The dawn breaks, cool and clear, above the town of Darlington. Over the course of the last few weeks, the Mayor and a handful of local businessmen have quietly questioned passing caravans and wandering travelers, judging them and weighing their character over a few pints of ale, and quietly offering those they deem worthy a small reward for a simple, but vital, task.
In hushed tones, they imparted the story of the Petty Tyrants, a line of evil men and their marauding minions who have choked trade and terrorized Darlington and the outlying villages and farms for decades - centuries, in fact.
Darlington, isn't exactly a metropolis (many blame the stunted nature of the community on the Tyrants, among other things), so there has never been more than a passing interest from far-flung authorities in working to quell the Tyrants; requests for help invariable result in responses that the trouble is a "local matter", and the forces of distant city-states are needed elsewhere.
So, the people live and struggle and knuckle under to the Tyrants - or they have, until recently.
The raids, bi-monthly affairs for as long as anyone can remember, have stopped. The last one was over two months ago, and the incredulous townsfolk are daring to begin to hope that things might have changed - while others fear that something worse is inevitable.
Answers to what happened, and what it means, are hoped to be coming forth shortly - provided by the brave group of hand-picked adventurers arrayed before their light horses as the sun creeps over the distant Eastern mountains. Eager but concerned townsfolk gather nearby, not wanting to disturb the members of the expedition, but not wanting to miss their departure. A basket of fresh bread is meekly provided by a local farmer's wife, while a brace of wineskins are handed over by the tavern owner.
The Lair of the Petty Tyrant lies three days travel to the north, at the base of the Groaning Mountains - easy travel over paths worn by thousands of bandit feet and orcish wardogs over the years.
Good luck, adventurers.
(Please provide a marching order in OOC, and if you wish to do anything in town or ask any questions before leaving, let me know. We'll assume two chances for encounters per day, and one per night, until you reach the Lair - I will begin those checks once everyone has chimed in and the band is on the road.)