Our story unfolds in the small town of Hot Shock. There isn't much here: An inn called The Berg, a humble Church of the Wildmother, a small shop ironically called the Supa Dupa Mart, and a tiny library. It's a quite town for a few hundred townsfolk. Those living here are generally content living a quiet rural life. Not much happens in Hot Shock but, due to it's location, Hot Shock has become a popular stopping point for travelers in western Lands of the Patach.
On this fateful day a handful of adventurers happened to be in town, resting from their journeys. There was Erevan, a Half-Elf Paladin, Two-Tip, an Aarakocra Warlock, Ultgar, a Dwarf Fighter, Veren, a Herengon Rogue, and Igor, a Goliath Barbarian. They were restocking supplies at the Supa Dupa Mart, taking some solace at at the Church of the Wildmother, and eating and resting at The Berg. The day suddenly erupts in chaos when a band of Gnolls attacks Hot Shock.
The townsfolk immediately began fighting back to defend their town with the town guard, Marty McCleod, coordinating their efforts as best he could. The townsfolk aren't fighters and are simply not prepared to fight off a gang of Gnolls. Gnolls hadn't been seen in these parts as far back as anyone can remember.
Fortunately, the visiting adventurers are fighters and quickly joined the battle. Everen swings with his sword, Two-Tip casts his spells, Ultgar throws with her handaxes, Veren stabs with his knife, and Igor fights tooth and claw with his brute strength. The battle ends when the Gnolls flee the town. Ten dead Gnolls litter the town square.
After the dusts settles and the wounded have been attended to, Marty McCleod approaches the visitors and says "Thanks for all your help. There have never been any Gnolls around here before and we clearly were not prepared. We wouldn't have survived this without your help. Unfortunately, they captured 11 of our townsfolk, including Yomaru, our town librarian. If you're interested, I would be willing to pay you to track them down and return our people."
Everen pipes up "I can't speak for the others but I'm willing to help if they are. How much are you prepared to pay?"
"I'll offer to pay 15 gold for each person brought back alive, 10 if they're dead, 30 for Yomaru and an additional 10 for each Gnoll you kill."
"That's a fine offer but bringing back so many live civilians would be a big challenge. How about 15 gold each for the first 5 people we bring back alive, 20 each for any others brought back alive, 30 for Yomaru, and 10 for each Gnoll killed?"
"This is a small town and we don't have a lot of money. But you make a good point and it's important that we get our people back. I agree to your terms. Of course, you'll have to bring back proof of the number of Gnolls you kill."
Veren asks "How about we bring back the head of each Gnoll we kill?"
Marty replies "A bit extreme, not to mention potentially rather bulky. How about their left thumb instead?"
"OK. I'm in"
The rest of the adventurers also agree and get ready to pursue the Gnolls as quickly as they can.