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+=======================
+loot and corpse system
+=======================
+
+the death system has three phases: knockout, finisher, and decomposition.
+corpses are containers that rot over time. loot is probabilistic.
+
+loot tables
+===========
+
+loot is defined per-mob in toml with ``LootEntry`` records::
+
+    [[loot]]
+    name = "crude club"
+    chance = 0.8
+    description = "a crude wooden club"
+
+    [[loot]]
+    name = "gold coin"
+    chance = 0.5
+    min_count = 1
+    max_count = 3
+
+fields:
+
+- ``name`` - item name
+- ``chance`` - probability (0.0-1.0) to drop
+- ``min_count`` / ``max_count`` - quantity range (defaults to 1)
+- ``description`` - item description string
+
+``roll_loot()`` processes the table entry by entry. for each entry, it rolls
+random against chance. if successful, picks a count in the min/max range and
+creates that many ``Thing`` objects. returns a flat list of items.
+
+death flow
+==========
+
+knockout (automatic)
+--------------------
+
+when stamina or pl drops to/below zero, the entity's ``posture`` becomes
+``"unconscious"``. the mob stays registered in ``mobs`` dict. no corpse is
+created yet. items stay in the mob's inventory.
+
+finisher (explicit)
+-------------------
+
+requires a command (e.g. ``snapneck``) targeting an unconscious entity. sets
+``pl`` to -100 (dead). loads mob template to get loot table. calls
+``create_corpse()`` with the mob, zone, and loot table.
+
+no corpse until finisher — knockout alone doesn't drop loot.
+
+corpse creation
+===============
+
+``create_corpse(mob, zone, ttl=300, loot_table=None)``
+
+1. creates ``Corpse`` object (extends ``Container``) at mob's coords
+2. names it ``"{mob.name}'s corpse"``
+3. transfers all items from mob inventory to corpse
+4. rolls loot table, adds generated items to corpse
+5. calls ``despawn_mob()`` to remove mob from world
+6. registers corpse in global ``active_corpses`` list
+7. returns the corpse
+
+corpse properties:
+
+- ``closed=False`` - always open
+- ``portable=False`` - can't be picked up
+- ``decompose_at`` - timestamp (now + ttl seconds)
+
+corpses work with existing item commands (``get``, ``put``, ``look in``) because
+they're containers.
+
+decomposition
+=============
+
+``process_decomposing()`` runs every game loop tick. checks each corpse in
+``active_corpses`` against current time. when ``decompose_at`` passes:
+
+1. broadcasts "X decomposes." to entities on same tile
+2. clears all items (items rot with corpse — no loot recovery)
+3. removes corpse from world
+4. removes from ``active_corpses`` registry
+
+ttl-based cleanup ensures corpses don't clutter the world. default 300s (5min).
+
+code
+====
+
+implementation:
+
+- ``src/mudlib/loot.py`` - loot table dataclass and roll logic
+- ``src/mudlib/corpse.py`` - Corpse container, creation, decomposition
+- ``src/mudlib/commands/snapneck.py`` - finisher command
+- ``content/mobs/*.toml`` - per-mob loot tables
+
+related systems:
+
+- ``src/mudlib/combat.py`` - knockout logic (posture="unconscious")
+- ``src/mudlib/entity.py`` - Entity.posture, inventory
+- ``src/mudlib/item.py`` - Thing, Container base classes
+- ``src/mudlib/server.py`` - calls process_decomposing() each tick