Ok, how about this:
one character is an officer of the king in the land we live in. Then another such king of another land sends small forces (about 15-30 people) through the land we live in. Now the officer gets his own little army (around 50 people) to dispose of these enemy forces. And as he manages to get to the first enemy group, he is attacked by a number of bandits and two enemy groups. Basically led into a trap. Anyhow, the officer is the only one who lives. In search of help he travels to a nearby village, which was destroyed by the enemy forces. The rest of the characters were in the village or near it and somehow managed to survive, but lost something important. And then they all make a jolly fun group of individuals trying to save their kingdom. And it will end at some great fortress as they would all defend it from their enemies last attack.

Theres no evil no good. 
you can pretty much be any race you desire. and the reason you were at the village can be anything.