diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go
index 93a28ff..76d1583 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass.go
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ type passer struct {
 	// nodeFailed is, by node and module, the words of the condition last raised for a failure that is the node's own (ADR 0557
 	// §1, issue 1496): raised once per words, cleared once when it ends.
 	nodeFailed map[string]string
+	// callSaid is, by the key of a refused controller call's condition, what this process raised (issue 774); nil until the
+	// first pass after a start, which clears what a previous process raised for a pair the two sources agree on.
+	callSaid map[string]*callSaid
 	// The seat mesh-placement's holder (seat.go, ADR 0567): its calls of the controller (nil: none is made), how it says
 	// the seat's events (nil: none is said), the proposals it said, and what Intended computed by proposal and base.
 	seat         *seatActs
@@ -148,7 +151,9 @@ func (p *passer) wants(ctx context.Context) {
 	defer p.unplacedFindings()
 	defer p.seatHolders(ctx)
 	defer p.policySplits(manifests, chosen)
-	frozen := p.sayPlacement(p.withCalls(p.w.placementDiffers()))
+	differ := p.withCalls(p.w.placementDiffers())
+	p.sayCalls(differ)
+	frozen := p.sayPlacement(differ)
 	placed := p.w.placedNodes()
 	puts := p.putsByModule()
 	p.staleAsks(ctx, trunk)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
index affbf2e..bed2ef1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/pass_test.go
@@ -971,3 +971,72 @@ func aPlacedNodesWantsNameTheBuildAloneAndItsYesComesFromItsHave(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("a pass after the move dropped the yes: %+v", got)
 	}
 }
+
+// refusingBus is the assigner's process account against a controller that refuses the calls whose verb is in refuse.
+type refusingBus struct {
+	fakeBus
+	refuse map[string]string
+}
+
+func (b *refusingBus) Call(key string, body any) (json.RawMessage, error) {
+	for verb, words := range b.refuse {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(key, "."+verb) {
+			return nil, errors.New(words)
+		}
+	}
+	return json.RawMessage(`{"ok":true}`), nil
+}
+
+// Issue 774: a call of the controller it refuses is a condition, never only a journal line: raised once, urgent, naming the verb,
+// the node, the module and the refusal; cleared when a later call for the pair is answered, or, for a module's place, once the
+// pair differed and the two sources agree.
+func TestARefusedControllerCallIsACondition(t *testing.T) {
+	p := newPasser(buckets{}, time.Date(2026, 10, 30, 21, 4, 0, 0, time.UTC))
+	var conds []asks.Condition
+	p.say = func(c asks.Condition) error { conds = append(conds, c); return nil }
+	bus := &refusingBus{refuse: map[string]string{"assign": `assign takes no argument "why" — it takes "build", "module", "node"; nothing was done`}}
+	woke := make(chan struct{}, 4)
+	p.seat = newSeatActs(bus, func() { woke <- struct{}{} }, func(string, ...any) {}, func() bool { return false })
+	assignWeb := assign.ControllerCall{Verb: "assign", Node: "anchor", Module: "web", Args: map[string]any{"node": "anchor", "module": "web"}}
+	call := func(c assign.ControllerCall) {
+		p.seat.callAll([]assign.ControllerCall{c})
+		<-woke
+	}
+	differ := []assign.Pair{{Node: "anchor", Module: "web", Only: assign.OnlyPlacement}}
+
+	call(assignWeb)
+	p.sayCalls(differ)
+	p.sayCalls(differ)
+	if len(conds) != 1 || conds[0].State != asks.StateRaised || conds[0].Key != "mesh-delivery-assigner.controller-call.anchor.web" ||
+		!strings.Contains(conds[0].Explanation, `takes no argument "why"`) || !strings.Contains(conds[0].Headline, "assign web on anchor") {
+		t.Fatalf("after a refused assign, said = %+v", conds)
+	}
+
+	bus.refuse = nil
+	call(assignWeb)
+	p.sayCalls(nil)
+	if len(conds) != 2 || conds[1].State != asks.StateCleared || conds[1].Key != conds[0].Key {
+		t.Fatalf("after the assign is answered, said = %+v", conds)
+	}
+
+	// Refused again, then assigned by hand: cleared once the pair, seen differing, agrees; not before it was seen differing.
+	bus.refuse = map[string]string{"assign": "refused"}
+	call(assignWeb)
+	p.sayCalls(nil)
+	if len(conds) != 3 || conds[2].State != asks.StateRaised {
+		t.Fatalf("a second refusal is not raised: %+v", conds)
+	}
+	p.sayCalls(nil)
+	if len(conds) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("cleared before the pair was seen differing: %+v", conds)
+	}
+	p.sayCalls(differ)
+	p.sayCalls(nil)
+	if len(conds) != 4 || conds[3].State != asks.StateCleared || !strings.Contains(conds[3].Resolved, "agree") {
+		t.Fatalf("the hand assign does not clear it: %+v", conds)
+	}
+	p.sayCalls(nil)
+	if len(conds) != 4 {
+		t.Fatalf("said again after the clear: %+v", conds)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/seat.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/seat.go
index 7ba0b4d..7de5f98 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/seat.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/cmd/mesh-delivery-assigner/seat.go
@@ -68,10 +68,19 @@ type seatActs struct {
 	export map[string]exportCheck
 	// calls is, by pair (node and module, or node and provision for a pin), what the last call for it came to.
 	calls map[string]string
+	// outcomes is, by the key of a call's condition, the last call made for its pair once answered or refused: refused
+	// "" when the controller answered it (issue 774: a refused call is a condition, never only a journal line).
+	outcomes map[string]callOutcome
 	// rec records the seat's acts in the hand-act log (ADR 0565 §11).
 	rec handacts.Recorder
 }
 
+// callOutcome is what one call of the controller came to: the call, and the controller's refusal ("" when it answered).
+type callOutcome struct {
+	call    assign.ControllerCall
+	refused string
+}
+
 // exportCheck is the export read again for one proposal: running, its answer, or why it was not read.
 type exportCheck struct {
 	running bool
@@ -81,7 +90,7 @@ type exportCheck struct {
 
 func newSeatActs(bus caller, wake func(), logf func(string, ...any), leaseAway func() bool) *seatActs {
 	return &seatActs{bus: bus, wake: wake, logf: logf, export: map[string]exportCheck{}, calls: map[string]string{},
-		rec: handacts.Recorder{Ask: bus.Call, LeaseAway: leaseAway}}
+		outcomes: map[string]callOutcome{}, rec: handacts.Recorder{Ask: bus.Call, LeaseAway: leaseAway}}
 }
 
 // exportOf is the export read again for a proposal, asked once in the background.
@@ -160,18 +169,115 @@ func (a *seatActs) callAll(calls []assign.ControllerCall) {
 	go func() {
 		defer a.wake()
 		for _, c := range calls {
-			words := c.Key() + " answered"
+			words, refused := c.Key()+" answered", ""
 			if _, err := a.bus.Call("seat:"+catalogue.ControllerSeatName+"."+c.Verb, c.Args); err != nil {
-				words = c.Key() + " refused: " + err.Error()
+				refused = err.Error()
+				words = c.Key() + " refused: " + refused
 			}
 			a.logf("keeping the controller in step with placement: %s", words)
 			a.mu.Lock()
 			a.calls[c.Node+"."+c.Module] = words
+			a.outcomes[assign.CallConditionKey(c)] = callOutcome{call: c, refused: refused}
 			a.mu.Unlock()
 		}
 	}()
 }
 
+// outcomesNow is a copy of every call's last outcome, by the key of its condition.
+func (a *seatActs) outcomesNow() map[string]callOutcome {
+	if a == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	return maps.Clone(a.outcomes)
+}
+
+// sayCalls makes a refused call of the controller loud (issue 774): the condition of each pair whose last call was refused
+// is raised once per refusal, naming the verb, the node, the module and the controller's words; it is cleared when a later
+// call for the pair is answered, or, for a module's place, once the pair differed after the refusal and the two sources now
+// agree (a person called the verb by hand). The first pass after a start clears what a previous process raised for a pair
+// the two sources agree on; a pin's stays, since nothing here can tell it was made since. A say that fails is made again at
+// the next pass.
+func (p *passer) sayCalls(differ []assign.Pair) {
+	if p.say == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	differs := map[string]bool{}
+	for _, d := range differ {
+		differs[d.Node+"."+d.Module] = true
+	}
+	outcomes := p.seat.outcomesNow()
+	if p.callSaid == nil {
+		p.callSaid = map[string]*callSaid{}
+		if p.findings.Keys != nil {
+			if keys, err := p.findings.Keys(); err == nil {
+				for _, k := range keys {
+					pair, ok := strings.CutSuffix(strings.TrimPrefix(k, "module."), "."+assign.KindControllerCall)
+					node, module, two := strings.Cut(pair, ".")
+					if !ok || !two || !strings.HasPrefix(k, "module.") || differs[pair] {
+						continue
+					}
+					c := assign.ControllerCall{Verb: "assign", Node: node, Module: module}
+					if _, made := outcomes[assign.CallConditionKey(c)]; made {
+						continue
+					}
+					if err := p.say(assign.CallRefusedCondition(c, "", false, "the controller's assignments and the placement agree on "+module+" on "+node+".")); err != nil {
+						p.logf("the refused call's condition of %s on %s could not be cleared: %v", module, node, err)
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	for key, o := range outcomes {
+		said := p.callSaid[key]
+		pair := o.call.Node + "." + o.call.Module
+		switch {
+		case o.refused != "" && (said == nil || said.refused != o.refused):
+			if err := p.say(assign.CallRefusedCondition(o.call, o.refused, true, "")); err != nil {
+				p.logf("that %s was refused could not be said, and is said at the next pass: %v", o.call.Key(), err)
+				continue
+			}
+			p.callSaid[key] = &callSaid{refused: o.refused, differed: differs[pair]}
+		case o.refused != "" && o.call.CallKind() == assign.KindControllerCall:
+			if differs[pair] {
+				said.differed = true
+				continue
+			}
+			if !said.differed {
+				continue // the pair was not seen differing since the refusal: the world may not hold the write yet
+			}
+			if err := p.say(assign.CallRefusedCondition(o.call, "", false, "the controller's assignments and the placement agree on "+o.call.Module+" on "+o.call.Node+".")); err != nil {
+				p.logf("the condition of %s could not be cleared, and is cleared at the next pass: %v", o.call.Key(), err)
+				continue
+			}
+			p.seat.forgetOutcome(key, o)
+			delete(p.callSaid, key)
+		case o.refused == "" && said != nil:
+			if err := p.say(assign.CallRefusedCondition(o.call, "", false, o.call.Key()+" was answered.")); err != nil {
+				p.logf("the condition of %s could not be cleared, and is cleared at the next pass: %v", o.call.Key(), err)
+				continue
+			}
+			delete(p.callSaid, key)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// callSaid is the refusal a raised call's condition said, and whether its pair was seen differing since.
+type callSaid struct {
+	refused  string
+	differed bool
+}
+
+// forgetOutcome drops a refused call's outcome once its condition is cleared, unless a later call replaced it.
+func (a *seatActs) forgetOutcome(key string, o callOutcome) {
+	a.mu.Lock()
+	defer a.mu.Unlock()
+	if now, ok := a.outcomes[key]; ok && now.refused == o.refused && now.call.Verb == o.call.Verb {
+		delete(a.outcomes, key)
+	}
+}
+
 // callOf is what the last call for a pair came to, "" when none was made.
 func (a *seatActs) callOf(node, module string) string {
 	if a == nil {
@@ -671,7 +777,7 @@ func (p *passer) followWrite(prop delivery.PlacementProposal, answer delivery.An
 	p.seat.record(answer.Warrant)
 	p.sayChanged(prop, answer, changes)
 	if p.seat != nil && !p.w.handedAway() && !prop.Seed {
-		p.seat.callAll(assign.ControllerCalls(before, written, prop.ID, answer.Warrant))
+		p.seat.callAll(assign.ControllerCalls(before, written))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod
index beac707..b340ced 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-assigner
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat.go
index 05a02c6..7e9b349 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat.go
@@ -132,11 +132,14 @@ func (c ControllerCall) Key() string {
 }
 
 // ControllerCalls is every call that brings the controller's assignments and pins to the placement after: assign for a
-// module placed on a node before not, unassign for one taken off, pin for a pin set or changed, unpin for one removed,
-// each naming the proposal and its warrant in its why. In node order, unassigns before assigns, so a module moved
-// between nodes is first taken off.
-func ControllerCalls(before map[string]delivery.Placement, after map[string]*delivery.Placement, proposal, warrant string) []ControllerCall {
-	why := fmt.Sprintf("placement proposal %s, approved (%s)", proposal, warrant)
+// module placed on a node before not, unassign for one taken off, pin for a pin set or changed, unpin for one removed. In
+// node order, unassigns before assigns, so a module moved between nodes is first taken off.
+//
+// Each call carries only the arguments the controller's seat contract declares for its verb (catalogue.ControllerVerbs):
+// the controller refuses any other argument and does nothing (issue 774: a "why" added to every call had every approved
+// placement refused since 2026-10-28). The proposal and its warrant are in the assigner's own record instead: the
+// placement-changed event and the hand-act log.
+func ControllerCalls(before map[string]delivery.Placement, after map[string]*delivery.Placement) []ControllerCall {
 	nodes := make([]string, 0, len(after))
 	for node := range after {
 		nodes = append(nodes, node)
@@ -176,11 +179,50 @@ func ControllerCalls(before map[string]delivery.Placement, after map[string]*del
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	out := append(append(off, on...), pins...)
-	for i := range out {
-		out[i].Args["why"] = why
+	return append(append(off, on...), pins...)
+}
+
+// CallKind is the kind of the condition of a refused call: one for a module's place (assign, unassign), one for a pin.
+func (c ControllerCall) CallKind() string {
+	if c.Verb == "pin" || c.Verb == "unpin" {
+		return KindControllerPin
 	}
-	return out
+	return KindControllerCall
+}
+
+// The kinds of a refused controller call's condition (and finding).
+const (
+	KindControllerCall = "controller-call"
+	KindControllerPin  = "controller-pin"
+)
+
+// CallConditionKey is the key of the condition of a call refused for its pair (node and module, or node and provision).
+func CallConditionKey(c ControllerCall) string {
+	return delivery.AssignerModule + "." + c.CallKind() + "." + c.Node + "." + c.Module
+}
+
+// CallRefusedCondition is the condition the assigner raises when the controller refused (or did not answer) a call that
+// keeps its assignments in step with an approved placement (ADR 0567 §8, issue 774): the placement is written, the
+// controller's assignments are not, so nothing new reaches the node (no bus account, no composition). It names the verb,
+// the node, the module (or provision) and the controller's words, keyed by the pair, and is cleared (raised false) when a
+// later call for the pair is answered, or both sources agree on it, with resolved saying which.
+func CallRefusedCondition(c ControllerCall, refusal string, raised bool, resolved string) asks.Condition {
+	key := CallConditionKey(c)
+	subject := asks.Scope{Scope: "module", ID: c.Module, Machine: c.Node}
+	if !raised {
+		return asks.Condition{Key: key, Subject: subject, State: asks.StateCleared, Resolved: resolved}
+	}
+	headline := fmt.Sprintf("the controller refused %s %s on %s", c.Verb, c.Module, c.Node)
+	if n := len([]rune(headline)); n > asks.HeadlineLength {
+		headline = string([]rune(headline)[:asks.HeadlineLength])
+	}
+	needs := fmt.Sprintf("call mesh-controller.%s for %s on %s by hand once the refusal's cause is fixed", c.Verb, c.Module, c.Node)
+	return asks.Condition{Key: key, Severity: asks.SeverityUrgent, Subject: subject, State: asks.StateRaised,
+		Summary: headline, Headline: headline, Needs: needs,
+		Explanation: fmt.Sprintf("%s%s. An approved placement was written, and the assigner's call %s to keep the controller's "+
+			"assignments in step was refused: %s. Until the controller holds it, the placement and the assignments differ, so "+
+			"the assigner writes no want for the pair and nothing new reaches %s. This clears when a call for it is answered "+
+			"or both sources agree.", asks.NeedsYou, needs, c.Key(), refusal, c.Node)}
 }
 
 // PlacementAct is the act an approved proposal's yes binds: writing exactly its changes at its base revisions.
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat_test.go b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat_test.go
index 257da34..669d124 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-assigner/internal/assign/seat_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/asks"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 )
 
@@ -108,13 +109,10 @@ func TestThePlacementSeatDecides(t *testing.T) {
 	pinned := *laid["laptop"]
 	pinned.Pins = map[string]delivery.Provider{"db": {Node: "anchor", Module: "store"}}
 	calls := ControllerCalls(map[string]delivery.Placement{"anchor": anchor, "laptop": laptop},
-		map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": laid["anchor"], "laptop": &pinned}, "p-one", "w1@t")
+		map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": laid["anchor"], "laptop": &pinned})
 	var said []string
 	for _, c := range calls {
 		said = append(said, c.Key())
-		if !strings.Contains(c.Args["why"].(string), "p-one") {
-			t.Errorf("%s does not name the proposal: %v", c.Key(), c.Args)
-		}
 	}
 	if !slices.Equal(said, []string{"mesh-controller.unassign anchor web", "mesh-controller.assign laptop web", "mesh-controller.pin laptop db"}) {
 		t.Errorf("the controller's calls = %v", said)
@@ -155,3 +153,86 @@ func quote(s string) string {
 	raw, _ := json.Marshal(s)
 	return string(raw)
 }
+
+// Issue 774: every call the assigner makes of the controller carries only the arguments the controller's seat contract
+// declares for its verb, and every one it requires; the controller refuses any other argument and does nothing. A "why"
+// added to every call (2026-10-28) had each approved placement refused.
+func TestControllerCallsFollowTheContract(t *testing.T) {
+	declared := map[string]map[string]any{}
+	required := map[string][]string{}
+	for _, v := range catalogue.ControllerVerbs {
+		props, _ := v.Input["properties"].(map[string]any)
+		declared[v.Name] = props
+		switch r := v.Input["required"].(type) {
+		case []string:
+			required[v.Name] = r
+		}
+	}
+	db := map[string]delivery.Provider{"db": {Node: "anchor", Module: "store"}}
+	moved := map[string]delivery.Provider{"db": {Node: "laptop", Module: "store"}}
+	placed := func(node string, pins map[string]delivery.Provider, modules ...string) delivery.Placement {
+		p := delivery.Placement{Node: node, Pins: pins}
+		for _, m := range modules {
+			p.Modules = append(p.Modules, delivery.PlacedModule{Module: m})
+		}
+		return p
+	}
+	ptr := func(p delivery.Placement) *delivery.Placement { return &p }
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		before map[string]delivery.Placement
+		after  map[string]*delivery.Placement
+		verbs  []string
+	}{
+		"assign":           {map[string]delivery.Placement{}, map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": ptr(placed("anchor", nil, "web"))}, []string{"assign"}},
+		"unassign":         {map[string]delivery.Placement{"anchor": placed("anchor", nil, "web")}, map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": ptr(placed("anchor", nil))}, []string{"unassign"}},
+		"key deleted":      {map[string]delivery.Placement{"anchor": placed("anchor", db, "web")}, map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": nil}, []string{"unassign", "unpin"}},
+		"pin set":          {map[string]delivery.Placement{"anchor": placed("anchor", nil, "web")}, map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": ptr(placed("anchor", db, "web"))}, []string{"pin"}},
+		"pin changed":      {map[string]delivery.Placement{"anchor": placed("anchor", db, "web")}, map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": ptr(placed("anchor", moved, "web"))}, []string{"pin"}},
+		"moved and pinned": {map[string]delivery.Placement{"anchor": placed("anchor", nil, "web")}, map[string]*delivery.Placement{"anchor": ptr(placed("anchor", nil)), "laptop": ptr(placed("laptop", db, "web"))}, []string{"unassign", "assign", "pin"}},
+	} {
+		calls := ControllerCalls(c.before, c.after)
+		var verbs []string
+		for _, call := range calls {
+			verbs = append(verbs, call.Verb)
+			props, ok := declared[call.Verb]
+			if !ok {
+				t.Errorf("%s: the controller's seat has no verb %q", name, call.Verb)
+				continue
+			}
+			for arg := range call.Args {
+				if _, ok := props[arg]; !ok {
+					t.Errorf("%s: %s gives %q, which mesh-controller.%s does not take, so the controller refuses it", name, call.Key(), arg, call.Verb)
+				}
+			}
+			for _, arg := range required[call.Verb] {
+				if _, ok := call.Args[arg]; !ok {
+					t.Errorf("%s: %s lacks %q, which mesh-controller.%s requires", name, call.Key(), arg, call.Verb)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		if !slices.Equal(verbs, c.verbs) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the calls = %v, want %v", name, verbs, c.verbs)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Issue 774: a refused call is a condition keyed by its pair, a module's place apart from a pin, naming the verb, the node, the
+// module and the refusal; its clear says why.
+func TestCallRefusedCondition(t *testing.T) {
+	assign := ControllerCall{Verb: "assign", Node: "anchor", Module: "web"}
+	pin := ControllerCall{Verb: "pin", Node: "anchor", Module: "web"}
+	c := CallRefusedCondition(assign, `assign takes no argument "why"`, true, "")
+	if c.State != asks.StateRaised || c.Severity != asks.SeverityUrgent || c.Key != "mesh-delivery-assigner.controller-call.anchor.web" ||
+		!strings.Contains(c.Headline, "assign web on anchor") || !strings.Contains(c.Explanation, `takes no argument "why"`) {
+		t.Errorf("the raised condition = %+v", c)
+	}
+	if CallConditionKey(pin) == c.Key {
+		t.Error("a pin's condition shares the key of a module's place")
+	}
+	if cl := CallRefusedCondition(assign, "", false, "answered"); cl.State != asks.StateCleared || cl.Key != c.Key || cl.Resolved != "answered" {
+		t.Errorf("the clear = %+v", cl)
+	}
+	if _, _, raised, err := FindingOf(c, time.Unix(0, 0)); err != nil || !raised {
+		t.Errorf("the condition is no finding: %v", err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod
index f958dc7..0c4752d 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-builder
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-builder/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.mod
index 3d9b531..cd76564 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-checker
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-checker/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.mod
index effc726..6d8375e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-forge-bridge
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-forge-bridge/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod
index db3b91a..3e217b5 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-indexer
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-indexer/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.mod
index 9d7e87f..3572e89 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-teller
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-teller/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod
index b8680fd..edf4553 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-view
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum
index 6123083..156a748 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-view/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.mod b/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.mod
index a230c7d..b37d585 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-delivery-watchman
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats-server/v2 v2.11.17
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
diff --git a/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.sum b/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.sum
index 97d3112..f59f301 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-delivery-watchman/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.8.0-default-no-op h1:1BOWQJweNyvZMlpAHXGLiZQn9S+QXGcz3xh94lC0w6E=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.8.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod b/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod
index be78eaa..d709dc1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/go.mod
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module mesh-grants
 go 1.26.0
 
 require (
-	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24
+	git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2
 	github.com/nats-io/nats.go v1.54.0
 )
 
diff --git a/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum b/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum
index 991de7e..d88df5e 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum
+++ b/modules/mesh-grants/go.sum
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24 h1:s0XXZtR7CFPBbnaDygWnE4/Q827iEFt0YfEzujk4Q9g=
-git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030174137-a37181261c24/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2 h1:RF73nVI1dTrrmlFosVDTMJmpUQ+rEeB7++BHH/RvZFg=
+git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go v0.1.14-0.20261030201806-eff81f1220e2/go.mod h1:ouERNpZizzwZ0HLEtAypsY9FR20FyUgUYRni6J7kVCY=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op h1:Z/MZK75wC/NSrkgqeNIa7jexam9uWzhLmFTSCPI/kn0=
 github.com/antithesishq/antithesis-sdk-go v0.7.0-default-no-op/go.mod h1:FQyySiasQQM8735Ddel3MRojmy4dA1IqCeyJ5jmPMbI=
 github.com/google/go-tpm v0.9.8 h1:slArAR9Ft+1ybZu0lBwpSmpwhRXaa85hWtMinMyRAWo=