diff --git a/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go b/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go
index d00f115..acdfec2 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/combat_cmd.go
@@ -27,6 +27,19 @@ func encounterIDForRoom(roomIdx int) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("room%d", roomIdx)
 }
 
+// replyDM sends a player-facing combat reply unless ctx.Silent is set. The
+// turn-engine combat commands route all their DMs through here so the
+// background autopilot can drive a boss/elite fight on the real engine
+// (long-expedition D8-f) without spamming the player a DM per round — the
+// state mutations (HP, XP, threat, run-clear) still happen; only the
+// narration is dropped. Non-silent callers (manual !fight) are unchanged.
+func (p *AdventurePlugin) replyDM(ctx MessageContext, text string) error {
+	if ctx.Silent {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, text)
+}
+
 // ── !fight ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleFightCmd(ctx MessageContext) error {
@@ -36,25 +49,25 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleFightCmd(ctx MessageContext) error {
 
 	run, err := getActiveZoneRun(ctx.Sender)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't read run state: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't read run state: "+err.Error())
 	}
 	if run == nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "No active zone run. Use `!zone enter <id>` first.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "No active zone run. Use `!zone enter <id>` first.")
 	}
 	roomType := run.CurrentRoomType()
 	if roomType != RoomElite && roomType != RoomBoss {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Nothing to fight here — `!fight` is for Elite and Boss rooms. Use `!zone advance`.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Nothing to fight here — `!fight` is for Elite and Boss rooms. Use `!zone advance`.")
 	}
 
 	encID := encounterIDForRoom(run.CurrentRoom)
 	if existing, _ := getCombatSessionForEncounter(run.RunID, encID); existing != nil {
 		switch existing.Status {
 		case CombatStatusActive:
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You're already in this fight — `!attack` or `!flee`.")
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "You're already in this fight — `!attack` or `!flee`.")
 		case CombatStatusWon:
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You've already cleared this room. "+continueHint(ctx.Sender))
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "You've already cleared this room. "+continueHint(ctx.Sender))
 		default:
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "This fight is already over. `!zone status` for where you stand.")
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "This fight is already over. `!zone status` for where you stand.")
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -68,26 +81,26 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleFightCmd(ctx MessageContext) error {
 		monster, ok = pickZoneEnemy(zone, run.RunID, run.CurrentRoom, true)
 	}
 	if !ok {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "_(No bestiary entry for this encounter — file a bug. `!zone abandon` to bail.)_")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "_(No bestiary entry for this encounter — file a bug. `!zone abandon` to bail.)_")
 	}
 
 	player, enemy, _, err := p.buildZoneCombatants(ctx.Sender, monster, int(zone.Tier), run.DMMood)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't set up the fight: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't set up the fight: "+err.Error())
 	}
 
 	playerHP, playerMax := dndHPSnapshot(ctx.Sender)
 	if playerHP <= 0 {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You're in no shape to fight. `!rest` first.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "You're in no shape to fight. `!rest` first.")
 	}
 	enemyHP := enemy.Stats.MaxHP
 
 	sess, err := startCombatSession(ctx.Sender, run.RunID, encID, monster.ID, playerHP, playerMax, enemyHP, enemyHP)
 	if err != nil {
 		if err == ErrCombatSessionAlreadyActive {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You're already in a fight. Finish it with `!attack` / `!flee`.")
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "You're already in a fight. Finish it with `!attack` / `!flee`.")
 		}
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't start the fight: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't start the fight: "+err.Error())
 	}
 
 	// Carry fight-start one-shot resources (Abjuration Arcane Ward, etc.) onto
@@ -118,7 +131,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleFightCmd(ctx MessageContext) error {
 	}
 	b.WriteString("\n")
 	b.WriteString(combatTurnPrompt(sess))
-	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, b.String())
+	return p.replyDM(ctx, b.String())
 }
 
 // ── !attack / !flee ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -138,22 +151,22 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleCombatActionCmd(ctx MessageContext, action Playe
 
 	sess, err := getActiveCombatSession(ctx.Sender)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't read combat state: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't read combat state: "+err.Error())
 	}
 	if sess == nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You're not in a fight. `!fight` at an Elite or Boss room to start one.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "You're not in a fight. `!fight` at an Elite or Boss room to start one.")
 	}
 
 	player, enemy, err := p.combatantsForSession(sess)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
 	}
 
 	events, err := runCombatRound(sess, &player, &enemy, action)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't resolve the round: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't resolve the round: "+err.Error())
 	}
-	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, p.renderRoundResult(ctx.Sender, sess, events, player.Name, enemy))
+	return p.replyDM(ctx, p.renderRoundResult(ctx.Sender, sess, events, player.Name, enemy))
 }
 
 // renderRoundResult turns a resolved round into the player-facing block: the
@@ -393,35 +406,35 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleCombatCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) e
 
 	sess, err := getActiveCombatSession(ctx.Sender)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't read combat state: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't read combat state: "+err.Error())
 	}
 	if sess == nil {
 		// Race: the fight closed between the route check and the lock.
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You're not in a fight anymore.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "You're not in a fight anymore.")
 	}
 
 	advChar, _ := loadAdvCharacter(ctx.Sender)
 	c, err := p.ensureCharForDnDCmd(ctx.Sender, advChar)
 	if err != nil || c == nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't load your Adv 2.0 sheet.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't load your Adv 2.0 sheet.")
 	}
 	if !isSpellcaster(c) {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(
 			"%s isn't a caster class. `!attack` or `!consume <item>` instead.", titleClass(c.Class)))
 	}
 
 	spell, slotLevel, errMsg := parseCombatCast(ctx.Sender, c, strings.TrimSpace(args))
 	if errMsg != "" {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, errMsg)
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, errMsg)
 	}
 	if spell.Effect == EffectReaction {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(
 			"%s is a reaction spell — those still aren't usable. Pick a damage, healing, or control spell.", spell.Name))
 	}
 
 	player, enemy, err := p.combatantsForSession(sess)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
 	}
 
 	var eff *turnActionEffect
@@ -433,11 +446,11 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleCombatCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) e
 		applySpellBuff(spell, c, &as, &am, slotLevel)
 		d := diffTurnBuff(player.Stats, as, player.Mods, am)
 		if !d.any() {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(
 				"%s has no effect the turn-based engine can apply yet.", spell.Name))
 		}
 		if msg := p.chargeSpellCost(ctx.Sender, spell, slotLevel); msg != "" {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, msg)
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, msg)
 		}
 		sess.Statuses.applyBuffDelta(d)
 		player, enemy, err = p.combatantsForSession(sess)
@@ -445,7 +458,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleCombatCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) e
 			if spell.Level > 0 {
 				_ = refundSpellSlot(ctx.Sender, slotLevel)
 			}
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
 		}
 		label := spell.Name + " — active"
 		if d.heal > 0 {
@@ -458,11 +471,11 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleCombatCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) e
 	} else {
 		out, supported := resolveTurnSpell(c, spell, slotLevel, &enemy.Stats)
 		if !supported {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(
 				"%s is a utility spell — those aren't usable in turn-based fights yet. Try a damage, healing, control, or buff spell.", spell.Name))
 		}
 		if msg := p.chargeSpellCost(ctx.Sender, spell, slotLevel); msg != "" {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, msg)
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, msg)
 		}
 		eff = &turnActionEffect{
 			Label:       out.Desc,
@@ -478,9 +491,9 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleCombatCastCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) e
 		if spell.Level > 0 {
 			_ = refundSpellSlot(ctx.Sender, slotLevel)
 		}
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't resolve the round: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't resolve the round: "+err.Error())
 	}
-	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, p.renderRoundResult(ctx.Sender, sess, events, player.Name, enemy))
+	return p.replyDM(ctx, p.renderRoundResult(ctx.Sender, sess, events, player.Name, enemy))
 }
 
 // chargeSpellCost debits a spell's material component and leveled slot for a
@@ -551,37 +564,37 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleConsumeCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) erro
 
 	sess, err := getActiveCombatSession(ctx.Sender)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't read combat state: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't read combat state: "+err.Error())
 	}
 	if sess == nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "`!consume <item>` spends an item on your turn in an Elite or Boss fight. You're not in one — outside combat, consumables fire automatically.")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "`!consume <item>` spends an item on your turn in an Elite or Boss fight. You're not in one — outside combat, consumables fire automatically.")
 	}
 
 	inv := p.loadConsumableInventory(ctx.Sender)
 	args = strings.TrimSpace(args)
 	if args == "" {
 		if len(inv) == 0 {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You have no combat consumables. `!attack` / `!cast` / `!flee`.")
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "You have no combat consumables. `!attack` / `!cast` / `!flee`.")
 		}
 		names := make([]string, len(inv))
 		for i, c := range inv {
 			names[i] = c.Def.Name
 		}
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Usage: `!consume <item>`. You're carrying: "+strings.Join(names, ", ")+".")
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Usage: `!consume <item>`. You're carrying: "+strings.Join(names, ", ")+".")
 	}
 
 	item, ambig := matchConsumable(inv, args)
 	if ambig != "" {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, ambig)
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, ambig)
 	}
 	if item == nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf("No consumable matching %q in your inventory.", args))
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, fmt.Sprintf("No consumable matching %q in your inventory.", args))
 	}
 
 	def := item.Def
 	player, enemy, err := p.combatantsForSession(sess)
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
 	}
 
 	eff := &turnActionEffect{Action: "use_consumable"}
@@ -600,13 +613,13 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleConsumeCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) erro
 		ApplyConsumableMods(&as, &am, []ConsumableItem{{Def: def}})
 		d := diffTurnBuff(player.Stats, as, player.Mods, am)
 		if !d.any() {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf(
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, fmt.Sprintf(
 				"**%s** has no effect the turn-based engine can apply yet.", def.Name))
 		}
 		sess.Statuses.applyBuffDelta(d)
 		player, enemy, err = p.combatantsForSession(sess)
 		if err != nil {
-			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
+			return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't rebuild the fight: "+err.Error())
 		}
 		eff.Label = def.Name + " — active"
 		eff.PlayerHeal = d.heal
@@ -615,7 +628,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleConsumeCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) erro
 
 	events, err := runCombatRound(sess, &player, &enemy, PlayerAction{Kind: ActionConsume, Effect: eff})
 	if err != nil {
-		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "Couldn't resolve the round: "+err.Error())
+		return p.replyDM(ctx, "Couldn't resolve the round: "+err.Error())
 	}
 	// Round resolved and persisted — now burn the item. A removal failure here
 	// leaves the player a free use (logged, rare); better than charging them
@@ -623,5 +636,5 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleConsumeCmd(ctx MessageContext, args string) erro
 	if rerr := removeAdvInventoryItem(item.InventoryID); rerr != nil {
 		slog.Error("combat: consume remove inventory item failed", "user", ctx.Sender, "item", def.Name, "err", rerr)
 	}
-	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, p.renderRoundResult(ctx.Sender, sess, events, player.Name, enemy))
+	return p.replyDM(ctx, p.renderRoundResult(ctx.Sender, sess, events, player.Name, enemy))
 }
diff --git a/internal/plugin/dnd_zone_cmd.go b/internal/plugin/dnd_zone_cmd.go
index 0f57c77..6aba28c 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/dnd_zone_cmd.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/dnd_zone_cmd.go
@@ -380,16 +380,16 @@ func roomGlyph(rt RoomType) string {
 type stopReason int
 
 const (
-	stopOK       stopReason = iota // walked to next room; loop may continue
-	stopFork                       // advanceTransitionGraph returned a forkMsg
-	stopElite                      // standing at an Elite doorway; needs !fight
-	stopBoss                       // standing at a Boss doorway; needs !fight
-	stopEnded                      // patrol or room resolution killed the player
-	stopComplete                   // run cleared (boss down, no outgoing edges)
-	stopBlocked                    // an active CombatSession blocks the advance
-	stopHarvestCombat              // auto-harvest pulled into combat that resolved short of death
-	stopPreflight                  // pre-iteration preflight tripped (low HP / low SU)
-	stopBossSafety                 // compact autopilot bailed before boss (HP/SU/exhaustion gate) — caller pitches a rest camp
+	stopOK            stopReason = iota // walked to next room; loop may continue
+	stopFork                            // advanceTransitionGraph returned a forkMsg
+	stopElite                           // standing at an Elite doorway; needs !fight
+	stopBoss                            // standing at a Boss doorway; needs !fight
+	stopEnded                           // patrol or room resolution killed the player
+	stopComplete                        // run cleared (boss down, no outgoing edges)
+	stopBlocked                         // an active CombatSession blocks the advance
+	stopHarvestCombat                   // auto-harvest pulled into combat that resolved short of death
+	stopPreflight                       // pre-iteration preflight tripped (low HP / low SU)
+	stopBossSafety                      // compact autopilot bailed before boss (HP/SU/exhaustion gate) — caller pitches a rest camp
 )
 
 // bossSafetyHPPct — compact-autopilot won't engage a boss while current HP
@@ -477,11 +477,13 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) advanceOnce(ctx MessageContext) (advanceResult, error)
 
 // inlineBossCombat (only consulted when compact==true) selects between the
 // two background combat paths at a boss/elite doorway. true keeps the
-// long-expedition D3 inline auto-resolve (production autorun). false
-// returns stopBoss/stopElite after the safety gate so a turn-based driver
-// — currently only the headless sim's autoResolveCombat / simPickCombatAction
-// — handles the fight via the regular !fight / !attack engine. The sim
-// uses false so simPickSpell actually fires; D8-prereq re-wired this seam.
+// legacy inline auto-resolve (SimulateCombat — fast, but ignores enemy
+// multiattack). false returns stopBoss/stopElite after the safety gate so
+// a turn-based driver — autoDriveCombat / pickAutoCombatAction — handles
+// the fight via the regular !fight / !attack engine. Both the headless sim
+// and the production autorun (long-expedition D8-f) now pass false so the
+// real engine (with multiattack) resolves the encounter and simPickSpell
+// actually fires; D8-prereq re-wired this seam, D8-f flipped prod onto it.
 func (p *AdventurePlugin) advanceOnceWithOpts(ctx MessageContext, compact, inlineBossCombat bool) (advanceResult, error) {
 	run, err := getActiveZoneRun(ctx.Sender)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -568,10 +570,10 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) advanceOnceWithOpts(ctx MessageContext, compact, inlin
 				}
 			}
 			if !inlineBossCombat {
-				// Background caller wants to drive the fight itself (sim's
-				// autoResolveCombat / simPickCombatAction). Surface the
-				// doorway like the foreground path does, after the safety
-				// gate has had a chance to defer the engagement.
+				// Background caller wants to drive the fight itself via the
+				// turn engine (autoDriveCombat / pickAutoCombatAction).
+				// Surface the doorway like the foreground path does, after
+				// the safety gate has had a chance to defer the engagement.
 				kind := "Elite"
 				r := stopElite
 				if prev == RoomBoss {
@@ -953,6 +955,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveRoom(userID id.UserID, run *DungeonRun, zone Zo
 // resolveCombatRoom spawns one roster enemy (elite filter optional),
 // runs combat, persists side effects, fires nat-1/nat-20 mood deltas,
 // and renders the staged narration. Returns:
+//
 //   intro   — pre-combat block (TwinBee combat-start + monster stat block)
 //   phases  — RenderCombatLog output, streamed with delays by the caller
 //   outcome — post-combat block: nat20/nat1 flavor, kill line, loot, d20 summary
@@ -1139,7 +1142,7 @@ type BossOutcomeInputs struct {
 	Result               CombatResult
 	PreHP, PostHP, MaxHP int
 	PhaseTwoAt           float64 // fraction of MaxHP; 0 disables phase-two narration
-	Nat20s, Nat1s        int // pre-counted by scanMoodEventsFromCombat
+	Nat20s, Nat1s        int     // pre-counted by scanMoodEventsFromCombat
 
 	// Caller-supplied headlines so arena and zone read in their own voice.
 	// DefeatHeadline is the full sentence shown after the PlayerDeath
@@ -1287,4 +1290,3 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) zoneCmdAbandon(ctx MessageContext) error {
 		"🚪 Abandoned **%s** at room %d/%d. No rewards.",
 		zone.Display, run.CurrentRoom+1, run.TotalRooms))
 }
-
diff --git a/internal/plugin/expedition_autorun.go b/internal/plugin/expedition_autorun.go
index d8cd893..47f85f8 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/expedition_autorun.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/expedition_autorun.go
@@ -138,6 +138,84 @@ func loadExpeditionsForAutoRun(runCutoff, ageCutoff time.Time) ([]string, error)
 	return ids, rows.Err()
 }
 
+// autoRunCombatSegmentCap bounds the walk→fight→walk ping-pong inside a
+// single background tick. With autoRunRoomCap == 3 rooms/tick the loop
+// can realistically only hit a couple doorways; the cap is a backstop
+// against a pathological state where a fight wins but the next walk
+// re-presents the same doorway.
+const autoRunCombatSegmentCap = 8
+
+// runAutopilotWalkDriven runs the compact background walk and, when it
+// halts at a boss/elite doorway, drives that fight through the real turn
+// engine (manual `!fight` parity — long-expedition D8-f) before resuming
+// the walk. It loops walk→fight→walk so one tick still covers up to
+// maxRooms rooms, exactly as the old inline-boss path did, but bosses now
+// face the player's full kit against the enemy's full multiattack profile
+// instead of the rosier inline SimulateCombat path.
+//
+// Combat narration is suppressed via a silent ctx — the day digest
+// summarizes the outcome, matching the rest of the compact autopilot
+// surface. The returned result carries the cumulative room count and the
+// reason of whichever non-combat stop ended the loop.
+func (p *AdventurePlugin) runAutopilotWalkDriven(ctx MessageContext, maxRooms int) autopilotWalkResult {
+	silent := ctx
+	silent.Silent = true
+	total := 0
+	for seg := 0; seg < autoRunCombatSegmentCap; seg++ {
+		budget := maxRooms - total
+		if budget <= 0 {
+			return autopilotWalkResult{rooms: total, reason: stopOK, finalMsg: autopilotFooter(stopOK, total)}
+		}
+		r := p.runAutopilotWalk(ctx, budget, true, false)
+		if r.initErr != "" {
+			return r
+		}
+		total += r.rooms
+		r.rooms = total
+		if r.reason != stopBoss && r.reason != stopElite {
+			return r
+		}
+		// Standing at an elite/boss doorway — drive the fight on the turn
+		// engine. handleFightCmd opens the session at the current doorway;
+		// autoDriveCombat loops until it resolves.
+		won, err := p.autoDriveCombat(silent)
+		if err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("expedition: autopilot turn-engine combat", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
+			// Leave the doorway stop in place; the next tick retries the
+			// engagement after the cooldown.
+			return r
+		}
+		if won {
+			// The won session is recorded; the next walk advances the now-
+			// cleared room (a boss win surfaces as stopComplete, an elite as
+			// a normal continue). Loop.
+			continue
+		}
+		// Lost: the turn engine never voluntarily flees, so a non-win means
+		// the party fell. finishCombatSession (CombatStatusLost) already
+		// abandoned the run and force-extracted the expedition; surface it
+		// as a death so the digest + pet-emergence seam fire.
+		if c, _ := LoadDnDCharacter(ctx.Sender); c == nil || c.HPCurrent <= 0 {
+			r.reason = stopEnded
+			r.finalMsg = fmt.Sprintf("💀 The party fell in battle after %s. The expedition is over.", roomsWalkedPhrase(total))
+			return r
+		}
+		// Alive but the session didn't open / resolve to a win (rare —
+		// bestiary miss or stall). Leave the doorway stop; retry next tick.
+		return r
+	}
+	// Segment cap hit — stop cleanly rather than spin.
+	return autopilotWalkResult{rooms: total, reason: stopOK, finalMsg: autopilotFooter(stopOK, total)}
+}
+
+// roomsWalkedPhrase renders "N room(s)" for autopilot footers.
+func roomsWalkedPhrase(rooms int) string {
+	if rooms == 1 {
+		return "1 room"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%d rooms", rooms)
+}
+
 // tryAutoRun claims the slot for this expedition, runs one background
 // walk, and DMs the result if the suppression rules say to. The CAS-
 // update is the only persistent side effect on the autorun column —
@@ -170,7 +248,10 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) tryAutoRun(e *Expedition, now time.Time) error {
 	}
 
 	uid := id.UserID(e.UserID)
-	r := p.runAutopilotWalk(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, autoRunRoomCap, true, true)
+	// D8-f — boss/elite encounters route through the real turn engine for
+	// manual `!fight` parity (enemy multiattack included). Trash mobs still
+	// auto-resolve on the fast inline path inside the walk.
+	r := p.runAutopilotWalkDriven(MessageContext{Sender: uid}, autoRunRoomCap)
 	if r.initErr != "" {
 		// "no expedition" / "no run" — race with abandon/extract. Silent.
 		return nil
diff --git a/internal/plugin/expedition_sim.go b/internal/plugin/expedition_sim.go
index c36db72..2997f1e 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/expedition_sim.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/expedition_sim.go
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ func (s *SimRunner) BuildCharacter(uid id.UserID, class DnDClass, level int) (*D
 // stockSimConsumables drops a small tier-appropriate bundle of potions
 // + a couple offensive items into the synthetic player's inventory so
 // SelectConsumables / setupAutoHealFromInventory have something to fire
-// during autoResolveCombat. Counts are deliberately modest — a real
+// during autoDriveCombat. Counts are deliberately modest — a real
 // L7+ player typically carries 3-6 heals plus a couple of buffs; we
 // mirror that band rather than max-stocking, which would mask class
 // power gaps.
@@ -281,8 +281,8 @@ type SimResult struct {
 	// resource). YieldsByName breaks that total down by resource name
 	// for tier/per-resource calibration. Both are read from
 	// adventure_inventory at end-of-run.
-	YieldCount    int
-	YieldsByName  map[string]int
+	YieldCount   int
+	YieldsByName map[string]int
 	// Combats holds a per-combat trace for every fight the synthetic
 	// player entered during the expedition (boss + elites + patrols).
 	// Used by post-hoc analysis to dig into class-survival walls
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ func (s *SimRunner) RunExpedition(uid id.UserID, zoneID ZoneID, walkCap, maxDays
 		case stopBoss, stopElite:
 			// Auto-resolve the encounter: !fight to open, then !attack
 			// per round until the session resolves (won / lost / fled).
-			killed, err := s.autoResolveCombat(ctx)
+			killed, err := s.P.autoDriveCombat(ctx)
 			if err != nil {
 				res.Outcome = "halted"
 				res.StopCode = "combat:" + err.Error()
@@ -742,16 +742,24 @@ func simMaterialYields(uid id.UserID) (int, map[string]int) {
 	return total, out
 }
 
-// autoResolveCombat dispatches !fight at the current elite/boss gate,
-// then loops !attack until the combat session resolves. Returns true
-// when the player won (enemy dead, room cleared), false when the
-// player lost or fled. autoCombatRoundCap is a safety cap against
+// autoDriveCombat dispatches !fight at the current elite/boss gate,
+// then loops !attack/!cast/!consume until the combat session resolves.
+// Returns true when the player won (enemy dead, room cleared), false when
+// the player lost or fled. autoCombatRoundCap is a safety cap against
 // pathological stalemates (shouldn't trigger in practice — combat is
 // strictly monotone in HP).
+//
+// Shared by the headless sim and the production background autopilot
+// (long-expedition D8-f): a silent ctx (ctx.Silent) suppresses the
+// per-round DM narration so the autorun digest can summarize the fight
+// without spamming the player a message per round. Driving the real
+// !fight/!attack engine here is what gives autopilot bosses true parity
+// with manual `!fight` — including enemy multiattack, which the old
+// inline SimulateCombat path ignored.
 const autoCombatRoundCap = 200
 
-func (s *SimRunner) autoResolveCombat(ctx MessageContext) (bool, error) {
-	if err := s.P.handleFightCmd(ctx); err != nil {
+func (p *AdventurePlugin) autoDriveCombat(ctx MessageContext) (bool, error) {
+	if err := p.handleFightCmd(ctx); err != nil {
 		return false, fmt.Errorf("fight: %w", err)
 	}
 	sess, err := getActiveCombatSession(ctx.Sender)
@@ -779,15 +787,15 @@ func (s *SimRunner) autoResolveCombat(ctx MessageContext) (bool, error) {
 		case CombatStatusLost, CombatStatusFled:
 			return false, nil
 		}
-		kind, arg := s.simPickCombatAction(ctx.Sender, cur)
+		kind, arg := p.pickAutoCombatAction(ctx.Sender, cur)
 		var dispatchErr error
 		switch kind {
 		case "consume":
-			dispatchErr = s.P.handleConsumeCmd(ctx, arg)
+			dispatchErr = p.handleConsumeCmd(ctx, arg)
 		case "cast":
-			dispatchErr = s.P.handleCombatCastCmd(ctx, arg)
+			dispatchErr = p.handleCombatCastCmd(ctx, arg)
 		default:
-			dispatchErr = s.P.handleAttackCmd(ctx)
+			dispatchErr = p.handleAttackCmd(ctx)
 		}
 		if dispatchErr != nil {
 			return false, fmt.Errorf("%s iter %d: %w", kind, i, dispatchErr)
@@ -835,7 +843,7 @@ func (s *SimRunner) maybeShortRest(ctx MessageContext, uid id.UserID) {
 // one more big hit, not so early that a 1-HP scratch burns a potion.
 const simHealHPThresholdPct = 40
 
-// simPickCombatAction is the sim's per-turn decision tree, mirroring
+// pickAutoCombatAction is the per-turn decision tree, mirroring
 // what a competent prod player would type:
 //
 //  1. If HP is below simHealHPThresholdPct and the inventory has a heal
@@ -854,14 +862,14 @@ const simHealHPThresholdPct = 40
 //
 // Pre-J2a the sim looped !attack only, which underweighted every caster
 // class — see sim_results/j2_findings.md for the trace evidence.
-func (s *SimRunner) simPickCombatAction(uid id.UserID, sess *CombatSession) (kind, arg string) {
+func (p *AdventurePlugin) pickAutoCombatAction(uid id.UserID, sess *CombatSession) (kind, arg string) {
 	c, _ := LoadDnDCharacter(uid)
 	if c == nil || sess == nil {
 		return "attack", ""
 	}
 	lowHP := sess.PlayerHPMax > 0 && sess.PlayerHP*100 < sess.PlayerHPMax*simHealHPThresholdPct
 	if lowHP {
-		inv := s.P.loadConsumableInventory(uid)
+		inv := p.loadConsumableInventory(uid)
 		for _, it := range inv {
 			if it.Def.Effect == EffectHeal {
 				return "consume", it.Def.Name
diff --git a/internal/plugin/plugin.go b/internal/plugin/plugin.go
index 1c949fe..26ef770 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/plugin.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/plugin.go
@@ -41,6 +41,13 @@ type MessageContext struct {
 	// routes DM commands to the player's game room). When set, sender-private
 	// replies should go here instead of the rewritten RoomID.
 	OriginRoomID id.RoomID
+	// Silent suppresses player-facing replies for handlers that honor it
+	// (currently the turn-engine combat commands via replyDM). Set by the
+	// background autopilot when it drives a boss/elite fight through the
+	// real !fight/!attack engine for manual parity (long-expedition D8-f) —
+	// the day digest summarizes the outcome, so the per-round narration is
+	// dropped rather than DM'd round-by-round.
+	Silent bool
 }
 
 // ReactionContext holds the context for a reaction event.