diff --git a/adventure/actions/planning.py b/adventure/actions/planning.py
index 277f90f..805bd17 100644
--- a/adventure/actions/planning.py
+++ b/adventure/actions/planning.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from adventure.context import action_context, get_agent_for_character, get_current_step
+from adventure.context import action_context, get_agent_for_character, get_current_turn
 from adventure.errors import ActionError
 from adventure.models.config import DEFAULT_CONFIG
 from adventure.models.planning import CalendarEvent
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ def check_calendar(count: int):
     """
 
     count = min(count, character_config.event_limit)
-    current_turn = get_current_step()
+    current_turn = get_current_turn()
 
     with action_context() as (_, action_character):
         if len(action_character.planner.calendar.events) == 0:
diff --git a/adventure/context.py b/adventure/context.py
index 0c38cfc..96cf509 100644
--- a/adventure/context.py
+++ b/adventure/context.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from adventure.utils.string import normalize_name
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
 
 # world context
-current_step = 0
+current_turn = 0
 current_world: World | None = None
 current_room: Room | None = None
 current_character: Character | None = None
@@ -140,8 +140,8 @@ def get_current_character() -> Character | None:
     return current_character
 
 
-def get_current_step() -> int:
-    return current_step
+def get_current_turn() -> int:
+    return current_turn
 
 
 def get_dungeon_master() -> Agent:
@@ -180,9 +180,9 @@ def set_current_character(character: Character | None):
     current_character = character
 
 
-def set_current_step(step: int):
-    global current_step
-    current_step = step
+def set_current_turn(turn: int):
+    global current_turn
+    current_turn = turn
 
 
 def set_character_agent(name, character, agent):
diff --git a/adventure/game_system.py b/adventure/game_system.py
index 9e38ee7..3d34b79 100644
--- a/adventure/game_system.py
+++ b/adventure/game_system.py
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@ class SystemInitialize(Protocol):
 
 
 class SystemSimulate(Protocol):
-    def __call__(self, world: World, step: int, data: Any | None = None) -> None:
+    def __call__(self, world: World, turn: int, data: Any | None = None) -> None:
         """
-        Simulate the world for the given step.
+        Simulate the world for the given turn. If this system has stored data, it will be passed in.
         """
         ...
 
diff --git a/adventure/main.py b/adventure/main.py
index a4f0dbc..953c96c 100644
--- a/adventure/main.py
+++ b/adventure/main.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ load_dotenv(environ.get("ADVENTURE_ENV", ".env"), override=True)
 if True:
     from adventure.context import (
         get_system_data,
-        set_current_step,
+        set_current_turn,
         set_dungeon_master,
         set_system_data,
         subscribe,
@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ def parse_args():
         help="The file to save the world state to. Defaults to $world.state.json, if not set",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
-        "--steps",
+        "--turns",
         type=int_or_inf,
         default=10,
-        help="The number of simulation steps to run",
+        help="The number of simulation turns to run",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--systems",
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ def load_or_generate_world(
     add_rooms = args.add_rooms
 
     memory = {}
-    step = 0
+    turn = 0
 
     # prepare an agent for the world builder
     llm = agent_easy_connect()
@@ -241,11 +241,11 @@ def load_or_generate_world(
         with open(world_state_file, "r") as f:
             state = WorldState(**load_yaml(f))
 
-        set_current_step(state.step)
+        set_current_turn(state.turn)
         load_or_initialize_system_data(args, systems, state.world)
 
         memory = state.memory
-        step = state.step
+        turn = state.turn
         world = state.world
     elif path.exists(world_file):
         logger.info(f"loading world from {world_file}")
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def load_or_generate_world(
         link_rooms(world_builder, world, systems, new_rooms)
 
     create_agents(world, memory=memory, players=players)
-    return (world, world_state_file, step)
+    return (world, world_state_file, turn)
 
 
 def main():
@@ -356,20 +356,20 @@ def main():
 
     # load or generate the world
     world_prompt = get_world_prompt(args)
-    world, world_state_file, world_step = load_or_generate_world(
+    world, world_state_file, world_turn = load_or_generate_world(
         args, players, extra_systems, world_prompt=world_prompt
     )
 
     # make sure the snapshot system runs last
-    def snapshot_system(world: World, step: int, data: None = None) -> None:
+    def snapshot_system(world: World, turn: int, data: None = None) -> None:
         logger.info("taking snapshot of world state")
-        save_world_state(world, step, world_state_file)
+        save_world_state(world, turn, world_state_file)
 
     extra_systems.append(GameSystem(name="snapshot", simulate=snapshot_system))
 
     # hack: send a snapshot to the websocket server
     if args.server:
-        server_system(world, world_step)
+        server_system(world, world_turn)
 
     # create the DM
     llm = agent_easy_connect()
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ def main():
     logger.debug("simulating world: %s", world)
     simulate_world(
         world,
-        steps=args.steps,
+        turns=args.turns,
         actions=extra_actions,
         systems=extra_systems,
     )
diff --git a/adventure/models/config.py b/adventure/models/config.py
index 044d832..68041f4 100644
--- a/adventure/models/config.py
+++ b/adventure/models/config.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class WorldSizeConfig:
 
 
 @dataclass
-class WorldStepConfig:
+class WorldTurnConfig:
     action_retries: int
     planning_steps: int
     planning_retries: int
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class WorldStepConfig:
 class WorldConfig:
     character: WorldCharacterConfig
     size: WorldSizeConfig
-    step: WorldStepConfig
+    turn: WorldTurnConfig
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = Config(
             room_characters=IntRange(min=1, max=3),
             room_items=IntRange(min=1, max=3),
         ),
-        step=WorldStepConfig(
+        turn=WorldTurnConfig(
             action_retries=5,
             planning_steps=3,
             planning_retries=3,
diff --git a/adventure/models/entity.py b/adventure/models/entity.py
index fd8ce8d..ed2ced5 100644
--- a/adventure/models/entity.py
+++ b/adventure/models/entity.py
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class World(BaseModel):
 @dataclass
 class WorldState(BaseModel):
     memory: Dict[str, List[str | Dict[str, str]]]
-    step: int
+    turn: int
     world: World
     id: str = Field(default_factory=uuid)
     type: Literal["world_state"] = "world_state"
diff --git a/adventure/models/event.py b/adventure/models/event.py
index c84bbc3..6d2da41 100644
--- a/adventure/models/event.py
+++ b/adventure/models/event.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class SnapshotEvent(BaseModel):
 
     world: Dict[str, Any]
     memory: Dict[str, List[Any]]
-    step: int
+    turn: int
     id: str = Field(default_factory=uuid)
     type: Literal["snapshot"] = "snapshot"
 
diff --git a/adventure/server/websocket.py b/adventure/server/websocket.py
index 59c0dd9..436a6b6 100644
--- a/adventure/server/websocket.py
+++ b/adventure/server/websocket.py
@@ -301,11 +301,11 @@ async def server_main():
         await asyncio.Future()  # run forever
 
 
-def server_system(world: World, step: int, data: Any | None = None):
+def server_system(world: World, turn: int, data: Any | None = None):
     global last_snapshot
     id = uuid4().hex  # TODO: should a server be allowed to generate event IDs?
     json_state = {
-        **snapshot_world(world, step),
+        **snapshot_world(world, turn),
         "id": id,
         "type": "snapshot",
     }
diff --git a/adventure/simulate.py b/adventure/simulate.py
index b17021f..883c3ef 100644
--- a/adventure/simulate.py
+++ b/adventure/simulate.py
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ from adventure.context import (
     broadcast,
     get_character_agent_for_name,
     get_character_for_agent,
-    get_current_step,
+    get_current_turn,
     get_current_world,
     set_current_character,
     set_current_room,
-    set_current_step,
+    set_current_turn,
     set_current_world,
     set_game_systems,
 )
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ from adventure.utils.world import describe_entity, format_attributes
 logger = getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-step_config = DEFAULT_CONFIG.world.step
+turn_config = DEFAULT_CONFIG.world.turn
 
 
 def world_result_parser(value, agent, **kwargs):
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def prompt_character_action(
         toolbox=action_toolbox,
     )
 
-    logger.debug(f"{character.name} step result: {result}")
+    logger.debug(f"{character.name} action result: {result}")
     if agent.memory:
         # TODO: make sure this is not duplicating memories and wasting space
         agent.memory.append(result)
@@ -173,9 +173,9 @@ def get_notes_events(character: Character, current_turn: int):
         notes_prompt = "You have no recent notes.\n"
 
     if len(upcoming_events) > 0:
-        current_step = get_current_step()
+        current_turn = get_current_turn()
         events = [
-            f"{event.name} in {event.turn - current_step} turns"
+            f"{event.name} in {event.turn - current_turn} turns"
             for event in upcoming_events
         ]
         events = "\n".join(events)
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def prompt_character_think(
     current_turn: int,
     max_steps: int | None = None,
 ) -> str:
-    max_steps = max_steps or step_config.planning_steps
+    max_steps = max_steps or turn_config.planning_steps
 
     notes_prompt, events_prompt = get_notes_events(character, current_turn)
 
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ def prompt_character_think(
 
 def simulate_world(
     world: World,
-    steps: float | int = inf,
+    turns: float | int = inf,
     actions: Sequence[Callable[..., str]] = [],
     systems: Sequence[GameSystem] = [],
 ):
@@ -279,8 +279,8 @@ def simulate_world(
 
     # simulate each character
     for i in count():
-        current_step = get_current_step()
-        logger.info(f"simulating step {i} of {steps} (world step {current_step})")
+        current_turn = get_current_turn()
+        logger.info(f"simulating turn {i} of {turns} (world turn {current_turn})")
 
         for character_name in world.order:
             character, agent = get_character_agent_for_name(character_name)
@@ -299,13 +299,13 @@ def simulate_world(
 
             # decrement effects on the character and remove any that have expired
             expire_effects(character)
-            expire_events(character, current_step)
+            expire_events(character, current_turn)
 
             # give the character a chance to think and check their planner
             if agent.memory and len(agent.memory) > 0:
                 try:
                     thoughts = prompt_character_think(
-                        room, character, agent, planner_toolbox, current_step
+                        room, character, agent, planner_toolbox, current_turn
                     )
                     logger.debug(f"{character.name} thinks: {thoughts}")
                 except Exception:
@@ -313,17 +313,22 @@ def simulate_world(
                         f"error during planning for character {character.name}"
                     )
 
-            result = prompt_character_action(
-                room, character, agent, action_names, action_tools, current_step
-            )
-            result_event = ResultEvent(result=result, room=room, character=character)
-            broadcast(result_event)
+            try:
+                result = prompt_character_action(
+                    room, character, agent, action_names, action_tools, current_turn
+                )
+                result_event = ResultEvent(
+                    result=result, room=room, character=character
+                )
+                broadcast(result_event)
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception(f"error during action for character {character.name}")
 
         for system in systems:
             if system.simulate:
-                system.simulate(world, current_step)
+                system.simulate(world, current_turn)
 
-        set_current_step(current_step + 1)
-        if i >= steps:
-            logger.info("reached step limit at world step %s", current_step + 1)
+        set_current_turn(current_turn + 1)
+        if i >= turns:
+            logger.info("reached turn limit at world turn %s", current_turn + 1)
             break
diff --git a/adventure/state.py b/adventure/state.py
index e7f2a88..5b4e7b0 100644
--- a/adventure/state.py
+++ b/adventure/state.py
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@ def create_agents(
             set_character_agent(character.name, character, agent)
 
 
-def graph_world(world: World, step: int):
+def graph_world(world: World, turn: int):
     import graphviz
 
-    graph_name = f"{path.basename(world.name)}-{step}"
+    graph_name = f"{path.basename(world.name)}-{turn}"
     graph = graphviz.Digraph(graph_name, format="png")
     for room in world.rooms:
         characters = [character.name for character in room.characters]
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ def graph_world(world: World, step: int):
     graph.render(directory=graph_path)
 
 
-def snapshot_world(world: World, step: int):
-    # save the world itself, along with the step number of the memory of each agent
+def snapshot_world(world: World, turn: int):
+    # save the world itself, along with the turn number and the memory of each agent
     json_world = RootModel[World](world).model_dump()
 
     json_memory = {}
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def snapshot_world(world: World, step: int):
     return {
         "world": json_world,
         "memory": json_memory,
-        "step": step,
+        "turn": turn,
     }
 
 
@@ -94,9 +94,9 @@ def save_world(world, filename):
         f.write(json_world)
 
 
-def save_world_state(world, step, filename):
-    graph_world(world, step)
-    json_state = snapshot_world(world, step)
+def save_world_state(world, turn, filename):
+    graph_world(world, turn)
+    json_state = snapshot_world(world, turn)
     with open(filename, "w") as f:
         dump(json_state, f, default=world_json, indent=2)
 
diff --git a/adventure/systems/logic.py b/adventure/systems/logic.py
index fcea916..70478f6 100644
--- a/adventure/systems/logic.py
+++ b/adventure/systems/logic.py
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def update_attributes(
 
 def update_logic(
     world: World,
-    step: int,
+    turn: int,
     data: Any | None = None,
     *,
     rules: LogicTable,
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ def load_logic(filename: str):
     logger.info("initialized logic system")
     system_format = wraps(format_logic)(partial(format_logic, rules=logic_rules))
     system_initialize = wraps(update_logic)(
-        partial(update_logic, step=0, rules=logic_rules, triggers=logic_triggers)
+        partial(update_logic, turn=0, rules=logic_rules, triggers=logic_triggers)
     )
     system_simulate = wraps(update_logic)(
         partial(update_logic, rules=logic_rules, triggers=logic_triggers)
diff --git a/adventure/systems/quest.py b/adventure/systems/quest.py
index c55ca10..1c532d8 100644
--- a/adventure/systems/quest.py
+++ b/adventure/systems/quest.py
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ def generate_quests(agent: Agent, theme: str, entity: WorldEntity) -> None:
             # TODO: generate one new quest
 
 
-def simulate_quests(world: World, step: int, data: QuestData | None = None) -> None:
+def simulate_quests(world: World, turn: int, data: QuestData | None = None) -> None:
     """
     1. Check for any completed quests.
     2. Update any active quests.
diff --git a/client/src/app.tsx b/client/src/app.tsx
index f6cf6f7..cf15c11 100644
--- a/client/src/app.tsx
+++ b/client/src/app.tsx
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ export function App(props: AppProps) {
   });
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    const { setClientId, setActiveTurn, setPlayers, appendEvent, setWorld, world, clientId, setPlayerCharacter: setCharacter } = store.getState();
+    const { setClientId, setActiveTurn, setPlayers, appendEvent, setTurn, setWorld, world, clientId, setPlayerCharacter: setCharacter } = store.getState();
     if (doesExist(lastMessage)) {
       const event = JSON.parse(lastMessage.data);
 
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ export function App(props: AppProps) {
           return;
         case 'snapshot':
           setWorld(event.world);
+          setTurn(event.turn);
           break;
         default:
           // this is not concerning, other events are kept in history and displayed
diff --git a/client/src/events.tsx b/client/src/events.tsx
index 38bddfb..05cc99a 100644
--- a/client/src/events.tsx
+++ b/client/src/events.tsx
@@ -92,12 +92,12 @@ export function ActionEventItem(props: EventItemProps) {
 
 export function SnapshotEventItem(props: EventItemProps) {
   const { event } = props;
-  const { step, world } = event;
+  const { turn, world } = event;
   const { name, theme } = world;
 
   return <ListItem alignItems="flex-start" ref={props.focusRef}>
     <ListItemAvatar>
-      <Avatar>{step}</Avatar>
+      <Avatar>{turn}</Avatar>
     </ListItemAvatar>
     <ListItemText
       primary={name}
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ export function SnapshotEventItem(props: EventItemProps) {
             variant="body2"
             color="text.primary"
           >
-            Step: {step}
+            Turn: {turn}
           </Typography>
           World Theme: {theme}
         </Fragment>
diff --git a/client/src/format.ts b/client/src/format.ts
index 35c755d..6d4c39d 100644
--- a/client/src/format.ts
+++ b/client/src/format.ts
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export function formatResult(data: any) {
 }
 
 export function formatWorld(data: any) {
-  return `${data.world.theme} - ${data.step}`;
+  return `${data.world.theme} - ${data.turn}`;
 }
 
 export const formatters: Record<string, any> = {
diff --git a/client/src/models.ts b/client/src/models.ts
index 02c419d..4d40236 100644
--- a/client/src/models.ts
+++ b/client/src/models.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ export interface World {
   order: Array<string>;
   rooms: Array<Room>;
   theme: string;
+  turn: number;
 }
 
 // TODO: copy event types from server
diff --git a/client/src/store.ts b/client/src/store.ts
index 9b947a3..c3f4972 100644
--- a/client/src/store.ts
+++ b/client/src/store.ts
@@ -35,10 +35,12 @@ export interface ClientState {
 
 export interface WorldState {
   players: Record<string, string>;
+  turn: Maybe<number>;
   world: Maybe<World>;
 
   // setters
   setPlayers: (players: Record<string, string>) => void;
+  setTurn: (turn: Maybe<number>) => void;
   setWorld: (world: Maybe<World>) => void;
 }
 
@@ -105,8 +107,10 @@ export function createClientStore(): StateCreator<ClientState> {
 export function createWorldStore(): StateCreator<WorldState> {
   return (set) => ({
     players: {},
+    turn: undefined,
     world: undefined,
     setPlayers: (players) => set({ players }),
+    setTurn: (turn) => set({ turn }),
     setWorld: (world) => set({ world }),
   });
 }
diff --git a/client/src/world.tsx b/client/src/world.tsx
index ed46188..c34e0b7 100644
--- a/client/src/world.tsx
+++ b/client/src/world.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { Maybe, doesExist } from '@apextoaster/js-utils';
-import { Card, CardContent, Typography } from '@mui/material';
+import { Card, CardContent, Divider, Stack, Typography } from '@mui/material';
 import { SimpleTreeView } from '@mui/x-tree-view/SimpleTreeView';
 import { TreeItem } from '@mui/x-tree-view/TreeItem';
 import React from 'react';
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ export function characterStateSelector(s: StoreState) {
 
 export function worldStateSelector(s: StoreState) {
   return {
+    turn: s.turn,
     world: s.world,
     setDetailEntity: s.setDetailEntity,
   };
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ export function RoomItem(props: { room: Room } & BaseEntityItemProps) {
 export function WorldPanel(props: BaseEntityItemProps) {
   const { setPlayer } = props;
   const state = useStore(store, worldStateSelector);
-  const { world, setDetailEntity } = state;
+  const { turn, world, setDetailEntity } = state;
 
   // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
   if (!doesExist(world)) {
@@ -136,14 +137,20 @@ export function WorldPanel(props: BaseEntityItemProps) {
 
   return <Card style={{ minHeight: 200, overflow: 'auto' }}>
     <CardContent>
-      <Typography gutterBottom variant="h5" component="div">{world.name}</Typography>
-      <Typography variant="body1">
-        Theme: {world.theme}
-      </Typography>
-      <SimpleTreeView>
-        <TreeItem itemId="world-graph" label="Graph" onClick={() => setDetailEntity(world)} />
-        {world.rooms.map((room) => <RoomItem key={room.name} room={room} setPlayer={setPlayer} />)}
-      </SimpleTreeView>
+      <Stack direction="column" spacing={2}>
+        <Typography gutterBottom variant="h5" component="div">{world.name}</Typography>
+        <Typography variant="body1">
+          Theme: {world.theme}
+        </Typography>
+        <Typography variant="body2">
+          Turn: {turn}
+        </Typography>
+        <Divider />
+        <SimpleTreeView>
+          <TreeItem itemId="world-graph" label="Graph" onClick={() => setDetailEntity(world)} />
+          {world.rooms.map((room) => <RoomItem key={room.name} room={room} setPlayer={setPlayer} />)}
+        </SimpleTreeView>
+      </Stack>
     </CardContent>
   </Card>;
 }
diff --git a/docs/events.md b/docs/events.md
index 9723137..c67dc53 100644
--- a/docs/events.md
+++ b/docs/events.md
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ The snapshot event is fired at the end of each turn and contains a complete snap
 type: "snapshot"
 world: Dict
 memory: Dict
-step: int
+turn: int
 ```
 
 This is primarily used to save the world state, but can also be used to sync clients and populate the world menu.