diff --git a/assets/avatars/accessory_necklace_01.glb b/assets/avatars/accessory_necklace_01.glb
index 400a328..016ca2b 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/accessory_necklace_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/accessory_necklace_01.glb differ
diff --git a/assets/avatars/back_backpack_01.glb b/assets/avatars/back_backpack_01.glb
index 244c86a..f0addd2 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/back_backpack_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/back_backpack_01.glb differ
diff --git a/assets/avatars/base_human_male_01.glb b/assets/avatars/base_human_male_01.glb
index dd0d308..c4465cd 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/base_human_male_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/base_human_male_01.glb differ
diff --git a/assets/avatars/face_glasses_01.glb b/assets/avatars/face_glasses_01.glb
index e0b2f3c..59d9111 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/face_glasses_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/face_glasses_01.glb differ
diff --git a/assets/avatars/hair_ponytail_01.glb b/assets/avatars/hair_ponytail_01.glb
index 3557312..6cb9e38 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/hair_ponytail_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/hair_ponytail_01.glb differ
diff --git a/assets/avatars/left_foot_boot_01.glb b/assets/avatars/left_foot_boot_01.glb
index 4797936..3471f38 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/left_foot_boot_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/left_foot_boot_01.glb differ
diff --git a/assets/avatars/right_foot_boot_01.glb b/assets/avatars/right_foot_boot_01.glb
index 6a0dbe0..a396767 100644
Binary files a/assets/avatars/right_foot_boot_01.glb and b/assets/avatars/right_foot_boot_01.glb differ
diff --git a/scripts/avatar/limb_animator.gd b/scripts/avatar/limb_animator.gd
index d58aa24..5c95894 100644
--- a/scripts/avatar/limb_animator.gd
+++ b/scripts/avatar/limb_animator.gd
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func setup(skeleton: Skeleton3D) -> void:
 
 
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
-	if _skel == null or _idx.is_empty():
+	if not is_instance_valid(_skel) or _idx.is_empty():
 		return
 
 	var moving := speed > MOVE_EPS
diff --git a/scripts/game.gd b/scripts/game.gd
index a54dcba..7b6bd9c 100644
--- a/scripts/game.gd
+++ b/scripts/game.gd
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ const CORRECTION_THRESHOLD := 0.6
 
 var _net: NetworkClient = null
 var _networked := false
+var _leaving := false            # a scene change is already in flight
 var _aligned := false            # snapped to the server spawn yet?
 var _remotes: Dictionary = {}   # peer_id -> Node3D
 var _remote_prev: Dictionary = {}   # peer_id -> Vector3 (last snapshot position)
@@ -34,6 +35,37 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 		_setup_networked()
 
 
+func _unhandled_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
+	# ESC leaves the world back to the browser. Handled here (the scene root
+	# that owns the connection) rather than in player.gd so the teardown is
+	# a single ordered path -- doing it from two places raced _on_server_lost
+	# against the scene change and looked like a crash.
+	if event.is_action_pressed("ui_cancel"):
+		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+		_leave_world()
+
+
+func _leave_world() -> void:
+	if _leaving:
+		return
+	_leaving = true
+	Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_VISIBLE
+	_teardown_net()
+	Session.clear()
+	get_tree().change_scene_to_file("res://scenes/world_list.tscn")
+
+
+## Close the ENet connection and stop it from calling us back mid-teardown.
+func _teardown_net() -> void:
+	if _net == null or not is_instance_valid(_net):
+		return
+	if _net.server_disconnected.is_connected(_on_server_lost):
+		_net.server_disconnected.disconnect(_on_server_lost)
+	if _net.connection_failed.is_connected(_on_server_lost):
+		_net.connection_failed.disconnect(_on_server_lost)
+	_net.disconnect_from_server()
+
+
 
 static func _build_label() -> String:
 	var f := FileAccess.open("res://assets/build_info.json", FileAccess.READ)
@@ -51,30 +83,28 @@ func _show_build_stamp() -> void:
 	add_child(layer)
 	var lbl := Label.new()
 	lbl.text = "build %s" % _build_label()
-	lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color(1, 1, 0.45))
-	lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_outline_color", Color(0, 0, 0, 0.85))
-	lbl.add_theme_constant_override("outline_size", 4)
-	lbl.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 14)
-	# Anchor a full-width strip to the bottom of the screen and left-align the
-	# text in it. (A bare preset + .position on a zero-size Label collapses the
-	# rect to negative width and nothing draws -- which is why this never showed.)
-	lbl.set_anchors_preset(Control.PRESET_BOTTOM_WIDE)
+	lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color(1, 1, 0.35))
+	lbl.add_theme_color_override("font_outline_color", Color(0, 0, 0, 1))
+	lbl.add_theme_constant_override("outline_size", 6)
+	lbl.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 20)
+	# Full-width strip pinned to the TOP-left. (A bare preset + .position on a
+	# zero-size Label collapses the rect to negative width and nothing draws --
+	# which is why this never showed; explicit offsets fix it.)
+	lbl.set_anchors_preset(Control.PRESET_TOP_WIDE)
 	lbl.horizontal_alignment = HORIZONTAL_ALIGNMENT_LEFT
-	lbl.vertical_alignment = VERTICAL_ALIGNMENT_BOTTOM
-	lbl.offset_left = 8
-	lbl.offset_right = -8
-	lbl.offset_top = -30
-	lbl.offset_bottom = -6
+	lbl.offset_left = 12
+	lbl.offset_right = -12
+	lbl.offset_top = 8
+	lbl.offset_bottom = 40
 	lbl.mouse_filter = Control.MOUSE_FILTER_IGNORE
 	layer.add_child(lbl)
 
 
 func _exit_tree() -> void:
-	# Leaving the world -- close the ENet connection cleanly so the server
-	# fires peer_disconnected and removes our player (otherwise everyone else
-	# keeps seeing a frozen "ghost" of us).
-	if _net != null and is_instance_valid(_net):
-		_net.disconnect_from_server()
+	# Backstop for any exit path that didn't go through _leave_world (e.g. the
+	# app quitting): close the ENet connection so the server fires
+	# peer_disconnected and drops our player instead of leaving a ghost.
+	_teardown_net()
 
 
 func _setup_networked() -> void:
@@ -205,6 +235,9 @@ func _all_mesh_instances(node: Node, out: Array = []) -> Array:
 
 
 func _on_server_lost() -> void:
+	if _leaving:
+		return
+	_leaving = true
 	_networked = false
 	_show_status("Disconnected from the server. Returning to worlds…")
 	await get_tree().create_timer(1.5).timeout
diff --git a/scripts/player.gd b/scripts/player.gd
index 6281eeb..3a22dee 100644
--- a/scripts/player.gd
+++ b/scripts/player.gd
@@ -128,11 +128,8 @@ func _unhandled_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
 			_update_input_direction(key)
 		elif not key.pressed:
 			_clear_input_direction(key)
-		# Escape exits the level back to the world browse list, mirroring
-		# the Back button pattern already used in world_list.gd/main_menu.gd.
-		if key.pressed and key.keycode == KEY_ESCAPE:
-			Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_VISIBLE
-			get_tree().change_scene_to_file("res://scenes/world_list.tscn")
+		# ESC (leave the world) is handled by game.gd, the scene root that
+		# owns the network connection, so the teardown is a single path.
 	elif event is InputEventMouseMotion and Input.mouse_mode == Input.MOUSE_MODE_CAPTURED:
 		_handle_mouse_look(event as InputEventMouseMotion)
 
diff --git a/scripts/tools/gen_placeholder_avatars.gd b/scripts/tools/gen_placeholder_avatars.gd
index cf02fe6..546b0d5 100644
--- a/scripts/tools/gen_placeholder_avatars.gd
+++ b/scripts/tools/gen_placeholder_avatars.gd
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ const OUT_DIR := "res://assets/avatars/"
 
 # Canonical rig -- must match avatar_loader.gd CANONICAL_BONES. Each entry:
 #   name -> [parent_name, global_rest_position]  (A-pose, arms down, Y-up, metres)
+#   The character faces -Z (Godot's node "forward"), so the face, toes and
+#   front-mounted attachments live at negative Z.
 const BONES := {
 	"Root":          ["",              Vector3(0.00, 0.00, 0.00)],
 	"Hips":          ["Root",          Vector3(0.00, 0.76, 0.00)],
@@ -25,9 +27,9 @@ const BONES := {
 	"Neck":          ["Chest",         Vector3(0.00, 1.50, 0.00)],
 	"Head":          ["Neck",          Vector3(0.00, 1.58, 0.00)],
 	"HeadTop":       ["Head",          Vector3(0.00, 2.00, 0.00)],
-	"Jaw":           ["Head",          Vector3(0.00, 1.64, 0.16)],
-	"LeftEye":       ["Head",          Vector3(0.12, 1.76, 0.27)],
-	"RightEye":      ["Head",          Vector3(-0.12, 1.76, 0.27)],
+	"Jaw":           ["Head",          Vector3(0.00, 1.64, -0.16)],
+	"LeftEye":       ["Head",          Vector3(0.12, 1.76, -0.27)],
+	"RightEye":      ["Head",          Vector3(-0.12, 1.76, -0.27)],
 	"LeftShoulder":  ["Chest",         Vector3(0.42, 1.50, 0.00)],
 	"LeftUpperArm":  ["LeftShoulder",  Vector3(0.60, 1.44, 0.00)],
 	"LeftLowerArm":  ["LeftUpperArm",  Vector3(0.60, 1.14, 0.00)],
@@ -38,10 +40,10 @@ const BONES := {
 	"RightHand":     ["RightLowerArm", Vector3(-0.60, 0.82, 0.00)],
 	"LeftUpperLeg":  ["Hips",          Vector3(0.21, 0.74, 0.00)],
 	"LeftLowerLeg":  ["LeftUpperLeg",  Vector3(0.21, 0.38, 0.00)],
-	"LeftFoot":      ["LeftLowerLeg",  Vector3(0.21, 0.05, 0.06)],
+	"LeftFoot":      ["LeftLowerLeg",  Vector3(0.21, 0.05, -0.06)],
 	"RightUpperLeg": ["Hips",          Vector3(-0.21, 0.74, 0.00)],
 	"RightLowerLeg": ["RightUpperLeg", Vector3(-0.21, 0.38, 0.00)],
-	"RightFoot":     ["RightLowerLeg", Vector3(-0.21, 0.05, 0.06)],
+	"RightFoot":     ["RightLowerLeg", Vector3(-0.21, 0.05, -0.06)],
 }
 
 # Order matters: parents before children.
@@ -70,10 +72,10 @@ const PARTS := [
 	["RightUpperArm", Vector3(-0.58, 1.14, 0.00), Vector3(0.34, 0.78, 0.40), C_SKIN],
 	["LeftUpperLeg",  Vector3(0.21, 0.38, 0.00), Vector3(0.40, 0.78, 0.40), C_PANTS],
 	["RightUpperLeg", Vector3(-0.21, 0.38, 0.00), Vector3(0.40, 0.78, 0.40), C_PANTS],
-	# painted-on face -- thin plates on the front of the head (+Z), rigged to Head
-	["Head",          Vector3(0.13, 1.78, 0.28), Vector3(0.09, 0.12, 0.02), C_FACE],
-	["Head",          Vector3(-0.13, 1.78, 0.28), Vector3(0.09, 0.12, 0.02), C_FACE],
-	["Head",          Vector3(0.00, 1.64, 0.28), Vector3(0.32, 0.05, 0.02), C_FACE],
+	# painted-on face -- thin plates on the front of the head (-Z), rigged to Head
+	["Head",          Vector3(0.13, 1.78, -0.28), Vector3(0.09, 0.12, 0.02), C_FACE],
+	["Head",          Vector3(-0.13, 1.78, -0.28), Vector3(0.09, 0.12, 0.02), C_FACE],
+	["Head",          Vector3(0.00, 1.64, -0.28), Vector3(0.32, 0.05, 0.02), C_FACE],
 ]
 
 # Attachments: id -> [Mesh, local_offset_from_mount_bone, colour]
@@ -81,17 +83,17 @@ const PARTS := [
 const ATTACHMENTS := {
 	"head_cyber_01":       ["head",     Vector3(0, 0.04, 0.0),   Color(0.20, 0.85, 0.95)],
 	"hair_mohawk_01":      ["mohawk",   Vector3(0, 0.0, 0.0),    Color(0.90, 0.20, 0.35)],
-	"hair_ponytail_01":    ["ponytail", Vector3(0, -0.06, -0.16), Color(0.45, 0.30, 0.15)],
-	"face_glasses_01":     ["glasses",  Vector3(0, 0.12, 0.16),  Color(0.10, 0.10, 0.12)],
+	"hair_ponytail_01":    ["ponytail", Vector3(0, -0.06, 0.16), Color(0.45, 0.30, 0.15)],
+	"face_glasses_01":     ["glasses",  Vector3(0, 0.12, -0.16), Color(0.10, 0.10, 0.12)],
 	"chest_bandit_01":     ["torso",    Vector3(0, -0.12, 0.0),  Color(0.55, 0.20, 0.20)],
-	"back_backpack_01":    ["box",      Vector3(0, -0.06, -0.28), Color(0.30, 0.35, 0.25)],
+	"back_backpack_01":    ["box",      Vector3(0, -0.06, 0.28), Color(0.30, 0.35, 0.25)],
 	"pants_cargo_01":      ["hips",     Vector3(0, -0.04, 0.0),  Color(0.30, 0.35, 0.45)],
 	"left_hand_glove_01":  ["blob",     Vector3(0, 0.0, 0.0),    Color(0.15, 0.15, 0.18)],
 	"right_hand_glove_01": ["blob",     Vector3(0, 0.0, 0.0),    Color(0.15, 0.15, 0.18)],
-	"left_foot_boot_01":   ["boot",     Vector3(0, -0.02, 0.05), Color(0.12, 0.10, 0.09)],
-	"right_foot_boot_01":  ["boot",     Vector3(0, -0.02, 0.05), Color(0.12, 0.10, 0.09)],
+	"left_foot_boot_01":   ["boot",     Vector3(0, -0.02, -0.05), Color(0.12, 0.10, 0.09)],
+	"right_foot_boot_01":  ["boot",     Vector3(0, -0.02, -0.05), Color(0.12, 0.10, 0.09)],
 	"accessory_belt_01":   ["belt",     Vector3(0, 0.74, 0.0),   Color(0.20, 0.18, 0.12)],
-	"accessory_necklace_01": ["necklace", Vector3(0, 1.34, 0.10), Color(0.85, 0.75, 0.20)],
+	"accessory_necklace_01": ["necklace", Vector3(0, 1.34, -0.10), Color(0.85, 0.75, 0.20)],
 }
 
 var _fail := 0