OK Im already changing this up...
I am going to run an adventure I used in HARP playtesting from the early part of the millenium decade! So I actually need 1st and 2nd level PCs. They should be well equipped. 2nd level PCs should have no magical items, but a 1st level PC can have a minor magical item (+5% magical weapon) or 2-3 healing doses.
This adventure sees the PCs pulled into an army of a local, but well loved Lord, either because they are locals, or are mercenaries, to take on the 14th Legion of the Empire, that is marching against the Baron due to his perfidy in joining a rebellion of northern Lords claiming independence from a decadent and corrupt empire...(hmmm...Scotland? no, no, no very different
). The PCs will be challenged to aid in the defence planning of the town, defend their sector against an infamously cruel and skilled Legion of the Empire, while navigating the rivalries and biases amongst the hodge podge constituents of the local army. While success seems remote, to bloody the nose of the Empire might strategically turn the tide for the North...
This is a home cooked game world of mine and the area under play has similarities to britain circa 1000 with barbarians (vikings) roaming the northlands, tribal horse lords to the north and various tribal "Lords" of varying degrees of civilization pulling away from a crumbling empire based in the south.