Cat is trying her best to convince the mules to go on with her animal handling skills
Nya we're almost there girls just a little more Nya!

Though it was worth a shot, they're not having any conversation right now.



[The Bears]

Sandra and Sophia are already cranky about the cold and they DO NOT like these new friends.

[Mood -2]SANDRA REST[0/8] HP[25/25] AC10 MOOD[3] STAMINA[1]
[Mood -2]SOPHIA REST[0/8] HP[19/19] AC10 MOOD[1] STAMINA[1]

Ashley Nya! Summon Nixie Nya but keep her from attacking them Nya! Don't make eye contact either Nya! We just need the loud bang Nya! If that's not enough throw the stink bomb Alice Nya! We gotta make it clear that we aren't food Nya! That should be enough Nya but if not we need the lynxes too Nya! They won't endanger their cubs against all of us Nya! We won't engage them Nya but we're not retreating either Nya!

"Crap, okay." Ashley summons Nixie 30ft ahead of the cart, and the cooresponding loud bang and smoke.
 


[Rolls]

The bang reverberates through your lungs and the cubs scatter followed shortly by the mama bears. The smoke clears and the large black cat can't help but stare down the bears but by now the bears are already running off in all directions.

[Mood -1 Stamina +1]SANDRA REST[0/8] HP[25/25] AC10 MOOD[2] STAMINA[2]
[Mood -1 Stamina +1]SOPHIA REST[0/8] HP[19/19] AC10 MOOD[0] STAMINA[2]

Though the the large bang startles the mules, the associated adrenaline rush renews their energy and whether instructed to or not, they're off down the road toward Nixie. Knowing Nixie is on their side has motivated them to join her. Ashley runs ahead with Nixie and you're past the bears in no time. you're very close to Phandalin, though you can't see it yet and it's still about an hour away.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 16:30, Partly Cloudy, 2C 27.7miles]

Sandra's pulling the cart hard, a real champ though she's tired, but Sophia's had enough, though she's fine when you lead her, she's done and will probably not like being driven this hard in the future without another good uneventful day under her belt and in a warmer climate. Expect her to not make it all the way to the high road unless her mood has improved significantly.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 17:30, Partly Cloudy, 0C]

You finally arrive to the small town of Phandalin.

[Stamina -2]SANDRA REST[0/8] HP[25/25] AC10 MOOD[2] STAMINA[0]
[Mood -1, Stamina -2]SOPHIA REST[0/8] HP[19/19] AC10 MOOD[-1] STAMINA[0]







You arrive at Barthen's Provisions and Hobbie's sitting on the porch, smoking a long pipe, wrapped in a blanket. He hears you clopping up long before he sees you and when he sees who's trotting up he smiles, throws his hands in the air and cheers, "Look who's here!"



Hobby hops up, places down his pipe and blanket, runs out and seems excited to see what you got for him.

"Hey, yeah we're back you have stables for our mules right?"

"Oh yes of course! I'll take great care of them."

Ashley's gears are turning, "Perfect, so we got your stuff and if I remember correctly, you owe us 650 silver for the big load."

His smile fades, "well I think you're slightly mis-remembering."

"Yeah? Oh right, we were going to deliver the whole lot to that other guy."

"No! No no no, it was me, and the price was 20% over, yes, I have it in my ledger. Then I owe you 600 silver."

Ashley rolls her eyes, "Yeah so we're not real readers, yet, but I'm getting my license soon so then I'll probably be trading here more often. Ya knooowwah, someone who can take care of our mules temporarily and does a great job, would probably earn our trust."

"You won't find a finer tender in all of Phandalin, well in fact, we have the only dedicated stable other than Eldermath's, but he's not in the business. I mean there are a couple farmers who tend their own animals, but in terms of the level of care good traders need to make sure their horses and mules are in tip top shape to be able to travel those long distances, I'm the best! And we have plenty of vacancy in the meadows, though it's been so cold lately, they'll likly prefer the barn," He speaks with a quickened cadence and a cheerful tone.

"Bah, how much per day for your boarding of two mules?"
   
He looks slightly nervous, "Well, begging your pardon, it's usually a standard rate of 5 silver a day each, but but that includes feed and care, I can adjust and clean their shoes if you leave them more than a day AND, I'll give your cart a once over, feel free to keep that in my garage as part of the bargain."

"Look, I know you don't have any other customers here, and feed is dirt cheep, we have some anyway, so what about a flat one time rate?"

[Persuasion 1d20+6=11]

He squirms a bit and then says, "you're wrong Ms. Ashley, I have a full paying customer just today, she was happy to pay whatever I asked in fact! Well though not everyone can afford everything the same and you're not asking for me to take on finicky draft horses, so how long are you staying?"

"At least a week I'd bet, we have a lot to do, but whatever it is, wait, who else is here?"

He looks up as if calculating, "If you give me 50, then I'll take it as full payment until you're ready to leave. Deal? Oh who? Well Elmina handled it so I didn't see who."

Ashley takes a sigh, "Yulya? He says 50 flipping silver for these stinky girls and we only made 100, what a jip!"

[Interactions Required]

Bear and Hali left Neverwinter to go to Luskan where Summer is about to be enslaved again but to the Duke of Luskan.

She was recognized as royal tier quality and was only available to Duke or Royal caste, so Bear couldn't just offer a sum to purchase her directly, but because of his Duke in Waiting status and Hali as his proof, he was able to register intent to bargain and the Duke was sent a letter of allowance. He could refuse the meeting but he won't because he has the upper hand and there's no reason not to have a tea party for his invited guests. The registration is sent via crystal ball so at that point anyone who checked the registery now knows that Bear of Neverwinter, Duke in waiting and his attendant, a royal tier Avariel (not specifically banned from enslavement in Neverwinter or Luskan) would be traveling North soon to Luskan. Their levels are also known by a quick cross reference at the guild or hall of justice.

So this all means, they can't travel the High road without risk of kidnapping by bandits or "bandits" in the employ of a noble for the purpose of extortion or as a trap for enslavement.

Traveling the wilderness of the Neverwinter woods is safer from bandits but far less safe from wild animals. In the first quarter of their journey so far, Hali was almost one-shot by a cougar, they were besieged by 4 champion tier wolves (like normal wolves but higher HP) and managed to get past that without dying. They have 110 or so miles left to walk to get to Luskan then they need to arrange a meeting with the Duke. They don't have anywhere near enough money to bargain and Summer is physically and legally secured so they're going to have to give it all they've got to get her out.

Life can be cruel and their legal options are limited. Short of a heck of a lot of gold, they're going to need a miracle to achieve this or die trying.

[SheShe] I want to see them succeed but if either of them do die, at least they can come to me in the ethereal plane.

If Bear dies here, the campaign will go on without him, when Gwen returnes, she will likely have enough coin to resurrect him.

Bah, too many.

After they are gone, Alice checks on the mules again.

The girls are dead on their feet.

Good morning Nya, Sandra Nya and Sophia Nya! Todays the exciting part Nya as we go on Triboar Trail Nya!

The girls are awake, cooperative, and both happy to get going. They are very much enjoying this new founf freedom.

Now let us hurry! We must depart early if we want to reach Phandalin today. I would rather not camp out at Triboar trail!

[Saturday, Spring 22, 06:15, Partly Cloudy, 10C]

"Head 'em up and move 'em out!"



The rumble of wheels over gravel is slightly muted by the softer compacted and rutted dirt Triboar Trail. The road is dry and the traction is good. The trail of another carraige has left tracks that are no more than a day old.

[Survival Rolls]

The temperature immediately drops as you move along the road. It becomes earily quiet and the wind picks up, a side draft that has gales of 10-15 mph. There are no chirping birds or skittering squirrels, many of the plants show signs of frostbite and hard freeze has killed some of the trees along the treeline or sent them back to dormancy after they were just coming out of their slumber.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 12:00, Partly Cloudy, 7C 16 miles]

By about the half way mark, the road crunches dry dust and is cracked from lack of moisture odd for the otherwise subtropical coastal land. The weeds are all dead, there are a few heartier plants but it's clear the nights are below freezing. The mountains to the south come into view, all covered from peak to base with snow. The wind is coming from the Northwest, bitter and biting, yet at least the girls are happily trotting along, not a worry in the world.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 16:00, Partly Cloudy, 2C 27miles]

Past the turn off to Phandalin, you feel like this is the dead of winter and not well into spring. You continue and it just keeps cooling, by 10th hour, it's nearing freezing and it's taking a toll on the girls. They're still able to go a little further but not by much. The constant cold wind. Has sapped their spirits and their stamina.

[Mood -2]SANDRA REST[0/8] HP[25/25] AC10 MOOD[5] STAMINA[1]
[Mood -2]SOPHIA REST[0/8] HP[19/19] AC10 MOOD[3] STAMINA[1]

But Phandalin is just a few miles ahead, not more than 5, you'll make it if they can just go a little farther. By now the wind has shifted parrellel to the road.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 16:14, Partly Cloudy, 2C 27miles]

You see the Trees to the east, not more than 100 feet away, unnaturally covered in patches of snow. the north side of every rock, every dip, every bush, anything that doesn't get direct sunlight is holding on to fluffs of snow. And you're also becoming wary of this gale that seems to follow you and chill you as you walk. Suddenly you're confronted with Two large Grizzies with a total of 4 cubs, they all look emaciated, as they would just exiting their dens after winter, but these Bears are far enough South that they wouldn't have hibernated, so the lack of food in Early spring are threatening their existence. They're headed North along the trail directly for you and stop as they spot you, sticking their noses in the air. Given that they can easily smell both you and the girls, they're considering what to do next but the look in their eyes says awfully hungry and cranky. They're wary but aren't backing down.

Sandra skids to a stop, terrified by the bears ahead. Sophia hasn't seemed to notice them and keeps plotting along, tired but determined to pull.

[Interaction Required]

[At the rest stop]

Greetings Miss Hanna! I hope you are well out here all by yourself. Would you like to join us for lunch?

Hello Hanna Nya how are you doing Nya? Do you like our cart and mules Nyaa?

"Hello and Yes Ms Yulya, I'd love to! I'm doing great, thank you! And Oh yes Ms Cat, well, I love all animals and I think your cart is so cute, it makes me want to be a trader now with my own little mule and tiny cart. I could travel and see the world and make coin anywhere, but where I am now is probably where I'll be for a very long time. I see my friends regularly and they'd miss me terribly."

If you are in need of anything, as you see we can now transport a great amount of goods. It is so much more convenient than having to carry everything ourselves. Has anything unusual occurred lately? Like a carriage rushing by in Southern direction?

"Oh thank you, but I have every opportunity to get everything I need from the regular traders." She thinks a few moments, "And yes, I did hear someone tearing down the road not too long ago, I thought it might have been a couple roadmasters as the horses sounded like they were galloping but then the sound of carriage wheels wouldn't make sense, I'm sorry though I didn't go out to look. I did see a fancy looking Ambulance pass, you don't see that often."

"It was kinda cool right? I want mine to have that sleak feel but maybe a little shorter."

"Oh, I hope you find one you like," Hanna said kindly. "So are any of you interested in having a little fun?"

Before anyone can say anything Ashley steps in, "if you mean fun as part of your profession then please no."

She smiles and winks at Ashley, "it's an open invitaiton if you're ever lonely out here on the road, we don't have to do anything crazy but sometimes just brushing each other's hair and soothing conversation can be very relaxing and open up ideas that you may not have thought of. I'm also an excellent masseuse and I am very good at helping set your mind straight. Many of my friends come just to talk and unwind after a long day on the road. I also have other treats you might like? I have a fine selection of pipe weed, longbottom leaf, herb, dokha, among others and I can also make soothing teas that will help you relax. Trust me, if you're feeling nervous or you're just on the fense, a few sips of certain teas can really loosen you up. Fun is a guarentee!" She thought a moment, "In fact, I was so happy you loaned your pet to me the other night, Ashley, I'd be willing to play a little with you gratis."



"Hard pass, no offense."

[At the Triboar head]

You did great Sandra Nya! Let's see if Sophia's also up for the job today Nya!

[Mood +1]SANDRA MOOD[5]

Cat investigates and sniffs the tracks Nyaa do you think this was Summer's carriage Nya? She must have been ahead of us Nya unless she flew or something Nya...

Yulya casts GUIDANCE on Cat to aid her investigation

[Perception (nose enhancement with GUIDANCE) 1d20+3+2+1d4=8]

Based on the tracks you can tell it was a carriage, lightly loaded and traveling at a speed pulled by two horses, consistant with the horses at a gallop. You follow the tracks down and the cart fishtailed right after the turn. Cat couldn't determine anything else.

[Such things can only be percieved once to gather clues or find hidden clues; however, someone could then 'investigate' to deduce based on clues. Unfortunately there weren't enough clues discovered here to pass the check even with a critical roll. Some things sometimes will remain a mystery, it's all part of the game.]

use 1 batch and coat 10 arrows!

The poison hardens as it cools, and can be applied after re-warming and is applied on to freshly honed blades or tips. Honing requires 1 hour for 2 blades or 5 arrow tips.

After Cat warms the vial, Alice applies a vial of poison on 10 of her arrows already honed arrows.

Alice now has in her quiver:
-[5/5] HONED ARROWS +1 [80/320] [BREAK IF HIT ROLL <=5]
-[10/10] POISONED ARROWS +1d2 [80/320] [BREAK IF HIT ROLL <=5]
-[5/5] BLUNT ARROWS [40/160] (FLY HALF AS FAR MAX) [BREAK IF HIT ROLL <=5]

Cat has in her quiver:
-[15/15] HONED ARROWS +1 [160/600] [BREAK IF HIT ROLL <=5]
-[5/5] BLUNT ARROWS [80/300] (FLY HALF AS FAR MAX) [BREAK IF HIT ROLL <=5]

The formulation of this particular poison will add an additional 1d2 poison damage and has a 50% chance to apply the poisoned condition up to Poison 1. Poison 1 would cause an additional 1 poison damage next turn. The Poisoned condition works as follows: Poison x applies x damage next turn, x-1 the following turn and so on until x reaches 0. So Poisoned 3 would cause 3, 2, and 1 damage on subsequent turns. Poison applied in this way does not have a save as it is forcibly applied on hit.

Honed arrows apply a non-magical +1 to damage and hit, a poisoned arrow would apply +x poison damage and retain the +1 to hit advantage. The poison damage can have advantages over the straight +1 for enemies weak to poison. To be clear, the lowest tier poison simply replaces the +1 piercing damage with poison damage, your formulation will replace the straight +1 damage with a potential to have as much as +2 with Poisoned 1 condition. For context, the Golbins have the lowest tier equivelent poison applied to non-honed arrows so their arrows have a 50% chance to apply +1 poison damage only. Though you could apply poison to non-honed arrows, you would also suffer that dramatic loss of effectiveness.

How do you like it out here? So far things went well, I hope you can cope with the cold in the East, I certainly can't...

Alice's attention to the mules does not go unnoticed. Though Sophia doesn't seem to be interested, Sandra was particularly interested in Alice's words and is momentarily fascinated, she quite enjoyed Alice's visit.

[Mood +2] SANDRA

[In general they will react favorably to interaction, but not always, and sometimes they may be offended by something you say or do. Sometimes soothing words and interactions are reassuring while frantic, harsh, loud or meniacle words will surely cause them stress.]

Really? For me? Yayy, you're my best friend now! Alice hugs Ashley and clings to her, unwilling to let go, except for maybe another candy.

Ashley pushes out of Alice's grip.



"This is the opposite of how you get candy in the future!"

Yulya casts GUIDANCE on herself and searches the rest area for potential threats. Then she looks for water for the mules.

[Perception 1d20+5+1d4=20]

The road and the area is desolate, only birds, a squirrel, and the light rustling of trees in the late evening breeze.

The nearly full moon brightens the landscape as night falls. You all go to sleep as Ashley watches the area, then she also turns in leaving Olga and Helga to watch. Shortly after the switch

[Friday, Spring 21, 22:31, Partly Cloudy, 11C]

[MANY ROLLS]

You're all disturbed by the hissing of Olga and Helga, Ashley peeks her head out of the tent and the sound of wolves howl in the distance. Ashley throws more wood on the fire, "Good work girls, but look, even the mules don't care. So chill a bit, it's just wolves in the distant forest." The other girls stand motionless, their eyes clamped shut.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 02:20, Partly Cloudy, 10C]

Alice is up and watching when she sees a couple guards on horseback escorting four refugees in chains heading North.

[You may say or do something or let them pass.]

The rest of the night passes without any interruptions.

[Saturday, Spring 22, 06:00, Partly Cloudy, 10C]
[Mood +3]SANDRA REST[0/8] HP[25/25] AC10 MOOD[7] STAMINA[10]
[Mood +0]SOPHIA REST[0/8] HP[19/19] AC10 MOOD[5] STAMINA[10]

It's a nice morning, the clouds in the east over the forest filter the sunlight but doesn't stop a few rays from reaching the vast sea to the West.

[It's a new day, Interactions are required.]

Going back tomorrow morning with the following priorities twice a week till they're good:

Shoulders
Bench with freeweights
Triceps
Pull down/up until I can do 30 in a row at my weight. I can do pullups but only like 20 which tends to happen when I am heavy or skip it for a while. Doing 30 straight is hard to get.
Overhead press
Surprisingly chest is already my weight on the machine so can't figure that out other than bench also requires triceps it's sus.

The rest of the exercises will be every other time as usual

5e AID extends 5HP to maximum HP for 8 hours upon casting, using 2MP.

I changed it so it automatically extends temporary HP for 24 hours, once per day for free and cannot be cast separately.

If you take damage, temporary HP is taken first and does not return when you heal. It will only return at dawn and does not stack if there is some left.

Since temporary HP always is removed first, you will never have a scenario that it runs out.

In the vanilla spell if it expired and you had 5 or less HP,  you would fall unconscious but stable. If you were already downed and within 5HP of the negative of your maximum HP then yes, you would die. It's moot because I changed the spell.