diff --git a/docs/flavored-english-lowering.md b/docs/flavored-english-lowering.md
index 4270fb0..d562984 100644
--- a/docs/flavored-english-lowering.md
+++ b/docs/flavored-english-lowering.md
@@ -157,12 +157,70 @@ Weksa should produce or request:
 AquaSynth should decide how those become gestures, tract targets, Faust, and
 audio.
 
+## Reference Synth Parity
+
+The first speech-lowering target should be a simple open reference synth, not a
+neural realtime voice.
+
+This mirrors the AquaSynth reference-synth pattern: Weksa should develop its own
+DSL for vocal and dialogue intent, then test whether that DSL can express enough
+information to drive an existing synth target. The reference is an exercise
+machine. It is not the architecture we absorb.
+
+Recommended first target: eSpeak NG.
+
+Why eSpeak NG:
+
+- open source
+- command-line friendly
+- explicitly formant-based
+- supports many languages and accents
+- has mature phoneme and voice machinery
+- supports Klatt formant synthesis as part of its synthesis surface
+- is small and inspectable enough for parity fixtures
+
+Initial parity loop:
+
+```text
+interlingua packet
+  -> projected agent-local context
+  -> flavored English line
+  -> Weksa vocal intent DSL
+  -> eSpeak NG reference render
+  -> transcript/audio/parameter artifact
+  -> Weksa/AquaSynth comparison
+```
+
+The goal is not to copy eSpeak NG quirks. The goal is to prove that Weksa can
+state enough vocal intent to produce predictable speech through a boring
+formant-based target before asking AquaSynth to do harder articulatory work.
+
+Good first fixtures:
+
+- short declarative line
+- sharp warning
+- dry aside
+- fast correction
+- one line with emphasis shift
+- one line with irritation but no volume spike
+
+Candidate lower-level references:
+
+- eSpeak NG formant output for whole utterance parity
+- eSpeak NG phoneme output for phoneme-sequence sanity
+- Klatt-style open implementations for parameter-level formant fixture work
+- Praat/KlattGrid-style analysis as a diagnostic surface, not runtime authority
+
+This rung should produce reference artifacts, not permanent dependency doctrine.
+Once Weksa's vocal intent can drive a simple synth coherently, AquaSynth can
+replace the target with its own `PhoneticIntent` and tract model.
+
 ## Realtime Voice References
 
 Codex/OpenAI realtime voice output can be useful, but it must not become
 physical ground truth.
 
-Use projection-shaped prompts with realtime voice output as:
+Use projection-shaped prompts with realtime voice output later as:
 
 - perceptual reference
 - style and prosody target
diff --git a/schemas/english-lowering-packet.md b/schemas/english-lowering-packet.md
index dab12f3..754f75b 100644
--- a/schemas/english-lowering-packet.md
+++ b/schemas/english-lowering-packet.md
@@ -73,6 +73,28 @@ It may include:
 
 This is a request to AquaSynth, not a rendered audio contract.
 
+## Reference Synth Artifacts
+
+Before AquaSynth parity, Weksa may emit reference-synth artifacts.
+
+Suggested fields:
+
+- `reference_synth.target`
+- `reference_synth.input_text`
+- `reference_synth.input_phonemes`
+- `reference_synth.voice`
+- `reference_synth.controls`
+- `reference_synth.audio_ref`
+- `reference_synth.diagnostics_ref`
+- `reference_synth.parity_notes`
+
+Initial `target` should be `espeak-ng` if available. Other Klatt/formant
+implementations may be added as fixture targets when they provide clearer
+parameter control.
+
+The reference synth artifact tests Weksa's expressive surface. It is not the
+source of truth for AquaSynth anatomy.
+
 ## Reference Audio Artifacts
 
 Realtime voice outputs may be attached as reference artifacts for tuning.
diff --git a/settings/aetheria/nibu.md b/settings/aetheria/nibu.md
index 99f6292..fb07c6e 100644
--- a/settings/aetheria/nibu.md
+++ b/settings/aetheria/nibu.md
@@ -82,3 +82,19 @@ extensions:
 
 The expected output is not a quote yet. The first deliverable is a lowering
 packet that can explain why the eventual line is Nibu rather than generic snark.
+
+## First Speech Fixture
+
+Nibu should not start with neural realtime voice parity. Start with a basic
+formant reference synth, preferably eSpeak NG.
+
+The first fixture should prove:
+
+- the English line preserves the interlingua warning
+- the line carries Nibu pressure without becoming generic abuse
+- Weksa can express emphasis, pace, and clipped sharpness in a vocal intent DSL
+- the reference synth can render a stable artifact for comparison
+- AquaSynth can later attempt the same intent through `PhoneticIntent`
+
+Reference quality can be ugly. It needs to be predictable. First the machine
+learns to speak through a tin can with paperwork. Beauty can wait its turn.
diff --git a/state/map.yaml b/state/map.yaml
index 7efd91c..a384a53 100644
--- a/state/map.yaml
+++ b/state/map.yaml
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ constraints:
   - Realtime neural voice output may be used as perceptual style/prosody
     reference data, but not as physical ground truth for AquaSynth vocal-tract
     tuning.
+  - First speech-lowering parity should target a simple open formant synth such
+    as eSpeak NG before realtime neural voice references.
 
 invariants:
   - Ontology owns meaning.
@@ -198,6 +200,8 @@ open_questions:
     AquaSynth after dialogue text exists?
   - What capture format should store realtime voice references, transcripts,
     prompt provenance, and rating notes for Nibu tuning?
+  - What minimal vocal intent DSL fields are needed to drive eSpeak NG parity
+    fixtures before AquaSynth `PhoneticIntent` parity?
 
 landed_baseline:
   - Language-neutral state spine.