/* -----------------------------------------------
     HERO — Editorial Poster Style
     ----------------------------------------------- */
  .hero {
    min-height: 100vh;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    padding: 92px 0 0;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
  }

  /* Crimson wash dominant — not subtle */
  .hero-wash {
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background: var(--hero-wash);
    pointer-events: none;
    will-change: transform;
    z-index: 0;
  }

  /* Grain texture overlay (magazine paper feel) */
  .hero-grain {
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background-image:
      radial-gradient(circle at 1px 1px, var(--text-muted) 0.5px, transparent 0);
    background-size: 3px 3px;
    opacity: 0.06;
    pointer-events: none;
    z-index: 1;
    mix-blend-mode: overlay;
  }

  /* LEFT EDGE: huge vertical outlined typography */
  .hero-edge-left {
    position: absolute;
    left: 40px; top: 50%;
    transform: translateY(-50%) rotate(-90deg);
    transform-origin: left center;
    white-space: nowrap;
    z-index: 2;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .hero-edge-left-title {
    font-family: 'Big Shoulders Display', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: clamp(90px, 14vw, 200px);
    line-height: 0.85;
    letter-spacing: -0.04em;
    color: transparent;
    -webkit-text-stroke: 2px var(--accent);
    opacity: 0.18;
    text-transform: uppercase;
  }
  .hero-edge-left-label {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px;
    letter-spacing: 4px;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin-top: 8px;
    margin-left: 4px;
  }
  .hero-edge-left-label span { color: var(--accent); }

  /* RIGHT EDGE: vertical running text */
  .hero-edge-right {
    position: absolute;
    right: 20px; top: 100px; bottom: 100px;
    width: 20px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    z-index: 2;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .hero-edge-right-text {
    writing-mode: vertical-rl;
    text-orientation: mixed;
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 11px;
    letter-spacing: 6px;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    white-space: nowrap;
    animation: tickerScroll 40s linear infinite;
  }
  @keyframes tickerScroll {
    0% { transform: translateY(0); }
    100% { transform: translateY(-50%); }
  }

  /* Top hero strip — status + date */
  .hero-top-strip {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 3;
    padding: 20px 100px 0;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between;
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    text-transform: uppercase;
  }
  .hero-top-strip-left {
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px;
  }
  .hero-top-strip-left .dot {
    width: 6px; height: 6px; border-radius: 50%;
    background: var(--accent);
    animation: pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
    box-shadow: 0 0 12px var(--accent);
  }
  .hero-top-strip-right { color: var(--text); font-weight: 700; }

  /* Hero container - main content grid */
  .hero-container {
    flex: 1;
    max-width: 1400px; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 40px 100px 80px;
    position: relative; z-index: 3;
    /* Right column carries the showcase carousel — bumped from 1fr to
       1.15fr so the cards read as the page's main visual instead of a
       sidekick to the left text. */
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.15fr;
    gap: 56px; align-items: center;
  }

  .hero-content { max-width: 680px; }

  /* Hero meta — small index */
  .hero-meta {
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.8s var(--ease-out) 0.1s forwards;
  }
  .hero-meta-tag {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--accent); text-transform: uppercase;
    padding: 5px 10px;
    border: 1px solid var(--accent);
    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--accent) 10%, transparent);
    font-weight: 700;
  }
  .hero-meta-line {
    flex: 1; height: 1px; max-width: 100px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--accent), transparent);
  }
  .hero-meta-num {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--text-muted); text-transform: uppercase;
  }

  /* MAIN TITLE — Big Shoulders for magazine punch */
  .hero-title {
    font-family: 'Big Shoulders Display', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: clamp(58px, 11vw, 168px);
    line-height: 0.82;
    letter-spacing: -0.025em;
    margin-bottom: 16px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 1s var(--ease-out) 0.2s forwards;
  }
  .hero-title-line { display: block; }
  .hero-title-line:nth-child(2) {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--glow) 0%, var(--accent) 100%);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
    font-weight: 900;
    position: relative;
  }

  /* Subtitle bar with accent */
  .hero-subtitle {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 500; font-size: 12px;
    letter-spacing: 5px; color: var(--text-soft);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin-bottom: 28px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px;
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.8s var(--ease-out) 0.4s forwards;
  }
  .hero-subtitle::before {
    content: ''; width: 40px; height: 2px; background: var(--accent);
  }

  /* Tagline - shorter, more punch */
  .hero-tagline {
    font-family: 'Rajdhani', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: clamp(17px, 1.5vw, 20px);
    color: var(--text-soft);
    line-height: 1.5;
    max-width: 540px;
    margin-bottom: 32px;
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.8s var(--ease-out) 0.55s forwards;
  }
  .hero-tagline strong { color: var(--text); font-weight: 600; }
  .hero-tagline .accent { color: var(--accent); font-weight: 600; }

  /* Numbered MODES list — editorial feel */
  .hero-modes {
    list-style: none;
    margin-bottom: 36px;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.8s var(--ease-out) 0.7s forwards;
  }
  .hero-modes li {
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
    transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .hero-modes a {
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 16px;
    padding: 14px 4px;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    color: var(--text);
    transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
    position: relative;
  }
  .hero-modes a::before {
    content: ''; position: absolute;
    left: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0;
    width: 3px;
    background: var(--accent);
    transform: scaleY(0);
    transform-origin: bottom;
    transition: transform 0.3s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .hero-modes a:hover { padding-left: 16px; color: var(--accent); }
  .hero-modes a:hover::before { transform: scaleY(1); }
  .hero-modes .num {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 12px;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--accent);
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    min-width: 32px;
  }
  .hero-modes .arrow {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 14px;
    color: var(--text-muted);
  }
  .hero-modes .label {
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 15px;
    letter-spacing: 3px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    flex: 1;
  }
  .hero-modes .sub {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 9px;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    font-weight: 400;
  }
  .hero-modes .icon-btn {
    width: 30px; height: 30px;
    border: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
    background: transparent;
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .hero-modes a:hover .icon-btn {
    background: var(--accent);
    border-color: var(--accent);
    color: var(--white);
  }
  .hero-modes .icon-btn svg { width: 12px; height: 12px; }

  .hero-ctas {
    display: flex; gap: 14px; flex-wrap: wrap;
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 0.8s var(--ease-out) 0.85s forwards;
  }

  /* -----------------------------------------------
     CHARACTER SLOT — 3D editorial deck
     ----------------------------------------------- */
  /* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════
     CHAR-SLOT v4 — 2-card stage (active + next preview).
     Tall narrow cards (Honkai laser-card proportions) that blend
     into the page instead of sitting on a solid "printed" slab.
     Fonts follow the site hierarchy (Orbitron for names, JetBrains
     Mono for brand marks, Caveat italic only for the tagline line).
     ═══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
  .char-slot {
    position: relative;
    /* aspect-ratio is the height-lock — at any column width the slot keeps
       this 5:7 portrait shape, so cards never collapse to square when the
       viewport narrows. Width comes from the grid; height is derived. */
    aspect-ratio: 5 / 7;
    max-height: 820px;
    overflow: visible;
    opacity: 0; animation: fadeUp 1.2s var(--ease-out) 0.5s forwards;
    background: transparent;
  }

  /* Soft ambient glow behind the cards — no solid rectangle, just a
     radial wash in the active accent so the stage blends with the page. */
  .char-slot-bg {
    position: absolute;
    inset: -30px -30px -60px -30px;
    background:
      radial-gradient(ellipse 65% 55% at 35% 50%,
        color-mix(in srgb, var(--slot-accent, var(--mystic)) 22%, transparent) 0%,
        transparent 70%);
    z-index: 0;
    pointer-events: none;
    transition: background 1.1s var(--ease-out);
    filter: blur(6px);
  }

  /* Brand mark — micro row, top */
  .char-brand {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: center;
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px;
    letter-spacing: 4px;
    color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--text-muted) 80%, transparent);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    z-index: 4;
    padding: 0 4px 14px;
    border-bottom: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--border-strong) 70%, transparent);
  }
  .char-brand-idx {
    color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--slot-accent, var(--mystic)) 80%, transparent);
    font-weight: 700;
  }

  /* Stage holds the cards in 2 slots (left = active, right = next) */
  .char-stage {
    position: absolute;
    top: 40px; bottom: 42px; left: 0; right: 0;
    z-index: 2;
  }

  /* ═ Per-character accent ═ */
  .char-card[data-accent="phantom"]  { --card-accent: #FF1744; }
  .char-card[data-accent="urban"]    { --card-accent: #FF6D00; }
  .char-card[data-accent="royal"]    { --card-accent: #D4AF37; }
  .char-card[data-accent="celestia"] { --card-accent: #A855F7; }
  .char-card[data-accent="surreals"] { --card-accent: #E8304A; }

  /* All cards share the SAME layout box (64% width, left-anchored).
     Position + size per state come from a single transform only —
     translateX + scale — so transitions stay smooth with one easing
     curve and no multi-property racing. */
  .char-card {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 66%;                            /* active slot — slightly trimmed per feedback */
    opacity: 0;
    /* Idle (off-screen-right) sits the same distance past .next as .active
       sits before .next. That symmetry is what makes the click-swap feel
       smooth: prev / active / new-next all travel the same % of card width
       in the SAME direction over the SAME duration. */
    transform: translate3d(204%, 0, 0) scale(0.82);
    transform-origin: left center;
    filter: blur(8px);
    pointer-events: none;
    overflow: hidden;
    background: transparent;
    border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 40%, transparent);
    will-change: transform, opacity, filter;
    backface-visibility: hidden;
    -webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;
    /* easeOutExpo curve — fast leading edge so the click response is felt
       on frame 1, no soft "kick-off" pause that read as a stuck middle
       phase. 0.65s keeps the swap snappy without rushing the settle. */
    transition:
      transform 0.65s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1),
      opacity 0.65s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1),
      filter 0.65s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1),
      border-color 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1),
      box-shadow 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
    --card-accent: var(--mystic, #A855F7);
  }

  /* ACTIVE = anchored at left, full 64% width, fully opaque */
  .char-card.active {
    transform: translate3d(0, 0, 0) scale(1);
    opacity: 1;
    filter: blur(0);
    z-index: 3;
    pointer-events: auto;
    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 80%, transparent);
    box-shadow:
      0 30px 60px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45),
      0 0 46px color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 26%, transparent);
  }

  /* Hover on active card = subtle zoom + slightly stronger glow. Beams run
     on their own loop continuously, so hover doesn't need to trigger them. */
  .char-card.active:hover {
    transform: translate3d(0, 0, 0) scale(1.025);
    border-color: var(--card-accent);
    box-shadow:
      0 36px 72px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5),
      0 0 56px color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 35%, transparent);
  }
  .char-card.active:hover .char-image {
    filter: brightness(1.04) saturate(1.06);
  }

  /* Edge beams — two narrow accent-colored "scan lines" that travel along
     the card borders on hover. Right edge falls (top → bottom), then left
     edge rises (bottom → top). They alternate via animation-delay so only
     one beam is visible at a time. Lives on dedicated <span> children
     (rendered by renderCard) so the card's ::before / ::after pseudos stay
     reserved for the dark text anchor + (future) other layout chrome. */
  .char-beam {
    position: absolute;
    width: 2px;
    height: 28%;
    pointer-events: none;
    opacity: 0;
    z-index: 5;
    box-shadow:
      0 0 8px var(--card-accent),
      0 0 18px color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 70%, transparent);
  }
  .char-beam-r {
    right: 0;
    top: -28%;
    background: linear-gradient(180deg,
      transparent 0%,
      var(--card-accent) 50%,
      transparent 100%);
  }
  .char-beam-l {
    left: 0;
    bottom: -28%;
    background: linear-gradient(0deg,
      transparent 0%,
      var(--card-accent) 50%,
      transparent 100%);
  }
  /* Beams run continuously on the active card (no hover trigger needed).
     They hand off so only one beam is visible at a time — total cycle 3.6s. */
  .char-card.active .char-beam-r {
    animation: beam-fall 3.6s cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.5, 1) infinite;
  }
  .char-card.active .char-beam-l {
    animation: beam-rise 3.6s cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.5, 1) infinite 1.8s;
  }
  @keyframes beam-fall {
    0%        { top: -30%;  opacity: 0; }
    8%        { opacity: 1; }
    42%       { opacity: 1; }
    50%       { top: 102%;  opacity: 0; }
    50.01%, 100% { top: 102%; opacity: 0; }
  }
  @keyframes beam-rise {
    0%        { bottom: -30%;  opacity: 0; }
    8%        { opacity: 1; }
    42%       { opacity: 1; }
    50%       { bottom: 102%;  opacity: 0; }
    50.01%, 100% { bottom: 102%; opacity: 0; }
  }

  /* NEXT = right slot. Scale 0.80 of the 66% card width = ~53% visible.
     translate3d(102%, 0, 0) drops its left edge just past the active
     card's right edge with a small gap. */
  .char-card.next {
    transform: translate3d(102%, 0, 0) scale(0.80);
    opacity: 0.5;
    filter: blur(2.5px) saturate(0.7);
    z-index: 2;
    pointer-events: auto;
    cursor: pointer;
    border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 30%, transparent);
    box-shadow: 0 18px 36px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.30);
  }
  .char-card.next:hover {
    opacity: 0.72;
    filter: blur(1.5px) saturate(0.85);
  }

  /* PREV = slides fully out to the left at the SAME 102% distance the
     active card just traveled in. Symmetric exit / entry kills the
     "Right→Left feels faster than Left→Right" stutter. */
  .char-card.prev {
    transform: translate3d(-102%, 0, 0) scale(0.82);
    opacity: 0;
    filter: blur(8px);
    pointer-events: none;
    z-index: 1;
  }

  /* Hide the info block (name + tagline + accent bar) on the NEXT card.
     Name only reveals once the card becomes ACTIVE — with a delay so the
     text lands AFTER the card finishes moving into position. */
  .char-card.next .char-info { opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; transition: opacity 0.35s cubic-bezier(0.65, 0, 0.25, 1); }
  .char-card.active .char-info { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 0.45s cubic-bezier(0.65, 0, 0.25, 1) 0.4s; }

  /* Status badge — top-right of each card, links to Mods (or custom link).
     COLOR follows the per-card accent so a gold card never has a purple
     badge — they read as one unit. STATUS is communicated by the dot's
     animation (pulsing on On-Air, static on Draft, slow blink on
     Classified) plus the label text, not the color. */
  .char-status {
    position: absolute;
    top: 14px; right: 14px;
    z-index: 5;
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 6px;
    padding: 4px 10px;
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 9px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 2.5px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg) 72%, transparent);
    backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
    border: 1px solid currentColor;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: var(--card-accent);          /* always sync with card */
    border-radius: 2px;
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(-4px);
    transition: opacity 0.4s var(--ease-out), transform 0.4s var(--ease-out), background 0.2s;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .char-status-dot {
    width: 6px; height: 6px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: currentColor;
    box-shadow: 0 0 6px currentColor;
  }
  /* All three variants now share the card's accent color. Differentiation is
     animation-based, not color-based. */
  .char-status--onair      .char-status-dot { animation: status-onair-pulse 1.6s ease-in-out infinite; }
  .char-status--draft      .char-status-dot { animation: none; opacity: 0.55; }
  .char-status--classified .char-status-dot { animation: status-classified-blink 1.2s steps(2) infinite; }

  @keyframes status-onair-pulse {
    0%, 100% { opacity: 1;   transform: scale(1); }
    50%      { opacity: 0.4; transform: scale(0.7); }
  }
  @keyframes status-classified-blink {
    0%, 49%   { opacity: 1; }
    50%, 100% { opacity: 0.3; }
  }
  /* Subtle visual extras to keep states readable without color */
  .char-status--draft {
    border-style: dashed;             /* dashed border for unreleased work */
  }
  .char-status--classified::before {
    content: '⚠';
    margin-right: 4px;
    font-size: 10px;
  }

  .char-card.active .char-status {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
    pointer-events: auto;
    transition: opacity 0.4s var(--ease-out) 0.4s, transform 0.4s var(--ease-out) 0.4s;
  }
  .char-status:hover {
    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg) 50%, transparent);
    box-shadow: 0 0 14px color-mix(in srgb, currentColor 55%, transparent);
  }
  /* Pulse dot on the public badge to read as "live" */
  /* (legacy --public class kept for back-compat) */
  .char-status--public .char-status-dot {
    animation: status-onair-pulse 1.6s ease-in-out infinite;
  }

  /* Portrait fills card with a bottom fade into the name plaque.
     Promoted to its own GPU layer so its ken-burns scale doesn't fight
     the parent card's scale during a carousel transition. */
  .char-image {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%; height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    object-position: center 20%;
    z-index: 1;
    will-change: transform, filter;
    transform: translateZ(0);
    -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg,
      #000 0%, #000 62%, rgba(0,0,0,0.6) 80%, transparent 100%);
            mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg,
      #000 0%, #000 62%, rgba(0,0,0,0.6) 80%, transparent 100%);
  }
  .char-card.active .char-image {
    animation: ken-burns 16s ease-in-out infinite alternate;
  }
  @keyframes ken-burns {
    0%   { transform: scale(1) translateY(0); }
    100% { transform: scale(1.06) translateY(-4px); }
  }

  /* Dark anchor behind the info block — sits INSIDE the card so text stays
     legible on both light + dark themes regardless of what's in the portrait
     at that height. Rendered as a pseudo on .char-card. */
  .char-card::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
    height: 45%;
    background: linear-gradient(180deg,
      transparent 0%,
      rgba(10, 10, 18, 0.35) 35%,
      rgba(5, 5, 10, 0.88) 85%,
      rgba(5, 5, 10, 0.96) 100%);
    z-index: 2;
    pointer-events: none;
  }

  /* Info plaque at the bottom of each card */
  .char-info {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 22px; left: 20px; right: 20px;
    z-index: 3;
    text-align: center;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .char-tagline {
    font-family: 'Caveat', cursive;
    font-weight: 600;
    font-size: clamp(15px, 1.3vw, 19px);
    line-height: 1.1;
    color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 80%, #fff 20%);
    text-shadow: 0 0 16px color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 30%, transparent);
    margin-bottom: 8px;
    letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    opacity: 0.95;
    font-style: italic;
  }
  .char-name-row {
    /* Orbitron matches the rest of the site's signature typography
       (Surreals title, Mods cards, team-name badges). */
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: clamp(18px, 1.8vw, 22px);
    line-height: 1;
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    color: #fff;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin: 0;
    text-shadow:
      0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8),
      0 0 22px color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 40%, transparent);
  }
  /* Subtle bottom accent bar under the name — ties into the card border */
  .char-info::after {
    content: '';
    display: block;
    width: 38px;
    height: 2px;
    margin: 10px auto 0;
    background: var(--card-accent);
    box-shadow: 0 0 10px color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 60%, transparent);
  }

  /* Tag chips — admin-editable list rendered below the name on active card.
     Wraps if the user adds 3-4 tags. Color follows the card accent. */
  .char-tags {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 5px;
    margin-top: 12px;
  }
  .char-tags span {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 8.5px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 1.8px;
    padding: 3px 7px;
    color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 80%, #fff 20%);
    border: 1px solid color-mix(in srgb, var(--card-accent) 45%, transparent);
    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg) 50%, transparent);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    border-radius: 2px;
  }
  /* .char-card.next hides info via the earlier rule at the top of this section */

  .char-dots {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: -28px; left: 50%;
    transform: translateX(-50%);
    display: flex; gap: 8px;
    z-index: 10;
  }
  .char-dot {
    position: relative;
    width: 34px; height: 3px;
    background: var(--border-strong);
    transition: width 0.4s var(--ease-out);
    cursor: pointer;
    border: none; padding: 0;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .char-dot::after {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mystic), var(--accent));
    transform: scaleX(0);
    transform-origin: left;
  }
  .char-dot.active {
    width: 56px;
    box-shadow: 0 0 10px color-mix(in srgb, var(--mystic) 50%, transparent);
  }
  .char-dot.active::after {
    animation: dot-progress 5.5s linear forwards;
  }

  /* Active accent sync — dots + bg wash shift to per-card signature when the slot
     has data-active-accent set (JS mirrors this from the active .char-card). */
  .char-slot[data-active-accent="phantom"]  { --slot-accent: #FF1744; }
  .char-slot[data-active-accent="urban"]    { --slot-accent: #FF6D00; }
  .char-slot[data-active-accent="royal"]    { --slot-accent: #D4AF37; }
  .char-slot[data-active-accent="celestia"] { --slot-accent: #A855F7; }
  .char-slot[data-active-accent="surreals"] { --slot-accent: #E8304A; }
  .char-slot[data-active-accent] .char-dot.active {
    box-shadow: 0 0 12px color-mix(in srgb, var(--slot-accent, var(--mystic)) 65%, transparent);
  }
  .char-slot[data-active-accent] .char-dot.active::after {
    background: linear-gradient(90deg,
      var(--slot-accent, var(--mystic)),
      color-mix(in srgb, var(--slot-accent, var(--mystic)) 35%, #fff 20%));
  }
  /* Default .char-slot-bg already references --slot-accent; no override needed. */
  @keyframes dot-progress {
    0%   { transform: scaleX(0); }
    100% { transform: scaleX(1); }
  }

  /* -----------------------------------------------
     BOTTOM HERO STRIP — barcode + info
     ----------------------------------------------- */
  .hero-bottom-strip {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 3;
    padding: 20px 100px;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: auto 1fr auto auto;
    gap: 32px;
    align-items: center;
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px;
    letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--bg) 60%, transparent);
  }

  .barcode {
    display: flex;
    gap: 2px;
    height: 24px;
    align-items: center;
  }
  .barcode span {
    display: block;
    height: 100%;
    background: var(--text);
  }
  .barcode span:nth-child(1) { width: 2px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(2) { width: 1px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(3) { width: 3px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(4) { width: 1px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(5) { width: 2px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(6) { width: 1px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(7) { width: 4px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(8) { width: 1px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(9) { width: 2px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(10) { width: 1px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(11) { width: 3px; }
  .barcode span:nth-child(12) { width: 2px; }

  .hero-strip-info {
    display: flex; gap: 16px; align-items: center;
  }
  .hero-strip-info .sep { color: var(--accent); }
  .hero-strip-page {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    color: var(--text); font-weight: 700;
  }

  /* -----------------------------------------------
     CREDENTIALS STRIP
     ----------------------------------------------- */
  .credentials {
    padding: 50px 40px;
    border-top: 2px solid var(--text);
    border-bottom: 2px solid var(--text);
    background: var(--bg-alt);
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .credentials::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background: repeating-linear-gradient(
      -45deg,
      transparent, transparent 20px,
      var(--bg-subtle) 20px, var(--bg-subtle) 21px
    );
    opacity: 0.5;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .credentials-container {
    max-width: 1400px; margin: 0 auto;
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
    gap: 40px;
    position: relative;
  }
  .cred { text-align: left; padding: 0 20px; position: relative; }
  .cred:not(:last-child)::after {
    content: ''; position: absolute;
    right: -20px; top: 10%; bottom: 10%;
    width: 2px; background: var(--border-strong);
  }
  .cred-value {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: clamp(28px, 3vw, 40px);
    color: var(--accent);
    line-height: 1;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  }
  .cred-label {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    line-height: 1.5;
  }

  /* IDENTITY */
  .identity { background: var(--bg-alt); }
  .identity-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1.2fr;
    gap: 100px; align-items: start;
  }
  .identity-left { position: sticky; top: 140px; }
  .identity-right p {
    font-family: 'Rajdhani', sans-serif;
    font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.7;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    margin-bottom: 24px;
  }
  .identity-right p strong { color: var(--text); font-weight: 600; }
  .identity-right p .pop { color: var(--accent); font-weight: 600; }
  .identity-right p .gold {
    color: var(--glow); font-weight: 600;
    text-shadow: 0 0 20px var(--glow-bg);
  }
  .identity-right p .mystic-text {
    color: var(--mystic); font-weight: 600;
    text-shadow: 0 0 20px var(--mystic-bg);
  }

  /* SERVICES */
  .services-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 20px;
  }
  .service-card {
    background: var(--bg-card);
    border: 2px solid var(--border);
    padding: 44px 32px 36px;
    position: relative;
    transition: all 0.4s var(--ease-out);
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .service-card::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0;
    width: 0; height: 0;
    border-top: 40px solid var(--accent);
    border-left: 40px solid transparent;
    opacity: 0;
    transition: opacity 0.4s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .service-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-6px);
    border-color: var(--border-strong);
    box-shadow: var(--shadow-elevated);
  }
  .service-card:hover::before { opacity: 1; }
  .service-card[data-mystic]::before { border-top-color: var(--mystic); }
  .service-card[data-mystic]:hover { box-shadow: var(--shadow-mystic); }

  .service-num {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-size: 11px; font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--accent);
    letter-spacing: 4px;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px;
  }
  .service-num::after {
    content: ''; height: 2px; flex: 1;
    background: var(--border-strong);
  }
  .service-card[data-mystic] .service-num { color: var(--mystic); }

  .service-title {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 24px;
    margin-bottom: 18px;
    line-height: 1.15;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  }
  .service-desc {
    font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    margin-bottom: 32px;
    font-family: 'Rajdhani', sans-serif;
  }
  .service-meta {
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between;
    padding-top: 22px;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    gap: 12px;
  }
  .service-price {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 700; font-size: 16px;
    color: var(--text); letter-spacing: 1px;
  }
  .service-price span {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 9px; color: var(--text-muted);
    letter-spacing: 2px; font-weight: 400;
    display: block; margin-top: 4px;
    text-transform: uppercase;
  }
  .service-link {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--accent);
    text-decoration: none;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px;
    transition: gap 0.3s var(--ease-out);
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }
  .service-card[data-mystic] .service-link { color: var(--mystic); }
  .service-link:hover { gap: 12px; }

  /* FEATURED WORK */
  .work-header {
    display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: end;
    margin-bottom: 72px; gap: 40px; flex-wrap: wrap;
  }
  .work-header .text { flex: 1; min-width: 300px; max-width: 680px; }
  .work-header .section-lead { margin-bottom: 0; }
  .work-all {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--text); text-decoration: none;
    text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700;
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
    padding: 14px 22px;
    border: 2px solid var(--text);
    transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .work-all:hover {
    background: var(--accent); color: var(--white);
    border-color: var(--accent);
    gap: 16px;
    box-shadow: var(--shadow-pop);
  }

  .work-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr);
    gap: 16px;
  }
  .work-item {
    position: relative;
    aspect-ratio: 3/4;
    overflow: hidden;
    cursor: pointer;
    background: var(--bg-card);
    border: 2px solid var(--border);
    transition: all 0.4s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .work-item:nth-child(1) { grid-column: span 5; aspect-ratio: 4/5; }
  .work-item:nth-child(2) { grid-column: span 4; }
  .work-item:nth-child(3) { grid-column: span 3; }
  .work-item:nth-child(4) { grid-column: span 6; aspect-ratio: 16/10; }
  .work-item:nth-child(5) { grid-column: span 6; aspect-ratio: 16/10; }
  .work-item:hover {
    border-color: var(--border-strong);
    transform: translateY(-4px);
    box-shadow: var(--shadow-elevated);
  }

  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .work-item, .work-item:nth-child(n) { grid-column: span 12; aspect-ratio: 4/3; }
  }

  .work-image {
    width: 100%; height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    transition: transform 0.8s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .work-item:hover .work-image { transform: scale(1.05); }
  .work-overlay {
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background: linear-gradient(0deg,
      color-mix(in srgb, var(--obsidian) 95%, transparent) 0%,
      transparent 55%);
    opacity: 0;
    transition: opacity 0.4s var(--ease-out);
    display: flex; flex-direction: column; justify-content: flex-end;
    padding: 28px;
    color: var(--white);
  }
  .work-item:hover .work-overlay { opacity: 1; }
  .work-category {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--gold);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    font-weight: 700;
  }
  .work-name {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: 22px;
    line-height: 1.15;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  }

  /* -----------------------------------------------
     CTA FINAL (brand close)
     ----------------------------------------------- */
  .cta-final {
    text-align: center;
    padding: 140px 40px 100px;
    position: relative;
    background: var(--bg-alt);
    border-top: 2px solid var(--border);
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .cta-final::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute; inset: 0;
    background:
      radial-gradient(circle at 30% 30%, rgba(255,23,68,0.08) 0%, transparent 50%),
      radial-gradient(circle at 70% 70%, var(--mystic-bg) 0%, transparent 50%);
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .cta-final-inner {
    position: relative; z-index: 1;
    max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto;
  }
  .cta-final-title {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: clamp(36px, 6vw, 76px);
    line-height: 1.0;
    letter-spacing: -0.02em;
    margin-bottom: 28px;
  }
  .cta-final-title .pop {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--glow) 0%, var(--accent) 100%);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
  }
  .cta-final-sub {
    font-family: 'Rajdhani', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 18px;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    max-width: 580px;
    margin: 0 auto;
  }

  /* -----------------------------------------------
     CONTACT SECTION — NEW
     ----------------------------------------------- */
  .contact {
    padding: 140px 40px;
    position: relative;
    border-top: 2px solid var(--text);
    background: var(--bg);
  }
  .contact-container {
    max-width: 1000px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 80px;
    align-items: start;
  }
  .contact-left {
    position: sticky;
    top: 120px;
  }
  .contact-title {
    font-family: 'Big Shoulders Display', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 900;
    font-size: clamp(64px, 10vw, 140px);
    line-height: 0.85;
    letter-spacing: -0.025em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
  }
  .contact-title .pop {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--glow) 0%, var(--accent) 100%);
    -webkit-background-clip: text;
    background-clip: text;
    -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
  }
  .contact-lead {
    font-family: 'Rajdhani', sans-serif;
    font-size: 18px;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    line-height: 1.6;
    max-width: 380px;
  }

  .contact-right {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 32px;
  }
  .contact-block {
    padding: 24px 0;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  }
  .contact-block:first-child { padding-top: 0; }
  .contact-label {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 3px;
    color: var(--text-muted);
    text-transform: uppercase;
    font-weight: 700;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
  }
  .contact-label::before {
    content: ''; width: 20px; height: 1px; background: var(--accent);
  }
  .contact-value {
    font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: clamp(20px, 2vw, 26px);
    letter-spacing: 0.5px;
    color: var(--text);
    text-decoration: none;
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 12px;
    transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .contact-value:hover {
    color: var(--accent);
    gap: 18px;
  }
  .contact-value svg {
    width: 18px; height: 18px;
    transition: transform 0.3s var(--ease-out);
  }
  .contact-value:hover svg { transform: translateX(4px); }

  .contact-note {
    font-family: 'Rajdhani', sans-serif;
    font-size: 15px;
    color: var(--text-soft);
    margin-top: 8px;
    line-height: 1.5;
  }
  .contact-note strong { color: var(--accent); font-weight: 600; }

  .contact-socials {
    display: flex;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 12px;
    margin-top: 8px;
  }
  .contact-social {
    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
    font-size: 10px;
    letter-spacing: 2px;
    color: var(--text);
    text-decoration: none;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    padding: 10px 16px;
    border: 1px solid var(--border-strong);
    transition: all 0.3s var(--ease-out);
    font-weight: 700;
  }
  .contact-social:hover {
    background: var(--accent);
    color: var(--white);
    border-color: var(--accent);
    transform: translateY(-2px);
  }

  /* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════
     RESPONSIVE (HOME ONLY) — MUST BE LAST
     ═══════════════════════════════════════════════ */
  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .hero-edge-left, .hero-edge-right { display: none; }
    .hero-top-strip, .hero-bottom-strip { padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; }
    .hero-container {
      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
      gap: 32px;
      padding: 40px 20px 60px;
    }
    /* Mobile reorder — char-slot sits AFTER the tagline (between the
       pipeline-pitch paragraph and the numbered modes/CTAs). Achieved
       by giving .hero-content display:contents so its children become
       direct grid items of .hero-container, then assigning explicit
       orders so the carousel can land mid-sequence. */
    .hero-content { display: contents; }
    .hero-meta     { order: 1; }
    .hero-title    { order: 2; }
    .hero-subtitle { order: 3; }
    .hero-tagline  { order: 4; }
    .char-slot     { order: 5; max-width: 480px; width: 100%; margin: 8px auto 4px; aspect-ratio: 5 / 7; }
    .hero-modes    { order: 6; }
    .hero-ctas     { order: 7; }
    .hero-title { font-size: clamp(56px, 14vw, 96px); }
    .credentials { padding: 30px 20px; }
    .credentials-container { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 30px; }
    .cred:nth-child(2)::after { display: none; }
    .identity-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 40px; }
    .identity-left { position: static; }
    .services-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .contact { padding: 80px 20px; }
    .contact-container { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 40px; }
    .contact-left { position: static; }
  }
  /* Phone (≤480px): show only ONE card — two tall cards get too cramped.
     Hide the .next preview card and let the active one fill the stage. */
  @media (max-width: 480px) {
    .char-slot { max-width: 320px; aspect-ratio: 3 / 4.2; }
    .char-card.active { width: 100%; }
    .char-card.next   { display: none; }
    .hero-container { padding: 28px 16px 48px; gap: 24px; }
    .hero-title { font-size: clamp(48px, 13vw, 72px); }
  }