The woman takes on a sympathetic expression and replies, “I am so sorry some people you know have gone missing. My name is Alanna, and I can help you find out what happened, and hopefully where they are now. If they were passengers, then they were likely captured by a gnoll raiding party about twelve miles west of here. Your best bet is unfortunately to buy them back from the gnolls. One passenger sadly died from a scorpion sting, but his family has already seen to his remains. If they were guards - well, it was a rough trip. Halfway through the trip, a desert drake attacked and killed six of the guards. Then some Sandstalkers raided in the night, and four more guards were taken. Usually, the caravans are well enough guarded to fend off the attack near the city, but under protected as it was, unfortunately the gnolls took everyone prisoner. Most of the cargo from the caravan was recovered.”

“Now who are you looking for?”