Implement tick-based game loop, combat overhaul, and attack-any-NPC

Replace immediate combat with a 3-second tick engine that resolves
actions, NPC AI, status effects, respawns, and passive regeneration.
Players queue combat actions (attack/defend/flee/use) that resolve on
the next tick. Any NPC can now be attacked — non-hostile targets incur
attitude penalties instead of being blocked. Status effects persist in
the database and continue ticking while players are offline.

Made-with: Cursor

TESTING.md

@@ -39,21 +39,24 @@ Run through these checks before every commit to ensure consistent feature covera
 - [ ] Dead NPCs don't appear in room view
 
 ## Combat - Tick-Based
-- [ ] `attack <aggressive/hostile npc>` enters combat state
-- [ ] Can't attack friendly/neutral NPCs
+- [ ] `attack <npc>` enters combat state with any NPC that has combat stats
+- [ ] Attacking friendly/neutral NPCs is allowed but incurs attitude penalties
+- [ ] Attacking non-hostile NPC: attitude shift -30 individual, -15 faction
+- [ ] "The locals look on in horror" message when attacking non-hostile
 - [ ] Combat rounds resolve automatically on server ticks (not on command)
 - [ ] Player receives tick-by-tick combat output (damage dealt, damage taken)
 - [ ] Default combat action is "attack" if no other action queued
 - [ ] `defend` / `def` sets defensive stance (reduced incoming damage next tick)
 - [ ] NPC death: awards XP, shifts attitude -10, shifts faction -5
-- [ ] Player death: respawns at spawn room with full HP, combat cleared
+- [ ] Player death: respawns at spawn room with full HP, combat cleared, effects cleared
 - [ ] NPCs respawn after configured time
-- [ ] Combat lockout: can only attack/defend/flee/look/use/quit during combat
+- [ ] Combat lockout: can only attack/defend/flee/look/stats/inv/use/quit during combat
 - [ ] `flee` queues escape attempt — may fail based on stats
 - [ ] `use <item>` in combat queues item use for next tick
 - [ ] Multiple ticks of combat resolve correctly without player input
 - [ ] Combat ends when NPC dies (player exits combat state)
 - [ ] Combat ends when player flees successfully
+- [ ] NPCs without explicit [combat] section get default stats (20 HP, 4 ATK, 2 DEF, 5 XP)
 
 ## Combat - NPC AI
 - [ ] Hostile NPCs auto-engage players who enter their room
@@ -88,7 +91,7 @@ Run through these checks before every commit to ensure consistent feature covera
 - [ ] HP does not exceed max_hp
 
 ## Tick Engine
-- [ ] Tick runs at configured interval (~2 seconds)
+- [ ] Tick runs at configured interval (~3 seconds)
 - [ ] Tick processes: NPC AI → combat rounds → status effects → respawns → regen
 - [ ] Tick output is delivered to players promptly
 - [ ] Server remains responsive to immediate commands between ticks