Introduction To The Adventure

The party currently resides on the island of “Kurnst,” in the hilly town of “Bucklewell.” All the halflings gather around a crackling fire in the middle of their conjoined fields, discussing the recent kobold raids on their cabbage crop. The halflings sit on hand carved folding chairs which had backs of blue and white wool. They watch the smoke billow from their pipes, spiraling and twisting into the cool night sky, thinking about the uncertainty of the coming months. Each of them realizes the necessity of their cabbage crop which provides them with food and a roof over their heads but also provides overwhelming dependence on the crop, unable to free themselves of their responsibilities. They appreciate the reliable income, meager as it may be, but also hate the inability to escape this life and pursue what they truly want… a brewery with an attached tavern. Each man relives the same simple dream as they stare into the swaying flames; the same dream they have had since they were little scamps. The euphoric feeling of opening that rich oak door with its carved engravings arcing and reaching across the beams, feeling the rough-hewn wood as their hands push the door open. They smell the rich grains steeping in the back, billowing over with white frothy foam. They can smell spicy herbal hops mix with the caramelizing sugars of the barley. The barrels bursting forth with spicy and sweet mead, hiding in casks behind the bar, begging to be freed to the thirsty masses. Sharing good times and bad times with their friends and family in the village, etching memories of their little oasis into their patrons, the same way each of the halflings names are etched over the door frame. Each looks at one another with a smile on his face and gives a small chuckle knowing such things are far beyond their reach tonight…. But some day, some day it won’t be so far away.
They were sharecroppers, sadly. They knew they had to continue providing a healthy crop in order to not only provide for their loved ones but also to keep their landlord happy. He was a shrewd businessman and had no issue throwing out farmers who did not produce their expected portion. Mr. Gan Lan was from a family of farmers who focused in trading and exporting. He was the first of his family though to contract sharecroppers and provide the vegetables to several parts of the mainland. Most of the island of Kurnst and all of Bucklewell consisted of farms that specifically provided crops for Mr. Gan Lan and his new venture.
It was a good life, free from danger, and often provided happiness. The village consisted of traditionally good people. There were obviously a few outliers of course but for the vast majority, the townsfolk were good people of good spirit. They had a tavern, the “Picky Cricket,” but it was terribly drab and provided very poor-quality grog. There was a tailor, an aging doctor, a constable, a baker, a town square, a market, and a general good store. The town held regular parties, usually providing their own home brews since the Picky Cricket had such terrible beer, but the townsfolk continually looked for opportunities to forget the hardships of life. The men were happy but not content; they wanted more out of this life for themselves and for the town of Bucklewell.
But now was not the time for such dreams, now was the time to discover why the Kobolds were decimating their livelihood and how the halflings were going to deal with them. There were caves nearby, but no one dared to venture in them since they were warned as younglings that such places held unknown perils. They could speak to the villagers and see if others were dealing with the little looters or they could set a different plan in motion and see what the fates have in store for the little adventurers….