So I'm thinking there's a couple different ways Maria can be used here.  One, she can dress up in that fine set of clothes her noble background grants her and try to charm/persuade the shopkeeper.  (This is one situation where that weapon bond ability might have been interesting since she could have appeared more vulnerable than she actually is.)  Alternately, we can have her run off on her own to try to find Sophie and maybe get into some trouble.  :-)<br/><br/>I guess I'll need to finalize Maria's starting stats since I may actually need to utilize them soon.