“ Throw in a handful of random customs - like women or men of a certain level of society being required to wear a veil or a pendant of some type.”
“ Draw the party together as debtors to the local lord, king, head of the thieves guild, or mercenary clan, who is forcing them to work together to pay off their debts.”
“ Fidlin, a gnome wizard with a paission making animals smarter and his Trusty 'side-kick' Kat a greatsword weilding badger of uncommon power.
Kat, walks upright with the greatsword slug over his back, and yes he knows he has a girls name.(don't remind him)”