Just a little thought I had.....
If a few NPC's could be added to the WildSurge inn, humans and dwarfs and such....which, when you talk to them...they would give you a piece of advice or a rumour like:
"Ya best keep away from Broken woods lad, be dangerous in there"
or
"I heard of a foul witch living in the swamps I did. Word is, shes buying the bones of the dead. For what....I daresnt imagine lad."
Would give new characters some quick advice if theyve never explored Layo before.
From time to time, their scripts could be altered to match whats happening in the world at the time...ie...
" Aye lad, I heard it from me uncle who spoke to me gran who has a friend who has a son that said they saw a Dragon flying over the Berhagen Mountains. I tell ya son, a real Live Dragon. "
Much like the Hlint Towncrier....only giving advice on locations and things.