diff --git a/frontend/index.html b/frontend/index.html
index c1e5d20..1c458e5 100644
--- a/frontend/index.html
+++ b/frontend/index.html
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
       type="font/woff2"
       crossorigin
     />
-    <title>hyprverse — step into the metaverse</title>
+    <title>hyprverse</title>
   </head>
   <body>
     <div id="root"></div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.css b/frontend/src/App.css
index ce446fe..bbc50d8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.css
+++ b/frontend/src/App.css
@@ -411,13 +411,6 @@ html, body, #root {
 .console-submit:disabled { opacity: 0.6; cursor: default; }
 .console-submit-arrow { transition: transform 0.18s ease; }
 .console-submit:hover:not(:disabled) .console-submit-arrow { transform: translateX(3px); }
-.console-foot {
-  margin: 14px 0 0;
-  font-size: 12px;
-  font-weight: 600;
-  text-align: center;
-  color: var(--hv-muted);
-}
 
 /* Shared keyboard-focus ring for every interactive landing control. */
 .landing button:focus-visible,
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/boardTable.test.ts b/frontend/src/game/boardTable.test.ts
index f4234eb..f4e1548 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/boardTable.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/boardTable.test.ts
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ describe("boardTableView — endings", () => {
       seats: [null, { ...bob, accepted: true }],
       state: { board: board9(), turn: 1, result: { status: "in_progress" } },
     });
-    expect(boardTableView(forfeit, "b").status).toBe("Opponent left — you win!");
+    expect(boardTableView(forfeit, "b").status).toBe("Opponent left. You win!");
     // The forfeiter's seat is emptied, so they (and any spectator) see the same.
     expect(boardTableView(forfeit, "a").status).toBe("Bob wins by forfeit");
     expect(boardTableView(forfeit, "spectator").status).toBe("Bob wins by forfeit");
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/boardTable.ts b/frontend/src/game/boardTable.ts
index 88fde14..63a79b4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/boardTable.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/boardTable.ts
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ function statusFor(snapshot: BoardUpdatePayload, mySeat: 0 | 1 | null): string {
       const result = snapshot.state?.result;
       if (snapshot.reason === "forfeit") {
         // Forfeit empties the leaver's seat, so anyone still seated is the winner.
-        if (mySeat !== null) return "Opponent left — you win!";
+        if (mySeat !== null) return "Opponent left. You win!";
         const winnerSeat = snapshot.seats[0] ? 0 : snapshot.seats[1] ? 1 : null;
         return `${winnerSeat !== null ? names[winnerSeat] ?? "Player" : "A player"} wins by forfeit`;
       }
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/chars.ts b/frontend/src/game/chars.ts
index 3bd7198..c869f62 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/chars.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/chars.ts
@@ -5,21 +5,17 @@
  *
  * Add a new entry here + drop the PNG in public/assets/characters/ to
  * introduce a new avatar — no other code changes needed.
+ *
+ * char5/char7/char9 were removed as visual duplicates of char3/char4/char1;
+ * PNGs remain on disk so old localStorage values still resolve via aliases.
  */
 export const CHARS = [
-  // Original four (Penzilla-style interior characters)
   "char1",
   "char2",
   "char3",
   "char4",
-  // Expanded roster: Pipoya FREE RPG Character Sprites 32x32
-  // Female 01, 02, 05, 07
-  "char5",
   "char6",
-  "char7",
   "char8",
-  // Male 01, 02, 06, 08
-  "char9",
   "char10",
   "char11",
   "char12",
@@ -27,10 +23,26 @@ export const CHARS = [
 
 export type CharKey = (typeof CHARS)[number];
 
+/** Legacy picker keys that were visual duplicates of a keeper. */
+const CHAR_ALIASES: Readonly<Record<string, CharKey>> = {
+  char5: "char3",
+  char7: "char4",
+  char9: "char1",
+};
+
 export function isCharKey(v: string): v is CharKey {
   return (CHARS as readonly string[]).includes(v);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Map a stored or override avatar key onto a selectable sprite. Returns null
+ * for unknown keys so callers can fall back (e.g. charForPlayer).
+ */
+export function resolveCharKey(v: string): CharKey | null {
+  if (isCharKey(v)) return v;
+  return CHAR_ALIASES[v] ?? null;
+}
+
 function hash(s: string): number {
   let h = 0;
   for (let i = 0; i < s.length; i++) h = (h * 31 + s.charCodeAt(i)) >>> 0;
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/chatCommands.ts b/frontend/src/game/chatCommands.ts
index 38a8a0f..87501d1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/chatCommands.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/chatCommands.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,6 @@ export function commandInsertion(command: ChatCommand): string {
 
 export const CHAT_HELP = [
   "Commands:",
-  ...CHAT_COMMANDS.map((command) => `${command.usage} — ${command.description}`),
+  ...CHAT_COMMANDS.map((command) => `${command.usage}: ${command.description}`),
   "Enter or T focuses chat · Esc returns to the game",
 ] as const;
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.test.ts b/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.test.ts
index 4d6f264..0f20815 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.test.ts
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ describe("cooldownRetrySeconds", () => {
 
 describe("chatCooldownNotice", () => {
   it("names the whole-second wait derived from retryAfterMs", () => {
-    expect(chatCooldownNotice(4000)).toBe("You're sending messages too fast — wait 4s.");
-    expect(chatCooldownNotice(3200)).toBe("You're sending messages too fast — wait 4s.");
-    expect(chatCooldownNotice(0)).toBe("You're sending messages too fast — wait 1s.");
+    expect(chatCooldownNotice(4000)).toBe("You're sending messages too fast. Wait 4s.");
+    expect(chatCooldownNotice(3200)).toBe("You're sending messages too fast. Wait 4s.");
+    expect(chatCooldownNotice(0)).toBe("You're sending messages too fast. Wait 1s.");
   });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.ts b/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.ts
index 6f85655..7025a81 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/chatCooldown.ts
@@ -18,5 +18,5 @@ export function cooldownRetrySeconds(retryAfterMs: number): number {
 
 /** The system line shown in a chat transcript when a send is rate-limited. */
 export function chatCooldownNotice(retryAfterMs: number): string {
-  return `You're sending messages too fast — wait ${cooldownRetrySeconds(retryAfterMs)}s.`;
+  return `You're sending messages too fast. Wait ${cooldownRetrySeconds(retryAfterMs)}s.`;
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/controlBar.test.ts b/frontend/src/game/controlBar.test.ts
index d2ed7d5..e184776 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/controlBar.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/controlBar.test.ts
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@ import { mediaFailureText } from "./controlBar";
 
 describe("bounded media-failure copy (PRD 25.7)", () => {
   it.each([
-    ["mic", "denied", "Microphone blocked — allow access in your browser"],
+    ["mic", "denied", "Microphone blocked: allow access in your browser"],
     ["mic", "unavailable", "No microphone found"],
     ["mic", "failed", "Couldn't turn on the microphone"],
-    ["cam", "denied", "Camera blocked — allow access in your browser"],
+    ["cam", "denied", "Camera blocked: allow access in your browser"],
     ["cam", "unavailable", "No camera found"],
     ["cam", "failed", "Couldn't turn on the camera"],
   ] as const)("%s %s -> %s", (device, failure, text) => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/controlBar.ts b/frontend/src/game/controlBar.ts
index d0e633f..60bed09 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/controlBar.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/controlBar.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export function mediaFailureText(
   const noun = device === "mic" ? "Microphone" : "Camera";
   switch (failure) {
     case "denied":
-      return `${noun} blocked — allow access in your browser`;
+      return `${noun} blocked: allow access in your browser`;
     case "unavailable":
       return device === "mic" ? "No microphone found" : "No camera found";
     case "failed":
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/modPanel.ts b/frontend/src/game/modPanel.ts
index 95df5c9..020adb6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/modPanel.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/modPanel.ts
@@ -160,15 +160,15 @@ export type ModErrorCode =
 export function moderationErrorText(code: ModErrorCode): string {
   switch (code) {
     case "validation":
-      return "That request was rejected — check the details and try again.";
+      return "That request was rejected. Check the details and try again.";
     case "invalid-until":
       return "Pick a suspension end time in the future.";
     case "target-not-found":
       return "That user no longer exists.";
     case "not-found":
-      return "That report is no longer available — refresh the list.";
+      return "That report is no longer available. Refresh the list.";
     case "rate-limited":
-      return "Too many moderation actions — wait a moment and try again.";
+      return "Too many moderation actions. Wait a moment and try again.";
     case "unauthorized":
       return "Your session is no longer authorized for moderation.";
     case "network":
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/report.ts b/frontend/src/game/report.ts
index ec91bc7..1195fe4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/report.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/report.ts
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ function errorNotice(code: ReportErrorCode): string {
     case "message-not-found":
       return "That message is too old to report.";
     case "rate-limited":
-      return "You're reporting too fast — wait a moment and try again.";
+      return "You're reporting too fast. Wait a moment and try again.";
     case "unauthorized":
       return "Please sign in again to report.";
     case "network":
-      return "Couldn't reach the server — check your connection and try again.";
+      return "Couldn't reach the server. Check your connection and try again.";
     case "unknown":
     default:
       return "Couldn't send your report. Please try again.";
@@ -45,6 +45,6 @@ function errorNotice(code: ReportErrorCode): string {
 export function reportResultNotice(result: ReportResult): string {
   if (!result.ok) return errorNotice(result.code);
   return result.status === "duplicate"
-    ? "You've already reported that message — moderators have it."
-    : "Thanks — your report was sent to the moderators.";
+    ? "You've already reported that message. Moderators have it."
+    : "Thanks. Your report was sent to the moderators.";
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/roomAccess.ts b/frontend/src/game/roomAccess.ts
index 75c191f..858fa1e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/roomAccess.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/roomAccess.ts
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ export const CAPACITY_MESSAGE = "This room is at max capacity.";
 export function knockResultMessage(result: "denied" | "timeout" | "too-far"): string {
   switch (result) {
     case "timeout":
-      return "No answer — nobody let you in.";
+      return "No answer. Nobody let you in.";
     case "too-far":
       return "Step up to the door to knock.";
     default:
diff --git a/frontend/src/game/scenes/WorldScene.ts b/frontend/src/game/scenes/WorldScene.ts
index f8c5132..d5cc67e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/game/scenes/WorldScene.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/game/scenes/WorldScene.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import type { Net } from "../../net/net";
 import { authToken } from "../../net/auth";
 import { bus } from "../eventBus";
 import { createCharAnims, idleFrame, walkAnim } from "../avatar";
-import { CHARS, charForPlayer, isCharKey } from "../chars";
+import { CHARS, charForPlayer, resolveCharKey } from "../chars";
 import { activeMap } from "../maps";
 import { parseInteractables, findNear, arcadeOpenPayload, type InteractableDef } from "../interactables";
 import { movementIntent, BASE_SPEED } from "../movement";
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ export default class WorldScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     });
 
     const saved = localStorage.getItem("avatar");
-    this.avatar = saved && isCharKey(saved) ? saved : "char1";
+    this.avatar = saved ? (resolveCharKey(saved) ?? "char1") : "char1";
 
     const mapKey = activeMap().key;
     const map = this.make.tilemap({ key: mapKey });
diff --git a/frontend/src/net/auth.ts b/frontend/src/net/auth.ts
index 0346389..0d14125 100644
--- a/frontend/src/net/auth.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/net/auth.ts
@@ -50,9 +50,9 @@ function failureMessage(failure: AuthFailureResponse | null): string {
     case "validation":
       return "Check the username and password requirements, then try again.";
     case "username-taken":
-      return "That username is taken — try signing in instead.";
+      return "That username is taken. Try signing in instead.";
     case "invalid-credentials":
-      return "Sign in failed — check your username and password.";
+      return "Sign in failed. Check your username and password.";
     case "rate-limited":
       return `Too many attempts. Try again in ${failure.retryAfterSeconds} seconds.`;
     case "server-error":
diff --git a/frontend/src/net/config.ts b/frontend/src/net/config.ts
index 98308fd..21414aa 100644
--- a/frontend/src/net/config.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/net/config.ts
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ export const MISCONFIGURED = !USE_MOCK && !SERVER_URL;
 export function assertServerUrl(): string {
   if (!SERVER_URL)
     throw new Error(
-      "VITE_SERVER_URL is required — production builds must point at the backend " +
+      "VITE_SERVER_URL is required: production builds must point at the backend " +
         "(mock mode is development-only)."
     );
   return SERVER_URL;
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/ArrivalPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/ArrivalPanel.tsx
index d1315f3..f63dd8b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/ArrivalPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/ArrivalPanel.tsx
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ export default function ArrivalPanel() {
         className="arrival-head"
         onClick={() => setOpen((o) => !o)}
         aria-expanded={open}
-        aria-label={headerCount === undefined ? "Who's around" : `Who's around — ${headerCount} online`}
+        aria-label={headerCount === undefined ? "Who's around" : `Who's around: ${headerCount} online`}
       >
         <Sparkles size={14} aria-hidden="true" />
         <span>Around{headerCount !== undefined ? ` · ${headerCount}` : ""}</span>
@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ export default function ArrivalPanel() {
         <div className="arrival-body">
           <p className="arrival-status" role="status" aria-live="polite">
             {view.kind === "loading" && "Finding who's around…"}
-            {view.kind === "offline" && "You're offline — reconnecting to see who's around."}
+            {view.kind === "offline" && "You're offline. Reconnecting to see who's around."}
             {view.kind === "failed" && "Couldn't load who's around. It'll update when you reconnect."}
-            {view.kind === "empty" && "Nobody else is around yet — walk out and explore, or start something."}
+            {view.kind === "empty" && "Nobody else is around yet. Walk out and explore, or start something."}
             {view.kind === "active" && `${view.onlineCount} online right now.`}
           </p>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/CampusHero.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/CampusHero.tsx
index b5915ef..26e1417 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/CampusHero.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/CampusHero.tsx
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
  * composition with no JS involved (the strollers/motes hide, the tint freezes).
  */
 
-// Each stroller reuses one of the 12 in-game character spritesheets (96×128, a
+// Each stroller reuses one of the 9 in-game character spritesheets (96×128, a
 // 3-col × 4-row grid of 32×32 frames; row 1 = facing left, row 2 = facing right).
 type Stroller = {
   char: string;
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ type Stroller = {
 };
 
 const STROLLERS: Stroller[] = [
-  { char: "char5", dir: "right", top: "58%", scale: 2.2, dur: "34s", delay: "0s" },
-  { char: "char9", dir: "left", top: "70%", scale: 2.5, dur: "29s", delay: "-8s" },
+  { char: "char8", dir: "right", top: "58%", scale: 2.2, dur: "34s", delay: "0s" },
+  { char: "char1", dir: "left", top: "70%", scale: 2.5, dur: "29s", delay: "-8s" },
   { char: "char2", dir: "right", top: "80%", scale: 2.8, dur: "26s", delay: "-15s" },
 ];
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.test.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.test.tsx
index 6ebfdb6..cf5a5b2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.test.tsx
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ describe("ChatBox persistent panel", () => {
   it("surfaces a world-chat cooldown with retry timing instead of dropping silently", () => {
     render(<ChatBox />);
     act(() => netMock.net.emit("chat-cooldown", { scope: "world", retryAfterMs: 4000 }));
-    expect(screen.getByText("You're sending messages too fast — wait 4s.")).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(screen.getByText("You're sending messages too fast. Wait 4s.")).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
   it("surfaces a whisper cooldown in the transcript", () => {
     render(<ChatBox />);
     act(() => netMock.net.emit("chat-cooldown", { scope: "whisper", retryAfterMs: 2500 }));
-    expect(screen.getByText("You're sending messages too fast — wait 3s.")).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(screen.getByText("You're sending messages too fast. Wait 3s.")).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
   it("shows only populated moderation sections and closes after the final unmute", async () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.tsx
index fba6f3e..f8fb21e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/ChatBox.tsx
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ export default function ChatBox() {
       }
     );
     const offFail = net.on("whisper-fail", () =>
-      push({ kind: "sys", text: "Couldn't deliver your whisper — they may have left." })
+      push({ kind: "sys", text: "Couldn't deliver your whisper. They may have left." })
     );
     // Anti-spam cooldown (PRD 25.11): the server refused an over-limit send. World
     // and whisper both surface here; the meeting panel owns its own "meeting" line.
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ export default function ChatBox() {
       if (localModeration.mutedIds().length === 0 && localModeration.blockedIds().length === 0) {
         setShowMod(false);
       }
-      push({ kind: "sys", text: `Couldn't block ${name} — please try again.` });
+      push({ kind: "sys", text: `Couldn't block ${name}. Please try again.` });
     }
   };
 
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ export default function ChatBox() {
         setShowMod(false);
       }
     } else {
-      push({ kind: "sys", text: `Couldn't unblock ${name} — please try again.` });
+      push({ kind: "sys", text: `Couldn't unblock ${name}. Please try again.` });
     }
   };
 
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ export default function ChatBox() {
         {visible.length === 0 ? (
           <div className="mc-empty">
             {panel.tab === "room"
-              ? "Private area — only people here see these messages."
+              ? "Private area: only people here see these messages."
               : "Say hi to the space…  (type /help for commands)"}
           </div>
         ) : (
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/ControlBar.test.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/ControlBar.test.tsx
index 79bb73b..1e09a14 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/ControlBar.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/ControlBar.test.tsx
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ describe("ControlBar", () => {
     // ...then the confirmed denial reverts it to muted and announces the reason.
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByRole("status").textContent).toBe(
-        "Microphone blocked — allow access in your browser",
+        "Microphone blocked: allow access in your browser",
       );
       expect(screen.getByLabelText("Unmute microphone")).toBeTruthy();
     });
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/HelpOverlay.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/HelpOverlay.tsx
index 511b9f8..e7bef41 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/HelpOverlay.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/HelpOverlay.tsx
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@ import Dialog from "./Dialog";
 const CONTROLS: [string, string][] = [
   ["Move", "WASD / Arrow keys"],
   ["Run", "Hold Shift"],
-  ["Interact", "E — sit, stand, doors, tables, arcade"],
+  ["Interact", "E: sit, stand, doors, tables, arcade"],
   ["Enter a room", "Walk to its door, type the key"],
   ["Fullscreen map", "M (Esc to close)"],
-  ["Chat", "Enter or T — / for a command"],
+  ["Chat", "Enter or T, / for a command"],
   ["Find someone", "Open Around (top-right), click a name"],
-  ["Arcade games", "Arrow keys / WASD — Space to flap"],
+  ["Arcade games", "Arrow keys / WASD, Space to flap"],
   ["Close overlay", "Escape"],
   ["Help", "Press ?"],
 ];
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/Landing.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/Landing.tsx
index 42aa0a2..18db4e1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/Landing.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/Landing.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { useRef, useState } from "react";
 import { ArrowRight } from "lucide-react";
 import { signUp, signIn, USE_MOCK } from "../net/auth";
-import { CHARS } from "../game/chars";
+import { CHARS, resolveCharKey } from "../game/chars";
 import Logo from "./Logo";
 import CampusHero from "./CampusHero";
 type Mode = "signin" | "signup";
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export default function Landing({
   const [username, setUsername] = useState("");
   const [password, setPassword] = useState("");
   const [avatar, setAvatar] = useState(
-    () => localStorage.getItem("avatar") ?? "char1"
+    () => resolveCharKey(localStorage.getItem("avatar") ?? "char1") ?? "char1"
   );
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
   const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
@@ -177,10 +177,6 @@ export default function Landing({
             <span>{cta}</span>
             <ArrowRight className="console-submit-arrow" size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
           </button>
-
-          <p className="console-foot">
-            WASD / arrows move · Shift runs · E sits · ? for help
-          </p>
         </form>
       </main>
     </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/MeetingChatPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/MeetingChatPanel.tsx
index cdca546..dc7994a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/MeetingChatPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/MeetingChatPanel.tsx
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ export default function MeetingChatPanel({ lines, onSend, open, unread, onToggle
       </header>
       <div className="meeting-chat-list" data-testid="meeting-chat-list" ref={listRef}>
         {lines.length === 0 ? (
-          <p className="meeting-chat-empty">No messages yet — say hi</p>
+          <p className="meeting-chat-empty">No messages yet. Say hi</p>
         ) : (
           lines.map((line) => (
             <p key={line.key} className={`meeting-chat-line${line.self ? " self" : ""}`}>
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/MeetingGrid.test.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/MeetingGrid.test.tsx
index 93183dc..5293ea6 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/MeetingGrid.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/MeetingGrid.test.tsx
@@ -53,11 +53,12 @@ describe("MeetingGrid (roster fallback — media unavailable)", () => {
   });
 
   it("uses the local player's chosen avatar for their own tile", () => {
+    // char7 is a legacy alias of char4 (deduped picker)
     render(<MeetingGrid participants={roster} selfId="me" selfChar="char7" />);
     const selfTile = screen
       .getAllByTestId("meet-tile")
       .find((tile) => tile.getAttribute("data-player") === "me");
-    expect(selfTile?.querySelector(".pixel-avatar")?.getAttribute("data-char")).toBe("char7");
+    expect(selfTile?.querySelector(".pixel-avatar")?.getAttribute("data-char")).toBe("char4");
   });
 
   it("marks the grid container for hook-based e2e assertions", () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/MeetingOverlay.test.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/MeetingOverlay.test.tsx
index dd223c5..80a9e6e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/MeetingOverlay.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/MeetingOverlay.test.tsx
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ describe("MeetingOverlay", () => {
     expect(screen.queryByTestId("meeting-chat-notice")).toBeNull();
     deliverCooldown({ scope: "meeting", retryAfterMs: 4000 });
     expect(screen.getByTestId("meeting-chat-notice").textContent).toBe(
-      "You're sending messages too fast — wait 4s.",
+      "You're sending messages too fast. Wait 4s.",
     );
   });
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.test.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.test.tsx
index 555cae8..9e46b48 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.test.tsx
@@ -21,10 +21,17 @@ describe("PixelAvatar", () => {
   });
 
   it("honors an explicit character override (the local player's chosen avatar)", () => {
+    const { container } = render(<PixelAvatar playerId="p1" char="char6" />);
+    const el = container.querySelector(".pixel-avatar") as HTMLElement;
+    expect(el.getAttribute("data-char")).toBe("char6");
+    expect(el.style.backgroundImage).toContain("/assets/characters/char6.png");
+  });
+
+  it("aliases legacy duplicate keys (char9 → char1)", () => {
     const { container } = render(<PixelAvatar playerId="p1" char="char9" />);
     const el = container.querySelector(".pixel-avatar") as HTMLElement;
-    expect(el.getAttribute("data-char")).toBe("char9");
-    expect(el.style.backgroundImage).toContain("/assets/characters/char9.png");
+    expect(el.getAttribute("data-char")).toBe("char1");
+    expect(el.style.backgroundImage).toContain("/assets/characters/char1.png");
   });
 
   it("falls back to the deterministic world mapping for an unknown override", () => {
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.tsx
index ed87aa3..69de986 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/PixelAvatar.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type { CSSProperties } from "react";
 import { FRAME_W, FRAME_H, idleFrame } from "../game/avatar";
-import { charForPlayer, isCharKey, type CharKey } from "../game/chars";
+import { charForPlayer, resolveCharKey, type CharKey } from "../game/chars";
 
 /**
  * A participant's in-game pixel sprite (idle pose, facing down, scaled) for
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ export default function PixelAvatar({
   char?: string | undefined;
   scale?: number;
 }) {
-  const key: CharKey = char !== undefined && isCharKey(char) ? char : charForPlayer(playerId);
+  const key: CharKey =
+    char !== undefined ? (resolveCharKey(char) ?? charForPlayer(playerId)) : charForPlayer(playerId);
   const frame = idleFrame("down");
   const col = frame % SHEET_COLS;
   const row = Math.floor(frame / SHEET_COLS);
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/RoomAdminPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/RoomAdminPanel.tsx
index 8d6e025..ee3ce3e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/RoomAdminPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/RoomAdminPanel.tsx
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ export default function RoomAdminPanel() {
         )}
       </div>
       {view.atCapacity && view.allowAll && (
-        <div className="room-admin-note">Room at max capacity — door closed until a slot frees.</div>
+        <div className="room-admin-note">Room at max capacity. Door closed until a slot frees.</div>
       )}
       {view.requests.length > 0 && (
         <div className="knock-requests">
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/Roster.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/Roster.tsx
index d9faa89..820809e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/Roster.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/Roster.tsx
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ export default function Roster() {
       <button
         className="roster-head"
         onClick={() => setOpen((o) => !o)}
-        aria-label={`Roster — ${players.length} online`}
+        aria-label={`Roster: ${players.length} online`}
         aria-expanded={open}
       >
         <Users size={14} aria-hidden="true" /> {players.length}
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/arcade/ArcadeOverlay.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/arcade/ArcadeOverlay.tsx
index 2587bb2..e59269b 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/arcade/ArcadeOverlay.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/arcade/ArcadeOverlay.tsx
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ export default function ArcadeOverlay({ game, label, onClose }: ArcadeOverlayPro
               </div>
               <div className="arcade-scorecell arcade-scorecell--best">
                 <span className="arcade-scorelabel">Best</span>
-                <span className="arcade-scorenum arcade-scorenum--best">{best ?? "—"}</span>
+                <span className="arcade-scorenum arcade-scorenum--best">{best ?? "-"}</span>
               </div>
               <span className="arcade-sr" aria-live="polite">
                 Score {score}
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ export default function ArcadeOverlay({ game, label, onClose }: ArcadeOverlayPro
             <h3 className="arcade-lb-title">Leaderboard</h3>
             <div className="arcade-yourbest">
               <span className="arcade-yourbest-label">Your best</span>
-              <span className="arcade-yourbest-num">{best ?? "—"}</span>
+              <span className="arcade-yourbest-num">{best ?? "-"}</span>
             </div>
             {boardError ? (
               <p className="arcade-lb-note">Scores unavailable</p>
@@ -700,7 +700,7 @@ export default function ArcadeOverlay({ game, label, onClose }: ArcadeOverlayPro
                 <span className="arcade-skel" />
               </div>
             ) : rows.length === 0 ? (
-              <p className="arcade-lb-note">No scores yet — set the pace.</p>
+              <p className="arcade-lb-note">No scores yet. Set the pace.</p>
             ) : (
               <ol className="arcade-rows">
                 {rows.map((row, i) => (
diff --git a/frontend/src/ui/mod/ModPanel.tsx b/frontend/src/ui/mod/ModPanel.tsx
index c51f342..255a2ee 100644
--- a/frontend/src/ui/mod/ModPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/ui/mod/ModPanel.tsx
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export default function ModPanel({ onClose }: ModPanelProps) {
     setBusy(false);
     if (result.ok) {
       closeEditor();
-      setNotice(`${label} — done.`);
+      setNotice(`${label}: done.`);
       await load();
     } else {
       setActionError(moderationErrorText(result.code));