diff --git a/src/core/application.cpp b/src/core/application.cpp
index a7945e26..5c411a55 100644
--- a/src/core/application.cpp
+++ b/src/core/application.cpp
@@ -5385,8 +5385,12 @@ void Application::loadOnlineWorldTerrain(uint32_t mapId, float x, float y, float
                         }
                     }
                 }
-                // After 20s, accept any loaded terrain (fallback for unusual spawns)
-                if (!groundReady && elapsed >= 20.0f) {
+                // After 5s with enough tiles loaded, accept terrain as ready even if
+                // the height sample doesn't match spawn Z exactly. This handles cases
+                // where getHeightAt returns a slightly different value than the server's
+                // spawn Z (e.g. terrain LOD, MCNK chunk boundaries, or spawn inside a
+                // building where floor height differs from terrain below).
+                if (!groundReady && elapsed >= 5.0f) {
                     if (auto* tm = renderer->getTerrainManager()) {
                         if (tm->getLoadedTileCount() >= 4) {
                             groundReady = true;
diff --git a/src/game/warden_handler.cpp b/src/game/warden_handler.cpp
index 1bd28a73..a5f38714 100644
--- a/src/game/warden_handler.cpp
+++ b/src/game/warden_handler.cpp
@@ -536,19 +536,16 @@ void WardenHandler::handleWardenData(network::Packet& packet) {
                 bool isClassic = (owner_.build <= 6005) && !isTurtle;
 
                 if (!isTurtle && !isClassic) {
-                    // WotLK/TBC (AzerothCore, etc.): strict servers BAN for wrong HASH_RESULT.
-                    // Without a matching CR entry we cannot compute the correct hash
-                    // (requires executing the module's native init function).
-                    // Safest action: don't respond. Server will time-out and kick (not ban).
+                    // WotLK/TBC: don't respond to HASH_REQUEST without a valid CR match.
+                    // ChromieCraft/AzerothCore tolerates the silence (no ban, no kick),
+                    // but REJECTS a wrong hash and closes the connection immediately.
+                    // Staying silent lets the server continue the session without Warden checks.
                     LOG_WARNING("Warden: HASH_REQUEST seed=", seedHex,
-                                " — no CR match, SKIPPING response to avoid account ban");
-                    LOG_WARNING("Warden: To fix, provide a .cr file with the correct seed→reply entry for this module");
-                    // Stay in WAIT_HASH_REQUEST — server will eventually kick.
+                                " — no CR match, skipping response (server tolerates silence)");
+                    wardenState_ = WardenState::WAIT_CHECKS;
                     break;
                 }
 
-                // Turtle/Classic: lenient servers (log-only penalties, no bans).
-                // Send a best-effort fallback hash so we can continue the handshake.
                 LOG_WARNING("Warden: No CR match (seed=", seedHex,
                             "), sending fallback hash (lenient server)");