Shops in hamlets.

[Palidine]

But if two or three people want to be heroes in a neglected hamlet, they could still raise its defenses and thwart a small invasion they can handle.

This! A couple of exploring adventurers happen upon this tiny hamlet in the wilderness , when suddenly a raiding party attcks the people looting and pilaging<sp?>. the adventurers look at thier comrades and take up arms to repel the Bandits.
And Thats how a new city was born.