diff --git a/commands/encounter_cmdset.py b/commands/encounter_cmdset.py
index a5ad2e1..38f6261 100644
--- a/commands/encounter_cmdset.py
+++ b/commands/encounter_cmdset.py
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ class CmdRP(EncounterCommand):
     "Free-form text input (for describing your actions in RP)"
     energy_cost = 0
     key = "rp"
+    arg_regex = None
     aliases = [">"]
     help_category = "Encounter"
 
@@ -131,11 +132,56 @@ class CmdFlee(EncounterCommand):
         super().handler().msg_all(f"{self.caller.key} left the encounter")
         super().handler().remove_character(self.caller)
 
+class CmdOOC(EncounterCommand):
+    "Say something out-of-character"
+    energy_cost = 0
+    key = "("
+    arg_regex = None
+
+    def func(self):
+        super().handler().msg_all(f"({self.caller}: {self.args.strip()})")
+
+class CmdPose(EncounterCommand):
+    """
+    strike a pose
+
+    Usage:
+      pose <pose text>
+      pose's <pose text>
+
+    Example:
+      pose is standing by the wall, smiling.
+       -> others will see:
+      Tom is standing by the wall, smiling.
+
+    Describe an action being taken. The pose text will
+    automatically begin with your name.
+    """
+    key = "pose"
+    aliases = [":", "emote"]
+    locks = "cmd:all()"
+    arg_regex = None
+    energy_cost = 0
+    def parse(self):
+        args = self.args
+        if args and not args[0] in ["'", ",", ":"]:
+            args = " %s" % args.strip()
+        self.args = args
+    def func(self):
+        if super().can_perform():
+            if not self.args:
+                self.msg("What do you want to do?")
+            else:
+                msg = f"{self.caller.name}{self.args}"
+                super().handler().msg_all_rich((msg, {'type':'pose'}), self.caller)
+
 class SetEncounterSpecial(CmdSet):
     def at_cmdset_creation(self):
         self.add(CmdPass)
         self.add(CmdRP)
-        self.add(CmdFlee)    
+        self.add(CmdFlee)
+        self.add(CmdOOC)
+        self.add(CmdPose)
 
 # Encounter-related character commands
 
@@ -144,7 +190,7 @@ class CmdEngage(Command):
     Initiates an encounter with the selected target
     """
     key = "engage"
-    aliases = ["encounter"]
+    aliases = ["encounter", "fight"]
     def func(self):
         if not self.args:
             self.caller.msg("Usage: engage <target>")
@@ -152,6 +198,9 @@ class CmdEngage(Command):
         target = self.caller.search(self.args)
         if not target:
             return
+        if target == self.caller:
+            self.caller.msg("You can't initiate an encounter with yourself!") 
+            return
         if target.ndb.encounter_handler:
             target.ndb.encounter_handler.add_character(self.caller)
             target.ndb.encounter_handler.msg_all(f"{self.caller} joins the encounter")
diff --git a/typeclasses/characters.py b/typeclasses/characters.py
index 83c0ae0..8e73253 100644
--- a/typeclasses/characters.py
+++ b/typeclasses/characters.py
@@ -38,3 +38,12 @@ class Character(ClothedCharacter):
             return False
         return True
 
+    def at_pre_say(self, speech):
+        if self.ndb.encounter_handler:
+            if self.ndb.encounter_handler.is_turn(self):
+                self.ndb.encounter_handler.msg_all(f"{self} says, \"{speech}\"")
+            else:
+                self.ndb.encounter_handler.pre_say(self)
+            return None
+        else:
+            return speech
diff --git a/typeclasses/encounter_handler.py b/typeclasses/encounter_handler.py
index a3e5119..4c04901 100644
--- a/typeclasses/encounter_handler.py
+++ b/typeclasses/encounter_handler.py
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ class EncounterHandler(DefaultScript):
     def at_script_creation(self):
         # When initiating the encounter
         self.key = f"encounter_handler_{random.randint(1, 1000)}"
-        self.desc = "Handles an encounter"
-        self.persistent = True
         
         self.db.characters = {}
         self.db.turns = []
@@ -34,15 +32,11 @@ class EncounterHandler(DefaultScript):
         del character.ndb.encounter_handler
         character.revoke_encounter_cmdset()
 
-    def at_start(self):
-        # When initializing or rebooting
-        for character in self.db.characters.values():
-            self._init_character(character)
-
     def at_stop(self):
-        # When deinitializing or rebooting
+        # When deinitializing
         for character in list(self.db.characters.values()):
             self._cleanup_character(character)
+        self.delete()
 
     def add_character(self, character):
         # Adds a character to the encounter
@@ -58,16 +52,19 @@ class EncounterHandler(DefaultScript):
         if len(self.db.characters) == 1:
             char = list(self.db.characters.values())[0]
             char.msg("You are no longer in an encounter.")
-            self._cleanup_character(char)
-            self.stop()
+            self.at_stop()
         elif not self.db.characters:
-            self.stop()
+            self.at_stop()
 
     def msg_all(self, message):
         # Sends text to all players in the encounter
         for char in self.db.characters.values():
             char.msg(message)
 
+    def msg_all_rich(self, text, obj):
+        for char in self.db.characters.values():
+            char.msg(text = text, from_obj = obj)
+
     def can_act(self, cmd):
         caller = cmd.caller
         cmdname = cmd.key
@@ -80,10 +77,16 @@ class EncounterHandler(DefaultScript):
                 caller.msg("You do not have enough energy remaining")
                 caller.msg(f"You have: {self.db.turn_energy}, but need {energy}")
         else:
-            caller.msg("(It's not your turn yet!)")
-            caller.msg("(You can talk out-of-character using parentheses)")
+            self.pre_say(caller)
         return False
 
+    def is_turn(self, char):
+        return self.db.turns[self.db.turn_index] == char.id
+
+    def pre_say(self, caller):
+        caller.msg("(It's not your turn yet!)")
+        caller.msg("(You can talk out-of-character using parentheses)")
+
     def has_default_target(self, caller):
         if (len(self.db.characters) == 2) and (caller in self.db.characters.values()):
             keys = list(self.db.characters.keys())