Fix arena examples and tie handling

- Warriors now have overlapping domains so trials actually fire
- Ties default to warlord (defender's advantage)
- Mock warriors produce random latency for differentiation
- Clean up TheArena themed output (less verbose)
- Fix quick_battle reasoning display (single line)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: Lumi-node

examples/quick_battle.py

@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 
 import asyncio
 from orc import Warrior, Elder, TheArena
-from orc.judges import MetricsJudge
 
 
 async def main():
@@ -18,80 +17,81 @@ async def main():
     print("=" * 60)
     print()
 
-    # Create three Warriors with mock LLM clients (just strings)
+    # Create three Warriors with OVERLAPPING domains
+    # Domain overlap is what triggers challenges and trials!
     warriors = [
         Warrior(
             name="Grok",
-            llm_client="mock_llm_1",
-            system_prompt="You are a powerful orc warrior with exceptional strength.",
-            temperature=0.5,
+            llm_client="mock",
+            system_prompt="You are a powerful orc warrior.",
             capabilities=["melee_combat", "strategy", "leadership"],
-            domains=["combat", "tactics"],
+            domains=["combat", "strategy"],  # overlaps with Thrall on combat
         ),
         Warrior(
             name="Thrall",
-            llm_client="mock_llm_2",
-            system_prompt="You are a wise orc shaman with magical powers.",
-            temperature=0.3,
-            capabilities=["magic", "healing", "elemental_control"],
-            domains=["magic", "healing"],
+            llm_client="mock",
+            system_prompt="You are a wise orc shaman.",
+            capabilities=["magic", "healing", "combat_magic"],
+            domains=["combat", "magic"],  # overlaps with Grok on combat, Sylvanas on magic
         ),
         Warrior(
             name="Sylvanas",
-            llm_client="mock_llm_3",
-            system_prompt="You are a skilled orc ranger with unmatched archery.",
-            temperature=0.6,
-            capabilities=["archery", "stealth", "tracking"],
-            domains=["ranged_combat", "hunting"],
+            llm_client="mock",
+            system_prompt="You are a cunning dark ranger.",
+            capabilities=["archery", "dark_magic", "tactics"],
+            domains=["combat", "magic", "strategy"],  # overlaps with everyone
         ),
     ]
 
-    print(f"Warriors registered: {', '.join(w.name for w in warriors)}")
-    print()
+    print(f"Warriors: {', '.join(w.name for w in warriors)}")
+    print(f"All three claim the 'combat' domain - expect blood!\n")
 
-    # Create an Elder judge (uses MetricsJudge by default)
+    # Create an Elder judge (defaults to MetricsJudge)
     elder = Elder(
         evaluator_model="metrics_judge",
         evaluation_criteria="Evaluate based on accuracy and speed.",
     )
-    print(f"Elder ready to judge")
-    print()
 
-    # Create The Arena
+    # Create The Arena with HIGH challenge probability for this demo
     arena = TheArena(
         warriors=warriors,
         elder=elder,
-        challenge_probability=0.4,
+        challenge_probability=0.8,  # 80% chance of challenge when domains overlap
     )
 
-    # Run a few battles
+    # Run battles - with overlapping domains, challenges WILL happen
     challenges = [
-        "Defeat the invading army",
-        "Retrieve the lost artifact",
-        "Protect the village from darkness",
+        "Lead the charge against the enemy fortress",
+        "Cast a devastating spell on the battlefield",
+        "Plan the siege of the northern stronghold",
+        "Defend the war camp from a surprise attack",
+        "Duel the enemy champion in single combat",
     ]
 
     for challenge in challenges:
         print(f"\n--- CHALLENGE: {challenge} ---")
         result = await arena.battle(challenge)
-        print(f"Victory: {result.winner}")
-        if result.verdict:
-            print(f"Reasoning: {result.verdict.reasoning[:80]}...")
+        if result.was_challenged and result.verdict:
+            reason = result.verdict.reasoning.split("\n")[0][:80]
+            print(f"  TRIAL: {reason}")
+        print(f"  Victor: {result.winner}")
 
+    # Show final standings
     print("\n" + "=" * 60)
-    print("LEADERBOARD")
+    print("FINAL STANDINGS")
     print("=" * 60)
 
-    # Show leaderboard for each domain
-    for domain in ["combat", "magic", "ranged_combat"]:
+    for domain in ["combat", "magic", "strategy"]:
         leaderboard = arena.get_leaderboard(domain)
-        print(f"\n{domain.upper()} DOMAIN:")
-        for entry in leaderboard:
-            status = " (Warlord)" if entry["is_warlord"] else ""
-            print(
-                f"  {entry['agent']}: rep={entry['reputation']:.2f}, "
-                f"wins={entry['wins']}, losses={entry['losses']}{status}"
-            )
+        if leaderboard:
+            print(f"\n  {domain.upper()} DOMAIN:")
+            for i, entry in enumerate(leaderboard):
+                crown = " [WARCHIEF]" if entry["is_warlord"] else ""
+                print(
+                    f"    {i+1}. {entry['agent']:12s} "
+                    f"Rep: {entry['reputation']:.2f}  "
+                    f"W:{entry['wins']} L:{entry['losses']}{crown}"
+                )
 
     print("\n" + "=" * 60)
     print("Battle complete!")

orc/arena/trial.py

@@ -170,8 +170,10 @@ async def execute(self) -> TrialResult:
         # Judge evaluates
         verdict = await self.judge.evaluate(self.task, submissions)
 
-        # Determine winner
+        # Determine winner (ties go to the defending warlord)
         winner = verdict.winner
+        if verdict.is_tie or winner not in (self.warlord.name, self.challenger.name):
+            winner = self.warlord.name
         winner_result = (
             warlord_result if winner == self.warlord.name else challenger_result
         )

orc/themed/the_arena.py

@@ -117,4 +117,8 @@ def _themed_on_succession(self, old_warlord: str, new_warlord: str, domain: str)
 
     def _themed_on_trial_complete(self, verdict: Any):
         """Themed output when a trial completes."""
-        print(f"\n⚖️ The Elder has spoken. Verdict: {verdict.reasoning[:100]}...")
+        winner = verdict.winner
+        if verdict.is_tie:
+            print(f"  ⚖️ The Elder declares a TIE — Warchief retains the throne!")
+        else:
+            print(f"  ⚖️ The Elder has spoken: {winner} prevails!")

orc/themed/warrior.py

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Each Warrior has a name, LLM client, system prompt, and capabilities.
 """
 
+import random
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Union
 
 from dynabots_core import TaskResult
@@ -91,13 +92,15 @@ async def process_task(
 
         try:
             if isinstance(self.llm_client, str):
-                # Mock mode: return success without calling LLM
+                # Mock mode: simulate variable performance
+                duration = random.randint(50, 500)
                 return TaskResult.success(
                     task_id=task_id,
                     data={
                         "response": f"Warrior {self.name} processed task: {task_description}",
                         "model": self.llm_client,
                     },
+                    duration_ms=duration,
                 )
 
             # Real LLM mode: call the provider

tests/test_trial.py

@@ -97,10 +97,14 @@ async def test_trial_result_winner_result(
 
         assert result.winner_result is not None
         # Winner is determined by judge's verdict
-        if result.verdict.winner == mock_agent_fast.name:
+        # Ties or unrecognized names default to warlord (defender's advantage)
+        if result.winner == mock_agent_fast.name:
             assert result.winner_result == result.warlord_result
-        else:
+        elif result.winner == mock_agent_slow.name:
             assert result.winner_result == result.challenger_result
+        else:
+            # Tie or fallback — warlord retains
+            assert result.winner_result == result.warlord_result
 
 
 class TestTimeoutHandling: