diff --git a/public/ghost-visual.js b/public/ghost-visual.js
index 3cfd9bd..a1daddb 100644
--- a/public/ghost-visual.js
+++ b/public/ghost-visual.js
@@ -29,15 +29,15 @@ export const GHOST_GRADIENTS = {
 
 const WISP_VERT = `
   varying float vY;
-  varying vec2 vUv;
+  varying vec3 vPos;
   uniform float uTime;
   void main() {
-    vUv = uv;
     vec3 p = position;
     // gentle billow so the wisp breathes
     float w = sin(uTime * 1.6 + position.y * 3.0) * 0.04;
     p.x += w * (0.5 + uv.y);
     vY = uv.y;
+    vPos = position;            // object-space, for radial falloff in frag
     gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(p, 1.0);
   }
 `;
@@ -45,17 +45,16 @@ const WISP_VERT = `
 const WISP_FRAG = `
   precision mediump float;
   varying float vY;
-  varying vec2 vUv;
+  varying vec3 vPos;
   uniform vec3  uTop;
   uniform vec3  uBottom;
   uniform float uAlpha;
   uniform float uTime;
   void main() {
-    vec3 col = mix(uBottom, uTop, vY);            // vertical gradient
-    // soft radial falloff around the body centreline for a wispy edge
-    float edge = smoothstep(0.5, 0.05, abs(vUv.x - 0.5));
-    float fade = edge * (0.65 + 0.35 * sin(uTime * 2.0 + vY * 6.2831));
-    float a = uAlpha * mix(0.45, 1.0, vY) * fade; // thinner at the tail
+    vec3 col = mix(uBottom, uTop, vY);            // vertical gradient (head bright)
+    // breathing shimmer, never lets the body vanish
+    float shimmer = 0.78 + 0.22 * sin(uTime * 2.0 + vY * 6.2831);
+    float a = uAlpha * mix(0.55, 1.0, vY) * shimmer;
     gl_FragColor = vec4(col, a);
   }
 `;
@@ -148,8 +147,10 @@ export function createGhostVisual(THREE, opts = {}) {
   function update(dt, elapsed) {
     uniforms.uTime.value = elapsed;
     stateT += dt;
-    // bob
-    group.position.y += Math.sin(elapsed * 1.8) * dt * 0.15;
+    // bob: offset the BODY around the group, so the group's spawn position
+    // stays fixed (previously this accumulated onto group.y and the ghost
+    // drifted up out of view every frame).
+    body.position.y = Math.sin(elapsed * 1.8) * 0.08;
     // billboard FX face camera handled by Sprite automatically
     if (state === 'spawn') {
       const k = Math.min(stateT / 0.6, 1);
diff --git a/public/hunt.js b/public/hunt.js
index cb92354..990ffb9 100644
--- a/public/hunt.js
+++ b/public/hunt.js
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ const COLORS = ['Red', 'Blue', 'Yellow'];
 export function createHunt(THREE, scene, opts = {}) {
   const roster = opts.roster || [];
   const maxActive = opts.maxActive ?? 4;
-  const spawnArcDeg = opts.spawnArcDeg ?? 120; // ±60°
+  const spawnArcDeg = opts.spawnArcDeg ?? 90; // ±45° — tighter so ghosts land in front
+  const fleeMinMs = opts.fleeMinMs ?? 12000;  // longer discovery window
+  const fleeMaxMs = opts.fleeMaxMs ?? 18000;
   const onEvent = opts.onEvent || (() => {});
 
   let luredColor = null;           // set by the colour wheel
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ export function createHunt(THREE, scene, opts = {}) {
     active.set(id, {
       ghost: g, visual, hp, maxHp: hp,
       state: 'idle',
-      fleeAt: performance.now() + (6000 + Math.random() * 4000), // escapes if ignored
+      fleeAt: performance.now() + (fleeMinMs + Math.random() * (fleeMaxMs - fleeMinMs)), // escapes if ignored
     });
     haunt = Math.min(100, haunt + 4);                  // presence raises the meter
     onEvent({ type: 'spawn', id, ghost: g, haunt });