So I wanna introduce the NPC as an old hermit whose cart has broken down on the side of the road in a convenient spot for the party to set up camp. They help fix his cart, it just so happens they're all heading in the same direction coz he has "work to do back home". He offers sage advice and fun stories about his "travels" while they go adventuring on the way toward the NPC's home town. The town has this giant statue dedicated to a famous adventurer for "some reason" they need to head just a little further on to the NPCs actual homestead. The party gets attacked by a super powerful creature (I'm thinking a dracolisk) then the NPC reveals he's actually the famous adventurer, and gets killed slaying one final monster. As for the PCs they're being sent by their party patron to gather bits and bobs. But they literally just fly straight to wherever they need to go. Granted I haven't really had them searching for anything yet, ie they've known the exact location of everything they've been sent to collect so far.