diff --git a/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-gameplay.json b/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-gameplay.json
index 32c43981..ae4fba33 100644
--- a/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-gameplay.json
+++ b/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-gameplay.json
@@ -710,28 +710,28 @@
   "inputs": [],
   "outputs": [
     {
-      "id": "15ecf58a-8fed-4aac-be58-ae43827fcc79",
+      "id": "d505505c-f22f-4d6c-97d5-cfc05d9c41e4",
       "name": "fn",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "function"
     },
     {
-      "id": "30586a55-e9e1-4b8b-9554-826f69abc196",
+      "id": "3b9e471a-c4ba-43e9-ab2a-829f21fe3434",
       "name": "name",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "str"
     },
     {
-      "id": "87b6031d-5d53-4397-b38c-5d9ee70a18b3",
+      "id": "5ad79ca7-370e-442b-a670-bfd9bcb38958",
       "name": "allow_multiple_calls",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "bool"
     },
     {
-      "id": "da949bec-6c74-4503-87d2-d78ce63572f5",
+      "id": "712b4cac-5fe5-42a8-aa1d-fa3caa50ba12",
       "name": "ai_callback",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
diff --git a/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-prompt-user.json b/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-prompt-user.json
index 5385f77d..a1d7c2e6 100644
--- a/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-prompt-user.json
+++ b/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-prompt-user.json
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
   "title": "Director Action Prompt User",
   "id": "a267dbcc-f7fe-4345-8de9-6aebea907975",
   "properties": {
-    "name": "prompt_user",
-    "description": "Use this action to request information from the user within the story's context.\n\nYou may only do ONE, SINGLE prompt, don't attempt to initiate multiple prompts with this at once.\n\nThis action will cause an interactive user interface to be presented to the user.\n\nUse this action with great care and thought and consider the context of the overall experience before prompting the user for anything. Consider this a disruptive action.\n\nIMPORTANT: This action only serves to retrieve information from the user, it NEVER makes any changes by itself. \n\nIMPORTANT: If you use this this should be the last action in your turn, wait for the players response, THEN act on it in the next turn."
+    "name": "ooc",
+    "description": "Interface for out of character communication with the user while remaining within the context of the scene."
   },
   "x": 0,
   "y": 0,
@@ -107,27 +107,6 @@
       "registry": "state/GetState",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
-    "955f2ce0-83eb-4b84-8666-a1cfb6b6da50": {
-      "title": "Jinja2 Format",
-      "id": "955f2ce0-83eb-4b84-8666-a1cfb6b6da50",
-      "properties": {
-        "template": "Your task is to prompt the user for some information. Carefully assess if this prompt should be formulated within the context of the current scene or as an out-of-character prompt.\n\nInstructions for the prompt: {{ instructions }}"
-      },
-      "x": 288,
-      "y": 469,
-      "width": 210,
-      "height": 133,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
-      "dynamic_inputs": [
-        {
-          "name": "item0",
-          "type": "*"
-        }
-      ],
-      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
-    },
     "d163e0ae-cafd-4ce3-a2d6-ee8c8e339af1": {
       "title": "Build Prompt",
       "id": "d163e0ae-cafd-4ce3-a2d6-ee8c8e339af1",
@@ -165,8 +144,8 @@
       "properties": {
         "value": true
       },
-      "x": -1924,
-      "y": 304,
+      "x": -2808,
+      "y": 257,
       "width": 210,
       "height": 58,
       "collapsed": true,
@@ -174,22 +153,6 @@
       "registry": "core/MakeBool",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
-    "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b": {
-      "title": "Style UX Element",
-      "id": "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b",
-      "properties": {
-        "tint": "muted",
-        "icon": "mdi-text-box-edit-outline"
-      },
-      "x": -1384,
-      "y": 474,
-      "width": 210,
-      "height": 142,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "ux/StyleElement",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
     "9bdb2584-c070-4558-a732-16e3cd09b85e": {
       "title": "prompt_body",
       "id": "9bdb2584-c070-4558-a732-16e3cd09b85e",
@@ -198,8 +161,8 @@
         "typ": "str",
         "instructions": "The text shown to the user, verbatim."
       },
-      "x": -2040,
-      "y": 549,
+      "x": -2924,
+      "y": 502,
       "width": 210,
       "height": 106,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -207,29 +170,6 @@
       "registry": "focal/Argument",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
-    "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56": {
-      "title": "Build Text Input Element",
-      "id": "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56",
-      "properties": {
-        "closable": true,
-        "timeout_seconds": 0,
-        "element_title": "",
-        "element_body": "",
-        "multiline": false,
-        "rows": 5,
-        "placeholder": "",
-        "default": "",
-        "trim": true
-      },
-      "x": -1694,
-      "y": 424,
-      "width": 262,
-      "height": 490,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "ux/BuildTextInputElement",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
     "242f3380-d1b6-4170-9c5b-21634f1b8f9d": {
       "title": "prompt_title",
       "id": "242f3380-d1b6-4170-9c5b-21634f1b8f9d",
@@ -238,8 +178,8 @@
         "typ": "str",
         "instructions": "The title of the interaction."
       },
-      "x": -2044,
-      "y": 389,
+      "x": -2928,
+      "y": 342,
       "width": 210,
       "height": 106,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -247,47 +187,6 @@
       "registry": "focal/Argument",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
-    "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144": {
-      "title": "Emit UX Element",
-      "id": "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144",
-      "properties": {},
-      "x": -1144,
-      "y": 469,
-      "width": 178,
-      "height": 146,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "ux/EmitElement",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
-    "423070a1-2204-4427-bc47-c052d56baeca": {
-      "title": "Return",
-      "id": "423070a1-2204-4427-bc47-c052d56baeca",
-      "properties": {},
-      "x": -695,
-      "y": 467,
-      "width": 140,
-      "height": 26,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "core/functions/Return",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
-    "0e950f22-b247-47eb-9ce9-3e3134c153e1": {
-      "title": "DEF prompt_text_input",
-      "id": "0e950f22-b247-47eb-9ce9-3e3134c153e1",
-      "properties": {
-        "name": "prompt_text_input"
-      },
-      "x": -245,
-      "y": 467,
-      "width": 210,
-      "height": 78,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "core/functions/DefineFunction",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
     "eab694a2-a84f-475e-aa3b-8fd454813cd3": {
       "title": "multiline",
       "id": "eab694a2-a84f-475e-aa3b-8fd454813cd3",
@@ -296,8 +195,8 @@
         "typ": "bool",
         "instructions": "Should the input field presented to the user be a multiline text input, or a single line one."
       },
-      "x": -2040,
-      "y": 709,
+      "x": -2924,
+      "y": 662,
       "width": 210,
       "height": 106,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -313,8 +212,8 @@
         "typ": "bool",
         "instructions": "Is the input required? If the input is not required it means the user is allowed to cancel / omit giving a response."
       },
-      "x": -2040,
-      "y": 880,
+      "x": -2924,
+      "y": 833,
       "width": 210,
       "height": 106,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -326,8 +225,8 @@
       "title": "Invert",
       "id": "04acc72f-40ff-4913-8f2f-a9ebfaf0019a",
       "properties": {},
-      "x": -1820,
-      "y": 890,
+      "x": -2704,
+      "y": 843,
       "width": 140,
       "height": 26,
       "collapsed": true,
@@ -355,86 +254,18 @@
       "id": "997bd245-3b62-4370-b5d5-2ec4846454f5",
       "properties": {
         "name": "my_function",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": false
+        "allow_multiple_calls": false,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 430,
       "y": 1200,
       "width": 210,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
-    "0b78d909-8dd3-4249-85a8-abb0a0d61bc2": {
-      "title": "List Collector",
-      "id": "0b78d909-8dd3-4249-85a8-abb0a0d61bc2",
-      "properties": {},
-      "x": 1010,
-      "y": 1200,
-      "width": 140,
-      "height": 81,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "data/ListCollector",
-      "dynamic_inputs": [
-        {
-          "name": "item0",
-          "type": "*"
-        }
-      ],
-      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
-    },
-    "067e02fc-742c-41da-9373-8e04cf7140e1": {
-      "title": "AI Function Callback Metadata",
-      "id": "067e02fc-742c-41da-9373-8e04cf7140e1",
-      "properties": {
-        "instructions": "Prompt the user for plain-text input.",
-        "examples": [
-          {
-            "prompt_title": "What do you do next?",
-            "prompt_body": "As the troll falls ot the ground, everything is silent around you. The door ahead remains closed. What do you do next?",
-            "multiline": false,
-            "required": false
-          },
-          {
-            "prompt_title": "Create your character",
-            "prompt_body": "The docking clamps release with a hiss, and you step onto Relay Station Kappa-7\u2014a spinning can of recycled air and borrowed time at the edge of mapped space. The promenade hums with traders haggling over salvage, synths running cargo, and the occasional enforcer pretending not to watch.\n\nBefore the station decides what you're worth, I need to know who just came through that airlock.\n\nSmuggler with a ship held together by duct tape and optimism? Corporate defector with data worth killing for? Maybe just a mechanic looking for honest work in a place that doesn't offer much of it?\n\nGive me a name, a role, or just a vibe. The rest we'll figure out together.\n\nWho just arrived?",
-            "multiline": true,
-            "required": true
-          }
-        ]
-      },
-      "x": -515,
-      "y": 467,
-      "width": 244,
-      "height": 82,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "focal/Metadata",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
-    "5ea20fc9-ba46-4d08-aae3-26dac00c174d": {
-      "title": "Jinja2 Format",
-      "id": "5ea20fc9-ba46-4d08-aae3-26dac00c174d",
-      "properties": {
-        "template": "The user has reponded to the \"{{ prompt_title }}\" prompt:\n\n```\n{{ value }}\n```"
-      },
-      "x": -935,
-      "y": 467,
-      "width": 210,
-      "height": 133,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
-      "dynamic_inputs": [
-        {
-          "name": "item0",
-          "type": "*"
-        }
-      ],
-      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
-    },
     "d9f85143-26c2-46af-a9d8-d681a1a135f0": {
       "title": "AI Function Calling",
       "id": "d9f85143-26c2-46af-a9d8-d681a1a135f0",
@@ -442,12 +273,13 @@
         "template": null,
         "max_calls": 1,
         "retries": 0,
-        "response_length": 1024
+        "response_length": 1024,
+        "max_concurrent": 3
       },
       "x": 1200,
       "y": 1011,
       "width": 228,
-      "height": 250,
+      "height": 274,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Focal",
@@ -491,8 +323,8 @@
         "name": "calls",
         "scope": "local"
       },
-      "x": 29,
-      "y": 1829,
+      "x": 35,
+      "y": 2047,
       "width": 210,
       "height": 122,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -504,8 +336,8 @@
       "title": "Director Action Summary",
       "id": "9703e945-dc0e-4dee-8e21-f460520f86cd",
       "properties": {},
-      "x": 279,
-      "y": 1849,
+      "x": 285,
+      "y": 2067,
       "width": 193,
       "height": 26,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -517,8 +349,8 @@
       "title": "Return",
       "id": "7c308f87-38fb-4e70-88d9-b9947940dd73",
       "properties": {},
-      "x": 529,
-      "y": 1849,
+      "x": 535,
+      "y": 2067,
       "width": 140,
       "height": 26,
       "collapsed": false,
@@ -526,15 +358,257 @@
       "registry": "core/functions/Return",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
+    "4887c772-efe0-493e-ab16-031aa549c50d": {
+      "title": "true",
+      "id": "4887c772-efe0-493e-ab16-031aa549c50d",
+      "properties": {
+        "value": true
+      },
+      "x": -2033,
+      "y": 1164,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 58,
+      "collapsed": true,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/MakeBool",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "9fa0388b-43dd-41ba-9696-d713abccf9f1": {
+      "title": "prompt_title",
+      "id": "9fa0388b-43dd-41ba-9696-d713abccf9f1",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": "prompt_title",
+        "typ": "str",
+        "instructions": "The title of the notice."
+      },
+      "x": -2140,
+      "y": 1249,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 106,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "focal/Argument",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "c0e8dd40-cae2-4d43-85dc-cb2680d4f821": {
+      "title": "prompt_body",
+      "id": "c0e8dd40-cae2-4d43-85dc-cb2680d4f821",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": "prompt_body",
+        "typ": "str",
+        "instructions": "The text shown to the user, verbatim."
+      },
+      "x": -2143,
+      "y": 1404,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 106,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "focal/Argument",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "d6854686-5fe2-40f7-8c09-74c51ba4c6d5": {
+      "title": "Return",
+      "id": "d6854686-5fe2-40f7-8c09-74c51ba4c6d5",
+      "properties": {},
+      "x": -691,
+      "y": 1212,
+      "width": 140,
+      "height": 26,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/functions/Return",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "ee9ad9b6-0e29-40a0-bd4a-42e9b4fec67a": {
+      "title": "Emit UX Element",
+      "id": "ee9ad9b6-0e29-40a0-bd4a-42e9b4fec67a",
+      "properties": {},
+      "x": -1191,
+      "y": 1218,
+      "width": 178,
+      "height": 146,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "ux/EmitElement",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd": {
+      "title": "Build Notice Element",
+      "id": "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd",
+      "properties": {
+        "closable": true,
+        "timeout_seconds": 0,
+        "element_title": "",
+        "element_body": ""
+      },
+      "x": -1831,
+      "y": 1308,
+      "width": 262,
+      "height": 270,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "ux/BuildNoticeElement",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "98dad7f7-b3cf-44ad-8425-960a23eb20eb": {
+      "title": "DEF display_notice",
+      "id": "98dad7f7-b3cf-44ad-8425-960a23eb20eb",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": "display_notice"
+      },
+      "x": -241,
+      "y": 1208,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 78,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/functions/DefineFunction",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "4736762f-dce3-43b3-9931-9fba70131200": {
+      "title": "Jinja2 Format",
+      "id": "4736762f-dce3-43b3-9931-9fba70131200",
+      "properties": {
+        "template": "Emitted note `{{ title }}` to user: \n\n```\n{{ body }}\n```"
+      },
+      "x": -951,
+      "y": 1368,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 193,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
+      "dynamic_inputs": [
+        {
+          "name": "item0",
+          "type": "*"
+        },
+        {
+          "name": "item1",
+          "type": "*"
+        },
+        {
+          "name": "item2",
+          "type": "*"
+        }
+      ],
+      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
+    },
+    "7557561f-71ad-4fe7-a542-8a5ef3d220f1": {
+      "title": "FN display_notice",
+      "id": "7557561f-71ad-4fe7-a542-8a5ef3d220f1",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": "display_notice"
+      },
+      "x": 170,
+      "y": 1500,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 78,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/functions/GetFunction",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "0b78d909-8dd3-4249-85a8-abb0a0d61bc2": {
+      "title": "List Collector",
+      "id": "0b78d909-8dd3-4249-85a8-abb0a0d61bc2",
+      "properties": {},
+      "x": 1020,
+      "y": 1400,
+      "width": 140,
+      "height": 101,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "data/ListCollector",
+      "dynamic_inputs": [
+        {
+          "name": "item0",
+          "type": "*"
+        },
+        {
+          "name": "item1",
+          "type": "*"
+        }
+      ],
+      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
+    },
+    "9ce32c23-d6e2-4685-8452-0d41cc1dbe50": {
+      "title": "AI Function Callback",
+      "id": "9ce32c23-d6e2-4685-8452-0d41cc1dbe50",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": "my_function",
+        "allow_multiple_calls": false,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
+      },
+      "x": 430,
+      "y": 1500,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 126,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "focal/Callback",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "3c3f31b0-d602-4edd-a8b7-7bcec18098f6": {
+      "title": "AI Function Callback Metadata",
+      "id": "3c3f31b0-d602-4edd-a8b7-7bcec18098f6",
+      "properties": {
+        "instructions": "Show an out-of-character note to the user \u2014 for example a loot summary after combat, a rules clarification, an acknowledgement, or a direct message from the gamemaster. This is one-way: the user does NOT reply and nothing is returned. Prefer this over `prompt_text_input` whenever you are not explicitly asking a question. Do NOT use this for in-character narration or dialogue.",
+        "examples": [
+          {
+            "prompt_title": "Loot Recovered",
+            "prompt_body": "You search the fallen bandits and recover:\n\n- 24 silver coins\n- A flask of lamp oil\n- A rolled parchment bearing the crest of House Vell (warm to the touch)\n- A slightly bent iron dagger\n\nThe parchment and dagger have been added to your inventory."
+          },
+          {
+            "prompt_title": "A note from the gamemaster",
+            "prompt_body": "Quick out-of-character aside: from here on I'll be leaning into slower, character-driven scenes for a while before we push the main plot forward. If there's a thread you'd like to pull on \u2014 an old rivalry, an unfinished errand, a quiet moment with a companion \u2014 feel free to steer toward it. Otherwise I'll keep improvising."
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "x": -511,
+      "y": 1212,
+      "width": 244,
+      "height": 82,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "focal/Metadata",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "1ca4b507-bf52-4c59-ad3d-1f6c22f75d7f": {
+      "title": "[User Interaction] Show Information",
+      "id": "1ca4b507-bf52-4c59-ad3d-1f6c22f75d7f",
+      "properties": {
+        "group": "User Interaction",
+        "action_id": "user_interaction.display_notice",
+        "action_title": "Show Information",
+        "description_chat": "Show an out-of-character note to the user \u2014 for example a loot summary after combat, a gamemaster aside, or a rules clarification. Do not use for in-character narration or when you need a response from the user.",
+        "description_scene_direction": "Show an out-of-character note to the user \u2014 for example a loot summary after combat, a gamemaster aside, or a rules clarification. Do not use for in-character narration or when you need a response from the user.",
+        "instruction_examples": [
+          "The fight with the cultists just ended. Show the user an out-of-character note listing the loot recovered from the bodies: 12 gold, two healing potions, and a strange obsidian amulet inscribed with an unknown rune. Make it clear these items are now in the party's inventory.",
+          "Break from narration briefly and address the user as the gamemaster. Let them know the next scene will skip forward by one week, and invite them to share anything their character would have done during that downtime before we pick up again."
+        ],
+        "availability": "both",
+        "force_enabled": false
+      },
+      "x": 680,
+      "y": 1500,
+      "width": 294,
+      "height": 246,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "agents/director/chat/DirectorChatSubAction",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
     "c412bc72-7d90-439b-b480-b7a8bb94c5b9": {
-      "title": "Director Chat Sub Action",
+      "title": "[User Interaction] Prompt for text input",
       "id": "c412bc72-7d90-439b-b480-b7a8bb94c5b9",
       "properties": {
         "group": "User Interaction",
         "action_id": "user_interaction.prompt_text",
         "action_title": "Prompt for text input",
         "description_chat": "",
-        "description_scene_direction": "",
+        "description_scene_direction": "Use this action to request information from the user within the story's context.\n\nYou may only do ONE, SINGLE prompt, don't attempt to initiate multiple prompts with this at once.\n\nThis action will cause an interactive user interface to be presented to the user.\n\nUse this action with great care and thought and consider the context of the overall experience before prompting the user for anything. Consider this a disruptive action.\n\nIMPORTANT: This action only serves to retrieve information from the user, it NEVER makes any changes by itself. \n\nIMPORTANT: If you use this this should be the last action in your turn, wait for the players response, THEN act on it in the next turn.\n\nIMPORTANT: You must never yield_to_user right after prompting them for information like this, that just disconnects you from doing anything with their answer.",
         "instruction_examples": [
           "The combat scene has ended, ask the user what they want to do next. The user is allowed to opt out of giving a response to this.",
           "The user still needs a character, prompt them provide any information they want to give to help set up a character for them."
@@ -544,12 +618,255 @@
       },
       "x": 680,
       "y": 1190,
-      "width": 281,
+      "width": 336,
       "height": 246,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "agents/director/chat/DirectorChatSubAction",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "955f2ce0-83eb-4b84-8666-a1cfb6b6da50": {
+      "title": "Jinja2 Format",
+      "id": "955f2ce0-83eb-4b84-8666-a1cfb6b6da50",
+      "properties": {
+        "template": "Your task is to address the user out-of-character by calling ONE of two functions.\n\nThe test: are you asking the user a question and waiting for their typed answer, or are you just telling them something?\n\n- Call `prompt_text_input` ONLY if you need the user to type a response back to you.\n- Call `display_notice` in all other cases \u2014 showing information, delivering a note, acknowledging an action, summarizing loot, etc.\n\nWhen in doubt, choose `display_notice`. Most out-of-character communication is one-way.\n\nInstructions: {{ instructions }}"
+      },
+      "x": 288,
+      "y": 469,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 153,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
+      "dynamic_inputs": [
+        {
+          "name": "item0",
+          "type": "*"
+        }
+      ],
+      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
+    },
+    "5ea20fc9-ba46-4d08-aae3-26dac00c174d": {
+      "title": "Jinja2 Format",
+      "id": "5ea20fc9-ba46-4d08-aae3-26dac00c174d",
+      "properties": {
+        "template": "The user has reponded to the \"{{ prompt_title }}\" prompt:\n\n```\n{{ value }}\n```"
+      },
+      "x": -1016,
+      "y": 419,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 173,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
+      "dynamic_inputs": [
+        {
+          "name": "item0",
+          "type": "*"
+        },
+        {
+          "name": "item1",
+          "type": "*"
+        }
+      ],
+      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
+    },
+    "423070a1-2204-4427-bc47-c052d56baeca": {
+      "title": "Return",
+      "id": "423070a1-2204-4427-bc47-c052d56baeca",
+      "properties": {},
+      "x": -766,
+      "y": 419,
+      "width": 140,
+      "height": 26,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/functions/Return",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "067e02fc-742c-41da-9373-8e04cf7140e1": {
+      "title": "AI Function Callback Metadata",
+      "id": "067e02fc-742c-41da-9373-8e04cf7140e1",
+      "properties": {
+        "instructions": "Ask the user a question and wait for their typed response. The user's reply will be returned to you and you can act on it next turn. Use this ONLY when you actually need information back from the user. If you are communicating something that does not require a reply, call `display_notice` instead.",
+        "examples": [
+          {
+            "prompt_title": "What do you do next?",
+            "prompt_body": "As the troll falls ot the ground, everything is silent around you. The door ahead remains closed. What do you do next?",
+            "multiline": false,
+            "required": false
+          },
+          {
+            "prompt_title": "Create your character",
+            "prompt_body": "The docking clamps release with a hiss, and you step onto Relay Station Kappa-7\u2014a spinning can of recycled air and borrowed time at the edge of mapped space. The promenade hums with traders haggling over salvage, synths running cargo, and the occasional enforcer pretending not to watch.\n\nBefore the station decides what you're worth, I need to know who just came through that airlock.\n\nSmuggler with a ship held together by duct tape and optimism? Corporate defector with data worth killing for? Maybe just a mechanic looking for honest work in a place that doesn't offer much of it?\n\nGive me a name, a role, or just a vibe. The rest we'll figure out together.\n\nWho just arrived?",
+            "multiline": true,
+            "required": true
+          }
+        ]
+      },
+      "x": -576,
+      "y": 419,
+      "width": 244,
+      "height": 82,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "focal/Metadata",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "0e950f22-b247-47eb-9ce9-3e3134c153e1": {
+      "title": "DEF prompt_text_input",
+      "id": "0e950f22-b247-47eb-9ce9-3e3134c153e1",
+      "properties": {
+        "name": "prompt_text_input"
+      },
+      "x": -290,
+      "y": 422,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 78,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/functions/DefineFunction",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56": {
+      "title": "Build Text Input Element",
+      "id": "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56",
+      "properties": {
+        "closable": true,
+        "timeout_seconds": 0,
+        "element_title": "",
+        "element_body": "",
+        "multiline": false,
+        "rows": 5,
+        "placeholder": "",
+        "default": "",
+        "trim": true
+      },
+      "x": -2578,
+      "y": 377,
+      "width": 262,
+      "height": 490,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "ux/BuildTextInputElement",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "3caa430c-2199-453c-b7f3-091d41f0d46d": {
+      "title": "Push History",
+      "id": "3caa430c-2199-453c-b7f3-091d41f0d46d",
+      "properties": {
+        "emit_message": true
+      },
+      "x": -1338,
+      "y": 834,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 58,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "scene/history/Push",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144": {
+      "title": "Emit UX Element",
+      "id": "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144",
+      "properties": {},
+      "x": -2014,
+      "y": 423,
+      "width": 178,
+      "height": 146,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "ux/EmitElement",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "57b2ef9a-3aaf-45aa-bf5a-1d25d9693bd2": {
+      "title": "RSwitch Advanced",
+      "id": "57b2ef9a-3aaf-45aa-bf5a-1d25d9693bd2",
+      "properties": {},
+      "x": -1570,
+      "y": 581,
+      "width": 156,
+      "height": 66,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "core/RSwitchAdvanced",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "956eac5c-aeca-4a91-8d08-b59a65febee5": {
+      "title": "Director Message",
+      "id": "956eac5c-aeca-4a91-8d08-b59a65febee5",
+      "properties": {
+        "source": "player",
+        "action": "user_direction",
+        "subtype": "user_direction"
+      },
+      "x": -1340,
+      "y": 581,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 206,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "scene/message/DirectorMessage",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "15e083a3-d9fd-4e23-a14b-437d60586aa4": {
+      "title": "Jinja2 Format",
+      "id": "15e083a3-d9fd-4e23-a14b-437d60586aa4",
+      "properties": {
+        "template": "### {{ title }}\n\n{{ value }}"
+      },
+      "x": -1810,
+      "y": 731,
+      "width": 210,
+      "height": 173,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
+      "dynamic_inputs": [
+        {
+          "name": "item0",
+          "type": "*"
+        },
+        {
+          "name": "item1",
+          "type": "*"
+        }
+      ],
+      "base_type": "core/DynamicSocketNodeBase"
+    },
+    "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b": {
+      "title": "Style UX Element",
+      "id": "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b",
+      "properties": {
+        "tint": "information",
+        "icon": "mdi-text-box-edit-outline",
+        "apply_scene_colors": true
+      },
+      "x": -2284,
+      "y": 423,
+      "width": 245,
+      "height": 186,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "ux/StyleElement",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "76bbae6a-9643-48e7-97fe-557fb153b320": {
+      "title": "Style UX Element",
+      "id": "76bbae6a-9643-48e7-97fe-557fb153b320",
+      "properties": {
+        "tint": "information",
+        "icon": "mdi-note-text",
+        "apply_scene_colors": true
+      },
+      "x": -1453,
+      "y": 1214,
+      "width": 245,
+      "height": 186,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "ux/StyleElement",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
     }
   },
   "edges": {
@@ -568,9 +885,6 @@
     "59e399db-991c-4452-a774-e8cfca94628a.value": [
       "955f2ce0-83eb-4b84-8666-a1cfb6b6da50.item0"
     ],
-    "955f2ce0-83eb-4b84-8666-a1cfb6b6da50.result": [
-      "d163e0ae-cafd-4ce3-a2d6-ee8c8e339af1.instructions"
-    ],
     "d163e0ae-cafd-4ce3-a2d6-ee8c8e339af1.state": [
       "d9f85143-26c2-46af-a9d8-d681a1a135f0.state"
     ],
@@ -583,30 +897,12 @@
     "c1b9701c-f398-4d5e-870d-80d875339677.value": [
       "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56.state"
     ],
-    "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b.state": [
-      "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144.state"
-    ],
-    "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b.ux_element": [
-      "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144.ux_element"
-    ],
     "9bdb2584-c070-4558-a732-16e3cd09b85e.value": [
       "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56.body"
     ],
-    "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56.state": [
-      "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b.state"
-    ],
-    "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56.ux_element": [
-      "23cb4113-2dd2-4532-8b1a-7651a217259b.ux_element"
-    ],
     "242f3380-d1b6-4170-9c5b-21634f1b8f9d.value": [
       "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56.title"
     ],
-    "bc2212f9-cd6d-4569-b909-75bacbf9a144.value": [
-      "5ea20fc9-ba46-4d08-aae3-26dac00c174d.item0"
-    ],
-    "423070a1-2204-4427-bc47-c052d56baeca.value": [
-      "067e02fc-742c-41da-9373-8e04cf7140e1.state"
-    ],
     "eab694a2-a84f-475e-aa3b-8fd454813cd3.value": [
       "75df7b4c-da0f-439f-b445-13e35b606e56.multiline"
     ],
@@ -625,15 +921,6 @@
     "997bd245-3b62-4370-b5d5-2ec4846454f5.callback": [
       "c412bc72-7d90-439b-b480-b7a8bb94c5b9.state"
     ],
-    "0b78d909-8dd3-4249-85a8-abb0a0d61bc2.list": [
-      "d9f85143-26c2-46af-a9d8-d681a1a135f0.callbacks"
-    ],
-    "067e02fc-742c-41da-9373-8e04cf7140e1.state": [
-      "0e950f22-b247-47eb-9ce9-3e3134c153e1.nodes"
-    ],
-    "5ea20fc9-ba46-4d08-aae3-26dac00c174d.result": [
-      "423070a1-2204-4427-bc47-c052d56baeca.value"
-    ],
     "d9f85143-26c2-46af-a9d8-d681a1a135f0.calls": [
       "19e1aa7c-8bae-4a6d-a5db-bbcd3519eac9.value"
     ],
@@ -646,8 +933,106 @@
     "9703e945-dc0e-4dee-8e21-f460520f86cd.summary": [
       "7c308f87-38fb-4e70-88d9-b9947940dd73.value"
     ],
+    "4887c772-efe0-493e-ab16-031aa549c50d.value": [
+      "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.state"
+    ],
+    "9fa0388b-43dd-41ba-9696-d713abccf9f1.value": [
+      "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.title"
+    ],
+    "c0e8dd40-cae2-4d43-85dc-cb2680d4f821.value": [
+      "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.body"
+    ],
+    "d6854686-5fe2-40f7-8c09-74c51ba4c6d5.value": [
+      "3c3f31b0-d602-4edd-a8b7-7bcec18098f6.state"
+    ],
+    "ee9ad9b6-0e29-40a0-bd4a-42e9b4fec67a.ux_id": [
+      "4736762f-dce3-43b3-9931-9fba70131200.item0"
+    ],
+    "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.state": [
+      "76bbae6a-9643-48e7-97fe-557fb153b320.state"
+    ],
+    "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.title": [
+      "4736762f-dce3-43b3-9931-9fba70131200.item1"
+    ],
+    "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.body": [
+      "4736762f-dce3-43b3-9931-9fba70131200.item2"
+    ],
+    "4b77dadf-30ff-4dc8-8e5a-08de60ac52cd.ux_element": [
+      "76bbae6a-9643-48e7-97fe-557fb153b320.ux_element"
+    ],
+    "4736762f-dce3-43b3-9931-9fba70131200.result": [
+      "d6854686-5fe2-40f7-8c09-74c51ba4c6d5.value"
+    ],
+    "7557561f-71ad-4fe7-a542-8a5ef3d220f1.fn": [
+      "9ce32c23-d6e2-4685-8452-0d41cc1dbe50.fn"
+    ],
+    "7557561f-71ad-4fe7-a542-8a5ef3d220f1.name": [
+      "9ce32c23-d6e2-4685-8452-0d41cc1dbe50.name"
+    ],
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+      "d9f85143-26c2-46af-a9d8-d681a1a135f0.callbacks"
+    ],
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+      "1ca4b507-bf52-4c59-ad3d-1f6c22f75d7f.state"
+    ],
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+    ],
+    "76bbae6a-9643-48e7-97fe-557fb153b320.ux_element": [
+      "ee9ad9b6-0e29-40a0-bd4a-42e9b4fec67a.ux_element"
     ]
   },
   "groups": [
@@ -665,31 +1050,41 @@
       "title": "Process",
       "x": 3,
       "y": 224,
-      "width": 2073,
-      "height": 1526,
+      "width": 2103,
+      "height": 1748,
       "color": "#3f789e",
       "font_size": 24,
       "inherited": false
     },
     {
       "title": "Function",
-      "x": -2069,
-      "y": 229,
-      "width": 2062,
-      "height": 851,
+      "x": -2954,
+      "y": 182,
+      "width": 2947,
+      "height": 899,
       "color": "#b06634",
       "font_size": 24,
       "inherited": false
     },
     {
       "title": "Output",
-      "x": 4,
-      "y": 1754,
+      "x": 10,
+      "y": 1972,
       "width": 690,
       "height": 222,
       "color": "#8A8",
       "font_size": 24,
       "inherited": false
+    },
+    {
+      "title": "Function",
+      "x": -2168,
+      "y": 1089,
+      "width": 2162,
+      "height": 513,
+      "color": "#b06634",
+      "font_size": 24,
+      "inherited": false
     }
   ],
   "comments": [],
@@ -698,28 +1093,28 @@
   "inputs": [],
   "outputs": [
     {
-      "id": "b34b61b8-b4c1-47ae-be67-a52966f675c6",
+      "id": "dc89c8f1-eac4-4bc1-8cad-cf95d83523c3",
       "name": "fn",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "function"
     },
     {
-      "id": "80dd8c44-f1d0-4e97-a70f-9fdf274b67c7",
+      "id": "8c30310e-efac-460c-b9dc-bed8e6cc1159",
       "name": "name",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "str"
     },
     {
-      "id": "fe269c6a-2428-4e2b-b2d3-a2837aa14722",
+      "id": "99e54b89-c4ff-4e7a-9965-fd3d73d84325",
       "name": "allow_multiple_calls",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "bool"
     },
     {
-      "id": "02831248-7c36-42a5-85a9-9dcf5dd3b048",
+      "id": "76533f70-0073-4e1e-9471-c2f55ef96e02",
       "name": "ai_callback",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
@@ -774,6 +1169,18 @@
       "min": null,
       "max": null,
       "ephemeral": false
+    },
+    "allow_concurrent": {
+      "name": "allow_concurrent",
+      "description": "Whether the action can be called concurrently",
+      "type": "bool",
+      "default": false,
+      "choices": null,
+      "readonly": false,
+      "step": null,
+      "min": null,
+      "max": null,
+      "ephemeral": false
     }
   },
   "style": {
diff --git a/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-update-context.json b/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-update-context.json
index 8f9fef91..4ecb0b4c 100644
--- a/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-update-context.json
+++ b/src/talemate/agents/director/modules/director-action-update-context.json
@@ -192,12 +192,13 @@
         "template": null,
         "max_calls": 8,
         "retries": 0,
-        "response_length": 4096
+        "response_length": 4096,
+        "max_concurrent": 3
       },
       "x": 1822,
       "y": 1760,
       "width": 228,
-      "height": 250,
+      "height": 274,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Focal",
@@ -663,7 +664,7 @@
       "x": 675,
       "y": 496,
       "width": 210,
-      "height": 193,
+      "height": 213,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "prompt/Jinja2Format",
@@ -1007,12 +1008,13 @@
       "id": "cfaec2dd-2c88-4087-8678-43cadd6c3226",
       "properties": {
         "name": "my_function",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": true
+        "allow_multiple_calls": true,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 420,
       "y": 1370,
       "width": 214,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
@@ -1073,41 +1075,18 @@
       "registry": "agents/director/chat/DirectorChatSubAction",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
     },
-    "d4071915-492a-41ac-b4f9-54e48a167c5c": {
-      "title": "[Update Context] Story Configuration",
-      "id": "d4071915-492a-41ac-b4f9-54e48a167c5c",
-      "properties": {
-        "group": "Update Context",
-        "action_id": "update_context.story_configuration",
-        "action_title": "Story Configuration",
-        "description_chat": "Make changes to the story / experience's configuration: Title, Description, Introduction, Content Classification, Story Intention, Scene Intention and Scene Type.\n\nManage Contextual Pins (add, update, remove pins of world entries).",
-        "description_scene_direction": "",
-        "instruction_examples": [
-          "Update the story intention to be more specific about the expected story's mature content."
-        ],
-        "availability": "both",
-        "force_enabled": false
-      },
-      "x": 860,
-      "y": 1970,
-      "width": 317,
-      "height": 246,
-      "collapsed": false,
-      "inherited": false,
-      "registry": "agents/director/chat/DirectorChatSubAction",
-      "base_type": "core/Node"
-    },
     "5e8fb08e-30c4-4c6a-97e0-8b4844598f4c": {
       "title": "AI Function Callback",
       "id": "5e8fb08e-30c4-4c6a-97e0-8b4844598f4c",
       "properties": {
         "name": "direct_context_change",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": true
+        "allow_multiple_calls": true,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 950,
       "y": 2279,
       "width": 214,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
@@ -1166,12 +1145,13 @@
       "id": "323899a1-ffba-4d63-af97-4a25f11bf00f",
       "properties": {
         "name": "my_function",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": true
+        "allow_multiple_calls": true,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 380,
       "y": 2520,
       "width": 214,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
@@ -1182,12 +1162,13 @@
       "id": "cdfcf3a5-ee6b-49f8-b1ad-078ba1100fd9",
       "properties": {
         "name": "my_function",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": true
+        "allow_multiple_calls": true,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 400,
       "y": 2850,
       "width": 214,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
@@ -1228,12 +1209,13 @@
       "id": "b90a792b-638e-45c3-9e33-c4951efbd76e",
       "properties": {
         "name": "my_function",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": true
+        "allow_multiple_calls": true,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 400,
       "y": 1690,
       "width": 214,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
@@ -1244,12 +1226,13 @@
       "id": "80265d56-f041-4b26-9468-2a0b38f886a2",
       "properties": {
         "name": "my_function",
-        "allow_multiple_calls": true
+        "allow_multiple_calls": true,
+        "allow_concurrent": false
       },
       "x": 410,
       "y": 1980,
       "width": 214,
-      "height": 102,
+      "height": 126,
       "collapsed": false,
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Callback",
@@ -1310,6 +1293,32 @@
       "inherited": false,
       "registry": "focal/Argument",
       "base_type": "core/Node"
+    },
+    "d4071915-492a-41ac-b4f9-54e48a167c5c": {
+      "title": "[Update Context] Story Configuration",
+      "id": "d4071915-492a-41ac-b4f9-54e48a167c5c",
+      "properties": {
+        "group": "Update Context",
+        "action_id": "update_context.story_configuration",
+        "action_title": "Story Configuration",
+        "description_chat": "Make changes to the story / experience's configuration: Title, Description, Introduction, Content Classification, Story Intention, Scene Intention and Scene Type.\n\nManage Contextual Pins (add, update, remove pins of world entries).",
+        "description_scene_direction": "",
+        "instruction_examples": [
+          "Update the story intention to be more specific about the expected story's mature content.",
+          "Change the scene type to `roleplay`. Julienne should explore the marketplace to see if she finds anything interesting.",
+          "Keep the scene type `roleplay` but update the goal. Lara and Gustav are discussing how to traverse the puzzle room."
+        ],
+        "availability": "both",
+        "force_enabled": false
+      },
+      "x": 860,
+      "y": 1970,
+      "width": 317,
+      "height": 246,
+      "collapsed": false,
+      "inherited": false,
+      "registry": "agents/director/chat/DirectorChatSubAction",
+      "base_type": "core/Node"
     }
   },
   "edges": {
@@ -1497,9 +1506,6 @@
     "328832ac-fdf5-49b7-9f22-23514f5a4f46.state": [
       "e9460323-7f9c-484b-a993-e351e8fd2762.item1"
     ],
-    "d4071915-492a-41ac-b4f9-54e48a167c5c.state": [
-      "e9460323-7f9c-484b-a993-e351e8fd2762.item2"
-    ],
     "5e8fb08e-30c4-4c6a-97e0-8b4844598f4c.callback": [
       "e9460323-7f9c-484b-a993-e351e8fd2762.item3"
     ],
@@ -1538,6 +1544,9 @@
     ],
     "b6e0f644-176c-4503-8f5f-511700a77bac.value": [
       "f16b6be4-f755-4999-ba41-64e630e4bb61.is_player"
+    ],
+    "d4071915-492a-41ac-b4f9-54e48a167c5c.state": [
+      "e9460323-7f9c-484b-a993-e351e8fd2762.item2"
     ]
   },
   "groups": [
@@ -1628,28 +1637,28 @@
   "inputs": [],
   "outputs": [
     {
-      "id": "e29e1b3b-6730-477b-9ac1-142f040f1534",
+      "id": "af480e2b-b458-43f8-b6d1-5b055bb465e3",
       "name": "fn",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "function"
     },
     {
-      "id": "0ab8ae79-5983-4f28-88eb-1ac093b1d670",
+      "id": "35f819dc-1a05-476f-bd58-dec8e6e6ef85",
       "name": "name",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "str"
     },
     {
-      "id": "dfba608b-296c-4ad1-a542-dcbeda406666",
+      "id": "4461c3b6-a329-4930-929b-0cecb0875a72",
       "name": "allow_multiple_calls",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
       "socket_type": "bool"
     },
     {
-      "id": "dd9c4401-57ea-4023-a5bc-d5b1112be388",
+      "id": "87ef9dea-d65f-4f58-9d44-fa54ee857d03",
       "name": "ai_callback",
       "optional": false,
       "group": null,
@@ -1704,6 +1713,18 @@
       "min": null,
       "max": null,
       "ephemeral": false
+    },
+    "allow_concurrent": {
+      "name": "allow_concurrent",
+      "description": "Whether the action can be called concurrently",
+      "type": "bool",
+      "default": false,
+      "choices": null,
+      "readonly": false,
+      "step": null,
+      "min": null,
+      "max": null,
+      "ephemeral": false
     }
   },
   "style": {
diff --git a/src/talemate/config/schema.py b/src/talemate/config/schema.py
index d1c424fc..e195492f 100644
--- a/src/talemate/config/schema.py
+++ b/src/talemate/config/schema.py
@@ -565,6 +565,7 @@ class SceneAppearance(pydantic.BaseModel):
     context_investigation_messages: HidableHistoryMessageStyle = (
         HidableHistoryMessageStyle()
     )
+    information_messages: HistoryMessageStyle = HistoryMessageStyle()
     quotes: MarkupMessageStyle = MarkupMessageStyle()
     parentheses: MarkupMessageStyle = MarkupMessageStyle()
     brackets: MarkupMessageStyle = MarkupMessageStyle()
diff --git a/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/scene.py b/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/scene.py
index 8d9fc6e6..59314124 100644
--- a/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/scene.py
+++ b/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/scene.py
@@ -944,6 +944,21 @@ class DirectorMessage(Node):
             description="Describes the director action",
             type="str",
             default="actor_instruction",
+            choices=[
+                "actor_instruction",
+                "user_direction",
+            ],
+        )
+
+        subtype = PropertyField(
+            name="subtype",
+            description="The subtype of the director message, used for further categorization of the message",
+            type="str",
+            default=UNRESOLVED,
+            choices=[
+                "function_call",
+                "user_direction",
+            ],
         )
 
     def __init__(self, title="Director Message", **kwargs):
@@ -955,18 +970,26 @@ class DirectorMessage(Node):
         self.add_input("meta", socket_type="dict", optional=True)
         self.add_input("character", socket_type="character", optional=True)
         self.add_input("action", socket_type="str", optional=True)
+        self.add_input("subtype", socket_type="str", optional=True)
 
         self.set_property("source", "ai")
         self.set_property("action", "actor_instruction")
+        self.set_property("subtype", UNRESOLVED)
 
         self.add_output("message", socket_type="message_object")
+        self.add_output("source", socket_type="str")
+        self.add_output("meta", socket_type="dict")
+        self.add_output("character", socket_type="character")
+        self.add_output("action", socket_type="str")
+        self.add_output("subtype", socket_type="str")
 
     async def run(self, state: GraphState):
-        message = self.get_input_value("message")
-        source = self.get_input_value("source")
-        action = self.get_input_value("action")
-        meta = self.get_input_value("meta")
-        character: "Character" = self.get_input_value("character")
+        message = self.normalized_input_value("message")
+        source = self.normalized_input_value("source")
+        action = self.normalized_input_value("action")
+        meta = self.normalized_input_value("meta")
+        subtype = self.normalized_input_value("subtype")
+        character: "Character" = self.normalized_input_value("character")
 
         extra = {}
 
@@ -974,13 +997,20 @@ class DirectorMessage(Node):
             extra["meta"] = meta
 
         message = scene_message.DirectorMessage(
-            message, source=source, action=action, **extra
+            message, source=source, action=action, subtype=subtype, **extra
         )
 
-        if character and character is not UNRESOLVED:
+        if character is not None:
             message.set_meta(character=character.name)
 
-        self.set_output_values({"message": message})
+        self.set_output_values({
+            "message": message,
+            "source": source,
+            "meta": meta,
+            "character": character,
+            "action": action,
+            "subtype": subtype,
+        })
 
 
 @register("scene/message/UnpackMeta")
diff --git a/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/ux.py b/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/ux.py
index 3607de0e..a9b28caa 100644
--- a/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/ux.py
+++ b/src/talemate/game/engine/nodes/ux.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from talemate.game.engine.nodes.registry import register
 from talemate.game.engine.ux.schema import (
     UXChoiceElement,
     UXElement,
+    UXNoticeElement,
     UXSelection,
     UXTextInputElement,
 )
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ from talemate.util.ux import normalize_choices
 __all__ = [
     "BuildChoiceElement",
     "BuildTextInputElement",
+    "BuildNoticeElement",
     "StyleElement",
     "EmitElement",
 ]
@@ -133,7 +135,7 @@ class _BuildUxElementMixin:
 
 
 def _parse_ux_element(raw: Any) -> UXElement:
-    if isinstance(raw, (UXChoiceElement, UXTextInputElement)):
+    if isinstance(raw, (UXChoiceElement, UXTextInputElement, UXNoticeElement)):
         return raw
     return pydantic.TypeAdapter(UXElement).validate_python(raw)
 
@@ -416,6 +418,77 @@ class BuildTextInputElement(_BuildUxElementMixin, Node):
         )
 
 
+@register("ux/BuildNoticeElement")
+class BuildNoticeElement(_BuildUxElementMixin, Node):
+    """
+    Builds a notice (display-only) UX element payload.
+
+    Fire-and-forget: EmitElement emits and returns immediately. The frontend
+    renders the notice until the user dismisses it (when closable) or the
+    client-side timeout expires.
+
+    Inputs:
+    - state: any
+    - id: str (optional)
+    - closable: bool (optional)
+    - timeout_seconds: int (optional)
+    - title: str (optional)
+    - body: str (optional)
+
+    Outputs:
+    - state: any
+    - ux_id: str
+    - ux_element: dict
+    """
+
+    @pydantic.computed_field(description="Node style")
+    @property
+    def style(self) -> NodeStyle:
+        return NodeStyle(
+            node_color="#2d3a38",
+            title_color="#3a4d4a",
+            icon="F1B4F",
+        )
+
+    def __init__(self, title="Build Notice Element", **kwargs):
+        super().__init__(title=title, **kwargs)
+
+    class Fields:
+        closable = _UxBuildCommonFields.closable
+        timeout_seconds = _UxBuildCommonFields.timeout_seconds
+        element_title = _UxBuildCommonFields.element_title
+        element_body = _UxBuildCommonFields.element_body
+
+    def setup(self):
+        self._ux_build_setup_common()
+        self._ux_build_setup_tail_outputs()
+
+    async def run(self, state: GraphState):
+        state_value = self.get_input_value("state")
+        ux_id, closable, timeout_seconds, title, body = self._ux_build_resolve_common()
+
+        element = UXNoticeElement(
+            id=ux_id,
+            closable=closable,
+            timeout_seconds=timeout_seconds,
+            title=title,
+            body=body,
+        )
+
+        self.set_output_values(
+            {
+                "state": state_value,
+                "id": element.id,
+                "closable": element.closable,
+                "timeout_seconds": element.timeout_seconds,
+                "title": element.title or "",
+                "body": element.body or "",
+                "ux_id": element.id,
+                "ux_element": element.model_dump(),
+            }
+        )
+
+
 @register("ux/StyleElement")
 class StyleElement(Node):
     """
@@ -461,15 +534,23 @@ class StyleElement(Node):
             type="str",
             default="",
         )
+        apply_scene_colors = PropertyField(
+            name="apply_scene_colors",
+            description="When true, the body text is rendered through the scene-message parser and gets its per-category colors (quotes/emphasis/parentheses/brackets). When false, body renders with markdown formatting but inherits the element's color.",
+            type="bool",
+            default=False,
+        )
 
     def setup(self):
         self.add_input("state")
         self.add_input("ux_element", socket_type="ux_element")
         self.add_input("tint", socket_type="str", optional=True)
         self.add_input("icon", socket_type="str", optional=True)
+        self.add_input("apply_scene_colors", socket_type="bool", optional=True)
 
         self.set_property("tint", "muted")
         self.set_property("icon", "")
+        self.set_property("apply_scene_colors", False)
 
         self.add_output("state", socket_type="any")
         self.add_output("ux_id", socket_type="str")
@@ -494,12 +575,18 @@ class StyleElement(Node):
             if self.get_input_socket("icon").source
             else self.get_property("icon")
         )
+        apply_scene_colors = (
+            self.normalized_input_value("apply_scene_colors")
+            if self.get_input_socket("apply_scene_colors").source
+            else self.get_property("apply_scene_colors")
+        )
 
         color = (str(tint).strip() if tint is not None else "") or None
         icon = (str(icon).strip() if icon is not None else "") or None
 
         element.color = color
         element.icon = icon
+        element.apply_scene_colors = bool(apply_scene_colors)
 
         # Always sync to meta for backward compatibility
         if element.color is None:
@@ -747,6 +834,9 @@ class EmitElement(Node):
         cancelled = False
         timed_out = False
 
+        # Kind dispatch — which await/selection machinery to run. This is not a
+        # "should we block" check (use element.blocking for that); it's which
+        # shape-specific protocol (choices list, text input) this kind speaks.
         if element.kind in ("choice", "text_input"):
             scene = active_scene.get()
             selection, timed_out, aborted = await self.wait_for_interaction(
diff --git a/src/talemate/game/engine/ux/schema.py b/src/talemate/game/engine/ux/schema.py
index e9a31e55..25fc622c 100644
--- a/src/talemate/game/engine/ux/schema.py
+++ b/src/talemate/game/engine/ux/schema.py
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@ import pydantic
 
 __all__ = [
     "UXElementBase",
-    "UXAwaitableElementBase",
+    "UXTimedElementBase",
     "UXChoice",
     "UXChoiceElement",
     "UXTextInputElement",
+    "UXNoticeElement",
     "UXElement",
     "UXSelection",
     "UXPresentPayload",
@@ -30,9 +31,21 @@ class UXElementBase(pydantic.BaseModel):
     # waiting node should be resumed as cancelled.
     closable: bool = True
 
+    # Whether the element blocks other scene input while present. Interactive
+    # elements (choice, text_input) block and are awaited by the backend;
+    # display-only elements (notice) do not and are fire-and-forget.
+    blocking: bool = True
+
     title: str | None = None
     body: str | None = None
 
+    # When true, the frontend renders `body` through the scene-message text
+    # parser, which paints its own per-category colors over the text
+    # (quotes/emphasis/parentheses/brackets). When false, body still renders
+    # markdown formatting but inherits the element's color. Authors flip this
+    # via the `ux/StyleElement` node.
+    apply_scene_colors: bool = False
+
     # Presentation hints for the frontend (Vuetify-style).
     # Kept optional for backward compatibility; frontend may also read these from `meta`.
     icon: str | None = None
@@ -41,13 +54,14 @@ class UXElementBase(pydantic.BaseModel):
     meta: dict[str, Any] = pydantic.Field(default_factory=dict)
 
 
-class UXAwaitableElementBase(UXElementBase):
+class UXTimedElementBase(UXElementBase):
     """
-    Base for UX elements that are awaitable and may timeout.
+    Base for UX elements that carry a timeout. For blocking elements the backend
+    enforces the timeout while awaiting the user; for non-blocking elements the
+    frontend uses it to drive a client-side auto-dismiss.
     """
 
-    # Timeout behavior for awaitable elements.
-    # 0 means no timeout (wait forever until user selects/cancels).
+    # 0 means no timeout.
     timeout_seconds: int = 0
 
     # When timeout_seconds > 0, the backend can stamp the start time so the frontend
@@ -66,14 +80,14 @@ class UXChoice(pydantic.BaseModel):
     disabled: bool = False
 
 
-class UXChoiceElement(UXAwaitableElementBase):
+class UXChoiceElement(UXTimedElementBase):
     kind: Literal["choice"] = "choice"
     choices: list[UXChoice] = pydantic.Field(default_factory=list)
     multi_select: bool = False
     default: str | list[str] | None = None
 
 
-class UXTextInputElement(UXAwaitableElementBase):
+class UXTextInputElement(UXTimedElementBase):
     kind: Literal["text_input"] = "text_input"
 
     # Render as textarea when true, single-line input when false.
@@ -89,8 +103,19 @@ class UXTextInputElement(UXAwaitableElementBase):
     trim: bool = True
 
 
+class UXNoticeElement(UXTimedElementBase):
+    """
+    Display-only UX element. Fire-and-forget: the backend emits it and moves on;
+    the frontend renders it until the user dismisses it (when closable) or the
+    client-side timeout expires.
+    """
+
+    kind: Literal["notice"] = "notice"
+    blocking: bool = False
+
+
 UXElement = Annotated[
-    Union[UXChoiceElement, UXTextInputElement],
+    Union[UXChoiceElement, UXTextInputElement, UXNoticeElement],
     pydantic.Field(discriminator="kind"),
 ]
 
diff --git a/src/talemate/scene_message.py b/src/talemate/scene_message.py
index 1ed8bdf9..af85f049 100644
--- a/src/talemate/scene_message.py
+++ b/src/talemate/scene_message.py
@@ -302,10 +302,10 @@ class NarratorMessage(SceneMessage):
 
 @dataclass
 class DirectorMessage(SceneMessage):
-    action: str = "actor_instruction"
+    action: Literal["actor_instruction", "user_direction"] = "actor_instruction"
     source: str = "ai"
     typ = "director"
-    subtype: str | None = None
+    subtype: Literal["function_call", "user_direction"] | None = None
 
     @property
     def character_name(self) -> str:
diff --git a/src/talemate/util/colors.py b/src/talemate/util/colors.py
index 4aff071a..dc886b9c 100644
--- a/src/talemate/util/colors.py
+++ b/src/talemate/util/colors.py
@@ -78,7 +78,14 @@ COLOR_MAP = {
 COLOR_NAMES = sorted(list(COLOR_MAP.keys()))
 COLORS = sorted(list(COLOR_MAP.values()))
 
-SPECIAL_COLOR_NAMES = ["narrator", "actor", "director", "time", "context_investigation"]
+SPECIAL_COLOR_NAMES = [
+    "narrator",
+    "actor",
+    "director",
+    "time",
+    "context_investigation",
+    "information",
+]
 
 ALL_COLOR_NAMES = SPECIAL_COLOR_NAMES + COLOR_NAMES
 
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/components/AppConfigAppearanceScene.vue b/talemate_frontend/src/components/AppConfigAppearanceScene.vue
index 1d5d67b2..85e74ed1 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/components/AppConfigAppearanceScene.vue
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/components/AppConfigAppearanceScene.vue
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@
                             <span v-html="renderedContextInvestigationPreview">
                             </span>
                         </div>
+                        <div class="mt-3 d-flex align-center" :style="buildCssStyles('information_messages', config.information_messages)">
+                            <v-icon class="mr-2" :color="getColor('information_messages', config.information_messages?.color)">mdi-information-outline</v-icon>
+                            <span>
+                                A heads-up or system notice for the player.
+                            </span>
+                        </div>
                     </div>
                 </v-card-text>
             </v-card>
@@ -108,6 +114,7 @@
 
 <script>
 import { SceneTextParser } from '@/utils/sceneMessageRenderer';
+import { DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS } from '@/utils/messageColors.js';
 
 export default {
     name: 'AppConfigAppearanceScene',
@@ -140,12 +147,12 @@ export default {
                 }
                 // Ensure new styling fields exist with defaults if missing
                 if (!sceneConfig.quotes) {
-                    sceneConfig.quotes = { color: this.defaultColors.quotes, italic: false, bold: false, override_color: true };
+                    sceneConfig.quotes = { color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.quotes, italic: false, bold: false, override_color: true };
                 } else if (sceneConfig.quotes.override_color === undefined) {
                     sceneConfig.quotes.override_color = true;
                 }
                 if (!sceneConfig.parentheses) {
-                    sceneConfig.parentheses = { color: this.defaultColors.parentheses, italic: true, bold: false, override_color: true, show: true };
+                    sceneConfig.parentheses = { color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.parentheses, italic: true, bold: false, override_color: true, show: true };
                 } else {
                     if (sceneConfig.parentheses.override_color === undefined) {
                         sceneConfig.parentheses.override_color = true;
@@ -155,7 +162,7 @@ export default {
                     }
                 }
                 if (!sceneConfig.brackets) {
-                    sceneConfig.brackets = { color: this.defaultColors.brackets, italic: true, bold: false, override_color: true, show: true };
+                    sceneConfig.brackets = { color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.brackets, italic: true, bold: false, override_color: true, show: true };
                 } else {
                     if (sceneConfig.brackets.override_color === undefined) {
                         sceneConfig.brackets.override_color = true;
@@ -165,7 +172,7 @@ export default {
                     }
                 }
                 if (!sceneConfig.emphasis) {
-                    sceneConfig.emphasis = { color: this.defaultColors.emphasis, italic: true, bold: false, override_color: true };
+                    sceneConfig.emphasis = { color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.emphasis, italic: true, bold: false, override_color: true };
                 } else if (sceneConfig.emphasis.override_color === undefined) {
                     sceneConfig.emphasis.override_color = true;
                 }
@@ -249,23 +256,13 @@ export default {
             colorPicker: null,
             color: "#000000",
             colorPickerTarget: null,
-            defaultColors: {
-                "narrator_messages": "#A180AE",
-                "actor_messages": "#B39DDB",
-                "director_messages": "#FF5722",
-                "time_messages": "#FFECB3",
-                "context_investigation_messages": "#D5C0A1",
-                "quotes": "#FFFFFF",
-                "parentheses": "#DB9DC2",
-                "brackets": "#DC5D5D",
-                "emphasis": "#B39DDB",
-            },
             typLabelMap: {
                 "narrator_messages": "Narrator Messages",
                 "actor_messages": "Actor Messages",
                 "director_messages": "Director Messages",
                 "time_messages": "Time Messages",
                 "context_investigation_messages": "Context Investigations",
+                "information_messages": "Information Messages",
                 "quotes": "Quotes",
                 "parentheses": "Parentheses",
                 "brackets": "Brackets",
@@ -280,6 +277,7 @@ export default {
                 "actor_messages": true,
                 "director_messages": true,
                 "context_investigation_messages": true,
+                "information_messages": true,
                 "quotes": true,
                 "parentheses": true,
                 "brackets": true,
@@ -292,6 +290,7 @@ export default {
                 "director_messages": true,
                 "time_messages": true,
                 "context_investigation_messages": true,
+                "information_messages": true,
                 "quotes": true,
                 "parentheses": true,
                 "brackets": true,
@@ -338,7 +337,11 @@ export default {
         getColor(typ, color) {
             // if color is None load the default color
             if (color === null) {
-                return this.defaultColors[typ];
+                // Message-type keys use the `_messages` suffix in the config UI
+                // (e.g. "narrator_messages") but DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS is
+                // keyed by bare type name — strip the suffix on lookup.
+                const key = typ.endsWith('_messages') ? typ.slice(0, -'_messages'.length) : typ;
+                return DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS[key];
             }
             return color;
         }
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/components/ContextInvestigationMessage.vue b/talemate_frontend/src/components/ContextInvestigationMessage.vue
index 36892ddd..129fe117 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/components/ContextInvestigationMessage.vue
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/components/ContextInvestigationMessage.vue
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <template>
-  <v-alert  v-if="show" @mouseover="hovered=true" @mouseleave="hovered=false" @click="toggle()" class="clickable" variant="text" density="compact" :color="getMessageColor('context_investigation', null)">
+  <v-alert  v-if="show" @mouseover="hovered=true" @mouseleave="hovered=false" @click="toggle()" class="clickable" variant="text" density="compact" :color="getMessageColor('context_investigation')">
     <template v-slot:close>
       <v-btn size="small" icon variant="text" class="close-button" @click="deleteMessage" :disabled="uxLocked">
         <v-icon>mdi-close</v-icon>
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/components/DirectorMessage.vue b/talemate_frontend/src/components/DirectorMessage.vue
index d68592fd..67db1ad3 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/components/DirectorMessage.vue
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/components/DirectorMessage.vue
@@ -1,40 +1,40 @@
 <template>
   <div v-if="subtype === 'user_direction'">
     <!-- player-authored direction (~ / ~~ input) -->
-    <v-alert class="clickable user-direction" variant="text" icon="mdi-account-voice" elevation="0" density="compact" color="deep-purple-lighten-2" @click:close="deleteMessage()" closable :disabled="uxLocked">
-      <span class="text-caption text-medium-emphasis mr-1">Player directs:</span>
-      <span class="director-text">{{ text }}</span>
+    <v-alert class="clickable user-direction mb-8 ml-8" variant="text" elevation="0" density="compact" :style="getMessageStyle('information')" @click:close="deleteMessage()" closable :disabled="uxLocked">
+      <div class="text-caption" :style="getMessageStyle('director')">Message to the director</div>
+      <div v-html="renderedText"></div>
     </v-alert>
   </div>
   <div v-else-if="character">
     <!-- actor instructions (character direction)-->
     <div class="director-container" v-if="show && minimized" >
-      <v-chip closable :color="getMessageColor('director', null)" class="clickable" @click:close="deleteMessage()" :disabled="uxLocked">
+      <v-chip closable :color="getMessageColor('director')" class="clickable" @click:close="deleteMessage()" :disabled="uxLocked">
         <v-icon class="mr-2">{{ icon }}</v-icon>
         <span @click="toggle()">{{ character }}</span>
       </v-chip>
     </div>
-    <v-alert v-else-if="show" class="clickable" variant="text" type="info" :icon="icon" :style="getMessageStyle('director')" elevation="0" density="compact" @click:close="deleteMessage()" :color="getMessageColor('director', null)">
+    <v-alert v-else-if="show" class="clickable" variant="text" type="info" :icon="icon" :style="getMessageStyle('director')" elevation="0" density="compact" @click:close="deleteMessage()" :color="getMessageColor('director')">
       <span v-if="direction_mode==='internal_monologue'">
         <!-- internal monologue -->
         <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="text-decoration-underline" @click="toggle()">{{ character }}</span>
         <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="ml-1" @click="toggle()">thinks</span>
-        <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="director-text ml-1" @click="toggle()">{{ text }}</span>
+        <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="director-text ml-1" @click="toggle()" v-html="renderedTextInline"></span>
       </span>
       <span v-else>
         <!-- director instructs -->
         <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" @click="toggle()">Director instructs</span>
         <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="ml-1 text-decoration-underline" @click="toggle()">{{ character }}</span>
-        <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="director-text ml-1" @click="toggle()">{{ text }}</span>
+        <span :style="getMessageStyle('director')" class="director-text ml-1" @click="toggle()" v-html="renderedTextInline"></span>
       </span>
 
     </v-alert>
   </div>
   <div v-else-if="action">
-    <v-alert :color="getMessageColor('director', null)" variant="text" type="info" :icon="icon"
+    <v-alert :color="getMessageColor('director')" variant="text" type="info" :icon="icon"
     elevation="0" density="compact" >
 
-      <div>{{ text }}</div>
+      <div v-html="renderedText"></div>
       <div class="text-grey text-caption">{{ action }}</div>
     </v-alert>
   </div>
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@
 </template>
   
 <script>
+import { parseBlock, parseInline } from '@/utils/markdownRenderer.js';
+
 export default {
   data() {
     return {
@@ -58,6 +60,12 @@ export default {
       } else {
         return 'mdi-bullhorn-outline';
       }
+    },
+    renderedText() {
+      return parseBlock(this.text);
+    },
+    renderedTextInline() {
+      return parseInline(this.text);
     }
   },
   props: ['text', 'message_id', 'character', 'direction_mode', 'action', 'subtype', 'uxLocked', 'isLastMessage'],
@@ -79,6 +87,10 @@ export default {
   cursor: pointer;
 }
 
+.user-direction {
+  border-left: 3px solid rgb(var(--v-theme-mutedbg));
+}
+
 .director-container {
   margin-left: 10px;
 }
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/components/SceneMessages.vue b/talemate_frontend/src/components/SceneMessages.vue
index e6545278..8c0847de 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/components/SceneMessages.vue
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/components/SceneMessages.vue
@@ -376,6 +376,10 @@ import ConfirmActionPrompt from './ConfirmActionPrompt.vue';
 import VisualAssetsMixin from './VisualAssetsMixin.js';
 import { isVisualAgentReady } from '../constants/visual.js';
 import { primaryModifierLabel } from '@/utils/keyboardModifiers';
+import {
+    getMessageColor as resolveMessageColor,
+    getMessageStyle as resolveMessageStyle,
+} from '@/utils/messageColors.js';
 
 const MESSAGE_FLAGS = {
     NONE: 0,
@@ -507,13 +511,6 @@ export default {
             primaryModifierLabel,
             messages: [],
             selectedForkMessageId: null,
-            defaultColors: {
-                "narrator": "#B39DDB",
-                "character": "#FFFFFF",
-                "director": "#FF5722",
-                "time": "#B39DDB",
-                "context_investigation": "#FFE0B2",
-            },
             // Track last effective asset ID per scope for "on_change" cadence
             lastEffectiveAssetIdByScope: {},
             // Debounce timer for reapplyMessageAssetCadence
@@ -642,12 +639,8 @@ export default {
     },
     methods: {
 
-        getMessageColor(typ,color) {
-            if(!this.appearanceConfig || !this.appearanceConfig.scene[`${typ}_messages`].color) {
-                return this.defaultColors[typ];
-            }
-
-            return color || this.appearanceConfig.scene[`${typ}_messages`].color;
+        getMessageColor(typ) {
+            return resolveMessageColor(this.appearanceConfig, typ);
         },
 
         getMessageTypeHidden(typ) {
@@ -664,16 +657,7 @@ export default {
         },
 
         getMessageStyle(typ) {
-            let styles = "";
-            let config = this.appearanceConfig.scene[`${typ}_messages`];
-            if (config.italic) {
-                styles += "font-style: italic;";
-            }
-            if (config.bold) {
-                styles += "font-weight: bold;";
-            }
-            styles += "color: " + this.getMessageColor(typ, config.color) + ";";
-            return styles;
+            return resolveMessageStyle(this.appearanceConfig, typ);
         },
 
         clear() {
@@ -1577,8 +1561,9 @@ export default {
                             type: 'ux',
                             element: el,
                         });
-                        // Track UX interaction start
-                        if (this.beginUxInteraction) {
+                        // Track UX interaction start — only for blocking elements.
+                        // Non-blocking (fire-and-forget) elements must not lock scene input.
+                        if (this.beginUxInteraction && el.blocking !== false) {
                             this.beginUxInteraction(id);
                         }
                         return;
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementMessage.vue b/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementMessage.vue
index afc4d209..b4d18039 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementMessage.vue
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementMessage.vue
@@ -12,21 +12,32 @@
 
     <v-card variant="text" class="ux-element-card">
       <v-card-title v-if="element?.title || alertIcon" class="d-flex align-center pa-0 mb-2">
-        <v-icon v-if="alertIcon" :color="alertColor" class="mr-2">{{ alertIcon }}</v-icon>
-        <span :class="`text-subtitle-1 font-weight-bold text-${alertColor}`">
+        <v-icon v-if="alertIcon" :color="resolvedColor || alertColor" class="mr-2">{{ alertIcon }}</v-icon>
+        <span :class="['text-subtitle-1', 'font-weight-bold', colorClass]" :style="colorStyle">
           {{ element?.title || defaultTitle() }}
         </span>
       </v-card-title>
 
       <v-card-text class="pa-0">
-        <div v-if="element?.body" class="text-body-2 mb-2 ux-element-body" v-html="renderedBody"></div>
+        <div
+          v-if="element?.body && applySceneColors"
+          class="text-body-2 mb-2 ux-element-body"
+          :style="colorStyle"
+          v-html="renderedBody"
+        ></div>
+        <div
+          v-else-if="element?.body"
+          :class="['text-body-2', 'mb-2', 'ux-element-body-plain', colorClass]"
+          :style="colorStyle"
+          v-html="renderedPlainBody"
+        ></div>
 
         <div v-if="hasTimeoutTimer" class="mb-2">
           <v-progress-linear
             :model-value="timeoutProgressPct"
             height="6"
             rounded
-            :color="alertColor"
+            :color="resolvedColor || alertColor"
             class="mb-1 ux-timeout-progress"
           />
         </div>
@@ -36,7 +47,7 @@
           :element="element"
           :ux-locked="uxLocked"
           :is-closable="isClosable"
-          :tint-color="alertColor"
+          :tint-color="resolvedColor || alertColor"
           @close="$emit('close', $event)"
         />
 
@@ -45,11 +56,13 @@
           :element="element"
           :ux-locked="uxLocked"
           :is-closable="isClosable"
-          :tint-color="alertColor"
+          :tint-color="resolvedColor || alertColor"
           @close="$emit('close', $event)"
         />
 
-        <div v-else class="text-body-2">
+        <!-- 'notice' has no child component: the container chrome above (title, body, icon, timeout bar) is the full render. -->
+
+        <div v-else-if="!isKnownKind" class="text-body-2">
           Unsupported UX element kind: {{ element?.kind }}
         </div>
       </v-card-text>
@@ -61,6 +74,8 @@
 import UxElementChoice from "./UxElementChoice.vue";
 import UxElementTextInput from "./UxElementTextInput.vue";
 import { SceneTextParser } from "@/utils/sceneMessageRenderer.js";
+import { isSpecialMessageColor } from "@/utils/messageColors.js";
+import { parseBlock as parsePlainMarkdown } from "@/utils/markdownRenderer.js";
 
 export default {
   name: "UxElementMessage",
@@ -82,7 +97,10 @@ export default {
       default: null,
     },
   },
-  inject: ["getWebsocket"],
+  inject: {
+    getWebsocket: { default: null },
+    getMessageColor: { default: null },
+  },
   emits: ["close"],
   data() {
     return {
@@ -98,6 +116,22 @@ export default {
     alertColor() {
       return this.element?.color || this.element?.meta?.color || "muted";
     },
+    resolvedColor() {
+      // Tints that name scene-message types (e.g. "director",
+      // "context_investigation") are resolved through getMessageColor so they
+      // honor the user's appearance config — same path DirectorMessage uses.
+      // Non-special tints (standard Vuetify palette names) return null and
+      // fall through to the `text-<color>` class.
+      if (!this.getMessageColor) return null;
+      if (!isSpecialMessageColor(this.alertColor)) return null;
+      return this.getMessageColor(this.alertColor) || null;
+    },
+    colorClass() {
+      return this.resolvedColor ? null : `text-${this.alertColor}`;
+    },
+    colorStyle() {
+      return this.resolvedColor ? { color: this.resolvedColor } : null;
+    },
     alertIcon() {
       const icon = this.element?.icon || this.element?.meta?.icon;
       return icon ? icon : undefined;
@@ -142,19 +176,38 @@ export default {
     parser() {
       const sceneConfig = this.appearanceConfig?.scene || {};
       const narratorStyles = sceneConfig.narrator_messages || {};
-      
+
+      // When the element carries a resolved scene-message color (e.g. a
+      // "director" tint resolves to the configured director color), use it as
+      // the parser's default/paragraph color instead of narrator's. Markup
+      // categories configured with override_color:false cascade to this
+      // default; categories with their own color keep it.
+      const defaultStyles = this.resolvedColor
+        ? { ...narratorStyles, color: this.resolvedColor }
+        : narratorStyles;
+
       return new SceneTextParser({
         quotes: sceneConfig.quotes,
         emphasis: sceneConfig.emphasis || narratorStyles,
         parentheses: sceneConfig.parentheses || narratorStyles,
         brackets: sceneConfig.brackets || narratorStyles,
-        default: narratorStyles,
+        default: defaultStyles,
       });
     },
     renderedBody() {
       if (!this.element?.body) return "";
       return this.parser.parse(this.element.body);
     },
+    renderedPlainBody() {
+      if (!this.element?.body) return "";
+      return parsePlainMarkdown(this.element.body);
+    },
+    isKnownKind() {
+      return ["choice", "text_input", "notice"].includes(this.element?.kind);
+    },
+    applySceneColors() {
+      return this.element?.apply_scene_colors === true;
+    },
   },
   watch: {
     hasTimeoutTimer: {
@@ -181,6 +234,7 @@ export default {
     defaultTitle() {
       if (this.element?.kind === "choice") return "Choose an option";
       if (this.element?.kind === "text_input") return "Enter text";
+      if (this.element?.kind === "notice") return "Notice";
       return "Interaction";
     },
     _startTimer() {
@@ -191,6 +245,11 @@ export default {
         // stop ticking once timer reaches zero
         if (this.hasTimeoutTimer && this.timeoutRemainingMs <= 0) {
           this._stopTimer();
+          // Non-blocking elements are fire-and-forget on the backend, so the
+          // client owns auto-dismissal when the timer expires.
+          if (this.element?.blocking === false) {
+            this.$emit("close", this.element?.id);
+          }
           return;
         }
         this._rafId = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
@@ -205,16 +264,20 @@ export default {
     },
     cancel() {
       if (!this.isClosable) return;
-      const ws = this.getWebsocket();
-      if (ws && this.element?.id) {
-        ws.send(
-          JSON.stringify({
-            type: "ux",
-            action: "cancel",
-            ux_id: this.element.id,
-            kind: this.element?.kind,
-          })
-        );
+      // Only blocking elements have a backend waiter to cancel; for non-blocking
+      // elements, skip the ws round-trip to avoid leaving stale selection state.
+      if (this.element?.blocking !== false) {
+        const ws = this.getWebsocket();
+        if (ws && this.element?.id) {
+          ws.send(
+            JSON.stringify({
+              type: "ux",
+              action: "cancel",
+              ux_id: this.element.id,
+              kind: this.element?.kind,
+            })
+          );
+        }
       }
       this.$emit("close", this.element?.id);
     },
@@ -237,5 +300,39 @@ export default {
 .ux-element-body :deep(.scene-paragraph:last-child) {
   margin-bottom: 0;
 }
+
+/* Plain (non-scene-parsed) body: vanilla markdown, inherits the element color
+   but rendered subtly dimmer than the bold title for visual differentiation. */
+.ux-element-body-plain {
+  opacity: 0.82;
+}
+
+.ux-element-body-plain :deep(p) {
+  margin-bottom: 0.5em;
+}
+
+.ux-element-body-plain :deep(p:last-child) {
+  margin-bottom: 0;
+}
+
+/* Restore list markers — Vuetify's typography reset strips them inside alerts. */
+.ux-element-body :deep(ul),
+.ux-element-body-plain :deep(ul) {
+  list-style: disc;
+  padding-inline-start: 1.5em;
+  margin-bottom: 0.5em;
+}
+
+.ux-element-body :deep(ol),
+.ux-element-body-plain :deep(ol) {
+  list-style: decimal;
+  padding-inline-start: 1.5em;
+  margin-bottom: 0.5em;
+}
+
+.ux-element-body :deep(li),
+.ux-element-body-plain :deep(li) {
+  margin-bottom: 0.25em;
+}
 </style>
 
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementTextInput.vue b/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementTextInput.vue
index 7882f2af..5516e80e 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementTextInput.vue
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/components/UxElementTextInput.vue
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 <template>
-  <div>
+  <div class="text-grey-lighten-1">
     <div v-if="!isMultiline">
       <v-text-field
         v-model="text"
         density="compact"
         variant="outlined"
+        :color="tintColor"
         :placeholder="placeholder"
         hide-details
         @keydown.enter.prevent="submit"
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@
         v-model="text"
         density="compact"
         variant="outlined"
+        :color="tintColor"
         :placeholder="placeholder"
         :rows="rows"
         hide-details
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/plugins/vuetify.js b/talemate_frontend/src/plugins/vuetify.js
index 4d15a620..8ac207e7 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/plugins/vuetify.js
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/plugins/vuetify.js
@@ -30,6 +30,13 @@ export default createVuetify({
           highlight5: colors.amber.lighten3,
           highlight6: colors.orange.lighten3,
           highlight7: colors.blue.lighten3,
+          subdued1: colors.indigo.darken2,
+          subdued2: colors.purple.darken2,
+          subdued3: colors.lightGreen.darken2,
+          subdued4: colors.red.darken2,
+          subdued5: colors.amber.darken2,
+          subdued6: colors.orange.darken2,
+          subdued7: colors.blue.darken2,
           persona: colors.pink.lighten3,
           dirty: colors.orange.lighten2,
           instructions: colors.orange.lighten4,
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/utils/markdownRenderer.js b/talemate_frontend/src/utils/markdownRenderer.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1b8185d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/utils/markdownRenderer.js
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+// Shared vanilla markdown renderer for scene-message components that render
+// plain markdown (no scene-parser extensions, no color injection). Using a
+// single instance keeps options consistent across components — callers that
+// want scene-aware parsing should use SceneTextParser instead.
+
+import { Marked } from "marked";
+
+const renderer = new Marked({ breaks: true, gfm: true });
+
+export function parseBlock(text) {
+  return renderer.parse(text ?? "");
+}
+
+export function parseInline(text) {
+  return renderer.parseInline(text ?? "");
+}
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/utils/messageColors.js b/talemate_frontend/src/utils/messageColors.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..13e8da13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/utils/messageColors.js
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+// Scene-message color resolution.
+//
+// Single source of truth for the set of configurable "special" message color
+// types and how their effective color/style is resolved from the user's
+// appearance config. Mirrors talemate.util.colors.SPECIAL_COLOR_NAMES on the
+// backend — keep in sync.
+
+export const SPECIAL_MESSAGE_COLORS = [
+  "narrator",
+  "actor",
+  "director",
+  "time",
+  "context_investigation",
+  "information",
+];
+
+// Canonical default colors used both as the resolution fallback (when the
+// user has not configured a color) and as the reset target in the appearance
+// config UI. Keyed by bare type name — both message types (narrator, actor,
+// director, time, context_investigation, information) and markup types
+// (quotes, parentheses, brackets, emphasis).
+export const DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS = {
+  narrator: "#A180AE",
+  actor: "#B39DDB",
+  director: "#FF5722",
+  time: "#FFECB3",
+  context_investigation: "#D5C0A1",
+  information: "#BA8574",
+  quotes: "#FFFFFF",
+  parentheses: "#DB9DC2",
+  brackets: "#DC5D5D",
+  emphasis: "#B39DDB",
+};
+
+export function isSpecialMessageColor(name) {
+  return SPECIAL_MESSAGE_COLORS.includes(name);
+}
+
+// Resolve the effective color for a scene-message type against the user's
+// appearance config. Returns the configured color when set, otherwise the
+// canonical default.
+export function getMessageColor(appearanceConfig, typ) {
+  const cfg = appearanceConfig?.scene?.[`${typ}_messages`];
+  return cfg?.color || DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS[typ];
+}
+
+// Build an inline CSS style string (color + optional italic/bold) for a
+// scene-message type from the user's appearance config.
+export function getMessageStyle(appearanceConfig, typ) {
+  const cfg = appearanceConfig?.scene?.[`${typ}_messages`] || {};
+  let styles = "";
+  if (cfg.italic) styles += "font-style: italic;";
+  if (cfg.bold) styles += "font-weight: bold;";
+  styles += `color: ${getMessageColor(appearanceConfig, typ)};`;
+  return styles;
+}
diff --git a/talemate_frontend/src/utils/sceneMessageRenderer.js b/talemate_frontend/src/utils/sceneMessageRenderer.js
index 1498713e..1ed0808e 100644
--- a/talemate_frontend/src/utils/sceneMessageRenderer.js
+++ b/talemate_frontend/src/utils/sceneMessageRenderer.js
@@ -1,29 +1,30 @@
 import { marked, Marked } from 'marked';
+import { DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS } from './messageColors.js';
 
 const DEFAULTS = {
     quotes: {
-        color: "#FFFFFF",
+        color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.quotes,
         italic: false,
         bold: false,
     },
     parentheses: {
-        color: "#DB9DC2",
+        color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.parentheses,
         italic: false,
         bold: false,
     },
     brackets: {
-        color: "#DC5D5D",
+        color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.brackets,
         italic: false,
         bold: true,
     },
     emphasis: {
-        color: "#B39DDB",
-        italic: false,        
+        color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.emphasis,
+        italic: false,
         bold: false,
     },
     default: {
-        color: "#B39DDB",
-        italic: true,        
+        color: DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS.emphasis,
+        italic: true,
         bold: false,
     },
     prefix: {
@@ -33,19 +34,14 @@ const DEFAULTS = {
     },
 }
 
-// Default colors for different message types when no color is specified
-const MESSAGE_TYPE_DEFAULTS = {
-    context_investigation: "#D5C0A1",
-}
-
 export class SceneTextParser {
     constructor(config = {}) {
         // Determine default color:
         // 1. Use config.defaultColor if explicitly provided
-        // 2. Use message type default if messageType is specified
+        // 2. Use message type default from DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS if messageType is specified
         // 3. Otherwise use DEFAULTS.default.color
-        const defaultColor = config.defaultColor ?? 
-                            (config.messageType && MESSAGE_TYPE_DEFAULTS[config.messageType]) ?? 
+        const defaultColor = config.defaultColor ??
+                            (config.messageType && DEFAULT_APPEARANCE_COLORS[config.messageType]) ??
                             DEFAULTS.default.color;
         
         // Get the default message color from config.default if available