diff --git a/apps/api/src/database/seeds/item-content.ts b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/item-content.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ac04ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/item-content.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,216 @@
+import { EquipmentSlot } from '../../items/equipment-slot.enum';
+import { ItemRarity } from '../../items/item-rarity.enum';
+import { ItemType } from '../../items/item-type.enum';
+import {
+  ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
+  ITEM_IDS,
+  ItemKey,
+  ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
+} from './item.constants';
+
+export interface SeedItemDefinition {
+  id: string;
+  key: ItemKey;
+  name: string;
+  description: string;
+  type: ItemType;
+  equipmentSlot: EquipmentSlot | null;
+  rarity: ItemRarity;
+  tier: number;
+  requiredLevel: number;
+  weaponDamage: number;
+  bonusHp: number;
+  bonusAttack: number;
+  bonusArmor: number;
+  sellPrice: number;
+  iconPath: string;
+}
+
+function item(
+  key: ItemKey,
+  name: string,
+  description: string,
+  type: ItemType,
+  equipmentSlot: EquipmentSlot | null,
+  rarity: ItemRarity,
+  stats: Partial<Pick<SeedItemDefinition, 'weaponDamage' | 'bonusHp' | 'bonusAttack' | 'bonusArmor'>> = {},
+): SeedItemDefinition {
+  return {
+    id: ITEM_IDS[key],
+    key,
+    name,
+    description,
+    type,
+    equipmentSlot,
+    rarity,
+    tier: 1,
+    requiredLevel: 1,
+    weaponDamage: stats.weaponDamage ?? 0,
+    bonusHp: stats.bonusHp ?? 0,
+    bonusAttack: stats.bonusAttack ?? 0,
+    bonusArmor: stats.bonusArmor ?? 0,
+    // Always 0: no merchants exist in Slice 0.4, and the balancing doc's
+    // Grenzmarken table lists purchase prices, not sell prices.
+    sellPrice: 0,
+    iconPath: `/images/items/${key}.png`,
+  };
+}
+
+// Stats from docs/Ashen_Realms_Balancing_Items_Loot_Design_V1.md §19.
+export const ITEM_DEFINITIONS: SeedItemDefinition[] = [
+  item(
+    'worn-short-sword',
+    'Abgenutztes Kurzschwert',
+    'Die Klinge eines Rekruten, öfter geschliffen als geführt.',
+    ItemType.WEAPON,
+    EquipmentSlot.WEAPON,
+    ItemRarity.COMMON,
+    { weaponDamage: 8 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'bandit-blade',
+    'Räuberklinge',
+    'Eine grob gezahnte Klinge, geschmiedet für schnelle Überfälle.',
+    ItemType.WEAPON,
+    EquipmentSlot.WEAPON,
+    ItemRarity.COMMON,
+    { weaponDamage: 11, bonusAttack: 1 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'ash-blade',
+    'Aschenklinge',
+    'In der Glut der Aschenfelder gehärtet; die Schneide glimmt noch.',
+    ItemType.WEAPON,
+    EquipmentSlot.WEAPON,
+    ItemRarity.RARE,
+    { weaponDamage: 15, bonusAttack: 2 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'bandit-hood',
+    'Räuberhaube',
+    'Vernarbtes Leder, das Gesicht und Absicht des Trägers verbirgt.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.HEAD,
+    ItemRarity.COMMON,
+    { bonusArmor: 3, bonusHp: 5 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'reinforced-leather-jacket',
+    'Verstärkte Lederjacke',
+    'Mit Eisenplatten benähtes Leder, schwer und verlässlich.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.CHEST,
+    ItemRarity.RARE,
+    { bonusArmor: 7, bonusHp: 10 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'raider-gloves',
+    'Plündererhandschuhe',
+    'Beschlagene Handschuhe, abgegriffen von fremdem Gut.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.HANDS,
+    ItemRarity.COMMON,
+    { bonusArmor: 3, bonusAttack: 1 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'guardsman-legs',
+    'Wachmannsbeinkleid',
+    'Beinzeug der Grenzwacht, an den Knien geflickt.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.LEGS,
+    ItemRarity.RARE,
+    { bonusArmor: 5, bonusHp: 5 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'ash-boots',
+    'Aschenstiefel',
+    'Stiefel, die durch glimmende Felder getragen wurden und blieben.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.FEET,
+    ItemRarity.RARE,
+    { bonusArmor: 4, bonusHp: 5 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'borderwatch-sigil',
+    'Zeichen der Grenzwacht',
+    'Das Wappen eines Turms, den es nicht mehr gibt.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.AMULET,
+    ItemRarity.RARE,
+    { bonusAttack: 3, bonusHp: 10 },
+  ),
+  item(
+    'burned-captain-pendant',
+    'Anhänger des verbrannten Hauptmanns',
+    'Ein Schädel aus Schlacke, in dem die Glut nie erlosch.',
+    ItemType.ARMOR,
+    EquipmentSlot.AMULET,
+    ItemRarity.EPIC,
+    { bonusAttack: 3, bonusHp: 15, bonusArmor: 2 },
+  ),
+  // Seeded as content only. Slice 0.4 implements no consumable use, and the
+  // Straßenräuber loot entry for it is deliberately deferred (spec §16).
+  item(
+    'small-healing-potion',
+    'Kleiner Heiltrank',
+    'Ein bitterer Sud, der Wunden für einen Atemzug vergessen lässt.',
+    ItemType.CONSUMABLE,
+    null,
+    ItemRarity.COMMON,
+  ),
+  item(
+    'ash-pelt',
+    'Aschenfell',
+    'Versengtes Fell, zäh wie Leder und grau von Ascheflug.',
+    ItemType.MATERIAL,
+    null,
+    ItemRarity.COMMON,
+  ),
+];
+
+export const LOOT_TABLES = [
+  { id: ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, key: 'ash-rat-loot', name: 'Aschenratte Beute' },
+  { id: ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, key: 'road-bandit-loot', name: 'Straßenräuber Beute' },
+];
+
+export interface SeedLootTableEntry {
+  lootTableId: string;
+  itemDefinitionId: string;
+  position: number;
+  dropChance: string;
+  minQuantity: number;
+  maxQuantity: number;
+  enabled: boolean;
+}
+
+function entry(
+  lootTableId: string,
+  key: ItemKey,
+  position: number,
+  dropChance: string,
+): SeedLootTableEntry {
+  return {
+    lootTableId,
+    itemDefinitionId: ITEM_IDS[key],
+    position,
+    dropChance,
+    minQuantity: 1,
+    maxQuantity: 1,
+    enabled: true,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Drop chances from docs/Ashen_Realms_Balancing_Items_Loot_Design_V1.md §27–28.
+ * Every entry is an independent roll (spec §17), rolled in `position` order.
+ *
+ * DEFERRED: the Straßenräuber table also lists 10 % Kleiner Heiltrank. It is
+ * omitted here because Slice 0.4 implements no consumables (spec §16).
+ */
+export const LOOT_TABLE_ENTRIES: SeedLootTableEntry[] = [
+  entry(ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, 'ash-pelt', 1, '0.6000'),
+  entry(ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, 'worn-short-sword', 2, '0.0800'),
+  entry(ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, 'bandit-blade', 1, '0.1800'),
+  entry(ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, 'bandit-hood', 2, '0.1200'),
+  entry(ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, 'raider-gloves', 3, '0.0800'),
+];
diff --git a/apps/api/src/database/seeds/item.constants.ts b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/item.constants.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a614ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/item.constants.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+// Stable content ids, in art-sheet order. Aschenfell (no sheet entry) is last.
+export const ITEM_IDS = {
+  'worn-short-sword': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000001',
+  'bandit-blade': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000002',
+  'ash-blade': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000003',
+  'bandit-hood': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000004',
+  'reinforced-leather-jacket': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000005',
+  'raider-gloves': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000006',
+  'guardsman-legs': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000007',
+  'ash-boots': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000008',
+  'borderwatch-sigil': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000009',
+  'burned-captain-pendant': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-00000000000a',
+  'small-healing-potion': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-00000000000b',
+  'ash-pelt': '50000000-0000-4000-8000-00000000000c',
+} as const;
+
+export type ItemKey = keyof typeof ITEM_IDS;
+
+export const ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID = '60000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000001';
+export const ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID = '60000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000002';
diff --git a/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.spec.ts b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.spec.ts
index 39e0c44..c24015f 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.spec.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
 import { DataSource } from 'typeorm';
 import { Character } from '../../characters/entities/character.entity';
+import { ItemDefinition } from '../../items/entities/item-definition.entity';
+import { LootTableEntry } from '../../loot/entities/loot-table-entry.entity';
+import { LootTable } from '../../loot/entities/loot-table.entity';
 import { LocationMonster } from '../../monsters/entities/location-monster.entity';
 import { MonsterDefinition } from '../../monsters/entities/monster-definition.entity';
 import { LocationConnection } from '../../world/entities/location-connection.entity';
 import { LocationDefinition } from '../../world/entities/location-definition.entity';
+import { ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID, ITEM_IDS, ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID } from './item.constants';
 import { seedVisibleVerticalSlice } from './vertical-slice.seed';
 
 type Row = Record<string, unknown>;
@@ -67,24 +71,20 @@ function createDataSource(
   characterRepository: InMemoryRepository,
   monsterRepository: InMemoryRepository,
   locationMonsterRepository: InMemoryRepository,
+  itemRepository: InMemoryRepository = new InMemoryRepository(),
+  lootTableRepository: InMemoryRepository = new InMemoryRepository(),
+  lootEntryRepository: InMemoryRepository = new InMemoryRepository(),
 ): DataSource {
   return {
     getRepository: jest.fn((entity: unknown) => {
-      if (entity === LocationDefinition) {
-        return locationRepository;
-      }
-      if (entity === LocationConnection) {
-        return connectionRepository;
-      }
-      if (entity === Character) {
-        return characterRepository;
-      }
-      if (entity === MonsterDefinition) {
-        return monsterRepository;
-      }
-      if (entity === LocationMonster) {
-        return locationMonsterRepository;
-      }
+      if (entity === LocationDefinition) return locationRepository;
+      if (entity === LocationConnection) return connectionRepository;
+      if (entity === Character) return characterRepository;
+      if (entity === MonsterDefinition) return monsterRepository;
+      if (entity === LocationMonster) return locationMonsterRepository;
+      if (entity === ItemDefinition) return itemRepository;
+      if (entity === LootTable) return lootTableRepository;
+      if (entity === LootTableEntry) return lootEntryRepository;
 
       throw new Error('Unexpected repository');
     }),
@@ -256,4 +256,84 @@ describe('seedVisibleVerticalSlice', () => {
       }),
     ]);
   });
+
+  it('seeds the tier-1 items and both loot tables idempotently and wires them to the monsters', async () => {
+    const locationRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const connectionRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const characterRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const monsterRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const locationMonsterRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const itemRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const lootTableRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const lootEntryRepository = new InMemoryRepository();
+    const dataSource = createDataSource(
+      locationRepository,
+      connectionRepository,
+      characterRepository,
+      monsterRepository,
+      locationMonsterRepository,
+      itemRepository,
+      lootTableRepository,
+      lootEntryRepository,
+    );
+
+    await seedVisibleVerticalSlice(dataSource);
+    await seedVisibleVerticalSlice(dataSource);
+
+    expect(itemRepository.rows).toHaveLength(12);
+    expect(itemRepository.rows).toEqual(
+      expect.arrayContaining([
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          key: 'bandit-blade',
+          name: 'Räuberklinge',
+          type: 'WEAPON',
+          equipmentSlot: 'WEAPON',
+          rarity: 'COMMON',
+          weaponDamage: 11,
+          bonusAttack: 1,
+          sellPrice: 0,
+          iconPath: '/images/items/bandit-blade.png',
+        }),
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          key: 'ash-pelt',
+          name: 'Aschenfell',
+          type: 'MATERIAL',
+          equipmentSlot: null,
+        }),
+      ]),
+    );
+
+    expect(lootTableRepository.rows).toHaveLength(2);
+    expect(lootEntryRepository.rows).toHaveLength(5);
+    expect(lootEntryRepository.rows).toEqual(
+      expect.arrayContaining([
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          lootTableId: ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
+          itemDefinitionId: ITEM_IDS['ash-pelt'],
+          position: 1,
+          dropChance: '0.6000',
+        }),
+        expect.objectContaining({
+          lootTableId: ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
+          itemDefinitionId: ITEM_IDS['bandit-blade'],
+          position: 1,
+          dropChance: '0.1800',
+        }),
+      ]),
+    );
+
+    // The Kleiner Heiltrank entry is deliberately deferred (spec §16).
+    expect(
+      lootEntryRepository.rows.some(
+        (row) => row.itemDefinitionId === ITEM_IDS['small-healing-potion'],
+      ),
+    ).toBe(false);
+
+    expect(monsterRepository.rows).toEqual(
+      expect.arrayContaining([
+        expect.objectContaining({ key: 'ash-rat', lootTableId: ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID }),
+        expect.objectContaining({ key: 'road-bandit', lootTableId: ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID }),
+      ]),
+    );
+  });
 });
diff --git a/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.ts b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.ts
index d0ca3b8..92add28 100644
--- a/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.ts
+++ b/apps/api/src/database/seeds/vertical-slice.seed.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,19 @@
 import { DataSource } from 'typeorm';
 import { DEMO_CHARACTER_ID } from '../../demo/demo-character.constants';
 import { Character } from '../../characters/entities/character.entity';
+import { ItemDefinition } from '../../items/entities/item-definition.entity';
+import { LootTableEntry } from '../../loot/entities/loot-table-entry.entity';
+import { LootTable } from '../../loot/entities/loot-table.entity';
 import { EncounterType } from '../../monsters/entities/encounter-type.enum';
 import { LocationMonster } from '../../monsters/entities/location-monster.entity';
 import { MonsterDefinition } from '../../monsters/entities/monster-definition.entity';
 import { LocationConnection } from '../../world/entities/location-connection.entity';
 import { LocationDefinition } from '../../world/entities/location-definition.entity';
+import {
+  ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
+  ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
+} from './item.constants';
+import { ITEM_DEFINITIONS, LOOT_TABLES, LOOT_TABLE_ENTRIES } from './item-content';
 import {
   ASH_RAT_MONSTER_ID,
   BURNED_ROAD_ID,
@@ -21,6 +29,9 @@ export async function seedVisibleVerticalSlice(
   const characterRepository = dataSource.getRepository(Character);
   const monsterRepository = dataSource.getRepository(MonsterDefinition);
   const locationMonsterRepository = dataSource.getRepository(LocationMonster);
+  const itemRepository = dataSource.getRepository(ItemDefinition);
+  const lootTableRepository = dataSource.getRepository(LootTable);
+  const lootEntryRepository = dataSource.getRepository(LootTableEntry);
 
   const locations = [
     {
@@ -95,6 +106,15 @@ export async function seedVisibleVerticalSlice(
     ['fromLocationId', 'toLocationId'],
   );
 
+  // Content is upserted by its stable key so re-running never duplicates rows
+  // and never touches player-owned character_items or combat_rewards.
+  await itemRepository.upsert(ITEM_DEFINITIONS, ['key']);
+  await lootTableRepository.upsert(LOOT_TABLES, ['key']);
+  await lootEntryRepository.upsert(LOOT_TABLE_ENTRIES, [
+    'lootTableId',
+    'itemDefinitionId',
+  ]);
+
   const monsters = [
     {
       id: ASH_RAT_MONSTER_ID,
@@ -108,6 +128,7 @@ export async function seedVisibleVerticalSlice(
       silverMin: 4,
       silverMax: 7,
       artworkPath: '/images/monsters/ash-rat.png',
+      lootTableId: ASH_RAT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
     },
     {
       id: ROAD_BANDIT_MONSTER_ID,
@@ -121,6 +142,7 @@ export async function seedVisibleVerticalSlice(
       silverMin: 9,
       silverMax: 15,
       artworkPath: '/images/monsters/road-bandit.png',
+      lootTableId: ROAD_BANDIT_LOOT_TABLE_ID,
     },
   ];
   let ashRatId = ASH_RAT_MONSTER_ID;
@@ -176,6 +198,7 @@ export async function seedVisibleVerticalSlice(
       name: 'Aric Duskwalker',
       level: 1,
       experience: 0,
+      silver: 0,
       baseHp: 100,
       baseAttack: 6,
       currentHp: 100,