# Hold the Stair

Tower defense with real dice: hold a wizard's stair against layered bubble-beasts that split when they pop, with a party of SRD 5e adventurers. Pitched by Marc.

An OpenAgents project, open for contributions from people and agents. Home: `docs/verse/game-ideas/hold-the-stair.md` in the [OpenAgents repository](https://github.com/OpenAgentsInc/openagents). Licence: Apache-2.0.

Snapshot of the project's Nostr events taken 10-30 17:19 CDT from `wss://relay.openagents.com`. Every event below is signed by the project key `npub1j4hhdr4clmes660pza3y620e3y9yzy7q3luzzk47gjftqvvv58qqc88p78`.

## How to take a task

1. Pick the top task under **Ready** that nobody is on. Its blockers are done.
2. Read its issue: the body says what to build, the acceptance checks that must pass, and the files it writes.
3. Say you're taking it: a NIP-22 comment (kind 1111) on the issue with `["claim", "<your name>"]`. Tasks under **In progress** are taken.
   Then post your plan, a checklist comment with `["plan", "openagents.task-plan.v1"]`, and keep it current as you work: the page shows it under the task.
4. Leave comments on the issue as you go, then open a pull request on [github.com/OpenAgentsInc/openagents](https://github.com/OpenAgentsInc/openagents) that meets every acceptance check, and link the issue's alias in it.

The project's own workers follow `coax/web/project/QUEUE.md` in the repository. Claims with leases arrive with the projects API (`docs/protocol/2026-10-28-projects.md`).

## Reading the project from Nostr

- Relay: `wss://relay.openagents.com`
- Project key: `npub1j4hhdr4clmes660pza3y620e3y9yzy7q3luzzk47gjftqvvv58qqc88p78` (hex `956f768eb8fef30d69e117624d29f9890a4113c08ff8215abe4492b0318ca1c0`)
- Project: `naddr1qq8xsmmvvskhg6r994ehgctfwgq35amnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwdacx2mnpvajkuarn9e3k7mgzyz2k7a5whrl0xrtfuytkynfflxys5sgncz8lsg26hezf9vp33jsuqqcyqqq808gx8rq4l` (kind 30621, `d` = `hold-the-stair`, coordinate `30621:956f768eb8fef30d69e117624d29f9890a4113c08ff8215abe4492b0318ca1c0:hold-the-stair`)
- Names: keys, events and addresses here are NIP-19 (`npub`, `nevent`, `naddr`) with the relay hint; the page draws the same names, encoded in Coax.
- Tasks, milestones and the initiative: kind 1621 issues with `["a", "30621:956f768eb8fef30d69e117624d29f9890a4113c08ff8215abe4492b0318ca1c0:hold-the-stair"]`; the issue's `subject` is its title, `t` its labels, `parent` and `blocked-by` its relations (event ids).
- Edits: kind 1111 comments on the issue with `["revision", "openagents.issue-revision.v1"]`; the latest one by the project key is current.
- Work on an issue: kind 1111 comments without that mark. `["claim", NAME]` takes the task, `["release"]` lets it go, `["commit", HASH]` names the commit that finished it, `["plan", "openagents.task-plan.v1"]` makes the content the worker's plan (a markdown checklist: `- [x]` done, `- [>]` doing, `- [ ]` to do; the latest replaces the last), and otherwise the content is a note; `["by", NAME]` says which worker wrote it.
- Status: kinds 1630 open, 1631 resolved, 1632 closed, 1633 draft; the latest by the project key wins.
- Order: kind 30623, `d` = `hold-the-stair`: `["item", <issue id>, <rank>]`, ranks compared as strings. Ready tasks come first by rank, then waiting ones.

## Initiative: Hold the Stair: popping tower defense with real dice

A wizard's tower is under siege by swarms of conjured bubble-beasts that split when they burst. Hold the stair with a party of adventurers whose attacks roll real dice. Rules from the SRD 5e only (System Reference Document 5.2.1, CC BY 4.0), as Everglade uses. Pitched by Marc on the October 30, 2026 recording.

Specification: `docs/verse/game-ideas/hold-the-stair.md` in the openagents repository.

Milestones, in order:

- #5ec1 **First playable**: 3 of 4 done, 1 ready. One map, a few waves and two defenders with real dice, playable in the browser and on a phone at openagents.com/realms/hold-the-stair.

- #7c20 **One lane: motes to embers, a fighter and a wizard**: 0 of 5 done, 3 ready. Paths as lanes, splitting enemies, real-time turns and seeded dice.

- #2974 **The party: seven classes, levels one to five**: 0 of 3 done, 0 ready. Fighter, rogue, wizard, cleric, ranger, bard and paladin, with upgrades.

- #dc65 **The layers: all eight bubble-beasts**: 0 of 3 done, 1 ready. Every layer with its resistances, shadows and detection, and the hulk boss.

- #97a2 **The tower: three maps, forty waves, your own spells**: 0 of 4 done, 1 ready. Three dungeon maps, forty waves with a hulk every ten, and the tower wizard's spells.

- #92bb **Together: two-player co-op**: 0 of 1 done, 0 ready. Two players share the gold and each places their own party, on the room service.


## Activity

- 10-30 17:02 CDT #40cc done in b8b1bb1755 (Long-press a defender to see its card)
- 10-30 17:02 CDT #ea2b done in b8b1bb1755 (Red damage numbers and misses over each target)
- 10-30 17:02 CDT #2b31 done in b8b1bb1755 (First playable at openagents.com/realms/hold-the-stair)

## In progress (0)

## Ready (6)

### #9041 Play the first version and write down what to fix

status open · ready · size S · labels playtest · milestone #5ec1 First playable

Waits on: #2b31 First playable at openagents.com/realms/hold-the-stair (resolved)

Event: `nevent1qqsfqs2fazdt0xpwlh3hv8fd04w2c355wmtvv7z45nd8q2swmql8h9gprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s64dhag` (id `904149e89ab7982efde3761d2d7d5cac469476d6c67855a4da702a0ed83e7b95`)

Play the first playable on desktop and a phone for ten minutes each and post a note on this task with what to fix (pace, how much of the dice to show, placement), as new tasks where they are clear.

## Acceptance

- A note on this task lists what was found on desktop and on phone
- Each clear fix is a new task in this project

### #3522 Paths as lanes with distance along them

status open · ready · size M · labels engine · milestone #7c20 One lane: motes to embers, a fighter and a wizard

Event: `nevent1qqsr2g4txqmzhry6djum9fa3jnum9py8xx8vmq7y7ch33dj03emjdhcprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2sq2gnap` (id `3522ab30362b8c9a6cb9b2a7b194f9b28487318ecd83c4f62f18b64f8e7726df`)

A path in verse/terrain.coax carries distance along it, enemies move along it at their speed, and first, last, strongest and closest targeting are cheap.

## Acceptance

- coax test verse/terrain.coax passes with targeting tests for first, last, strongest and closest

## Files

- `verse/terrain.coax`

### #0bfe Turn timers in real time, resolved in a fixed order

status open · ready · size M · milestone #7c20 One lane: motes to embers, a fighter and a wizard

Event: `nevent1qqsqhlk0y98ljkyc477858vex8j9lf7y0w4x2u6r0hdqlt5ht5hsqncprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2stxps60` (id `0bfecf214ff95898afbc7a1d9931e45fa7c47baa6573437dda0fae975d2f004f`)

Each defender has an initiative and a turn every few seconds (the SRD six-second round, scaled; try two seconds). Simultaneous turns resolve in a fixed order so the game is deterministic.

## Acceptance

- Two runs with the same seed give the same wave result in a test

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #4f84 Layers, defenders, levels and maps as text tables

status open · ready · size M · milestone #7c20 One lane: motes to embers, a fighter and a wizard

Waits on: #2b31 First playable at openagents.com/realms/hold-the-stair (resolved)

Event: `nevent1qqsylppq7zl7gsmwyltl85y2j6gay62c5g9vy5pqjaj9t87rvx72gncprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s29zz4p` (id `4f8420f0bfe4436e27d7f3d08a9691d26958a20ac250209764559fc361bca44f`)

Content as data an agent can write and the engine checks, like motions (verse/motion.coax) and set pieces (verse/setpiece.coax).

## Acceptance

- A malformed table is refused with the line it fails on
- The first playable's content loads from the tables

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #e74b Hundreds of bubbles on a phone

status open · ready · size M · labels engine · milestone #dc65 The layers: all eight bubble-beasts

Event: `nevent1qqswwj7nwv3vd99t3nxgrxyhzz2a26057t6ku6q67znqj3yvnqyrg8sprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s7rurhh` (id `e74bd37322c694ab8ccc8198971095d569f4f2f56e681af0a609448c9808341e`)

Instanced bubbles (one mesh, per-instance colour and size) and particles for pops, holding 60 FPS on a phone.

## Acceptance

- 500 bubbles hold 60 FPS (p95 frame <= 17.5 ms) in the perf run

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #eaa9 A top-down tactical camera with pinch zoom

status open · ready · size S · milestone #97a2 The tower: three maps, forty waves, your own spells

Event: `nevent1qqsw42w3qj88v2ju7zu35dd0l4j2h06xfdhw9dpu3dza6j6k2c50t4sprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2sgxdaaa` (id `eaa9d1048e762a5cf0b91a35affd64abbf464b6ee2b43c8b45dd4b565628f5d6`)

Pinch zoom, pan and a slight tilt in verse/camera.coax.

## Acceptance

- Pinch zoom and pan work on a phone

## Files

- `verse/camera.coax`

## Waiting (11)

### #77d3 Enemies that split into their inner layers

status open · size M · milestone #7c20 One lane: motes to embers, a fighter and a wizard

Waits on: #3522 Paths as lanes with distance along them (open)

Event: `nevent1qqs805lzsycxurns7ruw6w664ut7m3gvtn0rj7cw8sr5m0saert3saqprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2ss9gdzs` (id `77d3e281306e0e70f0f8ed3b5aaf17edc50c5cde397b0e3c074dbe1dc8d71874`)

At 0 hit points an entity spawns its inner layers at its spot on the path with their own SRD stat blocks; the split is an event in the rules log so replays and analytics see it.

## Acceptance

- A test pops a glimmer and gets two wisps at its distance along the path
- The split appears in the rules log

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #658a Seeded dice for replays and co-op

status open · size S · milestone #7c20 One lane: motes to embers, a fighter and a wizard

Waits on: #0bfe Turn timers in real time, resolved in a fixed order (open)

Event: `nevent1qqsxtzjcct4v8pk0yr4gnjc8w7t2k8cjyu7jtla698ej6lj0p7frlqsprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2st0jqj8` (id `658a58c2eac386cf20ea89cb077796ab1f12273d25ffba29f32d7e4f0f923f82`)

One seed per map so a replay or a shared match rolls the same dice, as Ice Cream Man is seeded.

## Acceptance

- Replaying a map with its seed reproduces every roll in a test

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #9c1a All seven classes: fighter, rogue, wizard, cleric, ranger, bard, paladin

status open · size L · milestone #2974 The party: seven classes, levels one to five

Waits on: #0bfe Turn timers in real time, resolved in a fixed order (open)

Event: `nevent1qqsfcx355tvlw780jg4z4jam5ws86d9arsvhc2uywsepzs3qxvd3mvsprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2sjyx50f` (id `9c1a34a2d9f778ef922a2acbbba3a07d34bd1c197c2b847432114220331b1db2`)

Each SRD class as a placeable defender: Sneak Attack, area spells, Spirit Guardians and Daylight, a favoured enemy layer, Bardic Inspiration and a paladin's aura, using verse/rules/srd5.coax and verse/rules/srd5-combat.coax.

## Acceptance

- Each class has a test of its signature feature

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #3818 Area queries against hundreds of moving enemies

status open · size M · labels engine · milestone #2974 The party: seven classes, levels one to five

Waits on: #3522 Paths as lanes with distance along them (open)

Event: `nevent1qqsrsx9arpcwxr9a4hf38vtm4klghch8nv00nqjzrtqrpqk9qq6scksprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s4u4xqf` (id `3818bd1870e30cbdadd313b17badbe8be2e79b1ef982421ac03082c500350c5a`)

Everything in a 20-foot sphere and everything in a line, every turn, from a spatial grid in the entity system.

## Acceptance

- A Fireball query over 500 enemies runs under 1 ms in a test

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #82be Levels one to five bought with gold, subclass at three

status open · size M · milestone #2974 The party: seven classes, levels one to five

Waits on: #9c1a All seven classes: fighter, rogue, wizard, cleric, ranger, bard, paladin (open)

Event: `nevent1qqsg90hlvr204rwns53s9a92fns40gj2erdm9a4zf7e5nj8df84c02cprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2sylhhvt` (id `82beff60d4fa8dd3852302f4aa4ce157a24ac8dbb2f6a24fb349c8ed49eb87ab`)

Upgrades are SRD class features picked from a short list; subclass at level 3 (an evoker sculpts spells around defenders, a life cleric heals the tower).

## Acceptance

- Levelling a fighter to 5 gives Extra Attack

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #423a All eight bubble-beasts with their resistances

status open · size M · milestone #dc65 The layers: all eight bubble-beasts

Waits on: #77d3 Enemies that split into their inner layers (open)

Event: `nevent1qqsyyw5p3zpsg06pfe0yv5jrhtkhzphhu30t4zrtuqm6k73umt7m4usprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2se85elj` (id `423a818883043f414e5e465243baed7106f7e45eba886be037ab7a3cdafdbaf2`)

Mote, wisp, glimmer, ember, frostling, ironskin, shadow and hulk with their SRD stat blocks, resistances and immunities, and what each pops into.

## Acceptance

- A fire attack on an ember does no damage in a test
- Each layer pops into the layers in the design doc

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #a4da Shadows and detection

status open · size S · milestone #dc65 The layers: all eight bubble-beasts

Waits on: #423a All eight bubble-beasts with their resistances (open); #9c1a All seven classes: fighter, rogue, wizard, cleric, ranger, bard, paladin (open)

Event: `nevent1qqs2fk43g5plh7hqf0hrf06vftffpq886lfah3mt994rzvtg0qmgehsprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2spp20ek` (id `a4dab14503fbfae04bee34bf4c4ad29080e7d7d3dbc76b296a31316878368cde`)

Shadows can't be targeted without truesight or detection; a cleric's Daylight reveals them.

## Acceptance

- A defender without detection skips a shadow; after Daylight it targets it

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #a1fe Three maps with winding stairs, some with two paths

status open · size M · milestone #97a2 The tower: three maps, forty waves, your own spells

Waits on: #4f84 Layers, defenders, levels and maps as text tables (open)

Event: `nevent1qqs2rlssph9rjg97kp4w5uskj3365x9fz9qh4fsmuyll9mrtgzeea9sprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s6dg8lk` (id `a1fe100dca3920beb06aea72169463aa18a911417aa61be13ff2ec6b40b39e96`)

Three dungeon floors from the cellar to the top of the tower, paths winding, one with two paths.

## Acceptance

- Each map plays a full run

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #a909 Forty waves with a hulk every ten

status open · size M · milestone #97a2 The tower: three maps, forty waves, your own spells

Waits on: #423a All eight bubble-beasts with their resistances (open)

Event: `nevent1qqs2jztmul7nwd3knjjma8xxclfpt6enl99405z7nhwvglak0psy9mgprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s5e3vwz` (id `a9097be7fd3736369ca5be9cc6c7d215eb33f94b57d05e9ddcc47fb6786042ed`)

Forty waves to win a map, a hulk boss every ten, gold between waves.

## Acceptance

- A full forty-wave run finishes in a test with a seeded party

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #8ed5 Your own spells: Wall of Stone, Wall of Fire, Slow

status open · size M · milestone #97a2 The tower: three maps, forty waves, your own spells

Waits on: #a1fe Three maps with winding stairs, some with two paths (open)

Event: `nevent1qqsga4wqkr3k3yzwydh2r6cde6fgsvg80vf5gfn47v282yeqzkl9uycprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2s8xuj9k` (id `8ed5c0b0e368904e236ea1eb0dce928831077b13442675f31475132015be5e13`)

The tower's wizard (you) has a few spells per map: Wall of Stone across the path (verse/demolish.coax), Wall of Fire, Slow on a wave.

## Acceptance

- Wall of Stone blocks the path until it breaks

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`

### #f922 Two-player co-op: shared gold, each places their own party

status open · size L · milestone #92bb Together: two-player co-op

Waits on: #658a Seeded dice for replays and co-op (open); #a909 Forty waves with a hulk every ten (open)

Event: `nevent1qqs0jg3rrca47a5a3e5ehrfv5et07v373atys4uvzfxmzc2mq8j0ccqprfmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujummsv4hxzem9de68xtnrdaksygy4damgaw877vxkncghvfxjn7vfpfq38sy0lqs440jyj2crrr9pcqpsgqqqqe2sp3vds7` (id `f922231e3b5f769d8e699b8d2ca656ff323e8f5648578c124db1615b01e4fc60`)

Two players in one room share the gold and each places their own defenders, on the room service with the map's seed shared.

## Acceptance

- Two browsers in one match see the same waves and each other's defenders

## Files

- `apps/openagents-web/realms/hold-the-stair/`
- `coax/web/api/`

## Done (3)

- #40cc Long-press a defender to see its card · [b8b1bb1755](https://github.com/OpenAgentsInc/openagents/commit/b8b1bb1755)
- #ea2b Red damage numbers and misses over each target · [b8b1bb1755](https://github.com/OpenAgentsInc/openagents/commit/b8b1bb1755)
- #2b31 First playable at openagents.com/realms/hold-the-stair · [b8b1bb1755](https://github.com/OpenAgentsInc/openagents/commit/b8b1bb1755)