After carefully reading the conversations with the sea captain (really yes you have to read..)
I landed it the Shoreline settlement. More important info on the jetty. Important to read it as it happens only once for new players.

I then headed to chat with the closest Royal Guard and get a map of the place.

Next I headed to the Barracks across the road. Hit the statue to get the officail title of Commander. Great. Now I am able to control 1 soldier (at level 1) then 2 at level 2 and 3 at level 3 etc...

Following the road to the west checked a few shops to adjust my equipment. and up the hill to the Mayor house.
I accept the Mayor quest although I will start it only later. Too early to wander in the wilderness.

I skip past the crypt as it might be too hard for now. But there is a small cave just beind that might have a few easier critters. And easier still with a soldier in tow.

I soon levelup to 2 and am wandering further west and check the other barracks. Soldiers come in different flavours and level 0, 3, 6 and 9

West to Orchard grove and after getting the map I note the north exit to Serpent Spine Forest (the next leg of our quest)
But for now I have to keep going west to the Gangrene Grasslands to farm a ouple of levels. There is a handy temple on the western edge to get easy healing and the guards will defend you if you are in need.

After reaching level 3 I can go back to the barracks and recruit 3 soldiers of level 3 each. I replaced the level 0 as they don't levelup.

Going north to the Serpent Spine and immedialy notice the slain merchants caravan.......

Now following the blood trail......