Stage the Blender character/gear/prop library

Commit the finished generator output from the parallel Blender pass:
8 skinned NPC variants, 18 gear pieces, and 20 props under
assets/models/blender/, editable sources (gdignored), manifest, review sheets,
and the integration notes in docs/blender-assets.md.

- audit: all 46 assets clean (characters 3,788-4,640 tris, under 6000/4000)
- tests: Python manifest/audit contract and Godot import/bone/slot/ground checks
- docs: README library section, architecture/plan references, TODO Phase 3.5
  status, MEMORY integration rules
- .gitignore: per-asset preview PNGs, extracted GLB textures, blend1 backups

Nothing in the game loads the library yet; integration follows." && git log --oneline -1

docs/plan-graphics-v0.6.md

@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ Outputs land under `assets/textures/ai/game_ready/` (or a new
 
 The library generator is `tools/blender_assets.py` (flatpak Blender, headless).
 It stages outputs for integration; nothing is wired into the game until the
-audit and manifest are clean. While the generator is running, do not edit it.
+audit and manifest are clean. Integration notes: [`blender-assets.md`](blender-assets.md).
 
 **Outputs and contract**
 
@@ -176,10 +176,10 @@ audit and manifest are clean. While the generator is running, do not edit it.
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | Characters | `assets/models/blender/npc/<name>.glb` | 8 variants: `npc_casual`, `npc_jacket`, `npc_coat`, `npc_vest`, `npc_dress`, `npc_hoodie`, `npc_firefighter`, `npc_guard` |
 | Gear | `assets/models/blender/npc_gear/<name>.glb` | 18 pieces; authored in attach-point space (`head`, `hand`, `back`, `chest`) |
-| Props | `assets/models/blender/props/<name>.glb` | 22 pieces; the first nine replace current generated/primitive street furniture, the rest are new venue dressing |
+| Props | `assets/models/blender/props/<name>.glb` | 20 pieces; the first nine replace current generated/primitive street furniture, the rest are new venue dressing |
 | Manifest | `assets/models/blender/manifest.json` | path, category, triangles, vertices, bounds, materials, roles, tint slots, attach points |
 | Sources | `assets/models/blender_src/<name>.blend` | committed, editable source |
-| Previews | `docs/blender_previews/*.png` + `sheet_<category>.png` | `render` / `sheet` for visual review |
+| Previews | `docs/blender_previews/sheet_<category>.jpg` (committed) + per-asset `*.png` (local) | `render` / `sheet` for visual review |
 
 All characters reuse the `npc_base` contract: mesh node `npc_base`, bones
 `Head/HipL/R/KneeL/R/ShoulderL/R/ElbowL/R/HandL/R` (+ Hips/Spine/Neck),
@@ -191,10 +191,9 @@ Props are grounded except `wall_lantern` and `marquee`; both may be emissive.
 **Integration steps**
 
 1. **Audit the finished build.** `python3 tools/blender_assets.py audit` and
-   `sheet`; fix assets or reconcile the budgets. The first `npc_casual` result
-   is 7,756 tris / 5,616 verts, above the current 6,000 / 4,000 character
-   contract — either simplify the mesh or explicitly raise and document the
-   character budget before wiring variants in.
+   `sheet`; fix assets or reconcile the budgets. **Done 2026-11-01:** the
+   characters were simplified to fit the unchanged 6,000 / 4,000 contract
+   (3,788–4,640 tris), and all 46 assets audit clean.
 2. **Commit the library and sources.** Add `assets/models/blender/**`,
    `assets/models/blender_src/**`, the generator, manifest, previews, and
    `docs/blender-assets.md`; generated folders that CI can rebuild offline may