“ Somehow, someway, a band of gnomes learns how to be ninjas. In fine gnomish style, they open an academy to teach this art to other gnomes. Wacky Hijinks ensue. Or the gnomes become some of the finest assassins in the land. Or both.”
                        
                     
                                    
                        “ The villages around the capital have a strange new disease cropping up.  Spread by a fungus (much like ergot poisoning), it causes its victims to be very sensitive to sunlight.  Hundreds of peasants are hiding from the sun, only coming out in the darkness to labor in the fields.  Unfortunately, rumor makes their behavior sound more sinister and secretive than it really is.”
                        
                     
                                    
                        “ A massive iron key - 2' length, 20lbs forged from the bones and horns of demon-lords.  When used with a massive portal - carefully built according to documents found in powerful books of evil knowledge, it will open into the realm of demons and allow them to flood into the world.  The applications of this item for villains are obvious. Mortals touching this item directly will suffer very dire consequences.”