diff --git a/crates/game-service/tests/achievements_and_levels.rs b/crates/game-service/tests/achievements_and_levels.rs
index f10a0df..868556e 100644
--- a/crates/game-service/tests/achievements_and_levels.rs
+++ b/crates/game-service/tests/achievements_and_levels.rs
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ fn adding_exp_rolls_over_into_levels() {
     assert_eq!(home.avatar().exp_points, 5);
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_completed_findcard_achievement_can_be_claimed() {
+fn findcard_achievement_claim() {
     tables();
     let tabs = LogicDataTables::instance();
     let achievements = tabs.table(table::ACHIEVEMENTS).unwrap();
diff --git a/crates/game-service/tests/combat_timer_phase.rs b/crates/game-service/tests/combat_timer_phase.rs
index 143d047..6309366 100644
--- a/crates/game-service/tests/combat_timer_phase.rs
+++ b/crates/game-service/tests/combat_timer_phase.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ fn avatar(low: i32) -> LogicClientAvatar {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_ranged_shooter_updates_twice_on_the_tick_it_fires() {
+fn shooter_double_update_on_fire() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -90,11 +90,11 @@ fn a_ranged_shooter_updates_twice_on_the_tick_it_fires() {
         assert_eq!(
             load_timer,
             ARCHER_LOAD_TIME - logic::battle::TICK_MILLISECONDS,
-            "t={tick}: the shooter did not take its second update on the firing tick"
+            "t={tick}"
         );
     }
     assert!(
         shots > 1,
-        "the archer fired {shots} times, too few to prove anything"
+        "shots={shots}"
     );
 }
diff --git a/crates/game-service/tests/deploy_birth_tick.rs b/crates/game-service/tests/deploy_birth_tick.rs
index bf0104b..58ca8ed 100644
--- a/crates/game-service/tests/deploy_birth_tick.rs
+++ b/crates/game-service/tests/deploy_birth_tick.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ fn avatar(low: i32) -> LogicClientAvatar {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_card_lands_one_tick_after_the_command_fires() {
+fn card_lands_after_fire() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ fn a_card_lands_one_tick_after_the_command_fires() {
     );
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_state_request_waits_for_the_cards_in_the_air() {
+fn state_request_waits_in_flight() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ fn a_state_request_waits_for_the_cards_in_the_air() {
             100,
         ),
     );
-    assert!(second > first, "the second card must land after the first");
+    assert!(second > first, "second lands after first");
     let mut refused = Vec::new();
     for tick in 16..(second + 4) {
         if session.state_on_request().is_none() {
@@ -144,5 +144,5 @@ fn a_state_request_waits_for_the_cards_in_the_air() {
         }
         session.advance_to(session.tick() + 1);
     }
-    assert!(paid, "the owed state was never sent after the cards landed");
+    assert!(paid, "owed state never sent");
 }
diff --git a/crates/game-service/tests/level_scaling.rs b/crates/game-service/tests/level_scaling.rs
index c937c33..b8e764b 100644
--- a/crates/game-service/tests/level_scaling.rs
+++ b/crates/game-service/tests/level_scaling.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ fn tables() {
     ));
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_single_valued_column_is_scaled_not_indexed() {
+fn single_value_scaled() {
     tables();
     let spear = LogicDataRef::by_name(table::PROJECTILES, "SpearGoblinProjectile")
         .as_projectile()
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ fn a_single_valued_column_is_scaled_not_indexed() {
     assert_eq!(spear.damage(6), 42, "the bot's deck level");
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_tower_scales_at_its_own_percentage() {
+fn tower_scale_percent() {
     tables();
     let princess = LogicDataRef::by_name(table::BUILDINGS, "PrincessTower")
         .as_character()
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ fn a_tower_scales_at_its_own_percentage() {
     assert_eq!(king.hitpoints(1), king_base * 108 / 100);
 }
 #[test]
-fn an_ordinary_card_scales_at_the_card_percentage() {
+fn card_scale_percent() {
     tables();
     let knight = LogicDataRef::by_name(table::CHARACTERS_COMBINED, "Knight")
         .as_character()
diff --git a/crates/game-service/tests/projectile_references.rs b/crates/game-service/tests/projectile_references.rs
index 9489041..73ea32f 100644
--- a/crates/game-service/tests/projectile_references.rs
+++ b/crates/game-service/tests/projectile_references.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ fn avatar(low: i32) -> LogicClientAvatar {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_projectile_drops_its_reference_to_an_object_that_died() {
+fn projectile_drops_dead_ref() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ fn a_projectile_drops_its_reference_to_an_object_that_died() {
                 }
                 if !alive.contains(&reference) {
                     stale.push(format!(
-                        "t={tick}: projectile {:?} still points {name} at {:?}, which is off the board",
+                        "t={tick}: stale {name} ref {:?} -> {:?}",
                         entry.global_id.0, reference.0
                     ));
                 }
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ fn a_projectile_drops_its_reference_to_an_object_that_died() {
     }
     assert!(
         projectiles_seen > 0,
-        "no projectile was ever in the air, so the test proved nothing"
+        "no projectiles seen"
     );
     assert!(
         stale.is_empty(),
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ fn a_projectile_drops_its_reference_to_an_object_that_died() {
     );
 }
 #[test]
-fn pending_physical_damage_matches_the_shots_in_the_air() {
+fn pending_damage_matches_shots() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ fn pending_physical_damage_matches_the_shots_in_the_air() {
             };
             assert!(
                 held >= 0,
-                "t={tick}: {:?} holds a NEGATIVE pending of {held}, which aborts the client",
+                "t={tick}: {:?} negative pending {held}",
                 entry.global_id.0
             );
             let want = owed
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ fn pending_physical_damage_matches_the_shots_in_the_air() {
                 .unwrap_or(0);
             assert_eq!(
                 held, want,
-                "t={tick}: {:?} holds {held} pending but the shots in the air owe {want}",
+                "t={tick}: {:?} pending {held} != {want}",
                 entry.global_id.0
             );
             if held > 0 {
@@ -156,6 +156,6 @@ fn pending_physical_damage_matches_the_shots_in_the_air() {
     }
     assert!(
         ever_positive,
-        "no shot ever registered pending damage, so the test proved nothing"
+        "no pending damage seen"
     );
 }
diff --git a/crates/game-service/tests/walk_to_tower.rs b/crates/game-service/tests/walk_to_tower.rs
index 05959fc..1c464e4 100644
--- a/crates/game-service/tests/walk_to_tower.rs
+++ b/crates/game-service/tests/walk_to_tower.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ fn avatar(low: i32) -> LogicClientAvatar {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_ranged_troop_fires_and_the_snapshot_reads_back() {
+fn ranged_fire_roundtrips() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ fn a_ranged_troop_fires_and_the_snapshot_reads_back() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_troop_walks_at_the_enemy_towers_and_stops_in_range() {
+fn troop_walks_and_stops() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ fn a_troop_walks_at_the_enemy_towers_and_stops_in_range() {
     );
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_bot_deploys_in_front_of_its_own_towers() {
+fn bot_deploys_at_towers() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(tables) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ fn the_bot_deploys_in_front_of_its_own_towers() {
                 .any(|entry| entry.global_id == *leader);
             assert!(
                 alive,
-                "t={tick}: side {side}'s leader {leader:?} is no longer in the battle"
+                "t={tick}: leader {leader:?} gone"
             );
         }
         if session.is_finished() || session.towers_standing().0 == 0 {
@@ -216,10 +216,10 @@ fn the_bot_deploys_in_front_of_its_own_towers() {
             }
         }
     }
-    assert!(plays > 0, "the bot never played a card");
+    assert!(plays > 0, "bot never played");
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_bot_troop_walks_at_the_player_towers() {
+fn bot_troop_walks() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(tables) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ fn a_bot_troop_walks_at_the_player_towers() {
     println!("bot troop finished at {end:?}");
     assert!(
         end.1 < 23500,
-        "the bot troop walked away from the player towers to {end:?}"
+        "bot troop at {end:?}"
     );
 }
 #[test]
@@ -302,12 +302,12 @@ fn both_leaders_resolve_to_a_summoner() {
             .find(|entry| entry.global_id == *leader);
         assert!(
             found.is_some(),
-            "side {side}'s leader {leader:?} matches no object in the battle"
+            "leader {leader:?} not found"
         );
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_finished_battle_stops_ticking() {
+fn finished_battle_stops() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(tables) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ fn a_finished_battle_stops_ticking() {
     for _ in 0..400 {
         session.advance_to(session.tick() + MAX_CATCH_UP_TICKS);
     }
-    assert!(session.is_finished(), "the battle never reached its end");
+    assert!(session.is_finished(), "battle never ended");
     let settled = session.tick();
     session.advance_to(settled + 10_000);
     assert_eq!(
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ fn a_finished_battle_stops_ticking() {
     );
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_dormant_king_clears_its_combat_bit_and_towers_do_not() {
+fn dormant_king_combat_bit() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(t) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(t));
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ fn a_dormant_king_clears_its_combat_bit_and_towers_do_not() {
         let mask = entry.body.base().component_mask;
         match &entry.body {
             logic::battle::LogicObjectBody::Summoner(_) => {
-                assert_eq!(mask, 12, "a dormant king should clear its combat bit");
+                assert_eq!(mask, 12, "combat bit not cleared");
                 kings += 1;
             }
             logic::battle::LogicObjectBody::Character(_) => {
@@ -380,11 +380,11 @@ fn a_dormant_king_clears_its_combat_bit_and_towers_do_not() {
     let b = mode.calculate_checksum().unwrap();
     mode.time.tick = 200;
     let c = mode.calculate_checksum().unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(b, c, "hashing the same idle state twice must agree");
+    assert_eq!(b, c, "idle hash mismatch");
     let _ = a;
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_deployed_troop_counts_down_and_holds_still_until_ready() {
+fn deploy_countdown_holds() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(t) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(t));
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ fn a_deployed_troop_counts_down_and_holds_still_until_ready() {
     assert_ne!(moved, spawn_pos, "a deployed troop moves");
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_troop_in_range_damages_the_tower_with_the_client_hit_model() {
+fn in_range_damage() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(t) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(t));
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ fn a_troop_in_range_damages_the_tower_with_the_client_hit_model() {
     );
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_session_emits_a_heartbeat_every_turn() {
+fn heartbeat_every_turn() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(t) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(t));
@@ -629,11 +629,11 @@ fn playing_a_card_cycles_the_summoner_hand() {
     assert_ne!(hand2[0], -1, "the slot refilled from the draw pile");
     assert_ne!(
         hand2[0], played,
-        "with a different card than the one played"
+        "wrong card"
     );
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_multi_unit_card_spreads_its_units() {
+fn multi_unit_spread() {
     let root = assets();
     if let Ok(t) = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root) {
         LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(t));
@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ fn a_multi_unit_card_spreads_its_units() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_snapshot_carrying_a_command_still_reads_back() {
+fn snapshot_with_command_roundtrips() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ fn a_snapshot_carrying_a_command_still_reads_back() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_search_moves_a_drop_the_way_the_client_does() {
+fn deploy_search_matches_client() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -757,7 +757,7 @@ fn the_search_moves_a_drop_the_way_the_client_does() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_drop_the_client_refuses_spawns_nothing() {
+fn refused_drop_spawns_nothing() {
     let root = assets();
     let tables = LogicDataTables::load_from_dir(&root).expect("tables");
     LogicDataTables::install(Arc::new(tables));
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ fn mana_already_committed_cannot_be_spent_twice() {
     let mut session = game_service::battle_session::BattleSession::new(mode, Vec::new());
     session.advance_to(120);
     let available = session.simulated_mana(0);
-    assert!(available > 0, "the player should have mana by tick 120");
+    assert!(available > 0, "no mana by t120");
     let entries = builder.summon(
         &LogicDataRef::spell("Knight"),
         LogicVector2::new(9500, 14500),
diff --git a/crates/logic/src/battle/logic_component.rs b/crates/logic/src/battle/logic_component.rs
index 87ed29a..ffb9eed 100644
--- a/crates/logic/src/battle/logic_component.rs
+++ b/crates/logic/src/battle/logic_component.rs
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ impl LogicCharacterBuffComponent {
 mod buff_component_tests {
     use super::LogicCharacterBuffComponent;
     #[test]
-    fn an_unbuffed_component_reports_full_size_and_damage() {
+    fn unbuffed_defaults() {
         let component = LogicCharacterBuffComponent::empty(5);
         assert_eq!(component.size_multiplier, 100);
         assert_eq!(component.damage_multiplier, 100);
diff --git a/crates/logic/src/data/scaled.rs b/crates/logic/src/data/scaled.rs
index 5165d92..a619133 100644
--- a/crates/logic/src/data/scaled.rs
+++ b/crates/logic/src/data/scaled.rs
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ pub fn level_scale(percent: i32, level: i32) -> i32 {
 mod tests {
     use super::level_scale;
     #[test]
-    fn the_ten_percent_ladder_matches_the_measured_damage() {
+    fn ten_percent_ladder() {
         assert_eq!(level_scale(10, 0), 100);
         assert_eq!(level_scale(10, 1), 110);
         assert_eq!(level_scale(10, 2), 121);
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(24 * level_scale(10, 2) / 100, 29);
     }
     #[test]
-    fn a_level_below_one_never_enters_the_loop() {
+    fn level_below_one() {
         assert_eq!(level_scale(10, -3), 100);
         assert_eq!(level_scale(9, 0), 100);
     }
diff --git a/crates/logic/src/logic_math.rs b/crates/logic/src/logic_math.rs
index 9a5e857..8c576c3 100644
--- a/crates/logic/src/logic_math.rs
+++ b/crates/logic/src/logic_math.rs
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ mod trig_tests {
         assert_eq!(get_angle(0, 5000), 90);
     }
     #[test]
-    fn a_single_unit_has_no_offset_and_pairs_split() {
+    fn single_and_pair_offsets() {
         assert_eq!(spawn_offset(0, 1, 300, false), (0, 0));
         let a = spawn_offset(0, 2, 300, false);
         let b = spawn_offset(1, 2, 300, false);
@@ -239,15 +239,15 @@ mod trig_tests {
         assert_ne!(a.0, 0);
     }
     #[test]
-    fn a_three_unit_card_starts_its_ring_on_the_y_axis() {
+    fn three_unit_ring_start() {
         let ring: Vec<_> = (0..3).map(|i| spawn_offset(i, 3, 500, true)).collect();
         assert_eq!(
             ring[0].0, 0,
-            "the first of three is not on the y axis: {ring:?}"
+            "{ring:?}"
         );
         assert!(
             ring[0].1 > 0,
-            "the first of three points the wrong way: {ring:?}"
+            "{ring:?}"
         );
         assert_eq!(ring[1].0, -ring[2].0, "the pair is not symmetric: {ring:?}");
         assert_eq!(ring[1].1, ring[2].1, "the pair is not level: {ring:?}");
diff --git a/crates/logic/src/messages/sector_heartbeat.rs b/crates/logic/src/messages/sector_heartbeat.rs
index 4fe42ea..a6ef36c 100644
--- a/crates/logic/src/messages/sector_heartbeat.rs
+++ b/crates/logic/src/messages/sector_heartbeat.rs
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use titan::ByteStreamReader;
     #[test]
-    fn an_empty_turn_keeps_the_two_vint_form() {
+    fn empty_turn_two_vints() {
         let message = SectorHeartbeatMessage::new(19, -1234);
         let mut reader = ByteStreamReader::new(&message.body);
         assert_eq!(reader.read_vint().unwrap(), 19);
diff --git a/crates/logic/tests/client_path_replay.rs b/crates/logic/tests/client_path_replay.rs
index 86831aa..86a4eaa 100644
--- a/crates/logic/tests/client_path_replay.rs
+++ b/crates/logic/tests/client_path_replay.rs
@@ -25,18 +25,18 @@ fn we_reproduce_the_clients_route_node_for_node() {
         assert_eq!(
             find_path(&tm, start, (27, 48), 2, false),
             expected,
-            "start {start:?} should walk the client's route"
+            "start {start:?}"
         );
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_route_bulges_because_the_lane_pinches_not_because_of_a_tie() {
+fn route_follows_lane_pinch() {
     let tm = arena();
     assert_eq!(tm.lane_bits(27, 31), 0);
     assert_eq!(tm.lane_bits(28, 31), 2);
     let path = find_path(&tm, (27, 29), (27, 48), 2, false);
     assert!(
         !path.contains(&(31 * 36 + 27)),
-        "the route must not step on the off-lane tile (27,31)"
+        "off-lane tile (27,31)"
     );
 }
diff --git a/crates/logic/tests/lane_assignment.rs b/crates/logic/tests/lane_assignment.rs
index de89629..e63da20 100644
--- a/crates/logic/tests/lane_assignment.rs
+++ b/crates/logic/tests/lane_assignment.rs
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@ fn arena() -> LogicTilemap {
     .expect("the goblin arena tilemap")
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_arena_is_36_by_64_subtiles() {
+fn arena_dimensions() {
     let tm = arena();
     assert_eq!((tm.width(), tm.height()), (36, 64));
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_map_rows_are_all_full_width() {
+fn map_rows_full_width() {
     let tm = arena();
     assert_eq!(tm.tiles.len(), 64);
     for (y, row) in tm.tiles.iter().enumerate() {
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ fn the_map_rows_are_all_full_width() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_arena_has_its_river_and_both_lanes() {
+fn river_and_lanes() {
     let tm = arena();
     let tiles = || (0..tm.height()).flat_map(|y| (0..tm.width()).map(move |x| (x, y)));
     assert_eq!(
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ fn the_arena_has_its_river_and_both_lanes() {
     assert_eq!(tiles().filter(|(x, y)| tm.is_water(*x, *y)).count(), 112);
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_right_lane_pinches_to_two_columns_at_the_bridge() {
+fn right_lane_pinch() {
     let tm = arena();
     for y in [31, 32] {
         assert_eq!(
@@ -61,21 +61,21 @@ fn the_right_lane_pinches_to_two_columns_at_the_bridge() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_drop_by_the_right_bridge_takes_the_right_lane() {
+fn right_bridge_right_lane() {
     let tm = arena();
     assert_eq!(get_lane_id(&tm, 12500, 14500), 2);
     assert_eq!(get_lane_id(&tm, 10000, 14500), 2);
     assert_eq!(get_lane_id(&tm, 11000, 14500), 2);
 }
 #[test]
-fn a_drop_by_the_left_bridge_takes_the_left_lane() {
+fn left_bridge_left_lane() {
     let tm = arena();
     for (x, y) in [(6923, 8500), (7788, 8999), (7788, 8001)] {
         assert_eq!(get_lane_id(&tm, x, y), 1, "({x},{y}) is on the left");
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn the_single_spawn_path_clamps_before_it_reads_the_lane() {
+fn spawn_clamps_before_lane() {
     let tm = arena();
     assert_eq!(
         spawn_lane_of(&tm, -5000, 14500),
diff --git a/crates/service-rpc/tests/error_channel.rs b/crates/service-rpc/tests/error_channel.rs
index f2882c1..d7d504f 100644
--- a/crates/service-rpc/tests/error_channel.rs
+++ b/crates/service-rpc/tests/error_channel.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl RpcService for Doubler {
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
-async fn a_service_error_reaches_the_caller_and_keeps_the_connection() {
+async fn error_reaches_caller() {
     let listener = TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").await.expect("bind");
     let endpoint = listener.local_addr().expect("addr").to_string();
     tokio::spawn(async move {