diff --git a/src/mudlib/render/room.py b/src/mudlib/render/room.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..43b51fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/mudlib/render/room.py
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+"""Pure functions for structured room display."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+
+def render_where(zone_name: str) -> str:
+    """Render the zone description line.
+
+    Args:
+        zone_name: The zone's description/name to display
+
+    Returns:
+        Formatted string like "Where: The Overworld"
+    """
+    return f"Where: {zone_name}"
+
+
+def render_location(zone, x: int, y: int) -> str:
+    """Render location with quadrant and coordinates.
+
+    Args:
+        zone: The zone object (needs width and height attributes)
+        x: X coordinate
+        y: Y coordinate
+
+    Returns:
+        Formatted string like "Location: northeast 47, 53"
+    """
+    # Calculate quadrant based on zone thirds
+    third_w = zone.width / 3
+    third_h = zone.height / 3
+
+    # Determine horizontal component (west/center/east)
+    if x < third_w:
+        h_part = "west"
+    elif x < 2 * third_w:
+        h_part = "center"
+    else:
+        h_part = "east"
+
+    # Determine vertical component (north/center/south)
+    if y < third_h:
+        v_part = "north"
+    elif y < 2 * third_h:
+        v_part = "center"
+    else:
+        v_part = "south"
+
+    # Combine into quadrant name
+    if h_part == "center" and v_part == "center":
+        quadrant = "center"
+    elif h_part == "center":
+        quadrant = v_part
+    elif v_part == "center":
+        quadrant = h_part
+    else:
+        quadrant = f"{v_part}{h_part}"
+
+    return f"Location: {quadrant} {x}, {y}"
+
+
+def render_nearby(entities: list, viewer) -> str:
+    """Render nearby entities line.
+
+    Args:
+        entities: List of entities in viewport but not on viewer's tile
+        viewer: The viewing entity (unused for now)
+
+    Returns:
+        Formatted string like "Nearby: (3) saibaman / Master Roshi / Goku"
+        or empty string if no nearby entities
+    """
+    if not entities:
+        return ""
+
+    count = len(entities)
+    names = " / ".join(entity.name for entity in entities)
+    return f"Nearby: ({count}) {names}"
+
+
+def render_exits(zone, x: int, y: int) -> str:
+    """Render available exits from current position.
+
+    Args:
+        zone: The zone object (needs is_passable method)
+        x: Current X coordinate
+        y: Current Y coordinate
+
+    Returns:
+        Formatted string like "Exits: north south east west"
+    """
+    exits = []
+
+    # Check cardinal directions
+    # NOTE: up/down exits deferred until z-axis movement is implemented
+    if zone.is_passable(x, y - 1):  # north (y decreases going up)
+        exits.append("north")
+    if zone.is_passable(x, y + 1):  # south
+        exits.append("south")
+    if zone.is_passable(x + 1, y):  # east
+        exits.append("east")
+    if zone.is_passable(x - 1, y):  # west
+        exits.append("west")
+
+    if exits:
+        return f"Exits: {' '.join(exits)}"
+    return "Exits:"
+
+
+_POSTURE_MESSAGES = {
+    "standing": "is standing here.",
+    "resting": "is resting here.",
+    "flying": "is flying above.",
+    "fighting": "is fighting here.",
+    "unconscious": "is unconscious.",
+}
+
+
+def render_entity_lines(entities: list, viewer) -> str:
+    """Render entity descriptions based on posture.
+
+    Args:
+        entities: List of entities on viewer's tile (excluding viewer)
+        viewer: The viewing entity (unused for now)
+
+    Returns:
+        Newline-separated entity descriptions, or empty string if none
+    """
+    if not entities:
+        return ""
+
+    lines = []
+    for entity in entities:
+        # Get posture with fallback to "standing"
+        posture = getattr(entity, "posture", "standing")
+        msg = _POSTURE_MESSAGES.get(posture, "is standing here.")
+        lines.append(f"{entity.name} {msg}")
+
+    return "\n".join(lines)
diff --git a/tests/test_room_render.py b/tests/test_room_render.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf26eed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_room_render.py
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+"""Tests for room rendering functions."""
+
+from mudlib.entity import Mob
+from mudlib.render.room import (
+    render_entity_lines,
+    render_exits,
+    render_location,
+    render_nearby,
+    render_where,
+)
+from mudlib.zone import Zone
+
+
+def test_render_where():
+    """render_where returns 'Where: {zone description}'."""
+    zone = Zone(name="overworld", description="The Overworld")
+    assert render_where(zone.description) == "Where: The Overworld"
+
+    zone2 = Zone(name="cave", description="Dark Cave")
+    assert render_where(zone2.description) == "Where: Dark Cave"
+
+
+def test_render_location_center():
+    """render_location shows 'center' for positions near zone center."""
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=50, height=50, terrain=[])
+    # Center should be around 25, 25 (middle third of both axes)
+    assert render_location(zone, 25, 25) == "Location: center 25, 25"
+    assert render_location(zone, 20, 20) == "Location: center 20, 20"
+    assert render_location(zone, 30, 30) == "Location: center 30, 30"
+
+
+def test_render_location_quadrants():
+    """render_location shows correct quadrants based on position."""
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=60, height=60, terrain=[])
+    # Thirds: 0-19 west/north, 20-39 center, 40-59 east/south
+
+    # Northwest
+    assert render_location(zone, 5, 5) == "Location: northwest 5, 5"
+    assert render_location(zone, 10, 10) == "Location: northwest 10, 10"
+
+    # North (center horizontally, north vertically)
+    assert render_location(zone, 30, 5) == "Location: north 30, 5"
+
+    # Northeast
+    assert render_location(zone, 50, 5) == "Location: northeast 50, 5"
+
+    # West (west horizontally, center vertically)
+    assert render_location(zone, 5, 30) == "Location: west 5, 30"
+
+    # East
+    assert render_location(zone, 50, 30) == "Location: east 50, 30"
+
+    # Southwest
+    assert render_location(zone, 5, 50) == "Location: southwest 5, 50"
+
+    # South
+    assert render_location(zone, 30, 50) == "Location: south 30, 50"
+
+    # Southeast
+    assert render_location(zone, 50, 50) == "Location: southeast 50, 50"
+
+
+def test_render_nearby_empty():
+    """render_nearby returns empty string when no nearby entities."""
+    assert render_nearby([], None) == ""
+
+
+def test_render_nearby_single():
+    """render_nearby shows count and single entity name."""
+    mob = Mob(name="saibaman", x=10, y=10)
+    result = render_nearby([mob], None)
+    assert result == "Nearby: (1) saibaman"
+
+
+def test_render_nearby_multiple():
+    """render_nearby shows count and names separated by '/'."""
+    mobs = [
+        Mob(name="saibaman", x=10, y=10),
+        Mob(name="Master Roshi", x=11, y=10),
+        Mob(name="Goku", x=10, y=11),
+    ]
+    result = render_nearby(mobs, None)
+    assert result == "Nearby: (3) saibaman / Master Roshi / Goku"
+
+
+def test_render_exits_all_directions():
+    """render_exits shows all passable cardinal directions."""
+    # Create zone with all passable terrain (grass)
+    terrain = [["." for _ in range(10)] for _ in range(10)]
+    zone = Zone(
+        name="test", width=10, height=10, terrain=terrain, impassable={"^", "~"}
+    )
+
+    result = render_exits(zone, 5, 5)
+    assert result == "Exits: north south east west"
+
+
+def test_render_exits_blocked_directions():
+    """render_exits only shows passable directions."""
+    # Create zone with mountains (^) blocking some directions
+    terrain = [
+        [".", ".", ".", ".", "."],
+        [".", ".", "^", ".", "."],  # mountain north
+        [".", "^", ".", "^", "."],  # mountains west and east
+        [".", ".", "^", ".", "."],  # mountain south
+        [".", ".", ".", ".", "."],
+    ]
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=5, height=5, terrain=terrain, impassable={"^", "~"})
+
+    # Position at center (2, 2) — surrounded by mountains
+    result = render_exits(zone, 2, 2)
+    assert result == "Exits:"  # no passable exits
+
+
+def test_render_exits_partial():
+    """render_exits shows only available exits."""
+    terrain = [
+        [".", ".", "."],
+        ["^", ".", "."],  # mountain to west
+        [".", "^", "."],  # mountain to south
+    ]
+    zone = Zone(name="test", width=3, height=3, terrain=terrain, impassable={"^"})
+
+    # Position at (1, 1) — north and east are passable
+    result = render_exits(zone, 1, 1)
+    assert result == "Exits: north east"
+
+
+def test_render_entity_lines_empty():
+    """render_entity_lines returns empty string when no entities."""
+    assert render_entity_lines([], None) == ""
+
+
+def test_render_entity_lines_single():
+    """render_entity_lines shows single entity with posture."""
+    mob = Mob(name="saibaman", x=10, y=10)
+    # Default posture is "standing" (fallback)
+    result = render_entity_lines([mob], None)
+    assert result == "saibaman is standing here."
+
+
+def test_render_entity_lines_multiple():
+    """render_entity_lines shows multiple entities, each on own line."""
+    # Create entities with different states that affect posture
+    mob1 = Mob(name="saibaman", x=10, y=10)  # standing by default
+    mob2 = Mob(name="Master Roshi", x=10, y=10, resting=True)  # resting
+
+    result = render_entity_lines([mob1, mob2], None)
+    lines = result.split("\n")
+    assert len(lines) == 2
+    assert lines[0] == "saibaman is standing here."
+    assert lines[1] == "Master Roshi is resting here."
+
+
+def test_render_entity_lines_postures():
+    """render_entity_lines handles different posture types based on entity state."""
+    # Standing (default state)
+    mob = Mob(name="Goku", x=10, y=10)
+    assert render_entity_lines([mob], None) == "Goku is standing here."
+
+    # Resting (resting=True)
+    mob_resting = Mob(name="Goku", x=10, y=10, resting=True)
+    assert render_entity_lines([mob_resting], None) == "Goku is resting here."
+
+    # Unconscious (pl <= 0)
+    mob_unconscious = Mob(name="Goku", x=10, y=10, pl=0)
+    assert render_entity_lines([mob_unconscious], None) == "Goku is unconscious."
+
+    # Unconscious (stamina <= 0)
+    mob_exhausted = Mob(name="Goku", x=10, y=10, stamina=0)
+    assert render_entity_lines([mob_exhausted], None) == "Goku is unconscious."