A strange woman gives you an ornate box sealed with wax and hoarsely whispers "It's up to you now, keep it safe, keep it from ... them." It is not until the woman drops dead at the character's feet that the dagger in her back becomes obvious.
In adulthood you have an encounter with an unusual person, who as far as you can tell, has no home or family. You offer to help in anyway you can. After accepting your hospitality the stranger vanishes leaving a note "Your kindness will be remembered".
Faction. A factional enemy could be a religous order, a merchants guild, an order of assasins, or an order of holy knights. It is a enemy that may have agents and spies taht act of their behalf. Could be on the run, part of a rival faction, or want to join