diff --git a/draugnorak.nvgt b/draugnorak.nvgt
index 089f7c1..f375e81 100644
--- a/draugnorak.nvgt
+++ b/draugnorak.nvgt
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ sound_pool p(100);
 #include "src/base_system.nvgt"
 #include "src/time_system.nvgt"
 #include "src/audio_utils.nvgt"
+#include "src/creature_audio.nvgt"
 #include "src/notify.nvgt"
 
 int run_main_menu() {
diff --git a/src/combat.nvgt b/src/combat.nvgt
index 5c01814..5e619d5 100644
--- a/src/combat.nvgt
+++ b/src/combat.nvgt
@@ -42,9 +42,9 @@ void perform_spear_attack(int current_x) {
         p.play_stationary("sounds/weapons/spear_hit.ogg", false);
         // Play hit sound based on enemy type (both use same hit sound for now)
         if (get_bandit_at(hit_pos) != null) {
-            play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, hit_pos, false, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+            play_creature_hit_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, hit_pos, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
         } else {
-            play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, hit_pos, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+            play_creature_hit_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, hit_pos, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
         }
         return;
     }
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ void perform_axe_attack(int current_x) {
         p.play_stationary("sounds/weapons/axe_hit.ogg", false);
         // Play hit sound based on enemy type
         if (get_bandit_at(current_x) != null) {
-            play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, current_x, false, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+            play_creature_hit_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, current_x, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
         } else {
-            play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, current_x, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+            play_creature_hit_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", x, current_x, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
         }
         return;
     }
@@ -180,10 +180,10 @@ void release_sling_attack(int player_x) {
     if (hit_bandit) {
         damage_bandit_at(target_x, damage);
         p.play_1d("sounds/weapons/sling_hit.ogg", player_x, target_x, false);
-        play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", player_x, target_x, false, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+        play_creature_hit_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", player_x, target_x, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
     } else {
         damage_zombie_at(target_x, damage);
         p.play_1d("sounds/weapons/sling_hit.ogg", player_x, target_x, false);
-        play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", player_x, target_x, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+        play_creature_hit_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hit.ogg", player_x, target_x, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/constants.nvgt b/src/constants.nvgt
index a6e758c..65a903b 100644
--- a/src/constants.nvgt
+++ b/src/constants.nvgt
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ const float FIREPIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP = 6.0;  // 30 dB over 5 tiles
 const int STREAM_SOUND_RANGE = 7;
 const float STREAM_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP = 4.3;  // 30 dB over 7 tiles
 
+const float TREE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP = 4.0;  // Similar to snares for good audibility
+
 // Mountain configuration
 const int MOUNTAIN_SIZE = 60;
 const int MOUNTAIN_MIN_ELEVATION = 0;
diff --git a/src/creature_audio.nvgt b/src/creature_audio.nvgt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24996fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/creature_audio.nvgt
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+// Unified creature/enemy audio system
+// Ensures consistent panning and distance behavior for all animated entities
+//
+// USAGE GUIDE:
+// This system provides standardized audio functions for all creatures (zombies, bandits, animals).
+// Using these functions ensures all creatures sound consistent to the player.
+//
+// When adding new creatures (sheep, cattle, horses, etc):
+// 1. Define creature-specific constants in constants.nvgt:
+//    const float SHEEP_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP = 3.0;
+//    const int SHEEP_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE = 5;
+//
+// 2. Use these functions in your creature update code:
+//    - play_creature_voice() for periodic sounds (bleats, moos, neighs) - returns handle, store it!
+//    - play_creature_footstep() when creature moves
+//    - play_creature_attack_sound() when creature attacks player/barricade
+//    - play_creature_death_sound() when creature dies
+//    - play_creature_hit_sound() when player damages creature
+//
+// 3. IMPORTANT: When creature dies, stop its sound before playing death sound:
+//    if (creature.sound_handle != -1) {
+//        p.destroy_sound(creature.sound_handle);
+//        creature.sound_handle = -1;
+//    }
+//    play_creature_death_sound("sounds/enemies/enemy_falls.ogg", x, pos, volume_step);
+//
+// 4. All sounds automatically use consistent panning/volume falloff
+//
+// Example for sheep:
+//   sheep.sound_handle = play_creature_voice("sounds/animals/sheep_bleat.ogg", x, sheep.position, SHEEP_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+//   play_creature_footstep(x, sheep.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, SHEEP_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, SHEEP_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+//
+// Death handling example:
+//   if (sheep.sound_handle != -1) {
+//       p.destroy_sound(sheep.sound_handle);
+//       sheep.sound_handle = -1;
+//   }
+//   play_creature_death_sound("sounds/animals/sheep_death.ogg", x, sheep.position, SHEEP_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+
+// Default audio parameters for creatures
+const float CREATURE_DEFAULT_VOLUME_STEP = 3.0;
+const int CREATURE_DEFAULT_FOOTSTEP_DISTANCE = 6;
+
+// Plays a creature's voice/alert sound with consistent positioning
+// Returns the sound handle for tracking
+int play_creature_voice(string sound_file, int listener_x, int creature_x, float volume_step = CREATURE_DEFAULT_VOLUME_STEP)
+{
+    return play_1d_with_volume_step(sound_file, listener_x, creature_x, false, volume_step);
+}
+
+// Plays a creature's footstep sound with consistent positioning
+// Only plays if within max_distance to avoid cluttering the soundscape
+void play_creature_footstep(int listener_x, int creature_x, int base_end, int grass_end, int max_distance = CREATURE_DEFAULT_FOOTSTEP_DISTANCE, float volume_step = CREATURE_DEFAULT_VOLUME_STEP)
+{
+    int distance = creature_x - listener_x;
+    if (distance < 0) {
+        distance = -distance;
+    }
+
+    if (distance > max_distance) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    play_positional_footstep(listener_x, creature_x, base_end, grass_end, max_distance, volume_step);
+}
+
+// Plays a creature attack sound (hitting player, hitting barricade, etc.)
+void play_creature_attack_sound(string sound_file, int listener_x, int creature_x, float volume_step = CREATURE_DEFAULT_VOLUME_STEP)
+{
+    play_1d_with_volume_step(sound_file, listener_x, creature_x, false, volume_step);
+}
+
+// Plays a creature death/fall sound
+void play_creature_death_sound(string sound_file, int listener_x, int creature_x, float volume_step = CREATURE_DEFAULT_VOLUME_STEP)
+{
+    play_1d_with_volume_step(sound_file, listener_x, creature_x, false, volume_step);
+}
+
+// Plays a creature hit/damage sound (when player damages the creature)
+void play_creature_hit_sound(string sound_file, int listener_x, int creature_x, float volume_step = CREATURE_DEFAULT_VOLUME_STEP)
+{
+    play_1d_with_volume_step(sound_file, listener_x, creature_x, false, volume_step);
+}
diff --git a/src/environment.nvgt b/src/environment.nvgt
index 3a65381..759213c 100644
--- a/src/environment.nvgt
+++ b/src/environment.nvgt
@@ -45,9 +45,12 @@ class Tree {
             int tree_distance = x - position;
             if (tree_distance < 0) tree_distance = -tree_distance;
 
-            if (tree_distance <= 3) {
+            if (tree_distance <= 4) {
                 if (sound_handle == -1 || !p.sound_is_active(sound_handle)) {
                     sound_handle = p.play_1d("sounds/environment/tree.ogg", x, position, true);
+                    if (sound_handle != -1) {
+                        p.update_sound_positioning_values(sound_handle, -1.0, TREE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP, true);
+                    }
                 }
             } else if (sound_handle != -1) {
                 p.destroy_sound(sound_handle);
diff --git a/src/world_state.nvgt b/src/world_state.nvgt
index e195126..f4316aa 100644
--- a/src/world_state.nvgt
+++ b/src/world_state.nvgt
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ class Bandit {
     int health;
     string alert_sound;
     string weapon_type; // "spear" or "axe"
+    int sound_handle;
     timer move_timer;
     timer alert_timer;
     timer attack_timer;
@@ -55,6 +56,7 @@ class Bandit {
         // Spawn somewhere in the expanded area
         position = random(expansion_start, expansion_end);
         health = BANDIT_HEALTH;
+        sound_handle = -1;
 
         // Choose random alert sound
         int sound_index = random(0, bandit_sounds.length() - 1);
@@ -616,7 +618,7 @@ void spawn_zombie() {
 
     Zombie@ z = Zombie(spawn_x);
     zombies.insert_last(z);
-    z.sound_handle = play_1d_with_volume_step(z.voice_sound, x, spawn_x, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+    z.sound_handle = play_creature_voice(z.voice_sound, x, spawn_x, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
 }
 
 void try_attack_barricade(Zombie@ zombie) {
@@ -628,7 +630,7 @@ void try_attack_barricade(Zombie@ zombie) {
     barricade_health -= damage;
     if (barricade_health < 0) barricade_health = 0;
 
-    play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hits_player.ogg", x, zombie.position, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+    play_creature_attack_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hits_player.ogg", x, zombie.position, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
 
     // Resident defense counter-attack
     if (can_residents_defend()) {
@@ -677,7 +679,7 @@ bool try_attack_player(Zombie@ zombie) {
         player_health = 0;
     }
 
-    play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/zombie_hits_player.ogg", x, zombie.position, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+    play_creature_attack_sound("sounds/enemies/zombie_hits_player.ogg", x, zombie.position, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -685,7 +687,7 @@ void update_zombie(Zombie@ zombie) {
     if (zombie.groan_timer.elapsed > zombie.next_groan_delay) {
         zombie.groan_timer.restart();
         zombie.next_groan_delay = random(ZOMBIE_GROAN_MIN_DELAY, ZOMBIE_GROAN_MAX_DELAY);
-        zombie.sound_handle = play_1d_with_volume_step(zombie.voice_sound, x, zombie.position, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+        zombie.sound_handle = play_creature_voice(zombie.voice_sound, x, zombie.position, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
     }
 
     if (try_attack_player(zombie)) {
@@ -723,7 +725,7 @@ void update_zombie(Zombie@ zombie) {
     }
 
     zombie.position = target_x;
-    play_positional_footstep(x, zombie.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, ZOMBIE_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+    play_creature_footstep(x, zombie.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, ZOMBIE_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
 }
 
 void update_zombies() {
@@ -750,7 +752,7 @@ bool damage_zombie_at(int pos, int damage) {
                     p.destroy_sound(zombies[i].sound_handle);
                     zombies[i].sound_handle = -1;
                 }
-                play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/enemy_falls.ogg", x, pos, false, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+                play_creature_death_sound("sounds/enemies/enemy_falls.ogg", x, pos, ZOMBIE_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
                 zombies.remove_at(i);
             }
             return true;
@@ -809,7 +811,7 @@ void spawn_bandit(int expansion_start, int expansion_end) {
 
     Bandit@ b = Bandit(spawn_x, expansion_start, expansion_end);
     bandits.insert_last(b);
-    play_1d_with_volume_step(b.alert_sound, x, spawn_x, false, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+    b.sound_handle = play_creature_voice(b.alert_sound, x, spawn_x, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
 }
 
 bool can_bandit_attack_player(Bandit@ bandit) {
@@ -903,7 +905,7 @@ void update_bandit(Bandit@ bandit) {
     if (bandit.alert_timer.elapsed > bandit.next_alert_delay) {
         bandit.alert_timer.restart();
         bandit.next_alert_delay = random(BANDIT_ALERT_MIN_DELAY, BANDIT_ALERT_MAX_DELAY);
-        play_1d_with_volume_step(bandit.alert_sound, x, bandit.position, false, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+        bandit.sound_handle = play_creature_voice(bandit.alert_sound, x, bandit.position, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
     }
 
     if (try_attack_player_bandit(bandit)) {
@@ -947,7 +949,7 @@ void update_bandit(Bandit@ bandit) {
                         bandit.wander_direction = -bandit.wander_direction;
                     } else {
                         bandit.position = target_x;
-                        play_positional_footstep(x, bandit.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, BANDIT_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+                        play_creature_footstep(x, bandit.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, BANDIT_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
                     }
                 } else {
                     // Hit map boundary, reverse direction
@@ -990,7 +992,7 @@ void update_bandit(Bandit@ bandit) {
         }
 
         bandit.position = target_x;
-        play_positional_footstep(x, bandit.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, BANDIT_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+        play_creature_footstep(x, bandit.position, BASE_END, GRASS_END, BANDIT_FOOTSTEP_MAX_DISTANCE, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
     }
 }
 
@@ -1005,7 +1007,11 @@ bool damage_bandit_at(int pos, int damage) {
         if (bandits[i].position == pos) {
             bandits[i].health -= damage;
             if (bandits[i].health <= 0) {
-                play_1d_with_volume_step("sounds/enemies/enemy_falls.ogg", x, pos, false, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
+                if (bandits[i].sound_handle != -1) {
+                    p.destroy_sound(bandits[i].sound_handle);
+                    bandits[i].sound_handle = -1;
+                }
+                play_creature_death_sound("sounds/enemies/enemy_falls.ogg", x, pos, BANDIT_SOUND_VOLUME_STEP);
                 bandits.remove_at(i);
             } else {
             }