Adv 2.0 L5c: NPC counters/debuffs migration off AdvCharacter

Thirteen player_meta columns: misty/arina_last_seen,
misty_buff_expires, misty_debuff_expires, arina_buff_expires (all
nullable DATETIME), npc_msg_count + npc_msg_count_date,
misty/arina_roll_target, misty_encounter_count, misty_donated_count,
thom_animal_line_fired, robbie_visit_count.

NPCState struct with HasNPCActivity() marker + load/upsert/backfill/
projection helpers. Dual-writes wired at every NPC mutation site:
processNPCEncounters msg-count save, npcFireEncounter last-seen,
resolveMisty (insufficient balance, debit failure, buff/donated,
declined-debuff), resolveArina buff, adventure_robbie visit count,
adventure_housing Thom animal line.

Hidden discovery mechanic — buffs/debuffs and counters never surface
in player-facing output.

Tests: TestPlayerMetaNPCStateBackfill_Idempotent,
TestLoadNPCState_FallsBackToAdvCharacter,
TestUpsertPlayerMetaNPCState_RoundTrip.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

gogobee_legacy_migration.md

@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ Each sub-phase is the same shape as L4a–L4e: column-add → backfill (idempote
 |---|---|---|---|
 | **L5a** | Skills (8 fields) | 1 day | `SkillState` struct mirroring `PetState`/`HouseState`. Mutation surface is small: `checkAdvLevelUp(char, skill)` + the few sites that bump `*XP` directly. Reader flip unblocks dnd_sheet's legacy display row and `babysitDailyCost`. CombatLevel rejoins this struct as a transitional column — dropped at teardown after the DnD mass-backfill. **Status (2026-05-09):** column + dual-write SHIPPED on `adv-2.0`. Eight `combat_*` / `mining_*` / `foraging_*` / `fishing_*` columns added via columnMigration. `SkillState` struct + `HasSkills()` / `loadSkillState` / `upsertPlayerMetaSkillState` / `backfillPlayerMetaSkillState` / `skillStateFromAdvChar` helpers in `player_meta.go`. Dual-writes wired at every mutation site: `adventure_consumables.go` (craft success + craft failure XP grant), `adventure_events.go` (event XP grant across combat/mining/foraging), `adventure_arena.go::resolveArenaDeath` + `arenaCompleteSession` (combat XP + level-up). Backfill `backfillPlayerMetaSkillState()` wired into Init, idempotent (only fills rows where every skill column is still zero AND the legacy row has at least one non-zero skill/XP). Tests: `TestPlayerMetaSkillStateBackfill_Idempotent`, `TestLoadSkillState_FallsBackToAdvCharacter`, `TestUpsertPlayerMetaSkillState_RoundTrip` in `player_meta_test.go`. `go vet ./... && go test ./...` clean. **Reader flip deferred** — bundled with cutting AdvCharacter writes (post-soak), per the L4e pattern. |
 | **L5b** | Babysit state (5 fields) | 0.5 day | Mutation surface is `runBabysitDailyTrickle` save in scheduler + the babysit toggle handlers. Tightly scoped. **Status (2026-05-09):** column + dual-write SHIPPED on `adv-2.0`. Five columns (`babysit_active`, `babysit_expires_at` DATETIME, `babysit_skill_focus`, `auto_babysit`, `auto_babysit_focus`) added via columnMigration. `BabysitState` + `IsActive()` + load/upsert/backfill/projection helpers in `player_meta.go`. Dual-writes wired at `handleBabysitStart`, `handleBabysitCancel`, `checkBabysitExpiry`. Backfill idempotent — only fills inactive rows whose legacy counterpart is active. AutoBabysit/AutoBabysitFocus + BabysitSkillFocus are dormant fields (no live mutation site) preserved for the schema migration. Tests: `TestPlayerMetaBabysitStateBackfill_Idempotent`, `TestLoadBabysitState_FallsBackToAdvCharacter`, `TestUpsertPlayerMetaBabysitState_RoundTrip`. `go vet ./... && go test ./...` clean. **Reader flip deferred** per L4e/L5a pattern. |
-| **L5c** | NPC counters/debuffs (~13 fields) | 1 day | "Later phase" referenced in L4d note. Pack the four `*Expires` and three `*LastSeen` timestamps as nullable columns; counters as ints. The roll-targets are write-once-per-encounter so dual-write is cheap. **Hidden discovery mechanic — never surface in player-facing output.** |
+| **L5c** | NPC counters/debuffs (~13 fields) | 1 day | "Later phase" referenced in L4d note. Pack the four `*Expires` and three `*LastSeen` timestamps as nullable columns; counters as ints. The roll-targets are write-once-per-encounter so dual-write is cheap. **Hidden discovery mechanic — never surface in player-facing output.** **Status (2026-05-09):** column + dual-write SHIPPED on `adv-2.0`. Thirteen columns added (5 nullable DATETIME for Misty/Arina last-seen + buff/debuff expiries, 1 int + 1 text for npc_msg counters, 2 ints for roll targets, 4 ints for encounter/donated/thom-fired/robbie counters). `NPCState` + `HasNPCActivity()` + load/upsert/backfill/projection helpers. Dual-writes wired at `processNPCEncounters` (msg-count save), `npcFireEncounter` (last-seen save), `resolveMisty` (insufficient balance, debit failure, buff/donated, declined-debuff), `resolveArina` (buff), `adventure_robbie.go` (visit count), `adventure_housing.go::handleThomGreet` (animal line fired). Backfill idempotent. Tests added. `go vet ./... && go test ./...` clean. **Reader flip deferred** per pattern. |
 | **L5d** | Streak + action state + lifecycle (10 fields) | 1 day | Action state mutates every action, so the dual-write hook is hot — ensure the upsert is in the same code path that already does `saveAdvCharacter`. |
 | **L5e** | Death state (8 fields) | 1 day | Decision point: do `DnDCharacter.HPCurrent == 0` semantics replace `Alive`/`DeadUntil`, or do we keep them as `player_meta.alive` / `player_meta.dead_until`? Recommendation: keep them as columns. The hospital revive path (L4a) already restores `DnDCharacter.HPCurrent = HPMax` alongside `Alive=true`, so the two are kept in sync; flipping the readers is the migration, not the death-state semantics. |
 | **L5f** | Misc (`Title`, `TreasuresLocked`, `CraftsSucceeded`) | 0.5 day | Each is a single-mutation-site field. |

internal/db/db.go

@@ -250,6 +250,23 @@ func runMigrations(d *sql.DB) error {
 		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN babysit_skill_focus TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT ''`,
 		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN auto_babysit INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
 		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN auto_babysit_focus TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT ''`,
+		// Adv 2.0 Phase L5c — NPC counters & debuff timestamps off AdvCharacter.
+		// Misty/Arina/Robbie/Thom counters and buff/debuff expiry times move
+		// to player_meta (gogobee_legacy_migration.md §7.3 L5c). Hidden
+		// discovery mechanics — never surface in player-facing output.
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN misty_last_seen DATETIME`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN arina_last_seen DATETIME`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN misty_buff_expires DATETIME`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN misty_debuff_expires DATETIME`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN arina_buff_expires DATETIME`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN npc_msg_count INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN npc_msg_count_date TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT ''`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN misty_roll_target INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN arina_roll_target INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN misty_encounter_count INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN misty_donated_count INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN thom_animal_line_fired INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
+		`ALTER TABLE player_meta ADD COLUMN robbie_visit_count INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0`,
 	}
 	for _, stmt := range columnMigrations {
 		if _, err := d.Exec(stmt); err != nil {

internal/plugin/adventure.go

@@ -235,6 +235,11 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) Init() error {
 	if err := backfillPlayerMetaBabysitState(); err != nil {
 		slog.Error("player_meta: babysit state backfill failed", "err", err)
 	}
+	// Adv 2.0 Phase L5c — one-shot NPC state backfill into player_meta.
+	// Idempotent (only fills rows where every NPC field is still zero).
+	if err := backfillPlayerMetaNPCState(); err != nil {
+		slog.Error("player_meta: NPC state backfill failed", "err", err)
+	}
 	// Phase L3 — cancel any open/active legacy coop dungeon runs and
 	// refund member contributions + unsettled bets. Idempotent.
 	closeAndRefundLegacyCoopRuns(p.euro)

internal/plugin/adventure_housing.go

@@ -253,6 +253,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) handleThomCmd(ctx MessageContext) error {
 			userMu.Lock()
 			char.ThomAnimalLineFired = true
 			_ = saveAdvCharacter(char)
+			_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(char.UserID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 			userMu.Unlock()
 		}
 		return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, text)

internal/plugin/adventure_npcs.go

@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) npcTrackMessage(userID id.UserID) {
 	if err := saveAdvCharacter(char); err != nil {
 		slog.Error("npc: failed to save msg count", "user", userID, "err", err)
 	}
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(userID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char)); err != nil {
+		slog.Error("player_meta: npc msg count dual-write failed", "user", userID, "err", err)
+	}
 
 	// Release lock BEFORE firing encounter (npcFireEncounter re-acquires it)
 	userMu.Unlock()
@@ -152,6 +155,9 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) npcFireEncounter(userID id.UserID, npc string) {
 		slog.Error("npc: failed to save last_seen", "user", userID, "npc", npc, "err", err)
 		return
 	}
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(userID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char)); err != nil {
+		slog.Error("player_meta: npc last_seen dual-write failed", "user", userID, "npc", npc, "err", err)
+	}
 
 	// Don't overwrite an existing pending interaction (shop, treasure, etc.)
 	if _, occupied := p.pending.Load(string(userID)); occupied {
@@ -217,6 +223,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveMisty(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 			if err := saveAdvCharacter(char); err != nil {
 				slog.Error("npc: failed to save misty debuff", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
 			}
+			_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(char.UserID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You reach for your gold but there isn't enough. She sees this. She doesn't say anything.\n\n_"+mistyDeclineLine+"_")
 		}
 
@@ -225,6 +232,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveMisty(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 			if err := saveAdvCharacter(char); err != nil {
 				slog.Error("npc: failed to save misty debuff", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
 			}
+			_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(char.UserID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 			return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, "You reach for your gold but there isn't enough. She sees this. She doesn't say anything.\n\n_"+mistyDeclineLine+"_")
 		}
 		// D&D Insight check — passing refunds the donation. Renders flavor on
@@ -243,6 +251,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveMisty(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 			slog.Error("npc: failed to save misty buff", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
 		}
 		_ = upsertPlayerMetaPetState(char.UserID, petStateFromAdvChar(char))
+		_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(char.UserID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 
 		reply := mistyAcceptLines[rand.IntN(len(mistyAcceptLines))]
 
@@ -275,6 +284,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveMisty(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 	if err := saveAdvCharacter(char); err != nil {
 		slog.Error("npc: failed to save misty debuff", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
 	}
+	_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(char.UserID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 	return p.SendDM(ctx.Sender, fmt.Sprintf("_%s_", mistyDeclineLine))
 }
 
@@ -296,6 +306,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveArina(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 		if err := saveAdvCharacter(char); err != nil {
 			slog.Error("npc: failed to save arina buff", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
 		}
+		_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(char.UserID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 		extra := ""
 		if arcanaCheck.Attempted {
 			if arcanaCheck.Succeeded {

internal/plugin/adventure_robbie.go

@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) robbieVisitPlayer(userID id.UserID, displayName string
 	if err == nil {
 		char.RobbieVisitCount++
 		_ = saveAdvCharacter(char)
+		_ = upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(userID, npcStateFromAdvChar(char))
 	}
 
 	// Send DM

internal/plugin/player_meta.go

@@ -1087,6 +1087,272 @@ func babysitStateFromAdvChar(c *AdventureCharacter) BabysitState {
 	}
 }
 
+// NPCState mirrors player_meta's NPC counter/timestamp columns. Phase
+// L5c ports Misty/Arina/Robbie/Thom counters + buff/debuff expiries off
+// AdvCharacter (gogobee_legacy_migration.md §7.3 L5c). Hidden discovery
+// mechanics — never surface in player-facing output.
+type NPCState struct {
+	MistyLastSeen       *time.Time
+	ArinaLastSeen       *time.Time
+	MistyBuffExpires    *time.Time
+	MistyDebuffExpires  *time.Time
+	ArinaBuffExpires    *time.Time
+	NPCMsgCount         int
+	NPCMsgCountDate     string
+	MistyRollTarget     int
+	ArinaRollTarget     int
+	MistyEncounterCount int
+	MistyDonatedCount   int
+	ThomAnimalLineFired bool
+	RobbieVisitCount    int
+}
+
+// HasNPCActivity returns true when any counter or timestamp is non-zero —
+// the "row is migrated" marker for the loadNPCState fallback path.
+func (s NPCState) HasNPCActivity() bool {
+	return s.MistyLastSeen != nil || s.ArinaLastSeen != nil ||
+		s.MistyBuffExpires != nil || s.MistyDebuffExpires != nil ||
+		s.ArinaBuffExpires != nil ||
+		s.NPCMsgCount > 0 || s.NPCMsgCountDate != "" ||
+		s.MistyRollTarget > 0 || s.ArinaRollTarget > 0 ||
+		s.MistyEncounterCount > 0 || s.MistyDonatedCount > 0 ||
+		s.ThomAnimalLineFired || s.RobbieVisitCount > 0
+}
+
+// upsertPlayerMetaNPCState writes the full NPC column set for a user.
+// Used by the dual-write path during the L5c soak window.
+func upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(userID id.UserID, s NPCState) error {
+	thom := 0
+	if s.ThomAnimalLineFired {
+		thom = 1
+	}
+	var (
+		mistyLast, arinaLast, mistyBuff, mistyDebuff, arinaBuff interface{}
+	)
+	if s.MistyLastSeen != nil {
+		mistyLast = s.MistyLastSeen.UTC()
+	}
+	if s.ArinaLastSeen != nil {
+		arinaLast = s.ArinaLastSeen.UTC()
+	}
+	if s.MistyBuffExpires != nil {
+		mistyBuff = s.MistyBuffExpires.UTC()
+	}
+	if s.MistyDebuffExpires != nil {
+		mistyDebuff = s.MistyDebuffExpires.UTC()
+	}
+	if s.ArinaBuffExpires != nil {
+		arinaBuff = s.ArinaBuffExpires.UTC()
+	}
+	_, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`INSERT INTO player_meta (
+		   user_id, misty_last_seen, arina_last_seen,
+		   misty_buff_expires, misty_debuff_expires, arina_buff_expires,
+		   npc_msg_count, npc_msg_count_date,
+		   misty_roll_target, arina_roll_target,
+		   misty_encounter_count, misty_donated_count,
+		   thom_animal_line_fired, robbie_visit_count
+		 ) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+		 ON CONFLICT(user_id) DO UPDATE SET
+		   misty_last_seen = excluded.misty_last_seen,
+		   arina_last_seen = excluded.arina_last_seen,
+		   misty_buff_expires = excluded.misty_buff_expires,
+		   misty_debuff_expires = excluded.misty_debuff_expires,
+		   arina_buff_expires = excluded.arina_buff_expires,
+		   npc_msg_count = excluded.npc_msg_count,
+		   npc_msg_count_date = excluded.npc_msg_count_date,
+		   misty_roll_target = excluded.misty_roll_target,
+		   arina_roll_target = excluded.arina_roll_target,
+		   misty_encounter_count = excluded.misty_encounter_count,
+		   misty_donated_count = excluded.misty_donated_count,
+		   thom_animal_line_fired = excluded.thom_animal_line_fired,
+		   robbie_visit_count = excluded.robbie_visit_count`,
+		string(userID), mistyLast, arinaLast, mistyBuff, mistyDebuff, arinaBuff,
+		s.NPCMsgCount, s.NPCMsgCountDate,
+		s.MistyRollTarget, s.ArinaRollTarget,
+		s.MistyEncounterCount, s.MistyDonatedCount,
+		thom, s.RobbieVisitCount,
+	)
+	return err
+}
+
+// loadNPCState returns the NPC state from player_meta when populated,
+// otherwise falls back to adventure_characters during the L5c soak window.
+func loadNPCState(userID id.UserID) (NPCState, error) {
+	var (
+		s                                                       NPCState
+		mistyLast, arinaLast, mistyBuff, mistyDebuff, arinaBuff sql.NullTime
+		thomInt                                                 int
+	)
+	err := db.Get().QueryRow(
+		`SELECT misty_last_seen, arina_last_seen,
+		        misty_buff_expires, misty_debuff_expires, arina_buff_expires,
+		        npc_msg_count, npc_msg_count_date,
+		        misty_roll_target, arina_roll_target,
+		        misty_encounter_count, misty_donated_count,
+		        thom_animal_line_fired, robbie_visit_count
+		   FROM player_meta WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(userID),
+	).Scan(
+		&mistyLast, &arinaLast, &mistyBuff, &mistyDebuff, &arinaBuff,
+		&s.NPCMsgCount, &s.NPCMsgCountDate,
+		&s.MistyRollTarget, &s.ArinaRollTarget,
+		&s.MistyEncounterCount, &s.MistyDonatedCount,
+		&thomInt, &s.RobbieVisitCount,
+	)
+	if err == nil {
+		s.ThomAnimalLineFired = thomInt == 1
+		if mistyLast.Valid {
+			t := mistyLast.Time.UTC()
+			s.MistyLastSeen = &t
+		}
+		if arinaLast.Valid {
+			t := arinaLast.Time.UTC()
+			s.ArinaLastSeen = &t
+		}
+		if mistyBuff.Valid {
+			t := mistyBuff.Time.UTC()
+			s.MistyBuffExpires = &t
+		}
+		if mistyDebuff.Valid {
+			t := mistyDebuff.Time.UTC()
+			s.MistyDebuffExpires = &t
+		}
+		if arinaBuff.Valid {
+			t := arinaBuff.Time.UTC()
+			s.ArinaBuffExpires = &t
+		}
+		if s.HasNPCActivity() {
+			return s, nil
+		}
+	}
+	if err != nil && err != sql.ErrNoRows {
+		return NPCState{}, err
+	}
+	// Fallback to AdvCharacter during soak.
+	var (
+		legacy                                                                    NPCState
+		legacyMisty, legacyArinaLast, legacyMBuff, legacyMDebuff, legacyABuff     sql.NullTime
+		legacyThom                                                                int
+	)
+	err = db.Get().QueryRow(
+		`SELECT misty_last_seen, arina_last_seen,
+		        misty_buff_expires, misty_debuff_expires, arina_buff_expires,
+		        npc_msg_count, npc_msg_count_date,
+		        misty_roll_target, arina_roll_target,
+		        misty_encounter_count, misty_donated_count,
+		        thom_animal_line_fired, robbie_visit_count
+		   FROM adventure_characters WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(userID),
+	).Scan(
+		&legacyMisty, &legacyArinaLast, &legacyMBuff, &legacyMDebuff, &legacyABuff,
+		&legacy.NPCMsgCount, &legacy.NPCMsgCountDate,
+		&legacy.MistyRollTarget, &legacy.ArinaRollTarget,
+		&legacy.MistyEncounterCount, &legacy.MistyDonatedCount,
+		&legacyThom, &legacy.RobbieVisitCount,
+	)
+	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
+		return NPCState{}, nil
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		return NPCState{}, err
+	}
+	legacy.ThomAnimalLineFired = legacyThom == 1
+	if legacyMisty.Valid {
+		t := legacyMisty.Time.UTC()
+		legacy.MistyLastSeen = &t
+	}
+	if legacyArinaLast.Valid {
+		t := legacyArinaLast.Time.UTC()
+		legacy.ArinaLastSeen = &t
+	}
+	if legacyMBuff.Valid {
+		t := legacyMBuff.Time.UTC()
+		legacy.MistyBuffExpires = &t
+	}
+	if legacyMDebuff.Valid {
+		t := legacyMDebuff.Time.UTC()
+		legacy.MistyDebuffExpires = &t
+	}
+	if legacyABuff.Valid {
+		t := legacyABuff.Time.UTC()
+		legacy.ArinaBuffExpires = &t
+	}
+	return legacy, nil
+}
+
+// backfillPlayerMetaNPCState copies NPC columns from adventure_characters
+// into player_meta for any row where every NPC field is still zero AND
+// the legacy row has any non-zero NPC field. Idempotent.
+func backfillPlayerMetaNPCState() error {
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(`
+		INSERT OR IGNORE INTO player_meta (user_id)
+		SELECT user_id FROM adventure_characters
+	`); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	res, err := db.Get().Exec(`
+		UPDATE player_meta
+		SET misty_last_seen        = (SELECT misty_last_seen        FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    arina_last_seen        = (SELECT arina_last_seen        FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    misty_buff_expires     = (SELECT misty_buff_expires     FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    misty_debuff_expires   = (SELECT misty_debuff_expires   FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    arina_buff_expires     = (SELECT arina_buff_expires     FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    npc_msg_count          = (SELECT npc_msg_count          FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    npc_msg_count_date     = (SELECT npc_msg_count_date     FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    misty_roll_target      = (SELECT misty_roll_target      FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    arina_roll_target      = (SELECT arina_roll_target      FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    misty_encounter_count  = (SELECT misty_encounter_count  FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    misty_donated_count    = (SELECT misty_donated_count    FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    thom_animal_line_fired = (SELECT thom_animal_line_fired FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id),
+		    robbie_visit_count     = (SELECT robbie_visit_count     FROM adventure_characters ac WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id)
+		WHERE misty_last_seen IS NULL AND arina_last_seen IS NULL
+		  AND misty_buff_expires IS NULL AND misty_debuff_expires IS NULL
+		  AND arina_buff_expires IS NULL
+		  AND npc_msg_count = 0 AND npc_msg_count_date = ''
+		  AND misty_roll_target = 0 AND arina_roll_target = 0
+		  AND misty_encounter_count = 0 AND misty_donated_count = 0
+		  AND thom_animal_line_fired = 0 AND robbie_visit_count = 0
+		  AND EXISTS (
+			SELECT 1 FROM adventure_characters ac
+			WHERE ac.user_id = player_meta.user_id
+			  AND (ac.misty_last_seen IS NOT NULL OR ac.arina_last_seen IS NOT NULL
+			       OR ac.misty_buff_expires IS NOT NULL OR ac.misty_debuff_expires IS NOT NULL
+			       OR ac.arina_buff_expires IS NOT NULL
+			       OR ac.npc_msg_count > 0 OR ac.npc_msg_count_date <> ''
+			       OR ac.misty_roll_target > 0 OR ac.arina_roll_target > 0
+			       OR ac.misty_encounter_count > 0 OR ac.misty_donated_count > 0
+			       OR ac.thom_animal_line_fired = 1 OR ac.robbie_visit_count > 0)
+		  )
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	n, _ := res.RowsAffected()
+	slog.Info("player_meta: NPC state backfilled", "rows", n)
+	return nil
+}
+
+// npcStateFromAdvChar projects NPC fields off an AdventureCharacter into
+// an NPCState. Used by the dual-write path during L5c soak.
+func npcStateFromAdvChar(c *AdventureCharacter) NPCState {
+	return NPCState{
+		MistyLastSeen:       c.MistyLastSeen,
+		ArinaLastSeen:       c.ArinaLastSeen,
+		MistyBuffExpires:    c.MistyBuffExpires,
+		MistyDebuffExpires:  c.MistyDebuffExpires,
+		ArinaBuffExpires:    c.ArinaBuffExpires,
+		NPCMsgCount:         c.NPCMsgCount,
+		NPCMsgCountDate:     c.NPCMsgCountDate,
+		MistyRollTarget:     c.MistyRollTarget,
+		ArinaRollTarget:     c.ArinaRollTarget,
+		MistyEncounterCount: c.MistyEncounterCount,
+		MistyDonatedCount:   c.MistyDonatedCount,
+		ThomAnimalLineFired: c.ThomAnimalLineFired,
+		RobbieVisitCount:    c.RobbieVisitCount,
+	}
+}
+
 // backfillPlayerMetaDisplayName copies adventure_characters.display_name
 // into player_meta.display_name for any row whose display_name is still
 // the empty default. Idempotent: safe to re-run; only updates rows that

internal/plugin/player_meta_test.go

@@ -1041,6 +1041,139 @@ func TestUpsertPlayerMetaBabysitState_RoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestPlayerMetaNPCStateBackfill_Idempotent(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+
+	uid := id.UserID("@meta-npc-bf:example")
+	if err := createAdvCharacter(uid, "NPCer"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("createAdvCharacter: %v", err)
+	}
+	mistyLast := time.Now().UTC().Add(-2 * time.Hour).Truncate(time.Second)
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE adventure_characters
+		    SET misty_last_seen = ?, npc_msg_count = ?, npc_msg_count_date = ?,
+		        misty_encounter_count = ?, misty_donated_count = ?,
+		        thom_animal_line_fired = ?, robbie_visit_count = ?
+		  WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		mistyLast, 4, "2026-05-09", 3, 1, 1, 2, string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE player_meta SET misty_last_seen = NULL, arina_last_seen = NULL,
+		        misty_buff_expires = NULL, misty_debuff_expires = NULL, arina_buff_expires = NULL,
+		        npc_msg_count = 0, npc_msg_count_date = '',
+		        misty_roll_target = 0, arina_roll_target = 0,
+		        misty_encounter_count = 0, misty_donated_count = 0,
+		        thom_animal_line_fired = 0, robbie_visit_count = 0 WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("clear: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := backfillPlayerMetaNPCState(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backfill 1: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := loadNPCState(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.NPCMsgCount != 4 || got.NPCMsgCountDate != "2026-05-09" ||
+		got.MistyEncounterCount != 3 || got.MistyDonatedCount != 1 ||
+		!got.ThomAnimalLineFired || got.RobbieVisitCount != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("after backfill: got %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got.MistyLastSeen == nil || !got.MistyLastSeen.Equal(mistyLast) {
+		t.Errorf("misty_last_seen: got %v want %v", got.MistyLastSeen, mistyLast)
+	}
+
+	// Layer a dual-write: bump robbie visits.
+	got.RobbieVisitCount = 5
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(uid, got); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("dual-write: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := backfillPlayerMetaNPCState(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("backfill 2: %v", err)
+	}
+	got2, _ := loadNPCState(uid)
+	if got2.RobbieVisitCount != 5 {
+		t.Errorf("backfill clobbered dual-write: got %+v", got2)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadNPCState_FallsBackToAdvCharacter(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+
+	uid := id.UserID("@meta-npc-fb:example")
+	if err := createAdvCharacter(uid, "Faller"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("createAdvCharacter: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE adventure_characters
+		    SET misty_encounter_count = ?, robbie_visit_count = ?
+		  WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		7, 3, string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("seed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := db.Get().Exec(
+		`UPDATE player_meta SET misty_encounter_count = 0, robbie_visit_count = 0 WHERE user_id = ?`,
+		string(uid),
+	); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("clear: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	got, err := loadNPCState(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.MistyEncounterCount != 7 || got.RobbieVisitCount != 3 {
+		t.Errorf("fallback: got %+v", got)
+	}
+
+	got2, err := loadNPCState(id.UserID("@meta-npc-nobody:example"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load missing: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got2.HasNPCActivity() {
+		t.Errorf("missing user: got %+v", got2)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpsertPlayerMetaNPCState_RoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	setupAuditTestDB(t)
+
+	uid := id.UserID("@meta-npc-rt:example")
+	mistyBuff := time.Now().UTC().Add(48 * time.Hour).Truncate(time.Second)
+	in := NPCState{
+		MistyBuffExpires:    &mistyBuff,
+		NPCMsgCount:         12,
+		NPCMsgCountDate:     "2026-05-09",
+		MistyRollTarget:     8,
+		ArinaRollTarget:     6,
+		MistyEncounterCount: 2,
+		MistyDonatedCount:   1,
+		ThomAnimalLineFired: true,
+		RobbieVisitCount:    4,
+	}
+	if err := upsertPlayerMetaNPCState(uid, in); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("upsert insert: %v", err)
+	}
+	got, err := loadNPCState(uid)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("load: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.NPCMsgCount != 12 || got.NPCMsgCountDate != "2026-05-09" ||
+		got.MistyRollTarget != 8 || got.ArinaRollTarget != 6 ||
+		got.MistyEncounterCount != 2 || got.MistyDonatedCount != 1 ||
+		!got.ThomAnimalLineFired || got.RobbieVisitCount != 4 {
+		t.Errorf("round-trip mismatch: got %+v", got)
+	}
+	if got.MistyBuffExpires == nil || !got.MistyBuffExpires.Equal(mistyBuff) {
+		t.Errorf("misty_buff_expires: got %v want %v", got.MistyBuffExpires, mistyBuff)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestUpsertPlayerMetaHouseState_RoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
 	setupAuditTestDB(t)