Match Legacy handheld book drops with model entity (#85)

README.md

@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ Linking creates a bound Return Link to the exact source position and orientation
 according to the configured Return Link policy.
 
 Server owners can set `descriptive_books.return_link_mode` in Rivencraft's
-server config to `ON_CREATION` (default), `ALWAYS`, or `DISABLED`.
+server config to `DISABLED` (default), `ON_CREATION`, or `ALWAYS`.
 Age creation, persistence, lifecycle commands, configuration, backups, and
 administrator recovery are documented in [docs/AGES.md](docs/AGES.md).
 Data-pack runtime profiles are documented in
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ Data-pack runtime profiles are documented in
 
 - A Java 21 JDK
 - Minecraft 1.21.1
-- NeoForge 21.1.251 or newer in the 21.1 line
+- NeoForge 21.1.264 or newer in the 21.1 line
 - Dynamic Dimensions AR Edition 0.9.1 and Bad Packets 0.8.2 (client and server)
 
 Create is optional. When installed, Rivencraft uses its Ponder renderer for

build.gradle

@@ -132,6 +132,8 @@ neoForge {
 
         server {
             server()
+            // Keep dedicated compatibility runs away from the normal dev world.
+            gameDirectory = project.file(project.findProperty('serverRunDir') ?: 'run')
             programArgument '--nogui'
             systemProperty 'neoforge.enabledGameTestNamespaces', project.mod_id
         }

docs/AGES.md

@@ -69,10 +69,9 @@ definition.
 Rivencraft writes gameplay settings to the world/server configuration managed
 by NeoForge. `descriptive_books.return_link_mode` accepts:
 
-- `ON_CREATION` (default): create one Return Link the first time a player
-  enters each Age.
+- `DISABLED` (default): never create Return Links automatically.
+- `ON_CREATION`: create one Return Link the first time a player enters each Age.
 - `ALWAYS`: create a Return Link after every successful Descriptive Book trip.
-- `DISABLED`: never create Return Links automatically.
 
 Each client has a separate `rivencraft-client.toml`. Its `book_preview.mode`
 setting accepts `AUTO`, `IMMERSIVE_PORTALS`, `PONDER`, or `LEGACY`. This changes

docs/LEGACY_M7_AUDIT.md

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ For a manual check, create a fresh surface Age and run `/rivencraft library near
 
 Issue #75's comment calls this a despawning drop. The code differs subtly: [`EntityLinkbook`](https://github.com/Mystcraft/Mystcraft-Legacy/blob/9bc8ddc061845df0cd5ea47f4fdef773cff786ae/src/main/java/com/xcompwiz/mystcraft/entity/EntityLinkbook.java#L190-L224) explicitly cannot despawn, but takes one starvation damage every 10,000 ticks and damage while wet. It can eventually be destroyed if left unattended; a vanilla item entity's fixed five-minute timeout is not parity. A modern equivalent should retain the visible book and avoid silently deleting its Age identity at that timeout.
 
-Legacy's travel path creates no automatic Return Link. Rivencraft currently defaults to `ON_CREATION` via `DescriptiveBookItem` and `descriptive_books.return_link_mode`. Per #75's comment, change the **new-config default** to `DISABLED` while retaining `ON_CREATION` and `ALWAYS` as opt-ins. Existing saved server configs must keep their explicit value. Handheld-book drop and Return Link default are tracked in [#85](https://truenas-scale.tail180fb1.ts.net:8443/dnorberg/rivencraft/issues/85), not portal-frame logic.
+Legacy's travel path creates no automatic Return Link. Rivencraft now defaults to `DISABLED` in new server configs while retaining `ON_CREATION` and `ALWAYS` as opt-ins. Existing saved server configs keep their explicit value. Issue #85 adds the active-book drop only to hand-held Linking and Descriptive Book travel. On a successful link, the exact active stack becomes a dedicated `DroppedBookEntity` at the departure point, rendered with the same open `BookModel` and textures as the book stand; a rejected link restores it to the original hand. Stand and portal use leave their books in place. The entity has unlimited vanilla lifetime and loses one of its five item-health points every 10,000 loaded ticks, plus one per wet tick, matching Legacy's slow/wet decay. Unlike Legacy's custom entity, the modern book is picked up by ordinary contact, not sneaking with an empty hand, and remains subject to ordinary item hazards. Following is not yet a Rivencraft modifier, so no Following exception is exposed or silently simulated. Both hands can activate a book, whereas Legacy's explicit stack removal tested only its selected main-hand slot.
 
 ## Crafting, sounds, and progression
 

docs/MILESTONE_7_COMPATIBILITY_REVIEW.md

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Milestone 7 compatibility review (#82)
+
+Reviewed 2026-10-19 for Minecraft 1.21.1. The project now compiles against
+NeoForge 21.1.264 and advertises that as its minimum. The official
+[NeoForge Maven metadata](https://maven.neoforged.net/releases/net/neoforged/neoforge/maven-metadata.xml)
+lists 21.1.264 as the newest 21.1 release. Its
+[changelog](https://maven.neoforged.net/releases/net/neoforged/neoforge/21.1.264/neoforge-21.1.264-changelog.txt)
+includes received split-packet size checks (21.1.260), network setup payload
+direction/decoding limits (21.1.261), ad-hoc channel identifier limits
+(21.1.262), and an initial attachment-sync fix (21.1.264). Those are concrete
+reasons to evaluate an upgrade, but do not by themselves prove Rivencraft and
+its optional integrations work on that loader.
+
+**Decision: adopt 21.1.264 beginning with 0.6.6.2.** An override build
+succeeded, but its GameTest server repeated its storage-progress display
+without producing test results. That run was stopped; it is neither a pass nor
+evidence of a NeoForge defect. The player subsequently passed an in-game
+singleplayer test on 21.1.264 with the optional stack, then passed a dedicated
+server test including Immersive Portals travel to a Rivencraft Age. The
+dedicated server also reached the ready state with only the required mods
+before the full optional stack was installed. Both modes used Rivencraft
+0.6.6.1. The earlier 21.1.251 baseline passed 70 required GameTests for
+release V0.6.6.0.
+
+| Dependency | Project baseline | Newest checked 1.21.1 release | Follow-up |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| Dynamic Dimensions AR Edition (required) | 0.9.1 | 0.9.1 | No newer release found on [CurseForge](https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/dynamicdimension-ar-edition/files/all). |
+| Bad Packets (required) | neo-0.8.2 | neo-0.8.2 | No newer matching [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/mod/badpackets/versions) release found. |
+| JEI (optional) | 19.57.0.449 | 19.64.0.455 | Separate update issue; verify recipe categories and GUI discovery. |
+| Create (optional) | 6.0.10 | 6.0.10 | No newer matching [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/mod/create/versions) release found. Its jar bundles Ponder 1.0.82. |
+| Ponder (bundled with Create) | 1.0.82 | 1.0.87 library artifact | [Maven](https://maven.createmod.net/net/createmod/ponder/ponder-neoforge/maven-metadata.xml) has a newer artifact, but Create 6.0.10 still bundles 1.0.82. Do not treat this as a separately installed Create update. |
+| Immersive Portals (optional) | 6.0.7 | 6.0.7 | No newer matching [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/mod/immersive-portals-neoforge/versions) release found. |
+| TerraBlender (optional) | 4.1.0.8 | 4.1.0.8 | No newer matching [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/mod/terrablender/versions) release found. |
+| Serene Seasons (optional) | 10.1.0.8 compile target | 10.1.0.9 | Separate update issue; the user's Prism instance already contains 10.1.0.9, but that is not a recorded compatibility pass. |
+| GlitchCore (Serene dependency) | 2.1.0.2 | 2.1.0.2 | No newer matching [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/mod/glitchcore/versions) release found. |
+| Biomes O' Plenty (TerraBlender test addon) | 21.1.0.14 in user's Prism instance | 21.1.0.14 | No newer matching [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/mod/biomes-o-plenty/versions) release found. |
+
+The Modrinth version comparisons above were filtered to **NeoForge and
+Minecraft 1.21.1** on 2026-10-19. Create's bundled Ponder version was read
+from `META-INF/jarjar/metadata.json` in `create-1.21.1-6.0.10.jar`; the
+separate library-artifact comparison came from Create's Maven. Dynamic
+Dimensions was checked on CurseForge. Versions for other Minecraft lines and
+similarly named mods were excluded.
+
+The full dedicated test stack contained Create/Ponder, Immersive Portals, JEI,
+TerraBlender with Biomes O' Plenty, and Serene Seasons with GlitchCore. The
+server loaded a new `rivencraft:age/test`, and its shutdown log confirms that
+all Overworld, Nether, End, and Age chunks were saved. The player explicitly
+approved 21.1.264 after that test. This does not independently certify every
+optional combination, the LEGACY preview fallback on a client without Create
+and Immersive Portals, or a full restart/rejoin cycle; keep those in the
+regression checklist. Serene's GameTest mock-player network limitation still
+requires real-client checks for seasonal behavior.

docs/PREVIEW_COMPATIBILITY.md

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ being captured in the preview.
 
 ## Supported combinations and upstream limits
 
-The compatibility baseline is Minecraft 1.21.1, NeoForge 21.1.251, Create
+The compatibility baseline is Minecraft 1.21.1, NeoForge 21.1.264, Create
 6.0.10, and Immersive Portals 6.0.7. Core Age generation and the `LEGACY`
 backend run without Create or Immersive Portals; the headless GameTest server
 uses that dependency-free path.

gradle.properties

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ minecraft_version=1.21.1
 # as they do not follow standard versioning conventions.
 minecraft_version_range=[1.21.1]
 # The Neo version must agree with the Minecraft version to get a valid artifact
-neo_version=21.1.251
+neo_version=21.1.264
 ponder_version=1.0.82
 dynamic_dimensions_file_id=7707789
 badpackets_version=0.8.2
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ mod_name=Rivencraft
 # The license of the mod. Review your options at https://choosealicense.com/. All Rights Reserved is the default.
 mod_license=LGPL-3.0-or-later
 # The mod version. Rivencraft uses the x.y.z.b policy documented in README.md.
-mod_version=0.6.6.0
+mod_version=0.6.6.6
 immersive_portals_version=6.0.7
 terrablender_version=4.1.0.8
 serene_seasons_version_id=B6nTjh4b

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/Rivencraft.java

@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ public final class Rivencraft {
         ModBiomeSources.register(modEventBus);
         ModChunkGenerators.register(modEventBus);
         ModBlocks.register(modEventBus);
+        net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModEntities.register(modEventBus);
         ModBlockEntities.register(modEventBus);
         ModItems.register(modEventBus);
         ModMenus.register(modEventBus);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/book/HandheldBookTravelGameTests.java

@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.book;
+
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.Rivencraft;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.entity.DroppedBookEntity;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModEntities;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
+import net.minecraft.core.BlockPos;
+import net.minecraft.core.GlobalPos;
+import net.minecraft.gametest.framework.GameTest;
+import net.minecraft.gametest.framework.GameTestHelper;
+import net.minecraft.nbt.CompoundTag;
+import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.item.ItemEntity;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.Items;
+import net.minecraft.world.level.block.Blocks;
+import net.minecraft.world.phys.AABB;
+import net.neoforged.neoforge.gametest.GameTestHolder;
+import net.neoforged.neoforge.gametest.PrefixGameTestTemplate;
+
+@GameTestHolder(Rivencraft.MOD_ID)
+@PrefixGameTestTemplate(false)
+public final class HandheldBookTravelGameTests {
+    private HandheldBookTravelGameTests() {
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void successfulHandheldTravelLeavesOnlyActiveBookAtOrigin(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        ItemStack book = new ItemStack(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get());
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, book);
+        player.getInventory().setItem(1, new ItemStack(Items.DIAMOND));
+        var source = player.position();
+        BlockPos destination = helper.absolutePos(new BlockPos(2, 1, 2));
+        helper.getLevel().setBlock(destination, Blocks.AIR.defaultBlockState(), 2);
+        helper.getLevel().setBlock(destination.above(), Blocks.AIR.defaultBlockState(), 2);
+        LinkTarget target = new LinkTarget(GlobalPos.of(helper.getLevel().dimension(), destination), 0, 0);
+
+        helper.assertValueEqual(LinkingService.travelHandheld(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, book, target,
+                        new LinkProperties(LinkProperties.INTRA_LINKING), false), LinkingService.LinkResult.SUCCESS,
+                "A valid intra-dimensional handheld link must succeed");
+        helper.assertTrue(player.getMainHandItem().isEmpty(), "Only the active book must leave the hand");
+        helper.assertTrue(player.getInventory().getItem(1).is(Items.DIAMOND),
+                "An unrelated inventory item must remain with the player");
+        var drops = helper.getLevel().getEntitiesOfClass(DroppedBookEntity.class, new AABB(source, source).inflate(2.0),
+                entity -> entity.getItem().is(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get()));
+        helper.assertValueEqual(drops.size(), 1, "Exactly one recoverable book must remain at the departure point");
+        helper.assertTrue(drops.getFirst().getItem() == book,
+                "The model-rendered entity must retain the exact active book stack");
+        helper.assertTrue(drops.getFirst().copy() instanceof DroppedBookEntity,
+                "The pickup-animation copy must keep the custom renderer's entity type");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void rejectedHandheldTravelKeepsBook(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        ItemStack book = new ItemStack(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get());
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.OFF_HAND, book);
+        LinkTarget target = new LinkTarget(GlobalPos.of(helper.getLevel().dimension(), player.blockPosition()), 0, 0);
+
+        helper.assertValueEqual(LinkingService.travelHandheld(player, InteractionHand.OFF_HAND, book, target,
+                        LinkProperties.NONE, false), LinkingService.LinkResult.INTRA_LINKING_REQUIRED,
+                "A same-dimension link without Intra Linking must be rejected");
+        helper.assertTrue(player.getOffhandItem() == book, "The exact rejected book must be restored to its hand");
+        helper.assertTrue(helper.getLevel().getEntitiesOfClass(ItemEntity.class,
+                new AABB(player.position(), player.position()).inflate(2.0),
+                entity -> entity.getItem().is(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get())).isEmpty(),
+                "A rejected link must not leave a second copy at the origin");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void disarmDropsOtherInventoryWithoutDuplicatingActiveBook(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        var player = helper.makeMockServerPlayerInLevel();
+        ItemStack book = new ItemStack(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get());
+        player.setItemInHand(InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, book);
+        player.getInventory().setItem(1, new ItemStack(Items.DIAMOND));
+        var source = player.position();
+        BlockPos destination = helper.absolutePos(new BlockPos(2, 1, 2));
+        helper.getLevel().setBlock(destination, Blocks.AIR.defaultBlockState(), 2);
+        helper.getLevel().setBlock(destination.above(), Blocks.AIR.defaultBlockState(), 2);
+        LinkTarget target = new LinkTarget(GlobalPos.of(helper.getLevel().dimension(), destination), 0, 0);
+
+        helper.assertValueEqual(LinkingService.travelHandheld(player, InteractionHand.MAIN_HAND, book, target,
+                        new LinkProperties(LinkProperties.INTRA_LINKING | LinkProperties.DISARM), false),
+                LinkingService.LinkResult.SUCCESS, "Disarm must not block handheld travel");
+        var drops = helper.getLevel().getEntitiesOfClass(ItemEntity.class, new AABB(source, source).inflate(2.0));
+        helper.assertValueEqual(drops.stream().filter(entity -> entity instanceof DroppedBookEntity).count(),
+                1L, "Disarm must not create a second copy of the active book");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(drops.stream().filter(entity -> entity.getItem().is(Items.DIAMOND)).count(),
+                1L, "Disarm must still drop unrelated inventory items");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void originBookUsesSlowDecayWithoutVanillaDespawn(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        DroppedBookEntity book = new DroppedBookEntity(helper.getLevel(),
+                net.minecraft.world.phys.Vec3.ZERO, new ItemStack(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get()));
+        CompoundTag seeded = new CompoundTag();
+        book.saveWithoutId(seeded);
+        seeded.putInt("BookDecayTicks", 9_999);
+        book.readAdditionalSaveData(seeded);
+        book.tick();
+        CompoundTag saved = new CompoundTag();
+        book.saveWithoutId(saved);
+        helper.assertValueEqual(saved.getShort("Age"), (short)-32_768,
+                "The dropped book must not expire after vanilla's five minutes");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(saved.getShort("Health"), (short)4,
+                "A dropped book must lose one item-health point after 10,000 loaded ticks");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(saved.getInt("BookDecayTicks"), 0,
+                "Slow decay must reset its interval and persist across a restart");
+        DroppedBookEntity restored = new DroppedBookEntity(ModEntities.DROPPED_BOOK.get(), helper.getLevel());
+        restored.readAdditionalSaveData(saved);
+        CompoundTag resaved = new CompoundTag();
+        restored.saveWithoutId(resaved);
+        helper.assertTrue(restored.getItem().is(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get()),
+                "The custom book entity must retain its book on reload");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(resaved.getShort("Age"), (short)-32_768,
+                "The custom book must remain non-despawning after reload");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(resaved.getShort("Health"), (short)4,
+                "Decay damage must persist after reload");
+        helper.assertTrue(restored.copy().getItem().is(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get()),
+                "A pickup-animation copy must retain the book data after reload");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+}

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/book/LinkingService.java

@@ -5,10 +5,13 @@ import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.stream.IntStream;
 import java.util.stream.Stream;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.compat.ImmersivePortalsChunkLoaders;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.entity.DroppedBookEntity;
 import net.minecraft.core.BlockPos;
 import net.minecraft.core.Direction;
 import net.minecraft.server.level.ServerLevel;
 import net.minecraft.server.level.ServerPlayer;
+import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
 import net.minecraft.tags.BlockTags;
 import net.minecraft.world.level.border.WorldBorder;
 import net.minecraft.world.level.levelgen.Heightmap;
@@ -32,6 +35,36 @@ public final class LinkingService {
         return travel(player, target, false, properties, false);
     }
 
+    /** Removes only the active handheld book after a successful link, leaving it at the departure point. */
+    public static LinkResult travelHandheld(ServerPlayer player, InteractionHand hand, ItemStack activeBook,
+                                            LinkTarget target, LinkProperties properties, boolean requiresFooting) {
+        if (player.getItemInHand(hand) != activeBook || activeBook.isEmpty()) {
+            return LinkResult.NO_SAFE_DESTINATION;
+        }
+
+        ServerLevel sourceLevel = player.serverLevel();
+        Vec3 sourcePosition = player.position();
+        player.setItemInHand(hand, ItemStack.EMPTY);
+        boolean dropped = false;
+        try {
+            LinkResult result = requiresFooting
+                    ? travelWithFooting(player, target, properties)
+                    : travel(player, target, properties);
+            if (result != LinkResult.SUCCESS) return result;
+
+            DroppedBookEntity book = new DroppedBookEntity(sourceLevel, sourcePosition, activeBook);
+            dropped = sourceLevel.addFreshEntity(book);
+            return result;
+        } finally {
+            // Failed validation or a rejected entity spawn must never eat the book.
+            if (!dropped) {
+                if (player.getItemInHand(hand).isEmpty()) player.setItemInHand(hand, activeBook);
+                else if (!player.getInventory().add(activeBook)) player.drop(activeBook, false);
+            }
+            player.containerMenu.broadcastChanges();
+        }
+    }
+
     /** Portal travel uses the vanilla transfer if its destination is not yet loaded. */
     public static LinkResult travelPortal(ServerPlayer player, LinkTarget target, LinkProperties properties) {
         return travel(player, target, false, properties, true);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/client/ClientEvents.java

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModBlockEntities;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModBlocks;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModDataComponents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModEntities;
 import net.minecraft.client.renderer.item.ItemProperties;
 import net.minecraft.client.renderer.ItemBlockRenderTypes;
 import net.minecraft.client.renderer.RenderType;
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ public final class ClientEvents {
 
     @SubscribeEvent
     public static void registerRenderers(EntityRenderersEvent.RegisterRenderers event) {
+        event.registerEntityRenderer(ModEntities.DROPPED_BOOK.get(), DroppedBookRenderer::new);
         event.registerBlockEntityRenderer(ModBlockEntities.BOOK_STAND.get(), BookStandRenderer::new);
         event.registerBlockEntityRenderer(ModBlockEntities.WRITING_DESK.get(), WritingDeskRenderer::new);
         event.registerBlockEntityRenderer(ModBlockEntities.STAR_FISSURE.get(), StarFissureRenderer::new);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/client/DroppedBookRenderer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.client;
+
+import com.mojang.blaze3d.vertex.PoseStack;
+import com.mojang.blaze3d.vertex.VertexConsumer;
+import com.mojang.math.Axis;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.entity.DroppedBookEntity;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
+import net.minecraft.client.model.BookModel;
+import net.minecraft.client.model.geom.ModelLayers;
+import net.minecraft.client.renderer.MultiBufferSource;
+import net.minecraft.client.renderer.RenderType;
+import net.minecraft.client.renderer.entity.EntityRenderer;
+import net.minecraft.client.renderer.entity.EntityRendererProvider;
+import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
+
+/** Renders the same open book model and textures as Rivencraft's book stands. */
+public final class DroppedBookRenderer extends EntityRenderer<DroppedBookEntity> {
+    private static final ResourceLocation LINKING_TEXTURE = ResourceLocation.fromNamespaceAndPath(
+            "rivencraft", "textures/entity/linking_book.png");
+    private static final ResourceLocation DESCRIPTIVE_TEXTURE = ResourceLocation.fromNamespaceAndPath(
+            "rivencraft", "textures/entity/descriptive_book.png");
+    private final BookModel model;
+
+    public DroppedBookRenderer(EntityRendererProvider.Context context) {
+        super(context);
+        model = new BookModel(context.bakeLayer(ModelLayers.BOOK));
+        shadowRadius = 0.25F;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void render(DroppedBookEntity entity, float yaw, float partialTick, PoseStack poseStack,
+                       MultiBufferSource buffers, int packedLight) {
+        poseStack.pushPose();
+        poseStack.translate(0.0F, 0.0625F, 0.0F);
+        poseStack.mulPose(Axis.YP.rotationDegrees(yaw + 90.0F));
+        // The opened model's covers rotate toward the YZ plane. As in Legacy's
+        // dropped-book renderer, a Z-axis quarter-turn lays the pages skyward.
+        poseStack.mulPose(Axis.ZP.rotationDegrees(90.0F));
+        poseStack.scale(0.8F, 0.8F, 0.8F);
+        model.setupAnim(0.0F, 0.0F, 0.0F, 1.2F);
+        VertexConsumer vertices = buffers.getBuffer(RenderType.entitySolid(getTextureLocation(entity)));
+        model.render(poseStack, vertices, packedLight, net.minecraft.client.renderer.texture.OverlayTexture.NO_OVERLAY, -1);
+        poseStack.popPose();
+        super.render(entity, yaw, partialTick, poseStack, buffers, packedLight);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public ResourceLocation getTextureLocation(DroppedBookEntity entity) {
+        return entity.getItem().is(ModItems.DESCRIPTIVE_BOOK.get()) ? DESCRIPTIVE_TEXTURE : LINKING_TEXTURE;
+    }
+}

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/config/RivencraftConfig.java

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ public final class RivencraftConfig {
                         "Controls automatic Return Link creation for Descriptive Book travel.",
                         "ON_CREATION creates one link when an Age is first reached; ALWAYS creates one on every arrival; DISABLED creates none."
                 )
-                .defineEnum("return_link_mode", ReturnLinkMode.ON_CREATION);
+                .defineEnum("return_link_mode", ReturnLinkMode.DISABLED);
         builder.pop();
         builder.push("libraries");
         LIBRARY_LOOT_MODE = builder.comment(

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/entity/DroppedBookEntity.java

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.entity;
+
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModEntities;
+import net.minecraft.nbt.CompoundTag;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.EntityType;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.item.ItemEntity;
+import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
+import net.minecraft.world.level.Level;
+import net.minecraft.world.phys.Vec3;
+
+/** A recoverable, model-rendered book left behind by handheld linking. */
+public final class DroppedBookEntity extends ItemEntity {
+    private static final String DECAY_TICKS_TAG = "BookDecayTicks";
+    private static final int SLOW_DECAY_INTERVAL = 10_000;
+    private int decayTicks;
+
+    public DroppedBookEntity(EntityType<DroppedBookEntity> type, Level level) {
+        super(type, level);
+    }
+
+    public DroppedBookEntity(Level level, Vec3 position, ItemStack stack) {
+        this(ModEntities.DROPPED_BOOK.get(), level);
+        setPos(position.x, position.y + 0.25, position.z);
+        setDeltaMovement(Vec3.ZERO);
+        setItem(stack);
+        setUnlimitedLifetime();
+        setPickUpDelay(20);
+    }
+
+    /** Vanilla's pickup particle calls ItemEntity.copy() and renders the returned entity. */
+    @Override
+    public DroppedBookEntity copy() {
+        DroppedBookEntity copy = new DroppedBookEntity(ModEntities.DROPPED_BOOK.get(), level());
+        copy.copyPosition(this);
+        copy.setItem(getItem().copy());
+        copy.setUnlimitedLifetime();
+        return copy;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void tick() {
+        super.tick();
+        if (level().isClientSide || isRemoved()) return;
+        if (++decayTicks >= SLOW_DECAY_INTERVAL) {
+            decayTicks = 0;
+            hurt(damageSources().starve(), 1.0F);
+        }
+        if (!isRemoved() && isInWaterOrRain()) hurt(damageSources().drown(), 1.0F);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void addAdditionalSaveData(CompoundTag tag) {
+        super.addAdditionalSaveData(tag);
+        tag.putInt(DECAY_TICKS_TAG, decayTicks);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void readAdditionalSaveData(CompoundTag tag) {
+        super.readAdditionalSaveData(tag);
+        decayTicks = Math.max(0, Math.min(tag.getInt(DECAY_TICKS_TAG), SLOW_DECAY_INTERVAL - 1));
+    }
+}

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/item/DescriptiveBookItem.java

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import net.minecraft.network.chat.Component;
 import net.minecraft.network.chat.MutableComponent;
 import net.minecraft.server.level.ServerPlayer;
 import net.minecraft.server.level.ServerLevel;
+import net.minecraft.world.InteractionHand;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.Item;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.ItemStack;
 import net.minecraft.world.item.TooltipFlag;
@@ -41,14 +42,18 @@ public final class DescriptiveBookItem extends Item {
     }
 
     public static boolean useWrittenBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack) {
-        return useWrittenBook(player, stack, false);
+        return useWrittenBook(player, stack, false, null);
+    }
+
+    public static boolean useHandheldBook(ServerPlayer player, InteractionHand hand) {
+        return useWrittenBook(player, player.getItemInHand(hand), false, hand);
     }
 
     public static boolean usePortalBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack) {
-        return useWrittenBook(player, stack, true);
+        return useWrittenBook(player, stack, true, null);
     }
 
-    private static boolean useWrittenBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack, boolean portal) {
+    private static boolean useWrittenBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack, boolean portal, InteractionHand hand) {
         AgeReference age = stack.get(ModDataComponents.AGE_REFERENCE.get());
         if (age == null) {
             player.displayClientMessage(Component.translatable("message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.unwritten"), true);
@@ -68,7 +73,8 @@ public final class DescriptiveBookItem extends Item {
                 .forDescriptiveBook();
         LinkingService.LinkResult result = portal
                 ? LinkingService.travelDescriptivePortal(player, ageTarget, properties)
-                : LinkingService.travelWithFooting(player, ageTarget, properties);
+                : hand == null ? LinkingService.travelWithFooting(player, ageTarget, properties)
+                : LinkingService.travelHandheld(player, hand, stack, ageTarget, properties, true);
         if (result != LinkingService.LinkResult.SUCCESS) {
             player.displayClientMessage(Component.translatable("message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.unsafe"), true);
             return false;

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/item/LinkingBookItem.java

@@ -43,14 +43,19 @@ public final class LinkingBookItem extends Item {
     }
 
     public static InteractionResultHolder<ItemStack> useBoundBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack) {
-        return useBoundBook(player, stack, false);
+        return useBoundBook(player, stack, false, null);
+    }
+
+    public static InteractionResultHolder<ItemStack> useHandheldBook(ServerPlayer player, InteractionHand hand) {
+        return useBoundBook(player, player.getItemInHand(hand), false, hand);
     }
 
     public static InteractionResultHolder<ItemStack> usePortalBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack) {
-        return useBoundBook(player, stack, true);
+        return useBoundBook(player, stack, true, null);
     }
 
-    private static InteractionResultHolder<ItemStack> useBoundBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack, boolean portal) {
+    private static InteractionResultHolder<ItemStack> useBoundBook(ServerPlayer player, ItemStack stack, boolean portal,
+                                                                   InteractionHand hand) {
         LinkTarget target = stack.get(ModDataComponents.LINK_TARGET.get());
         if (target == null) {
             player.displayClientMessage(Component.translatable("message.rivencraft.linking_book.unbound"), true);
@@ -62,7 +67,8 @@ public final class LinkingBookItem extends Item {
         LinkProperties properties = stack.getOrDefault(ModDataComponents.LINK_PROPERTIES.get(), LinkProperties.NONE);
         LinkingService.LinkResult result = portal
                 ? LinkingService.travelPortal(player, target, properties)
-                : LinkingService.travel(player, target, properties);
+                : hand == null ? LinkingService.travel(player, target, properties)
+                : LinkingService.travelHandheld(player, hand, stack, target, properties, false);
         if (result == LinkingService.LinkResult.SUCCESS) {
             LinkVisualEffects.play(sourceLevel, sourcePosition, player, properties, portal);
             ProgressionAdvancements.awardAgeTravel(player);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/network/ModNetworking.java

@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ public final class ModNetworking {
 
         ItemStack stack = player.getItemInHand(hand(payload.offhand()));
         if (stack.is(ModItems.LINKING_BOOK.get()) && stack.has(ModDataComponents.LINK_TARGET.get())) {
-            LinkingBookItem.useBoundBook(player, stack);
+            LinkingBookItem.useHandheldBook(player, hand(payload.offhand()));
         }
     }
 
@@ -245,7 +245,8 @@ public final class ModNetworking {
         }
 
         if (stack.is(ModItems.DESCRIPTIVE_BOOK.get())) {
-            DescriptiveBookItem.useWrittenBook(player, stack);
+            if (payload.fromStand()) DescriptiveBookItem.useWrittenBook(player, stack);
+            else DescriptiveBookItem.useHandheldBook(player, hand(payload.offhand()));
         }
     }
 

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/registry/ModEntities.java

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry;
+
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.Rivencraft;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.entity.DroppedBookEntity;
+import net.minecraft.core.registries.Registries;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.EntityType;
+import net.minecraft.world.entity.MobCategory;
+import net.neoforged.bus.api.IEventBus;
+import net.neoforged.neoforge.registries.DeferredHolder;
+import net.neoforged.neoforge.registries.DeferredRegister;
+
+public final class ModEntities {
+    private static final DeferredRegister<EntityType<?>> ENTITIES =
+            DeferredRegister.create(Registries.ENTITY_TYPE, Rivencraft.MOD_ID);
+
+    public static final DeferredHolder<EntityType<?>, EntityType<DroppedBookEntity>> DROPPED_BOOK =
+            ENTITIES.register("dropped_book", () -> EntityType.Builder
+                    .<DroppedBookEntity>of(DroppedBookEntity::new, MobCategory.MISC)
+                    .sized(0.65F, 0.4F)
+                    .clientTrackingRange(10)
+                    .updateInterval(20)
+                    .build(Rivencraft.MOD_ID + ":dropped_book"));
+
+    private ModEntities() {
+    }
+
+    public static void register(IEventBus bus) {
+        ENTITIES.register(bus);
+    }
+}