diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/refresh.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/refresh.rs
index 212404b38..8b3cca7b9 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/refresh.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/refresh.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 use bevy::input::mouse::{AccumulatedMouseMotion, MouseScrollUnit, MouseWheel};
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
-use crate::char_select::{class_name, race_name};
 use crate::entities::CharCreate;
 use crate::glue_strings::GlueStrings;
 
@@ -123,8 +122,8 @@ pub(super) fn refresh_dynamic(
                     if alliance { "Alliance" } else { "Horde" },
                 )
                 .to_string(),
-            DynText::InfoTitle(InfoKind::Race) => race_name(sel.race).to_string(),
-            DynText::InfoTitle(InfoKind::Class) => class_name(sel.class).to_string(),
+            DynText::InfoTitle(InfoKind::Race) => strings.race_name(sel.race).to_string(),
+            DynText::InfoTitle(InfoKind::Class) => strings.class_name(sel.class).to_string(),
             // Never trimmed: each `FACTION_INFO_*`, `RACE_INFO_*` and `CLASS_*` string opens with
             // eight spaces, which is the reference's first-line clearance past the header icon.
             DynText::InfoBody(InfoKind::Faction) => strings
@@ -155,7 +154,7 @@ pub(super) fn refresh_dynamic(
                 .to_string(),
             DynText::ClassSlotLabel(i) => classes
                 .get(*i as usize)
-                .map(|&c| class_name(c).to_string())
+                .map(|&c| strings.class_name(c).to_string())
                 .unwrap_or_default(),
         };
         if t.0 != new {
@@ -402,3 +401,61 @@ pub(super) fn scroll_visuals(
         };
     }
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod localization_tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn russian_creation_headers_and_class_labels_follow_selection() {
+        let data = benilla_formats::wow_data_or_skip!();
+        if benilla_formats::ClientLocale::RuRu
+            .pack_folder(&data)
+            .is_none()
+        {
+            benilla_formats::skipped_optional("no ruRU language pack", &[data.join("ruRU")]);
+            return;
+        }
+        let mut chain =
+            benilla_formats::Chain::open_localized(&data, benilla_formats::ClientLocale::RuRu)
+                .unwrap();
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.init_resource::<CreateSelection>()
+            .init_resource::<GlueArt>()
+            .insert_resource(crate::glue_strings::table_from_chain(&mut chain))
+            .insert_resource(CharCreate(
+                benilla_formats::CharCreateCatalog::load(&mut chain).unwrap(),
+            ))
+            .add_systems(Update, refresh_dynamic);
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<CreateSelection>().race = 1;
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<CreateSelection>().class = 1;
+        let race = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((DynText::InfoTitle(InfoKind::Race), Text::default()))
+            .id();
+        let class = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((DynText::InfoTitle(InfoKind::Class), Text::default()))
+            .id();
+        let label = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((DynText::ClassSlotLabel(0), Text::default()))
+            .id();
+        let second_label = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((DynText::ClassSlotLabel(1), Text::default()))
+            .id();
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(race).unwrap().0, "Человек");
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(class).unwrap().0, "Воин");
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(label).unwrap().0, "Воин");
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(second_label).unwrap().0, "Паладин");
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<CreateSelection>().race = 6;
+        app.world_mut().resource_mut::<CreateSelection>().class = 11;
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(race).unwrap().0, "Таурен");
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(class).unwrap().0, "Друид");
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(label).unwrap().0, "Воин");
+        assert_eq!(app.world().get::<Text>(second_label).unwrap().0, "Охотник");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/screen.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/screen.rs
index c7323048f..9a98d9705 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/screen.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_create/screen.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use bevy::prelude::*;
 use bevy::ui_render::ui_material::MaterialNode;
 use bevy::window::PrimaryWindow;
 
-use crate::char_select::{race_name, wow_font};
+use crate::char_select::wow_font;
 use crate::entities::CharCreate;
 use crate::glue_strings::GlueStrings;
 use crate::portrait::{GlueLook, GluePreview, PortraitImages, PortraitSource, GLUE_SLOT};
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ fn left_tower(
                                 Some(DynIcon::Race(race)),
                                 None,
                                 None::<DynText>,
-                                race_name(race),
+                                strings.race_name(race),
                                 art,
                                 s,
                             );
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/dialog.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/dialog.rs
index ce4d150cf..ac059da92 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/dialog.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/dialog.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ use super::wow_font;
 pub(super) struct DeleteDialog {
     pub(super) open: bool,
     /// The snapshotted target: guid, name, level, class name.
-    target: Option<(u64, String, u8, &'static str)>,
+    target: Option<(u64, String, u8, String)>,
     /// The confirm box's text; the reference's `letters="32"` cap is its `max_letters`.
     pub(super) typed: EditBoxState,
     /// The spawned dialog root, while up.
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ pub(super) struct DeleteDialog {
 }
 
 impl DeleteDialog {
-    pub(super) fn open_for(&mut self, guid: u64, name: String, level: u8, class: &'static str) {
+    pub(super) fn open_for(&mut self, guid: u64, name: String, level: u8, class: &str) {
         self.open = true;
-        self.target = Some((guid, name, level, class));
+        self.target = Some((guid, name, level, class.to_string()));
         self.typed.set_text("");
     }
 
@@ -204,17 +204,10 @@ fn spawn_dialog(
     let (name, level, class) = dialog
         .target
         .as_ref()
-        .map(|(_, n, l, c)| (n.clone(), *l, *c))
+        .map(|(_, n, l, c)| (n.clone(), *l, c.as_str()))
         .unwrap_or_default();
     // `CONFIRM_CHAR_DELETE`'s `|cffffffff` span splits it: gold lead above, white identity below.
-    let raw = strings.text(
-        "CONFIRM_CHAR_DELETE",
-        "Do you want to delete\n|cffffffff%s   Level %d   %s|r?",
-    );
-    let filled = raw
-        .replacen("%s", &name, 1)
-        .replacen("%d", &level.to_string(), 1)
-        .replacen("%s", class, 1);
+    let filled = delete_prompt(strings, &name, level, class);
     let (lead, identity) = match filled.split_once("|cffffffff") {
         Some((a, b)) => (a.trim_end_matches('\n').to_string(), b.replace("|r", "")),
         None => (filled.clone(), String::new()),
@@ -452,3 +445,41 @@ fn spawn_dialog(
         })
         .id()
 }
+
+fn delete_prompt(strings: &GlueStrings, name: &str, level: u8, class: &str) -> String {
+    let template = strings.text(
+        "CONFIRM_CHAR_DELETE",
+        "Do you want to delete\n|cffffffff%s   Level %d   %s|r?",
+    );
+    benilla_ui::strings::fill(template, &[name.into(), level.into(), class.into()])
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod localization_tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn russian_delete_prompt_reorders_name_class_and_level_without_deleting() {
+        let data = benilla_formats::wow_data_or_skip!();
+        if benilla_formats::ClientLocale::RuRu
+            .pack_folder(&data)
+            .is_none()
+        {
+            benilla_formats::skipped_optional("no ruRU language pack", &[data.join("ruRU")]);
+            return;
+        }
+        let mut chain =
+            benilla_formats::Chain::open_localized(&data, benilla_formats::ClientLocale::RuRu)
+                .unwrap();
+        let strings = crate::glue_strings::table_from_chain(&mut chain);
+        let prompt = delete_prompt(&strings, "Qera", 34, strings.class_name(11));
+        assert_eq!(
+            prompt.split_once("|cffffffff").unwrap().1,
+            "Qera, Друид 34-го уровня|r"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            delete_prompt(&GlueStrings::default(), "Agvin", 12, "Warrior"),
+            "Do you want to delete\n|cffffffffAgvin   Level 12   Warrior|r?"
+        );
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/input.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/input.rs
index c58f30081..4d0c13c04 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/input.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/input.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use crate::sound::GlueSound;
 
 use super::dialog::DeleteDialog;
 use super::screen::SelectAction;
-use super::{class_name, send_pick, ClientState, Roster};
+use super::{send_pick, ClientState, Roster};
 
 use crate::glue::{drag_yaw, ROTATE_RATE};
 
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ pub(super) fn select_input(
     mut realms: ResMut<crate::realm_select::Realms>,
     pick: Res<CharPick>,
     mut dialog: ResMut<DeleteDialog>,
+    strings: Option<Res<crate::glue_strings::GlueStrings>>,
     mut panel: ResMut<super::addons::AddonsPanel>,
     choice: Res<crate::net::RealmChoice>,
     mut next: ResMut<NextState<ClientState>>,
@@ -71,7 +72,9 @@ pub(super) fn select_input(
                 // With no selection the click only plays the sound (`selectedIndex > 0` gate).
                 sounds.write(GlueSound("gsCharacterSelectionDelCharacter"));
                 if let Some(c) = roster.selected_char() {
-                    dialog.open_for(c.guid, c.name.clone(), c.level, class_name(c.class));
+                    let empty = crate::glue_strings::GlueStrings::default();
+                    let strings = strings.as_deref().unwrap_or(&empty);
+                    dialog.open_for(c.guid, c.name.clone(), c.level, strings.class_name(c.class));
                 }
             }
             SelectAction::CreateChar => {
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/mod.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/mod.rs
index 529349067..ed076f42e 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/mod.rs
@@ -758,6 +758,7 @@ fn clear_select_entry(mut commands: Commands) {
 /// is up, with `<typed>` pre-typed, for a shot.
 fn debug_select_dialog(
     roster: Res<Roster>,
+    strings: Option<Res<crate::glue_strings::GlueStrings>>,
     mut dialog: ResMut<dialog::DeleteDialog>,
     time: Res<Time>,
     entered_at: Res<CharSelectEnteredAt>,
@@ -776,7 +777,9 @@ fn debug_select_dialog(
     let Some(c) = roster.selected_char() else {
         return;
     };
-    let (guid, name, level, class) = (c.guid, c.name.clone(), c.level, class_name(c.class));
+    let empty = crate::glue_strings::GlueStrings::default();
+    let strings = strings.as_deref().unwrap_or(&empty);
+    let (guid, name, level, class) = (c.guid, c.name.clone(), c.level, strings.class_name(c.class));
     dialog.open_for(guid, name, level, class);
     dialog.typed.set_text(&typed);
     info!("char select: dialog instrument opened the delete confirm");
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/refresh.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/refresh.rs
index 68ab0b02a..98611ee5e 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/refresh.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/char_select/refresh.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use crate::net::NetStatus;
 use crate::portrait::{GlueLook, GluePreview, SelectLook};
 
 use super::screen::{RealmBanner, RowText, SelectAction, SelectedName, MAX_ROWS};
-use super::{class_name, Roster};
+use super::Roster;
 
 /// Refill the rows, the selected name and the realm banner when the roster changes or the screen
 /// was just spawned (a return from the create screen finds the roster unchanged).
@@ -61,10 +61,10 @@ pub(super) fn refresh_list(
                     } else {
                         ("CHARACTER_SELECT_INFO", "Level %d %s")
                     };
-                    strings
-                        .text(key.0, key.1)
-                        .replacen("%d", &c.level.to_string(), 1)
-                        .replacen("%s", class_name(c.class), 1)
+                    benilla_ui::strings::fill(
+                        strings.text(key.0, key.1),
+                        &[c.level.into(), strings.class_name(c.class).into()],
+                    )
                 }
                 _ => areas
                     .as_deref()
@@ -201,6 +201,50 @@ pub(super) fn feed_glue_preview(
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
 
+    #[test]
+    fn russian_roster_rows_fill_the_real_level_template_including_ghosts() {
+        let data = benilla_formats::wow_data_or_skip!();
+        if benilla_formats::ClientLocale::RuRu
+            .pack_folder(&data)
+            .is_none()
+        {
+            benilla_formats::skipped_optional("no ruRU language pack", &[data.join("ruRU")]);
+            return;
+        }
+        let mut chain =
+            benilla_formats::Chain::open_localized(&data, benilla_formats::ClientLocale::RuRu)
+                .unwrap();
+        let strings = crate::glue_strings::table_from_chain(&mut chain);
+        let mut live = crate::char_select::test_character(1, "Agvin");
+        live.level = 12;
+        let mut ghost = crate::char_select::test_character(2, "Qera");
+        ghost.level = 34;
+        ghost.class = 11;
+        ghost.flags = benilla_protocol::CHARACTER_FLAG_GHOST;
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.insert_resource(Roster::with_pending_pick(vec![live, ghost], 1))
+            .init_resource::<NetStatus>()
+            .insert_resource(strings)
+            .add_systems(Update, refresh_list);
+        let live = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((RowText::Info(0), Text::default()))
+            .id();
+        let ghost = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((RowText::Info(1), Text::default()))
+            .id();
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.world().get::<Text>(live).unwrap().0,
+            "Воин 12-го уровня"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.world().get::<Text>(ghost).unwrap().0,
+            "Друид 34-го уровня (призрак)"
+        );
+    }
+
     /// The composition order of `CharacterSelect.lua:48-64`.
     #[test]
     fn the_down_note_hangs_off_the_name_and_the_type_suffix_follows_it() {
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/glue_strings.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/glue_strings.rs
index 812534db3..3aa5bc7c9 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/glue_strings.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/glue_strings.rs
@@ -17,23 +17,41 @@ const GLUE_LOCALIZATION: &str = "Interface\\GlueXML\\GlueLocalization.lua";
 
 /// The glue string table; empty without client data, and callers fall back to built-in captions.
 #[derive(Resource, Default)]
-pub(crate) struct GlueStrings(HashMap<String, String>);
+pub(crate) struct GlueStrings {
+    strings: HashMap<String, String>,
+    names: benilla_formats::CharacterNames,
+}
 
 impl GlueStrings {
     /// A table from parsed pairs, for tests that resolve against the real file.
     #[cfg(test)]
     pub(crate) fn from_map(map: HashMap<String, String>) -> Self {
-        Self(map)
+        Self {
+            strings: map,
+            names: benilla_formats::CharacterNames::default(),
+        }
     }
 
     /// The pairs back out, for a test that has to alter one key and re-resolve.
     #[cfg(test)]
     pub(crate) fn into_map(self) -> HashMap<String, String> {
-        self.0
+        self.strings
     }
 
     pub(crate) fn get(&self, key: &str) -> Option<&str> {
-        self.0.get(key).map(String::as_str)
+        self.strings.get(key).map(String::as_str)
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn race_name(&self, race: u8) -> &str {
+        self.names
+            .race(race)
+            .unwrap_or(crate::char_select::race_name(race))
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn class_name(&self, class: u8) -> &str {
+        self.names
+            .class(class)
+            .unwrap_or(crate::char_select::class_name(class))
     }
 
     /// The string for a key, falling back to a built-in caption.
@@ -48,10 +66,14 @@ pub(crate) fn load_glue_strings(mut commands: Commands, assets: Option<Res<World
     let mut table = GlueStrings::default();
     if let Some(assets) = assets {
         let mut chain = assets.chain.lock_recover();
+        match benilla_formats::CharacterNames::load(&mut chain) {
+            Ok(names) => table.names = names,
+            Err(e) => warn!("character names unavailable ({e:#}) — built-in names only"),
+        }
         match chain.read_file(GLUE_STRINGS) {
             Ok(bytes) => {
-                table.0 = parse_glue_strings(&String::from_utf8_lossy(&bytes));
-                info!("glue strings: {} entries", table.0.len());
+                table.strings = parse_glue_strings(&String::from_utf8_lossy(&bytes));
+                info!("glue strings: {} entries", table.strings.len());
             }
             Err(e) => warn!("glue strings unavailable ({e:#}) — built-in captions only"),
         }
@@ -59,7 +81,7 @@ pub(crate) fn load_glue_strings(mut commands: Commands, assets: Option<Res<World
             Ok(bytes) => {
                 let patch = parse_localize_overrides(&String::from_utf8_lossy(&bytes));
                 info!("glue strings: {} locale overrides", patch.len());
-                table.0.extend(patch);
+                table.strings.extend(patch);
             }
             Err(e) => warn!("glue localization unavailable ({e:#}) — unpatched glue strings"),
         }
@@ -142,7 +164,10 @@ pub(crate) fn table_from_chain(chain: &mut benilla_formats::Chain) -> GlueString
         .read_file(GLUE_LOCALIZATION)
         .expect("GlueLocalization.lua");
     map.extend(parse_localize_overrides(&String::from_utf8_lossy(&patch)));
-    GlueStrings::from_map(map)
+    GlueStrings {
+        strings: map,
+        names: benilla_formats::CharacterNames::load(chain).expect("character names"),
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
@@ -251,6 +276,6 @@ end
 
         // The patch overwrites keys; it does not replace the table.
         assert!(table.get("FACTION_INFO_HORDE").is_some(), "base lost");
-        assert!(base.len() > 100 && table.0.len() >= base.len());
+        assert!(base.len() > 100 && table.strings.len() >= base.len());
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/name_persist.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/name_persist.rs
index d66d5b330..2da7bb9fd 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/name_persist.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/name_persist.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
+use benilla_assets::{LockRecover, WorldAssets};
+use benilla_formats::ClientLocale;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::char_select::Roster;
@@ -41,6 +43,7 @@ impl Plugin for NamePersistPlugin {
 pub(crate) struct NameCacheFile {
     /// The realm the loaded file belongs to; a change triggers a load.
     realm: Option<String>,
+    locale: ClientLocale,
     path: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// [`NameCache::generation`] at the last write: the dirty bit, which ticks on an answer.
     saved_generation: u64,
@@ -50,6 +53,7 @@ pub(crate) struct NameCacheFile {
 /// Loads the realm's cache the first frame its identity is known, and on a realm change.
 fn load_name_cache(
     roster: Res<Roster>,
+    assets: Option<Res<WorldAssets>>,
     mut file: ResMut<NameCacheFile>,
     mut names: ResMut<NameCache>,
 ) {
@@ -59,8 +63,17 @@ fn load_name_cache(
     if file.realm.as_deref() == Some(realm.as_str()) {
         return;
     }
+    // The chain's locale is fixed at boot; read it once per realm, outside the frame loop.
+    let locale = assets
+        .as_deref()
+        .map_or(ClientLocale::EnUs, |a| a.chain.lock_recover().locale());
     let path = crate::local_state::name_cache_path(&realm);
+    // A realm change must not retain templates loaded for the previous realm.
+    if file.realm.is_some() {
+        names.install_persisted(NameCache::default());
+    }
     file.realm = Some(realm.clone());
+    file.locale = locale;
     file.path = path.clone();
     file.saved_generation = names.generation();
     let Some(path) = path else {
@@ -69,7 +82,7 @@ fn load_name_cache(
     let Ok(text) = std::fs::read_to_string(&path) else {
         return; // no cache yet
     };
-    match NameCache::from_tsv(&text, &realm) {
+    match NameCache::from_tsv(&text, &realm, locale) {
         Some(loaded) => {
             let n = loaded.len();
             // Install only the file's records: this runs as the pick is in flight, beside the
@@ -117,7 +130,7 @@ fn write_now(file: &mut NameCacheFile, names: &NameCache) {
             return;
         }
     }
-    match crate::local_state::write_atomic(&path, &names.to_tsv(&realm)) {
+    match crate::local_state::write_atomic(&path, &names.to_tsv(&realm, file.locale)) {
         Ok(()) => {
             file.saved_generation = names.generation();
             debug!("names: wrote {} records to {}", names.len(), path.display());
@@ -205,7 +218,11 @@ mod tests {
         );
         let path = crate::local_state::name_cache_path("Realm").expect("a state folder");
         std::fs::create_dir_all(path.parent().expect("cache dir")).expect("cache dir");
-        std::fs::write(&path, on_disk.to_tsv("Realm")).expect("write the realm cache");
+        std::fs::write(
+            &path,
+            on_disk.to_tsv("Realm", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs),
+        )
+        .expect("write the realm cache");
 
         // The login has already seeded our own name and a pet's, as `net::session::connected` does.
         let mut names = NameCache::default();
diff --git a/crates/benilla-app/src/names.rs b/crates/benilla-app/src/names.rs
index 1edd73458..7e1ec1242 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-app/src/names.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-app/src/names.rs
@@ -320,15 +320,13 @@ const CACHE_MAGIC: &str = "benilla-namecache";
 const CACHE_FORMAT: u32 = 2;
 /// The client build, the reference's `0x16f3`.
 const CACHE_BUILD: u32 = 5875;
-/// In the header as in the reference's; benilla reads DBC locale slot 0 only.
-const CACHE_LOCALE: &str = "enUS";
 
 impl NameCache {
     /// Serialize as TSV: the header line, then one line per creature record. In-flight asks are
     /// not written.
-    pub(crate) fn to_tsv(&self, realm: &str) -> String {
-        let mut out =
-            format!("{CACHE_MAGIC}\t{CACHE_FORMAT}\t{CACHE_BUILD}\t{CACHE_LOCALE}\t{realm}\n");
+    pub(crate) fn to_tsv(&self, realm: &str, locale: benilla_formats::ClientLocale) -> String {
+        let locale = locale.code();
+        let mut out = format!("{CACHE_MAGIC}\t{CACHE_FORMAT}\t{CACHE_BUILD}\t{locale}\t{realm}\n");
         for (entry, rec) in self.creatures.iter() {
             match rec {
                 Some(r) => out.push_str(&format!(
@@ -351,14 +349,18 @@ impl NameCache {
 
     /// Rebuild a cache from [`Self::to_tsv`]'s output, `None` when the header differs; a
     /// malformed line is skipped.
-    pub(crate) fn from_tsv(text: &str, realm: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+    pub(crate) fn from_tsv(
+        text: &str,
+        realm: &str,
+        locale: benilla_formats::ClientLocale,
+    ) -> Option<Self> {
         let mut lines = text.lines();
         let header: Vec<&str> = lines.next()?.split('\t').collect();
         if header.len() != 5
             || header[0] != CACHE_MAGIC
             || header[1] != CACHE_FORMAT.to_string()
             || header[2] != CACHE_BUILD.to_string()
-            || header[3] != CACHE_LOCALE
+            || header[3] != locale.code()
             || header[4] != realm
         {
             return None;
@@ -551,6 +553,33 @@ pub(crate) mod net {
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn a_russian_session_discards_english_creature_names_and_preserves_russian_names() {
+        use benilla_formats::ClientLocale::{EnUs, RuRu};
+        let mut cache = NameCache::default();
+        cache.insert_creature(
+            261,
+            Some(CreatureRecord {
+                name: "Guard Thomas".into(),
+                subname: None,
+                creature_type: 7,
+                pet_family: 0,
+                rank: 0,
+                type_flags: 0,
+                civilian: false,
+                racial_leader: false,
+                display_id: 0,
+            }),
+        );
+        let english = cache.to_tsv("R", EnUs);
+        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(&english, "R", RuRu).is_none());
+        cache.creatures.get_mut(261).unwrap().name = "Стражник Томас".into();
+        let russian = cache.to_tsv("R", RuRu);
+        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(&russian, "R", EnUs).is_none());
+        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(&russian, "R", RuRu).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(back.creature_record(261).unwrap().name, "Стражник Томас");
+    }
     use crossbeam_channel::TryRecvError;
 
     /// Compose a guid the way the server does: `counter | (entry << 24) | (high << 48)`.
@@ -668,8 +697,13 @@ mod tests {
         );
         cache.insert_creature(1234, None); // the server flagged the entry unknown
 
-        let text = cache.to_tsv("Hydraxian Waterlords");
-        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(&text, "Hydraxian Waterlords").expect("header matches");
+        let text = cache.to_tsv("Hydraxian Waterlords", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs);
+        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(
+            &text,
+            "Hydraxian Waterlords",
+            benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs,
+        )
+        .expect("header matches");
 
         // Present-and-None, not absent.
         assert!(back.creatures.answered(1234));
@@ -697,7 +731,12 @@ mod tests {
                 display_id: 1,
             }),
         );
-        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(&cache.to_tsv("R"), "R").expect("header");
+        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(
+            &cache.to_tsv("R", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs),
+            "R",
+            benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs,
+        )
+        .expect("header");
         assert_eq!(back.creature_record(70).unwrap().subname, None);
     }
 
@@ -723,12 +762,13 @@ mod tests {
             }),
         );
 
-        let text = cache.to_tsv("R");
+        let text = cache.to_tsv("R", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs);
         assert!(
             !text.contains("Moamtester") && !text.contains("Rex"),
             "no guid- or spawn-keyed name may reach the disk:\n{text}"
         );
-        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(&text, "R").expect("header matches");
+        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(&text, "R", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs)
+            .expect("header matches");
         assert_eq!(
             back.peek(0x11),
             None,
@@ -780,11 +820,19 @@ mod tests {
     fn a_header_that_differs_in_any_field_discards_the_whole_file() {
         let mut cache = NameCache::default();
         cache.insert_creature(1234, None);
-        let good = cache.to_tsv("Hydraxian Waterlords");
-        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(&good, "Hydraxian Waterlords").is_some());
+        let good = cache.to_tsv("Hydraxian Waterlords", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs);
+        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(
+            &good,
+            "Hydraxian Waterlords",
+            benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs
+        )
+        .is_some());
 
         // The realm: our field, not the reference's.
-        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(&good, "Another Realm").is_none());
+        assert!(
+            NameCache::from_tsv(&good, "Another Realm", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs)
+                .is_none()
+        );
 
         let head = good.lines().next().unwrap();
         for (field, bad) in [
@@ -797,23 +845,40 @@ mod tests {
             parts[field] = bad;
             let text = format!("{}\n{}", parts.join("\t"), good.lines().nth(1).unwrap());
             assert!(
-                NameCache::from_tsv(&text, "Hydraxian Waterlords").is_none(),
+                NameCache::from_tsv(
+                    &text,
+                    "Hydraxian Waterlords",
+                    benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs
+                )
+                .is_none(),
                 "header field {field} = {bad} must discard the file"
             );
         }
 
-        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv("", "R").is_none());
-        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv("nonsense", "R").is_none());
+        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv("", "R", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs).is_none());
+        assert!(
+            NameCache::from_tsv("nonsense", "R", benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs).is_none()
+        );
         let text = format!("{}\nC\tnotanumber\t1\t2\t0\tX\nc\t1234\n", head);
-        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(&text, "Hydraxian Waterlords").expect("header still good");
+        let back = NameCache::from_tsv(
+            &text,
+            "Hydraxian Waterlords",
+            benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs,
+        )
+        .expect("header still good");
         assert_eq!(back.len(), 1, "the bad line is skipped, the good one kept");
 
         // A version-1 file, which held player names, is discarded whole.
         let v1 = format!(
-            "{CACHE_MAGIC}\t1\t{CACHE_BUILD}\t{CACHE_LOCALE}\tHydraxian Waterlords\n\
+            "{CACHE_MAGIC}\t1\t{CACHE_BUILD}\tenUS\tHydraxian Waterlords\n\
              P\t7\t1\t1\t0\tMoamtester\n"
         );
-        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(&v1, "Hydraxian Waterlords").is_none());
+        assert!(NameCache::from_tsv(
+            &v1,
+            "Hydraxian Waterlords",
+            benilla_formats::ClientLocale::EnUs
+        )
+        .is_none());
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/crates/benilla-formats/src/character_names.rs b/crates/benilla-formats/src/character_names.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7678d0e40
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/benilla-formats/src/character_names.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+//! Localized display names from the 1.12 ChrRaces and ChrClasses name blocks.
+//! The community ruRU patch stores its translated names in locale slot zero.
+
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+use benilla_dbc::{FieldType, Schema, SchemaField};
+
+use crate::dbc::{parse, str_at, u32_at};
+use crate::Chain;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+/// The display names, distinct from the unlocalized race/class file tokens.
+pub struct CharacterNames {
+    races: HashMap<u32, String>,
+    classes: HashMap<u32, String>,
+}
+
+impl CharacterNames {
+    pub fn load(chain: &mut Chain) -> Result<Self> {
+        Ok(Self {
+            races: load_names(chain, "ChrRaces", 29, 17)?,
+            classes: load_names(chain, "ChrClasses", 17, 5)?,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn race(&self, id: u8) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.races.get(&u32::from(id)).map(String::as_str)
+    }
+
+    pub fn class(&self, id: u8) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.classes.get(&u32::from(id)).map(String::as_str)
+    }
+}
+
+fn load_names(
+    chain: &mut Chain,
+    table: &str,
+    fields: usize,
+    name_field: usize,
+) -> Result<HashMap<u32, String>> {
+    let path = format!("DBFilesClient\\{table}.dbc");
+    let bytes = chain
+        .read_file(&path)
+        .with_context(|| format!("reading {path}"))?;
+    let mut schema = Schema::new(table);
+    for i in 0..fields {
+        schema.add_field(SchemaField::new(
+            format!("F{i}"),
+            if i == name_field {
+                FieldType::String
+            } else {
+                FieldType::UInt32
+            },
+        ));
+    }
+    let rows = parse(&bytes, schema, table)?;
+    Ok(rows
+        .records()
+        .iter()
+        .filter_map(|r| {
+            let id = u32_at(r, 0)?;
+            let name = str_at(&rows, r, name_field)?;
+            (!name.is_empty()).then_some((id, name))
+        })
+        .collect())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::ClientLocale;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn character_names_follow_the_selected_patch_chain() {
+        let data = crate::wow_data_or_skip!();
+        let mut english = Chain::open(&data).unwrap();
+        let names = CharacterNames::load(&mut english).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(names.race(1), Some("Human"));
+        assert_eq!(names.class(1), Some("Warrior"));
+        assert_eq!(names.race(255), None);
+        assert_eq!(names.class(255), None);
+        if ClientLocale::RuRu.pack_folder(&data).is_none() {
+            crate::skipped_optional("no ruRU language pack", &[data.join("ruRU")]);
+            return;
+        }
+        let mut russian = Chain::open_localized(&data, ClientLocale::RuRu).unwrap();
+        let names = CharacterNames::load(&mut russian).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(names.race(1), Some("Человек"));
+        assert_eq!(names.class(1), Some("Воин"));
+        assert_eq!(names.race(6), Some("Таурен"));
+        assert_eq!(names.class(11), Some("Друид"));
+        for id in 1..=8 {
+            assert!(names
+                .race(id)
+                .unwrap()
+                .chars()
+                .any(|c| ('\u{0400}'..='\u{04ff}').contains(&c)));
+        }
+        for id in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11] {
+            assert!(names
+                .class(id)
+                .unwrap()
+                .chars()
+                .any(|c| ('\u{0400}'..='\u{04ff}').contains(&c)));
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/benilla-formats/src/lib.rs b/crates/benilla-formats/src/lib.rs
index 08f8e71c2..4e1dc0497 100644
--- a/crates/benilla-formats/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/benilla-formats/src/lib.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ mod chain;
 pub use chain::{Chain, ChainEntry};
 mod locale;
 pub use locale::ClientLocale;
+mod character_names;
+pub use character_names::CharacterNames;
 /// Loose `.tga` art, as addon folders ship it.
 mod tga;
 pub use tga::tga_to_rgba;
diff --git a/docs/MAP.md b/docs/MAP.md
index 54abb1ff8..cdd36241a 100644
--- a/docs/MAP.md
+++ b/docs/MAP.md
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
 - **benilla-adt** (lib.rs): combined_alpha 
 - **benilla-app** (lib.rs): addon_harness area area_poi area_trigger asset_churn aura_visual bindings blob_shadow bowstring camera_shake capture char_create char_select chat_bubble chr_classes cinematic combat_log combat_text console crash creature_anim creature_type cursor cvars death debug_panel dev doodad_events entities fishing_line footprints game_plugins game_tip glue glue_strings go_anim go_templates hover_log items loading_screen local_state login minimap name_persist nameplates names net npc_text opaque2d pending_item_ops perf pipe_warm player poi_marker portrait preflight probe_shield query_cache quest_markers raid_marks ranged_flex realm_select realmlist run_mode screen_fade screenshot script_calls shaders shutdown smart_rect sound spell swing_refusal target test_support text_filter text_reshape textinput transport tutorial ui_action ui_auction ui_aura ui_bank ui_battlefield ui_battlefield_positions ui_battlefield_score ui_bind_confirm ui_binder ui_cast ui_char ui_chat ui_craft ui_dialog_verbs ui_dressup ui_duel ui_follow ui_gamma ui_gm_ticket ui_gossip ui_guild ui_honor ui_inspect ui_instance ui_item_text ui_items ui_layout ui_logout ui_loot ui_loot_roll ui_macro ui_mail ui_merchant ui_mirror ui_models ui_net ui_party ui_pass ui_pet ui_pet_book ui_pet_doll ui_pet_stats ui_petition ui_quest ui_quest_log ui_quest_share ui_reputation ui_saved ui_script ui_session ui_shapeshift ui_social ui_spellbook ui_stable ui_summon ui_tabard ui_talent ui_talent_wipe ui_taxi ui_text ui_tooltip ui_trade ui_tradeskill ui_trainer ui_unit ui_world_map video vplates weapon_trail world_backdrop world_state world_state_ui 
 - **benilla-assets** (lib.rs): adt anim_rng blp column_grid coords gpu_blp m2 materials minimap_grid model spatial_cache terrain tex_filter trace wdt wmo world_assets 
-- **benilla-formats** (lib.rs): anim_data area_poi area_sound area_table area_trigger auction_house bank_bag_slot_prices camera_shakes cfg_categories cfg_configs chain characters chat_channels chr_classes cinematics creature_families creature_sound creature_types creatures dbc death_thud durability elevators emit_timing emote_text emotes environmental_damage exhaustion factions footsteps game_tips gameobjects garble gm_ticket_category ground_effects install item_random_properties item_sounds item_visuals itembagfamily itemclass items itemsets itemsubclass languages light liquid loading_screen locale lock lock_type macro_icons maps material minimap_translate models npc_greeting packages page_text_material particles pet_stats quest_headers quest_info race_creature_type race_pvp_team race_sound ribbons server_messages sheathe skill_lines sound_entries sound_provider sound_water spell_focus spell_mechanic spell_visual spells stable_slot_prices stationery talents taxi taxi_nodes taxi_path terrain text_filter_lists tga transport_period transports unit_blood value_track vocal_ui_sounds wdl weapon_impact weapon_swing wmo_area world_map_area world_map_continent world_map_overlay world_state_ui wow_ini zone_map 
+- **benilla-formats** (lib.rs): anim_data area_poi area_sound area_table area_trigger auction_house bank_bag_slot_prices camera_shakes cfg_categories cfg_configs chain character_names characters chat_channels chr_classes cinematics creature_families creature_sound creature_types creatures dbc death_thud durability elevators emit_timing emote_text emotes environmental_damage exhaustion factions footsteps game_tips gameobjects garble gm_ticket_category ground_effects install item_random_properties item_sounds item_visuals itembagfamily itemclass items itemsets itemsubclass languages light liquid loading_screen locale lock lock_type macro_icons maps material minimap_translate models npc_greeting packages page_text_material particles pet_stats quest_headers quest_info race_creature_type race_pvp_team race_sound ribbons server_messages sheathe skill_lines sound_entries sound_provider sound_water spell_focus spell_mechanic spell_visual spells stable_slot_prices stationery talents taxi taxi_nodes taxi_path terrain text_filter_lists tga transport_period transports unit_blood value_track vocal_ui_sounds wdl weapon_impact weapon_swing wmo_area world_map_area world_map_continent world_map_overlay world_state_ui wow_ini zone_map 
 - **benilla-m2** (lib.rs): error model skin tests track 
 - **benilla-mpq** (lib.rs): crypto 
 - **benilla-protocol** (lib.rs): auth events guid messages wire world