diff --git a/domain/game.go b/domain/game.go
index cb449a2..7b7043c 100644
--- a/domain/game.go
+++ b/domain/game.go
@@ -25,10 +25,20 @@ func Build() *p.Game {
 	defineBedroom(g)
 	defineKitchen(g)
 
-	// SCUMM-style HUD. Swap for p.RegisterRadialVerbUI(g) to try the
-	// verb-coin variant, or build a fully custom widget set by calling
-	// g.UIManager.Register(...) directly.
-	p.RegisterDefaultUI(g)
+	// Story-rich HUD: top bar + character panels + chat log + permanent
+	// verb wheel + small inventory. Swap for p.RegisterDefaultUI(g) to
+	// get the simpler SCUMM-style layout, or p.RegisterRadialVerbUI(g)
+	// for a verb-coin (right-click) layout.
+	p.RegisterRichUI(g, "player", "cat")
+	g.MaxLogLines = 64
+
+	// initial HUD vars
+	g.State.SetVar("score", 0)
+	g.State.SetVar("time", "Nap 1 - 07:23")
+	g.State.SetVar("player.state", "Ébren")
+	g.State.SetVar("player.mood", "Álmos")
+	g.State.SetVar("cat.state", "Várakozik")
+	g.State.SetVar("cat.mood", "Türelmetlen")
 
 	g.StartAt("bedroom").OnStart(p.RunScript("intro"))
 	return g
diff --git a/domain/scene.bedroom.go b/domain/scene.bedroom.go
index 58a1329..d8e96b5 100644
--- a/domain/scene.bedroom.go
+++ b/domain/scene.bedroom.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import p "pncdsl/pncdsl"
 func defineBedroom(g *p.Game) {
 	g.SceneManager.Register(p.Scene{
 		Name:       "bedroom",
+		Title:      "Hálószoba",
 		Background: "bg/bedroom",
 		Music:      "mus/wakeup",
 		Actors: []p.SceneActor{
diff --git a/domain/scene.kitchen.go b/domain/scene.kitchen.go
index d249437..70a03aa 100644
--- a/domain/scene.kitchen.go
+++ b/domain/scene.kitchen.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import p "pncdsl/pncdsl"
 func defineKitchen(g *p.Game) {
 	g.SceneManager.Register(p.Scene{
 		Name:       "kitchen",
+		Title:      "Konyha",
 		Background: "bg/kitchen",
 		Music:      "mus/calm",
 		Actors: []p.SceneActor{
diff --git a/domain/script.intro.go b/domain/script.intro.go
index 944e7bc..5eece53 100644
--- a/domain/script.intro.go
+++ b/domain/script.intro.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ func defineIntroScript(g *p.Game) {
 			p.Say("player", "Brr, hideg van."),
 			p.Say("player", "Egy kávé kéne, mielőtt szétszakad a fejem."),
 			p.Walk("player", p.Point{X: 200, Y: 145}),
+			p.SetVar("player.mood", "Eltökélt"),
 		),
 	})
 }
diff --git a/domain/script.victory.go b/domain/script.victory.go
index ab6f5e7..8f87391 100644
--- a/domain/script.victory.go
+++ b/domain/script.victory.go
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ func defineVictoryScript(g *p.Game) {
 			p.Wait(0.6),
 			p.Say("cat", "Mióóóóu. *boldog macska*"),
 			p.Say("player", "Reggeli kávé: megmentve."),
+			p.SetVar("score", 100),
+			p.SetVar("player.mood", "Boldog"),
+			p.SetVar("cat.mood", "Boldog"),
 			p.ShowEnd("Vége — kösz, hogy játszottál!"),
 		),
 	})
diff --git a/pncdsl/action.def.go b/pncdsl/action.def.go
index b9054a9..a8687eb 100644
--- a/pncdsl/action.def.go
+++ b/pncdsl/action.def.go
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ func (r *sayRunner) Tick(ctx *Ctx) Status {
 		// duration scales with text length, with a 1.2s floor
 		r.duration = 1.2 + float64(len(r.spec.text))*0.05
 		ctx.Game.SetSpeech(r.spec.speaker, r.spec.text)
+		ctx.Game.LogResponse(r.spec.speaker, r.spec.text)
 	}
 	r.elapsed += ctx.DT
 	// skip on click
diff --git a/pncdsl/core.engine.go b/pncdsl/core.engine.go
index d5e56f4..16af78d 100644
--- a/pncdsl/core.engine.go
+++ b/pncdsl/core.engine.go
@@ -97,9 +97,14 @@ func (e *engine) handleSceneInput() {
 		return
 	}
 	sel := g.Inventory.Selected()
+	targetLabel := h.Label
+	if targetLabel == "" {
+		targetLabel = h.Name
+	}
 	if sel != "" {
 		if h.OnUseWith != nil {
 			if a, ok := h.OnUseWith[sel]; ok && a != nil {
+				g.LogAction("> " + verbLabel(g, "use") + " " + sel + " ezen: " + targetLabel)
 				g.queueAction(a, "useWith hotspot")
 				g.Inventory.Select("")
 				return
@@ -107,6 +112,7 @@ func (e *engine) handleSceneInput() {
 		}
 		if it, ok := g.ItemManager.Get(sel); ok && it.OnUseWith != nil {
 			if a, ok := it.OnUseWith[h.Name]; ok && a != nil {
+				g.LogAction("> " + verbLabel(g, "use") + " " + sel + " ezen: " + targetLabel)
 				g.queueAction(a, "useWith item")
 				g.Inventory.Select("")
 				return
@@ -126,9 +132,17 @@ func (e *engine) handleSceneInput() {
 		g.FlashLine("Semmi említésre méltó.")
 		return
 	}
+	g.LogAction("> " + verbLabel(g, g.SelectedVerb()) + " " + targetLabel)
 	g.queueAction(a, "hotspot "+g.SelectedVerb()+" "+h.Name)
 }
 
+func verbLabel(g *Game, name string) string {
+	if v, ok := g.VerbManager.Get(name); ok {
+		return v.Label
+	}
+	return name
+}
+
 func (e *engine) hotspotAt(p Point) *Hotspot {
 	g := e.g
 	if g.currentScene == "" {
diff --git a/pncdsl/core.game.go b/pncdsl/core.game.go
index 0360ee0..fce7cfd 100644
--- a/pncdsl/core.game.go
+++ b/pncdsl/core.game.go
@@ -51,6 +51,26 @@ type Game struct {
 	speech     speechState
 	dialog     *runtimeDialog
 	activeDialog string
+
+	// in-game message log for ChatLog widgets; ring buffer behavior.
+	messages    []LogMessage
+	MaxLogLines int // 0 = unlimited (memory grows); set per-game.
+}
+
+// LogKind classifies a chat-log entry — UI widgets style them differently.
+type LogKind int
+
+const (
+	LogAction   LogKind = iota // player command ("> look at door")
+	LogResponse                // in-world reply / Say output
+	LogSystem                  // game/system message
+)
+
+// LogMessage is a single line in the chat-log buffer.
+type LogMessage struct {
+	Speaker string  // empty for actions / system
+	Text    string
+	Kind    LogKind
 }
 
 // speechState is what the SpeechBubble widget renders. Mutated by Say.
@@ -130,6 +150,48 @@ func (g *Game) FlashLine(text string) {
 	g.flashTimer = 2.0
 }
 
+// LogAction appends a player-command line (rendered with the prompt color
+// by ChatLog widgets).
+func (g *Game) LogAction(text string) {
+	g.appendLog(LogMessage{Text: text, Kind: LogAction})
+}
+
+// LogResponse appends a reply line (rendered with the response color).
+func (g *Game) LogResponse(speaker, text string) {
+	g.appendLog(LogMessage{Speaker: speaker, Text: text, Kind: LogResponse})
+}
+
+// LogSystem appends a system/meta line (rendered with the response color).
+func (g *Game) LogSystem(text string) {
+	g.appendLog(LogMessage{Text: text, Kind: LogSystem})
+}
+
+func (g *Game) appendLog(m LogMessage) {
+	g.messages = append(g.messages, m)
+	if g.MaxLogLines > 0 && len(g.messages) > g.MaxLogLines {
+		g.messages = g.messages[len(g.messages)-g.MaxLogLines:]
+	}
+}
+
+// Messages returns the current log buffer (read-only).
+func (g *Game) Messages() []LogMessage { return g.messages }
+
+// CharacterInScene reports whether a registered character is listed as
+// an actor in the current scene. Used by the CharacterPanel widget so
+// it auto-hides when the character isn't in view.
+func (g *Game) CharacterInScene(name string) bool {
+	if g.currentScene == "" {
+		return false
+	}
+	s := g.SceneManager.MustGet(g.currentScene)
+	for _, a := range s.Actors {
+		if a.CharacterName == name {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
 // DrawText is a thin wrapper that lets widgets accept a Theme-supplied color
 // today and switch to text/v2 later without changing call sites.
 func (g *Game) DrawText(dst *ebiten.Image, s string, x, y int, c color.Color) {
diff --git a/pncdsl/scene.def.go b/pncdsl/scene.def.go
index 688c532..757a89a 100644
--- a/pncdsl/scene.def.go
+++ b/pncdsl/scene.def.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package pncdsl
 
 type Scene struct {
 	Name       string
+	Title      string // optional human-readable title for the TopBar widget
 	Background string // Asset.Name
 	Music      string // Asset.Name (optional)
 	Hotspots   []Hotspot
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.character_panel.go b/pncdsl/ui.character_panel.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54be89b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.character_panel.go
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+package pncdsl
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"image/color"
+
+	"github.com/hajimehoshi/ebiten/v2"
+	"github.com/hajimehoshi/ebiten/v2/vector"
+)
+
+// CharStat is one (Label, VarKey) row rendered inside a CharacterPanel.
+// VarKey is read from g.State.Var; the value is fmt.Sprint'd verbatim.
+type CharStat struct {
+	Label  string
+	VarKey string
+}
+
+// CharacterPanel is a small floating panel that shows portrait + stats for
+// one registered character. The panel auto-hides when the character isn't
+// listed as an actor in the current scene, so the same panel registration
+// works across scenes.
+type CharacterPanel struct {
+	Name      string
+	Bounds    Rectangle
+	Character string // Character.Name to display
+	Title     string // "PLAYER", "NPC", role badge
+	Stats     []CharStat
+}
+
+func (c *CharacterPanel) GetName() string { return c.Name }
+func (c *CharacterPanel) Tick(ctx *UICtx) {}
+
+func (c *CharacterPanel) Draw(dst *ebiten.Image, ctx *UICtx) {
+	g := ctx.Game
+	if c.Character == "" || !g.CharacterInScene(c.Character) {
+		return
+	}
+	th := g.Theme()
+	b := c.Bounds
+
+	vector.DrawFilledRect(dst, float32(b.X), float32(b.Y), float32(b.W), float32(b.H), th.CharacterPanelBG, false)
+	vector.StrokeRect(dst, float32(b.X), float32(b.Y), float32(b.W), float32(b.H), 1, th.CharacterPanelBorder, false)
+
+	// portrait box on the left
+	portraitW := 22.0
+	px := b.X + 2
+	py := b.Y + 2
+	drawCharacterPortrait(dst, g, c.Character, px, py, portraitW, b.H-4)
+
+	// text column
+	tx := int(b.X + portraitW + 6)
+	ty := int(b.Y) + 1
+
+	if c.Title != "" {
+		g.DrawText(dst, c.Title, tx, ty, th.CharacterPanelTitle)
+		ty += 10
+	}
+
+	if ch, ok := g.CharacterManager.Get(c.Character); ok && ch.Name != "" {
+		g.DrawText(dst, ch.Name, tx, ty, th.StatusText)
+		ty += 10
+	}
+
+	for _, st := range c.Stats {
+		v := g.State.Var(st.VarKey)
+		line := fmt.Sprintf("%s: %v", st.Label, v)
+		g.DrawText(dst, line, tx, ty, th.StatusText)
+		ty += 10
+	}
+}
+
+// BlocksClickAt — the panel sits on top of the scene; clicks inside it
+// shouldn't trigger hotspots underneath.
+func (c *CharacterPanel) BlocksClickAt(p Point) bool {
+	return c.Bounds.Contains(p)
+}
+
+// drawCharacterPortrait renders a tiny version of the character's
+// placeholder shape (or sprite if available) inside the panel.
+func drawCharacterPortrait(dst *ebiten.Image, g *Game, name string, x, y, w, h float64) {
+	c, ok := g.CharacterManager.Get(name)
+	if !ok {
+		return
+	}
+	if c.Sprite != "" && !g.loaded.isPlaceholder(c.Sprite) {
+		img := g.loaded.image(g.AssetManager, c.Sprite)
+		sw, sh := img.Bounds().Dx(), img.Bounds().Dy()
+		if sw > 0 && sh > 0 {
+			op := &ebiten.DrawImageOptions{}
+			op.GeoM.Scale(w/float64(sw), h/float64(sh))
+			op.GeoM.Translate(x, y)
+			dst.DrawImage(img, op)
+			return
+		}
+	}
+	bodyCol := color.RGBA{200, 200, 200, 255}
+	if rgba, ok := c.SpeechColor.(color.RGBA); ok {
+		bodyCol = rgba
+	}
+	if c.W > c.H && c.W > 0 {
+		drawQuadrupedPlaceholder(dst, x, y, w, h, bodyCol)
+	} else {
+		drawHumanoidPlaceholder(dst, x, y, w, h, bodyCol)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.chat_log.go b/pncdsl/ui.chat_log.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..52f15e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.chat_log.go
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+package pncdsl
+
+import (
+	"image/color"
+
+	"github.com/hajimehoshi/ebiten/v2"
+	"github.com/hajimehoshi/ebiten/v2/vector"
+)
+
+// ChatLog renders the in-game message log (player commands + in-world
+// replies) as a scrolling box. The newest message is at the bottom; older
+// messages scroll up out of view as the buffer fills.
+type ChatLog struct {
+	Name       string
+	Bounds     Rectangle
+	LineHeight int
+	Padding    int
+	// ShowBorder draws a thin border around the box.
+	ShowBorder bool
+}
+
+func (c *ChatLog) GetName() string { return c.Name }
+func (c *ChatLog) Tick(ctx *UICtx) {}
+
+func (c *ChatLog) Draw(dst *ebiten.Image, ctx *UICtx) {
+	g := ctx.Game
+	th := g.Theme()
+	b := c.Bounds
+	if b.W <= 0 || b.H <= 0 {
+		return
+	}
+	lh := c.LineHeight
+	if lh <= 0 {
+		lh = 10
+	}
+	pad := c.Padding
+	if pad <= 0 {
+		pad = 3
+	}
+
+	vector.DrawFilledRect(dst, float32(b.X), float32(b.Y), float32(b.W), float32(b.H), th.ChatLogBG, false)
+	if c.ShowBorder {
+		vector.StrokeRect(dst, float32(b.X), float32(b.Y), float32(b.W), float32(b.H), 1, th.CharacterPanelBorder, false)
+	}
+
+	msgs := g.Messages()
+	maxLines := int((b.H - float64(2*pad)) / float64(lh))
+	if maxLines <= 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Wrap each message; collect rendered lines (color + text).
+	type line struct {
+		text string
+		col  color.Color
+	}
+	wrapW := int(b.W) - pad*2
+	var rendered []line
+	for _, m := range msgs {
+		var col color.Color
+		switch m.Kind {
+		case LogAction:
+			col = th.ChatLogPrompt
+		case LogResponse:
+			col = th.ChatLogResponse
+		default:
+			col = th.ChatLogSystem
+		}
+		txt := m.Text
+		if m.Kind == LogResponse && m.Speaker != "" {
+			txt = m.Speaker + ": " + m.Text
+		}
+		for _, w := range wrapText(txt, wrapW) {
+			rendered = append(rendered, line{text: w, col: col})
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Show the LAST maxLines wrapped lines.
+	start := len(rendered) - maxLines
+	if start < 0 {
+		start = 0
+	}
+	for i, ln := range rendered[start:] {
+		y := int(b.Y) + pad + i*lh
+		g.DrawText(dst, ln.text, int(b.X)+pad, y-1, ln.col)
+	}
+}
+
+// BlocksClickAt — the log is non-interactive, but it sits over the bottom
+// of the scene; treat it as opaque so RadialVerbs doesn't pop up over it.
+func (c *ChatLog) BlocksClickAt(p Point) bool { return c.Bounds.Contains(p) }
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.defaults.go b/pncdsl/ui.defaults.go
index 7f508f6..fd10e76 100644
--- a/pncdsl/ui.defaults.go
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.defaults.go
@@ -29,6 +29,74 @@ func RegisterDefaultUI(g *Game) {
 	g.UIManager.Register(&Cursor{Name: "cursor"})
 }
 
+// RegisterRichUI installs a "story-rich" HUD that matches the layout of
+// the screenshot used as the reference: top bar with title/score/time,
+// floating character panels for the player and a single NPC, a chat-log
+// strip at the bottom-left, a tiny inventory at the bottom-right and a
+// permanent verb-wheel on the right edge.
+//
+// The HUD assumes the default 320×200 internal resolution and that
+// PlayerName / NPCName correspond to registered characters. Pass "" for
+// NPCName to skip the NPC panel.
+func RegisterRichUI(g *Game, playerName, npcName string) {
+	g.UIManager.Register(&TopBar{
+		Name:     "topbar",
+		Height:   12,
+		ScoreVar: "score", ScoreMax: 100,
+		TimeVar: "time",
+	})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&HotspotDebug{Name: "hotspot_debug"})
+	if playerName != "" {
+		g.UIManager.Register(&CharacterPanel{
+			Name:      "panel_player",
+			Bounds:    Rect(2, 14, 92, 36),
+			Character: playerName,
+			Title:     "PLAYER",
+			Stats: []CharStat{
+				{Label: "State", VarKey: playerName + ".state"},
+				{Label: "Mood", VarKey: playerName + ".mood"},
+			},
+		})
+	}
+	if npcName != "" {
+		g.UIManager.Register(&CharacterPanel{
+			Name:      "panel_npc",
+			Bounds:    Rect(180, 14, 92, 36),
+			Character: npcName,
+			Title:     "NPC",
+			Stats: []CharStat{
+				{Label: "State", VarKey: npcName + ".state"},
+				{Label: "Mood", VarKey: npcName + ".mood"},
+			},
+		})
+	}
+	g.UIManager.Register(&InventoryBar{
+		Name:     "inventory",
+		Origin:   Point{X: 4, Y: 188},
+		Slots:    8,
+		Cols:     8,
+		SlotSize: 10,
+		Gap:      1,
+	})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&ChatLog{
+		Name:       "chat",
+		Bounds:     Rect(2, 148, 280, 38),
+		LineHeight: 9,
+		Padding:    3,
+		ShowBorder: true,
+	})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&RadialVerbs{
+		Name:          "verbs",
+		AlwaysVisible: true,
+		Center:        Point{X: 290, Y: 90},
+		Radius:        28,
+	})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&SpeechBubble{Name: "speech", MaxWidth: 200, Padding: 3, OffsetY: 4, FallbackY: 18})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&DialogBox{Name: "dialog", Bounds: Rect(0, 90, float64(g.Width), 56), LineHeight: 12, Padding: 6})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&EndCard{Name: "endcard"})
+	g.UIManager.Register(&Cursor{Name: "cursor"})
+}
+
 // RegisterRadialVerbUI installs an alternative HUD that swaps the
 // permanent verb-bar for a verb-coin (right-click radial menu). Inventory,
 // dialog, speech and cursor stay the same.
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.theme.go b/pncdsl/ui.theme.go
index 5dee324..cadd7f3 100644
--- a/pncdsl/ui.theme.go
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.theme.go
@@ -38,6 +38,20 @@ type Theme struct {
 	// SceneBackdrop is painted before the scene background. Useful for
 	// letterboxing or filling areas not covered by a smaller backdrop.
 	SceneBackdrop color.Color
+
+	// Rich-UI widgets (TopBar, CharacterPanel, ChatLog).
+	TopBarBG     color.Color
+	TopBarText   color.Color
+	TopBarAccent color.Color // score / highlighted number color
+
+	ChatLogBG       color.Color
+	ChatLogPrompt   color.Color // "> look at door" lines
+	ChatLogResponse color.Color // in-world reply lines
+	ChatLogSystem   color.Color // system / meta lines
+
+	CharacterPanelBG     color.Color
+	CharacterPanelBorder color.Color
+	CharacterPanelTitle  color.Color // "PLAYER" / "NPC" badge color
 }
 
 func (t Theme) GetName() string   { return t.Name }
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.theme_presets.go b/pncdsl/ui.theme_presets.go
index dc11934..2a7e889 100644
--- a/pncdsl/ui.theme_presets.go
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.theme_presets.go
@@ -35,6 +35,17 @@ func classicScummTheme() Theme {
 		CursorColor:             color.RGBA{255, 255, 255, 255},
 		HotspotOutline:          color.RGBA{255, 255, 0, 200},
 		SceneBackdrop:           color.RGBA{0, 0, 0, 255},
+
+		TopBarBG:             color.RGBA{15, 12, 22, 255},
+		TopBarText:           color.RGBA{220, 220, 230, 255},
+		TopBarAccent:         color.RGBA{255, 210, 110, 255},
+		ChatLogBG:            color.RGBA{12, 10, 18, 230},
+		ChatLogPrompt:        color.RGBA{255, 210, 110, 255},
+		ChatLogResponse:      color.RGBA{220, 220, 230, 255},
+		ChatLogSystem:        color.RGBA{160, 160, 180, 255},
+		CharacterPanelBG:     color.RGBA{10, 8, 14, 170},
+		CharacterPanelBorder: color.RGBA{120, 100, 60, 255},
+		CharacterPanelTitle:  color.RGBA{255, 210, 110, 255},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -62,6 +73,17 @@ func sierraCoinTheme() Theme {
 		CursorColor:             color.RGBA{255, 200, 140, 255},
 		HotspotOutline:          color.RGBA{200, 140, 255, 180},
 		SceneBackdrop:           color.RGBA{0, 0, 0, 255},
+
+		TopBarBG:             color.RGBA{12, 8, 24, 255},
+		TopBarText:           color.RGBA{210, 200, 240, 255},
+		TopBarAccent:         color.RGBA{255, 180, 110, 255},
+		ChatLogBG:            color.RGBA{10, 8, 20, 235},
+		ChatLogPrompt:        color.RGBA{255, 180, 110, 255},
+		ChatLogResponse:      color.RGBA{210, 200, 240, 255},
+		ChatLogSystem:        color.RGBA{150, 130, 190, 255},
+		CharacterPanelBG:     color.RGBA{8, 6, 18, 180},
+		CharacterPanelBorder: color.RGBA{120, 60, 180, 255},
+		CharacterPanelTitle:  color.RGBA{255, 180, 110, 255},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -91,6 +113,17 @@ func paperNotebookTheme() Theme {
 		CursorColor:             ink,
 		HotspotOutline:          color.RGBA{120, 70, 30, 200},
 		SceneBackdrop:           cream,
+
+		TopBarBG:             color.RGBA{220, 205, 170, 255},
+		TopBarText:           ink,
+		TopBarAccent:         color.RGBA{120, 70, 30, 255},
+		ChatLogBG:            color.RGBA{250, 240, 215, 230},
+		ChatLogPrompt:        color.RGBA{120, 70, 30, 255},
+		ChatLogResponse:      ink,
+		ChatLogSystem:        color.RGBA{120, 110, 90, 255},
+		CharacterPanelBG:     color.RGBA{250, 240, 215, 200},
+		CharacterPanelBorder: ink,
+		CharacterPanelTitle:  color.RGBA{120, 70, 30, 255},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -121,5 +154,16 @@ func terminalGreenTheme() Theme {
 		CursorColor:             green,
 		HotspotOutline:          dim,
 		SceneBackdrop:           black,
+
+		TopBarBG:             color.RGBA{0, 18, 0, 255},
+		TopBarText:           green,
+		TopBarAccent:         color.RGBA{220, 220, 100, 255},
+		ChatLogBG:            color.RGBA{0, 12, 0, 230},
+		ChatLogPrompt:        color.RGBA{220, 220, 100, 255},
+		ChatLogResponse:      green,
+		ChatLogSystem:        dim,
+		CharacterPanelBG:     color.RGBA{0, 10, 0, 200},
+		CharacterPanelBorder: green,
+		CharacterPanelTitle:  color.RGBA{220, 220, 100, 255},
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.top_bar.go b/pncdsl/ui.top_bar.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e9bbfa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.top_bar.go
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+package pncdsl
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"github.com/hajimehoshi/ebiten/v2"
+	"github.com/hajimehoshi/ebiten/v2/vector"
+)
+
+// TopBar is a thin strip across the top of the screen with three sections:
+// scene title on the left, a score number in the center, and a day/time
+// string on the right. Empty fields are skipped.
+type TopBar struct {
+	Name   string
+	Height int
+
+	// LeftText overrides the auto-discovered scene Title/Name.
+	LeftText string
+	// ScoreVar is a State Var key whose value is fmt-printed as the
+	// center score; empty = no score shown.
+	ScoreVar string
+	ScoreMax int // when >0, rendered as "Score: X/MAX"
+
+	// TimeVar is a State Var key whose value is printed at the right
+	// edge (e.g. "Day 2 - 14:32"); empty = nothing on the right.
+	TimeVar string
+}
+
+func (t *TopBar) GetName() string { return t.Name }
+func (t *TopBar) Tick(ctx *UICtx) {}
+
+func (t *TopBar) Draw(dst *ebiten.Image, ctx *UICtx) {
+	g := ctx.Game
+	th := g.Theme()
+	h := t.Height
+	if h <= 0 {
+		h = 12
+	}
+	vector.DrawFilledRect(dst, 0, 0, float32(g.Width), float32(h), th.TopBarBG, false)
+
+	left := t.LeftText
+	if left == "" && g.currentScene != "" {
+		s := g.SceneManager.MustGet(g.currentScene)
+		if s.Title != "" {
+			left = s.Title
+		} else {
+			left = s.Name
+		}
+	}
+	if left != "" {
+		g.DrawText(dst, left, 4, -1, th.TopBarText)
+	}
+
+	if t.ScoreVar != "" {
+		var sc string
+		v := g.State.Var(t.ScoreVar)
+		if t.ScoreMax > 0 {
+			sc = fmt.Sprintf("Score: %v/%d", v, t.ScoreMax)
+		} else {
+			sc = fmt.Sprintf("Score: %v", v)
+		}
+		x := (g.Width - textWidth(sc)) / 2
+		g.DrawText(dst, sc, x, -1, th.TopBarAccent)
+	}
+
+	if t.TimeVar != "" {
+		tm := fmt.Sprint(g.State.Var(t.TimeVar))
+		x := g.Width - textWidth(tm) - 4
+		g.DrawText(dst, tm, x, -1, th.TopBarText)
+	}
+}
+
+// BlocksClickAt — the TopBar swallows clicks so the radial menu doesn't
+// pop up under it.
+func (t *TopBar) BlocksClickAt(p Point) bool {
+	h := t.Height
+	if h <= 0 {
+		h = 12
+	}
+	return p.Y < float64(h)
+}
diff --git a/pncdsl/ui.verb_radial.go b/pncdsl/ui.verb_radial.go
index c8f891e..abd5779 100644
--- a/pncdsl/ui.verb_radial.go
+++ b/pncdsl/ui.verb_radial.go
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ type RadialVerbs struct {
 	Trigger MouseButton
 	Radius  float64
 
+	// AlwaysVisible turns the widget into a permanent verb-wheel fixed at
+	// Center. The trigger button is ignored in this mode; left-click picks
+	// the verb slice under the cursor.
+	AlwaysVisible bool
+	Center        Point
+
 	// runtime
 	visible bool
 	center  Point
@@ -32,6 +38,22 @@ func (r *RadialVerbs) Tick(ctx *UICtx) {
 		r.Radius = 40
 	}
 
+	if r.AlwaysVisible {
+		r.visible = true
+		r.center = r.Center
+		if !g.Input.LeftClicked() {
+			return
+		}
+		idx := r.hitTest(g, g.Input.Point())
+		if idx < 0 {
+			return
+		}
+		g.Input.ConsumeLeft()
+		names := g.VerbManager.Names()
+		g.SetSelectedVerb(names[idx])
+		return
+	}
+
 	if !r.visible {
 		if !r.triggerPressed(g) {
 			return
@@ -129,6 +151,23 @@ func (r *RadialVerbs) hitTest(g *Game, p Point) int {
 	return idx
 }
 
+// BlocksClickAt — when the wheel is open (or always visible), clicks on
+// it should not pass through to the scene underneath.
+func (r *RadialVerbs) BlocksClickAt(p Point) bool {
+	if !r.visible && !r.AlwaysVisible {
+		return false
+	}
+	c := r.center
+	if r.AlwaysVisible {
+		c = r.Center
+	}
+	dx := p.X - c.X
+	dy := p.Y - c.Y
+	d := dx*dx + dy*dy
+	radius := r.Radius * 1.4
+	return d <= radius*radius
+}
+
 func (r *RadialVerbs) Draw(dst *ebiten.Image, ctx *UICtx) {
 	if !r.visible {
 		return