diff --git a/src/bot.py b/src/bot.py
index a57c608..53bb25f 100644
--- a/src/bot.py
+++ b/src/bot.py
@@ -333,6 +333,16 @@ class Bot:
         if (match := template_finder.search_and_wait(list(transition_to_screens.keys()), best_match=True)).valid:
             self.trigger_or_stop(transition_to_screens[match.name])
         else:
+            # Stranded mid-town: town markers are position-dependent, so a char left
+            # standing away from the spawn shows NO known marker. If we're in-game,
+            # save+exit to character select and re-detect instead of giving up.
+            if is_visible(ScreenObjects.InGame):
+                Logger.warning("on_init: in-game but no known marker visible — save+exit to recover")
+                view.save_and_exit()
+                wait(2, 3)
+                if (match := template_finder.search_and_wait(list(transition_to_screens.keys()), best_match=True, timeout=20)).valid:
+                    self.trigger_or_stop(transition_to_screens[match.name])
+                    return
             self.restart_or_exit(f"Failed to detect {list(transition_to_screens.keys())}.")
 
     def on_select_character(self):