Donnar’s eyes get wide with fear. He slowly nods his head up and down to indicate his submission. 

Stone takes out Donnar's gag and carefully keeps his blade pointed at Donnar's throat. He asks his companions,

"OK, who wants to question him first?"

"Where is Creel? And don't try to lie. You said his name, I heard you. Where is he?" Penelope says, stepping closer and letting the cold air of her breath brush past his face.

Donnar whimpers, “Don’t hurt me! The dog wasn’t worth this!” He tears up and his voice cracks. “He’s on the lower pier! Take the ladders!”

"What's in the bindle?" Jacob growls. (referring to the wrapped thing that I failed the check on that set him off to begin with)

Donnar excitedly yelps, “My staff! I used my magic to make it, for the honor of Chittr’k’k!”

"who wants a new staff?" Stone asks his companions.

"Let me see it." Penelope makes grabby hands for the staff.

Jacob will wander back over to grab it, keeping an eye out for any rat-based intrusions as he does so...

Jacob: You retrieve the staff without and rats attacking. You hand the wrapped quarterstaff to Penelope. 

Penelope: As you receive the bundle, Donnar begins to cry. “Please don’t take my staff! It’s a one of a kind tribute to the glory of Chittr’k’k!”

"Oh hush, I'm just going to look at it. You may have it back after a quick look and after we confirm you are not going to attack us again." Penelope will unwrap it carefully and examine it.

You unwrap the bundle and discover a dark walnut quarterstaff, surprisingly well carved with images of rats and moons. You can feel the magic radiate from it, but don’t know exactly what it will do without more time to study it. You could always ask Donnar what it does.

Or you could just try to use it and see what happens. 

What do you want to do?

Penelope will move away from the group and attempt to use it.

You point the staff at an empty spot across the warehouse and use it. In the spot you pointed, a Swarm of Rats is summoned. They look at you expectantly, and you can hear their thoughts. While they do not think in words, you get their emotions and drives. They want you to lead them, they see you as the head rat of the swarm.  

You also notice that you can hear the thoughts of the other random rats around you. They are all wary of the loud, violent, giants who attacked their friend, but they are losing their fear and hungry for more dog. You all watch as the rats devour the dog carcass but only Penelope can hear the animals thoughts.

(OOC: This staff allows the wielder to speak with rats (as Speak with Animals) and summon one Swarm of Rats (as Conjure Animals) once per day.)

"Strange, ...and uncomfortable. I can hear the thoughts of the creatures around me." Penelope turns to the others. "But mostly harmless. Or for the rest of the day it is, considering I used its only charge. Unless anyone else wants to summon rats or speak to them, we could probably just leave it with him."

"I don't need it." Stone says, "But I think we should keep that staff and leave our friend here tied up; at least until after we have had a chance to check out his story and talk to Creel. As I used to tell the other law men in my town, 'don't trust until you verify.'"

(Natasha glances outside. She turns to Donnar.)

"Wait... you said Creel is at the bottom of the pier? Are you sure about that? Is there anyone else down there with him?"

Jacob reluctantly pulls out the healing potion bought just a short while ago and, hesitating, quaffs it.

"I'm certainly against killing this idiot outright or leaving my manacles, but that staff stays with us. Recompense for the black plague I probably have now."

7 - potion

Donnar responds to Natasha.  "His lair is on the lower pier, he likes the privacy. Creel and I are the only people here, everyone else are my little friends.” He motions around to the rats.  

When he hears what Jacob says about the staff, his lower lip trembles and he lets out a little whimper.  

Penelope will head back over to Donnar and whispers to him.

"Now, now. He is simply upset with being attack, let us face this Creel and collect what we came here to get, then I shall return the staff to you. Then you and your friends can go back to living your lives in peace. But if you try attack us again we will turn you into the guards and take this staff far away from here. Understand?"