While attempting to land at the Great Docks of Capital, your smuggling ship is intercepted by a clipper of House Verona. It's a customs inspection!
An hour later and it's all over. You've been caught red-handed trying to smuggle gunpowder into the City of Capital. Well, not you specifically. Captain Oriel didn't tell you what was in the cargo hold when she hired you as bodyguards. But that detail isn't likely to matter now.
The Scrutineer boards the Revelation flanked by her marines. She swoops into the captain's cabin, and Oriel and your group are ushered into an impromptu audience.
There, sitting haughtily in the captain's own chair, Rowenna introduces herself and offers you a surprising deal.
I'm within my rights to seize your vessel and throw you into prison. As you are no doubt aware, blackpowder is a controlled substance in Capital. However, a letter I've received this morning has altered my priorities. — Rowenna
Rowenna's sister Ashleigh lives in Broadhurst, a small town in Dalrath, back across the Bay. The Goblin Queen Bargnot has been making incursions into the surrounding lands. Years ago, Bargnot was driven out by the people of Broadhurst. It's clear now that she has rebuilt her forces, and not much of a leap to presume that she's out for revenge.
Ashleigh has not been able to convince local mercenaries to help her. In desperation, she reached out to her sister Rowenna in Capital.
My bosses will not let me use House resources to help a foreign backwater. You have a ship, you have weapons, and you are at my mercy. So—if you refuse, I turn you over to the city. But if you help my sister, I'll release your blackpowder from our warehouses. I'll even write you an import license. — Rowenna
It's not a choice at all. You take the Revelation back across Blackbottom Bay and lay in at the small port town of Sealton Heath. You leave Oriel, hire a carriage, and proceed north. Finally, you are greeted by the inviting lights of the Feather Bed Inn, Broadhurst's tavern.
Tired from your journey, you sit down for a drink. But you barely taste your ale before the doors slam open.
It's a wild-eyed woman in her late thirties, wearing a soot-stained apron and a bleeding head wound. She recognizes you immediately and falls to her knees at your feet.
You're too late! My daughter was taken on the road by goblins. They took her into the woods! Please, help me save my Violet! — Ashleigh
It's Ashleigh. Her face is buried in her hands now. She knows what lies in the Silver Woods. They will take her daughter underground, to that haunted place. Down into the Delian Tomb.