Note: This is the start of a week of “Look Ma, no magic!” plot hooks. Basically, none of the explanations would include magic, ancient divine powers, unspeakable horrors or such.
The fields of the surrounding farmlands have been set ablaze, more than six times during the course of the month. Crops are burnt, villages scattered and the farmers moan, because it is almost time for harvest. The surrounding remaining farmlands have put together what money they could spare to get trustworthy adventurers to hunt down the arsonists, and if possible, protect their fields.
- The lord of the region used to have a half-brother, who was exiled when the old lord died. The half-brother has always been plotting against the villages in the area, wanting to win them back to stage a revolt against his brother. He is the one who has sent scouts to light the fire; and he is also going to be the one to rescue the villagers. For he has already hoard grains from other merchants and when the villagers are down at their knees, he would return with those grain as aid. There are a few weak points in his plan, though. Adventuers could be able to track the trail of the scout back to a staging area where letters and invoices regarding the sales of grain can be found. The half-brother’s sudden appearance with food is likely to stir the adventurers’ suspicions. If the adventurers failed to unmask the half-brother’s intention, burnt fields are the least of the villagers’ concern.
- The first fire is accidentally set off by half-crazed menial from one of the village. Always despised and scorned, the menial was nearing the breaking point when he, out of spite, threw a lantern into the midst of the field, thus setting the crops ablaze. After seeing the reaction of his tormentors, the menial was delighted and gather other cottars, menials and outcasts into setting up more blaze. This is a strange challenge as the adventurers would be up against non-combatants, and there are so many of them. Catching them one by one is not going to solve the problem. So what would?
- Three minor merchant houses dwell in the area, each having the same share of farmlands under them. One of them, to gain the advantage, decide to burn the fields of a rival house. The affected merchant house, unfortunately, decide that it is the third, uninvolved house which set off the fire. This becomes out of control rapidly, and unless the adventurers can determine who is the first to light the blaze, and prove it so, the three houses are going to torch each other fields till they are naught but ashes. There are many other ways to solve the problem – storming each of the house and getting them to admit they were involved at sword point would cause them to be charged at court. However, that would likely to anger their more powerful patrons…a sly adventurer, on the other hand, may be able to come up with a deal that the three houses couldn’t reject…
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