fix: real-time companion unlocks, persist exploration endsAt, correct auto-prestige formula, and quest balance

Closes #191
Closes #205
Closes #206
Closes #212
Closes #214
Closes #216
Closes #224

apps/api/src/data/quests.ts

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     combatPowerRequired: 500,
     description:
       "A rogue necromancer has raised an army of skeletons near the city. Silence him before the dead overrun us.",
-    durationSeconds: 5 * 60,
+    durationSeconds: 30 * 60,
     id:              "necromancer_tower",
     name:            "Necromancer's Tower",
     prerequisiteIds: [],
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     combatPowerRequired: 2000,
     description:
       "An ancient fortress still garrisoned by constructs who don't know the war ended. Clear it out and claim its vaults.",
-    durationSeconds: 5 * 60,
+    durationSeconds: 45 * 60,
     id:              "crumbling_fortress",
     name:            "The Crumbling Fortress",
     prerequisiteIds: [ "necromancer_tower" ],
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     combatPowerRequired: 8000,
     description:
       "A vast library sealed for centuries whose contents have warped and grown hostile. The knowledge within is priceless.",
-    durationSeconds: 10 * 60,
+    durationSeconds: 60 * 60,
     id:              "cursed_library",
     name:            "The Cursed Library",
     prerequisiteIds: [ "crumbling_fortress" ],
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     combatPowerRequired: 30_000,
     description:
       "The legendary lair of Pyraxis the Undying. Few who enter return — those who do are rich beyond imagining.",
-    durationSeconds: 15 * 60,
+    durationSeconds: 90 * 60,
     id:              "dragon_lair",
     name:            "Dragon's Lair",
     prerequisiteIds: [ "cursed_library" ],
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     rewards:         [
       { amount: 3_000_000_000_000, type: "gold" },
       { amount: 1_500_000_000, type: "essence" },
-      { amount: 12_000_000, type: "crystals" },
+      { amount: 0, type: "crystals" },
     ],
     status: "locked",
     zoneId: "abyssal_trench",
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     rewards:         [
       { amount: 10_000_000_000_000, type: "gold" },
       { amount: 5_000_000_000, type: "essence" },
-      { amount: 30_000_000, type: "crystals" },
+      { amount: 0, type: "crystals" },
     ],
     status: "locked",
     zoneId: "abyssal_trench",
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     rewards:         [
       { amount: 30_000_000_000_000, type: "gold" },
       { amount: 15_000_000_000, type: "essence" },
-      { amount: 60_000_000, type: "crystals" },
+      { amount: 0, type: "crystals" },
     ],
     status: "locked",
     zoneId: "abyssal_trench",
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     rewards:         [
       { amount: 100_000_000_000_000, type: "gold" },
       { amount: 50_000_000_000, type: "essence" },
-      { amount: 120_000_000, type: "crystals" },
+      { amount: 0, type: "crystals" },
       { targetId: "abyss_diver_1", type: "upgrade" },
     ],
     status: "locked",
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ export const defaultQuests: Array<Quest> = [
     rewards:         [
       { amount: 400_000_000_000_000, type: "gold" },
       { amount: 200_000_000_000, type: "essence" },
-      { amount: 400_000_000, type: "crystals" },
+      { amount: 0, type: "crystals" },
     ],
     status: "locked",
     zoneId: "abyssal_trench",

apps/api/src/routes/explore.ts

@@ -191,17 +191,17 @@ exploreRouter.post("/start", async(context) => {
     }
 
     const now = Date.now();
+    // eslint-disable-next-line stylistic/no-mixed-operators -- duration * 1000 is clear
+    const endsAt = now + explorationArea.durationSeconds * 1000;
     area.status = "in_progress";
     area.startedAt = now;
+    area.endsAt = endsAt;
 
     await prisma.gameState.update({
       /* eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/consistent-type-assertions -- Prisma requires object */
       data:  { state: state as object, updatedAt: now },
       where: { discordId },
     });
-
-    // eslint-disable-next-line stylistic/no-mixed-operators -- duration * 1000 is clear
-    const endsAt = now + explorationArea.durationSeconds * 1000;
     const response: ExploreStartResponse = {
       areaId,
       endsAt,

apps/api/test/routes/explore.spec.ts

@@ -246,6 +246,22 @@ describe("explore route", () => {
       expect(body.endsAt).toBeGreaterThan(Date.now());
     });
 
+    it("persists endsAt to the DB state on exploration start", async () => {
+      const state = makeState();
+      vi.mocked(prisma.gameState.findUnique).mockResolvedValueOnce({ state } as never);
+      vi.mocked(prisma.gameState.update).mockResolvedValueOnce({} as never);
+      const res = await postStart({ areaId: TEST_AREA_ID });
+      expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+      const body = await res.json() as { areaId: string; endsAt: number };
+      const updateCall = vi.mocked(prisma.gameState.update).mock.calls[0]?.[0];
+      /* eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/consistent-type-assertions -- Test accesses nested mock data */
+      const savedState = (updateCall?.data as { state?: { exploration?: { areas?: Array<{ id: string; endsAt?: number }> } } }).state;
+      const savedArea = savedState?.exploration?.areas?.find((a) => {
+        return a.id === TEST_AREA_ID;
+      });
+      expect(savedArea?.endsAt).toBe(body.endsAt);
+    });
+
     it("backfills exploration state for old saves without exploration", async () => {
       const state = makeState({ exploration: undefined });
       vi.mocked(prisma.gameState.findUnique).mockResolvedValueOnce({ state } as never);

apps/web/src/context/gameContext.tsx

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import {
   type NumberFormat,
   type Quest,
   type TranscendenceResponse,
+  computeUnlockedCompanionIds,
   isStoryChapterUnlocked,
 } from "@elysium/types";
 import {
@@ -72,7 +73,6 @@ import { playSound } from "../utils/sound.js";
 
 const autoSaveIntervalMs = 30_000;
 const autoPrestigeThresholdBase = 1_000_000;
-const autoPrestigeThresholdScale = 5;
 
 /**
  * Pure function — applies a boss challenge result to the game state.
@@ -1119,6 +1119,57 @@ export const GameProvider = ({
     });
   }, [ state ]);
 
+  // Detect newly unlocked companions whenever relevant state changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (state === null) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const computedUnlocks = computeUnlockedCompanionIds({
+      apotheosisCount:         state.apotheosis?.count ?? 0,
+      lifetimeBossesDefeated:  state.player.lifetimeBossesDefeated,
+      lifetimeGoldEarned:      state.player.lifetimeGoldEarned,
+      lifetimeQuestsCompleted: state.player.lifetimeQuestsCompleted,
+      prestigeCount:           state.prestige.count,
+      transcendenceCount:      state.transcendence?.count ?? 0,
+    });
+
+    const currentUnlocks = state.companions?.unlockedCompanionIds ?? [];
+    const toAdd = computedUnlocks.filter((id) => {
+      return !currentUnlocks.includes(id);
+    });
+
+    if (toAdd.length === 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setState((previous) => {
+      if (previous === null) {
+        return previous;
+      }
+      const existingUnlocks = previous.companions?.unlockedCompanionIds ?? [];
+      const addedIds = computedUnlocks.filter((id) => {
+        return !existingUnlocks.includes(id);
+      });
+      if (addedIds.length === 0) {
+        return previous;
+      }
+      const updatedUnlocks = [ ...existingUnlocks, ...addedIds ];
+      const activeId = previous.companions?.activeCompanionId ?? null;
+      const validatedActiveId
+        = activeId !== null && updatedUnlocks.includes(activeId)
+          ? activeId
+          : null;
+      return {
+        ...previous,
+        companions: {
+          activeCompanionId:    validatedActiveId,
+          unlockedCompanionIds: updatedUnlocks,
+        },
+      };
+    });
+  }, [ state ]);
+
   // Game loop via requestAnimationFrame
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -1347,7 +1398,8 @@ export const GameProvider = ({
         && autoState.prestige.autoPrestigeEnabled === true
         && autoState.player.totalGoldEarned
           >= autoPrestigeThresholdBase
-            * Math.pow(autoPrestigeThresholdScale, autoState.prestige.count)
+            * Math.pow(autoState.prestige.count + 1, 2.5)
+            * (autoState.transcendence?.echoPrestigeThresholdMultiplier ?? 1)
       ) {
         isAutoPrestigingReference.current = true;
         void prestigeApi({}).