Playing on “challenging”, I received a contract to guard a caravan. Halfway it turned out the cargo was someone claiming to be a kidnapped noble, begging to be rescued. This involved killing the caravan hands etc, and escorting him to his hometown. 3000 crowns reward :)
The village were I got the quest became hostile, entering it would have started a battle so I didn’t. A few (2 or 3?) game days later relations improved somewhat allowing me entry, but prices were higher and available mercenaries shittier. A Hedge knight I was saving to hire had disappeared.
Many game days later now, village is neutral. I suppose fulfilling quests from this village would improve relations further.