Kensington Stone's page

Kensington will accompany everyone who wishes her to (though if she must pick only one, she will go with Leotian) then make her delivery last.

Yes DM, this wasn't your fault. It was simply a module our characters were incompatable with.

"I think we should continue on. I've rather lost my taste for inns. Is every inn like that in your world?"

Well, that's explained. I saw every name but mine and thought you'd decided to remove me from the party. Now I feel better.

"Right. Let's carry on with our mission first and then we'll see what Nature has in store for us."

So what are we going to do?

We should finish our job in the Darkmoon Vale. After all, it could be fun having the sherrif chase us, and the place is bound to have a legal system that could help us.

The logical alternative is that one of us go for help while the others go and do what this sherrif wants - temporarily. But if one of us does that, then we should establish some form of communication between the single seeker and the rest of the group. Smoke signals, perhaps. Of course, we could always leave, finish our job, and seek real justice there.

Kensington doesn't say what she's thinking. She is, however, scratching her chin and deeply pondering this.

"Very well then. I will speak no more opinions. Do as you please."

This doctor isn't going to help us, Kensington thought. Talking to him is a mere waste of time. But I won't raise any further opposition. It's their world, it's their decision.

"In matters of the abomination of slavery or to save someone's life, the rule of secrecy can be relaxed," Kensington replies. "Leotian, you're suggesting that the Sherriff is part of the gang. I can't say I disagree, taking into account his failure to arrest the gnome... If he is part of the gang, any entreaties we make to him would fail by default. Better to go over his head to the mayor or a judge. And Colwin, I too will give you my share of the money."

"Well, to be fair, most of my time aboard ship was as a communications officer. There is a spell that I am a master of, just a cantrip, really, that allows the sending of messages across distances without words, so my job was to send and receive messages from other ships and to summon whomever the Captain wanted to the control bridge, whether it be the security team, the medical team, an officer to relieve someone else, or the ship's marine biologist. Though I do confess I was also sent on missions, sometimes, where my training in multiple languages allowed me to serve as translator. In point of fact, that's why I'm not with my ship now. But never mind. Your poor parents. If they are slaves, and you wish them to be free, then I can offer them sanctuary and protection back home. So, Leotian, when our business in this horrible place is complete, perhaps we can help each other."

She smiles, and resumes the game.

Bre-ayne navy ships all have one staff marine biologist aboard. This means a high-level druid who specializes aquatic animal study, both in behaviorism and veterinary medicine (heal skill variation.) Their purpose aboard is to warn the Captain if something changes for the worse with the ocean, or if they need to speak to oceanic animals. For example, the ship's marine biologist would be summoned to the control bridge and useful in cases such as a dangerous change in the ocean, encountering a wounded dolphin and restoring it to health, or using "Speak with animals" to convice a killer shark to leave the ship and its crew alone, or, if the shark refuses, to spontaneously summon orcas, (killer whales) which have the power to kill even great white sharks. This is useful to Bre-ayne who intend to go to university after their navy service is over if they are interested in veterinary medicine or wildlife science, because the marine biologist will happily take them on as an apprentice.

"I wish I could let you meet them, Leotian," Kensington replied. "Nature's wonders and blessings are more than enough to quell the fury in the soul if one is willing to listen to the animals and trees. But I'm not a druidess myself. Don't get me wrong. I was raised in the religion, and I believe in the religion, but I'm not a member of the class. Only about eighty percent of my people's population are druids, the same as only eighty percent of my people's population are Orcs and Half-Orcs. We have people of every race, and we have people of every class, except barbarians, fighters, and rogues."

Knowing that hearing she's not a druidess would probably confuse her companions, Kensington decides to explain.

"We are a theocracy, which means rule by the church, or in our case, a religious order - druidism. But eighty percent of our population being druids means twenty percent are not. They're not rebels, and neither was I. In my case, I simply lacked the greatness of soul required to understand more than the simpliest of the great magicks. They discovered this in school, so it was decided by my teacher, my parents, a druid priest, and a tarot reader as the five conferenced together, that I should be free to develop my own more natural path to power, based upon my own personal bloodline. What I lack in greatness of soul, I more than make up for in personal magnetism. You see, my great-grandmother was an Orc paladiness on the main... in your world, long before my people even existed. And my great-grandfather was a celestial. The people in my family have had some natural talent for arcane magic ever since. And I happen to be one of them. So in the conference, it was decided that it would be unfair to attempt to force me down the normal path for a child in our people, because I couldn't thrive in it. So instead, they would encourage me to develop my own talents. Since magick is celebrated in my home more than anything else, they hardly saw any reason to mistreat me, merely because I'm better at arcane magic than divine magic. As to how you become a druid, I know only rumors. At times, I feel the call to unite with Gaia and become a druidess anyway. Druid/other classes are quite common, and druid/witch/mystic theurges are one of the most frequent admixtures. If I learn for certain how to become a druid, I will gladly tell you."

As the game continues, she realizes that she's left a piece of the story out.

"As for why I'm here, I have two reasons. It is felt that young people need more maturity and direction between graduation from grade twelve and university, so all Bre-ayne are required the two year interrum serving in the navy. Most people spend their two years, refuse to leave the... homeland again, and use the university to complete careers. Some, mostly girls, but not all, instead bypass the university in favor of attending Madame Kirustinu's nursing school. She's one of the world's greatest healers, you see. After all, she is a druid, and she wanted her healing talents and surgical skills to be passed on to our people, making Bre-ayne druids the masters of medicine. It is a skill I lack, since I preferred communication and the arts of language. A few don't go on to university, either, using skills they learned in the navy to start a profession or joining their family's business. And a few, like me, choose to stay in the navy, at least for a time. The reason I did not want to stay on the island is because of my great-grandmother. My mother told me all these fantastic legends of the glorious, heroic deeds of my paladin great-grandmother, and I have to know firstly if the stories are true, and secondly, if I can restore and live up to her legacy. Thus far, I'm off to a rather disappointing start, aren't I?"

When Kensington says greatness of soul and personal magnetism, she means wisdom and charisma. She could learn druidism, but it wouldn't do her too much good because her wisdom is ten, meaning she couldn't learn any spells. Her charisma, however, is considerably higher, so the Bre-anye felt it fairer she be encouraged to develop powers as a sorceress instead.

To Colwin, Kensington muses, "I daresay, most humanoids share with monkeys the pox of greed. Even I was not immune to it."

Later, during the game:

"Yes," Kensington says to Leotian after she has explained the game and demonstrated how it is played first. She defers to his request to be second player, passing him the ball and nodding. "It is that blooming lawman. I suspect he isn't a lawman at all. We may be wise to ask around town and find out if there's a second constable. Nor do I like how he failed to arrest the Gnome when it's as clear as crystal the Gnome is a thief."

As the game goes on, she looks at Leotian.
"My people are Orcs and Half-Orcs, mostly, who have renounced evil and barbarianism to study goodness and druidism. They mean to be the masters of divine magick, and study and prepare themselves for mystic union with Gaia herself. More than that, I cannot say. My people's very survival depends on secrecy. Only druids may be told anything about them openly, especially the location of our homeland, without fear, for all druids are brothers in faith, if not in flesh."

"This corrupt Sherriff should probably be exposed and run out of town," Kensington counters to Horfil. "Killing him will solve the problem of the man, but leave us burdened both with his ghost and with the anger of the town. It's a price I don't want to pay. Perhaps we should seek redress from the magistrate instead, or from the mayor. Both of them are capable of giving a Sherriff an order."

Kensington is also unwilling to be a part of blackmail, but being L/N, she would rather find another solution than have her integrity be compromised. Unfortunately, as a Lawful/Neutral, (not to mention her race) she would never condone murdering the Sherriff. Murder is against the law and thus, she cannot be part of it.

Don't worry about Kensington, Colwin. She is angriest with the Sherriff, whom she doesn't feel to be a true lawman in any sense.
The game will calm her emotions when it is complete. As for the dagger, she has decided that she wants no part of it anymore. She did feel it hers, but has come to the conclusion she doesn't want it after all, and her opinion won't change.

DM, you don't have to feel bad. This is just part of character development. Sports is the way the Bre-ayne have been taught to handle the hostile emotions.

"I admit, I am not fine. In fact, I am filled with contempt almost to what is known as the curse of rage. The reccomended means of countering the curse and returning to clearheaded calm is by physical action, but I will not dismiss you or send you away. To harm another unless it is in self-defense or jousting tournaments is forbidden to my people." Kensington explains to Leotian.

As she begins the game, she looks at Leotian and Horfil, and after Horfil speaks, she sighs, them smiles.

"Yes, it's a game that is often played in my homeland. A small handful of people have even learned how to play professionally, without magic, no less! I gladly invite you both to join the game. The idea is to take a ball and hit nothing but this feather."

She returns to the stable and picks up an own feather, then sticks it in the ground. With that, she uses a ball (borrowing one from a resident by asking if she must) and begins to play. Feather bowling is an ancestor of our modern bowling which was played in the medieval world, so it's appropriate for Ken to know it. There is another version, where the ball is used against other people and the last one standing is the winner, but the Bre-ayne clearly favor the feather version.

"So come on and join the game, but I'll go first so you can see what you should do.""

"I agree. This Sheriff's behavior suggests a set-up. As for the dagger, if you feel it isn't mine, so be it. It's been such a problem, I no longer want it. I shouldn't have wanted it in the first place. Excuse me."

She gives Colwin the dagger, then she leaves to go feather bowling.

"Druids I can speak to. I even known their tongue. Druids are quite literally everywhere back home on... Never mind. But I don't appreciate enduring, I believe this is called... blackmail. I confess, I've never seen this before. It never happens back home. Now I understand why it is strongly suggested that only navy officers leave the... Why our kind doesn't venture out beyond our borders. Since I believe I own this dagger, I would suggest giving you the dagger instead of your quest, doctor, as the price of the alleged debt to you. I question your claims of its worth because if it were your prized piece, and it were that valuable, you'd be a fool to bring into an inn! Shouldn't your most expensive piece be protected rather than exposed? Isn't that logical? Bringing it into an inn, leaving out the fire, still causes risk of stains and contamination from food and drink. Why would you be such a fool? To sell it? Easily done in your own secure location. Forgive me, but I believe you are exaggerating your damages, so I say again that I am willing to give you the dagger as repayment. Then we should consider the matter settled, pack our things, and go. We've our own things to do, and we've lost too much time already. My opinion is just one of many, though. What say the rest of you?"

I see now why many of my people never do anything without checking the stars or the tarot. This dagger has been nothing but trouble from the start. Perhaps it's actually cursed, in which case I should be glad to renounce it and be rid of it, Kensington reasons to herself.

Being a Bre-ayne, she is never intimidating, mean, or hostile to him. She is simply cold, logical, She isn't looking to cow him, or insult him. But just because the Bre-ayne are pacifistic doesn't mean they're pushovers.

At this point, Kensington is rather irate, but being a Bre-ayne, she will not harm or threaten anyone. Instead, she will, as soon as possible, go out and play feather bowling, on her own if she must. The Bre-ayne use atheletics and sports to release their aggression.

Kensington will search for the dagger personally, despite the filth. Whens she finds it, she will relinquish it to the Sherriff.

"I consider the dagger to be mine, but that is merely my personal opinion and should the proper owner be found, I will give it to him. I should meditate and renounce this greed. But on the other hand, we do have an admitted thief amongst us, Sherriff. Cannot one of your men, preferrably an Elf, secure this robber where he belongs? We know he is capable of casting sleeping spells, to which Elves are impervious. My people, being mostly druids, are quite understanding, but theft and the art of rogues is never tolerated!"

Now watch him turn it over to Grelm or try to claim it for himself, she thinks. All this fuss and bother over a dagger that wasn't mine to start with, and all a terrible deflection from our mission. Were I still aboard and we did this, the Captain would be quite irate. Madame Kirustinu would never find herself in this position.

If the Gnome tries to run, Kensington will scream, "As far as you go, thief!" and then cast Magic Missile on him.

"And, as we were taught in school back home, nobody is better at illusions than a Gnome."

"Beware!" Kensington warns the group. "This bird is probably the culprit's familiar. No doubt we will have to deal with the real criminal next."

She decides to prudently conserve her limited level 1 spells, and casts Mage Hand on the bird, to essentially paralyze it. If it tries to move in any way, she will counter the movement by forcing it to return to stationary position.

This will fulfill the law of the Bre-ayne, she reasons. Back home, all animals are entitled to respect and are considered people. They even have voting rights and representatives in Parliament. But then, since most people back home are druids, this is no surprise. I wish I knew that path better, and perhaps in my travels, I will have the awakening the ship's counselor told me some of us have in time. For now, however, though I may not be a practicer of the druidic spells or have their powers, I was raised in the faith. And I will honor that faith. I wish I'd learned the power of speaking to such creatures, but perhaps the other own can communicate.

Kensington turns to Colwin.

"Could your owl can speak to this other owl or is it not yet magically powerful enough?

"I'm fine, Horfil, thank you," she will state after he has had his turn.

"Don't bother with a stableboy. I can move the filth with my Drench spell. But first, Colwin, since you're still detecting magic, why don't you scan the barn and guide me while I look? One of you search the stable with me, Aldaara, perhaps? The rest of you, I suggest, search around outside the stable, but close to it."

A woman of action, Kensington immediately searches the stable. If she finds nothing, Kensington will use her Drench spell to start pushing the hay and manure away. This will do no harm to anything, and allows us to move the filth out of our way without getting any on us.

If possible, taking ten on the search check.

Kensington did not. She doesn't know that spell. After all, she's a sorceress, not a wizard.

"Why don't we stay together? Two stand a better chance working in tandum."

When Kensington has finished the hotel, she will begin with the outer buildings. If this means she must 'sit the game out' for several turns, that is fine. She will begin with “The Traveling Exhibition of Doctor Phineus Krane, Professor of Antiquities and Master of Shroud Artistry.”

Then she will search the stable, then the hitching post, and then the tents.

She is not searching blindly. There are three things in her mind that take priority. The dagger, any evidence of illusion magic, and any evidence of owls.

I didn't realize the situation was safe enough to take 10, so I will do that. As for anyone who won't let her in the room, I assumed that shouldn't be a problem because you said if we went anywhere, we'd have the Sherriff or one of his men with us.

Kensington will go searching the entire hotel thoroughly, reviewing the whole place from top to bottom. Even if it takes her all day, she will do it. Finding the dagger is the most important thing to do right now.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

"So we're either looking for a magician or a werebeing. Very well. Did anyone see Colwin leave the room at any time? Are there any other known owls around? I mean, does anyone know of any place a parliament of owls was recently seen?"

The gnome's presence is quite interesting to Kensington. Gnomes are famous for their talents with illusion.

"Where did you go, good gnome? And is there anyone who can confirm your statement? Do you know Mr. Grelm in any way?"

"If that is the case, then I believe you should search for a trail of dried blood, good sherriff. It would probably be wise to begin at the front door and work toward Horfil's room, but the entire hotel should be searched. Blood is solid proof, of either guilt if it is present, or innocence if it is not."

"Three possibilities. One, Horfil is guilty. Two, Horfil is innocent and the doctor is lying. Three, the doctor saw an illusion. Magic can do that, quite easily."

Sense motive on the doctor: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"Good doctor, exactly when did you see Horfil? And what was he doing? Did the blood he was covered in leave a trail? Did Horfil speak, or did you speak to him? And where was he going to?"

With that much blood on Horfil, it should have left a trail wherever he walked. The blood should still be there, since without bleach blood is almost impossible to thoroughly clean, and will be a dead giveaway as to his guilt. If a blood trail isn't there, it strongly suggests an illusion spell.)

"Sara, dear, did you or anyone else clean up any blood this morning or late last night? Did anyone smell bleach?"

"One other quick question, Sara dear. Are you the only one who did the work you did on this floor tonight, or was someone helping you? I ask this, not to cast aspersions on you, but to find out if there is an undiscovered potential witness."

She is quite pleased with herself that she suggested the "Detect magic" use, but of course, she will not speak of it. Boasting isn't the Bre-ayne way.

The elimination of Grelm's assistants relaxes Kensington. If he did this, it was strictly on his own. Seeing Grelm getting nervous almost pleases her. All that must be done now is to trick him into making two contradictory statements. One one thing can be true at a time, after all.

As she listens to Sara's testimony, Kensington looks at Grelm, calmly, without malice.

"Sir, I apologize that we found ourselves in that horrid display last night. I'm always ready for a good piece of gossip myself, sir, so did you happen to catch any when you were near the sherriff's office last night?"

Kensington waits for Sara to finish, and then she clears her throat.
"What, my dear, exactly, were Grelm and Hucaby doing as you saw them? And one more question, if you'll pardon it. At any time, did you see any of my companions, including myself, leave our rooms until we were summoned?" Kensington adds.

Sense motive: Grelm. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Sense motive: Sara. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"Then I suggest that we begin by taking statements as to where everyone was and what they were doing. We can start with me. I was in the dining room, seen by everyone, for quite some time. Then I went back to my room and stayed with Aldarra. True, I went to sleep in the room, but she never left during the entire time that I was awake in there."

She scratches her head, and nods.

"I also suggest that, while we're all here together, you have your assistants go check our bedrooms. As long as we are all in this room with you, none of us can interfere in the bedroom check. Also, can anyone use a spell known as "Detect magic?" It may make finding the dagger easier."

Kensington awakens, having dreamed of her homeland. Her disappointment was clear as she realized her actual surroundings again upon awakening.

"We shall see our destinies," Kensington remarks as the fearful summons is made.

She regrets having slept in her uniform, because now it is all wrinkled. No matter. As soon as this is over, she will lather herself up with soap and cast drench on herself.

She obeys with the command.

Kensington isn't trying to be difficult. It's just that she sees the party as tripping over themselves with everybody doing their own thing, as where she's accustomed to a much more organized way of responding. She's not trying to wreck the group or ferment jealousy, nor seize command of the party. As I said, please forgive her. She's lawful/neutral.

"I did not mean to start an argument. My intention solely was, as my schoolteachers would put it, to have all of us on the same page. The only one who doesn't belong in power, the druid priests often tell us in church, are those who go seeking it."

Kensington will order her dinner again, steak, potatoes, and tea. After she gets it, she will go up to the room with Aldaara. (If we have not yet rented rooms, Kensington will do this now.)

If Aldaara wants to, she can talk to Kensington. She'll answer.

"It was not a post I wanted, immediately, but it does seem navy experience, and proficiency at communication, makes a wise way of command. If you'll have me, I'll accept leadership. Should I prove inadaquate, I will be glad to step down, of course. There is no reason for us to be in opposing camps should an agreement not be found. I suggest that we decide by voting, and that whomever is not the winner becomes leader's assistant. No Captain would dare think of making a major move without consulting the first officer or the ship's counselor (a tarot reader, astrologer, or other druid or witch who specializes in divination spells), after all. The life of the entire crew is in his hands. A second opinion must be sought. So shall it be with us, and that shall be the law."

She turns back to the lawman, and hands the dagger to him.

"I understand the need to impound evidence. Back home... aboard my ship, we have paladins doing the same job you do. They protect the citi... crew, and keep order. In my job aboard as a communications officer, it was my job to send for the security paladin team fairly frequently. As to the matter of what we are doing and how we came to be here, we were employed by someone who wished us to make a delivery. More than that, I probably should not say, but I will be glad to refer you to our employer." (She tells him the employer's name, and where to find them, if she knows. "As we were walking, we came upon the corpse of a hobgoblin being molested by dogs. We chose to put a stop to this. We also performed a sky burial for the hobgoblin, which my companions appeared to find disgusting, but is the way of my... ship, when burial at sea is not possible. From earth we come, so to earth we must return. I agree that house arrest is more than fair, considering the circumstances. As for how I got the knife, I noticed a shine, probably a reflection from the light, in some foliage and I went to investigate. That is when I came upon the dagger and I picked it up."

She turns back to her companions.

"Thank you for your wisdom, Leotian, and your confidence, Aldaara, and for your concern, Horfil. I am only mildly injured compared to those that tried to assault us. If you feel the need to fulfill your honor by assisting with medical care, I will not stop you. But as for myself, his punishment is earned and now the lawman will decide further action. I will abide by what you ask, officer."

"My apologies," Kensington begins. "While we were travelling, I came upon this knife." She then reveals the knife to the lawman, allowing him to look at it but keeping it in her hands. "Somehow, the man known as Grelm knew that I had it and tried to lay claim. When I asked him to prove the dagger was his, he attacked me instead. My friends arose to my defense. If he'd just given me some proof, he'd have had this dagger. But he attacked instead. How utterly tragic."

"Lawman by fiat. What a queer standard to set. What happens in this world should the lawman turn out to be the town criminal? How is justice meted out?"

She looks around at the inn, and looks at the burned woman. Were she back on the ship, she wouldn't even need to wait for the Captain to give her the order. She'd already have used the message spell to call medical. A nurse (druid who specializes in healing magic and the heal & herbalism skills) would be on the scene in minutes.

"How utterly tragic that we had to resort to violence to fend off our adversaries. On the other hand, we did win, didn't we? I find this feeling of victory satisfactory... No! This is not our way. I must meditate tonight, and shed such base feelings. I was warned I'd have some trouble because I have not learned balance. Perhaps this is what they meant."

Then she looks to the rest of her party.

"I apologize for being so much trouble. It is the human side of my ancestry. Those of us with human grandparents or great-grandparents often find the human baseness bothersome. Now, if I may suggest, when we bunk in rooms, we should bunk in pairs. As we've just seen, this place is not safe. So I suggest we bunk in pairs instead of individually. I mean two people in a room. It is logical that the lady and I bunk in the same room, due to modesty concerns. Any one of us, woman or man, is clearly vulnerable if we're all in seperate bedrooms. Pairing up will both save gold and afford better defense. And we've still yet to establish a command order. This is the second time lack of leadership has resulted in a sadly chaotic state of actions. If we're organized and coordinated, with only one person giving orders and everyone aware of each other's jobs, we'll be ready to repel any further ambush."

Subdual damage doesn't kill. It knocks someone temporarily out. It is also known as non-lethal damage.

Kensington will use the drench spell to help counter the fires.

"Well, I'd prefer Lieut... er, Ken would be fine. This is not my... ship. Thank you, Leotian. Shall I call you Leo?"

She finds the questioning of the lawman's credentials quite unusual. The idea that he might not be valid had not occurred to her.

"Officer, perhaps you'd be good enough to show us a badge or medallion, please?"

Kensington discontinues all attacks. She does prepare to cast a spell, Drench, to help defeat the fire if the tavern truly does begin to get engulfed.

"I suggest we heed the lawman's reccomendation."

Please forgive Kensington. She's lawful/neutral. Perfect alignment for a navy officer, but not always the best thing for an adventuring party should a cop start issuing orders...

And with grease, water only makes fires worse.

OOC: Better? I didn't even notice them. Thanks for pointing it out.

OOC: Do you think fire spells are wise in a building that's probably got a lot of wood around us?

"For the last time, cannot we be reconciled? Clearly my allies are greater than yours, and whomever runs this establishment clearly disapproves of brawling inside this place. Or perhaps you need a taste of my people's art to get the point?"

Kensington defensively casts Magic Missile on Grelm, unless he chooses to abandon his attacks on her. If he and his mates discontinue the attack, she will withhold her spell.

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"I think I understand now. The dagger originally belonged to the hobgoblin, didn't it, sir? And your idea of a... 'fair fight' is you and your band against one lone hobgoblin, isn't it? So what about the dogs? Were they wild, were they your dogs, hence the reason you know about us, or could it be that you're some kind of lycanthrope?"

"How tragic that we must resort to fists."

She turns her attention to casting Shield on herself. It won't hurt anyone, but the extra ac will be helpful.

She feels her blood on her face. Life on the mainland is exactly what the Madame and the druid priests said it was. Brutish, cruel, dangerous. Kensington stands up, and backs away, making sure to bring her backpack with her (as well as the dagger). She retreats so that she is partially protected by her companions.

As soon as it is safe to do so, she casts Shield on herself, using defensive casting mode to ward off attacks of opportunity.

"Please reconsider; I do not want to hurt you."

"Finders keepers isn't fair, but yes, that's what I found. On the other hand, he raises a valid point. If this is so important to you, why would you leave it behind? And by the way, the mere fact that you know I have it, and that you know of the hobgoblin, suggests you or your mates have been following us."

All of a sudden, even though she knows that a society where almost everyone is at least a level 1 druid, so her people can defend themselves with magic easily if they are attacked, she is sickened and ashamed that she revealed anything of them. She must keep the Bre-ayne a secret. There's no excuse to blab, not even to her companions.

"Forgive me, for I am new to this... region. By what do you justify the claim of the dagger? And would you mind telling us the circumstances of how you met the hobgoblin and the reason that you fought?"

She looks to the rest of the party, seeking their insight.

"I will give it up to you, if my companions agree. If not, perhaps I could purchase it from you or do you a service to earn my ownership of the dagger. After all, I see no reason for two entire bands of people to end up in jail over a dagger."