These old paved roads ain't what they used to be...

“These old paved roads ain’t what they used to be. Time was a merchant like me could walk for days, assured of his own protection. But now things are tough all over, and I’ll be needing you to hand over your valuables, lest you want a crossbow bolt betwixt your eyes.” 

1d8 Encounters and Points of Interest in a crumbling empire beset with strife.

These encounters are presented in a deliberate order and route across the map, and there are links between them. However, there is nothing to prevent them being used as standalone hooks or a general source of inspiration.