I didn't think to write the 3rd level characters' names down myself, so I'll have to come back and edit this post later...
Mohan, Dwarf Paladin of Clanggedin
Hanzi Hammerfall, Dwarf Cleric of Helm
Dru-H'ai, Half-Elf Rogue
Valdirr, Elf Wizard & Alchemist
and since I have yet to invest in any of the C&C official campaign setting I placed this scenario in the Forgotten Realms; specifically in the vicinity of the Bargewright Inn (about 50 miles east/NE of Waterdeep). I have placed the Canton of Newbriar within the Larch Hills* just north of the Bargewright Inn.
The party of four had been staying around the Bargewright Inn for a couple of days waiting for a chance for adventure when they were asked by Ruldarr, owner of Ruldarr's fine Tobacco, Padlocks, and Furniture, to check on his business partners in the halfling Canton of Newbriar to the north. They were at least a tenday late on visiting him to discuss this year's tobacco crops. And he already had regular customers wanting to place orders. So with a payment of a parcel of Ruldarr's finest tobacco and a writ giving the party room & board at the Portly Partridge in Newbriar, they set off on foot to deliver the message to Crim Alebrook (who gave up on wheat farming a few years before in favor of the much more lucrative tobacco crops).
The relunctant party set out on foot for the day-long walk to Newbriar. Half way there they met up with a halfling wagon that was loaded down with household materials pulled by a stout pony and followed by two small cows. The somewhat nervous-looking hin family on board had little to say to the party besides the fact that they were leaving Newbriar before illness or bad fortune fell upon them. The adventurers asked what 'bad fortune' they were referring to. All they did was shake their heads and mention disappearances of neighbor folk as they drove their wagon on to the Bargewright Inn. After a quick conversation among themselves, the rogue - hidden and moving silently - followed the wagon for a half-mile trying to pick up on any conversation. All he could make out was some mumblings about strange sightings, hauntings, and...
bloodshed.
The party pressed on to make it to Newbriar by sunset. There were a few folk going about their end-of-the-day business as usual: sweeping their porches, closing their shudders (early spring; rather chilly at night), and lighting street lamps. A few were heading into the largest building in town - the Portly Partridge Tavern and Inn. So the party headed in there as well to find a dozen or more tables of pairs and groups of hin having dinner and drinks for the evening. Obviously the chatter of conversation died down considerably as the four strangers entered the building and took a seat. The Paladin made his way to the bar, introducing himself and offering the writ of room & board to the barkeep, Redd Softfoot.
During dinner the party tried to listen out to some of the conversation at nearby tables (after the odd encounter with the fleeing hin family on the road). Most of the gossip seemed to center around a fellow named Willic and strange occurences at his residence. After a few conversations with Redd and his daughter/barmaid Juna, the party gained the trust of the Innkeeper who relayed what he knew of what has happened around Newbriar since the party a tenday ago at the Willic Brambletoe Estate.
...
NOTE: I don't want to post any spoilers, but will come back later to add to this review and explain what the party has found so far (we like 5 rooms finishing the Barrow)
Suffice to say the players have enjoyed the scenario and the game system so far. This was their first time playing Castles & Crusades, but they were each adamant about learning the system vs. playing an AD&D 2E game - which we are all very fond of. They each appear interested in continuing this game in a couple of weeks. And there's talk about purchasing the core rule books.
after an 8+ month delay -
mission accomplished! 
I'll be running this same scenario for a different group on Jan 26th. Without going into as great a detail, I'll certainly post their reviews of the module and the C&C system.
~Hoyt.
*I'll be placing the halfling community of Greenshire in this region, probably across the Dessarin River. Greenshire is the setting for the 'In Search of Adventure' Free RPG Day Module from 2012. I'll likely use it as a follow up to this introductory scenario.
Thanks DD; in fact Steve has been bugging me about some as well. As soon as Victorious is on the roster along with the first V module, and my thesis is finished, I plan to finish two other modules I've got 1/2 done. One of which is referred to by the treasure map in the sunken ship inside the "Blue Hole" of U3 Verdant Rage. 
