For example a Bandit raid on a small town or werewolves or vamps attackin a town and takin it over till a regiment of Gaurds are sent to have a mini war with the invaders. It will be pretty cool and could offer new things like becoming a mercenary or a gaurd or something to help clear invaders.
It would be so damn awesome just walkin into a town to sell stuff then walk out the shop and see ppl fighting and getting slaughtered by something. Then running away from the town because the invaders are stronger than you(and i dont mean like weak nubs that you can kill 30 of alond without pottin) then you can join a party or group to go clear that up.
The quest where you kill your first dragon seems to be a good example of this as the dragon took the tower and you went to get rid of it.

