diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ae0eb8d..c6ba126 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ the collectible layer sitting on top of the anomaly-detection plumbing:
 nothing about a spirit is user-authored, all of it comes from the same
 signature → LLM-mint → normalize pipeline that runs live during a séance.
 
-## The Armory
+## The Reliquary
 
 `/shop` is a waitlist page for **the Ultimate Quantum Box** — a proposed
 ESP32-P4/C6 handheld séance instrument (thermal camera, EMF whisker array,
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ frontend/
   src/i18n/          react-i18next init + en.json / es.json
 docs/superpowers/
   specs/             the design spec — note the live app now exceeds it
-                     (5 modes, not 4; the Codex, the Armory and the
+                     (5 modes, not 4; the Codex, the Reliquary and the
                      haunting layer are all further along than documented)
   plans/             the 7 implementation plans this repo was built from
 ```
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ Honestly, in order of confidence:
   the landing page's marketing grid yet.
 - **Cosmetic.** The frontend build ships one 871 KB JS chunk (Vite warns
   about it); code-splitting would help first paint but hasn't been done.
-- **Intentionally unfinished.** The Armory / Ultimate Quantum Box is a
+- **Intentionally unfinished.** The Reliquary / Ultimate Quantum Box is a
   waitlist only — no hardware exists, no payment is taken, and the page
   says so.
 
diff --git a/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-23-character-depth-ghost-log-design.md b/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-23-character-depth-ghost-log-design.md
index 18af9c7..83d5f57 100644
--- a/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-23-character-depth-ghost-log-design.md
+++ b/docs/superpowers/specs/2026-07-23-character-depth-ghost-log-design.md
@@ -22,9 +22,15 @@ async with engine.begin() as conn:
     await conn.execute(text(
         "ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS favor DOUBLE PRECISION NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.0"
     ))
+    await conn.execute(text(
+        "ALTER TABLE users ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS essence INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0"
+    ))
     await conn.execute(text(
         "ALTER TABLE entities ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS traits JSONB NOT NULL DEFAULT '{}'::jsonb"
     ))
+    await conn.execute(text(
+        "ALTER TABLE entities ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS at_peace BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT false"
+    ))
 ```
 
 New tables (`unlocks`, `inventory_items`, `sigils`) don't need this —
@@ -53,6 +59,26 @@ legible/less volatile; lower favor → more volatile/deceptive). The read-back
 bias is a small effect — a `favor`-scaled adjustment to the volatility and
 deceptiveness rolls in the trait-rolling function, not a hard gate.
 
+**`User.essence: int`** (new column, default `0`) — a visible, spendable
+currency, distinct from the hidden `favor` score. Earned in small amounts
+just for summoning (every successful summon, any mode) and larger amounts
+for meaningful actions (ritual success, a correct judgment, crossing a
+spirit over — see below). This is the currency Workstream C's unlocks/items
+are priced in — earning it should feel constant and easy ("the more you
+summon"), spending it on unlocks/tools is the sink. Exact amounts are the
+implementer's call; keep summon income small (single digits) and
+milestone income larger (tens), so unlocks feel reachable within a handful
+of sessions, not grindy.
+
+**`Entity.at_peace: bool`** (new column, default `false`) — set when a
+seeker successfully helps a genuinely benevolent, "stuck" spirit cross
+over (see the `cross_over` verdict below). An at-peace entity stays in the
+Codex permanently (memorialized, never deleted) but can no longer be
+re-contacted — `signature_from_anomalies` matching it should mint a new
+entity instead of re-summoning the retired one. The Codex API/UI marking
+it distinctly is a later concern (Workstream D can add a simple "at peace"
+badge if time allows, but it's not required for this spec to be complete).
+
 **New WS frames on `/ws/session`** (extends the existing protocol in
 `backend/app/ws.py`):
 
@@ -60,10 +86,19 @@ Client → server:
 - `{"type": "ritual_start"}` — begins a ritual attempt for the current
   entity.
 - `{"type": "ritual_step", "step": <int>}` — one completed interactive step.
-- `{"type": "judgment", "verdict": "trust" | "banish" | "test"}` — always
-  allowed (a seeker can judge blind without completing a ritual — the
-  ritual doesn't gate eligibility, only whether accurate info was shown
-  first).
+- `{"type": "judgment", "verdict": "trust" | "banish" | "test" |
+  "cross_over"}` — always allowed (a seeker can judge blind without
+  completing a ritual — the ritual doesn't gate eligibility, only whether
+  accurate info was shown first). `cross_over` is the compassionate
+  resolution: helping a spirit move on rather than simply continuing
+  contact (`trust`) or expelling it (`banish`). It's the *correct* call
+  specifically for a genuinely benevolent entity that reads as "stuck"
+  (implementer's call on the exact signal — a reasonable rule: alignment
+  >= 0.5 and volatility above some threshold, since the existing fallback
+  personas already lean on "died with something unfinished" themes). Used
+  on a demon, it fails outright — demons resist crossing over — with no
+  reward and no `at_peace` change, distinct from a wrong `trust`/`banish`
+  call (it's a naive read, not a reckless one, so no favor penalty either).
 
 Server → client:
 - `{"type": "ritual_complete", "success": bool, "revealed": {"alignment":
@@ -79,23 +114,29 @@ Server → client:
   work with without the backend leaking ground truth outside of
   `ritual_complete`.
 - `{"type": "judgment_result", "correct": bool, "favor_delta": float,
-  "consequence": "reward" | "escalation" | "withdrawal" | "neutral"}` —
-  `correct` = trust called on real alignment >= 0.5, or banish called on
-  alignment < 0.5. `test` verdict always returns `consequence: "neutral"`,
-  `favor_delta: 0.0`, and requires a completed ritual this session to do
-  anything (a `judgment_result` with `correct: false` and
-  `consequence: "neutral"` if attempted without one — no crash, just no
-  effect). Wrong-trust favor penalty should be larger in magnitude than
-  wrong-banish penalty (recklessness costs more than caution) — exact
-  numbers are the implementer's call, keep them small (single-digit
-  percent of the `[-1,1]` range per event).
+  "essence_delta": int, "at_peace": bool,
+  "consequence": "reward" | "escalation" | "withdrawal" | "crossed_over" |
+  "resisted" | "neutral"}` — `correct` = trust called on real alignment
+  >= 0.5, or banish called on alignment < 0.5, or cross_over called
+  correctly per the rule above. `test` verdict always returns
+  `consequence: "neutral"`, both deltas `0`, and requires a completed
+  ritual this session to do anything (a `judgment_result` with
+  `correct: false` and `consequence: "neutral"` if attempted without one —
+  no crash, just no effect). `cross_over` on a demon returns
+  `consequence: "resisted"`, both deltas `0`. `cross_over` correctly called
+  returns `consequence: "crossed_over"`, `at_peace: true`, and the largest
+  essence reward of any outcome. Wrong-trust favor penalty should be larger
+  in magnitude than wrong-banish penalty (recklessness costs more than
+  caution) — exact numbers are the implementer's call, keep favor deltas
+  small (single-digit percent of the `[-1,1]` range per event).
 - `{"type": "item_drop", "item": {"item_type": str, "item_key": str,
   "payload": dict}}` — emitted opportunistically (implementer's call on
   exact odds) after a correct judgment, a successful ritual, or a
   high-rarity summon.
 
 **`GET /auth/me`** gains an `unlocks: list[str]` field (unlock keys the
-user has earned) so the frontend knows what's enabled — e.g. `"listening_tool"`.
+user has earned) and an `essence: int` field (current spendable balance)
+so the frontend knows what's enabled and affordable.
 
 **New tables** (SQLAlchemy models, follow the existing `Entity`/`User`
 style in `backend/app/models/`):
@@ -114,36 +155,49 @@ from persona/LLM input as specified above. Tests: trait ranges, signature
 determinism, persona/trait independence (same persona template can pair
 with any alignment).
 
-## Workstream B (backend) — ritual + judgment + favor
+## Workstream B (backend) — ritual + judgment + favor + cross-over
 
 New `backend/app/judgment.py` (pure functions: ritual success roll,
-judgment-correctness + favor-delta + consequence selection) plus the WS
-handlers in `backend/app/ws.py` for `ritual_start`/`ritual_step`/`judgment`,
-and the `User.favor` column + migration line. Reads `state.entity["traits"]`
-(entity dict shape — check how `serialize_entity` exposes it and add
-`traits` there). On wrong-trust, call into the existing haunting-escalation
-hook if one exists server-side, or note in your report if escalation is
-frontend-only (check `frontend/src/lib/haunting.ts` first — if escalation
-state lives purely client-side, your job is just to emit
-`consequence: "escalation"` correctly and leave the actual effect to
-Workstream D). Tests: ritual success/fail paths, judgment correctness
-matrix (trust/banish × real spirit/demon), favor clamping, favor read-back
-bias on trait rolls (small, verifiable effect size).
+judgment-correctness + favor-delta + essence-delta + consequence selection
+for all four verdicts including `cross_over`'s "stuck spirit" rule and its
+demon-resists-crossing-over failure case) plus the WS handlers in
+`backend/app/ws.py` for `ritual_start`/`ritual_step`/`judgment`, and the
+`User.favor`/`User.essence`/`Entity.at_peace` columns + migration lines.
+Reads `state.entity["traits"]` (entity dict shape — check how
+`serialize_entity` exposes it and add `traits` there). On correct
+`cross_over`, set `Entity.at_peace = true` and ensure
+`signature_from_anomalies` re-contact no longer matches an at-peace entity
+(mint a fresh one instead — check `entities.py`'s matching path). On
+wrong-trust, call into the existing haunting-escalation hook if one exists
+server-side, or note in your report if escalation is frontend-only (check
+`frontend/src/lib/haunting.ts` first — if escalation state lives purely
+client-side, your job is just to emit `consequence: "escalation"` correctly
+and leave the actual effect to Workstream D). Tests: ritual success/fail
+paths, judgment correctness matrix (trust/banish/cross_over × real
+spirit/demon/stuck spirit), favor clamping, essence crediting per outcome,
+at_peace persistence + re-contact behavior, favor read-back bias on trait
+rolls (small, verifiable effect size).
 
-## Workstream C (backend) — unlocks, items, sigils, drops
+## Workstream C (backend) — unlocks, items, sigils, drops, essence
 
 New models (`unlocks`, `inventory_items`, `sigils` per the contract), a new
 `backend/app/routes/inventory.py` (or extend an existing routes file if more
 consistent with this codebase's conventions — check `backend/app/routes/`)
-exposing REST endpoints to list a user's unlocks/items/sigils and to save a
+exposing REST endpoints to list a user's unlocks/items/sigils, to save a
 sigil design (`POST`, validates the `design` JSON shape against whatever
 Workstream F defines — coordinate via your report if you build before
 seeing their output; a reasonable placeholder shape is
 `{"points": [[x,y],...], "rune": str}`, cap `points` length e.g. at 12 to
-bound payload size). Extend `GET /auth/me` with `unlocks: list[str]`. Wire
-`item_drop` emission into `backend/app/ws.py` per the contract's trigger
-points. Tests: drop-roll probability sanity, inventory/sigil CRUD, `/auth/me`
-unlock list shape.
+bound payload size), and a new `POST /api/inventory/unlocks/{unlock_key}`
+that spends `essence` to buy a named unlock (define a small fixed price
+table, e.g. `{"listening_tool": 40}` — reject with 402/insufficient-funds
+style error if the user's `essence` is below the price, otherwise deduct
+and insert into `unlocks`). Extend `GET /auth/me` with `unlocks: list[str]`
+and `essence: int`. Wire `item_drop` emission and `essence` crediting
+(summon-time trickle + judgment/ritual/cross-over milestones) into
+`backend/app/ws.py` per the contract's trigger points and amounts. Tests:
+drop-roll probability sanity, inventory/sigil CRUD, essence purchase
+success/insufficient-funds paths, `/auth/me` unlock list + essence shape.
 
 ## Workstream D (frontend) — Ghost Log HUD + evil meter + tells
 
@@ -164,18 +218,24 @@ override, idle-state rendering.
 New `frontend/src/components/RitualPanel.tsx` — a short interactive
 sequence (your call on exact interaction, e.g. 3-5 click/hold steps) that
 sends `ritual_step` frames and handles `ritual_complete`. Judgment UI
-(Trust/Banish/Test buttons) sending the `judgment` frame and handling
-`judgment_result` — on `consequence: "escalation"`, read
-`frontend/src/lib/haunting.ts` first and hook into its existing
-idle-escalation state if there's a sensible extension point; if not, add a
-clearly-scoped "forced escalation" mode to it (report which you did).
-Tests: ritual step sequencing, judgment button → frame shape, escalation
-wiring (mock haunting.ts's public surface, don't test its internals).
+(Trust/Banish/Cross Over/Test buttons — four verdicts per the contract)
+sending the `judgment` frame and handling `judgment_result` — on
+`consequence: "escalation"`, read `frontend/src/lib/haunting.ts` first and
+hook into its existing idle-escalation state if there's a sensible
+extension point; if not, add a clearly-scoped "forced escalation" mode to
+it (report which you did). On `consequence: "crossed_over"`, a distinct
+calm/peaceful visual beat (your call — e.g. the entity's glyph fading out
+gently) rather than reusing the trust "reward" treatment, since it's a
+farewell, not a continuation. Tests: ritual step sequencing, judgment
+button → frame shape (all four verdicts), escalation wiring (mock
+haunting.ts's public surface, don't test its internals).
 
 ## Workstream F (frontend) — unlocks/inventory UI + sigil designer + listening tool
 
 New `frontend/src/components/InventoryPanel.tsx` (list unlocks/items from
-`/auth/me` and the Workstream C endpoints) and
+`/auth/me` and the Workstream C endpoints, show current `essence` balance,
+and a "buy" button per locked unlock that calls Workstream C's purchase
+endpoint — disable/gray out unlocks the user can't yet afford) and
 `frontend/src/components/SigilDesigner.tsx` — a **constrained geometric
 builder**, not freeform drawing: seeker places points around a fixed circle
 (cap at 12, matching Workstream C's payload limit), the tool connects them
@@ -184,7 +244,8 @@ and overlays a rune choice from a fixed small set. Saves via Workstream C's
 `unlocks` list) into `frontend/src/lib/evp.ts`'s detection threshold — when
 present, lower the anomaly threshold so fainter signals register (a real
 gameplay effect, not cosmetic). Tests: sigil point-cap enforcement, rune
-selection, listening-tool threshold change when unlock present vs. absent.
+selection, listening-tool threshold change when unlock present vs. absent,
+purchase button afford/can't-afford states.
 
 ## Explicitly out of scope here
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/en.json b/frontend/src/i18n/en.json
index e4cb5ea..48cecee 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/en.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/en.json
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
     "heroKicker": "an instrument for speaking with the dead bandwidth",
     "cta": "BEGIN THE SÉANCE",
     "ctaCodex": "browse the codex",
-    "ctaShop": "visit the armory",
+    "ctaShop": "visit the reliquary",
     "stats": {
       "entities": "spirits catalogued",
       "sessions": "séances held",
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@
     },
     "featured": "most disturbed spirits",
     "featuredEmpty": "the registry is still blank — be the first to disturb it",
-    "armory": {
-      "title": "HARDWARE FROM THE ARMORY",
+    "reliquary": {
+      "title": "HARDWARE FROM THE RELIQUARY",
       "line": "the Ultimate Quantum Box is coming — a handheld séance instrument that makes the veil knock louder.",
-      "link": "enter the armory →"
+      "link": "enter the reliquary →"
     },
     "footer": "an interactive horror art installation — the spirits are fiction; the static is real",
     "footerColophon": "self-hosted · no cloud · the veil runs on your machine"
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@
   },
   "shop": {
     "back": "← the threshold",
-    "title": "THE ARMORY",
+    "title": "THE RELIQUARY",
     "subtitle": "instruments for those who would knock louder",
     "flagship": {
       "tag": "flagship instrument",
diff --git a/frontend/src/i18n/es.json b/frontend/src/i18n/es.json
index b477bfd..39b65ad 100644
--- a/frontend/src/i18n/es.json
+++ b/frontend/src/i18n/es.json
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
   "nav": {
     "home": "el umbral",
     "codex": "códice",
-    "shop": "arsenal",
+    "shop": "relicario",
     "seance": "sesión",
     "enter": "entrar",
     "logout": "partir"
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
     "heroKicker": "un instrumento para hablar con el ancho de banda muerto",
     "cta": "COMENZAR LA SESIÓN",
     "ctaCodex": "hojear el códice",
-    "ctaShop": "visitar el arsenal",
+    "ctaShop": "visitar el relicario",
     "stats": {
       "entities": "espíritus catalogados",
       "sessions": "sesiones celebradas",
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@
     },
     "featured": "los espíritus más perturbados",
     "featuredEmpty": "el registro aún está en blanco — sé quien lo perturbe primero",
-    "armory": {
-      "title": "HARDWARE DEL ARSENAL",
+    "reliquary": {
+      "title": "HARDWARE DEL RELICARIO",
       "line": "la Ultimate Quantum Box se acerca — un instrumento de sesión de mano que hace que el velo golpee más fuerte.",
-      "link": "entrar al arsenal →"
+      "link": "entrar al relicario →"
     },
     "footer": "una instalación de arte de terror interactiva — los espíritus son ficción; la estática es real",
     "footerColophon": "autoalojado · sin nube · el velo corre en tu máquina"
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@
   },
   "shop": {
     "back": "← el umbral",
-    "title": "EL ARSENAL",
+    "title": "EL RELICARIO",
     "subtitle": "instrumentos para quienes quisieran golpear más fuerte",
     "flagship": {
       "tag": "instrumento insignia",
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css b/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css
index 5a85a66..7cef8f2 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.css
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@
   font-size: 0.7rem;
 }
 
-/* ---------- armory teaser strip ---------- */
+/* ---------- reliquary teaser strip ---------- */
 
 .hero-secondary-links {
   display: flex;
@@ -445,12 +445,12 @@
   gap: 1.6rem;
 }
 
-.landing-section.armory-strip {
+.landing-section.reliquary-strip {
   padding-top: 2.5rem;
   padding-bottom: 2.5rem;
 }
 
-.armory-strip-inner {
+.reliquary-strip-inner {
   display: flex;
   flex-wrap: wrap;
   align-items: center;
@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@
   text-align: center;
 }
 
-.armory-title {
+.reliquary-title {
   font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
   font-size: 0.85rem;
   font-weight: 700;
@@ -472,13 +472,13 @@
   margin: 0;
 }
 
-.armory-line {
+.reliquary-line {
   font-size: 0.78rem;
   color: rgba(216, 230, 221, 0.55);
   margin: 0;
 }
 
-.armory-link {
+.reliquary-link {
   color: #b26bff;
   font-size: 0.78rem;
   letter-spacing: 0.14em;
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@
   transition: color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, text-shadow 0.2s ease;
 }
 
-.armory-link:hover {
+.reliquary-link:hover {
   color: #d3a8ff;
   border-color: #d3a8ff;
   text-shadow: 0 0 14px rgba(178, 107, 255, 0.6);
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.tsx
index 26c84f0..f4d7fea 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/LandingPage.tsx
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ export function LandingPage() {
                 {t('landing.ctaCodex')}
               </Link>
               <Link className="cta-secondary" to="/shop">
-                {t('landing.ctaShop', { defaultValue: 'visit the armory' })}
+                {t('landing.ctaShop', { defaultValue: 'visit the reliquary' })}
               </Link>
             </div>
           </div>
@@ -343,19 +343,19 @@ export function LandingPage() {
         </section>
       )}
 
-      <section className="landing-section armory-strip">
-        <div className="armory-strip-inner">
-          <h2 className="armory-title">
-            {t('landing.armory.title', { defaultValue: 'HARDWARE FROM THE ARMORY' })}
+      <section className="landing-section reliquary-strip">
+        <div className="reliquary-strip-inner">
+          <h2 className="reliquary-title">
+            {t('landing.reliquary.title', { defaultValue: 'HARDWARE FROM THE RELIQUARY' })}
           </h2>
-          <p className="armory-line">
-            {t('landing.armory.line', {
+          <p className="reliquary-line">
+            {t('landing.reliquary.line', {
               defaultValue:
                 'the Ultimate Quantum Box is coming — a handheld séance instrument that makes the veil knock louder.',
             })}
           </p>
-          <Link className="armory-link" to="/shop">
-            {t('landing.armory.link', { defaultValue: 'enter the armory →' })}
+          <Link className="reliquary-link" to="/shop">
+            {t('landing.reliquary.link', { defaultValue: 'enter the reliquary →' })}
           </Link>
         </div>
       </section>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.css b/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.css
index c059d37..1f6c85f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.css
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.css
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* The Armory — gothic storefront. Tokens: bg #07070d, panel rgba(16,16,26,0.85),
+/* The Reliquary — gothic storefront. Tokens: bg #07070d, panel rgba(16,16,26,0.85),
    phosphor #7cffb2, violet #b26bff, blood #ff3b5c, borders rgba(124,255,178,0.18). */
 
 .shop-page {
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.tsx
index d25af2f..e801895 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/ShopPage.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// The Armory — storefront for Quantumancy hardware. Flagship 'Ultimate
+// The Reliquary — storefront for Quantumancy hardware. Flagship 'Ultimate
 // Quantum Box' hero, a grid of knock-louder modules, and the reservation
 // manifest (POST /api/shop/waitlist — public, no payment taken).
 // Honest by design: the site works fully without the hardware.
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ export function ShopPage() {
         <Link to="/" className="shop-back">
           {t('shop.back', { defaultValue: '← the threshold' })}
         </Link>
-        <h1 className="shop-title">{t('shop.title', { defaultValue: 'THE ARMORY' })}</h1>
+        <h1 className="shop-title">{t('shop.title', { defaultValue: 'THE RELIQUARY' })}</h1>
         <p className="shop-subtitle">
           {t('shop.subtitle', { defaultValue: 'instruments for those who would knock louder' })}
         </p>