Before them, and elderly chap that looked more like a kindly old grandfather than ruler of this swiftly growing town strode forward, his cane 'clacking' onto the stone every other step. Blue and grey banners emblazoned with shield symbols lined the ceiling about them in this central hall. To the left of the man, a great hearth fire was lit to keep the cold from seeping in. Guards, men of the 'Shieldsworn' lines the hall like the pillars that held the great roof above them.

"Well met, travelers." he said, his voice and eyes still full of a hidden strength and befitting a quality of leadership. "I take it you had no troubles finding your way?" As he approached, he had the barest hint of a smile from the joke, for Griffonwatch Keep was upon the highest bluff to the north east and could be viewed from almost anywhere for miles around. "Indeed, I think it fortuitous that so many have come to my call. These are dire times you know, though of course, dire times breed men and women who look for fortune." 

The lean, younger man gave an appreciative smile at the elderly gentlemen's manner, as if looking at some memory he had not seen in years that amused him. The coal skinned Dwarf merely stayed silent, darkly garbed and red eyes as dangerous as the ferocious long Knives that were sheathed at his stout belt. 

"But I digress," the older man chuckled. "I am Grigor Hulmaster, Harmarch of this fine settlement and I keep the peace, so long as it can be kept. But, at times I simply do not have the strength of numbers that I wish, you know. Pirates have raided our shipments, and the...new commerce in the city, while appreciative, causes various power struggles within my modest city. It is all my Shieldsworn and I can do to keep order within, much less without." He paused, letting them all absorb his words before he continued. "It is without, that I call you to go." 

The Duergar (Deep Dwarf) squinted ever so lightly, hoping the old man would get to the point. A few paces to his left, nearer the fire, the human with the twin swords seemed to hang on the Harmarch's words, for that was where the payment would spring from. 

"I know not if many of you have been here long, but as some of you may know, north of Hulburg is a barren land of highlands and lowland valleys where the dead are buried in tombs of old. We call it the Highfells. North of that is a wasteland called Thar, where many monsters and beasts roam and slaughter." As he spoke, he cleared his ancient throat. "Forgive me, I was about to regale you with a lecture in geography. I ramble you know... It is within the Highfells you go, for it is illegal to raid the tombs of old, yet someone recently has been doing this in increasing numbers. The legality is not only for respect, but an ancient curse of an older Lich lies on the land. If you open a tomb, you are liable to run into the risen dead called back to life by the magics of Aesperus, the King in Copper. I won't provide you with a history lesson unless you ask for it, but I will say this-" 

He held up his finger. "-some say the King in Copper still resides within the Highfells. Though of course, those are only rumors. What is a more immediate danger, of course, are brigands, tomb robbers, spirits, and Orcs migrating south to raid. I task you all with finding who is out there, raiding the tombs, and bring them to justice. If it is done, and done in a manner that does not breech my trust, you will each receive one hundred and seventy five pieces of Gold. Does this task seem favorable to ones such as you?"