diff --git a/src/mudlib/entity.py b/src/mudlib/entity.py
index ac26660..2238159 100644
--- a/src/mudlib/entity.py
+++ b/src/mudlib/entity.py
@@ -1,9 +1,15 @@
 """Base entity class for characters in the world."""
 
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from mudlib.object import Object
 
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from mudlib.thing import Thing
+
 
 @dataclass
 class Entity(Object):
@@ -23,6 +29,12 @@ class Entity(Object):
     defense_locked_until: float = 0.0  # monotonic time when defense recovery ends
     resting: bool = False  # whether this entity is currently resting
 
+    def can_accept(self, obj: Object) -> bool:
+        """Entities accept portable Things (inventory)."""
+        from mudlib.thing import Thing
+
+        return isinstance(obj, Thing) and obj.portable
+
     async def send(self, message: str) -> None:
         """Send a message to this entity. Base implementation is a no-op."""
         pass
diff --git a/src/mudlib/thing.py b/src/mudlib/thing.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1411182
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/mudlib/thing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+"""Thing — an item that can exist in zones or inventories."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+
+from mudlib.object import Object
+
+
+@dataclass
+class Thing(Object):
+    """An item in the world.
+
+    Things can be on the ground (location=zone, with x/y) or carried
+    by an entity (location=entity, no x/y). The portable flag controls
+    whether entities can pick them up.
+    """
+
+    description: str = ""
+    portable: bool = True
+    aliases: list[str] = field(default_factory=list)
diff --git a/tests/test_thing.py b/tests/test_thing.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe81735
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_thing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+"""Tests for the Thing class."""
+
+from mudlib.entity import Entity
+from mudlib.object import Object
+from mudlib.thing import Thing
+from mudlib.zone import Zone
+
+
+# --- construction ---
+
+
+def test_thing_creation_minimal():
+    """Thing can be created with just a name."""
+    t = Thing(name="rock")
+    assert t.name == "rock"
+    assert t.location is None
+    assert t.description == ""
+    assert t.portable is True  # default: things are portable
+
+
+def test_thing_creation_with_description():
+    """Thing can have a description."""
+    t = Thing(name="sword", description="a rusty iron sword")
+    assert t.description == "a rusty iron sword"
+
+
+def test_thing_creation_non_portable():
+    """Thing can be marked as non-portable (fixture, scenery)."""
+    t = Thing(name="fountain", portable=False)
+    assert t.portable is False
+
+
+def test_thing_in_zone():
+    """Thing can be placed in a zone with coordinates."""
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain)
+    rock = Thing(name="rock", location=zone, x=3, y=7)
+    assert rock.location is zone
+    assert rock.x == 3
+    assert rock.y == 7
+    assert rock in zone.contents
+
+
+def test_thing_in_entity_inventory():
+    """Thing can be placed in an entity (inventory)."""
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain)
+    entity = Entity(name="player", location=zone, x=5, y=5)
+    sword = Thing(name="sword", location=entity)
+    assert sword.location is entity
+    assert sword in entity.contents
+    # Inventory items don't need coordinates
+    assert sword.x is None
+    assert sword.y is None
+
+
+def test_thing_is_subclass_of_object():
+    """Thing inherits from Object."""
+    t = Thing(name="gem")
+    assert isinstance(t, Object)
+
+
+def test_thing_aliases_default_empty():
+    """Thing aliases default to empty list."""
+    t = Thing(name="rock")
+    assert t.aliases == []
+
+
+def test_thing_aliases():
+    """Thing can have aliases for matching."""
+    t = Thing(name="pepsi can", aliases=["can", "pepsi"])
+    assert t.aliases == ["can", "pepsi"]
+
+
+# --- entity.can_accept ---
+
+
+def test_entity_can_accept_portable_thing():
+    """Entity accepts portable things (inventory)."""
+    entity = Entity(name="player")
+    sword = Thing(name="sword", portable=True)
+    assert entity.can_accept(sword) is True
+
+
+def test_entity_rejects_non_portable_thing():
+    """Entity rejects non-portable things."""
+    entity = Entity(name="player")
+    fountain = Thing(name="fountain", portable=False)
+    assert entity.can_accept(fountain) is False
+
+
+def test_entity_rejects_non_thing():
+    """Entity rejects objects that aren't Things."""
+    entity = Entity(name="player")
+    other = Object(name="abstract")
+    assert entity.can_accept(other) is False
+
+
+# --- zone interaction ---
+
+
+def test_zone_contents_at_finds_things():
+    """Zone.contents_at finds things at a position."""
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain)
+    rock = Thing(name="rock", location=zone, x=5, y=5)
+    result = zone.contents_at(5, 5)
+    assert rock in result
+
+
+def test_zone_contents_near_finds_things():
+    """Zone.contents_near finds things within range."""
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain)
+    rock = Thing(name="rock", location=zone, x=5, y=5)
+    result = zone.contents_near(5, 5, 3)
+    assert rock in result