From 42f93b63bcc00a79876f0bef9dde7dacdbc9351c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Flechazo <2558755403@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2026 16:02:33 +0800
Subject: [PATCH] feat: persist story quest difficulty and configurable
 starting chapter

---
 GAME_CONFIGURATION.md                         |  18 ++
 game.json                                     |   3 +
 go/cmd/bd2server/main.go                      |  10 +-
 go/internal/server/accountstate/validate.go   |  30 +-
 go/internal/server/battle/battle.go           |  45 ++-
 go/internal/server/battle/battle_test.go      |  38 +++
 go/internal/server/deck/story_party.go        |  26 ++
 go/internal/server/gameconfig/config.go       |  16 +-
 go/internal/server/gameconfig/config_test.go  |  30 ++
 .../server/gamedata/battle_difficulty.go      |  79 ++++++
 .../server/gamedata/battle_difficulty_test.go |  53 ++++
 go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase.go   |  23 ++
 .../server/gamedata/battle_phase_test.go      |  31 +++
 .../server/gamedata/quest_difficulty.go       |  58 ++++
 go/internal/server/gamedata/quests.go         |  15 +-
 .../server/gamedata/story_characters.go       | 101 +++++++
 .../server/gamedata/story_characters_test.go  |  65 +++++
 go/internal/server/player/story_characters.go |  39 +++
 .../server/player/story_characters_test.go    |  45 +++
 .../server/progress/persistence_test.go       |  39 ++-
 go/internal/server/progress/progress.go       | 242 ++++++++++++----
 go/internal/server/world/field_pack.go        |  13 +-
 go/internal/server/world/health_test.go       |   6 +-
 go/internal/server/world/pack_purchase.go     |   2 +-
 go/internal/server/world/quest_selection.go   | 260 ++++++++++++++++++
 .../server/world/quest_selection_test.go      | 125 +++++++++
 go/internal/server/world/start_pack.go        |  52 ++++
 go/internal/server/world/start_pack_test.go   |  80 ++++++
 go/internal/server/world/story_catalog.go     |  14 +-
 .../server/world/story_catalog_test.go        |   4 +-
 go/internal/server/world/story_characters.go  | 186 +++++++++++++
 .../server/world/story_characters_test.go     |  79 ++++++
 go/internal/server/world/world.go             | 174 ++++++++----
 go/internal/server/world/world_test.go        |   6 +-
 34 files changed, 1859 insertions(+), 148 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/deck/story_party.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty_test.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/gamedata/quest_difficulty.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters_test.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/player/story_characters.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/player/story_characters_test.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/world/quest_selection.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/world/quest_selection_test.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/world/start_pack.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/world/start_pack_test.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/world/story_characters.go
 create mode 100644 go/internal/server/world/story_characters_test.go

diff --git a/GAME_CONFIGURATION.md b/GAME_CONFIGURATION.md
index 9ee19dd..6f41099 100644
--- a/GAME_CONFIGURATION.md
+++ b/GAME_CONFIGURATION.md
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 ```json
 {
   "schema_version": 1,
+  "story": {
+    "start_pack_id": 21
+  },
   "gacha": {
     "include_collaboration_ur_weapons": false
   }
@@ -26,6 +29,21 @@
 
 开关仅作用于 UR 必得装备券。新增装备沿用同星级原有装备的单件权重，原有星级权重规则保持不变；加入候选后，同星级内的概率按扩展后的权重总和计算。该设置只改变券池候选，不会直接发放装备。专武绑定角色，同一角色的多个服装共用专武。
 
+## 新玩家的起始章节
+
+`story.start_pack_id` 接受整数 `21` 或 `1`，省略时默认 `21`。
+
+| 值 | 新账号的开局 |
+|---|---|
+| `21`（默认） | 从当前客户端默认的店长篇开始，使用该篇的任务和教学流程。 |
+| `1` | 从旧主线第一章开始，使用当前 GameData 中该章的开场剧情、初始任务及购卡奖励。 |
+
+此设置只在创建完整新账号存档时使用。起始章节会保存到该账号，修改配置后不会重置已有玩家、移动其当前位置或改变其选中的任务难度。不要通过删除玩家数据库来切换开局；这会删除玩家存档。
+
+起始章节与教学 seed 分开处理，选择 `1` 不会把店长篇任务编号或剧情队伍替换进第一章。章节中的任务顺序、剧情阵容、内容票券以及允许的难度均读取当前 GameData。不同难度分别记录任务进度与奖励，重新连接后继续原有选择。
+
+游戏卡的任务列表用于查看进度及开始、继续当前可进行的任务。后续任务仍须满足前置条件；难度列表只提供该章节表中存在的难度。当前已核实第一章与店长篇有普通、困难、极难，不能依据客户端枚举直接开启其他难度。
+
 ## 校验与升级
 
 `schema_version` 当前必须为 `1`。字段拼写错误、未知字段、错误类型（例如字符串 `"true"`）、`null`、格式错误或文件末尾多出的 JSON 都会使服务端拒绝启动，并在错误中给出文件路径。省略 `gacha` 或此布尔开关时使用 `false`。
diff --git a/game.json b/game.json
index 971cd85..4a69b02 100644
--- a/game.json
+++ b/game.json
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 {
   "schema_version": 1,
+  "story": {
+    "start_pack_id": 21
+  },
   "gacha": {
     "include_collaboration_ur_weapons": false
   }
diff --git a/go/cmd/bd2server/main.go b/go/cmd/bd2server/main.go
index 139efd4..e7643ee 100644
--- a/go/cmd/bd2server/main.go
+++ b/go/cmd/bd2server/main.go
@@ -240,7 +240,8 @@ func serve(args []string) (serveErr error) {
 		}
 	}
 	slog.Info("server gameplay rules loaded", "config", *gameConfigPath,
-		"include_collaboration_ur_weapons", gameRules.Gacha.IncludeCollaborationURWeapons)
+		"include_collaboration_ur_weapons", gameRules.Gacha.IncludeCollaborationURWeapons,
+		"starting_pack_id", gameRules.Story.StartPackID)
 	limitedCostumes, err := gamedata.LoadLimitedCostumes(gameData, *gameDataVersion)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("load limited costume GameData: %w", err)
@@ -446,6 +447,9 @@ func serve(args []string) (serveErr error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("load world state: %w", err)
 	}
+	if err := worldService.ConfigureStartPack(gameRules.Story.StartPackID, initializeAccount); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("configure account starting chapter: %w", err)
+	}
 	if err := login.AttachLastPlayedPack(worldService); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("attach persisted login destination: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -580,6 +584,10 @@ func serve(args []string) (serveErr error) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("load master title: %w", err)
 	}
 	battleService := battle.NewService(gameData, *gameDataVersion, ownedItems, worldService.CurrentPackID)
+	battleService.AttachCurrentDifficulty(worldService.CurrentQuestDifficulty)
+	if err := worldService.AttachBattleActive(battleService.Active); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("attach world battle guard: %w", err)
+	}
 	characters := worldService.CharacterService()
 	recruitDesign, err := gamedata.LoadRecruitDesign(gameData, *gameDataVersion)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/go/internal/server/accountstate/validate.go b/go/internal/server/accountstate/validate.go
index d6c982b..094a0d5 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/accountstate/validate.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/accountstate/validate.go
@@ -52,8 +52,9 @@ type indexedGrant struct {
 }
 
 type questKey struct {
-	pack  uint32
-	quest uint32
+	difficulty uint32
+	pack       uint32
+	quest      uint32
 }
 
 func validateSnapshot(snapshot validationSnapshot) []Problem {
@@ -407,8 +408,9 @@ func progressKeys(tx *sql.Tx) ([]questKey, []questKey, error) {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 	var quests map[string]struct {
-		QuestID int `json:"QuestID"`
-		PackID  int `json:"PackID"`
+		QuestID    int `json:"QuestID"`
+		Difficulty int `json:"Difficulty"`
+		PackID     int `json:"PackID"`
 	}
 	if json.Unmarshal(fields["quests"], &quests) != nil {
 		return nil, nil, errors.New("accountstate: invalid progress.quests")
@@ -416,7 +418,7 @@ func progressKeys(tx *sql.Tx) ([]questKey, []questKey, error) {
 	questKeys := make([]questKey, 0, len(quests))
 	for key, value := range quests {
 		parsed, parseErr := parseQuestKey(key)
-		if parseErr != nil || value.PackID != int(parsed.pack) || value.QuestID != int(parsed.quest) {
+		if parseErr != nil || value.PackID != int(parsed.pack) || value.QuestID != int(parsed.quest) || value.Difficulty != int(parsed.difficulty) {
 			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("accountstate: invalid progress quest key %q", key)
 		}
 		questKeys = append(questKeys, parsed)
@@ -440,16 +442,17 @@ func progressKeys(tx *sql.Tx) ([]questKey, []questKey, error) {
 }
 
 func parseQuestKey(value string) (questKey, error) {
-	left, right, found := strings.Cut(value, ":")
-	if !found {
-		return questKey{}, errors.New("missing separator")
+	parts := strings.Split(value, ":")
+	if len(parts) != 3 {
+		return questKey{}, errors.New("invalid quest identity")
 	}
-	pack, packErr := strconv.ParseUint(left, 10, 32)
-	quest, questErr := strconv.ParseUint(right, 10, 32)
-	if packErr != nil || questErr != nil {
+	pack, e1 := strconv.ParseUint(parts[0], 10, 32)
+	level, e2 := strconv.ParseUint(parts[1], 10, 32)
+	quest, e3 := strconv.ParseUint(parts[2], 10, 32)
+	if e1 != nil || e2 != nil || e3 != nil || level > 4 {
 		return questKey{}, errors.New("invalid integer")
 	}
-	return questKey{pack: uint32(pack), quest: uint32(quest)}, nil
+	return questKey{pack: uint32(pack), difficulty: uint32(level), quest: uint32(quest)}, nil
 }
 
 func sortQuestKeys(keys []questKey) {
@@ -457,6 +460,9 @@ func sortQuestKeys(keys []questKey) {
 		if keys[i].pack != keys[j].pack {
 			return keys[i].pack < keys[j].pack
 		}
+		if keys[i].difficulty != keys[j].difficulty {
+			return keys[i].difficulty < keys[j].difficulty
+		}
 		return keys[i].quest < keys[j].quest
 	})
 }
diff --git a/go/internal/server/battle/battle.go b/go/internal/server/battle/battle.go
index ccc7be5..7930a0b 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/battle/battle.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/battle/battle.go
@@ -16,18 +16,20 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Service struct {
-	mu              sync.Mutex
-	states          map[string]*battleState
-	activeSession   string
-	gameDataRoot    string
-	gameDataVersion string
-	inventory       *player.Inventory
-	currentPack     func() (int, error)
-	loadRewards     func(string, string, int, uint64) ([]gamedata.BattleReward, error)
-	loadPhases      func(string, string, int, uint64, uint64) ([]gamedata.BattlePhase, error)
-	buffs           func() ([]gamedata.PictorialBuffStat, error)
-	onTutorialWin   func() error
-	commitHealth    func(map[uint64]uint64) error
+	mu                 sync.Mutex
+	states             map[string]*battleState
+	activeSession      string
+	gameDataRoot       string
+	gameDataVersion    string
+	inventory          *player.Inventory
+	currentPack        func() (int, error)
+	currentDifficulty  func() (uint64, error)
+	loadDifficultyDeck func(string, string, int, uint64, uint64) (uint64, error)
+	loadRewards        func(string, string, int, uint64) ([]gamedata.BattleReward, error)
+	loadPhases         func(string, string, int, uint64, uint64) ([]gamedata.BattlePhase, error)
+	buffs              func() ([]gamedata.PictorialBuffStat, error)
+	onTutorialWin      func() error
+	commitHealth       func(map[uint64]uint64) error
 }
 
 type battleState struct {
@@ -95,6 +97,11 @@ func NewService(gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion string, inventory *player.Inventor
 	}
 }
 
+// AttachCurrentDifficulty selects the GameData quest deck for the active pack.
+func (s *Service) AttachCurrentDifficulty(resolve func() (uint64, error)) {
+	s.currentDifficulty = resolve
+}
+
 func (s *Service) AttachPictorialBuffs(buffs func() ([]gamedata.PictorialBuffStat, error)) {
 	s.buffs = buffs
 }
@@ -177,6 +184,20 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 			return 0, nil, true, errors.New("battle: current pack resolver is unavailable")
 		}
 		monster, _, _ := wire.Varint(request, 3)
+		if mode == 1 && s.currentDifficulty != nil {
+			difficulty, resolveErr := s.currentDifficulty()
+			if resolveErr != nil {
+				return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("battle: resolve difficulty: %w", resolveErr)
+			}
+			loader := s.loadDifficultyDeck
+			if loader == nil {
+				loader = gamedata.BattleDeckForDifficulty
+			}
+			deck, err = loader(s.gameDataRoot, s.gameDataVersion, packID, deck, difficulty)
+			if err != nil {
+				return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("battle: select difficulty deck: %w", err)
+			}
+		}
 		var phases []gamedata.BattlePhase
 		if s.loadPhases != nil || (s.gameDataRoot != "" && packID > 0 && monster != 0) {
 			loader := s.loadPhases
diff --git a/go/internal/server/battle/battle_test.go b/go/internal/server/battle/battle_test.go
index e6c6833..6b3bd04 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/battle/battle_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/battle/battle_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,44 @@ import (
 
 func request(seq uint64) []byte { return wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, seq) }
 
+func TestQuestBattleSelectsAndRetainsDifficultyDeck(t *testing.T) {
+	s := NewService("design", "version", nil, func() (int, error) { return 1, nil })
+	s.AttachCurrentDifficulty(func() (uint64, error) { return 2, nil })
+	s.loadDifficultyDeck = func(_, _ string, pack int, deck, difficulty uint64) (uint64, error) {
+		if pack != 1 || deck != 1 || difficulty != 2 {
+			t.Fatalf("selection %d/%d/%d", pack, deck, difficulty)
+		}
+		return 200001, nil
+	}
+	s.loadPhases = func(_, _ string, pack int, monster, deck uint64) ([]gamedata.BattlePhase, error) {
+		if pack != 1 || deck != 200001 {
+			t.Fatalf("phase selection %d/%d", pack, deck)
+		}
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	enter := wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(request(1), 3, 1), 4, 1), 5, 1)
+	_, response, _, err := s.Handle("/BattleEnter", enter)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	deck, _, _ := wire.Varint(response, 2)
+	if deck != 200001 {
+		t.Fatalf("deck %d", deck)
+	}
+	start := wire.AppendBytes(wire.AppendVarint(request(2), 2, 200001), 5, wire.AppendVarint(nil, 2, 101))
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/BattleStart", start); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_, response, _, err = s.Handle("/BattleRetry", wire.AppendVarint(request(3), 2, 200001))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	deck, _, _ = wire.Varint(response, 3)
+	if deck != 200001 {
+		t.Fatalf("retry deck %d", deck)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestLocalBattleLifecycle(t *testing.T) {
 	s := &Service{}
 	enter := request(1)
diff --git a/go/internal/server/deck/story_party.go b/go/internal/server/deck/story_party.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e31015
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/deck/story_party.go
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package deck
+
+func (s *Store) CurrentFieldDeck() []FieldEntry {
+	s.mu.RLock()
+	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
+	return append([]FieldEntry(nil), s.state.FieldDeck...)
+}
+
+// SetStoryParty stores the authored active quest formation using the same
+// character ownership checks as DeckSave. Empty formation keeps player choice.
+func (s *Store) SetStoryParty(entries []DeckEntry) error {
+	if len(entries) == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	if err := validDeck(entries); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	if err := s.validateOwnedDeckLocked(entries); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	next := clone(s.state)
+	next.Deck = append([]DeckEntry(nil), entries...)
+	return s.commit(next)
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config.go b/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config.go
index a416e7e..6c97d63 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config.go
@@ -16,13 +16,20 @@ const FileName = "game.json"
 type Config struct {
 	SchemaVersion int         `json:"schema_version"`
 	Gacha         GachaConfig `json:"gacha"`
+	Story         StoryConfig `json:"story"`
+}
+
+// StartPackID selects the entry chapter for newly initialized accounts.
+// Existing accounts retain their persisted entry and selected chapter.
+type StoryConfig struct {
+	StartPackID int `json:"start_pack_id"`
 }
 
 type GachaConfig struct {
 	IncludeCollaborationURWeapons bool `json:"include_collaboration_ur_weapons"`
 }
 
-func Default() Config { return Config{SchemaVersion: 1} }
+func Default() Config { return Config{SchemaVersion: 1, Story: StoryConfig{StartPackID: 21}} }
 
 // Load reads one explicit path. Older installations without the file retain
 // the default rules; an existing invalid file must never silently fall back.
@@ -34,7 +41,9 @@ func Load(path string) (Config, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return Config{}, fmt.Errorf("game configuration: read %s: %w", path, err)
 	}
-	var cfg Config
+	cfg := Default()
+	// The format version is required even when gameplay sections are omitted.
+	cfg.SchemaVersion = 0
 	decoder := json.NewDecoder(bytes.NewReader(data))
 	decoder.DisallowUnknownFields()
 	if err := decoder.Decode(&cfg); err != nil {
@@ -83,6 +92,9 @@ func (c Config) Validate() error {
 	if c.SchemaVersion != 1 {
 		return fmt.Errorf("unsupported schema_version %d (expected 1)", c.SchemaVersion)
 	}
+	if c.Story.StartPackID != 1 && c.Story.StartPackID != 21 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("story.start_pack_id must be 1 or 21, got %d", c.Story.StartPackID)
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config_test.go b/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config_test.go
index afdd963..1400b0e 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/gameconfig/config_test.go
@@ -44,6 +44,36 @@ func TestLoad(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestStartingChapterConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, tc := range []struct {
+		text string
+		want int
+	}{
+		{`{"schema_version":1}`, 21},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{}}`, 21},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{"start_pack_id":1}}`, 1},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{"start_pack_id":21}}`, 21},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{"start_pack_id":0}}`, 0},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{"start_pack_id":22}}`, 0},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{"start_pack_id":"1"}}`, 0},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":{"start_pack_id":null}}`, 0},
+		{`{"schema_version":1,"story":null}`, 0},
+	} {
+		path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), FileName)
+		if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(tc.text), 0600); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		cfg, err := Load(path)
+		if tc.want == 0 {
+			if err == nil {
+				t.Fatalf("accepted invalid entry: %s", tc.text)
+			}
+		} else if err != nil || cfg.Story.StartPackID != tc.want {
+			t.Fatalf("configuration %s = %+v, %v", tc.text, cfg, err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func TestMissingFileDefaultsWithoutCreating(t *testing.T) {
 	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), FileName)
 	cfg, err := Load(path)
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e3c027
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty.go
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+package gamedata
+
+import (
+	"database/sql"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+// BattleDeckForDifficulty mirrors QuicklyQuestHelper.GetBattleDeckIdByDifficulty
+// for the three story difficulties, and verifies the resulting design row.
+// Already-selected difficulty decks retain their ID.
+func BattleDeckForDifficulty(root, version string, packID int, deckID, difficulty uint64) (uint64, error) {
+	db, cleanup, err := openPackDatabase(root, version, packID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	defer cleanup()
+	return battleDeckForDifficultyFromDB(db, deckID, difficulty)
+}
+
+func openPackDatabase(root, version string, packID int) (*sql.DB, func(), error) {
+	if packID <= 0 {
+		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: invalid battle pack %d", packID)
+	}
+	plain, err := ReadDatabase(root, version, fmt.Sprintf("pack%d", packID))
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	dir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "bd2-difficulty-")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	path := filepath.Join(dir, "pack.db")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, plain, 0600); err != nil {
+		os.RemoveAll(dir)
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	db, err := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+filepath.ToSlash(path)+"?mode=ro")
+	if err != nil {
+		os.RemoveAll(dir)
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	return db, func() { db.Close(); os.RemoveAll(dir) }, nil
+}
+
+func battleDeckForDifficultyFromDB(db *sql.DB, deckID, difficulty uint64) (uint64, error) {
+	if deckID == 0 || deckID > 2147483647 || difficulty > 2 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: unsupported battle deck/difficulty %d/%d", deckID, difficulty)
+	}
+	var data []byte
+	if err := db.QueryRow("SELECT ProtoBuf FROM BattleDeckTable WHERE id=?", deckID).Scan(&data); err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: battle deck %d: %w", deckID, err)
+	}
+	actual, err := phaseScalar(data, 24)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	if actual == difficulty {
+		return deckID, nil
+	}
+	// Only an ordinary deck can be promoted. Changing a previously selected
+	// difficulty deck would conceal stale client quest state.
+	if actual != 0 || difficulty == 0 {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: deck %d difficulty %d differs from selected %d", deckID, actual, difficulty)
+	}
+	selected := deckID + difficulty*100000
+	if err := db.QueryRow("SELECT ProtoBuf FROM BattleDeckTable WHERE id=?", selected).Scan(&data); err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: difficulty deck %d: %w", selected, err)
+	}
+	actual, err = phaseScalar(data, 24)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	if actual != difficulty {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: difficulty deck %d has difficulty %d, want %d", selected, actual, difficulty)
+	}
+	return selected, nil
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty_test.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0625ab0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_difficulty_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+package gamedata
+
+import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/wire"
+	"database/sql"
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestBattleDifficultyUsesExistingDesignRows(t *testing.T) {
+	db, err := sql.Open("sqlite", ":memory:")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer db.Close()
+	if _, err := db.Exec("CREATE TABLE BattleDeckTable(id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, ProtoBuf BLOB)"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, row := range []struct{ id, d uint64 }{{1, 0}, {100001, 1}, {200001, 2}, {7, 0}, {100007, 2}} {
+		if _, err := db.Exec("INSERT INTO BattleDeckTable VALUES(?,?)", row.id, wire.AppendVarint(nil, 24, row.d)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct{ id, d, w uint64 }{{1, 0, 1}, {1, 1, 100001}, {1, 2, 200001}, {100001, 1, 100001}} {
+		got, err := battleDeckForDifficultyFromDB(db, c.id, c.d)
+		if err != nil || got != c.w {
+			t.Fatalf("%+v got %d: %v", c, got, err)
+		}
+	}
+	for _, c := range []struct{ id, d uint64 }{{1, 3}, {7, 1}, {7, 2}, {100001, 2}, {100001, 0}} {
+		if _, err := battleDeckForDifficultyFromDB(db, c.id, c.d); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("accepted %+v", c)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInstalledStoryBattleDifficultyDecks(t *testing.T) {
+	root := os.Getenv("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA")
+	if root == "" {
+		t.Skip("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA not configured")
+	}
+	// Python read-only inspection of current BattleDeckTable confirmed these
+	// independently authored rows and their field 24 difficulty IDs.
+	for _, pack := range []int{1, 21} {
+		for difficulty := uint64(0); difficulty <= 2; difficulty++ {
+			want := uint64(1) + difficulty*100000
+			got, err := BattleDeckForDifficulty(root, "20260923193640", pack, 1, difficulty)
+			if err != nil || got != want {
+				t.Fatalf("pack%d difficulty%d got %d: %v", pack, difficulty, got, err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase.go
index 5235c6d..1e6441c 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase.go
@@ -89,6 +89,29 @@ func battleDeckPhasesFromDB(db *sql.DB, monsterID, deckID uint64) ([]BattlePhase
 	if err := rows.Err(); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	if len(phases) != 0 && !selected {
+		// Phase rows name the normal decks. Hard story battles use the
+		// independently authored difficulty decks for every phase.
+		var data []byte
+		if err := db.QueryRow("SELECT ProtoBuf FROM BattleDeckTable WHERE id=?", deckID).Scan(&data); err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: selected phase deck %d: %w", deckID, err)
+		}
+		difficulty, err := phaseScalar(data, 24)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if difficulty == 0 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: phase group %d does not contain selected deck %d", group, deckID)
+		}
+		for i := range phases {
+			mapped, err := battleDeckForDifficultyFromDB(db, phases[i].DeckID, difficulty)
+			if err != nil {
+				return nil, err
+			}
+			phases[i].DeckID = mapped
+			selected = selected || mapped == deckID
+		}
+	}
 	if len(phases) == 0 || !selected {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: phase group %d does not contain selected deck %d", group, deckID)
 	}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase_test.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase_test.go
index 22c1709..6882142 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/battle_phase_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package gamedata
 
 import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/wire"
 	"database/sql"
 	"reflect"
 	"testing"
@@ -57,6 +58,36 @@ func TestBattleDeckPhasesDesignRows(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func TestBattleDeckPhasesRetainSelectedDifficulty(t *testing.T) {
+	db, err := sql.Open("sqlite", ":memory:")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer db.Close()
+	for _, q := range []string{"CREATE TABLE FieldMonsterTable(id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,ProtoBuf BLOB)", "CREATE TABLE PhaseBattleTable(groupId INTEGER,id INTEGER,ProtoBuf BLOB)", "CREATE TABLE BattleDeckTable(id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,ProtoBuf BLOB)"} {
+		if _, err := db.Exec(q); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	db.Exec("INSERT INTO FieldMonsterTable VALUES(8,?)", wire.AppendVarint(nil, 21, 1))
+	for _, v := range []struct{ id, deck uint64 }{{1, 8}, {2, 9}} {
+		data := wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(nil, 2, v.deck), 3, 1), 4, v.id)
+		if _, err := db.Exec("INSERT INTO PhaseBattleTable VALUES(1,?,?)", v.id, data); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		for d := uint64(0); d <= 2; d++ {
+			if _, err := db.Exec("INSERT INTO BattleDeckTable VALUES(?,?)", v.deck+d*100000, wire.AppendVarint(nil, 24, d)); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	got, err := battleDeckPhasesFromDB(db, 8, 200008)
+	want := []BattlePhase{{1, 1, 200008}, {1, 2, 200009}}
+	if err != nil || !reflect.DeepEqual(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("got %v error %v", got, err)
+	}
+}
 func TestPhaseScalarRejectsInvalidDesign(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, b := range [][]byte{{0x1a, 1, 1}, {0x18, 1, 0x18, 2}} {
 		if _, e := phaseScalar(b, 3); e == nil {
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/quest_difficulty.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/quest_difficulty.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d19931a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/quest_difficulty.go
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+package gamedata
+
+import (
+	"database/sql"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+)
+
+// LoadQuestDifficulties reads the pack-specific selectable difficulties;
+// normal (zero) is the base story chain and is absent from this table.
+func LoadQuestDifficulties(root, version string) (map[int]map[int]bool, error) {
+	plain, err := ReadQuestDatabase(root, version)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	file, err := os.CreateTemp("", "bd2-quest-difficulty-*.sqlite")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	name := file.Name()
+	defer os.Remove(name)
+	if _, err = file.Write(plain); err != nil {
+		file.Close()
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if err = file.Close(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	db, err := sql.Open("sqlite", "file:"+filepath.ToSlash(name)+"?mode=ro")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer db.Close()
+	return loadQuestDifficultiesDB(db)
+}
+func loadQuestDifficultiesDB(db *sql.DB) (map[int]map[int]bool, error) {
+	rows, err := db.Query("SELECT groupId,id FROM QuestDifficultyTable ORDER BY groupId,id")
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+	result := map[int]map[int]bool{}
+	for rows.Next() {
+		var pack, level int
+		if err := rows.Scan(&pack, &level); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if pack <= 0 || level < 1 || level > 4 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: invalid difficulty pack%d level%d", pack, level)
+		}
+		if result[pack] == nil {
+			result[pack] = map[int]bool{0: true}
+		}
+		result[pack][level] = true
+	}
+	return result, rows.Err()
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/quests.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/quests.go
index 4cb940d..d2e2ab7 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/gamedata/quests.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/quests.go
@@ -13,11 +13,12 @@ import (
 // Reward slot zero is normal story difficulty; later slots are separate
 // difficulty tiers and must never be added to the same clear.
 type QuestDesign struct {
-	ID           int
-	Type         int
-	PriorQuestID int
-	NextQuestID  int
-	Rewards      [5][]Reward
+	ID               int
+	Type             int
+	PriorQuestID     int
+	NextQuestID      int
+	GiveQuestItemIDs []uint64
+	Rewards          [5][]Reward
 }
 
 func LoadQuestDesign(root, version string, packID int) (map[int]QuestDesign, error) {
@@ -65,6 +66,10 @@ func loadQuestDesignDB(db *sql.DB, packID int) (map[int]QuestDesign, error) {
 			continue
 		}
 		entry := QuestDesign{ID: id}
+		entry.GiveQuestItemIDs, err = packedInts(proto, 29)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: quest%d give items: %w", id, err)
+		}
 		for field, dst := range map[int]*int{63: &entry.Type, 37: &entry.PriorQuestID, 35: &entry.NextQuestID} {
 			values, err := packedInts(proto, field)
 			if err != nil || len(values) > 1 || (len(values) == 1 && values[0] > uint64(^uint32(0)>>1)) {
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..635f24e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters.go
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+package gamedata
+
+import "fmt"
+
+type StoryCharacterDesign struct {
+	CharacterID, UniqueCharacterID, Level, CostumeID, HP, Order uint64
+	TemporaryPack                                               uint64
+}
+
+// StoryCharacterCatalog contains only authored temporary character rows.
+type StoryCharacterCatalog struct {
+	formations map[int]map[int]QuestFormation
+	characters map[[2]int][]StoryCharacterDesign
+}
+
+func LoadStoryCharacterCatalog(root, version string, packs []int) (*StoryCharacterCatalog, error) {
+	db, cleanup, err := openStatDatabase(root, version)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer cleanup()
+	stats, err := loadCharacterStatDesign(db)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	catalog := &StoryCharacterCatalog{formations: map[int]map[int]QuestFormation{}, characters: map[[2]int][]StoryCharacterDesign{}}
+	instances := map[[3]uint64]uint64{}
+	for _, pack := range packs {
+		formations, err := loadQuestFormationsDB(db, pack)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		catalog.formations[pack] = formations
+		for quest, formation := range formations {
+			for _, row := range formation.Characters {
+				if row.Banned {
+					continue
+				}
+				var data []byte
+				if err := db.QueryRow("SELECT ProtoBuf FROM CharTable WHERE id=?", row.CharacterID).Scan(&data); err != nil {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: story character %d: %w", row.CharacterID, err)
+				}
+				unique, err := requiredScalar(data, 20)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				temporaryPack, err := optionalScalar(data, 21)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				characterType, err := optionalScalar(data, 19)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				if characterType != 1 || temporaryPack == 0 {
+					continue
+				}
+				costume, err := requiredScalar(data, 5)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				for _, story := range formation.StoryCostumes {
+					if story.UniqueCharacterID == unique && story.CostumeID != 996000 {
+						costume = story.CostumeID
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				base, err := stats.BaseStats(row.CharacterID, row.Level)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, err
+				}
+				if base.Health <= 0 {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: story character %d has invalid health", row.CharacterID)
+				}
+				instance := [3]uint64{uint64(pack), row.CharacterID, row.Level}
+				if previous, exists := instances[instance]; exists && previous != costume {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: story instance pack%d character%d level%d has conflicting costumes %d/%d", pack, row.CharacterID, row.Level, previous, costume)
+				}
+				instances[instance] = costume
+				key := [2]int{pack, quest}
+				catalog.characters[key] = append(catalog.characters[key], StoryCharacterDesign{row.CharacterID, unique, row.Level, costume, uint64(base.Health), row.Order, temporaryPack})
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return catalog, nil
+}
+
+func (c *StoryCharacterCatalog) Formation(packID, questID int) (QuestFormation, bool) {
+	if c == nil {
+		return QuestFormation{}, false
+	}
+	f, ok := c.formations[packID][questID]
+	return f, ok
+}
+
+func (c *StoryCharacterCatalog) Characters(packID, questID int) ([]StoryCharacterDesign, error) {
+	if _, ok := c.Formation(packID, questID); !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("gamedata: missing story formation pack%d quest%d", packID, questID)
+	}
+	return append([]StoryCharacterDesign(nil), c.characters[[2]int{packID, questID}]...), nil
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters_test.go b/go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9eeeb9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/gamedata/story_characters_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+package gamedata
+
+import (
+	"os"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestInstalledStoryCharacterCatalogUsesAuthoredRows(t *testing.T) {
+	root := os.Getenv("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA")
+	if root == "" {
+		t.Skip("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA not configured")
+	}
+	catalog, err := LoadStoryCharacterCatalog(root, "20260923193640", []int{1, 21})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	chars, err := catalog.Characters(1, 1)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(chars) != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("pack1 quest1 fabricated temporary characters: %v", chars)
+	}
+	chars, err = catalog.Characters(21, 29)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(chars) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("pack21 quest29 omitted authored characters")
+	}
+	for _, c := range chars {
+		if c.CharacterID == 0 || c.Level == 0 || c.HP == 0 || c.CostumeID == 996000 {
+			t.Fatalf("invalid story character %v", c)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInstalledAllStoryCharacterDesigns(t *testing.T) {
+	root := os.Getenv("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA")
+	if root == "" {
+		t.Skip("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA not configured")
+	}
+	story, err := LoadStoryCatalog(root, "20260923193640")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	var packs []int
+	for id := range story.Packs {
+		packs = append(packs, id)
+	}
+	catalog, err := LoadStoryCharacterCatalog(root, "20260923193640", packs)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	count := 0
+	for _, formations := range catalog.formations {
+		for _, f := range formations {
+			count += len(f.Characters)
+		}
+	}
+	if count == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("all story catalog omitted character rows")
+	}
+	t.Logf("validated %d packs and %d authored character rows", len(packs), count)
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/player/story_characters.go b/go/internal/server/player/story_characters.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8eba35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/player/story_characters.go
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+package player
+
+import "fmt"
+
+// StoryCharacterIndexBase reserves local instances for temporary quest parties.
+// These are not collection rewards and never receive a collection grant.
+const StoryCharacterIndexBase uint64 = 1 << 60
+
+func IsStoryCharacter(c Character) bool { return c.InvenIndex >= StoryCharacterIndexBase }
+
+// EnsureStoryCharacters saves new authored temporary characters atomically.
+// Existing instances retain their completed-battle health across reconnects.
+func (s *CharacterStore) EnsureStoryCharacters(characters []Character) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	next := append([]Character(nil), s.characters...)
+	seen := map[uint64]Character{}
+	for _, c := range next {
+		seen[c.InvenIndex] = c
+	}
+	for _, c := range characters {
+		if !IsStoryCharacter(c) || c.ID == 0 || c.Level == 0 || c.CostumeID == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("player: invalid temporary story character")
+		}
+		if old, ok := seen[c.InvenIndex]; ok {
+			if old.ID != c.ID || old.Level != c.Level || old.CostumeID != c.CostumeID {
+				return fmt.Errorf("player: story instance %d design collision", c.InvenIndex)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		next = append(next, c)
+		seen[c.InvenIndex] = c
+	}
+	if err := s.persist(next); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	s.characters = next
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/player/story_characters_test.go b/go/internal/server/player/story_characters_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b0361f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/player/story_characters_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+package player
+
+import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/stateio"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestEnsureStoryCharactersPersistsWithoutCollectionGrant(t *testing.T) {
+	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
+	inventory, err := OpenInventory(storage, &Starter{Version: "2.35.10"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	owned := Character{InvenIndex: 3, ID: 30, Level: 1}
+	store, err := OpenCharacterStore(storage, []Character{owned}, inventory, "", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	story := Character{InvenIndex: StoryCharacterIndexBase + 1, ID: 10383, HP: 777, Level: 15, CostumeID: 3801, UseCostume: 2}
+	if err := store.EnsureStoryCharacters([]Character{story}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := store.SetCurrentHealth(story.InvenIndex, 7); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := store.EnsureStoryCharacters([]Character{story}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	loaded, err := OpenCharacterStore(storage, []Character{owned}, inventory, "", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	current, ok := loaded.Find(story.InvenIndex)
+	if !ok || current.HP != 7 || current.Level != 15 {
+		t.Fatalf("reloaded story %+v/%v", current, ok)
+	}
+	collision := story
+	collision.ID++
+	if err := loaded.EnsureStoryCharacters([]Character{collision}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("accepted conflicting story instance")
+	}
+	if err := loaded.EnsureStoryCharacters([]Character{owned}); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("accepted owned instance as story")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/progress/persistence_test.go b/go/internal/server/progress/persistence_test.go
index 1f80316..02c7a46 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/progress/persistence_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/progress/persistence_test.go
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func TestLastPlayedPackTracksPersistedPositionAcrossRestart(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestStoreKeepsPackOverlap(t *testing.T) {
 	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
-	initial := `{"version":2,"position":{"PackID":0,"Position":{"MapId":0,"PlayerPosition":{"x":0,"y":0,"z":0},"ColleaguePositions":null},"RawJSON":""},"tutorials":[],"quests":{"21:1":{"QuestID":1,"PackID":21,"Values":[7]}},"cleared_quests":{"21:1":true}}`
+	initial := `{"version":3,"selections":{},"start_pack_id":21,"active_pack_id":21,"position":{"PackID":0,"Position":{"MapId":0,"PlayerPosition":{"x":0,"y":0,"z":0},"ColleaguePositions":null},"RawJSON":""},"tutorials":[],"quests":{"21:0:1":{"QuestID":1,"PackID":21,"Values":[7]}},"cleared_quests":{"21:0:1":true}}`
 	if err := storage.Save("progress", []byte(initial)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -115,14 +115,14 @@ func TestStoreKeepsPackOverlap(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("saved version=%d err=%v", version, err)
 	}
 	var cleared map[string]bool
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(saved["cleared_quests"], &cleared); err != nil || !cleared["21:1"] || !cleared["22:1"] {
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(saved["cleared_quests"], &cleared); err != nil || !cleared["21:0:1"] || !cleared["22:0:1"] {
 		t.Fatalf("saved clears=%v err=%v", cleared, err)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestStoreRejectsBrokenSave(t *testing.T) {
 	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
-	if err := storage.Save("progress", []byte(`{"version":2,"quests":{"12":{"QuestID":5,"PackID":21}}}`)); err != nil {
+	if err := storage.Save("progress", []byte(`{"version":3,"selections":{},"start_pack_id":21,"active_pack_id":21,"quests":{"12":{"QuestID":5,"PackID":21}}}`)); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	if _, err := OpenStore(storage); err == nil {
@@ -137,3 +137,36 @@ func TestStoreRejectsLegacySave(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("accepted unversioned legacy state")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestDifficultyPositionAndActivePackPersistIndependently(t *testing.T) {
+	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
+	s, err := OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SetStartPack(1); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SetActivePackID(21); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SelectQuest(21, QuestSelection{QuestID: 4, Difficulty: 1}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	request := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 2, 21)
+	request = wire.AppendString(request, 3, `{"MapId":211,"PlayerPosition":{"x":1,"y":2,"z":3}}`)
+	if err := s.SaveUserPosition(request); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := s.SetActivePackID(22); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s, err = OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	saved, _ := s.Position()
+	if saved.Difficulty != 1 || saved.PackID != 21 || s.ActivePackID() != 22 || s.StartPackID() != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("state lost %+v", saved)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/progress/progress.go b/go/internal/server/progress/progress.go
index ec3464d..ee07333 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/progress/progress.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/progress/progress.go
@@ -35,52 +35,72 @@ type Position struct {
 }
 
 type SavedPosition struct {
-	PackID   int
-	Position Position
-	RawJSON  string
+	Difficulty int
+	PackID     int
+	Position   Position
+	RawJSON    string
 }
 
 type QuestProgress struct {
-	QuestID int
-	PackID  int
-	Values  []int
+	QuestID    int
+	Difficulty int
+	PackID     int
+	Values     []int
+}
+
+type QuestSelection struct {
+	QuestID    int
+	Difficulty int
+	Option     int
 }
 
 type Store struct {
-	mu        sync.RWMutex
-	storage   stateio.Store
-	position  SavedPosition
-	tutorials map[int]struct{}
-	quests    map[string]QuestProgress
-	cleared   map[string]struct{}
+	activePackID   int
+	startingPackID int
+	selections     map[string]QuestSelection
+	mu             sync.RWMutex
+	storage        stateio.Store
+	position       SavedPosition
+	tutorials      map[int]struct{}
+	quests         map[string]QuestProgress
+	cleared        map[string]struct{}
 }
 
 func NewStore() *Store {
-	return &Store{tutorials: make(map[int]struct{}), quests: make(map[string]QuestProgress), cleared: make(map[string]struct{})}
+	return &Store{selections: make(map[string]QuestSelection), tutorials: make(map[int]struct{}), quests: make(map[string]QuestProgress), cleared: make(map[string]struct{})}
 }
 
 type snapshot struct {
-	Version   int                        `json:"version"`
-	Position  SavedPosition              `json:"position"`
-	Tutorials []int                      `json:"tutorials"`
-	Quests    map[string]QuestProgress   `json:"quests"`
-	Cleared   map[string]json.RawMessage `json:"cleared_quests"`
+	ActivePackID int                        `json:"active_pack_id"`
+	StartPackID  int                        `json:"start_pack_id"`
+	Version      int                        `json:"version"`
+	Selections   map[string]QuestSelection  `json:"selections"`
+	Position     SavedPosition              `json:"position"`
+	Tutorials    []int                      `json:"tutorials"`
+	Quests       map[string]QuestProgress   `json:"quests"`
+	Cleared      map[string]json.RawMessage `json:"cleared_quests"`
 }
 
-const snapshotVersion = 2
+const snapshotVersion = 3
 
-func questKey(packID, questID int) string {
-	return strconv.Itoa(packID) + ":" + strconv.Itoa(questID)
-}
-
-func parseQuestKey(key string) (int, int, bool) {
-	left, right, found := strings.Cut(key, ":")
-	if !found {
-		return 0, 0, false
+func questDifficulty(level []int) int {
+	if len(level) > 0 {
+		return level[0]
 	}
-	packID, packErr := strconv.Atoi(left)
-	questID, questErr := strconv.Atoi(right)
-	return packID, questID, packErr == nil && questErr == nil && packID > 0 && questID > 0
+	return 0
+}
+func questKey(packID, questID int, level ...int) string {
+	return strconv.Itoa(packID) + ":" + strconv.Itoa(questDifficulty(level)) + ":" + strconv.Itoa(questID)
+}
+func parseQuestKey(key string) (int, int, int, bool) {
+	parts := strings.Split(key, ":")
+	if len(parts) != 3 {
+		return 0, 0, 0, false
+	}
+	pack, e1 := strconv.Atoi(parts[0])
+	level, e2 := strconv.Atoi(parts[1])
+	quest, e3 := strconv.Atoi(parts[2])
+	return pack, level, quest, e1 == nil && e2 == nil && e3 == nil && pack > 0 && level >= 0 && level <= 4 && quest > 0
 }
 
 // OpenStore recovers player progress from its domain snapshot.
@@ -97,7 +117,7 @@ func OpenStore(storage stateio.Store) (*Store, error) {
 	if data == nil {
 		return s, nil
 	}
-	if err := stateio.RequireExactJSONObject(data, "version", "position", "tutorials", "quests", "cleared_quests"); err != nil {
+	if err := stateio.RequireExactJSONObject(data, "version", "position", "tutorials", "quests", "cleared_quests", "selections", "start_pack_id", "active_pack_id"); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("progress: incompatible save layout: %w", err)
 	}
 	var state snapshot
@@ -107,7 +127,25 @@ func OpenStore(storage stateio.Store) (*Store, error) {
 	if state.Version != snapshotVersion {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("progress: unsupported save version %d", state.Version)
 	}
+	s.activePackID = state.ActivePackID
+	if s.activePackID < 0 {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidQuest
+	}
+	s.startingPackID = state.StartPackID
+	if s.startingPackID < 0 {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidQuest
+	}
+	if state.Position.Difficulty < 0 || state.Position.Difficulty > 4 {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPosition
+	}
 	s.position = state.Position
+	for key, selection := range state.Selections {
+		pack, err := strconv.Atoi(key)
+		if err != nil || pack <= 0 || selection.QuestID < 0 || selection.Difficulty < 0 || selection.Difficulty > 4 || selection.Option < 0 {
+			return nil, ErrInvalidQuest
+		}
+		s.selections[key] = selection
+	}
 	for _, id := range state.Tutorials {
 		if id <= 0 {
 			return nil, errors.New("progress: invalid saved tutorial")
@@ -118,19 +156,19 @@ func OpenStore(storage stateio.Store) (*Store, error) {
 		if quest.QuestID <= 0 || quest.PackID <= 0 {
 			return nil, errors.New("progress: invalid saved quest")
 		}
-		packID, questID, ok := parseQuestKey(key)
-		if !ok || packID != quest.PackID || questID != quest.QuestID {
+		packID, difficulty, questID, ok := parseQuestKey(key)
+		if !ok || packID != quest.PackID || questID != quest.QuestID || difficulty != quest.Difficulty {
 			return nil, errors.New("progress: invalid saved quest key")
 		}
-		s.quests[questKey(quest.PackID, quest.QuestID)] = quest
+		s.quests[questKey(quest.PackID, quest.QuestID, quest.Difficulty)] = quest
 	}
 	for key, raw := range state.Cleared {
-		packID, questID, ok := parseQuestKey(key)
+		packID, difficulty, questID, ok := parseQuestKey(key)
 		var cleared bool
 		if !ok || json.Unmarshal(raw, &cleared) != nil || !cleared {
 			return nil, errors.New("progress: invalid cleared quest key")
 		}
-		s.cleared[questKey(packID, questID)] = struct{}{}
+		s.cleared[questKey(packID, questID, difficulty)] = struct{}{}
 	}
 	return s, nil
 }
@@ -152,7 +190,7 @@ func (s *Store) EnsurePersisted() error {
 // holds mu; failure leaves the in-memory player state unchanged.
 func (s *Store) commit(position SavedPosition, tutorials map[int]struct{}, quests map[string]QuestProgress, cleared map[string]struct{}) error {
 	if s.storage != nil {
-		state := snapshot{Version: snapshotVersion, Position: position, Quests: quests, Cleared: make(map[string]json.RawMessage, len(cleared))}
+		state := snapshot{ActivePackID: s.activePackID, StartPackID: s.startingPackID, Selections: s.selections, Version: snapshotVersion, Position: position, Quests: quests, Cleared: make(map[string]json.RawMessage, len(cleared))}
 		for id := range tutorials {
 			state.Tutorials = append(state.Tutorials, id)
 		}
@@ -220,7 +258,12 @@ func (s *Store) UpdateQuest(request []byte) (int, error) {
 	for key, current := range s.quests {
 		quests[key] = current
 	}
-	quests[questKey(progress.PackID, progress.QuestID)] = progress
+	selection := s.selections[strconv.Itoa(progress.PackID)]
+	progress.Difficulty = selection.Difficulty
+	if _, acceptedNormal := s.quests[questKey(progress.PackID, progress.QuestID)]; acceptedNormal && selection.QuestID != progress.QuestID {
+		progress.Difficulty = 0
+	}
+	quests[questKey(progress.PackID, progress.QuestID, progress.Difficulty)] = progress
 	if err := s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, quests, s.cleared); err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
@@ -245,7 +288,7 @@ func (s *Store) SaveUserPosition(request []byte) error {
 
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	defer s.mu.Unlock()
-	return s.commit(SavedPosition{PackID: int(packID), Position: position, RawJSON: string(raw)}, s.tutorials, s.quests, s.cleared)
+	return s.commit(SavedPosition{Difficulty: s.selections[strconv.Itoa(int(packID))].Difficulty, PackID: int(packID), Position: position, RawJSON: string(raw)}, s.tutorials, s.quests, s.cleared)
 }
 
 // ClearTutorial consumes TutorialClearRequest: field 1 seq, field 2 id.
@@ -345,23 +388,23 @@ func (s *Store) Quest(id int) (QuestProgress, bool) {
 	return quest, found
 }
 
-func (s *Store) QuestInPack(questID, packID int) (QuestProgress, bool) {
+func (s *Store) QuestInPack(questID, packID int, level ...int) (QuestProgress, bool) {
 	s.mu.RLock()
 	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
-	quest, found := s.quests[questKey(packID, questID)]
+	quest, found := s.quests[questKey(packID, questID, level...)]
 	quest.Values = append([]int(nil), quest.Values...)
 	return quest, found
 }
 
 // ClearQuest atomically records a completed quest. Quest identity is the
 // (pack, quest) pair because every story pack starts numbering from one.
-func (s *Store) ClearQuest(questID, packID int) error {
-	if questID <= 0 || packID <= 0 {
+func (s *Store) ClearQuest(questID, packID int, level ...int) error {
+	if questID <= 0 || packID <= 0 || questDifficulty(level) < 0 || questDifficulty(level) > 4 {
 		return ErrInvalidQuest
 	}
 	s.mu.Lock()
 	defer s.mu.Unlock()
-	key := questKey(packID, questID)
+	key := questKey(packID, questID, level...)
 	if _, ok := s.cleared[key]; ok {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -373,25 +416,126 @@ func (s *Store) ClearQuest(questID, packID int) error {
 	return s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, s.quests, cleared)
 }
 
-func (s *Store) QuestCleared(questID, packID int) bool {
+func (s *Store) QuestCleared(questID, packID int, level ...int) bool {
 	s.mu.RLock()
 	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
-	_, found := s.cleared[questKey(packID, questID)]
+	_, found := s.cleared[questKey(packID, questID, level...)]
 	return found
 }
 
 // ClearedQuests returns sorted quest IDs for one pack. The detached slice is
 // safe for response construction without holding the store lock.
-func (s *Store) ClearedQuests(packID int) []int {
+func (s *Store) ClearedQuests(packID int, level ...int) []int {
 	s.mu.RLock()
 	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
 	ids := make([]int, 0, len(s.cleared))
 	for key := range s.cleared {
-		currentPack, questID, ok := parseQuestKey(key)
-		if ok && currentPack == packID {
+		currentPack, difficulty, questID, ok := parseQuestKey(key)
+		if ok && currentPack == packID && difficulty == questDifficulty(level) {
 			ids = append(ids, questID)
 		}
 	}
 	sort.Ints(ids)
 	return ids
 }
+
+// Selection returns the committed quest selection for a pack.
+func (s *Store) Selection(packID int) (QuestSelection, bool) {
+	s.mu.RLock()
+	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
+	value, ok := s.selections[strconv.Itoa(packID)]
+	return value, ok
+}
+func (s *Store) SelectQuest(packID int, selection QuestSelection) error {
+	if packID <= 0 || selection.QuestID < 0 || selection.Difficulty < 0 || selection.Difficulty > 4 || selection.Option < 0 {
+		return ErrInvalidQuest
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	old := s.selections
+	next := make(map[string]QuestSelection, len(old)+1)
+	for key, value := range old {
+		next[key] = value
+	}
+	next[strconv.Itoa(packID)] = selection
+	s.selections = next
+	if err := s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, s.quests, s.cleared); err != nil {
+		s.selections = old
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *Store) StartPackID() int { s.mu.RLock(); defer s.mu.RUnlock(); return s.startingPackID }
+func (s *Store) SetStartPack(packID int) error {
+	if packID <= 0 {
+		return ErrInvalidQuest
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	previous := s.startingPackID
+	s.startingPackID = packID
+	if err := s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, s.quests, s.cleared); err != nil {
+		s.startingPackID = previous
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// AcceptQuest commits an explicit active quest without replacing main selection.
+func (s *Store) AcceptQuest(questID, packID, difficulty int) error {
+	if questID <= 0 || packID <= 0 || difficulty < 0 || difficulty > 4 {
+		return ErrInvalidQuest
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	quests := make(map[string]QuestProgress, len(s.quests)+1)
+	for key, value := range s.quests {
+		quests[key] = value
+	}
+	key := questKey(packID, questID, difficulty)
+	if _, exists := quests[key]; !exists {
+		quests[key] = QuestProgress{QuestID: questID, PackID: packID, Difficulty: difficulty}
+	}
+	return s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, quests, s.cleared)
+}
+func (s *Store) RemoveQuest(questID, packID, difficulty int) error {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	quests := make(map[string]QuestProgress, len(s.quests))
+	for key, value := range s.quests {
+		if key != questKey(packID, questID, difficulty) {
+			quests[key] = value
+		}
+	}
+	return s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, quests, s.cleared)
+}
+func (s *Store) QuestsInPack(packID, difficulty int) []QuestProgress {
+	s.mu.RLock()
+	defer s.mu.RUnlock()
+	var out []QuestProgress
+	for _, quest := range s.quests {
+		if quest.PackID == packID && quest.Difficulty == difficulty {
+			quest.Values = append([]int(nil), quest.Values...)
+			out = append(out, quest)
+		}
+	}
+	sort.Slice(out, func(i, j int) bool { return out[i].QuestID < out[j].QuestID })
+	return out
+}
+
+func (s *Store) ActivePackID() int { s.mu.RLock(); defer s.mu.RUnlock(); return s.activePackID }
+func (s *Store) SetActivePackID(packID int) error {
+	if packID <= 0 {
+		return ErrInvalidQuest
+	}
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+	old := s.activePackID
+	s.activePackID = packID
+	if err := s.commit(s.position, s.tutorials, s.quests, s.cleared); err != nil {
+		s.activePackID = old
+		return err
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/field_pack.go b/go/internal/server/world/field_pack.go
index c7e86e2..8d803eb 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/field_pack.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/field_pack.go
@@ -9,9 +9,16 @@ import (
 // LastPlayedPackID prevents LoginUser from selecting a field that this server
 // cannot restore. A fresh account keeps the versioned login seed's pack.
 func (s *Service) LastPlayedPackID() (uint64, error) {
-	id, err := s.state.LastPlayedPackID()
-	if err != nil || id == 0 {
-		return id, err
+	id := uint64(s.state.ActivePackID())
+	if id == 0 {
+		var err error
+		id, err = s.state.LastPlayedPackID()
+		if err != nil {
+			return id, err
+		}
+	}
+	if id == 0 {
+		id = uint64(s.startingPack())
 	}
 	if !s.packUnlocked(int(id)) {
 		return 0, errors.New("world: saved login pack is unavailable")
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/health_test.go b/go/internal/server/world/health_test.go
index da47f55..0527b55 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/health_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/health_test.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func TestTutorialCharInfoRestoresFieldHealthWithoutExposingStoryRoster(t *testin
 	}
 }
 
-func TestPackInfoStoryCharactersUsePersistedDeadAndInjuredHP(t *testing.T) {
+func TestPackInfoWithoutFormationDoesNotEmitSeedStoryRoster(t *testing.T) {
 	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
 	starter := &player.Starter{Version: "2.35.10"}
 	inventory, err := player.OpenInventory(storage, starter)
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ func TestPackInfoStoryCharactersUsePersistedDeadAndInjuredHP(t *testing.T) {
 	}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if count != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("pack story roster count=%d", count)
+	if count != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("unconditional seed story roster count=%d", count)
 	}
 }
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/pack_purchase.go b/go/internal/server/world/pack_purchase.go
index 3f2be07..0a1197f 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/pack_purchase.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/pack_purchase.go
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ func packPurchaseIdentity(id int) string { return fmt.Sprintf("pack-purchase:%d"
 // awards the bootstrap pack's real purchase rewards, not a recovery inference
 // from a saved position or from the former seed-only unlock chain.
 func (s *Service) EnsureInitialPackPurchase() error {
-	_, err := s.purchaseStoryPack(s.seed.PackID, true)
+	_, err := s.purchaseStoryPack(s.startingPack(), true)
 	return err
 }
 
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/quest_selection.go b/go/internal/server/world/quest_selection.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b74aec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/quest_selection.go
@@ -0,0 +1,260 @@
+package world
+
+import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/gamedata"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/player"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/progress"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/wire"
+	"encoding/binary"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+func (s *Service) questDifficultyFor(packID, questID int) int {
+	if s.storyCatalog != nil && s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].Quests[questID].Type != 0 {
+		return 0
+	}
+	return s.questDifficulty(packID)
+}
+func (s *Service) questDifficulty(packID int) int {
+	selection, _ := s.state.Selection(packID)
+	return selection.Difficulty
+}
+func (s *Service) CurrentQuestDifficulty() (uint64, error) {
+	pack, err := s.CurrentPackID()
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+	return uint64(s.questDifficulty(pack)), nil
+}
+func questRewardIdentity(packID, questID, difficulty int) string {
+	if difficulty == 0 {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("pack%d:quest%d", packID, questID)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("pack%d:difficulty%d:quest%d", packID, difficulty, questID)
+}
+func (s *Service) questInfoWire(packID, questID int) []byte {
+	out := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(questID))
+	selection, _ := s.state.Selection(packID)
+	if s.storyCatalog != nil && s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].Quests[questID].Type != 0 {
+		selection = progress.QuestSelection{}
+	}
+	if current, ok := s.state.QuestInPack(questID, packID, selection.Difficulty); ok {
+		for _, value := range current.Values {
+			out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 3, uint64(value))
+		}
+	}
+	if selection.Difficulty != 0 {
+		out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 4, uint64(selection.Difficulty))
+	}
+	if selection.Option != 0 {
+		out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 5, uint64(selection.Option))
+	}
+	return wire.AppendVarint(out, 6, uint64(packID))
+}
+func (s *Service) questLevelInfoWire(packID, difficulty int) []byte {
+	out := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(packID))
+	out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 2, uint64(difficulty))
+	last := 0
+	complete := true
+	pack := s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID]
+	for _, id := range pack.MainQuestIDs {
+		if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, packID, difficulty) {
+			complete = false
+			break
+		}
+		last = id
+	}
+	out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 3, uint64(last))
+	selection, _ := s.state.Selection(packID)
+	if selection.Difficulty == difficulty {
+		out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 4, uint64(selection.Option))
+	}
+	if complete && len(pack.MainQuestIDs) > 0 {
+		out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 5, 1)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+func (s *Service) handleQuestSelection(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error) {
+	if path != "/QuestInfo" && s.battleActive != nil && s.battleActive() {
+		return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("%w: active battle", ErrInvalidRequest)
+	}
+	if path == "/QuestInfo" {
+		pack, err := requestPack(request)
+		if err != nil || !s.packUnlocked(pack) {
+			return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+		}
+		var out []byte
+		if active := s.firstUnclearedQuestFor(pack); active != 0 {
+			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 1, s.questInfoWire(pack, active))
+		}
+		for _, quest := range s.activeSideQuestWires(pack) {
+			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 1, quest)
+		}
+		var cleared []byte
+		for _, id := range s.state.ClearedQuests(pack, s.questDifficulty(pack)) {
+			cleared = binary.AppendUvarint(cleared, uint64(id))
+		}
+		if len(cleared) > 0 {
+			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, cleared)
+		}
+		return 16, out, true, nil
+	}
+	quest, pack, err := requestQuest(request)
+	if err != nil || !s.packUnlocked(pack) {
+		return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+	}
+	designs, known := s.questsFor(pack)
+	design, exists := designs[quest]
+	if !known || !exists {
+		return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+	}
+	if path == "/QuestGiveUp" {
+		if design.Type != 0 {
+			if _, ok := s.state.QuestInPack(quest, pack); !ok {
+				return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+			}
+			if err := s.state.RemoveQuest(quest, pack, 0); err != nil {
+				return 0, nil, true, err
+			}
+			return 20, wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(quest)), true, nil
+		}
+		selection, ok := s.state.Selection(pack)
+		if !ok || selection.QuestID != quest || selection.Difficulty == 0 {
+			return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+		}
+		// Abandoning a difficulty retains its independently committed clears.
+		if err := s.state.SelectQuest(pack, progress.QuestSelection{}); err != nil {
+			return 0, nil, true, err
+		}
+		return 20, wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(quest)), true, nil
+	}
+	level, _, err := wire.Varint(request, 4)
+	if err != nil || level > 4 {
+		return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+	}
+	opt, _, err := wire.Varint(request, 5)
+	if err != nil || opt != 0 {
+		return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+	}
+	if level > 0 && !s.questDifficulties[pack][int(level)] {
+		return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+	}
+	if design.Type != 0 {
+		if design.Type != 1 {
+			return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+		}
+		if level != 0 || (design.PriorQuestID != 0 && !s.state.QuestCleared(design.PriorQuestID, pack)) || s.state.QuestCleared(quest, pack) {
+			return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+		}
+		if err := s.state.AcceptQuest(quest, pack, 0); err != nil {
+			return 0, nil, true, err
+		}
+		out := wire.AppendBytes(nil, 1, s.questInfoWire(pack, quest))
+		items, err := s.ensureQuestItems(pack, quest)
+		if err != nil {
+			return 0, nil, true, err
+		}
+		for _, item := range items {
+			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 4, player.ItemWire(item))
+		}
+		return 17, out, true, nil
+	}
+	if level > 0 {
+		ids := s.storyCatalog.Packs[pack].MainQuestIDs
+		for _, id := range ids {
+			if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, pack, int(level)-1) {
+				return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("%w: previous difficulty is incomplete", ErrInvalidRequest)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	// Accept only the first unfinished main quest in this difficulty, using
+	// authoritative links rather than permitting an arbitrary reward jump.
+	first := 0
+	for _, id := range s.storyCatalog.Packs[pack].MainQuestIDs {
+		if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, pack, int(level)) {
+			first = id
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if quest != first || first == 0 {
+		return 0, nil, true, ErrInvalidRequest
+	}
+	if err := s.state.SelectQuest(pack, progress.QuestSelection{QuestID: quest, Difficulty: int(level), Option: int(opt)}); err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, true, err
+	}
+	if err := s.state.SetActivePackID(pack); err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, true, err
+	}
+	s.setCurrentPack(pack)
+	chars, decks, err := s.resolveActivePartyWires(pack, quest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, true, err
+	}
+	out := wire.AppendBytes(nil, 1, s.questInfoWire(pack, quest))
+	for _, char := range chars {
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, char)
+	}
+	for _, deck := range decks {
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 3, deck)
+	}
+	items, err := s.ensureQuestItems(pack, quest)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, true, err
+	}
+	for _, item := range items {
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 4, player.ItemWire(item))
+	}
+	return 17, out, true, nil
+}
+
+func (s *Service) activeSideQuestWires(packID int) [][]byte {
+	var out [][]byte
+	if s.storyCatalog == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, quest := range s.state.QuestsInPack(packID, 0) {
+		if s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].Quests[quest.QuestID].Type == 1 && !s.state.QuestCleared(quest.QuestID, packID) {
+			out = append(out, s.questInfoWire(packID, quest.QuestID))
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func (s *Service) visibleOwnedCharacters(characters []player.Character) []player.Character {
+	earned := s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID)
+	out := make([]player.Character, 0, len(characters))
+	for _, character := range characters {
+		if !player.IsStoryCharacter(character) && (earned || s.seed.RewardCharacter.InvenIndex == 0 || character.InvenIndex != s.seed.RewardCharacter.InvenIndex) {
+			out = append(out, character)
+		}
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func (s *Service) ensureQuestItems(packID, questID int) ([]player.Item, error) {
+	ids := s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].Quests[questID].GiveQuestItemIDs
+	if len(ids) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if s.inventory == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: quest item inventory unavailable")
+	}
+	var rewards []gamedata.BattleReward
+	for _, id := range ids {
+		rewards = append(rewards, gamedata.BattleReward{Type: 13, ID: id, Count: 1})
+	}
+	identity := questRewardIdentity(packID, questID, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, questID)) + ":give-items"
+	items, err := s.inventory.GrantOnce(identity, rewards)
+	if err == nil && len(items) == 0 {
+		items = s.inventory.GrantedItems(identity)
+	}
+	return items, err
+}
+
+func (s *Service) AttachBattleActive(provider func() bool) error {
+	if provider == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("world: nil battle activity provider")
+	}
+	s.battleActive = provider
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/quest_selection_test.go b/go/internal/server/world/quest_selection_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f6105aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/quest_selection_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+package world
+
+import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/gamedata"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/player"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/progress"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/stateio"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/wire"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func selectionRequest(quest, pack, level uint64) []byte {
+	out := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, 1)
+	out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 2, quest)
+	out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 3, pack)
+	return wire.AppendVarint(out, 4, level)
+}
+func TestDifficultySelectionPersistsAndRewardsRemainIndependent(t *testing.T) {
+	s := testService()
+	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
+	var err error
+	s.state, err = progress.OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.inventory, err = player.OpenInventory(storage, &player.Starter{Version: "2.35.10"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.wallet, err = player.OpenWallet(storage, player.Currency{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.questDifficulties = map[int]map[int]bool{21: {1: true, 2: true}}
+	for id, design := range s.storyCatalog.Packs[21].Quests {
+		design.Rewards[0] = []gamedata.Reward{{Type: 2, Count: 10}}
+		design.Rewards[1] = []gamedata.Reward{{Type: 2, Count: 20}}
+		s.storyCatalog.Packs[21].Quests[id] = design
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestAccept", selectionRequest(1, 21, 1)); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("hard accepted before normal completion")
+	}
+	for id := uint64(1); id <= 3; id++ {
+		if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestClear", selectionRequest(id, 21, 0)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestAccept", selectionRequest(2, 21, 1)); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("arbitrary hard quest accepted")
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestAccept", selectionRequest(1, 21, 1)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for attempt := 0; attempt < 2; attempt++ {
+		if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestClear", selectionRequest(1, 21, 0)); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	if s.wallet.Snapshot().Jewelry != 50 {
+		t.Fatalf("reward isolation/replay balance %+v", s.wallet.Snapshot())
+	}
+	reopened, err := progress.OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.state = reopened
+	if selection, ok := reopened.Selection(21); !ok || selection.Difficulty != 1 || selection.QuestID != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("selection lost %+v", selection)
+	}
+	_, response, _, err := s.Handle("/PackInGameInfo", wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, 1), 2, 21))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	quest, _, _ := wire.Bytes(response, 2)
+	id, _, _ := wire.Varint(quest, 1)
+	level, _, _ := wire.Varint(quest, 4)
+	if id != 2 || level != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("restored id%d level%d", id, level)
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestGiveUp", selectionRequest(2, 21, 0)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !s.state.QuestCleared(1, 21, 1) {
+		t.Fatal("abandon erased hard clear")
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestAccept", selectionRequest(2, 21, 1)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestAccept", selectionRequest(1, 21, 4)); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("unsupported table difficulty accepted")
+	}
+}
+func TestSideQuestRemainsIndependentFromMainDifficulty(t *testing.T) {
+	s := testService()
+	pack := s.storyCatalog.Packs[21]
+	pack.Quests[50] = gamedata.QuestDesign{ID: 50, Type: 1}
+	s.storyCatalog.Packs[21] = pack
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestAccept", selectionRequest(50, 21, 0)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if first := s.firstUnclearedQuestFor(21); first != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("side replaced main%d", first)
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/QuestClear", selectionRequest(50, 21, 0)); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !s.state.QuestCleared(50, 21) || s.state.QuestCleared(1, 21) {
+		t.Fatal("side clear affected main")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestSelectionCannotSwitchWhileBattleIsActive(t *testing.T) {
+	s := testService()
+	if err := s.AttachBattleActive(func() bool { return true }); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	for _, path := range []string{"/QuestAccept", "/QuestGiveUp"} {
+		if _, _, _, err := s.Handle(path, selectionRequest(1, 21, 0)); err == nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s switched active battle", path)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, _, _, err := s.Handle("/PackInGameInfo", wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, 1), 2, 21)); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("pack switch allowed during battle")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/start_pack.go b/go/internal/server/world/start_pack.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6db8ce9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/start_pack.go
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package world
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"bd2server/internal/server/progress"
+)
+
+func (s *Service) startingPack() int {
+	if s.startingPackID != 0 {
+		return s.startingPackID
+	}
+	if id := s.state.StartPackID(); id != 0 {
+		return id
+	}
+	return s.seed.PackID
+}
+
+// ConfigureStartPack keeps server policy separate from the versioned tutorial
+// seed. The entry chapter is committed once when an account is initialized.
+func (s *Service) ConfigureStartPack(packID int, initialize bool) error {
+	if initialize {
+		pack, ok := s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID]
+		if !ok || len(pack.MainQuestIDs) == 0 {
+			return fmt.Errorf("world: starting chapter %d has no main quest", packID)
+		}
+		if err := s.state.SetStartPack(packID); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := s.state.SetActivePackID(packID); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := s.state.SelectQuest(packID, progress.QuestSelection{QuestID: pack.MainQuestIDs[0]}); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	entry := s.state.StartPackID()
+	if _, ok := s.storyCatalog.Packs[entry]; !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("world: invalid persisted starting chapter %d", entry)
+	}
+	s.startingPackID = entry
+	active := s.state.ActivePackID()
+	if active == 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("world: account has no active chapter")
+	}
+	s.setCurrentPack(active)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (s *Service) tutorialRosterRestricted() bool {
+	return s.startingPack() == s.seed.PackID && !s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID)
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/start_pack_test.go b/go/internal/server/world/start_pack_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e695b65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/start_pack_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+package world
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"bd2server/internal/server/gamedata"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/player"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/progress"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/stateio"
+)
+
+func TestStartingChapterPolicyPersistsWithoutReplacingTutorialSeed(t *testing.T) {
+	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
+	state, err := progress.OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s := testService()
+	s.state = state
+	s.storyCatalog.Packs[1] = gamedata.StoryPack{ID: 1, MainQuestIDs: []int{8}, Quests: map[int]gamedata.QuestDesign{8: {ID: 8}}, Open: &gamedata.ContentOpenRule{TicketID: 71}}
+	if err := s.ConfigureStartPack(1, true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if s.seed.PackID != 21 || !s.packUnlocked(1) || s.tutorialRosterRestricted() {
+		t.Fatal("entry policy overwrote tutorial seed or blocked entry")
+	}
+	if id, err := s.LastPlayedPackID(); err != nil || id != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("destination %d, %v", id, err)
+	}
+	selection, ok := s.state.Selection(1)
+	if !ok || selection.QuestID != 8 || selection.Difficulty != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("initial quest %+v", selection)
+	}
+	reopened, err := progress.OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.state = reopened
+	if err := s.ConfigureStartPack(21, false); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if s.startingPack() != 1 {
+		t.Fatal("changed server policy moved existing account")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestInitialPurchaseUsesSelectedEntryChapter(t *testing.T) {
+	s := testService()
+	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
+	var err error
+	s.state, err = progress.OpenStore(storage)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.inventory, err = player.OpenInventory(storage, &player.Starter{Version: "2.35.10"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.wallet, err = player.OpenWallet(storage, player.Currency{})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.collection, err = player.OpenCollectionStore(storage, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s.storyCatalog.Packs[1] = gamedata.StoryPack{ID: 1, MainQuestIDs: []int{8}, Quests: map[int]gamedata.QuestDesign{8: {ID: 8}}, BuyRewards: []gamedata.Reward{{Type: 12, Count: 17}}}
+	if err := s.ConfigureStartPack(1, true); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := s.EnsureInitialPackPurchase(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, owned := s.collection.Grant("pack-purchase:1"); !owned || s.wallet.CatalystBalance() != 17 {
+		t.Fatal("entry purchase not committed")
+	}
+	if _, owned := s.collection.Grant("pack-purchase:21"); owned {
+		t.Fatal("tutorial purchase incorrectly granted")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog.go b/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog.go
index 27146e5..e84606b 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog.go
@@ -44,6 +44,11 @@ func (s *Service) storyPackUnlocked(id int) bool {
 	if !exists {
 		return false
 	}
+	// A server-selected entry chapter is explicitly available to this account.
+	// This does not invent tickets for the remaining chapter catalog.
+	if id == s.startingPack() {
+		return true
+	}
 	// ContentOpen.TutorialID triggers a tutorial; the client does not use it
 	// as an authorization requirement. Story NextPackID is navigation only.
 	if pack.Open == nil {
@@ -83,9 +88,16 @@ func (s *Service) storyPackDBInfoRows() [][]byte {
 	var rows [][]byte
 	for _, id := range ids {
 		row := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(id))
+		selection, _ := s.state.Selection(id)
+		if selection.Difficulty != 0 {
+			row = wire.AppendVarint(row, 4, uint64(selection.Difficulty))
+		}
+		if selection.Option != 0 {
+			row = wire.AppendVarint(row, 5, uint64(selection.Option))
+		}
 		mainCleared := 0
 		for _, qid := range s.storyCatalog.Packs[id].MainQuestIDs {
-			if s.state.QuestCleared(qid, id) {
+			if s.state.QuestCleared(qid, id, s.questDifficulty(id)) {
 				mainCleared++
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog_test.go b/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog_test.go
index da0a391..30bd6e4 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/story_catalog_test.go
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ func TestStoryCatalogUsesTicketsAndQuestLinksAcrossIndependentPacks(t *testing.T
 	}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(counts) != 2 || counts[405] != 1 || counts[701] != 2 {
-		t.Fatalf("completed normal levels count sidequests or omit nonseed pack: %v", counts)
+	if len(counts) != 2 || counts[405] != 33 || counts[701] != 7 {
+		t.Fatalf("completed normal levels do not retain linked terminal quest IDs: %v", counts)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/story_characters.go b/go/internal/server/world/story_characters.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6c0b67f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/story_characters.go
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+package world
+
+import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/deck"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/player"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/wire"
+	"fmt"
+)
+
+// ResolveStoryParty combines the authored temporary CharGroup members with
+// actual account instances named by StoryCharGroup costume rows.
+func (s *Service) ResolveStoryParty(packID, questID int) ([]player.Character, error) {
+	if s.storyRoster == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	if s.characters == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: story character store unavailable")
+	}
+	formation, ok := s.storyRoster.Formation(packID, questID)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: missing formation pack%d quest%d", packID, questID)
+	}
+	designs, err := s.storyRoster.Characters(packID, questID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	temporary := make([]player.Character, 0, len(designs))
+	reused := make([]player.Character, 0, len(designs))
+	for _, d := range designs {
+		var existing player.Character
+		for _, c := range s.characters.RawAll() {
+			if d.TemporaryPack != 0 && c.ID == d.CharacterID && c.Level == d.Level && (c.CostumeID == 0 || c.CostumeID == d.CostumeID) {
+				existing = c
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if existing.InvenIndex != 0 {
+			reused = append(reused, existing)
+			continue
+		}
+		if packID <= 0 || packID >= 65536 || d.CharacterID == 0 || d.CharacterID >= 1<<32 || d.Level == 0 || d.Level >= 256 {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: story instance namespace overflow")
+		}
+		index := player.StoryCharacterIndexBase | uint64(packID)<<40 | d.CharacterID<<8 | d.Level
+		temporary = append(temporary, player.Character{InvenIndex: index, ID: d.CharacterID, HP: d.HP, Level: d.Level, CostumeID: d.CostumeID})
+	}
+	if s.characters == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: story character store unavailable")
+	}
+	if err := s.characters.EnsureStoryCharacters(temporary); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	result := make([]player.Character, 0, len(temporary)+len(formation.StoryCostumes))
+	used := map[uint64]bool{}
+	for _, c := range reused {
+		current, ok := s.characters.Find(c.InvenIndex)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: saved story instance unavailable")
+		}
+		result = append(result, current)
+		used[current.InvenIndex] = true
+	}
+	for _, c := range temporary {
+		current, ok := s.characters.Find(c.InvenIndex)
+		if !ok {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: story character was not saved")
+		}
+		result = append(result, current)
+		used[current.InvenIndex] = true
+	}
+	// Placeholder entries are player-controlled party slots. Their costume
+	// and character cannot be inferred from the design placeholder itself.
+	for _, costume := range formation.StoryCostumes {
+		if costume.CostumeID == 996000 {
+			continue
+		}
+		temporaryMember := false
+		for _, design := range designs {
+			if design.UniqueCharacterID == costume.UniqueCharacterID {
+				temporaryMember = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if temporaryMember {
+			continue
+		}
+		var ownedCostumes []player.Costume
+		if s.starter != nil {
+			ownedCostumes = append(ownedCostumes, s.starter.Costumes...)
+		}
+		if s.collection != nil {
+			ownedCostumes = append(ownedCostumes, s.collection.Costumes()...)
+		}
+		for _, c := range s.visibleOwnedCharacters(s.characters.All()) {
+			matched := c.CostumeID == costume.CostumeID
+			for _, owned := range ownedCostumes {
+				if owned.ID == costume.CostumeID && owned.UseChar == c.InvenIndex {
+					matched = true
+					c.CostumeID = owned.ID
+					c.UseCostume = owned.InvenIndex
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if player.IsStoryCharacter(c) || used[c.InvenIndex] || !matched {
+				continue
+			}
+			result = append(result, c)
+			used[c.InvenIndex] = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	// Fill authored player-controlled slots from the persisted field party,
+	// then the persisted battle party. Never synthesize the placeholder ID.
+	for _, costume := range formation.StoryCostumes {
+		if costume.CostumeID != 996000 || s.decks == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		var candidates []uint64
+		for _, entry := range s.decks.CurrentFieldDeck() {
+			candidates = append(candidates, entry.CharacterInvenIndex)
+		}
+		for _, entry := range s.decks.CurrentDeck() {
+			candidates = append(candidates, entry.CharacterInvenIndex)
+		}
+		for _, index := range candidates {
+			if used[index] {
+				continue
+			}
+			var controlled player.Character
+			for _, c := range s.visibleOwnedCharacters(s.characters.All()) {
+				if c.InvenIndex == index {
+					controlled = c
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if controlled.InvenIndex == 0 {
+				continue
+			}
+			temporaryDesign := false
+			for _, d := range designs {
+				if d.CharacterID == controlled.ID {
+					temporaryDesign = true
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if temporaryDesign {
+				continue
+			}
+			result = append(result, controlled)
+			used[index] = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+func (s *Service) resolveActivePartyWires(packID, questID int) ([][]byte, [][]byte, error) {
+	party, err := s.ResolveStoryParty(packID, questID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, err
+	}
+	if len(party) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil, nil
+	}
+	formation, _ := s.storyRoster.Formation(packID, questID)
+	entries := make([]deck.DeckEntry, 0, len(party))
+	characters := make([][]byte, 0, len(party))
+	wires := make([][]byte, 0, len(party))
+	for i, c := range party {
+		position := ^uint64(0)
+		if i < len(formation.DeckList) {
+			position = formation.DeckList[i]
+		}
+		entry := deck.DeckEntry{CharacterInvenIndex: c.InvenIndex, CostumeInvenIndex: position, Slot: uint64(i + 1)}
+		entries = append(entries, entry)
+		characters = append(characters, encodeCharacter(c))
+		data := wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, c.InvenIndex), 2, position), 3, uint64(i+1))
+		wires = append(wires, data)
+	}
+	if s.decks != nil {
+		if err := s.decks.SetStoryParty(entries); err != nil {
+			return nil, nil, err
+		}
+	}
+	return characters, wires, nil
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/story_characters_test.go b/go/internal/server/world/story_characters_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..563ac2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/story_characters_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+package world
+
+import (
+	"bd2server/internal/server/gamedata"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/player"
+	"bd2server/internal/server/stateio"
+	"os"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestInstalledAdjacentStoryPartyRetainsHealth(t *testing.T) {
+	root := os.Getenv("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA")
+	if root == "" {
+		t.Skip("BD2_REAL_GAMEDATA not configured")
+	}
+	catalog, err := gamedata.LoadStoryCharacterCatalog(root, "20260923193640", []int{21})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	first, second := 0, 0
+	for quest := 1; quest < 38; quest++ {
+		a, err := catalog.Characters(21, quest)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		b, err := catalog.Characters(21, quest+1)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if len(a) > 0 && reflect.DeepEqual(a, b) {
+			first, second = quest, quest+1
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if first == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("no adjacent authored same party fixture")
+	}
+	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
+	inventory, err := player.OpenInventory(storage, &player.Starter{Version: "2.35.10"})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	designs, err := catalog.Characters(21, first)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	legacy := player.Character{InvenIndex: 123, ID: designs[0].CharacterID, HP: designs[0].HP, Level: designs[0].Level}
+	characters, err := player.OpenCharacterStore(storage, []player.Character{legacy}, inventory, "", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := characters.AttachMaxHealth(func(c player.Character) (uint64, error) { return c.HP, nil }); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	s := testService()
+	s.characters = characters
+	s.storyRoster = catalog
+	party, err := s.ResolveStoryParty(21, first)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if party[0].InvenIndex != legacy.InvenIndex {
+		t.Fatal("existing seeded temporary identity was not reused")
+	}
+	if err := characters.SetCurrentHealth(party[0].InvenIndex, 7); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	next, err := s.ResolveStoryParty(21, second)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if next[0].InvenIndex != party[0].InvenIndex || next[0].HP != 7 {
+		t.Fatalf("quest%d→%d reset party hp or index: %+v→%+v", first, second, party[0], next[0])
+	}
+	if len(characters.RawAll()) != len(party) {
+		t.Fatal("adjacent quest duplicated temporary instances")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/world.go b/go/internal/server/world/world.go
index 4687367..7a1b9a9 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/world.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/world.go
@@ -89,7 +89,10 @@ func Load(seedPath, gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion string, storage stateio.Store,
 	}
 	transition := transitions[seed.PackID]
 	activePack := seed.PackID
-	if saved, found := state.Position(); found {
+	if id := state.ActivePackID(); id != 0 {
+		activePack = id
+	}
+	if saved, found := state.Position(); found && state.ActivePackID() == 0 {
 		_, storyKnown := packs[saved.PackID]
 		_, fieldKnown := fieldPacks[saved.PackID]
 		if storyKnown || fieldKnown {
@@ -97,6 +100,10 @@ func Load(seedPath, gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion string, storage stateio.Store,
 		}
 	}
 	service := &Service{seed: seed, state: state, starter: starter, equipment: equipment, inventory: inventory, wallet: wallet, characters: characters, quests: quests, transition: transition, packs: packs, transitions: transitions, activePack: activePack, fieldPacks: fieldPacks}
+	service.questDifficulties, err = gamedata.LoadQuestDifficulties(gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	service.packJamDesign = packJamDesign
 	service.packSummaryTargets = packSummaryTargets
 	service.storyCatalog = storyCatalog
@@ -104,6 +111,14 @@ func Load(seedPath, gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion string, storage stateio.Store,
 		return nil, err
 	}
 	service.questCostumes = questCostumes
+	var storyPackIDs []int
+	for id := range packs {
+		storyPackIDs = append(storyPackIDs, id)
+	}
+	service.storyRoster, err = gamedata.LoadStoryCharacterCatalog(gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion, storyPackIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	service.attachPackDetailDesign(gameDataRoot, gameDataVersion)
 	return service, nil
 }
@@ -138,6 +153,10 @@ func (s *Service) setCurrentPack(packID int) {
 }
 
 type Service struct {
+	battleActive       func() bool
+	questDifficulties  map[int]map[int]bool
+	startingPackID     int
+	storyRoster        *gamedata.StoryCharacterCatalog
 	storyCatalog       *gamedata.StoryCatalog
 	questCostumes      player.CostumeDesignSource
 	packDetailDesign   func(int) (gamedata.PackDetailDesign, error)
@@ -181,6 +200,8 @@ func (s *Service) AttachDecks(decks *deck.Store) error {
 
 func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error) {
 	switch path {
+	case "/QuestInfo", "/QuestAccept", "/QuestGiveUp":
+		return s.handleQuestSelection(path, request)
 	case "/PackBuy":
 		return s.handlePackBuy(request)
 	case "/PackDetailInfo":
@@ -201,8 +222,8 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 			return 0, nil, true, errors.New("world: CharInfo missing sequence")
 		}
 		var response []byte
-		characters := s.characters.All()
-		if !s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID) {
+		characters := s.visibleOwnedCharacters(s.characters.All())
+		if s.tutorialRosterRestricted() {
 			// The tutorial roster still contains only starter identities, but
 			// their field HP must come from persisted state rather than falling
 			// through to Starter.Handle's immutable new-account HP.
@@ -215,6 +236,21 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 				characters = append(characters, character)
 			}
 		}
+		if s.decks != nil {
+			seen := map[uint64]bool{}
+			for _, char := range characters {
+				seen[char.InvenIndex] = true
+			}
+			for _, entry := range s.decks.CurrentDeck() {
+				if seen[entry.CharacterInvenIndex] {
+					continue
+				}
+				if char, ok := s.characters.Find(entry.CharacterInvenIndex); ok && player.IsStoryCharacter(char) {
+					characters = append(characters, char)
+					seen[char.InvenIndex] = true
+				}
+			}
+		}
 		slog.Info("team trace: deliver owned characters", "characters", characters)
 		for _, character := range characters {
 			response = wire.AppendBytes(response, 1, encodeCharacter(character))
@@ -222,7 +258,7 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 		response = wire.AppendVarint(response, 2, s.starter.FieldCharControlDeckType)
 		return 9, response, true, nil
 	case "/CostumeInfo":
-		if !s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID) {
+		if s.tutorialRosterRestricted() {
 			return 0, nil, false, nil
 		}
 		var response []byte
@@ -239,6 +275,9 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 		}
 		return 40, response, true, nil
 	case "/PackInGameInfo":
+		if s.battleActive != nil && s.battleActive() {
+			return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("%w: active battle", ErrInvalidRequest)
+		}
 		pack, err := requestPack(request)
 		if err != nil {
 			return 0, nil, true, err
@@ -246,12 +285,20 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 		if !s.packUnlocked(pack) {
 			return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("%w: unsupported pack %d", ErrInvalidRequest, pack)
 		}
-		s.setCurrentPack(pack)
 		slog.Info("team trace: deliver pack progress", "pack", pack, "clearedQuests", s.state.ClearedQuests(pack), "storyCharacters", s.storyCharacters(pack))
+		if active := s.firstUnclearedQuestFor(pack); active != 0 {
+			if _, err := s.ensureQuestItems(pack, active); err != nil {
+				return 0, nil, true, err
+			}
+		}
 		response, err := s.packInfoFor(pack)
 		if err != nil {
 			return 0, nil, true, err
 		}
+		if err := s.state.SetActivePackID(pack); err != nil {
+			return 0, nil, true, err
+		}
+		s.setCurrentPack(pack)
 		return 5, response, true, nil
 	case "/QuestClear":
 		quest, pack, err := requestQuest(request)
@@ -266,20 +313,42 @@ func (s *Service) Handle(path string, request []byte) (int, []byte, bool, error)
 		if !s.canClear(pack, quest) {
 			return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("%w: quest %d is not active", ErrInvalidRequest, quest)
 		}
-		items, questEquipment, err := s.grantQuestRewards(pack, quest, design.Rewards[0])
+		wasCleared := s.state.QuestCleared(quest, pack, s.questDifficultyFor(pack, quest))
+		items, questEquipment, err := s.grantQuestRewards(pack, quest, design.Rewards[s.questDifficultyFor(pack, quest)])
 		if err != nil {
 			return 0, nil, true, err
 		}
-		if err := s.state.ClearQuest(quest, pack); err != nil {
+		if err := s.state.ClearQuest(quest, pack, s.questDifficultyFor(pack, quest)); err != nil {
 			return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("world: clear quest: %w", err)
 		}
-		if s.collection != nil && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && pack == s.seed.PackID {
+		if s.collection != nil && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && pack == s.seed.PackID && s.questDifficulty(pack) == 0 && !wasCleared {
 			if err := s.collection.AttachRewardCostume(s.seed.RewardCostume); err != nil {
 				return 0, nil, true, fmt.Errorf("world: attach cleared quest costume: %w", err)
 			}
 		}
+		if selection, selected := s.state.Selection(pack); selected && design.Type == 0 && !wasCleared {
+			selection.QuestID = s.nextQuestFor(pack, quest)
+			if err := s.state.SelectQuest(pack, selection); err != nil {
+				return 0, nil, true, err
+			}
+		}
+		var nextItems []player.Item
+		var nextChars [][]byte
+		if design.Type == 0 {
+			if next := s.nextQuestFor(pack, quest); next != 0 {
+				var err error
+				nextChars, _, err = s.resolveActivePartyWires(pack, next)
+				if err != nil {
+					return 0, nil, true, err
+				}
+				nextItems, err = s.ensureQuestItems(pack, next)
+				if err != nil {
+					return 0, nil, true, err
+				}
+			}
+		}
 		slog.Info("team trace: quest cleared", "pack", pack, "quest", quest, "changesBattleDeck", pack == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID)
-		return 18, s.clearResponse(pack, quest, design.Rewards[0], items, questEquipment), true, nil
+		return 18, s.clearResponse(pack, quest, design.Rewards[s.questDifficultyFor(pack, quest)], items, questEquipment, nextItems, nextChars), true, nil
 	default:
 		return 0, nil, false, nil
 	}
@@ -336,7 +405,7 @@ func (s *Service) storyCharacters(packID int) []player.Character {
 }
 
 func (s *Service) canClear(packID, quest int) bool {
-	if s.state.QuestCleared(quest, packID) {
+	if s.state.QuestCleared(quest, packID, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest)) {
 		return true
 	}
 	quests, found := s.questsFor(packID)
@@ -347,18 +416,18 @@ func (s *Service) canClear(packID, quest int) bool {
 	if !found {
 		return false
 	}
-	if design.PriorQuestID != 0 && !s.state.QuestCleared(design.PriorQuestID, packID) {
+	if design.PriorQuestID != 0 && !s.state.QuestCleared(design.PriorQuestID, packID, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest)) {
 		return false
 	}
 	if design.Type == 0 {
 		return quest == s.firstUnclearedQuestFor(packID)
 	}
-	_, active := s.state.QuestInPack(quest, packID)
+	_, active := s.state.QuestInPack(quest, packID, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest))
 	return active
 }
 
 func (s *Service) grantQuestRewards(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Reward) ([]player.Item, *player.Equipment, error) {
-	identity := fmt.Sprintf("pack%d:quest%d", packID, quest)
+	identity := questRewardIdentity(packID, quest, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest))
 	if s.wallet != nil {
 		if _, err := s.wallet.GrantQuestOnce(identity, designRewards); err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("world: grant quest currency: %w", err)
@@ -381,7 +450,7 @@ func (s *Service) grantQuestRewards(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.
 		case 11:
 			// Quest 26's character/costume instances come from the versioned
 			// story seed and are encoded below; they are not stackable items.
-			if packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && reward.ID == s.seed.RewardCostume.ID {
+			if packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest) == 0 && reward.ID == s.seed.RewardCostume.ID {
 				continue
 			}
 			if s.collection == nil || s.questCostumes == nil {
@@ -399,7 +468,7 @@ func (s *Service) grantQuestRewards(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.
 	}
 	var costumeIDs []uint64
 	for _, reward := range designRewards {
-		if reward.Type == 11 && !(packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && reward.ID == s.seed.RewardCostume.ID) {
+		if reward.Type == 11 && !(packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest) == 0 && reward.ID == s.seed.RewardCostume.ID) {
 			costumeIDs = append(costumeIDs, reward.ID)
 		}
 	}
@@ -424,7 +493,7 @@ func (s *Service) grantQuestRewards(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if packID == s.seed.PackID {
+	if packID == s.seed.PackID && s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest) == 0 {
 		for _, reward := range questPictorialItems[quest] {
 			itemRewards = append(itemRewards, gamedata.BattleReward{Type: reward.Type, ID: reward.ID, Count: reward.Count})
 		}
@@ -465,26 +534,21 @@ func (s *Service) packInfo() ([]byte, error) {
 
 func (s *Service) packInfoFor(packID int) ([]byte, error) {
 	var out []byte
-	if packID == s.seed.PackID && s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID) {
-		for _, expected := range s.seed.StoryCharacters {
-			character, found := s.characters.Find(expected.InvenIndex)
-			if !found {
-				return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: persisted character %d is missing", expected.InvenIndex)
-			}
-			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 1, encodeCharacter(character))
-		}
-		character, found := s.characters.Find(s.seed.RewardCharacter.InvenIndex)
-		if !found {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: persisted reward character %d is missing", s.seed.RewardCharacter.InvenIndex)
-		}
-		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 1, encodeCharacter(character))
-	}
 	if active := s.firstUnclearedQuestFor(packID); active != 0 {
-		quest := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(active))
-		quest = wire.AppendVarint(quest, 6, uint64(packID))
+		quest := s.questInfoWire(packID, active)
+		chars, _, err := s.resolveActivePartyWires(packID, active)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		for _, char := range chars {
+			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 1, char)
+		}
 		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, quest)
 	}
-	cleared := s.state.ClearedQuests(packID)
+	for _, quest := range s.activeSideQuestWires(packID) {
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, quest)
+	}
+	cleared := s.state.ClearedQuests(packID, s.questDifficulty(packID))
 	if len(cleared) != 0 {
 		var packed []byte
 		for _, id := range cleared {
@@ -495,7 +559,7 @@ func (s *Service) packInfoFor(packID int) ([]byte, error) {
 	position := "{}"
 	mapID := 0
 	restored := false
-	if saved, found := s.state.Position(); found && saved.PackID == packID && saved.RawJSON != "" {
+	if saved, found := s.state.Position(); found && saved.PackID == packID && saved.Difficulty == s.questDifficulty(packID) && saved.RawJSON != "" {
 		if pack, arena := s.fieldPacks[packID]; arena && !pack.MapIDs[saved.Position.MapID] {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("world: saved map %d does not belong to arena pack %d", saved.Position.MapID, packID)
 		}
@@ -538,17 +602,17 @@ func (s *Service) firstUnclearedQuestFor(packID int) int {
 		return 0
 	}
 	for _, id := range s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].MainQuestIDs {
-		if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, packID) {
+		if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, packID, s.questDifficulty(packID)) {
 			return id
 		}
 	}
 	return 0
 }
 
-func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Reward, items []player.Item, questEquipment *player.Equipment) []byte {
+func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Reward, items []player.Item, questEquipment *player.Equipment, nextItems []player.Item, nextChars [][]byte) []byte {
 	var rewards []byte
 	if s.collection != nil {
-		if grant, found := s.collection.Grant(fmt.Sprintf("pack%d:quest%d:costumes", packID, quest)); found {
+		if grant, found := s.collection.Grant(questRewardIdentity(packID, quest, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest)) + ":costumes"); found {
 			rewards = append(rewards, player.CollectionRewardBundle(s.collection, grant)...)
 		}
 	}
@@ -578,7 +642,7 @@ func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Rewa
 		// not an ItemDBInfo with a fabricated stack count.
 		rewards = wire.AppendBytes(rewards, 4, player.EquipmentWire(*questEquipment))
 	}
-	if packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID {
+	if packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest) == 0 {
 		rewardCharacter := encodeCharacter(s.seed.RewardCharacter)
 		// Pictorial state: acquired level 1, progress 60.
 		rewardCharacter = wire.AppendBytes(rewardCharacter, 12, wire.AppendVarint(wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, 1), 2, 60))
@@ -603,8 +667,11 @@ func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Rewa
 	var out []byte
 	out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 1, rewards)
 	next := s.nextQuestFor(packID, quest)
+	if s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].Quests[quest].Type != 0 {
+		next = 0
+	}
 	if next != 0 {
-		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, uint64(next)))
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, s.questInfoWire(packID, next))
 	} else {
 		// QuestClearResponse.QuestInfo is dereferenced by the client
 		// even when this is the final quest of a pack. An explicitly present,
@@ -617,7 +684,10 @@ func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Rewa
 		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, nil)
 	}
 	out = wire.AppendVarint(out, 3, uint64(quest))
-	if next == 0 && s.packCompleteFor(packID) {
+	for _, item := range nextItems {
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 6, player.ItemWire(item))
+	}
+	if s.storyCatalog.Packs[packID].Quests[quest].Type == 0 && next == 0 && s.packCompleteFor(packID) {
 		// The final normal quest unlocks PackTable.NextPackId. Without these
 		// PackDBInfo updates the client cannot find the next story pack and
 		// falls back to presenting the hard-difficulty objective.
@@ -625,7 +695,7 @@ func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Rewa
 			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 11, info)
 		}
 	}
-	if packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID {
+	if packID == s.seed.PackID && quest == s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID && s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest) == 0 {
 		deckIDs := []uint64{s.seed.RewardCharacter.InvenIndex, s.seed.StoryCharacters[0].InvenIndex, s.seed.StoryCharacters[1].InvenIndex, s.seed.StoryCharacters[2].InvenIndex, s.starter.Characters[0].InvenIndex}
 		for index, characterID := range deckIDs {
 			deck := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, characterID)
@@ -649,6 +719,10 @@ func (s *Service) clearResponse(packID, quest int, designRewards []gamedata.Rewa
 			out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 4, entry)
 		}
 	}
+	for _, char := range nextChars {
+		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 5, char)
+	}
+	out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 9, s.questLevelInfoWire(packID, s.questDifficultyFor(packID, quest)))
 	out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 12, nil)
 	return wire.AppendBytes(out, 13, nil)
 }
@@ -666,7 +740,7 @@ func (s *Service) packCompleteFor(packID int) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 	for _, id := range ids {
-		if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, packID) {
+		if !s.state.QuestCleared(id, packID, s.questDifficulty(packID)) {
 			return false
 		}
 	}
@@ -687,13 +761,11 @@ func (s *Service) accountPackInfo() []byte {
 	}
 	for _, info := range s.packDBInfoRows() {
 		id, _, _ := wire.Varint(info, 1)
-		if !s.packCompleteFor(int(id)) {
-			continue
+		for level := 0; level <= 4; level++ {
+			if len(s.state.ClearedQuests(int(id), level)) > 0 || s.questDifficulty(int(id)) == level {
+				out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, s.questLevelInfoWire(int(id), level))
+			}
 		}
-		level := wire.AppendVarint(nil, 1, id)
-		level = wire.AppendVarint(level, 3, uint64(len(s.storyCatalog.Packs[int(id)].MainQuestIDs)))
-		level = wire.AppendVarint(level, 5, 1)
-		out = wire.AppendBytes(out, 2, level)
 	}
 	return wire.AppendVarint(out, 5, 3)
 }
@@ -707,8 +779,8 @@ var questPictorialItems = map[int][]gamedata.Reward{
 // PictorialCharacters hides quest-26 rewards until they are earned, even
 // though their instances already exist in the versioned world seed.
 func (s *Service) PictorialCharacters() []player.Character {
-	if s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID) && s.characters != nil {
-		return s.characters.RawAll()
+	if !s.tutorialRosterRestricted() && s.characters != nil {
+		return s.visibleOwnedCharacters(s.characters.RawAll())
 	}
 	return append([]player.Character(nil), s.starter.Characters...)
 }
@@ -718,7 +790,7 @@ func (s *Service) PictorialCostumes() []player.Costume {
 	if s.collection != nil {
 		result = s.collection.Costumes()
 	}
-	if s.collection == nil && s.state.QuestCleared(s.seed.BattleUnlockQuestID, s.seed.PackID) {
+	if s.collection == nil && !s.tutorialRosterRestricted() && s.startingPack() == s.seed.PackID {
 		result = append(result, s.seed.RewardCostume)
 	}
 	return result
diff --git a/go/internal/server/world/world_test.go b/go/internal/server/world/world_test.go
index 2e9cc47..6a4e0e4 100644
--- a/go/internal/server/world/world_test.go
+++ b/go/internal/server/world/world_test.go
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ func TestQuest27UsesGameDataFreeJewelryReward(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestPackInfoUsesPersistedCharacterLevel(t *testing.T) {
+func TestPackInfoDoesNotEmitFixedRewardRosterWithoutActiveFormation(t *testing.T) {
 	storage := stateio.NewMemory()
 	starter := &player.Starter{Version: "2.35.10"}
 	inventory, err := player.OpenInventory(storage, starter)
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ func TestPackInfoUsesPersistedCharacterLevel(t *testing.T) {
 	}); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if level != 20 {
-		t.Fatalf("pack character level=%d want20", level)
+	if level != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("fixed reward character leaked without an authored active formation: level=%d", level)
 	}
 }