The town of Willowvale is quiet and out of the way. Shipments are sent up and down the river at semi-regular intervals, merchants occasionally stop by on their way to more important places, and the nearby estate sits quiet and empty. Someone important once lived there, but that 'once' was a long time ago. For decades, it's stood comparatively quiet, with only minor care from a couple of retainers to keep the entire place from falling to pieces. There are nicer estates in places that are easier to reach, this one's pretty easy to overlook. It makes a nice, scenic backdrop to a sleepy little middle-of-nowhere town, though.

And then a retinue arrives, sent by the lord that owns the estate to clean it up, and suddenly all of Willowvale is bustling in response. The estate needs to be properly cleaned, who wants to be paid money to help? The new staff that are running the place need to be fed, which local farmers would like to be the ones to sell their produce? These things have rotted or rusted in the time the estate was abandoned, who in town can make replacements? The estate will need guards for the lord when he arrives, who here has a strong arm, doesn't ask too many questions, and likes coin?

It's pretty good pay.