In the northwestern hills of Abalon, a little known shortcut through a hill pass exists. Used mainly by wayward travelers and poor merchants, this hill pass is largely unguarded and seen as highly dangerous to traverse. On the way toward the capital, our adventurers find themselves crossing through it in hopes to move along quicker. It is said that a single village rests near the entrance, one with a sturdy militia called 'the defense corps' that helps keep it safe from the occasional savage raids. It didn't seem enough in recent days though, for when our adventurers found their way to the village, the passage had been barricaded to keep out a band of marauding goblins.<br/><br/>Stranded merchants of the lower class try in vane to sell their wares on the sides of the village streets, and all around the place seems unnerved. The economy is obviously lowering as the word gets around, and it seems so with the villagers seeming to have less money then they should. Strangely the Taverns and inns are still stocked with plenty of food, and gossip goes around for those who care to try and sift through it. Hot meals are served to what travelers are around, and all about people cry for a solution to the unsightly issue.<br/><br/>A few merchants wealthy enough to stay in the inns and taverns seem hopeful to any well armed individuals that come in, and most half way decent looking warriors would be flagged down by them and propositioned to attempt and end the situation upon entering. For now, it seems the everyone is reluctant to offer up any rewards for just one person, and as the number of travelers dwindle in the village, adventurers seem harder and harder to come by. That's what leads us to our tale, and how our two unlikely heroes will be brought together...