NEO-100: Add encounter and reward-table catalogs with CI validation

Ship frozen prototype_combat_pocket spine (schemas, JSON catalogs, validate_content
gates) and update E5.M3, CT.M1, and alignment docs for E5M3-01 completion.

content/encounters/prototype_encounters.json

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "encounters": [
+    {
+      "id": "prototype_combat_pocket",
+      "displayName": "Prototype Combat Pocket",
+      "completionCriteria": { "kind": "defeat_all_targets" },
+      "requiredNpcInstanceIds": [
+        "prototype_npc_melee",
+        "prototype_npc_ranged",
+        "prototype_npc_elite"
+      ],
+      "rewardTableId": "prototype_combat_pocket_clear"
+    }
+  ]
+}

content/reward-tables/prototype_reward_tables.json

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "rewardTables": [
+    {
+      "id": "prototype_combat_pocket_clear",
+      "displayName": "Prototype Combat Pocket Clear",
+      "fixedGrants": [
+        { "itemId": "scrap_metal_bulk", "quantity": 10 },
+        { "itemId": "contract_handoff_token", "quantity": 1 }
+      ]
+    }
+  ]
+}

content/schemas/encounter-def.schema.json

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$id": "https://neon-sprawl.local/schemas/encounter-def.json",
+  "title": "EncounterDef",
+  "description": "Single encounter template row for catalogs (e.g. content/encounters/*_encounters.json). IDs are stable forever—rename display in displayName only. See docs/decomposition/modules/E5_M3_EncounterAndRewardTables.md.",
+  "type": "object",
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "required": [
+    "id",
+    "displayName",
+    "completionCriteria",
+    "requiredNpcInstanceIds",
+    "rewardTableId"
+  ],
+  "properties": {
+    "id": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "pattern": "^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$",
+      "description": "Immutable encounter key for progress tracking and completion events."
+    },
+    "displayName": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "description": "Player-facing label; safe to change without migrating character data."
+    },
+    "completionCriteria": {
+      "type": "object",
+      "additionalProperties": false,
+      "required": ["kind"],
+      "properties": {
+        "kind": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "description": "Prototype Slice 3: defeat all listed NPC instances.",
+          "enum": ["defeat_all_targets"]
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "requiredNpcInstanceIds": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "minItems": 3,
+      "maxItems": 3,
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string",
+        "pattern": "^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$"
+      },
+      "description": "NPC instance ids from server PrototypeNpcRegistry (CI cross-ref set gate)."
+    },
+    "rewardTableId": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "pattern": "^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$",
+      "description": "RewardTable id granted once on encounter complete."
+    }
+  }
+}

content/schemas/reward-grant-row.schema.json

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$id": "https://neon-sprawl.local/schemas/reward-grant-row.json",
+  "title": "RewardGrantRow",
+  "description": "Single fixed-grant row on a RewardTable (content/reward-tables/*_reward_tables.json).",
+  "type": "object",
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "required": ["itemId", "quantity"],
+  "properties": {
+    "itemId": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "pattern": "^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$",
+      "description": "Item def id from content/items (prototype Slice 1: frozen six-item catalog)."
+    },
+    "quantity": {
+      "type": "integer",
+      "minimum": 1,
+      "description": "Units granted on encounter complete."
+    }
+  }
+}

content/schemas/reward-table.schema.json

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
+  "$id": "https://neon-sprawl.local/schemas/reward-table.json",
+  "title": "RewardTable",
+  "description": "Single reward table row for catalogs (e.g. content/reward-tables/*_reward_tables.json). IDs are stable forever—rename display in displayName only. See docs/decomposition/modules/E5_M3_EncounterAndRewardTables.md.",
+  "type": "object",
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "required": ["id", "displayName", "fixedGrants"],
+  "properties": {
+    "id": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "pattern": "^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$",
+      "description": "Immutable reward table key for encounter binding and loot routing."
+    },
+    "displayName": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "minLength": 1,
+      "description": "Player-facing label; safe to change without migrating character data."
+    },
+    "fixedGrants": {
+      "type": "array",
+      "minItems": 1,
+      "items": {
+        "$ref": "https://neon-sprawl.local/schemas/reward-grant-row.json"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}

docs/decomposition/modules/CT_M1_ContentValidationPipeline.md

@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ Content tooling **Slice 1** — schemas + CI; **Slice 4** — server parity hard
 
 **NPC behavior catalogs ([NEO-87](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-87)):** the same script validates each row in `content/npc-behaviors/*_npc_behaviors.json` against [`content/schemas/npc-behavior-def.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/npc-behavior-def.schema.json), rejects **duplicate `id`** across files, requires **`leashRadius` > `aggroRadius`** per row, and (E5 Slice 2) enforces the **frozen three-behavior** id set (`prototype_melee_pressure`, `prototype_ranged_control`, `prototype_elite_mini_boss`).
 
+**Reward table catalogs ([NEO-100](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-100)):** the same script validates each row in `content/reward-tables/*_reward_tables.json` against [`content/schemas/reward-table.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/reward-table.schema.json) (grant rows via [`reward-grant-row.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/reward-grant-row.schema.json)), rejects **duplicate `id`** across files, cross-checks every **`fixedGrants[].itemId`** against item catalogs, and (E5 Slice 3) enforces the **frozen one-table** id set (`prototype_combat_pocket_clear`) with fixed grant quantities.
+
+**Encounter catalogs ([NEO-100](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-100)):** the same script validates each row in `content/encounters/*_encounters.json` against [`content/schemas/encounter-def.schema.json`](../../../content/schemas/encounter-def.schema.json), rejects **duplicate `id`** across files, cross-checks **`rewardTableId`** against reward table catalogs, and (E5 Slice 3) enforces the **frozen one-encounter** id set (`prototype_combat_pocket`) with **`requiredNpcInstanceIds`** matching the three E5.M2 NPC instance ids.
+
 **Decomposition vocabulary:** the same workflow runs [`scripts/check_decomposition_language.py`](../../../scripts/check_decomposition_language.py) (stdlib only) over `docs/decomposition/**/*.md` to catch wording that treats **combat** as a leveled **`SkillDef`** line instead of **gig** progression (see script docstring for patterns). Adjust the script if a future doc needs a documented exception.
 
 ## Source anchors

docs/decomposition/modules/E5_M3_EncounterAndRewardTables.md

@@ -74,6 +74,8 @@ The **first shipped encounter + reward spine** is **frozen** for prototype tunin
 |------------------|---------------|
 | **`prototype_combat_pocket_clear`** | **`scrap_metal_bulk` ×10**, **`contract_handoff_token` ×1** |
 
+**CI enforcement (NEO-100):** `scripts/validate_content.py` requires **exactly** encounter id **`prototype_combat_pocket`** and reward table id **`prototype_combat_pocket_clear`**; **`requiredNpcInstanceIds`** set must match server **`PrototypeNpcRegistry`** (`prototype_npc_melee`, `prototype_npc_ranged`, `prototype_npc_elite`); **`fixedGrants`** item ids from frozen item catalog with quantities **`scrap_metal_bulk` ×10**, **`contract_handoff_token` ×1**; encounter **`rewardTableId`** cross-ref. Keep **`PROTOTYPE_E5M3_*`** and **`PROTOTYPE_E5M2_NPC_INSTANCE_IDS`** in sync with this table and [NEO-101](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-101) server loader. Plan: [NEO-100 implementation plan](../../plans/NEO-100-implementation-plan.md).
+
 **Payout policy:** Per-defeat **gig XP** stays on [NEO-44](../../plans/NEO-44-implementation-plan.md). Encounter complete grants **loot + quest token** **once** per player per encounter id. Full **E7.M2** quest credit routing consumes **`EncounterCompleteEvent`** (E5M3-09 hook stub).
 
 ## Source anchors

docs/plans/E5M3-prototype-backlog.md

@@ -92,9 +92,11 @@ Working backlog for **Epic 5 — Slice 3** ([Epic 5 · Slice 3 — encounters an
 
 **Acceptance criteria**
 
-- [ ] PR gate validates encounter + reward-table JSON against schema.
+- [x] PR gate validates encounter + reward-table JSON against schema.
-- [ ] Exactly one prototype encounter id and one reward table id; duplicate `id` fails CI.
+- [x] Exactly one prototype encounter id and one reward table id; duplicate `id` fails CI.
-- [ ] Stable id list documented in module doc freeze box.
+- [x] Stable id list documented in module doc freeze box.
+
+**Landed ([NEO-100](https://linear.app/neon-sprawl/issue/NEO-100)):** encounter + reward-table schemas, `prototype_encounters.json`, `prototype_reward_tables.json`, CI gates in `validate_content.py`; plan [NEO-100-implementation-plan.md](NEO-100-implementation-plan.md).
 
 ---
 

docs/plans/NEO-100-implementation-plan.md

@@ -42,9 +42,16 @@
 
 ## Acceptance criteria checklist
 
-- [ ] PR gate validates encounter + reward-table JSON against schema.
+- [x] PR gate validates encounter + reward-table JSON against schema.
-- [ ] Exactly one prototype encounter id and one reward table id; duplicate `id` fails CI.
+- [x] Exactly one prototype encounter id and one reward table id; duplicate `id` fails CI.
-- [ ] Stable id list documented in module doc freeze box.
+- [x] Stable id list documented in module doc freeze box.
+
+## Implementation reconciliation (shipped)
+
+- **Schemas:** [`encounter-def.schema.json`](../../content/schemas/encounter-def.schema.json), [`reward-table.schema.json`](../../content/schemas/reward-table.schema.json), [`reward-grant-row.schema.json`](../../content/schemas/reward-grant-row.schema.json).
+- **Catalogs:** [`prototype_encounters.json`](../../content/encounters/prototype_encounters.json), [`prototype_reward_tables.json`](../../content/reward-tables/prototype_reward_tables.json).
+- **CI:** `PROTOTYPE_E5M3_ENCOUNTER_IDS`, `PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_TABLE_IDS`, `PROTOTYPE_E5M2_NPC_INSTANCE_IDS`, `PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_GRANTS` gates in [`validate_content.py`](../../scripts/validate_content.py).
+- **Docs:** E5.M3 CI enforcement line, CT.M1, alignment register, E5M3-01 backlog checkboxes.
 
 ## Technical approach
 

scripts/validate_content.py

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ Validates:
 - recipe catalogs: content/recipes/*_recipes.json rows vs content/schemas/recipe-def.schema.json (NEO-65)
 - ability catalogs: content/abilities/*_abilities.json rows vs content/schemas/ability-def.schema.json (NEO-76)
 - npc behavior catalogs: content/npc-behaviors/*_npc_behaviors.json rows vs content/schemas/npc-behavior-def.schema.json (NEO-87)
+- reward table catalogs: content/reward-tables/*_reward_tables.json rows vs content/schemas/reward-table.schema.json (NEO-100)
+- encounter catalogs: content/encounters/*_encounters.json rows vs content/schemas/encounter-def.schema.json (NEO-100)
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -34,6 +36,9 @@ RECIPE_IO_ROW_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/recipe-io-row.schema.json"
 RECIPE_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/recipe-def.schema.json"
 ABILITY_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/ability-def.schema.json"
 NPC_BEHAVIOR_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/npc-behavior-def.schema.json"
+REWARD_GRANT_ROW_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/reward-grant-row.schema.json"
+REWARD_TABLE_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/reward-table.schema.json"
+ENCOUNTER_DEF_SCHEMA = REPO_ROOT / "content/schemas/encounter-def.schema.json"
 SKILLS_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/skills"
 MASTERY_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/mastery"
 ITEMS_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/items"
@@ -41,6 +46,8 @@ RESOURCE_NODES_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/resource-nodes"
 RECIPES_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/recipes"
 ABILITIES_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/abilities"
 NPC_BEHAVIORS_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/npc-behaviors"
+REWARD_TABLES_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/reward-tables"
+ENCOUNTERS_DIR = REPO_ROOT / "content/encounters"
 
 # Slice 1 prototype lock (NEO-33): exact ids + category coverage after schema passes.
 PROTOTYPE_SLICE1_SKILL_IDS = frozenset({"salvage", "refine", "intrusion"})
@@ -126,6 +133,25 @@ PROTOTYPE_E5M2_NPC_BEHAVIOR_IDS = frozenset(
     }
 )
 
+# Epic 5 Slice 2 NPC instance ids (server PrototypeNpcRegistry); CI cross-ref only (NEO-100).
+PROTOTYPE_E5M2_NPC_INSTANCE_IDS = frozenset(
+    {
+        "prototype_npc_melee",
+        "prototype_npc_ranged",
+        "prototype_npc_elite",
+    }
+)
+
+# Epic 5 Slice 3 prototype lock (NEO-100): exact encounter + reward table ids after schema passes.
+PROTOTYPE_E5M3_ENCOUNTER_IDS = frozenset({"prototype_combat_pocket"})
+PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_TABLE_IDS = frozenset({"prototype_combat_pocket_clear"})
+
+# Frozen fixed grants for prototype_combat_pocket_clear (keep in sync with E5.M3 freeze table).
+PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_GRANTS: dict[str, int] = {
+    "scrap_metal_bulk": 10,
+    "contract_handoff_token": 1,
+}
+
 
 def _prototype_slice1_gate(seen_ids: dict[str, str], id_to_category: dict[str, str]) -> str | None:
     """Return a human-readable error if Slice 1 contract fails, else None."""
@@ -592,6 +618,200 @@ def _prototype_e5m2_npc_behavior_attack_ability_gate(
     return None
 
 
+def _reward_table_def_validator() -> Draft202012Validator:
+    """Build a validator that resolves reward-table $ref to reward-grant-row schema."""
+    grant_schema = json.loads(REWARD_GRANT_ROW_SCHEMA.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    table_schema = json.loads(REWARD_TABLE_SCHEMA.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    registry = Registry().with_resources(
+        [
+            (table_schema["$id"], Resource.from_contents(table_schema)),
+            (grant_schema["$id"], Resource.from_contents(grant_schema)),
+        ]
+    )
+    return Draft202012Validator(table_schema, registry=registry)
+
+
+def _validate_reward_table_catalogs(
+    *,
+    reward_table_files: list[Path],
+    reward_table_validator: Draft202012Validator,
+    known_item_ids: frozenset[str],
+) -> tuple[int, dict[str, str], dict[str, dict]]:
+    """Validate reward table JSON files. Returns (error_count, seen_ids, id_to_row)."""
+    errors = 0
+    seen_ids: dict[str, str] = {}
+    id_to_row: dict[str, dict] = {}
+
+    for path in reward_table_files:
+        rel = str(path.relative_to(REPO_ROOT))
+        data = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+        schema_version = data.get("schemaVersion")
+        if schema_version != 1:
+            print(f"error: {rel}: expected schemaVersion 1, got {schema_version!r}", file=sys.stderr)
+            errors += 1
+            continue
+
+        reward_tables = data.get("rewardTables")
+        if not isinstance(reward_tables, list):
+            print(f"error: {rel}: expected top-level 'rewardTables' array", file=sys.stderr)
+            errors += 1
+            continue
+
+        for i, row in enumerate(reward_tables):
+            if not isinstance(row, dict):
+                print(f"error: {rel}: rewardTables[{i}] must be an object", file=sys.stderr)
+                errors += 1
+                continue
+            row_schema_errors = 0
+            for err in sorted(reward_table_validator.iter_errors(row), key=lambda e: e.path):
+                loc = ".".join(str(p) for p in err.path) or "(root)"
+                print(f"error: {rel} rewardTables[{i}] {loc}: {err.message}", file=sys.stderr)
+                row_schema_errors += 1
+                errors += 1
+            rid = row.get("id")
+            if isinstance(rid, str) and row_schema_errors == 0:
+                prev = seen_ids.get(rid)
+                if prev:
+                    print(f"error: duplicate reward table id {rid!r} in {prev} and {rel}", file=sys.stderr)
+                    errors += 1
+                else:
+                    seen_ids[rid] = rel
+                    id_to_row[rid] = row
+                fixed_grants = row.get("fixedGrants")
+                if isinstance(fixed_grants, list) and row_schema_errors == 0:
+                    for j, grant in enumerate(fixed_grants):
+                        if not isinstance(grant, dict):
+                            continue
+                        item_id = grant.get("itemId")
+                        if isinstance(item_id, str) and item_id not in known_item_ids:
+                            print(
+                                f"error: {rel} rewardTables[{i}].fixedGrants[{j}]: itemId {item_id!r} "
+                                "is not in item catalogs",
+                                file=sys.stderr,
+                            )
+                            errors += 1
+
+    return errors, seen_ids, id_to_row
+
+
+def _prototype_e5m3_reward_table_gate(seen_ids: dict[str, str]) -> str | None:
+    """Return a human-readable error if E5M3 reward table contract fails, else None."""
+    ids = frozenset(seen_ids.keys())
+    if ids != PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_TABLE_IDS:
+        return (
+            "error: prototype E5M3 expects exactly reward table ids "
+            f"{sorted(PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_TABLE_IDS)!r}, got {sorted(ids)!r}"
+        )
+    return None
+
+
+def _prototype_e5m3_reward_grant_content_gate(id_to_row: dict[str, dict]) -> str | None:
+    """Return a human-readable error if frozen grant quantities fail, else None."""
+    row = id_to_row.get("prototype_combat_pocket_clear")
+    if row is None:
+        return None
+    fixed_grants = row.get("fixedGrants")
+    if not isinstance(fixed_grants, list):
+        return None
+    grants: dict[str, int] = {}
+    for grant in fixed_grants:
+        if not isinstance(grant, dict):
+            continue
+        item_id = grant.get("itemId")
+        quantity = grant.get("quantity")
+        if isinstance(item_id, str) and isinstance(quantity, int):
+            grants[item_id] = quantity
+    if grants != PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_GRANTS:
+        return (
+            "error: prototype_combat_pocket_clear fixedGrants must match "
+            f"{PROTOTYPE_E5M3_REWARD_GRANTS!r}, got {grants!r}"
+        )
+    return None
+
+
+def _validate_encounter_catalogs(
+    *,
+    encounter_files: list[Path],
+    encounter_validator: Draft202012Validator,
+    known_reward_table_ids: frozenset[str],
+) -> tuple[int, dict[str, str], dict[str, dict]]:
+    """Validate encounter JSON files. Returns (error_count, seen_ids, id_to_row)."""
+    errors = 0
+    seen_ids: dict[str, str] = {}
+    id_to_row: dict[str, dict] = {}
+
+    for path in encounter_files:
+        rel = str(path.relative_to(REPO_ROOT))
+        data = json.loads(path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+        schema_version = data.get("schemaVersion")
+        if schema_version != 1:
+            print(f"error: {rel}: expected schemaVersion 1, got {schema_version!r}", file=sys.stderr)
+            errors += 1
+            continue
+
+        encounters = data.get("encounters")
+        if not isinstance(encounters, list):
+            print(f"error: {rel}: expected top-level 'encounters' array", file=sys.stderr)
+            errors += 1
+            continue
+
+        for i, row in enumerate(encounters):
+            if not isinstance(row, dict):
+                print(f"error: {rel}: encounters[{i}] must be an object", file=sys.stderr)
+                errors += 1
+                continue
+            row_schema_errors = 0
+            for err in sorted(encounter_validator.iter_errors(row), key=lambda e: e.path):
+                loc = ".".join(str(p) for p in err.path) or "(root)"
+                print(f"error: {rel} encounters[{i}] {loc}: {err.message}", file=sys.stderr)
+                row_schema_errors += 1
+                errors += 1
+            eid = row.get("id")
+            if isinstance(eid, str) and row_schema_errors == 0:
+                prev = seen_ids.get(eid)
+                if prev:
+                    print(f"error: duplicate encounter id {eid!r} in {prev} and {rel}", file=sys.stderr)
+                    errors += 1
+                else:
+                    seen_ids[eid] = rel
+                    id_to_row[eid] = row
+                reward_table_id = row.get("rewardTableId")
+                if isinstance(reward_table_id, str) and reward_table_id not in known_reward_table_ids:
+                    print(
+                        f"error: {rel} encounters[{i}]: rewardTableId {reward_table_id!r} "
+                        "is not in reward table catalogs",
+                        file=sys.stderr,
+                    )
+                    errors += 1
+
+    return errors, seen_ids, id_to_row
+
+
+def _prototype_e5m3_encounter_gate(seen_ids: dict[str, str]) -> str | None:
+    """Return a human-readable error if E5M3 encounter contract fails, else None."""
+    ids = frozenset(seen_ids.keys())
+    if ids != PROTOTYPE_E5M3_ENCOUNTER_IDS:
+        return (
+            "error: prototype E5M3 expects exactly encounter ids "
+            f"{sorted(PROTOTYPE_E5M3_ENCOUNTER_IDS)!r}, got {sorted(ids)!r}"
+        )
+    return None
+
+
+def _prototype_e5m3_encounter_cross_ref_gate(id_to_row: dict[str, dict]) -> str | None:
+    """Return a human-readable error if NPC instance or reward table cross-refs fail, else None."""
+    for eid, row in id_to_row.items():
+        npc_ids = row.get("requiredNpcInstanceIds")
+        if isinstance(npc_ids, list):
+            npc_set = frozenset(str(x) for x in npc_ids if isinstance(x, str))
+            if npc_set != PROTOTYPE_E5M2_NPC_INSTANCE_IDS:
+                return (
+                    f"error: encounter {eid!r}: requiredNpcInstanceIds must be exactly "
+                    f"{sorted(PROTOTYPE_E5M2_NPC_INSTANCE_IDS)!r}, got {sorted(npc_set)!r}"
+                )
+    return None
+
+
 def _prototype_slice4_gate(track_skill_ids: list[str]) -> str | None:
     """Return a human-readable error if Slice 4 contract fails, else None."""
     if len(track_skill_ids) != 1:
@@ -918,6 +1138,15 @@ def main() -> int:
     if not NPC_BEHAVIOR_SCHEMA.is_file():
         print(f"error: missing schema {NPC_BEHAVIOR_SCHEMA}", file=sys.stderr)
         return 1
+    if not REWARD_GRANT_ROW_SCHEMA.is_file():
+        print(f"error: missing schema {REWARD_GRANT_ROW_SCHEMA}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+    if not REWARD_TABLE_SCHEMA.is_file():
+        print(f"error: missing schema {REWARD_TABLE_SCHEMA}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+    if not ENCOUNTER_DEF_SCHEMA.is_file():
+        print(f"error: missing schema {ENCOUNTER_DEF_SCHEMA}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
 
     skill_schema = json.loads(SKILL_SCHEMA.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
     skill_validator = Draft202012Validator(skill_schema)
@@ -936,6 +1165,9 @@ def main() -> int:
     ability_validator = Draft202012Validator(ability_schema)
     npc_behavior_schema = json.loads(NPC_BEHAVIOR_SCHEMA.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
     npc_behavior_validator = Draft202012Validator(npc_behavior_schema)
+    reward_table_validator = _reward_table_def_validator()
+    encounter_schema = json.loads(ENCOUNTER_DEF_SCHEMA.read_text(encoding="utf-8"))
+    encounter_validator = Draft202012Validator(encounter_schema)
 
     if not SKILLS_DIR.is_dir():
         print(f"error: missing directory {SKILLS_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
@@ -1010,6 +1242,24 @@ def main() -> int:
         print(f"error: no *_npc_behaviors.json files under {NPC_BEHAVIORS_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
         return 1
 
+    if not REWARD_TABLES_DIR.is_dir():
+        print(f"error: missing directory {REWARD_TABLES_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    reward_table_files = sorted(REWARD_TABLES_DIR.glob("*_reward_tables.json"))
+    if not reward_table_files:
+        print(f"error: no *_reward_tables.json files under {REWARD_TABLES_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    if not ENCOUNTERS_DIR.is_dir():
+        print(f"error: missing directory {ENCOUNTERS_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    encounter_files = sorted(ENCOUNTERS_DIR.glob("*_encounters.json"))
+    if not encounter_files:
+        print(f"error: no *_encounters.json files under {ENCOUNTERS_DIR}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
     seen_ids: dict[str, str] = {}
     id_to_category: dict[str, str] = {}
     errors = 0
@@ -1237,6 +1487,44 @@ def main() -> int:
         print(e5m2_attack_ability_err, file=sys.stderr)
         return 1
 
+    reward_table_errors, reward_table_seen_ids, reward_table_id_to_row = _validate_reward_table_catalogs(
+        reward_table_files=reward_table_files,
+        reward_table_validator=reward_table_validator,
+        known_item_ids=frozenset(item_seen_ids.keys()),
+    )
+    if reward_table_errors:
+        print(f"content validation failed with {reward_table_errors} error(s)", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    e5m3_reward_table_err = _prototype_e5m3_reward_table_gate(reward_table_seen_ids)
+    if e5m3_reward_table_err:
+        print(e5m3_reward_table_err, file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    e5m3_reward_grant_err = _prototype_e5m3_reward_grant_content_gate(reward_table_id_to_row)
+    if e5m3_reward_grant_err:
+        print(e5m3_reward_grant_err, file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    encounter_errors, encounter_seen_ids, encounter_id_to_row = _validate_encounter_catalogs(
+        encounter_files=encounter_files,
+        encounter_validator=encounter_validator,
+        known_reward_table_ids=frozenset(reward_table_seen_ids.keys()),
+    )
+    if encounter_errors:
+        print(f"content validation failed with {encounter_errors} error(s)", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    e5m3_encounter_err = _prototype_e5m3_encounter_gate(encounter_seen_ids)
+    if e5m3_encounter_err:
+        print(e5m3_encounter_err, file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
+    e5m3_encounter_cross_ref_err = _prototype_e5m3_encounter_cross_ref_gate(encounter_id_to_row)
+    if e5m3_encounter_cross_ref_err:
+        print(e5m3_encounter_cross_ref_err, file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+
     print(
         "content OK: "
         f"{len(skill_files)} skill catalog file(s), "
@@ -1248,12 +1536,16 @@ def main() -> int:
         f"{len(recipe_files)} recipe catalog file(s), "
         f"{len(ability_files)} ability catalog file(s), "
         f"{len(npc_behavior_files)} npc behavior catalog file(s), "
+        f"{len(reward_table_files)} reward table catalog file(s), "
+        f"{len(encounter_files)} encounter catalog file(s), "
         f"{len(seen_ids)} unique skill id(s), "
         f"{len(item_seen_ids)} unique item id(s), "
         f"{len(node_seen_ids)} unique nodeDefId(s), "
         f"{len(recipe_seen_ids)} unique recipe id(s), "
         f"{len(ability_seen_ids)} unique ability id(s), "
         f"{len(npc_behavior_seen_ids)} unique npc behavior id(s), "
+        f"{len(reward_table_seen_ids)} unique reward table id(s), "
+        f"{len(encounter_seen_ids)} unique encounter id(s), "
         f"{len(track_skill_ids)} mastery track(s)"
     )
     return 0