From the introduction:
“It is impossible to stress the importance of uncovering any counterfeiting operation. As one of the first dragons, King Altin's wrath has been recorded in legend. I sent the last shipment by royal order, but I will bow before the Fourth before I send another.”
Duke Vatosoa of Tenlore sends a courier to request the help of the party, asking them to come to his estate in the capitol Tanderan. Upon arriving, the Duke informs the party he is in charge of shipping for Tenlore's trade with the Dragon Kingdom of ****ki. He will inform the party he was suspicious about part of the last shipment, namely the perfectly circular diamonds coming from a local mine. A jeweler by trade, the Duke notes they seemed heavier than normal and suspects counterfeits. In trade with any other nation, this would merely be a point of honor. However the dragons use them as both a form of currency and an edible delicacy, making it a far more serious issue. He has started his own investigation. Unfortunately, it's been hamstrung by official procedure and the next shipment is less than a month away; so he wants the party to to look into it off book. He offers payment in the form of 2000 platinum pieces.