diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/AdminPanel.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/AdminPanel.tsx
index 5813436f..6858cfa1 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/AdminPanel.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/AdminPanel.tsx
@@ -83,8 +83,7 @@ export default function AdminPanel() {
   return (
     <>
       <p className="mt-2 text-sm text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">
-        Signed in as {me.discord_username ? `@${me.discord_username}` : "staff"} · {roleLabel(me.role)}. Every
-        change here is recorded with your reason.
+        Signed in as {me.discord_username ? `@${me.discord_username}` : "staff"} · {roleLabel(me.role)}. Changes and reasons are recorded.
       </p>
 
       {/* The roster beside the lookup on wide screens; stacked below that. */}
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.test.tsx
index 31c8990a..b1b36c33 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.test.tsx
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ afterEach(() => {
 
 it("compares everyone at the inspected moment and carries the view to a player", async () => {
   render(<EveryoneMovement />);
-  await screen.findByText(/2 of 2 players observed or estimated at this moment/);
+  await screen.findByText(/2 of 2 players seen/);
   expect(getEveryoneMovement).toHaveBeenCalledWith(T - 3600, T);
   expect(screen.getByText("11, 21")).toBeTruthy();
   // Bob's last ping was 90 s before the moment, in the End.
@@ -91,5 +91,5 @@ it("compares everyone at the inspected moment and carries the view to a player",
   // "Only selected" lives in the URL, so a copied link shows the same players.
   fireEvent.click(await screen.findByLabelText(/Only selected/));
   expect(nav.state.params.get("only")).toBe("1");
-  await screen.findByText(/1 of 1 players observed/);
+  await screen.findByText(/1 of 1 players seen/);
 });
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.tsx
index 91b48ad5..6c2c76a4 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneMovement.tsx
@@ -70,11 +70,11 @@ function whereText(found: Inspection, moment: number, mapWorld: string): string
     case "estimated":
       return `≈ ${place(found.x, found.z, found.world)}`;
     case "unobserved":
-      return "unobserved transition";
+      return "unknown";
     case "stale":
       return `${place(found.before.x, found.before.z, found.world)} · ${formatDuration(moment - found.before.time).toLowerCase()} before`;
     default:
-      return "not observed";
+      return "not seen";
   }
 }
 
@@ -255,11 +255,7 @@ function EveryoneRange({ viewSwitch }: { viewSwitch: ReactNode }) {
       panel={
         <>
           {viewSwitch}
-          <p className={mutedClass}>
-            {data?.coreprotect.server_label ? `${data.coreprotect.server_label} · ` : ""}
-            Everyone online over a range of up to 24 hours. Positions are recorded once a minute; lines between them are
-            estimates. Each view is logged.
-          </p>
+          <p className={mutedClass}>Lines between positions are estimates. Views are logged.</p>
           {data ? <CopyButton text={shareUrl()} label="Copy link to this view" /> : null}
           {notice ? <p className="text-sm text-[#e8c48a]">{notice}</p> : null}
           {load.kind === "failed" ? (
@@ -316,7 +312,7 @@ function EveryoneRange({ viewSwitch }: { viewSwitch: ReactNode }) {
             since={since}
             until={until}
             unknownUntil={unknownUntil}
-            unknownLabel={completeFrom > since ? "earlier observations omitted" : "before available position observations"}
+            unknownLabel={completeFrom > since ? "too many to show" : "login and logout locations only"}
             bands={bands}
             cursor={moment}
             onCursor={setMoment}
@@ -327,17 +323,16 @@ function EveryoneRange({ viewSwitch }: { viewSwitch: ReactNode }) {
         <>
           {data ? (
             <InspectBar cursor={moment} since={since} until={until} times={times} onCursor={setMoment}>
-              Inspecting {formatClock(moment, true)} · {seenNow} of {drawn.length} players observed or estimated at this
-              moment. Positions in the list are as of this moment.
+              {formatClock(moment, true)} · {seenNow} of {drawn.length} players seen or estimated
             </InspectBar>
           ) : null}
           {data && completeFrom > since ? (
             <p className={mutedClass}>
-              Earlier observations omitted: too many to show, so the range starts at {formatMoment(completeFrom)}.
+              Too many positions to show; the range starts at {formatMoment(completeFrom)}.
             </p>
           ) : null}
           {data && data.pings_since !== null && data.pings_since > since ? (
-            <p className={mutedClass}>Before {formatMoment(data.pings_since)} there are no available position observations.</p>
+            <p className={mutedClass}>Before {formatMoment(data.pings_since)}, only login and logout locations.</p>
           ) : null}
           <div className="flex flex-col gap-2 border-t border-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--tfmc-cream)_12%,transparent)] pt-3">
             <input
@@ -397,7 +392,7 @@ function EveryoneRange({ viewSwitch }: { viewSwitch: ReactNode }) {
                   </span>
                 </li>
               ))}
-              {data && !all.length ? <li className={mutedClass}>Nobody was observed in this range.</li> : null}
+              {data && !all.length ? <li className={mutedClass}>Nobody was seen in this range.</li> : null}
             </ul>
           </div>
         </>
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.test.tsx
index 806f6467..1da5c4be 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.test.tsx
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ afterEach(() => {
 
 it("opens on where everyone online is now, and refreshes", async () => {
   render(<EveryoneMovement />);
-  await screen.findByText(/2 players online · updated 14:00:00/);
+  await screen.findByText(/2 players seen recently · updated 14:00:00/);
   expect(getLatestMovement).toHaveBeenCalledWith(T - 150);
   // Carol logged out: not listed. Bob is in the Nether: listed, not on the map's world.
   expect(screen.getByText("11, 21 · 40 s ago")).toBeTruthy();
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ it("opens on where everyone online is now, and refreshes", async () => {
 
 it("keeps the last positions when a refresh fails", async () => {
   render(<EveryoneMovement />);
-  await screen.findByText(/2 players online/);
+  await screen.findByText(/2 players seen recently/);
   vi.mocked(getLatestMovement).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error("boom"));
   await act(async () => {
     vi.advanceTimersByTime(NOW_REFRESH_MS);
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ it("keeps the last positions when a refresh fails", async () => {
 
 it("switches between now and a time range", async () => {
   render(<EveryoneMovement />);
-  await screen.findByText(/2 players online/);
+  await screen.findByText(/2 players seen recently/);
   fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Time range" }));
   expect(nav.state.params.get("view")).toBe("range");
   expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Time range" }).getAttribute("aria-pressed")).toBe("true");
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ it("switches between now and a time range", async () => {
 
 it("ignores an answer that arrives after a newer one", async () => {
   render(<EveryoneMovement />);
-  await screen.findByText(/2 players online/);
+  await screen.findByText(/2 players seen recently/);
   let answerSlow: (value: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof getLatestMovement>>) => void = () => {};
   const first = await vi.mocked(getLatestMovement).mock.results[0].value;
   vi.mocked(getLatestMovement)
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.tsx
index 52d77377..de55049b 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/EveryoneNow.tsx
@@ -159,12 +159,7 @@ export default function EveryoneNow({ viewSwitch = null }: { viewSwitch?: ReactN
       panel={
         <>
           {viewSwitch}
-          <p className={mutedClass}>
-            {data?.coreprotect.server_label ? `${data.coreprotect.server_label} · ` : ""}
-            Where everyone online is now: each player&rsquo;s latest recorded position. Positions are recorded once a
-            minute, so one can be up to a minute old. Refreshes every {NOW_REFRESH_MS / 1000} seconds; each refresh is
-            logged.
-          </p>
+          <p className={mutedClass}>Positions update about once a minute. Views are logged.</p>
           {notice ? <p className="text-sm text-[#e8c48a]">{notice}</p> : null}
           {load.kind === "ready" && load.error ? (
             <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-3">
@@ -199,7 +194,7 @@ export default function EveryoneNow({ viewSwitch = null }: { viewSwitch?: ReactN
         <>
           <p className="text-sm text-[var(--tfmc-cream)]" aria-live="polite">
             {data
-              ? `${positions.length} ${positions.length === 1 ? "player" : "players"} online · updated ${formatClock(
+              ? `${positions.length} ${positions.length === 1 ? "player" : "players"} seen recently · updated ${formatClock(
                   data.as_of ?? data.until,
                   true
                 )}`
@@ -236,7 +231,7 @@ export default function EveryoneNow({ viewSwitch = null }: { viewSwitch?: ReactN
                 </span>
               </li>
             ))}
-            {data && !positions.length ? <li className={mutedClass}>Nobody is online.</li> : null}
+            {data && !positions.length ? <li className={mutedClass}>Nobody seen recently.</li> : null}
           </ul>
         </>
       }
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementControls.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementControls.tsx
index 62350335..1969e564 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementControls.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementControls.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import { useAccessibleMaps } from "../../hooks/useAccessibleMaps";
 import { liveMapIdFrom } from "../../lib/map/chronicleDayRoute";
 import { formatDuration } from "../../../lib/admin/time";
 import {
-  describeSpan,
   formatClock,
   formatDay,
   formatMoment,
@@ -254,7 +253,7 @@ export function RangeForm({
             }
           }}
         />
-        Keep up to date (moves the range with the clock)
+        Move range with the clock
       </label>
       {error ? (
         <p className={errorClass} role="alert">
@@ -262,8 +261,7 @@ export function RangeForm({
         </p>
       ) : null}
       <p className={mutedClass}>
-        Showing <span className="text-[var(--tfmc-cream)]">{describeSpan(value.from, value.to)}</span> ·{" "}
-        {formatDuration(value.to - value.from).toLowerCase()} · times in {zoneLabel(value.from, value.to)}
+        {formatDuration(value.to - value.from)} · times in {zoneLabel(value.from, value.to)}
         {value.follow && asOf ? ` · updated ${formatClock(asOf)}` : ""}
       </p>
     </form>
@@ -366,11 +364,11 @@ export function Timeline({
       </div>
       <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-1 text-[11px] text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">
         <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
-          <span className="inline-block h-2 w-4 rounded-sm bg-[var(--tfmc-accent)]" /> observed
+          <span className="inline-block h-2 w-4 rounded-sm bg-[var(--tfmc-accent)]" /> seen
         </span>
         <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
           <span className="inline-block h-2 w-4 rounded-sm bg-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--tfmc-cream)_6%,transparent)]" /> not
-          observed (offline, or not recorded)
+          seen (not proof of offline)
         </span>
         {hatchEnd !== null ? (
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
@@ -420,7 +418,7 @@ export function InspectBar({
     <div className="flex flex-col gap-2">
       {/* The box on its own row, the steps together below it: nothing beside a date box to run into. */}
       <label className="flex w-full max-w-72 flex-col gap-1 text-sm text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">
-        Inspect time
+        Time
         <input
           type="datetime-local"
           className={dateInputClass}
@@ -442,7 +440,7 @@ export function InspectBar({
           disabled={previous === null}
           onClick={() => previous !== null && onCursor(previous)}
         >
-          ‹ Previous observation
+          ‹ Previous
         </button>
         <button
           type="button"
@@ -450,7 +448,7 @@ export function InspectBar({
           disabled={next === null}
           onClick={() => next !== null && onCursor(next)}
         >
-          Next observation ›
+          Next ›
         </button>
       </div>
       {error ? (
@@ -495,7 +493,7 @@ function PinForm({ pin, onChange }: { pin: MapPin | null; onChange: (pin: MapPin
         if (valid) onChange({ x: Number(x.trim()), z: Number(z.trim()) });
       }}
     >
-      <span className="text-sm text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">Pin a place on the overworld map (for a report)</span>
+      <span className="text-sm text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">Pin a place in the overworld</span>
       <div className="flex gap-2">
         <input aria-label="Pin x" placeholder="x" inputMode="numeric" className={inputClass} value={x} onChange={(e) => setX(e.target.value)} />
         <input aria-label="Pin z" placeholder="z" inputMode="numeric" className={inputClass} value={z} onChange={(e) => setZ(e.target.value)} />
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementMap.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementMap.tsx
index b60c1c46..2d0051cb 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementMap.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/MovementMap.tsx
@@ -152,9 +152,9 @@ function endpointLabels(trail: MovementTrail, mapWorld: string): { sample: Sampl
   const lastStretch = shown[shown.length - 1].samples;
   const last = lastStretch[lastStretch.length - 1];
   const start = first.estimated
-    ? `Shown from ${formatClock(first.time)} (estimated position)`
-    : `${first.action === ACTION_LOGIN ? "Logged in" : "First observation shown"} ${formatClock(first.time)}`;
-  const end = `${last.action === ACTION_LOGOUT ? "Logged out" : "Last observation shown"} ${formatClock(last.time)}`;
+    ? `≈ First shown ${formatClock(first.time)}`
+    : `${first.action === ACTION_LOGIN ? "Logged in" : "First shown"} ${formatClock(first.time)}`;
+  const end = `${last.action === ACTION_LOGOUT ? "Logged out" : "Last shown"} ${formatClock(last.time)}`;
   if (first === last) return [{ sample: first, text: start }];
   return [
     { sample: first, text: start },
@@ -677,8 +677,8 @@ export default function MovementMap({
         ) : null}
         {latest ? (
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
-            <span className="inline-block h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full border-2 border-white bg-[#f4c96b]" /> last recorded
-            position (once a minute)
+            <span className="inline-block h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full border-2 border-white bg-[#f4c96b]" /> last
+            position
           </span>
         ) : (
           <>
@@ -694,10 +694,10 @@ export default function MovementMap({
             ) : null}
             <span className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1.5">
               <span className="inline-block h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full border-2 border-white bg-[#f4c96b]" /> recorded
-              <span className="ml-2 inline-block h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full border-2 border-[#f4c96b]" /> estimate or last seen
+              <span className="ml-2 inline-block h-2.5 w-2.5 rounded-full border-2 border-[#f4c96b]" /> estimated or last seen
             </span>
             <span className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1.5">
-              <span className="inline-block w-5 border-t-2 border-dashed border-[#e8e4d9]" /> unobserved transition
+              <span className="inline-block w-5 border-t-2 border-dashed border-[#e8e4d9]" /> route unknown
               <span className="ml-2 inline-block h-2 w-2 rounded-full bg-[#7fd18b]" /> logged in
               <span className="inline-block h-2 w-2 rounded-full bg-[#e8796f]" /> logged out
             </span>
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerActivity.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerActivity.tsx
index 1fc02469..54684919 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerActivity.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerActivity.tsx
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ export const KIND_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
   chat: "Chat",
 };
 
-const SOURCE_LABELS: Record<string, string> = { mmoitems: "MMOItems", mythicmobs: "MythicMobs" };
+const SOURCE_LABELS: Record<string, string> = { mmoitems: "Custom item", mythicmobs: "Custom mob" };
 
 // Each channel in the colour its in-game tag uses (RPCharacters' chat.yml).
 const CHANNEL_COLOURS: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ function ChannelTag({ channel, inferred = false }: { channel: string; inferred?:
   const colour = CHANNEL_COLOURS[channel] ?? "var(--tfmc-mist)";
   return (
     <span
-      title={inferred ? "Their channel at the time, from their last /channel switch since logging in" : undefined}
+      title={inferred ? "Inferred from their last /channel switch" : undefined}
       className="mr-1.5 inline-block rounded-full border px-1.5 align-[1px] text-[10px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-wide"
       style={{ color: colour, borderColor: `color-mix(in srgb, ${colour} 45%, transparent)` }}
     >
@@ -322,9 +322,7 @@ export default function PlayerActivity({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
     <section className={panelClass} aria-label="Recent activity">
       <h3 className={headingClass}>Recent activity</h3>
       <p className="mt-1 text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">
-        {showsMessages
-          ? "From CoreProtect, including chat and whole commands. Your views of these are logged. Sign text is not shown."
-          : "From CoreProtect. Chat, command arguments and sign text are not shown."}
+        {showsMessages ? "Includes chat and full commands; sign text is hidden. Views are logged." : "Chat, command details and sign text are hidden."}
       </p>
       {/* One row that scrolls sideways on a phone; wraps where there is room. */}
       <div
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.test.tsx
index 0e21fbce..e45e27cf 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.test.tsx
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ afterEach(() => {
 
 it("opens the newest session and inspects where it ended", async () => {
   render(<PlayerMovementPage uuid={UUID} />);
-  await screen.findByText(/Inspecting 14:10:00 · recorded at 30, 64, 0/);
+  await screen.findByText(/14:10:00 · 30, 64, 0/);
   expect(nav.state.params.get("session")).toBe("s1");
   expect(getSessionMovement).toHaveBeenCalledWith(UUID, "s1");
   expect(screen.getAllByText("Logged out 14:10").length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
@@ -109,14 +109,14 @@ it("opens the newest session and inspects where it ended", async () => {
 
 it("steps between observations and explains estimates", async () => {
   render(<PlayerMovementPage uuid={UUID} />);
-  await screen.findByText(/recorded at 30, 64, 0/);
-  fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "‹ Previous observation" }));
-  await screen.findByText(/Inspecting 14:02:00 · recorded at 20, 64, 0/);
+  await screen.findByText(/14:10:00 · 30, 64, 0/);
+  fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "‹ Previous" }));
+  await screen.findByText(/14:02:00 · 20, 64, 0/);
   act(() => nav.go(`/x?session=s1&at=${T + 90}`));
-  await screen.findByText(/estimated between observations at 14:01:00 and 14:02:00: near 15, 0/);
+  await screen.findByText(/about 15, 0 \(estimated between 14:01:00 and 14:02:00\)/);
   // Between 14:02 and logout at 14:10 nothing was recorded for longer than a ping gap.
   act(() => nav.go(`/x?session=s1&at=${T + 400}`));
-  await screen.findByText(/not observed \(offline, or not recorded\); last observation 14:02:00/);
+  await screen.findByText(/not seen; last seen 14:02:00/);
 });
 
 it("applies a typed range and refuses times the clocks skip", async () => {
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ it("applies a typed range and refuses times the clocks skip", async () => {
     coreprotect: status,
   });
   render(<PlayerMovementPage uuid={UUID} />);
-  await screen.findByText(/recorded at 30/);
+  await screen.findByText(/· 30, 64, 0/);
   fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("tab", { name: "Time range" }));
   fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("From"), { target: { value: "2026-03-29T01:30" } });
   fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Apply range" }));
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ it("applies a typed range and refuses times the clocks skip", async () => {
   fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Apply range" }));
   await waitFor(() => expect(getPlayerMovement).toHaveBeenCalledWith(UUID, T - 3600, T));
   expect(nav.state.params.get("session")).toBeNull();
-  await screen.findByText(/No observations between Tue 6 Oct 2026, 13:00 → 14:00/);
+  await screen.findByText(/Nothing recorded between Tue 6 Oct 2026, 13:00 → 14:00/);
 });
 
 it("tells non-admins the page is not for them", async () => {
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ it("tells non-admins the page is not for them", async () => {
 
 it("frames a new session only once its own answer is in", async () => {
   render(<PlayerMovementPage uuid={UUID} />);
-  await screen.findByText(/recorded at 30, 64, 0/);
+  await screen.findByText(/14:10:00 · 30, 64, 0/);
   expect(screen.getByTestId("map").dataset.fit).toBe("session:s1");
   let answer: (value: unknown) => void = () => undefined;
   vi.mocked(getSessionMovement).mockReturnValueOnce(new Promise((resolve) => (answer = resolve)) as never);
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.tsx
index 2281f5e4..bb85106f 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerMovementPage.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 "use client";
 
-import Link from "next/link";
 import { usePathname, useSearchParams } from "next/navigation";
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState } from "react";
 
@@ -299,12 +298,9 @@ export default function PlayerMovementPage({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
       panel={
         <>
           <h2 className="font-[family-name:var(--font-fraunces)] text-2xl text-[var(--tfmc-cream)]">
-            {name ?? "…"} · movement
+            {name ?? "…"}
           </h2>
-          <p className={mutedClass}>
-            {view?.coreprotect.server_label ? `${view.coreprotect.server_label} · ` : ""}
-            Positions are recorded once a minute; lines between them are estimates. Admins only; each view is logged.
-          </p>
+          <p className={mutedClass}>Lines between positions are estimates. Views are logged.</p>
           {view ? <CopyButton text={shareUrl()} label="Copy link to this view" /> : null}
           {notice ? <p className="text-sm text-[#e8c48a]">{notice}</p> : null}
           {load.kind === "failed" ? (
@@ -380,7 +376,7 @@ export default function PlayerMovementPage({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
             since={since}
             until={until}
             unknownUntil={unknownUntil}
-            unknownLabel={view.completeFrom > since ? "earlier observations omitted" : "before available position observations"}
+            unknownLabel={view.completeFrom > since ? "too many to show" : "login and logout locations only"}
             bands={observedBands(inWindow).map(([a, b]) => ({ from: a, to: b }))}
             cursor={cursor}
             onCursor={setCursor}
@@ -398,7 +394,7 @@ export default function PlayerMovementPage({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
               <div className={`${mutedClass} flex flex-col gap-1`}>
                 {!view.points.length ? (
                   <p className="text-[var(--tfmc-cream)]">
-                    No observations between {describeSpan(since, until)}.{" "}
+                    Nothing recorded between {describeSpan(since, until)}.{" "}
                     {mode === "range" ? (
                       <button type="button" className="underline" onClick={() => { setTab("session"); cancelMoment(); update({ from: null, to: null, follow: null, at: null }); }}>
                         Show their latest session
@@ -407,7 +403,7 @@ export default function PlayerMovementPage({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
                   </p>
                 ) : (
                   <p>
-                    Estimated observed time in the span shown: {formatDuration(observed).toLowerCase()}
+                    Seen for about {formatDuration(observed).toLowerCase()} in this range
                     {byWorld.length > 1
                       ? ` (${byWorld.map(([world, s]) => `${formatDuration(s).toLowerCase()} in ${worldLabel(world)}`).join(", ")})`
                       : byWorld.length === 1 && byWorld[0][0] !== mapWorld
@@ -416,25 +412,18 @@ export default function PlayerMovementPage({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
                     .
                   </p>
                 )}
-                {onlyEdges ? <p>Login and logout locations only; the route is unavailable for this span.</p> : null}
+                {onlyEdges ? <p>Route unavailable; only where they logged in and out.</p> : null}
                 {view.completeFrom > since ? (
-                  <p>Earlier observations omitted: too many to show, so the route starts at {formatMoment(view.completeFrom)}.</p>
+                  <p>Too many positions to show; the route starts at {formatMoment(view.completeFrom)}.</p>
                 ) : null}
                 {view.pingsSince !== null && view.pingsSince > since ? (
                   <p>
-                    Before {formatMoment(view.pingsSince)} there are no available position observations, only login and
-                    logout places.
+                    Before {formatMoment(view.pingsSince)}, only login and logout locations.
                   </p>
                 ) : null}
               </div>
             </>
           ) : null}
-          <Link
-            href={`/admin/players/${encodeURIComponent(uuid)}`}
-            className="border-t border-[color-mix(in_srgb,var(--tfmc-cream)_12%,transparent)] pt-3 text-sm text-[var(--tfmc-stone)] hover:text-[var(--tfmc-cream)]"
-          >
-            ← Back to the profile
-          </Link>
         </>
       }
     />
@@ -488,7 +477,7 @@ function Readout({
   cursor: number;
   mapWorld: string;
 }) {
-  const when = `Inspecting ${formatClock(cursor, true)}`;
+  const when = formatClock(cursor, true);
   const where = (world: string | null) => (world === mapWorld ? "" : ` in ${worldLabel(world)}`);
   switch (found.kind) {
     case "observed": {
@@ -496,7 +485,7 @@ function Readout({
       return (
         <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-3">
           <span>
-            {when} · recorded at {s.x}, {s.y}, {s.z}
+            {when} · {s.x}, {s.y}, {s.z}
             {where(found.world)}
           </span>
           {found.world === mapWorld ? <CopyButton text={`/tp ${s.x} ${s.y} ${s.z}`} label="Copy teleport command" /> : null}
@@ -506,15 +495,15 @@ function Readout({
     case "estimated":
       return (
         <span>
-          {when} · estimated between observations at {formatClock(found.before.time, true)} and{" "}
-          {formatClock(found.after.time, true)}: near {Math.round(found.x)}, {Math.round(found.z)}
+          {when} · about {Math.round(found.x)}, {Math.round(found.z)} (estimated between{" "}
+          {formatClock(found.before.time, true)} and {formatClock(found.after.time, true)})
           {where(found.world)}
         </span>
       );
     case "unobserved":
       return (
         <span>
-          {when} · position unknown: an unobserved transition from {found.before.x}, {found.before.z} (
+          {when} · unknown; moved from {found.before.x}, {found.before.z} (
           {formatClock(found.before.time, true)}) to {found.after.x}, {found.after.z} ({formatClock(found.after.time, true)})
           {where(found.world)}
         </span>
@@ -522,7 +511,7 @@ function Readout({
     case "stale":
       return (
         <span>
-          {when} · position unknown; last observed {formatDuration(cursor - found.before.time).toLowerCase()} earlier at{" "}
+          {when} · unknown; last seen {formatDuration(cursor - found.before.time).toLowerCase()} earlier at{" "}
           {found.before.x}, {found.before.z}
           {where(found.world)}
         </span>
@@ -530,8 +519,8 @@ function Readout({
     default:
       return (
         <span>
-          {when} · not observed (offline, or not recorded)
-          {found.before ? `; last observation ${formatClock(found.before.time, true)}` : ""}.
+          {when} · not seen
+          {found.before ? `; last seen ${formatClock(found.before.time, true)}` : ""}.
         </span>
       );
   }
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.test.tsx
index 62160f71..2c590aae 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.test.tsx
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ it("groups sessions by day and hedges ones without a logout", async () => {
   expect(within(sessions).getByText(/^No logout recorded · last seen \d\d:\d\d$/)).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(sessions).queryByText(/Logged out/)).toBeNull();
   expect(within(sessions).queryByRole("link")).toBeNull();
-  expect(within(sessions).getByText(/^Retained session records start/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(within(sessions).getByText(/^Server session history starts/)).toBeTruthy();
 });
 
 it("links each session to its route for those who may see movement", async () => {
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ it("reports CoreProtect problems per section", async () => {
   nav.query = "tab=sessions";
   render(<PlayerProfile uuid={UUID} />);
   const sessions = await screen.findByRole("region", { name: "Sessions" });
-  expect(await within(sessions).findByText(/CoreProtect took too long/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(await within(sessions).findByText(/Activity history took too long/)).toBeTruthy();
 });
 
 it.each([
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ it("keeps rows and the cursor when a later page is unavailable", async () => {
     entries: [], next: null, searched_to: null, kinds: KINDS, shows_messages: false, coreprotect: { status: "unavailable", reason: "busy" },
   });
   fireEvent.click(within(feed).getByRole("button", { name: "Load more" }));
-  expect(await within(feed).findByText(/CoreProtect is busy/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(await within(feed).findByText(/Activity history is busy/)).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(feed).getByText("stone")).toBeTruthy();
 
   vi.mocked(getPlayerActivity).mockResolvedValueOnce({
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ it("keeps rows and the cursor when a later page is unavailable", async () => {
   expect(await within(feed).findByText("oak_door")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(getPlayerActivity).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(UUID, { before: "cursor-1", kinds: undefined });
   expect(within(feed).getByText("stone")).toBeTruthy();
-  expect(within(feed).queryByText(/CoreProtect is busy/)).toBeNull();
+  expect(within(feed).queryByText(/Activity history is busy/)).toBeNull();
 });
 
 it("retries a failed sessions page from the same cursor", async () => {
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ it("retries a failed sessions page from the same cursor", async () => {
   fireEvent.click(await within(sessions).findByRole("button", { name: "Load more sessions" }));
   expect(await within(sessions).findByText("That page link has expired. Reload to start again.")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(sessions).getByText("End unknown")).toBeTruthy();
-  expect(within(sessions).queryByText(/Retained session records/)).toBeNull();
+  expect(within(sessions).queryByText(/Server session history starts/)).toBeNull();
   fireEvent.click(within(sessions).getByRole("button", { name: "Try again" }));
   await waitFor(() => expect(getPlayerSessions).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(UUID, "s-1"));
 });
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ it("shows chat and whole commands to admins, and says views are logged", async (
   expect(within(feed).getByText("/msg Bob hello")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(feed).getByText("(cut short)")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(feed).getByRole("button", { name: "Chat" })).toBeTruthy();
-  expect(within(feed).getByText(/Your views of these are logged/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(within(feed).getByText(/Views are logged/)).toBeTruthy();
 });
 
 it("tags chat with its channel, and tells moderators only the channel", async () => {
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ it("tags chat with its channel, and tells moderators only the channel", async ()
 it("keeps moderators' note when messages are not included", async () => {
   render(<PlayerProfile uuid={UUID} />);
   const feed = await screen.findByRole("region", { name: "Recent activity" });
-  expect(await within(feed).findByText(/Chat, command arguments and sign text are not shown/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(await within(feed).findByText(/Chat, command details and sign text are hidden/)).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(feed).queryByRole("button", { name: "Chat" })).toBeNull();
 });
 
@@ -345,11 +345,11 @@ it("names things properly, merges block runs and calls the world by its name", a
   expect(within(feed).getByText(/4052, 64, 2$/)).toBeTruthy();
 
   expect(within(feed).getByText("Mouse Plush")).toBeTruthy();
-  expect(within(feed).getByText("MMOItems")).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(within(feed).getByText("Custom item")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(feed).queryByText(/MISC:MOUSE_PLUSH/)).toBeNull();
   const plush = within(feed).getAllByRole("button", { name: /Details/ })[0];
   fireEvent.click(plush);
-  expect(within(feed).getByText("MMOItems id MISC:MOUSE_PLUSH")).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(within(feed).getByText("Custom item id MISC:MOUSE_PLUSH")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(feed).getByText("Based on Paper")).toBeTruthy();
 
   expect(within(feed).getByText("“Fang”")).toBeTruthy();
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.tsx
index e3bc41da..4a3ac549 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayerProfile.tsx
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ export default function PlayerProfile({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
                 `@${profile.discord.discord_username}`
               ) : (
                 <span className="text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">
-                  Handle not known yet (filled in when they sign in to the website) · ID {profile.discord.discord_user_id}
+                  Not known yet · ID {profile.discord.discord_user_id}
                 </span>
               )}
             </dd>
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ function Sessions({ uuid, movement }: { uuid: string; movement: boolean }) {
         </button>
       ) : rows.length && historyStart && state === "ready" ? (
         // The oldest session row CoreProtect still holds for anyone, not this player's first session.
-        <p className="mt-3 text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">Retained session records start {formatDate(historyStart)}.</p>
+        <p className="mt-3 text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">Server session history starts {formatDate(historyStart)}.</p>
       ) : null}
     </section>
   );
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.test.tsx
index 27010158..55c3ae1e 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.test.tsx
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ it("lists everyone under Minecraft by default", async () => {
   expect(within(screen.getByRole("link", { name: "Justin" }).closest("tr")!).queryByText("Not linked")).toBeNull();
   expect(within(screen.getByRole("link", { name: "Quiet" }).closest("tr")!).getByText("Seen just now")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(screen.getByRole("link", { name: "22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222" }).closest("tr")!).getByText("Never")).toBeTruthy();
-  expect(screen.getByText("243 players · activity from Vardera")).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(screen.getByText("243 players")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(screen.queryByRole("tab", { name: "Activity" })).toBeNull();
   expect(screen.getAllByRole("tab").map((tab) => tab.textContent)).toEqual(["Minecraft", "Discord", "Character"]);
   expect(screen.getByRole("tab", { name: "Minecraft" }).getAttribute("aria-selected")).toBe("true");
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ it("leads the Discord table with the handle and counts unlinked players", async
   expect(lead(row)).toContain("@hazelstone");
   expect(lead(row)).toContain("Enzo");
   expect(within(row).getByText("2 h ago")).toBeTruthy();
-  expect(screen.getByText("1 linked player · activity from Vardera")).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(screen.getByText("1 linked player")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(screen.getByText(/34 players without a Discord link aren’t listed here/)).toBeTruthy();
 
   fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "See everyone under Minecraft" }));
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ it("says when CoreProtect cannot be read, and that last seen is unknown", async
     }),
   });
   renderDirectory();
-  expect(await screen.findByText(/CoreProtect is busy.*Only linked players and characters are listed/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(await screen.findByText(/Activity history is busy.*Only linked players and characters are listed/)).toBeTruthy();
   expect(within(screen.getByRole("link", { name: "Linked" }).closest("tr")!).getByText("Unknown")).toBeTruthy();
 });
 
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.tsx
index d752b156..09fb894b 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/PlayersDirectory.tsx
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ function countLine(data: PlayerDirectory): string {
         : n === 1 ? "1 player" : `${n} players`;
   const source = data.coreprotect.server_label;
   if (!source) return counted;
-  return data.view === "character" ? `${counted} on ${source}` : `${counted} · activity from ${source}`;
+  return data.view === "character" ? `${counted} on ${source}` : counted;
 }
 
 export default function PlayersDirectory({ initialQuery, initialListing, initialPage }: Props) {
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ export default function PlayersDirectory({ initialQuery, initialListing, initial
               setQuery(e.target.value);
               setPage(1);
             }}
-            placeholder="Search by Minecraft, Discord (handle or nickname) or character name, or UUID"
+            placeholder="Minecraft, Discord or character name, or UUID"
             autoComplete="off"
             spellCheck={false}
             className={inputClass}
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/RailMap.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/RailMap.tsx
index a9f6e6d3..e8aa78ce 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/RailMap.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/RailMap.tsx
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ export default function RailMap({ mapId, network, highlight = null, focus = null
                   stroke={colour}
                   strokeWidth={2.5 * unit}
                 >
-                  <title>{`${label}: ${blocks(s.to - s.from)}, ${Math.round(s.from).toLocaleString("en-GB")} blocks along`}</title>
+                  <title>{`${label}: ${blocks(s.to - s.from)}`}</title>
                 </circle>
               </g>
             ))
@@ -310,9 +310,7 @@ export default function RailMap({ mapId, network, highlight = null, focus = null
             const capital = stop.kind === "faction_capital";
             return (
               <g key={`stop:${i}`} opacity={dim(stop.line)} className="pointer-events-auto">
-                <title>{`${stop.name}${capital ? " (faction capital)" : ""}\n${Math.round(stop.along).toLocaleString(
-                  "en-GB"
-                )} blocks along the track · settlement ${blocks(stop.distance)} away`}</title>
+                <title>{`${stop.name}${capital ? " (faction capital)" : ""}\nSettlement ${blocks(stop.distance)} away`}</title>
                 <circle
                   cx={stop.at[0]}
                   cy={stop.at[1]}
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.test.tsx
index 7bcbed15..295bc50e 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.test.tsx
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ it("lists breaks, lines and stops, and frames what is picked", async () => {
   render(<RailOverview />);
   expect(await screen.findByText("Thalenthyr – Drammen")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(getRailNetwork).toHaveBeenCalledWith("main");
-  expect(screen.getByText(/last saved them, at Wed 7 Oct 2026, 20:30/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(screen.getByText(/Updated Wed 7 Oct 2026, 20:30/)).toBeTruthy();
   expect(screen.getByText("Broken: 22 blocks")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(screen.getByText("capital · 0, 0")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(screen.getByText("Unnamed line")).toBeTruthy();
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ it("says when nothing needs repair", async () => {
 it("explains a site that cannot read the tracks", async () => {
   vi.mocked(getRailNetwork).mockResolvedValue({ ...NETWORK, status: "not_configured", lines: [], tracks: [], stops: [] });
   render(<RailOverview />);
-  expect(await screen.findByText("This site isn’t set up to read the rail network yet.")).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(await screen.findByText("Rail data isn’t available on this site.")).toBeTruthy();
   expect(screen.queryByTestId("map")).toBeNull();
 });
 
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.tsx
index 6d7507b9..50403699 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/RailOverview.tsx
@@ -125,15 +125,11 @@ export default function RailOverview() {
       panel={
         <>
           <p className={mutedClass}>
-            The tracks as VehicleFramework last saved them
-            {data.updated_at ? `, at ${formatMoment(data.updated_at)}` : ""}. A stop is a settlement whose provinces a
-            track crosses; it sits where the track comes closest to the settlement.
+            {data.updated_at ? `Updated ${formatMoment(data.updated_at)}. ` : ""}Stops are where a track passes closest to a
+            settlement.
           </p>
           {data.unreadable_files ? (
-            <p className="text-sm text-[#e8c48a]">
-              {data.unreadable_files} track {data.unreadable_files === 1 ? "file" : "files"} couldn’t be read, probably
-              mid-save. Reload in a moment.
-            </p>
+            <p className="text-sm text-[#e8c48a]">Some track couldn’t be loaded. Reload in a moment.</p>
           ) : null}
           {problems.length ? (
             <section aria-label="Broken and damaged track">
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankGroup.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankGroup.tsx
index 0d73f906..ff613e4f 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankGroup.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankGroup.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 "use client";
 
-import Link from "next/link";
 import { useRouter } from "next/navigation";
 import { useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState, type ReactNode } from "react";
 import { AccountApiError } from "../../../../lib/account/api";
@@ -158,9 +157,7 @@ export default function RankGroup({ name }: { name: string }) {
           Players in {group.name}{" "}
           <span className="whitespace-nowrap text-[var(--tfmc-mist)]">· {(members?.total ?? group.members).toLocaleString()}</span>
         </h3>
-        <p className={`mt-1 ${mutedClass}`}>
-          Players with a direct {group.name} entry, in any context. Chips show their other directly held groups.
-        </p>
+        <p className={`mt-1 ${mutedClass}`}>Direct members only. Chips show their other groups.</p>
         {members ? (
           <PlayerResults
             page={members}
@@ -201,7 +198,7 @@ export default function RankGroup({ name }: { name: string }) {
                       Delete <strong>{group.name}</strong>.
                     </>
                   ),
-                  warning: `${group.members} players hold it directly and keep a dangling entry; ${group.children.length} groups inherit it. Remove it from tracks first.`,
+                  warning: `${group.members} players hold it directly and ${group.children.length} groups inherit it; deleting leaves its entries on those players. Remove it from tracks first.`,
                   ops: [{ op: "delete_group" }],
                   label: "Delete group",
                 })
@@ -212,11 +209,6 @@ export default function RankGroup({ name }: { name: string }) {
           )}
         </section>
       ) : null}
-      <p className="mt-6 text-sm">
-        <Link href="/admin/ranks" className="text-[var(--tfmc-stone)] hover:text-[var(--tfmc-cream)]">
-          ← All groups
-        </Link>
-      </p>
     </>
   );
 }
@@ -330,7 +322,7 @@ function NodesPanel({
     <section className={panelClass} aria-label="Permissions">
       <div className="flex flex-wrap items-baseline justify-between gap-3">
         <h3 className={headingClass}>Permissions and settings</h3>
-        <span className="text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">{nodes.length} nodes</span>
+        <span className="text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">{nodes.length} entries</span>
       </div>
       {nodes.length > 8 ? (
         <input
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.test.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.test.tsx
index e74ca851..307ef2e6 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.test.tsx
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ it("warns about Patreon groups and explains refusals", async () => {
   const groups = await screen.findByRole("region", { name: "Groups" });
   fireEvent.change(within(groups).getByLabelText("Add to group"), { target: { value: "noble" } });
   fireEvent.click(within(groups).getByRole("button", { name: "Add" }));
-  expect(within(groups).getByText(/Patreon-managed/)).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(within(groups).getByText(/Patreon may reset/)).toBeTruthy();
   fireEvent.change(within(groups).getByLabelText("Reason (recorded)"), { target: { value: "Gift" } });
   fireEvent.click(within(groups).getAllByRole("button", { name: "Add" }).at(-1)!);
   expect(await within(groups).findByText(/No server is applying rank changes/)).toBeTruthy();
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.tsx
index a2d30f18..54f310c7 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RankPlayer.tsx
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import { buttonClass, chipClass, headingClass, inputClass, mutedClass, panelClas
 /** Servers that share this LuckPerms storage; a node may apply to just one. */
 export const SERVERS = ["main", "dev", "tutorial"] as const;
 const PATREON_NOTE =
-  "Patreon-managed: for a linked patron, the Patreon sync resets permanent all-server grants of this group within 30 minutes.";
+  "For linked patrons, Patreon may reset permanent all-server changes to this group within 30 minutes.";
 
 type Load = { kind: "loading" } | { kind: GateKind } | { kind: "failed"; message: string } | { kind: "ready"; data: LpPlayer };
 
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ export default function RankPlayer({ uuid }: { uuid: string }) {
       <section className={panelClass} aria-label="Groups">
         <h3 className={headingClass}>Groups</h3>
         {player.inherits.length ? (
-          <p className={`mt-1 ${mutedClass}`}>With inheritance, everywhere: {player.inherits.join(", ")}.</p>
+          <p className={`mt-1 ${mutedClass}`}>Across all servers, including inherited: {player.inherits.join(", ")}.</p>
         ) : null}
         {groupNodes.length ? (
           <ul className={`mt-2 ${rowClass}`}>
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ function PermissionsPanel({
     <section className={panelClass} aria-label="Permissions">
       <div className="flex flex-wrap items-baseline justify-between gap-3">
         <h3 className={headingClass}>Permissions</h3>
-        <span className="text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">{nodes.length} of their own; groups add more</span>
+        <span className="text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">{nodes.length} set directly</span>
       </div>
       {nodes.length > 8 ? (
         <input
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RanksOverview.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RanksOverview.tsx
index d98f0da5..7d06c87f 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RanksOverview.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/RanksOverview.tsx
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ export default function RanksOverview({ initialQuery = "" }: { initialQuery?: st
   return (
     <>
       <StatusLine status={data.status} rights={data.rights} />
-      <PlayerSearch initialQuery={initialQuery} total={data.players} />
+      <PlayerSearch initialQuery={initialQuery} />
       <GroupsPanel data={data} onChanged={refresh} />
       {/* Side by side on wide screens: neither needs the full width. */}
       <div className="grid gap-x-6 lg:grid-cols-2">
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ export default function RanksOverview({ initialQuery = "" }: { initialQuery?: st
   );
 }
 
-function PlayerSearch({ initialQuery, total }: { initialQuery: string; total: number }) {
+function PlayerSearch({ initialQuery }: { initialQuery: string }) {
   const [query, setQuery] = useState(initialQuery);
   const [page, setPage] = useState<LpPlayerPage | null>(null);
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ function PlayerSearch({ initialQuery, total }: { initialQuery: string; total: nu
           id="ranks-search"
           value={query}
           onChange={(e) => setQuery(e.target.value)}
-          placeholder="Find a player: Minecraft name or UUID"
+          placeholder="Minecraft name or UUID"
           autoComplete="off"
           spellCheck={false}
           className={`${inputClass} min-w-0 flex-1 basis-64`}
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ function PlayerSearch({ initialQuery, total }: { initialQuery: string; total: nu
           {busy ? "Searching…" : "Find"}
         </button>
         <p className="text-xs text-[var(--tfmc-stone)]">
-          {total.toLocaleString()} players have something set in LuckPerms. Part of a name is enough.
+          Part of a name is enough.
         </p>
       </form>
       {error ? (
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ function GroupsPanel({ data, onChanged }: { data: LpOverview; onChanged: () => P
         ) : null}
       </div>
       <p className={`mt-1 ${mutedClass}`}>
-        Heaviest first: a player shows the rank of the heaviest group they inherit. Player counts are direct assignments only.
+        Highest weight first. A player shows the rank of their highest-weight group. Player counts are direct members only.
       </p>
       {creating ? (
         <div className="mt-3 flex flex-col gap-3">
diff --git a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/parts.tsx b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/parts.tsx
index f60ed9f0..e24897e8 100644
--- a/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/parts.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/components/admin/ranks/parts.tsx
@@ -16,25 +16,29 @@ function seconds(stamp: string | null): number | null {
   return stamp ? Date.parse(stamp) / 1000 : null;
 }
 
-/** Where the data comes from, how fresh it is, and whether changes can be made. */
+/** Says only when something is off: no data yet, stale data, or changes that can't be made. */
 export function StatusLine({ status, rights }: { status: LpStatus; rights: LpRights }) {
   if (!status.has_snapshot) {
     return (
       <p className={`mt-3 ${warnClass}`} role="status">
-        No server has sent LuckPerms data to this site yet. It appears once TFMCWeb’s LuckPerms bridge is on.
+        Ranks aren’t available yet.
       </p>
     );
   }
   const checked = seconds(status.checked_at);
   const stale = checked !== null && Date.now() / 1000 - checked > 180;
+  const notes = [
+    stale ? `Last checked ${formatAgo(checked).toLowerCase()}.` : null,
+    rights.read_only
+      ? "View only. Change ranks on the main site."
+      : status.applying
+        ? null
+        : "Rank changes are unavailable right now.",
+  ].filter(Boolean);
+  if (!notes.length) return null;
   return (
     <p className={`mt-3 ${stale ? warnClass : mutedClass}`} role="status">
-      LuckPerms from {status.server ?? "the server"}, checked {formatAgo(checked).toLowerCase()}.{" "}
-      {rights.read_only
-        ? "This site only shows ranks; change them on the main site."
-        : status.applying
-          ? "Changes apply within seconds."
-          : "No server is applying changes right now, so nothing can be changed."}
+      {notes.join(" ")}
     </p>
   );
 }
diff --git a/frontend/lib/admin/api.ts b/frontend/lib/admin/api.ts
index 89e0f93d..02db3dd3 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/admin/api.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/admin/api.ts
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const ERROR_MESSAGES: Record<string, string> = {
   player_not_found: "No player with that UUID has been seen.",
   bad_uuid: "That isn’t a Minecraft UUID.",
   bad_session: "That session link isn’t valid.",
-  session_gone: "That session is no longer in CoreProtect’s records.",
+  session_gone: "That session is no longer available.",
   bad_window: "Choose a time range of up to 7 days for one player, or 24 hours for everyone.",
   bad_cursor: "That page link has expired. Reload to start again.",
   bad_kinds: "That filter isn’t available.",
@@ -296,12 +296,12 @@ export type ActivityPage = {
 };
 
 const COREPROTECT_REASONS: Record<string, string> = {
-  not_configured: "CoreProtect isn’t connected to this site.",
-  missing: "The CoreProtect database couldn’t be found.",
-  cannot_open: "The CoreProtect database couldn’t be opened.",
-  busy: "CoreProtect is busy. Try again in a moment.",
-  timeout: "CoreProtect took too long to answer. Try again in a moment.",
-  error: "CoreProtect couldn’t be read.",
+  not_configured: "Activity history isn’t available on this site.",
+  missing: "Activity history isn’t available right now.",
+  cannot_open: "Activity history isn’t available right now.",
+  busy: "Activity history is busy. Try again in a moment.",
+  timeout: "Activity history took too long. Try again in a moment.",
+  error: "Activity history isn’t available right now.",
 };
 
 export function coreProtectMessage(status: CoreProtectStatus): string | null {
diff --git a/frontend/lib/admin/luckperms.ts b/frontend/lib/admin/luckperms.ts
index 10e4e8f7..37efcfeb 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/admin/luckperms.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/admin/luckperms.ts
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@ export const LP_ERRORS: Record<string, string> = {
   bad_group_name: "Use lowercase letters, numbers, _, + or - for group names.",
   bad_track_name: "Use lowercase letters, numbers, _, + or - for track names.",
   bad_track_groups: "List each group once.",
-  player_not_found: "LuckPerms has no record of that player.",
-  save_failed: "LuckPerms couldn’t save the change.",
+  player_not_found: "No rank record found for that player.",
+  save_failed: "The rank change couldn’t be saved.",
   no_result: "The server never reported back.",
   no_longer_allowed: "Cancelled: it was no longer allowed when the server picked it up (rights or groups changed).",
   expired: "The server didn’t pick it up in time.",
diff --git a/frontend/lib/admin/movement.test.ts b/frontend/lib/admin/movement.test.ts
index 5c2f1987..1adf554f 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/admin/movement.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/admin/movement.test.ts
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ describe("session labels", () => {
 
   it("says only what the record shows", () => {
     expect(sessionEndLabel(session("logout", at(14, 15), at(14, 15)))).toBe("Logged out 14:15");
-    expect(sessionEndLabel(session("open", null, at(14, 14)))).toBe("Probably online · last observed 14:14");
+    expect(sessionEndLabel(session("open", null, at(14, 14)))).toBe("Probably online · last seen 14:14");
     expect(sessionEndLabel(session("last_observed", at(14, 15), at(14, 15)))).toBe(
-      "Last observed 14:15 · logout not recorded"
+      "Last seen 14:15 · no logout recorded"
     );
     expect(sessionEndLabel(session("unknown", null, at(13, 2)))).toBe("End unknown");
     expect(sessionSpanLabel(session("logout", at(14, 15), at(14, 15)))).toBe("13:02 → 14:15");
diff --git a/frontend/lib/admin/movement.ts b/frontend/lib/admin/movement.ts
index cc210831..6216d89c 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/admin/movement.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/admin/movement.ts
@@ -508,9 +508,9 @@ export function sessionEndLabel(session: PlayerSession): string {
     case "logout":
       return `Logged out ${formatClock(session.end!.time)}`;
     case "open":
-      return `Probably online · last observed ${formatClock(session.last_observed.time)}`;
+      return `Probably online · last seen ${formatClock(session.last_observed.time)}`;
     case "last_observed":
-      return `Last observed ${formatClock(session.last_observed.time)} · logout not recorded`;
+      return `Last seen ${formatClock(session.last_observed.time)} · no logout recorded`;
     default:
       return "End unknown";
   }
diff --git a/frontend/lib/admin/rail.ts b/frontend/lib/admin/rail.ts
index d16dbb99..35fb69e8 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/admin/rail.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/admin/rail.ts
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ export function lineColour(line: RailLine | undefined): string {
 }
 
 export function statusMessage(status: RailStatus): string | null {
-  if (status === "not_configured") return "This site isn’t set up to read the rail network yet.";
-  if (status === "missing") return "The rail network’s files can’t be found on the server.";
+  if (status === "not_configured") return "Rail data isn’t available on this site.";
+  if (status === "missing") return "Rail data isn’t available right now.";
   return null;
 }