What starts out as a joke to teach a spoiled noble girl a necessary lesson in life, turns out to be the catalyst which propels four childhood friends on the beginnings of a lifetime of adventure. When Florin Falconhand comes across his friend, covered in stew after receiving the brunt of Lady Narantha Crownsilver's temper tantrum, he hatches a plot to teach the girl that a little respect for others, and the world around her just might serve her well. However, in the course of their contrived trip cross county, Florin ends up saving the life of the King, and thus is granted a charter to form an adventuring party, something he and his friends have dreamed about, but never thought they'd have enough money in order to buy. Unfortunately the first quest embarked upon, by order of the King himself, is to clean out a far off dungeon; a task that has led to the deaths of uncounted novice adventurers.

(Source: Wizards of the Coast)