Your characters will all be residents of the village of Northshire*,
which rests in a mountain valley. The climate is Continental temperate
(picture European/Eastern European). The valley is surrounded on three
sides by mountains, and on a fourth it is bordered by the White River.
Northshire is accessible by a single bridge, and indeed the valley was
chosen for its isolation--ever since the last great Kingdom of Kalimdor
fell, the wilds have become a dangerous place. Communities are insular,
well-defended, and xenophobic.

Since the last wars, centuries ago, the various towns and hamlets of
the Elwyn Forest (where Northshire is located) have been left to their
own devices, trading with traveling merchants for what they could not
grow or produce themselves. However, just two years ago Highlord Bolvar
Fordragon reinstituted the old tradition of mandatory military service.
All males between 16 and 19 years of age must report to the nearest
royal barracks for duty. This new practice was not warmly welcomed, as
can be imagined, though at first it meant nothing more than some arms
training, and a boring stint at the Goldshire barracks.

Last summer things changed. Young men were being called to attend
"military exercises" further and further a field. Three months ago,
Northshire's soldiers were sent to Stormwind for training. And as those
soldiers also performed guard duty for the village, it meant that
elderly guards had to come out of retirement in order to police
Northshire’s streets, and man the bridge leading out of town.

So far, things have remained quiet in Northshire, despite the lack of
armed personnel. At least, that’s the official word. However, you all
can’t help but notice townsfolk walking with a nervous, hurried pace.
Farmers, instead of lazing about on their porches after a hard day’s
work, are now locked up tight in their houses after sundown. And you’ve
been woken on more than one occasion by the howl of wolves—howls that
seem much too close to the village.

Deputy Willem has called a meeting of able-bodied men and women.  You
are to arrive at the Scarlet Raven Tavern (the only tavern in town) at
one o'clock.

Thanks to everyone who posted character backgrounds.  I will be working that information into the story line.

Please e-mail if you have any questions.

-roy

* Yes, I’m stealing names and locations from World of Warcraft (which I
just started playing last month. Talk about addictive) However, the
name is the only thing I’m borrowing. Locations and NPC’s will bear no
resemblance to those in WoW.

**A quick caution: The campaign world will be a functioning, dynamic
one populated, at one location or another, with every monster in the
current monster manual (as well as those to come). That means that
while I will attempt to steer the party towards encounters of the
appropriate level, there will be monsters and npcs out there that are
both well below and well above the party’s level.