diff --git a/gogobee_legacy_migration.md b/gogobee_legacy_migration.md
index 1beffc1..cc48ec1 100644
--- a/gogobee_legacy_migration.md
+++ b/gogobee_legacy_migration.md
@@ -323,6 +323,8 @@ This is also the right shape because zone-boss plumbing (bestiary, mood events,
 - `go vet ./...` + `go test ./...` clean.
 - **Reader flip deferred.** The L4 exit criterion (`grep 'AdventureCharacter\|CombatLevel' adventure_pets.go` empty) is NOT met yet: `adventure_pets.go`'s helpers (`petGrantXP`, `petRollCombatActions`, `petRollDitchRecovery`, `petVictoryText`, `petDeathText`, `petShouldArrive`, `petMorningEvent`, `petCheckSupplyShopUnlock`, `mistyHousingHint`, `mistyReactivatePet`) still take `*AdventureCharacter` because they're called from many external files (`adventure_babysit.go`, `adventure_scheduler.go`, `adventure_npcs.go`, `combat_bridge.go`, `combat_stats.go`, `dnd_sheet.go`, `adventure_arena.go`, `adventure_character.go`). Flipping these signatures is a cross-file refactor that can land after the soak window — at which point the helpers can take `userID` (and call `loadPetState`) and the call sites drop their `*AdventureCharacter` access. The DB-level migration (this step) is the prerequisite that unblocks that refactor.
 
+**Reader flip (cross-file signature port) SHIPPED 2026-05-09.** All ten pet helpers in `adventure_pets.go` now take `PetState` (or `*PetState` for the test-only mutator `petGrantXP`) instead of `*AdventureCharacter`. `mistyHousingHint` takes `(mistyEncounterCount, mistyDonatedCount int, house HouseState)` — Misty NPC counters still live on AdvCharacter pending a later NPC phase. `mistyReactivatePet` returns `bool` (caller flips both AdvCharacter and `PetState`). `PetState` gained a `HasPet()` method mirroring `AdventureCharacter.HasPet()`. Call sites updated: `adventure_scheduler.go` (load PetState alongside HouseState in morning loop), `adventure_npcs.go::resolveMisty` (load PetState before reactivation check; pass NPC counters by value to the housing hint), `combat_bridge.go::transitionDeath` (now takes `Pet PetState` in `DeathTransitionParams`; arena caller in `adventure_arena.go::resolveArenaDeath` loads it; bridge no longer touches the DB so unit tests don't need DB init), and `petMidnightCheck` (loads PetState per char). Tests in `adventure_pets_test.go` and `combat_bridge_test.go` ported to construct `PetState` literals directly. Exit criterion now holds: `grep 'AdventureCharacter\|CombatLevel' internal/plugin/adventure_pets.go` is empty. `go vet ./... && go test ./...` clean.
+
 ### 6.5 L4e — Housing & mortgage
 - `adventure_housing.go`, `adventure_mortgage.go`: HouseTier/loan fields → `player_meta`. `houseHPBonus` → applied to `DnDCharacter.HPMax` calculation (already a parallel hook in `dnd_sheet.go`'s `recomputeHPMax`).
 - Mortgage scheduler tick stays — only the field source changes.
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_arena.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_arena.go
index 4617dc5..d82ef54 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_arena.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_arena.go
@@ -452,8 +452,10 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveArenaDeath(ctx MessageContext, run *ArenaRun, c
 
 	phaseMessages := bossFlowPhaseMessages(bossNarr)
 
+	arenaPet, _ := loadPetState(char.UserID)
 	dt := transitionDeath(DeathTransitionParams{
 		Char:          char,
+		Pet:           arenaPet,
 		Source:        "arena",
 		DeathLocation: "the Arena",
 	})
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_npcs.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_npcs.go
index 3035aa8..1f25ed3 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_npcs.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_npcs.go
@@ -234,7 +234,10 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveMisty(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 		char.MistyDonatedCount++
 
 		// Pet reactivation: donating to Misty after chasing pet away
-		mistyReactivatePet(char)
+		mistyPet, _ := loadPetState(char.UserID)
+		if mistyReactivatePet(mistyPet) {
+			char.PetReactivated = true
+		}
 
 		if err := saveAdvCharacter(char); err != nil {
 			slog.Error("npc: failed to save misty buff", "user", ctx.Sender, "err", err)
@@ -245,7 +248,7 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolveMisty(ctx MessageContext, char *AdventureCharac
 
 		// Housing hint (fires once after 2+ encounters)
 		mistyHouse, _ := loadHouseState(char.UserID)
-		hint := mistyHousingHint(char, mistyHouse)
+		hint := mistyHousingHint(char.MistyEncounterCount, char.MistyDonatedCount, mistyHouse)
 		if hint != "" {
 			reply += "\n\n_" + hint + "_"
 		}
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_pets.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_pets.go
index e0829a3..1c11f9a 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_pets.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_pets.go
@@ -32,25 +32,25 @@ func petXPToNextLevel(level int) int {
 }
 
 // petGrantXP adds XP to the pet and handles level-ups. Returns true if leveled up.
-func petGrantXP(char *AdventureCharacter) bool {
-	if !char.HasPet() || char.PetLevel >= 10 {
+func petGrantXP(pet *PetState) bool {
+	if !pet.HasPet() || pet.Level >= 10 {
 		return false
 	}
 
-	char.PetXP += int(petXPPerAction * 100) // store as centixp for precision
+	pet.XP += int(petXPPerAction * 100) // store as centixp for precision
 	leveled := false
-	for char.PetLevel < 10 {
-		needed := petXPToNextLevel(char.PetLevel) * 100
-		if char.PetXP < needed {
+	for pet.Level < 10 {
+		needed := petXPToNextLevel(pet.Level) * 100
+		if pet.XP < needed {
 			break
 		}
-		char.PetXP -= needed
-		char.PetLevel++
+		pet.XP -= needed
+		pet.Level++
 		leveled = true
 	}
 
-	if char.PetLevel >= 10 && char.PetLevel10Date == "" {
-		char.PetLevel10Date = time.Now().UTC().Format("2006-01-02")
+	if pet.Level >= 10 && pet.Level10Date == "" {
+		pet.Level10Date = time.Now().UTC().Format("2006-01-02")
 	}
 
 	return leveled
@@ -108,19 +108,19 @@ type PetCombatResult struct {
 }
 
 // petRollCombatActions rolls attack and deflect for a combat round.
-func petRollCombatActions(char *AdventureCharacter, enemyName string) *PetCombatResult {
-	if !char.HasPet() {
+func petRollCombatActions(pet PetState, enemyName string) *PetCombatResult {
+	if !pet.HasPet() {
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	result := &PetCombatResult{}
 
 	// Attack roll
-	if rand.Float64() < petAttackChance(char.PetLevel) {
+	if rand.Float64() < petAttackChance(pet.Level) {
 		result.Attacked = true
-		result.AttackDamage = 3 + rand.IntN(5) + char.PetLevel // 3-7 + level
+		result.AttackDamage = 3 + rand.IntN(5) + pet.Level // 3-7 + level
 		var pool []string
-		if char.PetType == "dog" {
+		if pet.Type == "dog" {
 			pool = PetDogAttack
 		} else {
 			pool = PetCatAttack
@@ -132,10 +132,10 @@ func petRollCombatActions(char *AdventureCharacter, enemyName string) *PetCombat
 	}
 
 	// Deflect roll
-	if rand.Float64() < petDeflectChance(char.PetLevel, char.PetArmorTier) {
+	if rand.Float64() < petDeflectChance(pet.Level, pet.ArmorTier) {
 		result.Deflected = true
 		var pool []string
-		if char.PetType == "dog" {
+		if pet.Type == "dog" {
 			pool = PetDogDeflect
 		} else {
 			pool = PetCatDeflect
@@ -149,20 +149,20 @@ func petRollCombatActions(char *AdventureCharacter, enemyName string) *PetCombat
 }
 
 // petRollDitchRecovery rolls for pet intervention on player death.
-func petRollDitchRecovery(char *AdventureCharacter) bool {
-	if !char.HasPet() {
+func petRollDitchRecovery(pet PetState) bool {
+	if !pet.HasPet() {
 		return false
 	}
-	return rand.Float64() < petDitchRecoveryChance(char.PetLevel)
+	return rand.Float64() < petDitchRecoveryChance(pet.Level)
 }
 
 // petVictoryText returns a random victory reaction line.
-func petVictoryText(char *AdventureCharacter) string {
-	if !char.HasPet() {
+func petVictoryText(pet PetState) string {
+	if !pet.HasPet() {
 		return ""
 	}
 	var pool []string
-	if char.PetType == "dog" {
+	if pet.Type == "dog" {
 		pool = PetDogVictory
 	} else {
 		pool = PetCatVictory
@@ -171,12 +171,12 @@ func petVictoryText(char *AdventureCharacter) string {
 }
 
 // petDeathText returns a random death reaction line.
-func petDeathText(char *AdventureCharacter) string {
-	if !char.HasPet() {
+func petDeathText(pet PetState) string {
+	if !pet.HasPet() {
 		return ""
 	}
 	var pool []string
-	if char.PetType == "dog" {
+	if pet.Type == "dog" {
 		pool = PetDogDeath
 	} else {
 		pool = PetCatDeath
@@ -187,11 +187,11 @@ func petDeathText(char *AdventureCharacter) string {
 // ── Pet Arrival Flow ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 // petShouldArrive checks if pet arrival should trigger.
-// Fires randomly after Tier 1 house upgrade is complete. Housing state
-// comes from player_meta via loadHouseState (L4e reader flip); pet flags
-// still live on AdvCharacter during the soak window.
-func petShouldArrive(char *AdventureCharacter, house HouseState) bool {
-	if char.PetArrived {
+// Fires randomly after Tier 1 house upgrade is complete. Housing and pet
+// state come from player_meta via loadHouseState / loadPetState (L4d/L4e
+// reader flip).
+func petShouldArrive(pet PetState, house HouseState) bool {
+	if pet.Arrived {
 		return false
 	}
 	// Pet arrives after Tier 1 (Livable) upgrade = HouseTier >= 2
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ func petShouldArrive(char *AdventureCharacter, house HouseState) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 	// Pet was chased away and reactivated via Misty — allow re-arrival
-	if char.PetChasedAway {
-		return char.PetReactivated
+	if pet.ChasedAway {
+		return pet.Reactivated
 	}
 	// 15% daily chance after house tier 1
 	return rand.Float64() < 0.15
@@ -362,8 +362,8 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) resolvePetName(ctx MessageContext) error {
 
 // petMorningEvent rolls for a morning pet event and returns flavor text.
 // Returns empty string if no event fires.
-func petMorningEvent(char *AdventureCharacter) string {
-	if !char.HasPet() {
+func petMorningEvent(pet PetState) string {
+	if !pet.HasPet() {
 		return ""
 	}
 
@@ -372,23 +372,23 @@ func petMorningEvent(char *AdventureCharacter) string {
 		return ""
 	}
 
-	if char.PetType == "cat" {
+	if pet.Type == "cat" {
 		line := PetCatOffering[rand.IntN(len(PetCatOffering))]
-		return strings.ReplaceAll(line, "{pet_name}", char.PetName)
+		return strings.ReplaceAll(line, "{pet_name}", pet.Name)
 	}
 
 	line := PetDogSmothering[rand.IntN(len(PetDogSmothering))]
-	return strings.ReplaceAll(line, "{pet_name}", char.PetName)
+	return strings.ReplaceAll(line, "{pet_name}", pet.Name)
 }
 
 // ── Pet Supply Shop Unlock Check ───────────────────────────────────────────
 
 // petCheckSupplyShopUnlock checks if 1 week has passed since pet hit level 10.
-func petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(char *AdventureCharacter) bool {
-	if char.PetSupplyShopUnlocked || char.PetLevel10Date == "" {
+func petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(pet PetState) bool {
+	if pet.SupplyShopUnlocked || pet.Level10Date == "" {
 		return false
 	}
-	d, err := time.Parse("2006-01-02", char.PetLevel10Date)
+	d, err := time.Parse("2006-01-02", pet.Level10Date)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false
 	}
@@ -399,12 +399,14 @@ func petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(char *AdventureCharacter) bool {
 
 // mistyHousingHint returns a hint about housing/pets if conditions are met.
 // Fires once, after 2+ Misty encounters, player has no house. Housing
-// state comes from player_meta (L4e reader flip).
-func mistyHousingHint(char *AdventureCharacter, house HouseState) string {
-	if house.HasHouse() || char.MistyEncounterCount < 2 {
+// state comes from player_meta (L4e reader flip). Misty NPC counters still
+// live on AdvCharacter (NPC migration is a later phase) so the caller
+// passes them in directly.
+func mistyHousingHint(mistyEncounterCount, mistyDonatedCount int, house HouseState) string {
+	if house.HasHouse() || mistyEncounterCount < 2 {
 		return ""
 	}
-	if char.MistyDonatedCount > 0 {
+	if mistyDonatedCount > 0 {
 		return "You seem like a good person. I can imagine you sitting in a house caring for a pet someday."
 	}
 	return "Thank you for your time."
@@ -412,11 +414,11 @@ func mistyHousingHint(char *AdventureCharacter, house HouseState) string {
 
 // ── Misty Pet Reactivation ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-// mistyReactivatePet marks the pet as reactivated if it was chased away.
-func mistyReactivatePet(char *AdventureCharacter) {
-	if char.PetChasedAway && !char.PetReactivated {
-		char.PetReactivated = true
-	}
+// mistyReactivatePet returns true when a chased-away pet should be marked
+// as reactivated. Caller is responsible for flipping the flag on both
+// AdvCharacter and player_meta.
+func mistyReactivatePet(pet PetState) bool {
+	return pet.ChasedAway && !pet.Reactivated
 }
 
 // ── Pet Level 10 Ticker (runs daily at midnight) ───────────────────────────
@@ -434,7 +436,8 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) petMidnightCheck() {
 		}
 
 		// Check supply shop unlock
-		if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(&char) {
+		pet, _ := loadPetState(char.UserID)
+		if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(pet) {
 			char.PetSupplyShopUnlocked = true
 			_ = saveAdvCharacter(&char)
 			_ = upsertPlayerMetaPetState(char.UserID, petStateFromAdvChar(&char))
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_pets_test.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_pets_test.go
index 054ed9f..60317b1 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_pets_test.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_pets_test.go
@@ -41,67 +41,67 @@ func TestPetXPToNextLevel_Increasing(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPetGrantXP_LevelsUp(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{
-		PetType:    "dog",
-		PetName:    "Rex",
-		PetArrived: true,
-		PetLevel:   1,
-		PetXP:      950, // close to needing 1000 (10 * 100 centixp)
+	pet := &PetState{
+		Type:    "dog",
+		Name:    "Rex",
+		Arrived: true,
+		Level:   1,
+		XP:      950, // close to needing 1000 (10 * 100 centixp)
 	}
-	leveled := petGrantXP(char)
+	leveled := petGrantXP(pet)
 	if !leveled {
 		t.Error("should have leveled up")
 	}
-	if char.PetLevel != 2 {
-		t.Errorf("pet level should be 2, got %d", char.PetLevel)
+	if pet.Level != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("pet level should be 2, got %d", pet.Level)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetGrantXP_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petGrantXP(char) {
+	pet := &PetState{}
+	if petGrantXP(pet) {
 		t.Error("should not grant XP without a pet")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetGrantXP_MaxLevel(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{
-		PetType:    "cat",
-		PetName:    "Luna",
-		PetArrived: true,
-		PetLevel:   10,
-		PetXP:      9999,
+	pet := &PetState{
+		Type:    "cat",
+		Name:    "Luna",
+		Arrived: true,
+		Level:   10,
+		XP:      9999,
 	}
-	if petGrantXP(char) {
+	if petGrantXP(pet) {
 		t.Error("should not level up past max level 10")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetGrantXP_ChasedAway(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{
-		PetType:      "dog",
-		PetName:      "Rex",
-		PetArrived:   true,
-		PetChasedAway: true,
-		PetLevel:     1,
-		PetXP:        0,
+	pet := &PetState{
+		Type:       "dog",
+		Name:       "Rex",
+		Arrived:    true,
+		ChasedAway: true,
+		Level:      1,
+		XP:         0,
 	}
-	if petGrantXP(char) {
+	if petGrantXP(pet) {
 		t.Error("should not grant XP to chased-away pet")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetGrantXP_SetsLevel10Date(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{
-		PetType:    "dog",
-		PetName:    "Rex",
-		PetArrived: true,
-		PetLevel:   9,
-		PetXP:      4999, // needs 5000 (50 * 100) for level 9→10
+	pet := &PetState{
+		Type:    "dog",
+		Name:    "Rex",
+		Arrived: true,
+		Level:   9,
+		XP:      4999, // needs 5000 (50 * 100) for level 9→10
 	}
-	petGrantXP(char)
-	if char.PetLevel == 10 && char.PetLevel10Date == "" {
-		t.Error("reaching level 10 should set PetLevel10Date")
+	petGrantXP(pet)
+	if pet.Level == 10 && pet.Level10Date == "" {
+		t.Error("reaching level 10 should set Level10Date")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -167,46 +167,42 @@ func TestPetDitchRecoveryChance_Level10(t *testing.T) {
 // ── Pet Combat Results ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func TestPetRollCombatActions_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	result := petRollCombatActions(char, "Goblin")
+	result := petRollCombatActions(PetState{}, "Goblin")
 	if result != nil {
 		t.Error("should return nil without a pet")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetRollDitchRecovery_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petRollDitchRecovery(char) {
+	if petRollDitchRecovery(PetState{}) {
 		t.Error("should return false without a pet")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetVictoryText_Dog(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetType: "dog", PetName: "Rex", PetArrived: true}
-	text := petVictoryText(char)
+	pet := PetState{Type: "dog", Name: "Rex", Arrived: true}
+	text := petVictoryText(pet)
 	if text == "" {
 		t.Error("should return victory text for dog")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetVictoryText_Cat(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetType: "cat", PetName: "Luna", PetArrived: true}
-	text := petVictoryText(char)
+	pet := PetState{Type: "cat", Name: "Luna", Arrived: true}
+	text := petVictoryText(pet)
 	if text == "" {
 		t.Error("should return victory text for cat")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetVictoryText_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petVictoryText(char) != "" {
+	if petVictoryText(PetState{}) != "" {
 		t.Error("should return empty string without pet")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetDeathText_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petDeathText(char) != "" {
+	if petDeathText(PetState{}) != "" {
 		t.Error("should return empty string without pet")
 	}
 }
@@ -214,37 +210,33 @@ func TestPetDeathText_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
 // ── Pet Arrival Logic ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func TestPetShouldArrive_NoHouse(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petShouldArrive(char, HouseState{Tier: 0}) {
+	if petShouldArrive(PetState{}, HouseState{Tier: 0}) {
 		t.Error("should not arrive without house")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetShouldArrive_BaseHouseOnly(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petShouldArrive(char, HouseState{Tier: 1}) { // Base house, not yet Livable
+	if petShouldArrive(PetState{}, HouseState{Tier: 1}) { // Base house, not yet Livable
 		t.Error("should not arrive with only base house (need tier 2+)")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetShouldArrive_AlreadyArrived(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetArrived: true}
-	if petShouldArrive(char, HouseState{Tier: 2}) {
+	if petShouldArrive(PetState{Arrived: true}, HouseState{Tier: 2}) {
 		t.Error("should not trigger if pet already arrived")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetShouldArrive_ChasedAway(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetChasedAway: true}
-	if petShouldArrive(char, HouseState{Tier: 2}) {
+	if petShouldArrive(PetState{ChasedAway: true}, HouseState{Tier: 2}) {
 		t.Error("should not trigger if pet was chased away (and not reactivated)")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetShouldArrive_Reactivated(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetChasedAway: true, PetReactivated: true}
+	pet := PetState{ChasedAway: true, Reactivated: true}
 	// With reactivation, should always return true
-	if !petShouldArrive(char, HouseState{Tier: 2}) {
+	if !petShouldArrive(pet, HouseState{Tier: 2}) {
 		t.Error("reactivated pet should always trigger arrival")
 	}
 }
@@ -274,8 +266,7 @@ func TestHasPet(t *testing.T) {
 // ── Morning Pet Events ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func TestPetMorningEvent_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{}
-	if petMorningEvent(char) != "" {
+	if petMorningEvent(PetState{}) != "" {
 		t.Error("should return empty string without pet")
 	}
 }
@@ -283,30 +274,26 @@ func TestPetMorningEvent_NoPet(t *testing.T) {
 // ── Misty Housing Hint ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func TestMistyHousingHint_NoEncounters(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{MistyEncounterCount: 0}
-	if mistyHousingHint(char, HouseState{}) != "" {
+	if mistyHousingHint(0, 0, HouseState{}) != "" {
 		t.Error("should not hint with 0 encounters")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestMistyHousingHint_HasHouse(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{MistyEncounterCount: 3}
-	if mistyHousingHint(char, HouseState{Tier: 1}) != "" {
+	if mistyHousingHint(3, 0, HouseState{Tier: 1}) != "" {
 		t.Error("should not hint if player has house")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestMistyHousingHint_Donated(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{MistyEncounterCount: 2, MistyDonatedCount: 1}
-	hint := mistyHousingHint(char, HouseState{})
+	hint := mistyHousingHint(2, 1, HouseState{})
 	if !strings.Contains(hint, "house") {
 		t.Errorf("donated player hint should mention house, got: %q", hint)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestMistyHousingHint_NotDonated(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{MistyEncounterCount: 2, MistyDonatedCount: 0}
-	hint := mistyHousingHint(char, HouseState{})
+	hint := mistyHousingHint(2, 0, HouseState{})
 	if hint != "Thank you for your time." {
 		t.Errorf("non-donor hint should be dismissive, got: %q", hint)
 	}
@@ -315,56 +302,50 @@ func TestMistyHousingHint_NotDonated(t *testing.T) {
 // ── Misty Pet Reactivation ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func TestMistyReactivatePet_ChasedAway(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetChasedAway: true, PetReactivated: false}
-	mistyReactivatePet(char)
-	if !char.PetReactivated {
-		t.Error("should set PetReactivated")
+	pet := PetState{ChasedAway: true, Reactivated: false}
+	if !mistyReactivatePet(pet) {
+		t.Error("should signal reactivation for chased-away pet")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestMistyReactivatePet_NotChasedAway(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetChasedAway: false, PetReactivated: false}
-	mistyReactivatePet(char)
-	if char.PetReactivated {
-		t.Error("should not set PetReactivated if pet wasn't chased away")
+	pet := PetState{ChasedAway: false, Reactivated: false}
+	if mistyReactivatePet(pet) {
+		t.Error("should not reactivate if pet wasn't chased away")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestMistyReactivatePet_AlreadyReactivated(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetChasedAway: true, PetReactivated: true}
-	mistyReactivatePet(char)
-	if !char.PetReactivated {
-		t.Error("should remain reactivated")
+	pet := PetState{ChasedAway: true, Reactivated: true}
+	if mistyReactivatePet(pet) {
+		t.Error("should not re-signal once already reactivated")
 	}
 }
 
 // ── Pet Supply Shop Unlock ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 func TestPetCheckSupplyShopUnlock_NotLevel10(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetLevel10Date: ""}
-	if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(char) {
+	if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(PetState{Level10Date: ""}) {
 		t.Error("should not unlock without level 10 date")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetCheckSupplyShopUnlock_AlreadyUnlocked(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetSupplyShopUnlocked: true, PetLevel10Date: "2020-01-01"}
-	if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(char) {
+	pet := PetState{SupplyShopUnlocked: true, Level10Date: "2020-01-01"}
+	if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(pet) {
 		t.Error("should not re-trigger if already unlocked")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetCheckSupplyShopUnlock_TooSoon(t *testing.T) {
 	// Set date to today — not 7 days ago
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetLevel10Date: "2099-01-01"}
-	if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(char) {
+	if petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(PetState{Level10Date: "2099-01-01"}) {
 		t.Error("should not unlock before 7 days have passed")
 	}
 }
 
 func TestPetCheckSupplyShopUnlock_Ready(t *testing.T) {
-	char := &AdventureCharacter{PetLevel10Date: "2020-01-01"}
-	if !petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(char) {
+	if !petCheckSupplyShopUnlock(PetState{Level10Date: "2020-01-01"}) {
 		t.Error("should unlock after 7+ days")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/plugin/adventure_scheduler.go b/internal/plugin/adventure_scheduler.go
index 0459890..c9971df 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/adventure_scheduler.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/adventure_scheduler.go
@@ -116,13 +116,14 @@ func (p *AdventurePlugin) sendMorningDMs() {
 
 		// Pet arrival check (fires before normal morning DM)
 		house, _ := loadHouseState(char.UserID)
-		if petShouldArrive(&char, house) {
+		pet, _ := loadPetState(char.UserID)
+		if petShouldArrive(pet, house) {
 			p.petArrivalDM(char.UserID)
 			continue
 		}
 
 		// Morning pet event
-		petEvent := petMorningEvent(&char)
+		petEvent := petMorningEvent(pet)
 		if petEvent != "" {
 			char.PetMorningDefense = true
 			_ = saveAdvCharacter(&char)
diff --git a/internal/plugin/combat_bridge.go b/internal/plugin/combat_bridge.go
index 553e643..2b08dcf 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/combat_bridge.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/combat_bridge.go
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ func applyXPBonuses(p XPBonusParams) XPResult {
 type DeathTransitionParams struct {
 	Char           *AdventureCharacter
 	Equip          map[EquipmentSlot]*AdvEquipment
+	Pet            PetState // pet state for ditch-recovery roll; zero value disables
 	ChatLevel      int
 	Location       string // set as GrudgeLocation; empty = don't set
 	Source         string // death source: "adventure" | "arena" — recorded on Kill()
@@ -374,8 +375,8 @@ func transitionDeath(p DeathTransitionParams) DeathTransitionResult {
 	}
 	r.Died = true
 
-	if petRollDitchRecovery(p.Char) && p.Char.DeadUntil != nil {
-		reduced := time.Now().UTC().Add(petDitchRecoveryTime(p.Char.PetLevel))
+	if petRollDitchRecovery(p.Pet) && p.Char.DeadUntil != nil {
+		reduced := time.Now().UTC().Add(petDitchRecoveryTime(p.Pet.Level))
 		p.Char.DeadUntil = &reduced
 		r.PetRecovered = true
 	}
diff --git a/internal/plugin/combat_bridge_test.go b/internal/plugin/combat_bridge_test.go
index a6131a0..62f6f3f 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/combat_bridge_test.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/combat_bridge_test.go
@@ -170,10 +170,9 @@ func TestTransitionDeath_SovereignReprieve(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTransitionDeath_KillAndPetRecovery(t *testing.T) {
 	deaths, petRecoveries := 0, 0
 	for i := 0; i < 500; i++ {
-		char := &AdventureCharacter{
-			Alive: true, PetType: "cat", PetArrived: true, PetLevel: 5,
-		}
-		r := transitionDeath(DeathTransitionParams{Char: char, Location: "Mine"})
+		char := &AdventureCharacter{Alive: true}
+		pet := PetState{Type: "cat", Arrived: true, Level: 5}
+		r := transitionDeath(DeathTransitionParams{Char: char, Pet: pet, Location: "Mine"})
 		if !r.Died {
 			t.Fatal("should die with no saves available")
 		}
diff --git a/internal/plugin/player_meta.go b/internal/plugin/player_meta.go
index 8658003..1d42e57 100644
--- a/internal/plugin/player_meta.go
+++ b/internal/plugin/player_meta.go
@@ -402,6 +402,13 @@ type PetState struct {
 	MorningDefense     bool
 }
 
+// HasPet returns true if the player has an active pet (arrived, not chased
+// away). Mirrors AdventureCharacter.HasPet() for the cross-file pet-helper
+// flip in L4d.
+func (s PetState) HasPet() bool {
+	return s.Type != "" && s.Arrived && !s.ChasedAway
+}
+
 // petFlagsJSON is the on-disk encoding of the four pet bools. Adding a new
 // flag is an additive JSON field — old rows decode as false.
 type petFlagsJSON struct {