diff --git a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/Dialogs/Dialog_Set_0.asset b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/Dialogs/Dialog_Set_0.asset
index ecfcf11..71f723d 100644
--- a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/Dialogs/Dialog_Set_0.asset
+++ b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/Dialogs/Dialog_Set_0.asset
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   m_Script: {fileID: 11500000, guid: c47caaa92bb94eeca3e47dd86fd010cf, type: 3}
   m_Name: Dialog_Set_0
   m_EditorClassIdentifier: Assembly-CSharp::Nox.Game.EncounterDialogOptionSet
-  id: Dialog_Set_1
+  id: Dialog_Set_0
   library: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 11b94daa76442834198b68996afe0013, type: 2}
   options:
   - text:
diff --git a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset
index 8be37b7..f08aa33 100644
--- a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset
+++ b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset
@@ -15,43 +15,25 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   id: TestEncounterTable
   encounters:
   - <EncounterDefinition>k__BackingField:
-      internalId: adce0a09-6402-4c2e-b24a-db7c9c67e3e5
-      id: test_quest_1
-      name: Test Quest Stage I
-      description: An encounter like no other which leads to another encounter like
-        no other
+      internalId: 169489f1-892d-475b-8c32-fc760da28929
+      id: simple_puzzle
+      name: Fix a Broken Cart
+      description: 'You encounter a broken cart. At a closer examination you chose
+        to:'
+      <Kind>k__BackingField:
+        rid: 1352971465325281422
     <EncounterProperties>k__BackingField:
       difficulty: 0
     <EncounterVisuals>k__BackingField:
-      icon: {fileID: 21300000, guid: ea02ea44fa86ee445be0f7ca82098b75, type: 3}
+      icon: {fileID: 0}
       encounterColor: {r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0}
-      encounterArt: {fileID: 21300000, guid: a9c4c7681315e25419b9381d28aa9d80, type: 3}
-    <EncounterDialogOptionSet>k__BackingField: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 9496570aa3d05624a9b8bbbf6009c453, type: 2}
-    <Kind>k__BackingField:
-      rid: 1352971465325281411
-  - <EncounterDefinition>k__BackingField:
-      internalId: adce0a09-6402-4c2e-b24a-db7c9c67e3e5
-      id: test_quest_2
-      name: Test Quest Stage II
-      description: An encounter like no other which should be now completed
-    <EncounterProperties>k__BackingField:
-      difficulty: 0
-    <EncounterVisuals>k__BackingField:
-      icon: {fileID: 21300000, guid: ea02ea44fa86ee445be0f7ca82098b75, type: 3}
-      encounterColor: {r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0}
-      encounterArt: {fileID: 21300000, guid: 819d7a244820ad84585a1de7566bf9d0, type: 3}
-    <EncounterDialogOptionSet>k__BackingField: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 9496570aa3d05624a9b8bbbf6009c453, type: 2}
-    <Kind>k__BackingField:
-      rid: -2
+      encounterArt: {fileID: 0}
+    <EncounterDialogOptionSet>k__BackingField: {fileID: 0}
   references:
     version: 2
     RefIds:
-    - rid: -2
-      type: {class: , ns: , asm: }
-    - rid: 1352971465325281411
-      type: {class: QuestKind, ns: Jovian.EncounterSystem, asm: Jovian.EncounterSystem}
+    - rid: 1352971465325281422
+      type: {class: PuzzleKind, ns: Jovian.EncounterSystem, asm: Jovian.EncounterSystem}
       data:
-        nextEncounter:
-          table: {fileID: 11400000}
-          internalId: adce0a09-6402-4c2e-b24a-db7c9c67e3e5
-        questTitle: 
+        puzzleId: borken_cart
+        difficultyClass: 1
diff --git a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset.meta b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset.meta
index 5fa664d..b9603c9 100644
--- a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset.meta
+++ b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestEncounterTable.asset.meta
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 fileFormatVersion: 2
-guid: 396a5409178bf0d4b938094eefe22cca
+guid: 0d6735c0d1617b243a1f6c8c5070028c
 NativeFormatImporter:
   externalObjects: {}
   mainObjectFileID: 11400000
diff --git a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestQuestTable.asset b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestQuestTable.asset
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4470fce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestQuestTable.asset
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+%YAML 1.1
+%TAG !u! tag:unity3d.com,2011:
+--- !u!114 &11400000
+MonoBehaviour:
+  m_ObjectHideFlags: 0
+  m_CorrespondingSourceObject: {fileID: 0}
+  m_PrefabInstance: {fileID: 0}
+  m_PrefabAsset: {fileID: 0}
+  m_GameObject: {fileID: 0}
+  m_Enabled: 1
+  m_EditorHideFlags: 0
+  m_Script: {fileID: 11500000, guid: e480a30007b949679b8ca1e0e6088675, type: 3}
+  m_Name: TestQuestTable
+  m_EditorClassIdentifier: Assembly-CSharp::Nox.Game.EncounterTable
+  id: TestEncounterTable
+  encounters:
+  - <EncounterDefinition>k__BackingField:
+      internalId: adce0a09-6402-4c2e-b24a-db7c9c67e3e5
+      id: test_quest_1
+      name: Test Quest Stage I
+      description: An encounter like no other which leads to another encounter like
+        no other
+      <Kind>k__BackingField:
+        rid: 1352971465325281417
+    <EncounterProperties>k__BackingField:
+      difficulty: 0
+    <EncounterVisuals>k__BackingField:
+      icon: {fileID: 21300000, guid: ea02ea44fa86ee445be0f7ca82098b75, type: 3}
+      encounterColor: {r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0}
+      encounterArt: {fileID: 21300000, guid: a9c4c7681315e25419b9381d28aa9d80, type: 3}
+    <EncounterDialogOptionSet>k__BackingField: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 9496570aa3d05624a9b8bbbf6009c453, type: 2}
+  - <EncounterDefinition>k__BackingField:
+      internalId: 882ecaa9-29d9-452e-aa88-beb533f97882
+      id: test_quest_2
+      name: Test Quest Stage II
+      description: An encounter like no other which should be now completed
+      <Kind>k__BackingField:
+        rid: 1352971465325281421
+    <EncounterProperties>k__BackingField:
+      difficulty: 0
+    <EncounterVisuals>k__BackingField:
+      icon: {fileID: 21300000, guid: ea02ea44fa86ee445be0f7ca82098b75, type: 3}
+      encounterColor: {r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0}
+      encounterArt: {fileID: 21300000, guid: 819d7a244820ad84585a1de7566bf9d0, type: 3}
+    <EncounterDialogOptionSet>k__BackingField: {fileID: 11400000, guid: 9496570aa3d05624a9b8bbbf6009c453, type: 2}
+  references:
+    version: 2
+    RefIds:
+    - rid: 1352971465325281417
+      type: {class: QuestKind, ns: Jovian.EncounterSystem, asm: Jovian.EncounterSystem}
+      data:
+        nextEncounter:
+          table: {fileID: 11400000}
+          internalId: 882ecaa9-29d9-452e-aa88-beb533f97882
+        questTitle: 
+    - rid: 1352971465325281421
+      type: {class: QuestKind, ns: Jovian.EncounterSystem, asm: Jovian.EncounterSystem}
+      data:
+        nextEncounter:
+          table: {fileID: 0}
+          internalId: 
+        questTitle: 
diff --git a/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestQuestTable.asset.meta b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestQuestTable.asset.meta
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fa664d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Assets/Database/Encounters/EncounterTables/TestQuestTable.asset.meta
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+fileFormatVersion: 2
+guid: 396a5409178bf0d4b938094eefe22cca
+NativeFormatImporter:
+  externalObjects: {}
+  mainObjectFileID: 11400000
+  userData: 
+  assetBundleName: 
+  assetBundleVariant: 
diff --git a/Assets/Database/Encounters/TestEncountersCollection.asset b/Assets/Database/Encounters/TestEncountersCollection.asset
index 12767e5..28f2487 100644
--- a/Assets/Database/Encounters/TestEncountersCollection.asset
+++ b/Assets/Database/Encounters/TestEncountersCollection.asset
@@ -14,3 +14,4 @@ MonoBehaviour:
   m_EditorClassIdentifier: Assembly-CSharp::Nox.Game.EncountersCollection
   encounterTables:
   - {fileID: 11400000, guid: 396a5409178bf0d4b938094eefe22cca, type: 2}
+  - {fileID: 11400000, guid: 0d6735c0d1617b243a1f6c8c5070028c, type: 2}
diff --git a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterBrowserWindow.cs b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterBrowserWindow.cs
index 3aea7ea..26c0b2f 100644
--- a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterBrowserWindow.cs
+++ b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterBrowserWindow.cs
@@ -16,8 +16,19 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             public EncounterTable table;
             public int index;
             public IEncounter encounter;
+            public int depth;
+
+            public bool IsTableHeader => encounter == null;
         }
 
+        private static readonly Color[] DepthColors = {
+            new(0.35f, 0.55f, 0.85f), // depth 0 — table headers (blue)
+            new(0.90f, 0.90f, 0.90f), // depth 1 — encounters under table (neutral)
+            new(0.70f, 0.90f, 0.55f), // depth 2 — chain step 1 (green)
+            new(0.95f, 0.80f, 0.45f), // depth 3 — chain step 2 (amber)
+            new(0.85f, 0.65f, 0.90f)  // depth 4+ — deeper chain (violet)
+        };
+
         private readonly List<Record> allRecords = new();
         private string searchText = string.Empty;
         private string kindFilter = AllKinds;
@@ -27,6 +38,7 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
         private TreeView treeView;
         private VisualElement detailPane;
         private ToolbarMenu kindDropdown;
+        private VisualElement statusBanner;
 
         [MenuItem("Jovian/Encounters/Encounter Browser")]
         public static void Open() {
@@ -69,8 +81,26 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
         }
 
         private void BuildSplit() {
-            var split = new TwoPaneSplitView(0, 280, TwoPaneSplitViewOrientation.Horizontal);
-            split.style.flexGrow = 1f;
+            statusBanner = new VisualElement {
+                style = {
+                    paddingLeft = 10,
+                    paddingRight = 10,
+                    paddingTop = 8,
+                    paddingBottom = 8,
+                    marginBottom = 2,
+                    flexDirection = FlexDirection.Column,
+                    backgroundColor = new StyleColor(new Color(0.85f, 0.4f, 0.15f, 0.35f)),
+                    display = DisplayStyle.None
+                }
+            };
+            rootVisualElement.Add(statusBanner);
+
+            var split = new VisualElement {
+                style = {
+                    flexDirection = FlexDirection.Row,
+                    flexGrow = 1f
+                }
+            };
             rootVisualElement.Add(split);
 
             treeView = new TreeView {
@@ -80,7 +110,10 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
                 selectionType = SelectionType.Single
             };
             treeView.selectionChanged += OnSelectionChanged;
-            treeView.style.flexGrow = 1f;
+            treeView.style.width = 280;
+            treeView.style.flexShrink = 0f;
+            treeView.style.borderRightWidth = 1;
+            treeView.style.borderRightColor = new StyleColor(new Color(0f, 0f, 0f, 0.4f));
             split.Add(treeView);
 
             detailPane = new ScrollView(ScrollViewMode.Vertical) {
@@ -97,7 +130,9 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
                     alignItems = Align.Center,
                     paddingLeft = 6,
                     paddingRight = 6,
-                    height = 22
+                    height = 22,
+                    flexGrow = 1f,
+                    flexShrink = 0f
                 }
             };
 
@@ -125,6 +160,19 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             };
             row.Add(label);
 
+            var selectButton = new Button {
+                name = "select-button",
+                text = "Select",
+                style = {
+                    marginLeft = 4,
+                    marginRight = 0,
+                    paddingLeft = 6,
+                    paddingRight = 6,
+                    display = DisplayStyle.None
+                }
+            };
+            row.Add(selectButton);
+
             return row;
         }
 
@@ -132,9 +180,34 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             var record = treeView.GetItemDataForIndex<Record>(index);
             var label = element.Q<Label>("row-label");
             var badge = element.Q<VisualElement>("issue-badge");
+            var selectButton = element.Q<Button>("select-button");
+
+            var depthIndex = Mathf.Clamp(record.depth, 0, DepthColors.Length - 1);
+            label.style.color = new StyleColor(DepthColors[depthIndex]);
+
+            if(record.IsTableHeader) {
+                label.text = record.table != null ? record.table.name : "<missing table>";
+                label.style.unityFontStyleAndWeight = FontStyle.Bold;
+                badge.style.visibility = Visibility.Hidden;
+                element.tooltip = $"EncounterTable asset: {record.table?.name}";
+
+                selectButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                var table = record.table;
+                selectButton.clickable = new Clickable(() => {
+                    if(table == null) {
+                        return;
+                    }
+                    Selection.activeObject = table;
+                    EditorGUIUtility.PingObject(table);
+                });
+                return;
+            }
+
+            label.style.unityFontStyleAndWeight = FontStyle.Normal;
+            selectButton.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
 
             var name = record.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.name;
-            var kind = record.encounter?.Kind?.GetType().Name ?? "—";
+            var kind = record.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind?.GetType().Name ?? "—";
             label.text = string.IsNullOrEmpty(name)
                 ? $"<unnamed>   [{kind}]"
                 : $"{name}   [{kind}]";
@@ -180,20 +253,33 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
         private void Refresh() {
             allRecords.Clear();
 
-            var guids = AssetDatabase.FindAssets("t:" + nameof(EncounterTable));
-            foreach(var guid in guids) {
-                var path = AssetDatabase.GUIDToAssetPath(guid);
-                var table = AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<EncounterTable>(path);
-                if(table?.encounters == null) {
+            var registries = FindAssetsOfType<EncounterRegistry>().ToList();
+            UpdateStatusBanner(registries);
+
+            var seenTables = new HashSet<EncounterTable>();
+            foreach(var registry in registries) {
+                if(registry?.encounterCollections == null) {
                     continue;
                 }
 
-                for(int i = 0; i < table.encounters.Count; i++) {
-                    allRecords.Add(new Record {
-                        table = table,
-                        index = i,
-                        encounter = table.encounters[i]
-                    });
+                foreach(var collection in registry.encounterCollections) {
+                    if(collection?.encounterTables == null) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
+                    foreach(var table in collection.encounterTables) {
+                        if(table?.encounters == null || !seenTables.Add(table)) {
+                            continue;
+                        }
+
+                        for(var i = 0; i < table.encounters.Count; i++) {
+                            allRecords.Add(new Record {
+                                table = table,
+                                index = i,
+                                encounter = table.encounters[i]
+                            });
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
             }
 
@@ -201,6 +287,72 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             ApplyFilter();
         }
 
+        private void UpdateStatusBanner(List<EncounterRegistry> registries) {
+            statusBanner.Clear();
+
+            if(registries.Count == 0) {
+                statusBanner.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                statusBanner.Add(new Label("No EncounterRegistry asset found. The browser reads encounters from the registry — without one, it has nothing to show.") {
+                    style = { marginBottom = 6, whiteSpace = WhiteSpace.Normal }
+                });
+                statusBanner.Add(new Button(CreateRegistryInteractive) {
+                    text = "Create Registry…",
+                    style = { alignSelf = Align.FlexStart }
+                });
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var emptyRegistries = registries.FindAll(r => r?.encounterCollections == null || r.encounterCollections.Length == 0);
+            if(emptyRegistries.Count == registries.Count) {
+                statusBanner.style.display = DisplayStyle.Flex;
+                statusBanner.Add(new Label("Registry found but no EncountersCollection is assigned to its 'encounterCollections' array.") {
+                    style = { whiteSpace = WhiteSpace.Normal }
+                });
+                var pingButton = new Button(() => {
+                    Selection.activeObject = registries[0];
+                    EditorGUIUtility.PingObject(registries[0]);
+                }) {
+                    text = "Open Registry",
+                    style = { alignSelf = Align.FlexStart, marginTop = 6 }
+                };
+                statusBanner.Add(pingButton);
+                return;
+            }
+
+            statusBanner.style.display = DisplayStyle.None;
+        }
+
+        private void CreateRegistryInteractive() {
+            var path = EditorUtility.SaveFilePanelInProject(
+                "Create Encounter Registry",
+                "EncounterRegistry",
+                "asset",
+                "Choose where to save the new EncounterRegistry asset.");
+            if(string.IsNullOrEmpty(path)) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var registry = ScriptableObject.CreateInstance<EncounterRegistry>();
+            AssetDatabase.CreateAsset(registry, path);
+            AssetDatabase.SaveAssets();
+            AssetDatabase.Refresh();
+
+            Selection.activeObject = registry;
+            EditorGUIUtility.PingObject(registry);
+            Refresh();
+        }
+
+        private static IEnumerable<T> FindAssetsOfType<T>() where T : UnityEngine.Object {
+            var guids = AssetDatabase.FindAssets("t:" + typeof(T).Name);
+            foreach(var guid in guids) {
+                var path = AssetDatabase.GUIDToAssetPath(guid);
+                var asset = AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<T>(path);
+                if(asset != null) {
+                    yield return asset;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         private void RebuildIssueIndex() {
             issuesByEncounter.Clear();
             var issues = EncounterValidator.ValidateProject();
@@ -219,16 +371,46 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
         private void ApplyFilter() {
             var filtered = allRecords.Where(Matches).ToList();
             var items = BuildTreeItems(filtered);
-            if(treeView != null) {
-                treeView.SetRootItems(items);
-                treeView.Rebuild();
-                treeView.ClearSelection();
-                treeView.ExpandAll();
+            if(treeView == null) {
+                return;
             }
+
+            treeView.ClearSelection();
+            treeView.SetRootItems(items);
+            treeView.Rebuild();
+            // Expand after layout settles — ExpandAll immediately after Rebuild can no-op in some cases.
+            treeView.schedule.Execute(() => treeView.ExpandAll()).ExecuteLater(0);
             ShowEmptyDetail();
         }
 
         private static List<TreeViewItemData<Record>> BuildTreeItems(List<Record> records) {
+            // Group by table: each table becomes a top-level row, its encounters nest under it.
+            var byTable = new Dictionary<EncounterTable, List<Record>>();
+            var tableOrder = new List<EncounterTable>();
+            foreach(var r in records) {
+                if(r.table == null) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if(!byTable.TryGetValue(r.table, out var list)) {
+                    list = new List<Record>();
+                    byTable[r.table] = list;
+                    tableOrder.Add(r.table);
+                }
+                list.Add(r);
+            }
+
+            var result = new List<TreeViewItemData<Record>>();
+            var uid = 0;
+            foreach(var table in tableOrder) {
+                var tableRecord = new Record { table = table, index = -1, encounter = null, depth = 0 };
+                var tableId = uid++;
+                var children = BuildEncounterNodes(byTable[table], 1, ref uid);
+                result.Add(new TreeViewItemData<Record>(tableId, tableRecord, children));
+            }
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        private static List<TreeViewItemData<Record>> BuildEncounterNodes(List<Record> records, int depth, ref int uid) {
             var byEncounter = new Dictionary<IEncounter, Record>();
             foreach(var r in records) {
                 if(r.encounter != null) {
@@ -236,41 +418,81 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
                 }
             }
 
-            // Any encounter that is a `nextEncounter` target of another record in the filtered set
-            // becomes a non-root (rendered as a child), not a top-level item.
-            var nonRoot = new HashSet<IEncounter>();
+            // Chain nesting only applies to chains contained within this table. Cross-table chains
+            // naturally appear flat (the target encounter lives under its own table header).
+            var predecessorCount = new Dictionary<IEncounter, int>();
             foreach(var r in records) {
-                if(r.encounter?.Kind is not QuestKind quest) {
+                if(r.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is not QuestKind quest) {
                     continue;
                 }
                 var next = quest.nextEncounter.Resolve();
                 if(next != null && byEncounter.ContainsKey(next)) {
-                    nonRoot.Add(next);
+                    predecessorCount.TryGetValue(next, out var count);
+                    predecessorCount[next] = count + 1;
                 }
             }
 
-            var result = new List<TreeViewItemData<Record>>();
-            var uid = 0;
+            var parentOf = new Dictionary<IEncounter, IEncounter>();
             foreach(var r in records) {
-                if(r.encounter != null && nonRoot.Contains(r.encounter)) {
+                if(r.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is not QuestKind quest) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                var next = quest.nextEncounter.Resolve();
+                if(next == null || !byEncounter.ContainsKey(next)) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if(predecessorCount[next] != 1) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if(ForwardReaches(next, r.encounter, byEncounter)) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                parentOf[next] = r.encounter;
+            }
+
+            var nodes = new List<TreeViewItemData<Record>>();
+            foreach(var r in records) {
+                if(r.encounter != null && parentOf.ContainsKey(r.encounter)) {
                     continue;
                 }
 
-                var children = BuildChainChildren(r, byEncounter, ref uid);
-                result.Add(new TreeViewItemData<Record>(uid++, r, children));
+                r.depth = depth;
+                var rootId = uid++;
+                var children = BuildChainChildren(r, byEncounter, parentOf, depth + 1, ref uid);
+                nodes.Add(new TreeViewItemData<Record>(rootId, r, children));
             }
-            return result;
+            return nodes;
         }
 
-        private static List<TreeViewItemData<Record>> BuildChainChildren(Record root, Dictionary<IEncounter, Record> byEncounter, ref int uid) {
+        private static bool ForwardReaches(IEncounter start, IEncounter target, Dictionary<IEncounter, Record> byEncounter) {
+            var current = start;
+            var visited = new HashSet<IEncounter>();
+            while(current?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is QuestKind quest) {
+                var next = quest.nextEncounter.Resolve();
+                if(next == null || !byEncounter.ContainsKey(next)) {
+                    return false;
+                }
+                if(next == target) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+                if(!visited.Add(next)) {
+                    return false;
+                }
+                current = next;
+            }
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        private static List<TreeViewItemData<Record>> BuildChainChildren(Record root, Dictionary<IEncounter, Record> byEncounter, Dictionary<IEncounter, IEncounter> parentOf, int depth, ref int uid) {
             var children = new List<TreeViewItemData<Record>>();
-            if(root.encounter?.Kind is not QuestKind) {
+            if(root.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is not QuestKind) {
                 return children;
             }
 
             var current = root.encounter;
             var visited = new HashSet<IEncounter> { current };
-            while(current?.Kind is QuestKind quest) {
+            var currentDepth = depth;
+            while(current?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is QuestKind quest) {
                 var next = quest.nextEncounter.Resolve();
                 if(next == null || !visited.Add(next)) {
                     break;
@@ -278,14 +500,19 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
                 if(!byEncounter.TryGetValue(next, out var nextRecord)) {
                     break;
                 }
+                if(!parentOf.TryGetValue(next, out var parent) || parent != current) {
+                    break;
+                }
+                nextRecord.depth = currentDepth;
                 children.Add(new TreeViewItemData<Record>(uid++, nextRecord));
                 current = next;
+                currentDepth++;
             }
             return children;
         }
 
         private bool Matches(Record record) {
-            var kindName = record.encounter?.Kind?.GetType().Name ?? string.Empty;
+            var kindName = record.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind?.GetType().Name ?? string.Empty;
             if(kindFilter != AllKinds && kindName != kindFilter) {
                 return false;
             }
@@ -312,20 +539,40 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
                 return;
             }
 
+            if(record.IsTableHeader) {
+                ShowTableHeaderDetail(record.table);
+                return;
+            }
+
             detailPane.Clear();
 
             var serializedObject = new SerializedObject(record.table);
             var encountersProp = serializedObject.FindProperty(nameof(EncounterTable.encounters));
             var elementProp = encountersProp.GetArrayElementAtIndex(record.index);
 
-            var header = new Label($"{record.table.name}  →  [{record.index}]") {
+            var headerRow = new VisualElement {
                 style = {
-                    unityFontStyleAndWeight = FontStyle.Bold,
-                    marginBottom = 6,
-                    color = new StyleColor(new Color(0.75f, 0.75f, 0.75f))
+                    flexDirection = FlexDirection.Row,
+                    alignItems = Align.Center,
+                    marginBottom = 6
                 }
             };
-            detailPane.Add(header);
+            headerRow.Add(new Label($"{record.table.name}  →  [{record.index}]") {
+                style = {
+                    unityFontStyleAndWeight = FontStyle.Bold,
+                    flexGrow = 1f,
+                    color = new StyleColor(new Color(0.75f, 0.75f, 0.75f))
+                }
+            });
+            var pingButton = new Button(() => {
+                Selection.activeObject = record.table;
+                EditorGUIUtility.PingObject(record.table);
+            }) {
+                text = "Select Table",
+                tooltip = "Select and ping the owning EncounterTable asset in the Project window."
+            };
+            headerRow.Add(pingButton);
+            detailPane.Add(headerRow);
 
             elementProp.isExpanded = true;
             var field = new PropertyField(elementProp);
@@ -336,7 +583,7 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
         }
 
         private void AddChainPreviewIfQuest(Record record) {
-            if(record.encounter?.Kind is not QuestKind questKind) {
+            if(record.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is not QuestKind questKind) {
                 return;
             }
 
@@ -367,7 +614,7 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             }
 
             foreach(var record in allRecords) {
-                if(record.encounter?.Kind is not QuestKind kind) {
+                if(record.encounter?.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is not QuestKind kind) {
                     continue;
                 }
 
@@ -379,6 +626,38 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             return null;
         }
 
+        private void ShowTableHeaderDetail(EncounterTable table) {
+            detailPane.Clear();
+            if(table == null) {
+                ShowEmptyDetail();
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var headerRow = new VisualElement {
+                style = {
+                    flexDirection = FlexDirection.Row,
+                    alignItems = Align.Center,
+                    marginBottom = 6
+                }
+            };
+            headerRow.Add(new Label(table.name) {
+                style = {
+                    unityFontStyleAndWeight = FontStyle.Bold,
+                    flexGrow = 1f
+                }
+            });
+            headerRow.Add(new Button(() => {
+                Selection.activeObject = table;
+                EditorGUIUtility.PingObject(table);
+            }) { text = "Select Table" });
+            detailPane.Add(headerRow);
+
+            var count = table.encounters?.Count ?? 0;
+            detailPane.Add(new Label($"{count} encounter(s). Expand the row to browse them, or pick one to edit.") {
+                style = { color = new StyleColor(Color.gray) }
+            });
+        }
+
         private void ShowEmptyDetail() {
             if(detailPane == null) {
                 return;
diff --git a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterValidator.cs b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterValidator.cs
index 9a7ede0..ea19657 100644
--- a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterValidator.cs
+++ b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Editor/EncounterValidator.cs
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
         public static List<ValidationIssue> ValidateProject() {
             var issues = new List<ValidationIssue>();
 
+            ValidateRegistries(issues);
+
             var tables = FindAssetsOfType<EncounterTable>();
             var idIndex = new Dictionary<string, (Encounter encounter, EncounterTable table)>();
 
@@ -36,6 +38,42 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
             return issues;
         }
 
+        private static void ValidateRegistries(List<ValidationIssue> issues) {
+            var registries = FindAssetsOfType<EncounterRegistry>();
+            if(registries.Count == 0) {
+                issues.Add(new ValidationIssue {
+                    asset = null,
+                    path = "<project>",
+                    severity = ValidationSeverity.Error,
+                    message = "No EncounterRegistry asset exists. Create one via Jovian → Encounter System → Encounter Registry."
+                });
+                return;
+            }
+
+            foreach(var registry in registries) {
+                if(registry.encounterCollections == null || registry.encounterCollections.Length == 0) {
+                    issues.Add(new ValidationIssue {
+                        asset = registry,
+                        path = "encounterCollections",
+                        severity = ValidationSeverity.Warning,
+                        message = "Registry has no collections assigned."
+                    });
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                for(int i = 0; i < registry.encounterCollections.Length; i++) {
+                    if(registry.encounterCollections[i] == null) {
+                        issues.Add(new ValidationIssue {
+                            asset = registry,
+                            path = $"encounterCollections[{i}]",
+                            severity = ValidationSeverity.Warning,
+                            message = "Null collection slot."
+                        });
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         public static List<ValidationIssue> ValidateEncounter(EncounterTable table, int index) {
             var issues = new List<ValidationIssue>();
             if(table?.encounters == null || index < 0 || index >= table.encounters.Count) {
@@ -95,25 +133,26 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem.Editor {
                 }
             }
 
-            if(encounter.Kind == null) {
+            if(encounter.EncounterDefinition?.Kind == null) {
                 issues.Add(new ValidationIssue {
                     asset = table,
                     encounter = encounter,
-                    path = $"{pathPrefix}.Kind",
+                    path = $"{pathPrefix}.EncounterDefinition.Kind",
                     severity = ValidationSeverity.Warning,
                     message = "Encounter.Kind is null — pick a kind in the inspector."
                 });
             }
 
-            if(encounter.Kind is QuestKind questKind) {
-                ValidateEncounterLink(table, pathPrefix + ".Kind.nextEncounter", encounter, questKind.nextEncounter, issues);
+            if(encounter.EncounterDefinition?.Kind is QuestKind questKind) {
+                ValidateEncounterLink(table, pathPrefix + ".EncounterDefinition.Kind.nextEncounter", encounter, questKind.nextEncounter, issues);
             }
 
             ValidateDialogEvents(table, index, encounter, issues);
         }
 
         private static void ValidateEncounterLink(EncounterTable owningTable, string path, Encounter encounter, EncounterLink link, List<ValidationIssue> issues) {
-            if(link.table == null && string.IsNullOrEmpty(link.internalId)) {
+            // No id picked — terminal quest step / unset link. Not an error regardless of table value.
+            if(string.IsNullOrEmpty(link.internalId)) {
                 return;
             }
 
diff --git a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/EncounterTable.cs b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/EncounterTable.cs
index a0e3c09..8076a8b 100644
--- a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/EncounterTable.cs
+++ b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/EncounterTable.cs
@@ -42,5 +42,34 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem {
 
             return pool[UnityEngine.Random.Range(0, pool.Count)];
         }
+
+#if UNITY_EDITOR
+        // Unity's inspector "+" duplicates the previous list element, including nested internalId
+        // GUIDs. Regenerate any duplicates so every encounter carries a unique internalId.
+        private void OnValidate() {
+            if(encounters == null) {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var seen = new HashSet<string>();
+            var changed = false;
+            foreach(var encounter in encounters) {
+                if(encounter?.EncounterDefinition == null) {
+                    continue;
+                }
+
+                var id = encounter.EncounterDefinition.internalId;
+                if(string.IsNullOrEmpty(id) || !seen.Add(id)) {
+                    encounter.EncounterDefinition.internalId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
+                    seen.Add(encounter.EncounterDefinition.internalId);
+                    changed = true;
+                }
+            }
+
+            if(changed) {
+                UnityEditor.EditorUtility.SetDirty(this);
+            }
+        }
+#endif
     }
 }
diff --git a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/IEncounter.cs b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/IEncounter.cs
index 8770970..8f296e1 100644
--- a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/IEncounter.cs
+++ b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/IEncounter.cs
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem {
         EncounterProperties EncounterProperties { get; set; }
         EncounterVisuals EncounterVisuals { get; set; }
         EncounterDialogOptionSet EncounterDialogOptionSet { get; set; }
-        IEncounterKind Kind { get; set; }
     }
 
     /// <summary>Default concrete encounter. Extend via a new <see cref="IEncounterKind"/>, not by subclassing.</summary>
@@ -18,9 +17,6 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem {
         [field: SerializeField] public EncounterProperties EncounterProperties { get; set; }
         [field: SerializeField] public EncounterVisuals EncounterVisuals { get; set; }
         [field: SerializeField] public EncounterDialogOptionSet EncounterDialogOptionSet { get; set; }
-
-        [field: SerializeReference, SubclassSelector]
-        public IEncounterKind Kind { get; set; }
     }
 
     [Serializable]
@@ -32,6 +28,7 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem {
         public string id;
         public string name;
         public string description;
+        [field: SerializeReference, SubclassSelector] public IEncounterKind Kind { get; set; }
     }
 
     [Serializable]
diff --git a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/QuestProgress.cs b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/QuestProgress.cs
index 68f7534..ec28872 100644
--- a/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/QuestProgress.cs
+++ b/Packages/com.jovian.encounter-system/Runtime/QuestProgress.cs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem {
         }
 
         public void OnEncounterTriggered(IEncounter encounter) {
-            if(encounter?.Kind is not QuestKind questKind) {
+            if(encounter?.EncounterDefinition.Kind is not QuestKind questKind) {
                 return;
             }
 
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ namespace Jovian.EncounterSystem {
                 }
 
                 foreach(var encounter in table.encounters) {
-                    if(encounter?.Kind is not QuestKind questKind) {
+                    if(encounter?.EncounterDefinition.Kind is not QuestKind questKind) {
                         continue;
                     }