So, right away, I'm wondering why this former adventurer isn't going in to save their own child...
Have him recruit the PCs to support him in an important quest. As they ask "what exactly are we doing?" and "why?" and all that, the GM can pay out the line on what lead to this mission in an organic way, instead of a wall of text to read, all en route, as it were.
Then have him prove to be unable to proceed. "I'll double what I was paying you!" etc. "but please rescue my child for me...!"
The details on all this would come down to other specifics in your adventure design, but this is how I'd approach it. Somewhat more natural...
_________________
Gnome Boy
• DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
Link:
Here Be DCC MonstersPbP Purple Planeteers!Havarth • Cleric/Zikcub • Animal trainr • L
S11 A11 S9 P15 I9 L7 • AC10, HP12, R0 F1 W2
Glaive+0 1-10
Club+0 1-4
X' chain, sack
Bless, Dtct Ev, Prot fm Evil, Word oCmmnd
Lucius • Cleric/Verlore • Slave • N
S13 A11 S8 P15 I11 L11 • AC10+, HP6, R0 F0 W2
Sword+1 _
Club+1 2-5
Hide armor, flint/steel, green stone, oil 1
Crit table +1
Dark, Holy Sanct, Resist Cold/Heat, Word o Cmmnd
Toby • Squire
S13 A10 S14 P15 I16 L9 • AC10+, hp3, R0 F1 W1
Lg swrd+1 2-9
Scale armor, sack, helm, L’ rope, torch • Com, Chaos, Hobgob
Kelven • Smuggler
S14 A8 S11 P12 I7 L10 • AC9+, hp2(4), In-1, R-1 F0 W0
Sword+1 _
Staff+1 or Sling -1 2-5
Scale armr, waterprf sack, L’ rope, torch, 39cp
RIP
Stinky Pete, Ostler —
Spine snapped by tackling Kith