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+---
+name: asset-gen
+description: >
+  Generate themed visual assets for the Lords of Ash CK3 total conversion mod
+  using the generate_image MCP tool (Nano Banana / Gemini 2.5 Flash Image).
+  Use when generating any mod art: trait icons, modifier icons, decision
+  illustrations, event backgrounds, loading screens, bookmark art, coat of arms
+  emblems, religion icons, building icons, MaA icons, lifestyle assets, scheme
+  icons, focus icons, activity assets, workshop thumbnail, or frontend art.
+  Also use when the user asks about visual identity, art direction, asset
+  pipeline, or DDS conversion. Triggers on: "generate icons", "make trait art",
+  "create loading screen", "asset pipeline", "convert to DDS", "art style",
+  "generate assets", "batch generate".
+---
+
+# Asset Generation — Lords of Ash
+
+Generate visually consistent, CK3-native art assets using the `generate_image`
+MCP tool.
+
+Asset descriptions, filenames, resolutions, and directory paths are documented
+in `docs/REQUIRED_ASSETS.md`. This skill provides the visual identity, prompt
+system, and workflow.
+
+## Prompt Assembly
+
+Every `generate_image` call uses three parts:
+
+```
+[STYLE PREFIX] + [CATEGORY TEMPLATE] + [ASSET DESCRIPTION from docs/REQUIRED_ASSETS.md]
+```
+
+Never call `generate_image` with just the asset description. Always prepend the
+style prefix and matching category template.
+
+- **Style prefix and color palette**: Read `references/style-guide.md`
+- **Category templates**: Read `references/category-templates.md` and match by
+  asset type (trait icon, modifier icon, decision illustration, etc.)
+- **Asset description**: Look up the specific asset in `docs/REQUIRED_ASSETS.md`
+
+## Aspect Ratio Mapping
+
+| Asset Type | Pixel Size | `aspect_ratio` |
+|------------|-----------|----------------|
+| All square icons | various | `1:1` |
+| Decision illustrations | 1100x440 | `5:2` (fallback: `16:9` + crop) |
+| Event backgrounds | 1592x848 | `16:9` |
+| Loading screens | 3840x2160 | `16:9` |
+| Bookmark art | 1920x1080 | `16:9` |
+| Frontend art | 3840x2160 | `16:9` |
+| Activity headers | 1100x440 | `5:2` (fallback: `16:9` + crop) |
+| Lifestyle strips | 480x160 | `3:1` (fallback: `16:9` + crop) |
+| Perk tree backgrounds | 348x812 | `9:16` + crop |
+| Lifestyle sidebars | 608x1552 | `9:16` + crop |
+
+If the tool doesn't support an exact ratio, generate at the nearest standard
+ratio and resize/crop with ImageMagick.
+
+## Single Asset Workflow
+
+1. Find the asset in `docs/REQUIRED_ASSETS.md` — note filename, resolution,
+   directory, DDS format, and description.
+2. Read `references/style-guide.md` for the style prefix.
+3. Read `references/category-templates.md` for the matching template.
+4. Assemble the full prompt and call `generate_image` with correct `aspect_ratio`.
+5. Save the PNG to `lords_of_ash/` at the correct `gfx/` path.
+6. Report what was generated.
+
+## Batch Workflow
+
+When generating multiple assets of the same type:
+
+1. Read the style prefix and category template once.
+2. Iterate through assets in `docs/REQUIRED_ASSETS.md` for that category.
+3. Use the same style prefix and template for every asset.
+4. Call `generate_image` in batches of **no more than 3 parallel calls** at a
+   time. Wait for each batch to complete before starting the next. This avoids
+   overwhelming the image generation API.
+5. Save PNGs to correct paths after each batch.
+6. Report summary: count generated, failures, paths written.
+
+## DDS Conversion
+
+CK3 requires DDS format. After generating PNGs, convert using the format
+mapping and commands in `references/dds-conversion.md`.
+
+All output paths are under `lords_of_ash/gfx/`. The full directory structure is
+documented at the end of `docs/REQUIRED_ASSETS.md`.
+
+## Critical Rules
+
+- Always prepend the style prefix — without it, images drift in style.
+- Icons need dark/near-black backgrounds — light backgrounds break CK3 UI.
+- Trait icons are 120x120, NOT 60x60. Modifier icons are 60x60.
+- Trait icons MUST be uncompressed ARGB in DDS, not DXT5.
+- CoA emblems MUST be uncompressed ARGB for the color mask system.
+- Modifier icons need mipmaps; trait icons do not.
+- Decision illustrations: weight composition right (left side has UI overlay).
+- Filenames are case-sensitive on Linux — match mod code exactly.
+- Append "absolutely no text, no letters, no words, no labels, no titles, no
+  captions, no watermarks" to icon prompts — the model tends to add text despite
+  weaker phrasing.
+- Never use circular medallion/coin framing for icons — the model defaults to
+  round compositions which leave white/light corners on a square canvas. Enforce
+  "flat square, dark background edge-to-edge" in the prompt.
+- Icons must be symbolic motifs only, not scenes or landscapes. If the model
+  generates an environment instead of an icon, the prompt needs stronger
+  "this is an icon, not a scene" language.
+- Enforce painterly style explicitly — the model sometimes drifts to vector/flat
+  graphic/mobile game art. Add "painterly style only — NOT vector art, NOT flat
+  graphic design, NOT mobile game art" when this happens.
+- For trait families that form a progression (e.g. weak/strong/savant), describe
+  the same base motif in each prompt and only vary the intensity/effects. Specify
+  orientation ("horizontal", "not tilted") to keep compositions consistent.
+- Allomantic energy uses cyan-blue, never green or purple.
+
+## Quality Checklist
+
+After generating, verify:
+- Colors match the palette (no oversaturated neons, no pastels)
+- Composition matches the category template
+- No unwanted text, labels, or signatures
+- Dark/near-black background for icons
+- Resolution correct (or needs crop/resize)
+- Visually distinguishable from similar assets in same category
+- Ash, mist, or metallic elements present where appropriate
diff --git a/.claude/skills/asset-gen/references/category-templates.md b/.claude/skills/asset-gen/references/category-templates.md
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+# Category Templates
+
+Insert between the Style Prefix and asset-specific description. Match by asset type.
+
+## Icons
+
+### Trait icons (120x120, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 trait icon: a single centered symbolic motif on a very dark, near-black background
+that fills the ENTIRE square canvas edge-to-edge. Do NOT use circular medallion, coin,
+or round frame compositions — the image must be a flat square with dark background
+reaching all four corners. No white, no light-colored backgrounds anywhere. This is an
+icon, not a scene — no landscapes, no environments, just the symbolic motif. Do NOT
+render as a 3D object, canvas, or painting on a wall — this IS the flat image. Clean bold
+silhouette that reads clearly at small sizes. No text, no letters, no words, no labels,
+no titles, no captions whatsoever. No border frame, no outer decoration. The symbol fills
+roughly 70% of the canvas. Subtle inner glow and metallic sheen on the motif. One clear
+visual concept — dramatic but simple.
+```
+
+### Modifier icons (60x60, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 modifier icon: a tiny, highly simplified symbol on a very dark background. Extremely
+clean and minimal — must be readable at 60x60 pixels. Maximum one or two visual elements.
+Bold shapes only, no fine detail. Strong color contrast against the dark background.
+```
+
+### Faith icons (100x100, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 faith icon: a single sacred or institutional symbol centered on a dark background.
+Clean iconographic style with metallic sheen. Slightly more ornate than trait icons but
+still readable at small sizes. Communicate the faith's identity in one glance.
+```
+
+### Building icons (60x60, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 building icon: a tiny simplified architectural silhouette on a dark background. One
+building shape with one or two distinguishing features. Must read at very small sizes.
+```
+
+### MaA / regiment icons (60x60, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 regiment icon: a tiny simplified warrior or creature silhouette on a dark background.
+Single figure shown from chest up or in action pose. Bold shapes, convey the unit type
+through silhouette alone.
+```
+
+### Focus icons (140x140, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 focus icon: a symbolic motif for an area of study or training. Dark background. More
+detailed than trait icons but still iconographic. Visually related to its parent lifestyle.
+```
+
+### Scheme icons (120x120, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 scheme icon: a symbolic motif suggesting covert or political action. Dark background.
+Suggests secrecy, manipulation, or hidden intent. Clear silhouette at small sizes.
+```
+
+### Casus belli icons (60x60, 1:1)
+```
+CK3 casus belli icon: a tiny bold symbol of conflict or claim on a dark background.
+Aggressive, assertive motif. Sword, fist, crown, or territorial symbol.
+```
+
+## Illustrations
+
+### Decision illustrations (1100x440, 5:2)
+```
+CK3 decision illustration: wide cinematic panoramic scene. Painterly with dramatic lighting.
+Composition weighted slightly right (left side gets UI overlay in-game). Atmospheric depth
+with mist, ash particles, and volumetric light. Characters at mid-distance. Dark vignetting.
+```
+
+### Event scene backgrounds (1592x848, 16:9)
+```
+CK3 event background: a wide atmospheric environment with no characters in the scene — this
+is a backdrop only. Rich environmental detail, strong mood lighting. Ash, mist, or
+candlelight depending on setting. A place where dramatic events unfold.
+```
+
+### Activity header backgrounds (1100x440, 5:2)
+```
+CK3 activity header: wide panoramic scene of the activity in progress. Painterly, dramatic
+lighting. Dynamic composition with multiple figures. Atmospheric environmental storytelling.
+```
+
+## Large Format
+
+### Loading screens (3840x2160, 16:9)
+```
+CK3 loading screen: an epic sweeping landscape or cityscape at maximum visual quality.
+Painterly, cinematic framing. Grand sense of scale — the viewer feels small. Rich
+atmospheric perspective with layers of mist and ash. The first art players see — make it
+striking and immediately communicate the world.
+```
+
+### Bookmark background (1920x1080, 16:9)
+```
+CK3 bookmark background: a dramatic wide scene establishing a moment in history. Painterly.
+Leave space in the lower-center and sides for character portrait overlays. Dark, moody,
+atmospheric establishing shot.
+```
+
+### Bookmark character overlay (1920x1080, 16:9)
+```
+CK3 bookmark character: a single character from the waist up on a dark/transparent background.
+Painterly, dramatic side-lighting. Clear readable features and distinctive clothing. Facing
+slightly toward camera. Edges fade to darkness for compositing over a background.
+```
+
+### Frontend background (3840x2160, 16:9)
+```
+CK3 main menu background: a grand, atmospheric Scadrial landscape at 4K. Painterly. The
+scene should work as a static backdrop behind menu UI elements. Dramatic but not too busy.
+```
+
+## Specialty
+
+### Coat of Arms emblems (128x128, 1:1)
+```
+Heraldic emblem: a single bold crest motif on a transparent background. Flat graphic style
+with clean edges — NOT painterly. Uses simple flat color fills. Bold silhouette, medieval
+heraldry adapted to a dark industrial-fantasy world of metals and ash. Think sigil, not
+painting.
+```
+
+### Lifestyle strips (480x160, 3:1)
+```
+CK3 lifestyle strip: a wide horizontal banner in three visual sections showing a triptych
+related to the lifestyle theme. Dark atmospheric background. Painterly with metallic accents.
+```
+
+### Perk tree backgrounds (348x812, 9:16 + crop)
+```
+CK3 perk tree background: a tall narrow vertical atmospheric illustration. Moody and ambient
+without strong focal points (UI overlays this). Gradual tonal shift from dark at top to
+slightly lighter at bottom. Subtle thematic elements — mist, metal, ash.
+```
+
+### Lifestyle sidebar illustrations (608x1552, 9:16 + crop)
+```
+CK3 lifestyle sidebar: a very tall vertical scene related to the lifestyle. Painterly.
+Strong vertical composition — the eye travels bottom to top. Main visual interest centered
+horizontally (this appears as a sidebar panel).
+```
+
+### Workshop thumbnail (512x512, 1:1)
+```
+Mod logo thumbnail: a striking square composition with the mod's key visual identity. Must
+read at small sizes (Steam Workshop browsing). Dark background with signature crimson and
+cyan accents. Central iconic motif — a Mistborn silhouette or metallic arts symbol.
+```
diff --git a/.claude/skills/asset-gen/references/dds-conversion.md b/.claude/skills/asset-gen/references/dds-conversion.md
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+# PNG to DDS Conversion
+
+The `generate_image` tool outputs PNG. CK3 requires DDS. Convert after generation.
+
+## DDS Format by Asset Type
+
+| Asset Type | DDS Format | Mipmaps |
+|------------|-----------|---------|
+| Trait icons (120x120) | B8G8R8A8_UNORM (uncompressed ARGB) | No |
+| Modifier icons (60x60) | B8G8R8A8_UNORM (uncompressed ARGB) | Yes (6 levels) |
+| Faith icons (100x100) | B8G8R8A8_UNORM | No |
+| CoA emblems (128x128) | B8G8R8A8_UNORM (Linear) | No |
+| Building icons (60x60) | B8G8R8A8_UNORM | No |
+| MaA icons (60x60) | B8G8R8A8_UNORM | No |
+| Decision illustrations | BC1_UNORM (DXT1) | No |
+| Event backgrounds | BC1_UNORM (DXT1) | No |
+| Loading screens | BC1_UNORM (DXT1) | No |
+| Bookmark backgrounds | BC1_UNORM (DXT1) | No |
+| Bookmark overlays | BC3_UNORM (DXT5) | No |
+| Tenet icons (260x400) | BC3_UNORM (DXT5) | No |
+| Portrait textures | BC3_UNORM (DXT5) | Yes |
+| Frontend art | BC1_UNORM (DXT1) | No |
+
+## Conversion with ImageMagick (Linux)
+
+ImageMagick 7 with the `dds` delegate can write DDS files:
+
+```bash
+# Uncompressed ARGB, no mipmaps (trait icons, faith icons, CoA emblems)
+magick input.png -define dds:compression=none -define dds:mipmaps=0 output.dds
+
+# DXT1 opaque, no mipmaps (decisions, events, loading screens)
+magick input.png -define dds:compression=dxt1 -define dds:mipmaps=0 output.dds
+
+# DXT5 with alpha, no mipmaps (bookmark overlays, tenet icons)
+magick input.png -define dds:compression=dxt5 -define dds:mipmaps=0 output.dds
+
+# Uncompressed ARGB with mipmaps (modifier icons)
+magick input.png -define dds:compression=none -define dds:mipmaps=6 output.dds
+```
+
+## Resize / Crop with ImageMagick
+
+```bash
+# Resize to exact pixel dimensions
+magick input.png -resize 120x120! output.png
+
+# Center-crop from a wider source
+magick input.png -gravity center -crop 1100x440+0+0 +repage output.png
+```
+
+## Common Pitfalls
+
+- Trait icons MUST be uncompressed ARGB, not DXT5 — wrong format = invisible in-game
+- CoA emblems MUST be uncompressed ARGB or the color mask tinting system breaks
+- Modifier icons need mipmaps; trait icons do not
+- Filenames are case-sensitive on Linux — match exactly what mod code references
+- Check `magick identify` output to verify format and dimensions after conversion
diff --git a/.claude/skills/asset-gen/references/style-guide.md b/.claude/skills/asset-gen/references/style-guide.md
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+# Style Guide — Lords of Ash Visual Identity
+
+## Style Prefix
+
+Prepend to **every** `generate_image` prompt:
+
+```
+Dark fantasy digital painting. Palette: deep charcoal blacks (#1a1a2e), muted ash greys,
+burnt orange embers (#c44b28), blood-red crimson skies (#6b0f1a), with electric cyan-blue
+(#00d4ff) magical energy accents. Metallic elements in cool steel-silver and warm aged-gold.
+Perpetually overcast world with falling volcanic ash particles and thick ground-level mist.
+Mood: gritty and oppressive but not grimdark — defiant hope underneath. Painterly brushwork
+with dramatic chiaroscuro lighting. Inspired by Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn aesthetic.
+```
+
+## Color Palette
+
+| Role | Hex Examples |
+|------|-------------|
+| Primary darks | `#1a1a2e`, `#16213e`, `#0f0f23` |
+| Atmosphere (ash grey) | `#4a4a5a`, `#6b6b7b`, `#8a8a8a` |
+| Accent warm (ember) | `#c44b28`, `#8b2500`, `#e85d26` |
+| Sky / danger (crimson) | `#6b0f1a`, `#8b1a2b`, `#4a0a12` |
+| Allomantic energy (cyan) | `#00d4ff`, `#4fc3f7`, `#80deea` |
+| Steel / iron | `#8a9bae`, `#b0bec5`, `#546e7a` |
+| Gold / brass | `#c4a35a`, `#b8860b`, `#daa520` |
+| Pewter | `#71797E`, `#8a8a8a`, `#a9a9a9` |
+| Atium (iridescent) | `#e8e8f0`, `#c0c0d0`, `#f0f0ff` |
+| Corruption / Ruin | `#3d0c0c`, `#5c1a1a`, `#2b0a0a` |
+| Hope / Preservation | `#d0dfe6`, `#e0ecf0`, `#f0f5f8` |
+
+## Moodboard Anchors
+
+- Silhouetted Mistborn on rooftop against crimson sky with oversized pale moon
+- Koloss as dark hulking shapes in mid-ground
+- Falling ash/snow particles in every scene
+- Electric cyan glow for all Allomantic effects (lines, auras, coin trails)
+- House crests as embossed dark metal badges on deep crimson with vignette
+- CK3-style chrome framing (beveled metal borders, riveted edges, parchment textures)