The group heads out to Neverwinter on the cart. The trip up the coast is uneventful but beautiful. You take in the sights of the coast and the forest that abuts it. Game is plentiful and the journey is pleasant. You all spend the time chatting, playing dice, hunting and listening to the Bard weave his musical tales. The group arrives in Neverwinter on the third day of travel.

As you head into the city you see stretching across the plaza, traders have arranged their fruit and vegetables for inspection. To one side, a series of buckets and small tubs occasionally jump as the fish inside flop and splash. Here and there, claw-bound crabs try to escape their confinement. A row of skinned frogs wriggle weakly against a dirty blanket, the blood glistening on their exposed organs and muscles. An old woman is poking among them in a desultory fashion with her stick. From her demeanor, she seems to think they are a poor group of specimens indeed. Bunches of root vegetables are lined up in the adjacent row of vendors. The mud clinging to the inverted tips is still fresh and glistens gently in the dawn light. Even as early as this, most of the cut flowers have already been claimed and only a few slightly dried-up bunches remain. Still, they
are colorful, if not sweet-smelling – the opposite of the pungent herbs in the next row. Those look like tiny mandrakes but have an exquisite fragrance and taste, which could be valuable, given the apparent propensity for most cooks in this city to
ruin their meats with a single variety of oily, greasy gravy.

The final row of vendors has a variety of miscellaneous manufactured goods. Colorful printed cloth appears variously cheap, gaudy or attractive depending on the woman holding it up against herself. Chipped ceramics that look like they have been rescued from a shipwreck are being examined by several maids. Small children eye the spinning tops and hoops and wait for their opportunity to try to steal one or more of them. Three bored-looking guards stand yawning and scratching to one side.

OOC: Where you headed?

[OOC]  If I know of a temple of Lathander, I would like to pay a visit, deposit some alms, and restock on any traveling clerical requirements (holy water, components, etc.).  While there, I will inquire about any information relevant to our current task.

You head toward the Temple of Lethander. You enter the Temple Square, a broad open area more than 350 feet on a side. This plaza is wide open with no statues, benches or other features to get in the way of worshipers, and is dominated by the temple at its
upper end. The stonework of the pavement is handsome, with geometric patterns in several types of gold stone. The other buildings on the square are well-made and old, of gray stone softened by time. They have stone steps, and windows with old wooden shutters held together by attractive metalwork. The doors are likewise fine old wood with metal plaques indicating the group or department found within: “Charities”, “Mission to the Provinces”, “Safety and Health”. Plainly-dressed clerics and government workers can be seen coming and going during working hours. Most days, a few wandering merchants throw down a blanket and offer jewelry or religious tokens for sale or trade. Beggars frequent this area, hoping for a handout from worshipers.

"We should look into getting mounts at a fair price, and I want to pick up a few items at the market.  With talk of zombies, will the God of Light grant us some Holy Water Bandalor?"

OoC;  Hopefully someone with high CHR comes with...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Wed 13 May 2020.

In reply to Imbert Keenbinder (msg # 4):

Jaskier happily replies to Imbert
"I'd love to join you in purchasing our gallant steeds!  Besides, religious institutions always make me feel...uncomfortable.  I'm much more in my element in the marketplace."

On their way to the market, Jaskier pauses for a moment to speak to the three bored looking guards
"Hello Gents...I've just arrived and was wondering if there are any taverns or noble houses looking for evening entertainment.  Or if you can't recall any such, are there any establishments I should avoid?  I don't want to stir up any trouble while I'm visitig.  I quite like it here.  Especially compared to the pedestrian towns I've been frequenting lately."

One of the Guards lazily looks in your direction and says,"Yeah sure. Some crazy Kobold wearing this big ol sprakly helm from Waterdeep opened a joint here. Tis called Kobolds Rest or some Shite. Hear they are always looking for entertainment. Being a more of a developing large city and all I think trouble can be found just bout anywhere." He then makes this snorting gross sound and spits out a glob of phlegm onto the ground.

Bandalor first stops at the table marked "Charities" and offers 10gp.  "May the Morninglord smile on all of us."  He states solemnly.

Walking over to the table of "Safety & Health," Bandalor inquires "What might you have to provide a Dawnfinder making the war of light against the darkness?"

Looking for vials of holy water, any potions or scrolls that may be of assistance for prolonged combat.

The Acolyte says, "Yes of course we have plenty of scrolls for the more common of blessings and have at least 1 of every blessing you can think of. Their price does very for Common to Legendary Scrolls and they vary in price from 50 to more than 50,000 gold. We of course do have bottled holy water and it is recommended that 25 Gold Donation be give for these."

Cantrip-1: Common: 50-100 gp
2-3: Uncommon: 101-500 gp
4-5: Rare: 501-5000 gp
6-8: Very rare: 5001-50000 gp
9: Legendary: 50001+ gp

Zanben excited to be in a more bustling town, has his eyes jumping from vender to vender looking for any valuable object to acquire through sleight of hand.

Imbert purchases a couple bags of caltrips and looks longingly at silvered crossbow bolts and antitoxin, but decides he doesn't have the coin to spare.  He gathers up Jaksier and anyone else interested in the horse purchase and heads in that direction.  "Eve meal at the Kobold's Rest." he calls back to the rest of his companions.

Imbert grabs Jaskier and heads over to Coastal Stables where they meet up with Arnold. He greets you warmly. "So gonna ride something away this time? I have some good stock in."

Flocks of wild chickens run riot through the dirt streets, their white feathers darkened with dust. The noisy birds tangle underfoot, and peck irritatingly at your legs and ankles. An impressively combed rooster crows at his harem from atop a splintered fence post.

OOC: Zanben give me a Sleight of Hand check.

[OOC] Sleight of Hand check 1D20+5=21

"We are still looking for some good horses at a fair price.  This time four horses and a pony to be specific."  Imbert says then examines the horses.

OoC; Roll(1d20)+4:  12,+4  Total:16 - Animal Handling
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:02, Thu 14 May 2020.

Zanben is standing in the market and has his eyes set on the tents as they would make the easiest. He saddles up to a tent and slides his hands in backwards feels around and clutches an item. He heads off to an alley with the item tucked into his cloak. When there are no eyes on him he peers into his cloak and what he thought was a large sapphire is actually a small green apple.

Arnold at Coastal Stables motions to some animals and says, "These animals are in fine shape and I would sell the lot to you for 230 gold. I will throw in the riding gear at no cost.

Gwen finds herself standing in front of a tent with a sign that says,"Mizers Magic Emporium."

OOC: Zanben got away with his prize and no one saw him. All the animals Arnold gestures to do indeed look to be in fine shape.

As the party scatters into Neverwinter, Gwen unloads a bulky bundle of parchment cases, scroll tubes, and a wooden box of calligraphy supplies from the cart. "I've got a few bookkeeping chores before we head to Thundertree, lads... don't wait up!" As she heads into the city, she calls over her shoulder to Imbert, "See about a sturdy little mountain pony, the shaggier the better. Ask if they have ribbons too!"

[OoC]: Gwen's going to sink everything she's got into a couple new spells. I'm considering Web or Grease for controlling the battlefield and Misty Step or Find Familiar for general utility purposes, but I'm open to suggestions. If anyone else wants to invest their liquid assets in her spellbook, let me know and I'll pay you back after Cragmaw Castle is ours!

Gwen pushes aside the tent flap and gazes into the interior. She seeks out the master or mistress of Mizer's... "Hello? I'm seeking inscribed incantations, inks and reagents, quills and vellum... also some dangly dice for a pony I've arranged... hello?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Thu 14 May 2020.

Inside you see a redskinned, buxom, bone horned and scantily clad female Tiefling. The air is thick and aromatic. The Tiefling says, "I am Mizer and I have what you seek. Please sit. Let us speak of magiks." She gestures to the pillows on the carpet in front of her.

"Hot." says Gwen. "I mean, great!" She enters and sits, keeping one eye on the tiefling and the other on the door flap. "How nice to be in the company of a fellow spellcrafter." And a non-human, and a non-male, she leaves unsaid. "I'm preparing to transcribe several spells into my spellbook and I need some materials... I also have scrolls to barter and scrolls to buy, if you have them."

[OoC]: Scroll requests and offers in PM thread.

She leans in to you and some portion of her breast becomes exposed in her loose gown as she says, "Business business yes I have what you need. Dragons blood, crushed wyvern bone, feathers of the Phoenix. I also have the spells you seek. Perhaps though I can interest you in some Amersac from the island of Chult?"

Jaskier feins a very hurtful look and dramatically exclaims
"Arnold...Arnold...how would we be able to carry on, doing good deeds for Neverwinter and the far reaches of this great land if we cannot make our way to those who need us without steeds?  I say noble sir, you have the look of a good and honorable man.  Why not give us a better deal and surely good fortune will will be visited upon you in kind"

[OOC]. Do I need to roll for charisma?  Whatever savings I can get us should be donated to gwens studies