diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/angry.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/angry.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d2b291d
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/angry.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/ashamed.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/ashamed.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..36b3ba5
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/ashamed.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/awaiting.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/awaiting.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72b06f5
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/awaiting.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/blowing-bubbles.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/blowing-bubbles.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8dbae6a
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/blowing-bubbles.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/bored.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/bored.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8e8c195
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/broody.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/broody.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0570fe9
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/browsing.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/browsing.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8cf01bc
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky-2.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky-2.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1bacf84
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky-2.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky-grin.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky-grin.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f462ac9
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky-grin.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2ec0f9
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/cheeky.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/chortle.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/chortle.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72b8452
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/chuckling.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/chuckling.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2350d95
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/concussion.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/concussion.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..184aea4
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/confident.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/confident.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5faf612
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/confused.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/confused.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..115b681
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/crying.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/crying.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c720c63
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/flirting.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/flirting.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef73990
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/giggling.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/giggling.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72b8452
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/hunger.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/hunger.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1806032
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/hunger.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle-cheeky.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle-cheeky.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..499368a
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle-cheeky.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle-sitting.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle-sitting.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..485e73e
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle-sitting.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/idle.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bccd1a1
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/joy.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/joy.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4389c14
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/keen.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/keen.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9e5df6
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/lonely.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/lonely.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..612defd
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/romantic-interest.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/romantic-interest.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..295e2e0
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/romantic.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/romantic.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74de9af
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/sad-1.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/sad-1.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6bc857b
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/sad-2.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/sad-2.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50ce4e6
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/sad-2.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/searching.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/searching.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..944a9b0
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diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/secretive.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/secretive.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..52008aa
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/secretive.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/shock.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/shock.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45cf6b2
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/shock.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/smiling.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/smiling.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd9bce4
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/smiling.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/smirks.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/smirks.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..46f7a95
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/smirks.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/speed.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/speed.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1d9ff2
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/speed.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/super-playful.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/super-playful.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c587133
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/super-playful.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/swimming.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/swimming.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d81ae59
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/swimming.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/teasing.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/teasing.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dae6e91
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/teasing.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/very-confused.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/very-confused.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5b2b77
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/very-confused.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/waving-hello.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/waving-hello.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49d97fd
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/waving-hello.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/yearning.png b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/yearning.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ccbf7ab
Binary files /dev/null and b/src/renderer/src/assets/emissary/yearning.png differ
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/components/EmissaryFigure.tsx b/src/renderer/src/components/EmissaryFigure.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59963b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/components/EmissaryFigure.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+import React from 'react'
+import type { EmissaryAnimation, EmissaryEmotion } from '../screens/fishtank-lib'
+import { ANIMATION_LABELS } from '../screens/fishtank-lib'
+import type { ServiceStatus } from '../../../shared/types'
+
+// Dynamically import all portrait PNGs from the emissary assets folder.
+// Vite resolves these at build time — no manual list needed as portraits grow.
+const _emotionModules = import.meta.glob('../assets/emissary/*.png', {
+  eager: true,
+  import: 'default',
+}) as Record<string, string>
+
+const EMOTION_IMAGES: Record<string, string> = Object.fromEntries(
+  Object.entries(_emotionModules).map(([path, url]) => {
+    const key = path.split('/').pop()!.replace('.png', '')
+    return [key, url]
+  }),
+)
+
+function getEmotionImage(emotion: EmissaryEmotion): string {
+  return EMOTION_IMAGES[emotion] ?? EMOTION_IMAGES['idle'] ?? ''
+}
+
+interface EmissaryFigureProps {
+  emotion: EmissaryEmotion
+  animation: EmissaryAnimation
+  status: ServiceStatus
+  name: string
+  style?: React.CSSProperties
+  onClick?: () => void
+  onKeyDown?: (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => void
+}
+
+export const EmissaryFigure: React.FC<EmissaryFigureProps> = ({
+  emotion,
+  animation,
+  status,
+  name,
+  style,
+  onClick,
+  onKeyDown,
+}) => {
+  const src = getEmotionImage(emotion)
+  const haloGlow = status === 'running'
+    ? '0 0 60px rgba(0,200,212,0.35), 0 0 120px rgba(0,200,212,0.15)'
+    : '0 0 30px rgba(0,200,212,0.18), 0 0 60px rgba(0,200,212,0.07)'
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      onClick={onClick}
+      role="button"
+      tabIndex={0}
+      aria-label={`Click ${name} to interact`}
+      onKeyDown={onKeyDown}
+      className="fishtank-emissary"
+      style={style}
+    >
+      {/* Glow halo ring sits behind the character */}
+      <div
+        className="fishtank-emissary-halo"
+        style={{ boxShadow: haloGlow }}
+      />
+
+      {/* Merman portrait PNG */}
+      <img
+        src={src}
+        alt={`${name} — ${emotion}`}
+        className="fishtank-emissary-img"
+      />
+
+      {/* Action label */}
+      <div className="fishtank-emissary-label">
+        {ANIMATION_LABELS[animation]}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/index.css b/src/renderer/src/index.css
index ec3117f..99b7f6d 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/index.css
+++ b/src/renderer/src/index.css
@@ -519,17 +519,42 @@ main > div {
   cursor: pointer;
 }
 
-.fishtank-emissary-orb {
-  width: 130px;
-  height: 130px;
+/* Glow halo — radial soft ring that sits behind the PNG portrait */
+.fishtank-emissary-halo {
+  position: absolute;
+  width: 220px;
+  height: 220px;
   border-radius: 50%;
-  background: radial-gradient(circle at 40% 35%, rgba(0,200,212,0.15), rgba(0,200,212,0.03));
-  border: 2px solid rgba(0,200,212,0.25);
-  display: flex;
-  align-items: center;
-  justify-content: center;
-  font-size: 60px;
+  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(0,200,212,0.12) 0%, transparent 70%);
+  border: 1.5px solid rgba(0,200,212,0.18);
+  top: 50%;
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translate(-50%, -55%);
+  pointer-events: none;
   transition: box-shadow 1s;
+  animation: haloBreath 4s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes haloBreath {
+  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.8; transform: translate(-50%, -55%) scale(1); }
+  50%       { opacity: 1;   transform: translate(-50%, -55%) scale(1.05); }
+}
+
+/* The merman portrait PNG */
+.fishtank-emissary-img {
+  width: 260px;
+  height: 310px;
+  object-fit: contain;
+  object-position: center bottom;
+  filter: drop-shadow(0 0 18px rgba(0,200,212,0.35)) drop-shadow(0 0 6px rgba(0,200,212,0.5));
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 2;
+  transition: filter 0.8s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+.fishtank-emissary:hover .fishtank-emissary-img {
+  filter: drop-shadow(0 0 28px rgba(0,200,212,0.5)) drop-shadow(0 0 10px rgba(0,200,212,0.6));
+  transform: scale(1.03);
 }
 
 .fishtank-emissary-label {
@@ -540,6 +565,8 @@ main > div {
   font-weight: 500;
   text-align: center;
   max-width: 200px;
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 2;
 }
 
 .fishtank-speech {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/screens/Fishtank.tsx b/src/renderer/src/screens/Fishtank.tsx
index 19abd8c..84b508b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/screens/Fishtank.tsx
+++ b/src/renderer/src/screens/Fishtank.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { IPC_CHANNELS } from '../../../shared/ipc'
 import { SeabedCanvas } from '../components/SeabedCanvas'
 import { HabitSuggestion } from '../components/HabitSuggestion'
 import { Tooltip } from '../components/Tooltip'
+import { EmissaryFigure } from '../components/EmissaryFigure'
 import {
   type Weather,
   type EmissaryAnimation,
@@ -16,8 +17,8 @@ import {
   WEATHER_CAUSTIC_OPACITY,
   ANIMATIONS,
   ANIMATION_LABELS,
-  ANIMATION_EMOJIS,
   getEmissaryStyle,
+  getEmissaryEmotion,
   getSayings,
   getStatusText,
   getClickResponse,
@@ -251,6 +252,7 @@ export const Fishtank: React.FC<FishtankProps> = ({ status, recentTasks = [], on
   }, [])
 
   const emissaryStyle = getEmissaryStyle(animation, status)
+  const emissaryEmotion = getEmissaryEmotion(animation, status, weather)
 
   return (
     <div className="fishtank-page">
@@ -392,27 +394,16 @@ export const Fishtank: React.FC<FishtankProps> = ({ status, recentTasks = [], on
         {/* Procedural seabed */}
         <SeabedCanvas width={tankSize.width} height={tankSize.height} seed={seabedSeed} weather={weather} />
 
-        {/* The Emissary — clickable for interaction */}
-        <div
+        {/* The Emissary — PNG portrait, glow halo, action label */}
+        <EmissaryFigure
+          emotion={emissaryEmotion}
+          animation={animation}
+          status={status}
+          name={name}
+          style={emissaryStyle}
           onClick={handleEmissaryClick}
-          role="button"
-          tabIndex={0}
-          aria-label={`Click ${name} to interact`}
           onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') { e.preventDefault(); handleEmissaryClick() } }}
-          className="fishtank-emissary"
-          style={emissaryStyle}
-        >
-          <div className="fishtank-emissary-orb" style={{
-            boxShadow: status === 'running'
-              ? '0 0 50px rgba(0,200,212,0.3), 0 0 100px rgba(0,200,212,0.1)'
-              : '0 0 25px rgba(0,200,212,0.12)',
-          }}>
-            {ANIMATION_EMOJIS[animation]}
-          </div>
-          <div className="fishtank-emissary-label">
-            {ANIMATION_LABELS[animation]}
-          </div>
-        </div>
+        />
 
         {/* Speech bubble */}
         <div key={sayingKey} aria-live="polite" aria-label={`${name} says`} className="fishtank-speech">
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/emissary.ts b/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/emissary.ts
index 11a3e95..6a7e77b 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/emissary.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/emissary.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { ServiceStatus } from '../../../../shared/types'
+import type { Weather } from './weather'
 
 // --- Expanded idle animations ---
 export type EmissaryAnimation =
@@ -99,3 +100,94 @@ export function getEmissaryStyle(animation: EmissaryAnimation, status: ServiceSt
   }
   return { ...base, animation: map[animation] || 'emissaryFloat 4s ease-in-out infinite' }
 }
+
+// ── Emotion mapping for PNG sprite selection ──────────────────────────────────
+
+export type EmissaryEmotion =
+  | 'angry'
+  | 'ashamed'
+  | 'awaiting'
+  | 'blowing-bubbles'
+  | 'bored'
+  | 'broody'
+  | 'browsing'
+  | 'cheeky-2'
+  | 'cheeky-grin'
+  | 'cheeky'
+  | 'chortle'
+  | 'chuckling'
+  | 'concussion'
+  | 'confident'
+  | 'confused'
+  | 'crying'
+  | 'flirting'
+  | 'giggling'
+  | 'hunger'
+  | 'idle-cheeky'
+  | 'idle-sitting'
+  | 'idle'
+  | 'joy'
+  | 'keen'
+  | 'lonely'
+  | 'romantic-interest'
+  | 'romantic'
+  | 'sad-1'
+  | 'sad-2'
+  | 'searching'
+  | 'secretive'
+  | 'shock'
+  | 'smiling'
+  | 'smirks'
+  | 'speed'
+  | 'super-playful'
+  | 'swimming'
+  | 'teasing'
+  | 'very-confused'
+  | 'waving-hello'
+  | 'yearning'
+
+/**
+ * Derives which portrait image to display based on the current animation,
+ * service status, and weather state.
+ *
+ * Priority (highest → lowest):
+ *   1. Error status          → shock
+ *   2. Thunderstorm weather  → shock
+ *   3. Running status        → keen
+ *   4. Golden weather        → joy
+ *   5. Animation-specific portrait
+ *   6. Default               → idle
+ */
+export function getEmissaryEmotion(
+  animation: EmissaryAnimation,
+  status: ServiceStatus,
+  weather: Weather,
+): EmissaryEmotion {
+  if (status === 'error') return 'shock'
+  if (weather === 'thunderstorm') return 'shock'
+  if (status === 'running') return 'keen'
+  if (weather === 'golden') return 'joy'
+
+  const map: Record<EmissaryAnimation, EmissaryEmotion> = {
+    floating:           'idle',
+    swimming:           'swimming',
+    thinking:           'broody',
+    'examining-scroll': 'searching',
+    waving:             'waving-hello',
+    stretching:         'idle-sitting',
+    gazing:             'yearning',
+    flirty:             'flirting',
+    fearful:            'shock',
+    preening:           'smirks',
+    'collecting-pearls':'keen',
+    'chasing-fish':     'super-playful',
+    flexing:            'confident',
+    singing:            'chortle',
+    napping:            'idle-sitting',
+    beckoning:          'romantic',
+    meditating:         'awaiting',
+    'juggling-shells':  'cheeky',
+    posing:             'smirks',
+  }
+  return map[animation] ?? 'idle'
+}
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/index.ts b/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/index.ts
index 587156b..fe0704a 100644
--- a/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/index.ts
+++ b/src/renderer/src/screens/fishtank-lib/index.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 export { type Weather, deriveWeather, WEATHER_BACKGROUNDS, WEATHER_CAUSTIC_OPACITY } from './weather'
 export {
   type EmissaryAnimation,
+  type EmissaryEmotion,
   ANIMATIONS,
   ANIMATION_LABELS,
   ANIMATION_EMOJIS,
   getEmissaryStyle,
+  getEmissaryEmotion,
 } from './emissary'
 export { getSayings, getStatusText, getClickResponse } from './sayings'
 export {
diff --git a/src/renderer/src/vite-env.d.ts b/src/renderer/src/vite-env.d.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f4cc9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/renderer/src/vite-env.d.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+/// <reference types="vite/client" />
+
+declare module '*.png' {
+  const src: string
+  export default src
+}
+
+declare module '*.jpg' {
+  const src: string
+  export default src
+}
+
+declare module '*.svg' {
+  const src: string
+  export default src
+}