diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/README.md b/packages/ludic.steps/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..329311d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+# ludic.steps
+
+Chapters made of steps. A step is three numbers - a **kind**, a **param** and a **need** - and a
+question about the state of the game ("five firewood gathered", "reputation 25", "all three signs
+stood at"), never a count of what happened while its chapter was open: so a step met before its
+chapter opens ticks the moment it is looked at. A chapter is a table of up to six steps; the arc
+is a table of chapters; the current one ticks its steps as they are met and moves on when all
+are. With company, every player's share of each step is pooled as its kind says. Uses
+[`ludic.base`](../ludic.base/README.md) and nothing else.
+
+```ludic
+import "ludic.steps"
+```
+
+The kinds, the chapters and every word about them are the game's content: the package knows a
+kind's **shape** and **pool**, never what it measures or what a chapter is called.
+
+## Kinds
+
+```ludic
+property StepsKind {
+  key: string
+  shape: int     # STEPS_SHAPE_YES (met or not), _COUNT (a number against the need),
+                 # _MASK (bits counted against the need), _MASK_ALL (every bit of param)
+  pool: int      # STEPS_POOL_WORLD (the same for everyone: asked of this machine), _ANY (anyone
+                 # having done it), _SUM (the counts add up), _OR (the masks union), _MAX (the
+                 # best one), _EACH (every player needs their own)
+  shows: bool    # a panel shows its count against what it wants
+}
+```
+
+A kind is its place in the list handed to `steps_kinds`, which is how a game's registry
+(`registry StepKinds of StepsKind from "steps.lres"`) hands it in.
+
+## The port
+
+```ludic
+port StepsWorld {
+  value: fn(int, int, int) -> int   # (kind, param, player): a count, a mask, or 1/0; 0 is this machine
+  party: fn() -> bool               # is a party playing (unbound: no)
+  present: fn(int) -> bool          # is a seat taken (unbound: seat 0 only)
+}
+```
+
+`value` has no default: a game that uses steps binds it (`bind StepsWorld { value: fn ... }`).
+
+## API
+
+| | |
+| --- | --- |
+| `steps_kinds(ks)`, `steps_config(players)` | the kinds; how many seats a party has (12) |
+| `steps_eval(kind, param, need)`, `steps_got(kind, param)`, `steps_want(kind, param, need)`, `steps_shape`, `steps_pool`, `steps_shows` | a step against this machine's state; its count (-1 when not shown) and what it wants |
+| `steps_mine(kind, param, need)`, `steps_from(kind, param, need, v, players, have)`, `steps_got_from(kind, param, v)` | this machine's share (a mask, a count, 1/0, nothing for the world's), and a verdict or a count from shares already pooled |
+| `steps_arc_clear()`, `steps_chapter_add() -> int`, `steps_add(kind, param, need) -> bool` | build an arc (false: no chapter, or it has `STEPS_PER_CHAPTER`) |
+| `steps_count()`, `steps_in(ch)`, `steps_kind(ch, i)` / `_param` / `_need`, `steps_kind_at(k)` / `_param_at` / `_need_at` | the tables, by chapter and step or by the flat index `ch * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i` |
+| `steps_current()`, `steps_done_mask()`, `steps_done(i)`, `steps_finished()`, `steps_set_current(ch)`, `steps_set_done(mask)` | the progress, and setting it outright (a load, the host's word, a test) |
+| `steps_check()` | once a frame on the machine that owns the story: `STEPS_MET` for each step newly met, `STEPS_CHAPTER` and the next chapter when all are |
+| `steps_check_at(ch, i)`, `steps_wants(kind, param)` | a step of any chapter against this machine; is an open step of the current chapter asking for a kind (and a param, unless < 0) |
+| `steps_my_shares() -> []int`, `steps_share(p, ch, shares)`, `steps_share_of(p, i)`, `steps_leave(p)`, `steps_party_reset()` | this machine's shares to send; a teammate's as they arrived (ignored when about another chapter); a seat emptied |
+| `steps_met(i)`, `steps_party_got(i)`, `steps_players()`, `steps_each(i)`, `steps_lacking(i)` | the party's verdict and count for step i of the current chapter; how many seats are taken, how many carry an EACH step's thing, and which do not |
+| `steps_facts() -> Queue<StepsFact>` | `{ what, chapter, step }` |
+| `steps_popcount(m)`, `steps_reset()` | bits in a mask; back to nothing (tests) |
+
+## Tests
+
+```bash
+ludic build packages/ludic.steps/tests/steps_test.ludic --headless -o /tmp/steps_test && /tmp/steps_test
+```
+
+A fake world of values and seats: every shape, an arc that ticks and moves on (and a step met
+before its chapter), the six-step cap, and every pool across a party, a leaver and a share about
+another chapter.
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/arc.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/arc.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..df4517c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/arc.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+# arc.ludic - an arc is a table of chapters, each a table of up to STEPS_PER_CHAPTER steps. The
+# game builds one with steps_chapter_add / steps_add; what a chapter is called is the game's.
+# empty the tables for another arc (the progress goes back to the first chapter)
+export function steps_arc_clear() -> void {
+  steps__n = new []int
+  steps__kind = new []int
+  steps__param = new []int
+  steps__need = new []int
+  steps__cur = 0
+  steps__done = 0
+}
+
+function steps__ready() -> void { if steps__n == null { steps_arc_clear() } }
+
+# open the next chapter; its number
+export function steps_chapter_add() -> int {
+  steps__ready()
+  push(steps__n, 0)
+  for i in 0 .. STEPS_PER_CHAPTER {
+    push(steps__kind, -1)
+    push(steps__param, 0)
+    push(steps__need, 0)
+  }
+  return len(steps__n) - 1
+}
+
+# a step in the chapter just opened; false when there is no chapter or it is full
+export function steps_add(kind: int, param: int, need: int) -> bool {
+  steps__ready()
+  let c = len(steps__n) - 1
+  if c < 0 or steps__n[c] >= STEPS_PER_CHAPTER { return false }
+  let k = c * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + steps__n[c]
+  steps__kind[k] = kind
+  steps__param[k] = param
+  steps__need[k] = need
+  steps__n[c] += 1
+  return true
+}
+
+export function steps_count() -> int {
+  if steps__n == null { return 0 }
+  return len(steps__n)
+}
+
+export function steps_in(ch: int) -> int {
+  if ch < 0 or ch >= steps_count() { return 0 }
+  return steps__n[ch]
+}
+
+# a step by its flat index, ch * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i (-1, 0, 0 past the table)
+export function steps_kind_at(k: int) -> int {
+  if steps__kind == null or k < 0 or k >= len(steps__kind) { return -1 }
+  return steps__kind[k]
+}
+
+export function steps_param_at(k: int) -> int {
+  if steps__param == null or k < 0 or k >= len(steps__param) { return 0 }
+  return steps__param[k]
+}
+
+export function steps_need_at(k: int) -> int {
+  if steps__need == null or k < 0 or k >= len(steps__need) { return 0 }
+  return steps__need[k]
+}
+
+export function steps_kind(ch: int, i: int) -> int { return steps_kind_at(ch * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i) }
+export function steps_param(ch: int, i: int) -> int { return steps_param_at(ch * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i) }
+export function steps_need(ch: int, i: int) -> int { return steps_need_at(ch * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i) }
+
+# the chapter being played, and which of its steps are done (sticky)
+export function steps_current() -> int { return steps__cur }
+export function steps_done_mask() -> int { return steps__done }
+export function steps_done(i: int) -> bool { return (steps__done & (1 << i)) != 0 }
+export function steps_finished() -> bool { return steps__cur >= steps_count() }
+
+# the progress outright: a load, the host's word, a test
+export function steps_set_current(ch: int) -> void { steps__cur = ch }
+export function steps_set_done(mask: int) -> void { steps__done = mask }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/check.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/check.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bff9e432
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/check.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# check.ludic - once a frame on the machine that owns the story: every open step of the current
+# chapter that is met now sticks (STEPS_MET), and a chapter with all of them done moves the arc on
+# (STEPS_CHAPTER). A step asks about STATE, so one met before its chapter opened ticks at once.
+export function steps_check() -> void {
+  if steps_finished() { return }
+  let ch = steps__cur
+  let n = steps_in(ch)
+  var all = true
+  for i in 0 .. n {
+    if not steps_done(i) and steps_met(i) {
+      steps__done = steps__done | (1 << i)
+      steps__fact(STEPS_MET, ch, i)
+    }
+    if not steps_done(i) { all = false }
+  }
+  if not all { return }
+  steps__cur = ch + 1
+  steps__done = 0
+  steps__fact(STEPS_CHAPTER, ch, n)
+}
+
+# is step i of chapter ch met by this machine's own state? (a chapter not being played, a panel)
+export function steps_check_at(ch: int, i: int) -> bool {
+  if ch < 0 or ch >= steps_count() or i < 0 or i >= steps_in(ch) { return false }
+  return steps_eval(steps_kind(ch, i), steps_param(ch, i), steps_need(ch, i))
+}
+
+# is an open step of the current chapter asking for this kind (and this param, unless < 0)?
+export function steps_wants(kind: int, param: int) -> bool {
+  if steps_finished() { return false }
+  for i in 0 .. steps_in(steps__cur) {
+    if steps_done(i) or steps_kind(steps__cur, i) != kind { continue }
+    if param < 0 or steps_param(steps__cur, i) == param { return true }
+  }
+  return false
+}
+
+# back to no arc and no party (tests)
+export function steps_reset() -> void {
+  steps_arc_clear()
+  steps__party_clear()
+  q_clear(steps_facts())
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/each.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/each.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6f1d00c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/each.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# each.ludic - a step every player must meet in their own pack: how many seats are taken, how
+# many of them carry it, and which do not
+export function steps_players() -> int {
+  var n = 0
+  for p in 0 .. steps__players { if StepsWorld.present(p) { n += 1 } }
+  return n
+}
+
+# how many seats taken have step i's thing (seat 0 counted live)
+export function steps_each(i: int) -> int {
+  steps__cols()
+  var n = 0
+  for p in 0 .. steps__players {
+    if StepsWorld.present(p) and steps__col[p * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i] != 0 { n += 1 }
+  }
+  return n
+}
+
+# the seats that do not have it yet
+export function steps_lacking(i: int) -> []int {
+  steps__cols()
+  let out = new []int
+  for p in 0 .. steps__players {
+    if StepsWorld.present(p) and steps__col[p * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i] == 0 { push(out, p) }
+  }
+  return out
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/index.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/index.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6ceaddac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/index.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# ludic.steps - a step is a question about state, answered by the game through a port; a chapter
+# is a table of steps; the current one ticks its steps as they are met and moves on when all are
+module ludic_steps uses ludic_base
+numbers float
+import "ludic.base"
+import "state.ludic"
+import "kinds.ludic"
+import "arc.ludic"
+import "check.ludic"
+import "party.ludic"
+import "each.ludic"
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/kinds.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/kinds.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f2db6590
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/kinds.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+# kinds.ludic - the kinds the game hands in, and a step answered from its kind's shape: met or
+# not, its count, what it wants. A kind past the list is a plain yes, the world's.
+export function steps_kinds(ks: []StepsKind) -> void { steps__kinds = ks }
+
+function steps__known(kind: int) -> bool { return steps__kinds != null and kind >= 0 and kind < len(steps__kinds) }
+
+export function steps_shape(kind: int) -> int {
+  if not steps__known(kind) { return STEPS_SHAPE_YES }
+  return steps__kinds[kind].shape
+}
+
+export function steps_pool(kind: int) -> int {
+  if not steps__known(kind) { return STEPS_POOL_WORLD }
+  return steps__kinds[kind].pool
+}
+
+export function steps_shows(kind: int) -> bool {
+  if not steps__known(kind) { return false }
+  return steps__kinds[kind].shows
+}
+
+function steps__value(kind: int, param: int) -> int { return StepsWorld.value(kind, param, 0) }
+
+# is (kind, param, need) met by this machine's own state?
+export function steps_eval(kind: int, param: int, need: int) -> bool {
+  if kind < 0 { return false }
+  return steps__met_by(kind, param, need, steps__value(kind, param))
+}
+
+function steps__met_by(kind: int, param: int, need: int, v: int) -> bool {
+  let sh = steps_shape(kind)
+  if sh == STEPS_SHAPE_COUNT { return v >= need }
+  if sh == STEPS_SHAPE_MASK { return steps_popcount(v) >= need }
+  if sh == STEPS_SHAPE_MASK_ALL { return (v & param) == param }
+  return v != 0
+}
+
+# how far a counted step has got, -1 for a kind a panel shows no count for
+export function steps_got(kind: int, param: int) -> int {
+  if kind < 0 or not steps_shows(kind) { return -1 }
+  return steps__shaped(kind, param, steps__value(kind, param))
+}
+
+function steps__shaped(kind: int, param: int, v: int) -> int {
+  let sh = steps_shape(kind)
+  if sh == STEPS_SHAPE_MASK { return steps_popcount(v) }
+  if sh == STEPS_SHAPE_MASK_ALL { return steps_popcount(v & param) }
+  return v
+}
+
+export function steps_want(kind: int, param: int, need: int) -> int {
+  if steps_shape(kind) == STEPS_SHAPE_MASK_ALL { return steps_popcount(param) }
+  return need
+}
+
+# THIS machine's share: a mask for OR, a count for SUM and MAX, 1 or 0 for ANY and EACH, and
+# nothing for a question about the world
+export function steps_mine(kind: int, param: int, need: int) -> int {
+  let how = steps_pool(kind)
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_WORLD { return 0 }
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_ANY or how == STEPS_POOL_EACH {
+    if steps_eval(kind, param, need) { return 1 }
+    return 0
+  }
+  return steps__value(kind, param)
+}
+
+# the party's verdict from what it has between it: `v` combined as the pool says; for EACH,
+# how many are in the party and how many carry it
+export function steps_from(kind: int, param: int, need: int, v: int, players: int, have: int) -> bool {
+  let how = steps_pool(kind)
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_WORLD { return steps_eval(kind, param, need) }
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_ANY { return v != 0 }
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_EACH { return players > 0 and have >= players }
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_OR {
+    if steps_shape(kind) == STEPS_SHAPE_MASK_ALL { return (v & param) == param }
+    return steps_popcount(v) >= need
+  }
+  return v >= need
+}
+
+# the count from a share already combined across the party
+export function steps_got_from(kind: int, param: int, v: int) -> int {
+  let how = steps_pool(kind)
+  if not steps_shows(kind) { return -1 }
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_OR or how == STEPS_POOL_SUM or how == STEPS_POOL_MAX { return steps__shaped(kind, param, v) }
+  return steps_got(kind, param)
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/package.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/package.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..53a39e71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/package.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# ludic.steps - chapters made of steps (kind, param, need), step kinds with a shape and a party
+# pool, progress and done masks, and a party's shares pooled into one verdict. Uses ludic.base and
+# nothing else. See README.md.
+package "ludic.steps"
+version "0.1.0"
+kind source
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/party.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/party.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9c688577
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/party.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+# party.ludic - with company every player reports what THEY have toward each step of the current
+# chapter (steps_mine) and the owner of the story answers the step from the lot. Held per seat,
+# so a player who leaves takes their column with them; seat 0 is this machine, read live.
+var steps__players: int = 12
+var steps__col: []int = null         # players * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER shares
+var steps__col_ch: int = -1          # the chapter they are about
+
+# how many seats a party has
+export function steps_config(players: int) -> void {
+  steps__players = players
+  steps__col = null
+}
+
+function steps__party_clear() -> void {
+  steps__col = new []int
+  for i in 0 .. steps__players * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER { push(steps__col, 0) }
+  steps__col_ch = steps__cur
+}
+
+# a party over (or a new one): every column forgotten
+export function steps_party_reset() -> void { steps__col = null }
+
+# the columns, emptied when the chapter they were about is not this one; seat 0 refilled
+function steps__cols() -> void {
+  if steps__col == null or steps__col_ch != steps__cur { steps__party_clear() }
+  if steps_finished() { return }
+  for i in 0 .. steps_in(steps__cur) {
+    steps__col[i] = steps_mine(steps_kind(steps__cur, i), steps_param(steps__cur, i), steps_need(steps__cur, i))
+  }
+}
+
+# this machine's shares for the current chapter, to send to whoever owns the story
+export function steps_my_shares() -> []int {
+  steps__cols()
+  let out = new []int
+  for i in 0 .. STEPS_PER_CHAPTER { push(out, steps__col[i]) }
+  return out
+}
+
+# a teammate's shares, as they sent them; ignored when they were about another chapter
+export function steps_share(p: int, ch: int, shares: []int) -> void {
+  if p <= 0 or p >= steps__players or ch != steps__cur { return }
+  steps__cols()
+  for i in 0 .. min(len(shares), STEPS_PER_CHAPTER) { steps__col[p * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i] = shares[i] }
+}
+
+export function steps_share_of(p: int, i: int) -> int {
+  steps__cols()
+  return steps__col[p * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i]
+}
+
+# a seat emptied: what it had goes with it
+export function steps_leave(p: int) -> void {
+  if steps__col == null or p <= 0 or p >= steps__players { return }
+  for i in 0 .. STEPS_PER_CHAPTER { steps__col[p * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i] = 0 }
+}
+
+# the shares of every seat taken, combined as the pool says (seat 0 is the start)
+function steps__combined(i: int, how: int) -> int {
+  var v = steps__col[i]
+  for p in 1 .. steps__players {
+    if not StepsWorld.present(p) { continue }
+    let c = steps__col[p * STEPS_PER_CHAPTER + i]
+    if how == STEPS_POOL_ANY or how == STEPS_POOL_OR { v = v | c }
+    else if how == STEPS_POOL_SUM { v += c }
+    else if how == STEPS_POOL_MAX { if c > v { v = c } }
+  }
+  return v
+}
+
+# the answer to step i of the current chapter: solo this is steps_eval and nothing more
+export function steps_met(i: int) -> bool {
+  let ch = steps__cur
+  let kind = steps_kind(ch, i)
+  if not StepsWorld.party() { return steps_eval(kind, steps_param(ch, i), steps_need(ch, i)) }
+  let how = steps_pool(kind)
+  if how == STEPS_POOL_WORLD { return steps_eval(kind, steps_param(ch, i), steps_need(ch, i)) }
+  steps__cols()
+  return steps_from(kind, steps_param(ch, i), steps_need(ch, i), steps__combined(i, how), steps_players(), steps_each(i))
+}
+
+# the party's count for step i of the current chapter, -1 for one that is not a tally
+export function steps_party_got(i: int) -> int {
+  let ch = steps__cur
+  let kind = steps_kind(ch, i)
+  let param = steps_param(ch, i)
+  if steps_got(kind, param) < 0 { return -1 }
+  let how = steps_pool(kind)
+  if not StepsWorld.party() or how == STEPS_POOL_WORLD or how == STEPS_POOL_ANY or how == STEPS_POOL_EACH { return steps_got(kind, param) }
+  steps__cols()
+  return steps_got_from(kind, param, steps__combined(i, how))
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1d56b9cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/state.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+# state.ludic - the port, the kinds' shapes and pools, the facts, and the arc being played
+# what a step kind measures, asked of the game: a count, a mask, or 1 / 0, for one player (0 is
+# this machine's own); whether a party is playing, and whether a seat in it is taken
+export port StepsWorld {
+  value: fn(int, int, int) -> int
+  party: fn() -> bool = fn steps__solo
+  present: fn(int) -> bool = fn steps__only_me
+}
+
+function steps__solo() -> bool { return false }
+function steps__only_me(p: int) -> bool { return p == 0 }
+
+# a kind's shape: met or not; a number against the need; a mask whose bits are counted against
+# the need; every bit of the mask in `param`
+export const STEPS_SHAPE_YES: int = 0
+export const STEPS_SHAPE_COUNT: int = 1
+export const STEPS_SHAPE_MASK: int = 2
+export const STEPS_SHAPE_MASK_ALL: int = 3
+
+# how a party combines a kind: the same for everyone already (asked of this machine); anyone
+# having done it; the counts add up; the masks union; the best one; every player needs their own
+export const STEPS_POOL_WORLD: int = 0
+export const STEPS_POOL_ANY: int = 1
+export const STEPS_POOL_SUM: int = 2
+export const STEPS_POOL_OR: int = 3
+export const STEPS_POOL_MAX: int = 4
+export const STEPS_POOL_EACH: int = 5
+
+# the most steps a chapter carries: its done steps are a bit mask
+export const STEPS_PER_CHAPTER: int = 6
+
+export property StepsKind {
+  key: string = ""
+  shape: int = STEPS_SHAPE_YES
+  pool: int = STEPS_POOL_WORLD
+  shows: bool = false          # a panel shows its count against what it wants
+}
+
+export const STEPS_MET: int = 0        # a step of the current chapter was met (chapter, step)
+export const STEPS_CHAPTER: int = 1    # every step of a chapter is met, and the next one is open
+
+export property StepsFact {
+  what: int = 0
+  chapter: int = 0
+  step: int = 0
+}
+
+var steps__kinds: []StepsKind = null
+var steps__n: []int = null          # steps per chapter
+var steps__kind: []int = null       # STEPS_PER_CHAPTER per chapter
+var steps__param: []int = null
+var steps__need: []int = null
+var steps__cur: int = 0
+var steps__done: int = 0
+var steps__facts: Queue<StepsFact> = null
+
+export function steps_facts() -> Queue<StepsFact> {
+  if steps__facts == null { steps__facts = queue_new("steps.facts") }
+  return steps__facts
+}
+
+function steps__fact(what: int, ch: int, i: int) -> void {
+  let f = new StepsFact
+  f.what = what
+  f.chapter = ch
+  f.step = i
+  q_push(steps_facts(), f)
+}
+
+export function steps_popcount(m: int) -> int {
+  var n = 0
+  var v = m
+  while v != 0 {
+    n += v & 1
+    v = (v >> 1) & 0x7FFFFFFF
+  }
+  return n
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.steps/tests/steps_test.ludic b/packages/ludic.steps/tests/steps_test.ludic
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bd4655bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/ludic.steps/tests/steps_test.ludic
@@ -0,0 +1,224 @@
+# steps_test.ludic - shapes answered from a fake world, an arc that ticks and moves on, and a party
+# whose shares pool as each kind says
+import "ludic.steps"
+import "ludic.base"
+program StepsTest {
+  numbers float
+  var vals: []int = null     # value of kind k for this machine
+  var party: bool = false
+  var seats: int = 1         # seats 0 .. seats-1 are taken
+
+  function fake_value(kind: int, param: int, player: int) -> int {
+    if player != 0 or kind < 0 or kind >= len(vals) { return 0 }
+    return vals[kind]
+  }
+  function fake_party() -> bool { return party }
+  function fake_present(p: int) -> bool { return p < seats }
+
+  bind StepsWorld { value: fn fake_value, party: fn fake_party, present: fn fake_present }
+
+  const K_WOOD: int = 0      # count, summed
+  const K_SIGNS: int = 1     # mask counted, or'd
+  const K_ALL: int = 2       # every bit of param, or'd
+  const K_FIRE: int = 3      # yes, anyone
+  const K_REP: int = 4       # count, best of
+  const K_COMPASS: int = 5   # yes, each
+  const K_HOUR: int = 6      # yes, the world's
+
+  function kind(shape: int, pool: int, shows: bool) -> StepsKind {
+    let k = new StepsKind
+    k.shape = shape
+    k.pool = pool
+    k.shows = shows
+    return k
+  }
+
+  function fresh() -> void {
+    steps_reset()
+    steps_config(4)
+    party = false
+    seats = 1
+    vals = new []int
+    for i in 0 .. 7 { push(vals, 0) }
+    let ks = new []StepsKind
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_COUNT, STEPS_POOL_SUM, true))
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_MASK, STEPS_POOL_OR, true))
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_MASK_ALL, STEPS_POOL_OR, true))
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_YES, STEPS_POOL_ANY, false))
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_COUNT, STEPS_POOL_MAX, true))
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_YES, STEPS_POOL_EACH, false))
+    push(ks, kind(STEPS_SHAPE_YES, STEPS_POOL_WORLD, false))
+    steps_kinds(ks)
+  }
+
+  # chapter 0: 5 wood, a fire; chapter 1: two signs, the compass
+  function two_chapters() -> void {
+    steps_chapter_add()
+    steps_add(K_WOOD, 0, 5)
+    steps_add(K_FIRE, 0, 1)
+    steps_chapter_add()
+    steps_add(K_SIGNS, 0, 2)
+    steps_add(K_COMPASS, 0, 1)
+  }
+
+  function facts_of(what: int) -> int {
+    let fs = q_drain(steps_facts())
+    var n = 0
+    for i in 0 .. len(fs) { if fs[i].what == what { n += 1 } }
+    return n
+  }
+
+  function shares(a: int, b: int) -> []int {
+    let s = new []int
+    push(s, a)
+    push(s, b)
+    return s
+  }
+
+  test "a step is answered by its kind's shape" {
+    fresh()
+    vals[K_WOOD] = 4
+    expect(not steps_eval(K_WOOD, 0, 5))
+    vals[K_WOOD] = 5
+    expect(steps_eval(K_WOOD, 0, 5))
+    vals[K_SIGNS] = 5
+    expect(steps_eval(K_SIGNS, 0, 2))
+    expect_eq(steps_got(K_SIGNS, 0), 2)
+    vals[K_ALL] = 3
+    expect(not steps_eval(K_ALL, 7, 0))
+    expect_eq(steps_got(K_ALL, 7), 2)
+    expect_eq(steps_want(K_ALL, 7, 0), 3)
+    expect_eq(steps_got(K_FIRE, 0), -1)
+  }
+
+  test "an arc's steps stick as they are met, and a full chapter opens the next" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    expect_eq(steps_count(), 2)
+    expect_eq(steps_in(1), 2)
+    vals[K_FIRE] = 1
+    steps_check()
+    expect(steps_done(1))
+    expect(not steps_done(0))
+    expect_eq(facts_of(STEPS_MET), 1)
+    vals[K_FIRE] = 0
+    steps_check()
+    expect(steps_done(1))
+    vals[K_WOOD] = 9
+    steps_check()
+    expect_eq(steps_current(), 1)
+    expect_eq(steps_done_mask(), 0)
+    let fs = q_drain(steps_facts())
+    expect_eq(len(fs), 2)
+    expect_eq(fs[1].what, STEPS_CHAPTER)
+    expect_eq(fs[1].chapter, 0)
+  }
+
+  test "a step met before its chapter opens ticks the moment it is looked at" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    vals[K_SIGNS] = 3
+    vals[K_COMPASS] = 1
+    vals[K_WOOD] = 5
+    vals[K_FIRE] = 1
+    steps_check()
+    expect_eq(steps_current(), 1)
+    steps_check()
+    expect(steps_finished())
+  }
+
+  test "a chapter holds at most six steps" {
+    fresh()
+    expect(not steps_add(K_WOOD, 0, 1))
+    steps_chapter_add()
+    for i in 0 .. STEPS_PER_CHAPTER { expect(steps_add(K_WOOD, 0, i)) }
+    expect(not steps_add(K_WOOD, 0, 9))
+  }
+
+  test "the steps asked for right now" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    expect(steps_wants(K_FIRE, -1))
+    expect(not steps_wants(K_SIGNS, -1))
+  }
+
+  test "a tally adds up across the party, and a mask unions" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    party = true
+    seats = 2
+    vals[K_WOOD] = 3
+    expect(not steps_met(0))
+    steps_share(1, 0, shares(2, 0))
+    expect(steps_met(0))
+    expect_eq(steps_party_got(0), 5)
+    steps_set_current(1)
+    vals[K_SIGNS] = 1
+    steps_share(1, 1, shares(2, 0))
+    expect(steps_met(0))
+  }
+
+  test "anyone having done it is the party having done it" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    party = true
+    seats = 3
+    steps_share(2, 0, shares(0, 1))
+    expect(steps_met(1))
+  }
+
+  test "a thing in the pack is met when every player has one, and says who has not" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    steps_set_current(1)
+    party = true
+    seats = 3
+    vals[K_COMPASS] = 1
+    steps_share(1, 1, shares(0, 1))
+    expect(not steps_met(1))
+    expect_eq(steps_each(1), 2)
+    let lack = steps_lacking(1)
+    expect_eq(len(lack), 1)
+    expect_eq(lack[0], 2)
+    steps_share(2, 1, shares(0, 1))
+    expect(steps_met(1))
+  }
+
+  test "a player who leaves takes their share with them" {
+    fresh()
+    two_chapters()
+    party = true
+    seats = 2
+    steps_share(1, 0, shares(5, 0))
+    expect(steps_met(0))
+    steps_leave(1)
+    expect(not steps_met(0))
+  }
+
+  test "a share about another chapter is ignored, and the best of a tally is the best" {
+    fresh()
+    steps_chapter_add()
+    steps_add(K_REP, 0, 25)
+    party = true
+    seats = 2
+    steps_share(1, 3, shares(99, 0))
+    expect(not steps_met(0))
+    vals[K_REP] = 10
+    steps_share(1, 0, shares(30, 0))
+    expect(steps_met(0))
+    expect_eq(steps_party_got(0), 30)
+  }
+
+  test "the world's steps are asked of this machine alone" {
+    fresh()
+    steps_chapter_add()
+    steps_add(K_HOUR, 0, 1)
+    party = true
+    seats = 2
+    steps_share(1, 0, shares(1, 0))
+    expect(not steps_met(0))
+    vals[K_HOUR] = 1
+    expect(steps_met(0))
+    expect_eq(steps_mine(K_HOUR, 0, 1), 0)
+  }
+}