1856wmagg3dz4j07alwqnn6d75655t6wcs8glklyjyezhu5p875fq9sez4p
+          enc: |
+            -----BEGIN AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+            YWdlLWVuY3J5cHRpb24ub3JnL3YxCi0+IFgyNTUxOSBIU3NCcHZvRFlvRmcvc1Yz
+            cDB6NUo2MkRsTVh5ekZic01oM0xQTXJFKzNRCjRsZFRRQnIrTjNzcFM0RzVFbVhV
+            NDBjVzhuTTVVOFp1dVJJL1hObDNVaHMKLS0tIDZxWFNtSWFxQ1hyV2tLTHNFZzJ5
+            YmRBT3d2d05XdURiMkU4dm5lc1h0MFkK0HyRftTHpoDCk0qxDydBc1cCORf4p7Ev
+            Cyqy+YKJXXI5HGlBG+pxVbpVPgKebY8WNt2891i/v9vgQkN1owk0iA==
+            -----END AGE ENCRYPTED FILE-----
+    lastmodified: "2026-06-15T06:20:11Z"
+    mac: ENC[AES256_GCM,data:uXv9/78DBOZxIS8nj+UK8OZzvRUCq1tmMSNV+WVZGUnEYcmYzQFT4ZAR2ojvk5uTjn1DQg9lppNH3WFEQc3LOuxFmbOBLWFIqsRHFfaek7xVbcWPibe9SGJ7opqbRWCTpC/yEC2Uf8/Zcjp5tkqI7+3FUunK0R1mYo2KBNxe+68=,iv:2T9PGvfB07+V5pCIq/InQpXNtVGwutA5HwfJ4L03Ymc=,tag:+Sm77auYcLyHYFIXDpBagQ==,type:str]
+    unencrypted_suffix: _unencrypted
+    version: 3.12.1