Record NPC sourcing decision and crowd prototypes

CREDITS.md

@@ -21,6 +21,25 @@ using Blender. The `.blend` working sources are developer artifacts and are not
 shipped. The exported `.glb` files and baked AO maps are project assets; they do
 not embed third-party models or purchased asset packs.
 
+### Development-only research previews
+
+Two review sheets under `docs/blender_previews/` compare source candidates for
+the post-0.10.0 NPC variety work. They are development documentation and are not
+bundled with the game or its release packages. The underlying source models are
+kept outside version control.
+
+- [`sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg`](docs/blender_previews/sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg)
+  includes renders of **Quaternius Ultimate Modular Characters** (CC0 1.0,
+  <https://quaternius.com/>), **Kenney Blocky Characters 2.0** (CC0 1.0,
+  <https://kenney.nl/assets/blocky-characters>), and **CesiumMan** and
+  **RiggedFigure** (CC BY 4.0, © 2017 Cesium,
+  <https://github.com/KhronosGroup/glTF-Sample-Assets>).
+- [`sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg`](docs/blender_previews/sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg)
+  contains renders of project-owned generator prototypes.
+
+The CC-BY preview images are included only as development evidence. Any future
+shipped derivative of CesiumMan or RiggedFigure must keep the attribution above.
+
 The venue geometry is authored procedurally in `src/game/world_builder.gd` as a
 stylized reconstruction. The Joke Shop is a fictional stand-in for the real
 Sunset Strip block; the game does not claim endorsement by, or an exact replica

MEMORY.md

@@ -4,16 +4,22 @@ Session memory for durable decisions, state, and gotchas. Keep concise, remove o
 
 ## Decisions
 
-- **NPC model sourcing research (2026-11-03):** `docs/npc-model-sourcing.md` evaluates
-  Quaternius Ultimate Modular (CC0), Kenney Blocky Characters (CC0), Khronos
-  CesiumMan/RiggedFigure (CC-BY 4.0) and the MakeHuman base mesh (CC0). No download is a
-  drop-in: every source lacks the `npc_base` node, the 13 contract bones and the five tint
-  slots; Quaternius additionally exceeds the vertex budget (10.5k–13k imported) and uses a
-  62-bone T-pose rig, CesiumMan/RiggedFigure are short technical references, and the
-  MakeHuman base is ~19k verts with no rig. Downloaded files stay under
-  `tmp/npc-research/` (gitignored), with SHA-256 provenance in the doc. The direction is
-  pending owner review; default if unreviewed is procedural expansion. Do not commit or
-  ship an external model before the licence/ADR decision.
+- **NPC model variety decision (2026-11-03, ADR-0015):** CC0 is acceptable for shipped
+  assets; CC-BY only with attribution in `CREDITS.md`; no service assets with redistribution
+  restrictions. The **procedural generator is the primary path**. Four crowd-variety specs were
+  prototyped with the existing builder (`npc_crowd_a` bun/slim/sunglasses, `npc_crowd_b`
+  bald/broad/beard/shoulder bag, `npc_crowd_c` coat/umbrella, `npc_crowd_d` hood/cup); all audit
+  clean at 4,550–5,258 tris / 4,356–5,086 verts. Prototype assets stay in
+  `tmp/npc-research/generator_proto/`; do not add them to the 0.10.0 release candidate.
+  **Quaternius is a reference, not a shipped base:** welding brings `Casual_Hoodie` from 12,518
+  to 3,199 verts and a 0.75 decimate to 2,423 verts / 4,654 tris, and its Idle/Walk clips read
+  well, but the T-pose 62-bone realistic rig/proportions do not match the arm-down 13-bone
+  contract. A contract rebuild is a no-go without a body proportion warp; a second
+  rig/animation path needs its own ADR. **MakeHuman is deferred** to a separate local pipeline:
+  the CC0 base is 19,158 verts / 36,972 tris and decimates to 3,780 / 6,468 at 0.35, but needs
+  retopology, a custom rig and project clothing. Research previews are committed under
+  `docs/blender_previews/sheet_npc_{sources_research,crowd_prototypes}.jpg`; the CC-BY entries
+  (CesiumMan/RiggedFigure, © Cesium) are attributed in `CREDITS.md` and are development-only.
 
 - **0.10.0 balance protocol:** `docs/balance-acceptance.md` defines targets and
   denominator/cohort rules for the 36 venue/difficulty/phase cells, seeds 1–100,

TODO.md

@@ -198,9 +198,11 @@ verify every distribution path. This is the next minor release after the 0.9.x p
 
 ## Milestone 0.11.0 — NPC model variety
 
-Goal: break the eight-character clone effect with a reviewed, licence-cleared set of new NPC
-looks while keeping the frozen `npc_base` bone, tint-slot and gear-attach contract. Start only
-after the 0.10.0 release candidate is published; this milestone must not delay the release.
+Goal: break the eight-character clone effect with four licence-cleared crowd-variety looks while
+keeping the frozen `npc_base` bone, tint-slot and gear-attach contract. The procedural generator is
+the primary path; Quaternius is a reviewed reference and MakeHuman is deferred to a separate local
+development pipeline. Start only after the 0.10.0 release candidate is published; this milestone
+must not delay the release.
 
 ### 0.11.1 Source review and decision
 
@@ -209,39 +211,53 @@ after the 0.10.0 release candidate is published; this milestone must not delay t
       CesiumMan/RiggedFigure CC-BY and the MakeHuman CC0 base mesh; none is a drop-in.
       Results, local preview sheet and SHA-256 provenance are in
       `docs/npc-model-sourcing.md`.)
-- [ ] Review the sourcing research with the project owner and choose Option A (procedural),
+- [x] Review the sourcing research with the project owner and choose Option A (procedural),
       Option B (Quaternius CC0 intake) or Option C (MakeHuman/MPFB body pipeline); record the
-      decision in an ADR and in `MEMORY.md`.
-- [ ] Add a source licence allow-list and provenance rule: CC0 preferred, CC-BY only with
+      decision in an ADR and in `MEMORY.md`. (2026-11-03: extend the procedural generator as the
+      primary path, keep Quaternius as a reviewed prototype/reference, defer MakeHuman to a
+      separate local pipeline. Recorded in ADR-0015 and `MEMORY.md`.)
+- [x] Add a source licence allow-list and provenance rule: CC0 preferred, CC-BY only with
       attribution in `CREDITS.md`, and no service assets whose terms restrict redistribution.
-- [ ] Decide whether the external preview sheet stays local under `tmp/` or is committed with
-      the required CC-BY attribution.
+      (ADR-0015; the CC-BY research previews are attributed in `CREDITS.md`.)
+- [x] Decide whether the external preview sheet stays local under `tmp/` or is committed with
+      the required CC-BY attribution. (Committed as
+      `docs/blender_previews/sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg` with Cesium CC-BY attribution;
+      the project-owned crowd prototype sheet is also committed.)
 
 ### 0.11.2 Intake and validation
 
 - [ ] Add a Blender `inspect` path that imports a GLB, applies node transforms, reports
       tris/verts, bounds, bones, materials, UVs and skinning, and lists contract failures.
-- [ ] Add an `adapt` path that scales/grounds the mesh, welds seams, decimates to the
-      triangle/vertex budget, maps materials into the five tint slots, rebuilds the contract
-      armature, transfers weights and writes the `npc_base` node name.
+- [ ] Add an `adapt` path for future external assets: scale/ground, weld seams, decimate, map the
+      five tint slots, and either rebuild the contract armature or record an explicit second-rig
+      contract. The Quaternius prototype showed that a contract rebuild needs a proportion warp,
+      so this is not on the 0.11.0 critical path.
 - [ ] Keep `tools/blender_assets.py audit` as the single final gate; add a regression test for the
       intake report/adaptation using a deterministic synthetic or licence-cleared fixture.
 - [ ] Document the adapter commands and the go/no-go checks in `docs/asset-tooling.md`.
 
 ### 0.11.3 One-character prototype
 
-- [ ] Adapt one Quaternius CC0 variant and capture front, three-quarter, profile, back,
-      full-body and crowd views plus a walk cycle.
-- [ ] Measure the prototype against the `npc_casual` controls: silhouette, face style, hands,
-      gear fit, rest pose and walk pose.
-- [ ] Make a go/no-go decision on Option B; if no-go, remove the prototype from the pipeline and
-      continue with Option A.
+- [x] Prototype one Quaternius CC0 variant: weld/decimate to budget and capture Idle/Walk
+      renders. (12,518 imported verts -> 3,199 after weld -> 2,423 / 4,654 tris after a 0.75
+      decimate; Idle/Walk quality is good. Preview in
+      `docs/blender_previews/sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg`.)
+- [x] Measure the prototype against the `npc_casual` controls: silhouette, rest pose, body
+      proportions and gear fit. (No-go for a contract rebuild: T-pose 62-bone realistic rig,
+      ~0.96 m hip, ~1.68 m arm span and ~0.153 m shoulder joint do not match the arm-down
+      13-bone contract. Keep as reference; a second rig/animation path needs its own ADR.)
+- [x] Make a go/no-go decision on Option B. (No-go for 0.11.0; proceed with the procedural
+      generator and keep Quaternius as a visual/style reference.)
 
 ### 0.11.4 Roster and runtime
 
-- [ ] Approve four new looks (age/build/hair/outfit variation across everyday, workwear and
-      responder families; no clothing that labels the NPC's behaviour).
-- [ ] Build or adapt the approved variants and add them to the manifest with roles and tint data.
+- [x] Approve four crowd-variety looks (build, head silhouette, hair/beard, outer layer and
+      accessory; no clothing that labels the NPC's behaviour). (`npc_crowd_a` bun/slim/sunglasses,
+      `npc_crowd_b` bald/broad/beard/shoulder bag, `npc_crowd_c` coat/umbrella, `npc_crowd_d`
+      hood/cup; prototype sheet committed.)
+- [ ] Add the four approved specs to `CHARACTERS`, build and commit their GLBs/AO maps, and
+      update the manifest with roles and tint data. (Prototype assets are local under `tmp/`;
+      do not add them to the 0.10.0 release candidate.)
 - [ ] Replace the fixed `character_model_for()` mapping with deterministic per-role pools and add
       tests for repeatability and duplicate avoidance.
 - [ ] Rebuild and verify gear fit for every new variant (`blender_assets.py fit` plus the runtime
@@ -256,6 +272,16 @@ after the 0.10.0 release candidate is published; this milestone must not delay t
 - [ ] Exit: a reviewed 12-character library passes contract audit, portrait/gear acceptance,
       the 24-NPC budget and licence/provenance review without changing the runtime contract.
 
+### 0.11.6 Deferred MakeHuman local pipeline
+
+- [x] Evaluate the MakeHuman CC0 base mesh for a later separate local development pipeline.
+      (19,158 verts / 36,972 tris; scaled to 1.82 m; decimate 0.35 -> 3,780 verts / 6,468 tris;
+      UVs present, no normals/material groups/rig. Feasible only with retopology, a custom rig and
+      project-owned clothing; keep out of CI/build.)
+- [ ] Decide whether body-shape diversity still matters after the 12-character library lands; if
+      yes, prototype the local MPFB/MakeHuman pipeline outside the repo and commit only the final
+      CC0-derived assets with provenance.
+
 ## Future 0.x / non-blocking candidates
 
 - [ ] Live 3D body-camera replay.

docs/adr/0015-npc-model-variety-sourcing.md

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+# ADR-0015: NPC model variety sourcing
+
+- **Status:** Accepted (post-0.10.0 planning)
+- **Date:** 2026-11-03
+
+## Context
+
+The library has eight skinned characters, and role/seed selection reuses them
+across the three venues. Crowds therefore repeat the same faces, builds and
+outfits. The existing contract is strict: `npc_base` mesh node, 13 named bones at
+fixed rest positions, five tint slots, front on Blender −Y and an 8,000
+triangle/vertex budget.
+
+A review compared free/open-source sources against that contract. Quaternius
+Ultimate Modular (CC0), Kenney Blocky Characters (CC0), Khronos CesiumMan and
+RiggedFigure (CC BY 4.0) and the MakeHuman base mesh (CC0) were imported and
+measured. None was a drop-in; the full results are in
+[`docs/npc-model-sourcing.md`](../npc-model-sourcing.md).
+
+## Decision
+
+1. **Ship only CC0, or CC BY with recorded attribution.** No service asset whose
+   terms restrict redistribution may be used.
+2. **Extend the project-owned procedural generator as the primary path** for
+   shipped NPC variety. The first target is four crowd-variety looks, bringing
+   the library to twelve characters.
+3. **Keep Quaternius as a reviewed reference/prototype, not a shipped base.** A
+   contract retarget is a no-go because the source is a T-pose 62-bone realistic
+   rig with substantially different proportions from the arm-down 13-bone
+   contract. A future external-rig path would need its own ADR covering its
+   skeleton, animation source and per-model gear offsets.
+4. **MakeHuman is deferred to a separate local development pipeline.** Its CC0
+   base mesh can be decimated into budget, but it needs retopology, a custom rig
+   and project-owned clothing before it is usable. It must not become a CI or
+   build dependency.
+5. **Commit research previews with attribution.** CC-BY preview images are
+   development-only and are not bundled with the game or its release packages.
+
+## Consequences
+
+### Positive
+
+- The shipped library keeps one art direction, one skeleton and one audit gate.
+- Crowd variety lands without a new runtime dependency or a second animation
+  system.
+- The licence position is simple: project-owned assets plus explicit CC-BY
+  attribution where a preview or future asset requires it.
+- The Quaternius evaluation removes a tempting but high-risk retarget from the
+  critical path.
+
+### Negative
+
+- Procedural variation is still limited by the existing face and clothing
+  vocabulary; four variants do not provide full age/body diversity.
+- Quaternius' animation set remains unused unless a second rig path is approved.
+- MakeHuman body-shape diversity is postponed.
+- External previews add a small documentation footprint that must stay out of
+  release packages.
+
+## Alternatives considered
+
+- **Retarget Quaternius onto the `npc_base` contract.** Rejected for now:
+  welding brings the geometry inside budget, but the rest pose and body
+  proportions differ enough that a contract rebuild would either distort the
+  model or require a full proportion warp.
+- **Use Quaternius' own rig and animations directly.** Deferred: attractive
+  animation quality, but it adds a second skeleton/animation path and per-model
+  gear offsets to `NpcAvatar`.
+- **Use MakeHuman as the primary body source.** Rejected for this milestone: high
+  polygon count, no rig in the base mesh and a separate authoring dependency.
+- **Use Mixamo or Ready Player Me.** Rejected: service terms are not a simple
+  free/open-source redistribution basis for shipped meshes.

docs/adr/README.md

@@ -18,3 +18,4 @@ Each ADR records the context, decision, consequences and alternatives for a dura
 - [0012-surface-materials-and-generated-props](0012-surface-materials-and-generated-props.md)
 - [0013-blender-authored-npc-characters](0013-blender-authored-npc-characters.md)
 - [0014-runtime-image-root](0014-runtime-image-root.md)
+- [0015-npc-model-variety-sourcing](0015-npc-model-variety-sourcing.md)

docs/asset-tooling.md

@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ Contract and integration notes: [`blender-assets.md`](blender-assets.md).
 
 Sourcing and expansion research (no external model is shipped yet):
 [`npc-model-sourcing.md`](npc-model-sourcing.md) compares Quaternius, Kenney, Khronos and
-MakeHuman sources against the character contract and records the pending 0.11.0 decision.
+MakeHuman sources against the character contract and records the 2026-11-03 direction
+(procedural generator first, Quaternius reference, MakeHuman deferred).
 
 | Characters | Props |
 | --- | --- |

docs/blender_previews/README.md

@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ Committed contact sheets and local Blender renders for the character, gear and p
 | <img src="security_podium.png" width="280" alt="security_podium.png"> | [`security_podium.png`](security_podium.png) |
 | <img src="sedan.png" width="280" alt="sedan.png"> | [`sedan.png`](sedan.png) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc.jpg`](sheet_npc.jpg) |
+| <img src="sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg`](sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg) |
+| <img src="sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg`](sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_baseline.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg) |

docs/npc-model-sourcing.md

@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 # NPC model sourcing and expansion plan
 
-Status: **research complete, direction not chosen (2026-11-03).** No downloaded
-model is committed to the game or included in a release. The local evaluation
-files live under `tmp/npc-research/` (gitignored).
+Status: **direction chosen 2026-11-03.** The procedural generator is the primary
+path, the Quaternius CC0 pack is a reviewed reference/prototype, and MakeHuman is
+deferred to a separate local development pipeline. No downloaded source model is
+committed to the game or included in a release; the committed research preview
+sheets carry the required attribution. Local evaluation files live under
+`tmp/npc-research/` (gitignored). The decision is recorded in
+[ADR-0015](adr/0015-npc-model-variety-sourcing.md).
 
 This page records the free/open-source character sources that were reviewed, how
 they behave when imported into the existing Blender tooling, and the options for
@@ -123,21 +127,80 @@ This is the strongest answer to "everyone has the same body", but requires an
 offline authoring step, decimation/retopology and a custom rig/weight step. It
 should be treated as a later pipeline project, not a quick content drop.
 
-## Recommended direction
+## Decision and prototype outcome
 
-1. **Do not add raw external models.** Keep the current library and contract
-   unchanged until a human has reviewed this page.
-2. **Prototype Option B once** (one Quaternius character) behind a new intake
-   command. If the walk pose, face style and gear fit pass, use it for a small
-   set of silhouette donors and keep the project's faces/hands where possible.
-3. **Fall back to Option A** for the remaining variants. Procedural variation
-   (age, build, hair, outfit colour/layers, accessory mix) is cheaper and keeps
-   the library coherent.
-4. **Defer Option C** until the release candidate is out and there is a concrete
-   need for body-shape diversity that A/B cannot meet.
+The project owner reviewed this page on 2026-11-03. The decision is:
 
-This is a proposal, not a decision. The review questions are at the end of the
-page.
+1. **CC0 is acceptable** for shipped character assets. CC-BY is acceptable only
+   with attribution in `CREDITS.md`; service assets whose terms restrict
+   redistribution remain excluded.
+2. **Extend the procedural generator** as the primary path, starting with
+   crowd-variety looks.
+3. **Prototype Quaternius** as a secondary source. It is not approved for
+   shipping yet; the contract-retarget result below is a no-go for the current
+   skeleton.
+4. **Use crowd variety** as the first visual goal, not role-specific costumes.
+5. **Evaluate MakeHuman for a later, separate local development pipeline.** It
+   is not part of the normal build, CI or release flow.
+6. **Commit the research previews with attribution.** The CC-BY entries are
+   listed in `CREDITS.md` and remain development-only.
+
+### Quaternius prototype
+
+The prototype used `Casual_Hoodie.glb`:
+
+- **Geometry budget is not the blocker.** Imported: 12,518 vertices / 6,206
+  triangles. After welding seam splits: 3,199 vertices / 6,206 triangles. After
+  a 0.75 decimate: 2,423 vertices / 4,654 triangles, comfortably inside the
+  library budget.
+- **Animation quality is attractive.** The imported Idle and Walk clips read
+  well at game distance, and the model brings 24 animations.
+- **The contract rest pose is the blocker.** The source is a T-pose 62-bone rig
+  with realistic proportions: upper leg starts near 0.96 m, arm span is about
+  1.68 m, and the shoulder joint sits near x = 0.153 m. The project contract is
+  an arm-down 13-bone rig with a hip near 0.62 m, a shoulder near x = 0.27 m and
+  a hand near z = 0.78 m. Rebuilding the contract armature around this mesh would
+  either distort the body substantially or require a full proportion warp.
+- **Decision:** do not retarget Quaternius to the contract now. Keep it as a
+  silhouette/style reference and, if a second rig path is ever wanted, prototype
+  it as its own animation path (its own skeleton, AnimationPlayer clips and
+  per-model gear offsets) rather than forcing it into `npc_base`. That is a
+  separate architecture decision, not an asset conversion.
+
+Preview: [`blender_previews/sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_sources_research.jpg).
+
+### Generator crowd prototype
+
+Four proposed crowd specs were built with the existing generator in a temporary
+output directory. All four audit clean and stay inside the character budget:
+
+| Prototype | Look | Tris / verts | Gear |
+| --- | --- | --- | --- |
+| `npc_crowd_a` | slim, bun, sunglasses | 4,644 / 4,356 | sunglasses |
+| `npc_crowd_b` | broad, bald, beard | 4,550 / 4,453 | shoulder bag |
+| `npc_crowd_c` | average, short hair, long coat | 5,118 / 5,086 | umbrella |
+| `npc_crowd_d` | slim, short hair, hood up | 5,258 / 4,907 | cup |
+
+They vary build, head silhouette, hair/beard and outer layer while keeping the
+existing face language. They are **not in the shipped catalogue**; production
+integration belongs to milestone 0.11.4 after the 0.10.0 release candidate.
+
+Preview: [`blender_previews/sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_crowd_prototypes.jpg).
+
+### MakeHuman local-pipeline evaluation
+
+The CC0 base mesh is 19,158 vertices / 18,486 polygons (36,972 triangles after
+triangulation), with 21,334 UV coordinates but no normals, material groups or
+rig. Scaling it to 1.82 m and decimating to 0.35 produced 3,780 vertices / 6,468
+triangles, which fits the geometry budget but is a collapse-decimation result,
+not production topology.
+
+MakeHuman is therefore **feasible only as a separate local body-shape pipeline**:
+generate a small set of bodies locally with MPFB/MakeHuman, export the CC0
+meshes, decimate or retopologise them, build the contract rig and add
+project-owned heads, hands, clothing and gear. It must not become a CI or build
+dependency, and only the final CC0-derived assets with recorded provenance may be
+committed. This is deferred; it is not part of the 0.11.0 crowd-variety work.
 
 ## Provisional NPC roster
 
@@ -147,37 +210,30 @@ across age, build and style, not costumes that telegraph the outcome.
 
 | Look family | Current | Proposed additions | Variation axes |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
-| Everyday | `npc_casual`, `npc_jacket`, `npc_coat`, `npc_hoodie`, `npc_dress` | older casual, denim jacket, short coat, open hoodie, second dress | age, build, height, hair, facial hair, outfit colour |
-| Workwear | `npc_vest`, `npc_guard` | second hi-vis build, venue-security build, cleaner/vendor apron | build, height, headwear, badge/radio gear |
-| Responder | `npc_firefighter` | paramedic/medical responder (only if the design supports it) | turnout vs medical kit, build, helmet |
-| Crowd/LOD | none | Kenney blocky or a decimated library variant for distant crowds | silhouette and palette only |
+| Everyday | `npc_casual`, `npc_jacket`, `npc_coat`, `npc_hoodie`, `npc_dress` | `npc_crowd_a` (bun/slim), `npc_crowd_b` (bald/broad), `npc_crowd_c` (coat/umbrella), `npc_crowd_d` (hood/cup) | build, height, hair, facial hair, outer layer, accessory |
+| Workwear | `npc_vest`, `npc_guard` | later: second hi-vis build, venue-security build | build, height, headwear, badge/radio gear |
+| Responder | `npc_firefighter` | later: paramedic/medical responder only if the design supports it | turnout vs medical kit, build, helmet |
+| Crowd/LOD | none | optional Kenney blocky or a decimated library variant for distant crowds | silhouette and palette only |
 
-A first target is **12 library characters** (the current eight plus four new
-looks), not twenty. That is enough to break the clone effect without doubling
-the portrait QA matrix. The existing `character_model_for()` mapping becomes a
-pool per role family with a deterministic seed choice; the current two-way
-alternation for guests, trespassers and threats is the template.
+A first target is **12 library characters** (the current eight plus the four
+crowd prototypes), not twenty. That is enough to break the clone effect without
+doubling the portrait QA matrix. `character_model_for()` becomes a pool per role
+family with a deterministic seed choice; the current two-way alternation for
+guests, trespassers and threats is the template.
 
 ## Implementation plan
 
 The actionable tasks live in `TODO.md` under milestone 0.11.0. The workstreams
 are:
 
-1. **Decision and licence gate.** Review this page, choose A/B/C, record the
-   decision in an ADR, and add a source allow-list (CC0 preferred; CC-BY only
-   with attribution in `CREDITS.md`; no service assets whose terms restrict
-   redistribution).
-2. **Intake/validator.** Add an `inspect` report and an `adapt` path. The
-   validator should check bones, rest positions, node name, slots, budgets,
-   ground/height, UVs and skinning before and after adaptation. Keep the
-   existing `audit` as the final gate rather than creating a second contract.
-3. **One-character prototype.** Adapt a single Quaternius CC0 variant; capture
-   front/three-quarter/profile/full-body/crowd views and a walk cycle; compare
-   against `npc_casual` and `sheet_npc_baseline.jpg`. Stop if the retarget does
-   not pass.
-4. **Roster build.** Add four approved variants, update the manifest, and extend
-   the runtime selection pools. Rebuild gear fit and check each new variant with
-   the existing acceptance criteria.
+1. **Decision and licence gate.** Complete: ADR-0015, the CC0/CC-BY rule and the
+   committed preview sheets.
+2. **Generator crowd variants.** Complete as a prototype (four specs, clean
+   audit, review sheet). Production integration is pending the 0.10.0 release.
+3. **Quaternius intake.** The contract-retarget prototype is a no-go. Keep the
+   source as a reference; a second-rig/animation path would need its own ADR.
+4. **Roster build and runtime.** Add the four approved specs to `CHARACTERS`,
+   build and commit their GLBs, update the manifest, and extend the role pools.
 5. **QA and integration.** Run the 24-NPC budget, portrait baseline, gear fit,
    headless suite and release build. Record provenance and any accepted limits.
    Only then update `CHANGELOG.md` and `docs/development-status.md`.
@@ -196,33 +252,29 @@ are:
 - Map materials by semantic role, not by source name. A source "Purple" or
   "Worker_Vest" needs an explicit mapping to `cloth`, `pants`, `skin`, `hair` or
   `accessory`; do not rely on colour heuristics.
-- Rebuild the armature at the contract rest positions and transfer weights, or
-  prove that a renamed external rig produces the same rest and pose behaviour.
-  Do not add a second skeleton format to `NpcAvatar`.
 - Keep the face direction unambiguous. The front is Blender −Y; verify it with
   a capture, not by guessing from the source file.
+- For any future external-rig path, do not silently add a second skeleton format
+  to `NpcAvatar`. Record the per-model skeleton, animation source and gear
+  offsets as an explicit contract.
 
-## Review questions
+## Review outcome
 
-The project owner should answer these before the 0.11.0 work starts:
+The project owner answered the review questions on 2026-11-03:
 
-1. Are third-party CC0 characters acceptable in shipped game assets, or should
-   the library stay entirely project-owned?
-2. If yes, is the Quaternius CC0 pack acceptable as a silhouette/outfit donor
-   with a rebuilt project-style head and hands?
-3. Which four role families would benefit most from a new look: everyday
-   guests, workwear, responders, or crowd variety?
-4. Is the MakeHuman/MPFB body-shape pipeline worth a later investment, or is
-   procedural variation enough?
-5. Should the preview sheet be committed as a review artefact (with attribution
-   for the CC-BY entries), or stay local under `tmp/`?
-
-Until those answers exist, the safe default is **Option A: extend the owned
-procedural generator and keep external models as references only.**
+| Question | Answer |
+| --- | --- |
+| Are third-party CC0 characters acceptable? | Yes. |
+| Which direction? | Prototype Quaternius and extend the procedural generator. |
+| Which looks first? | Crowd variety. |
+| Should MakeHuman be pursued? | Evaluate it for a later, separate local development pipeline. |
+| Commit the previews? | Yes, with CC-BY attribution. |
 
 ## Downloaded example provenance
 
-Files were downloaded on 2026-11-03 and kept out of version control:
+Source models were downloaded on 2026-11-03 and kept out of version control. The two
+research preview sheets are committed under `docs/blender_previews/`; the CC-BY
+attribution is recorded in `CREDITS.md`.
 
 | File | Source | SHA-256 |
 | --- | --- | --- |