Where you are from you are drawn by outcry of aid, as the town is suffering from several issues of note. The Lord Padraig urges for aid in uncover a looming threat, and offers 50 gold for any clues to the presence of warband and any aid in removing or stopping these. But as you learn, there is more than meets the eye here...
Your first day, which we are on, you learn the following...

- Random attacks of red and brown humanoids has caused a halt to imports of food into town, cause a civil uproar and unrest in town. Wild rumors of storing of food among the rule and elite forces has caused great mistrust towards the authorities here.
You later learn that Lord Padraig declares martial law and places the village under rationing in an effort to conserve supplies. The inn serves breakfasts of boiled oats; lunches of thin barley soup and a quarter crust of a small loaf of bread; and suppers of boiled potatoes with a small amount of fatty bacon.

- You notice at arrival that the townsfolk are very wary of foreigners and will barely speak to you, avoiding your eyes. The small fields around the walled heart of Winterhaven seem strangely empty. Inside the walls, the few villagers you see walking around appear nervous, pausing to give furtive glances before darting away.

- Depending who you ask, that means anyone but the leadership and townguard, will warn of a cult of Shar roaming in town, but anyone in power will deny this flatout.

Notes on the settlement - Winterhaven
Village, Population 977
The rutted King’s Road leads to the foot of a broad hill that holds the walled village of Winterhaven. The village is nestled in the southern foothills of the Cairngorm Peaks. The walls are weathered stone topped by defensive palisades. Small thatched homes stand around Winterhaven, each fronting a small piece of farmland or pasture. Beyond the farms to the west and south lie dark woods, and to the north, tall mountain peaks.

There is a legend of the town in a separate thread.

What you have done so far is agree with the Regulars officer(Rond Kelfem) and Lord Padraig to dive into two matters.
- There is currently missing no less than TWENTY villagers and both of them see this as a concern, contributing this to the presence of Kobolds.
- A former prominent member or rather well know shopkeeper, named Sara is lost, her show now overtaken by a new proprietor.
- They suggest a band of adventures has set out to aid with the kobold threat, and for now, no new attacks has been detailed. Yet the air is thick and people seem down on their hope, starving for food.
- You are urged to stay at Warfryn's inn, who is also a great place to collect insight, being the sole "watering hole" in town.
- The rumors of a cult loom, but for now, rumors are all you gather and no proof of it has been found yet...

There is a strange sensation in air this late afternoon and people are somewhat beside themselves this day. The skies are thickening, and rain will likely come soon, which would aid the dry fields but with no one to work them, that seems like a futile effort.
Asking around one speak calmly:
“I don’t know . . . I just feel out of sorts, is all. Like someone walked over my grave, you know?”

Many seek towards the inn, as the first drips of rain hit the ground, and with all the ideas and notions in your head, perhaps this is where you should also consider going, baring other ideas in mind.

Stahl and Wynthear, go ahead!

Vynthear had been restless ever since he heard the rumour about a cult of the Mistress of Darkness operating in the region, or even in this small town. These people did not look like evil folk to him.
Ever being sensitive to the hunches of the commoners he was rather alarmed by the depressing mood shown by so many so shortly after he had arrived. This was ominous indeed.

As the first drops spattered on the dirty streets he made haste to the only inn in town.
It was not his nature to ask so many people but he listened intensly to their talking trying to assess who exactly those missing persons were and whether they may have something in common.

Stahl makes his way into Winterhaven, Prinz trotting along at his feet. The bulldog is alert and clearly excitedly about the new buildings and people and their smells, but he stays silent.

The ranger is not particularly communicative or friendly, but he has little trouble gaining entrance or prompt service. His passport hangs from his pack: a kobold shield, split almost in half and spattered with blood that's the wrong shade to be that of Stahl or Prinz.

He allows, if anyone inquires, as to how he and Prinz plan to be in the area for at least a few days, exploring local caves. He prefers to have a roof over his head, be it rough stone or carpentry, rather than sleep outside, so he'd like to use the town as a base. He suggests that he'll be able to pay for his room and board with either the results of his delving, or by putting a dent in the local kobold population.

"Two heads are better than one, as even Prinz here knows," says the dwarf. "And more are even better, to a point. So, if anyone else wants to see the local underground, or take down a few bandits, I'd join up with them. Send them my way. Name's Stahl.

The hooded figure noticed the dwarf entering the establishment and state his intent.
Ahh, the subtlety of dwarfs, he thought but actually had to smile.
Well, not really. The wizard rarely displayed such an obvious mimic.
One thing was just as obvious though: Stahl and Prinz were most likely the only ones in town who may be of real help to him.
As he realized just that, he nodded to the sturdy figure, inviting him to his table with a gesture.
"Vynthear Klayde of Myth Drannor. Pleased to meet you. I am sure you and your companion will prove most helpful in finding the abducted townsmen."