The Body in the Road
The forest path is still; even the rustling of the trees has fallen silent. The light is cut into patterns as it shines down between leaf and leaf, and shadows hide behind the tall boles. Ahead, where the path turns, a dull shape in greens and browns is stretched, long and still, in the dirt.
A man, recently dead, but without sign of wound or blood. An archer, woodsman, perhaps outlaw, or ranger. His bow is nowhere to be found, but a quiver of gray fletched arrows is on his back and a short sword is drawn beneath him, though there is no sheath upon his belt. His clothes are died green, his belt and long-laced soft-soled boots are brown. He bears no pouch or purse. Has no coin or pack. He wears a green leather helm; beneath, his hair is black as is his beard, his eyes blue.
Here is a mystery, a death. Here also is trouble without a doubt.
The Menowood, once known as a peaceful safe-haven, has grown dangerous as the elven rangers and druids which once maintained this safety have seemingly withdrawn. The Council of the Hollow Highlands, a coalition of human, dwarves and gnomes from several towns and villages, has hired the adventurers to find out what has happened to the elves and, in any case, put down the problems which seem to be arising from the woods, such as brigands, trolls, cultists, were-wolves and angry trees, if reports can be believed.
The body in the road is the first sign of trouble they encounter, but will not be the last.
This came up in a Dungeon magazine of adventures. Except it was set in Karameikos, and the corpse shot full of arrows was a Thoul (magic combination of Troll and Ghoul) which has the ability of touch paralysis.
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