How is it that you and your companions risked your lives skirting death at every turn through seven levels of monster-infested dungeon/temple and at the final level some courageous but weak NPC you met earlier in the game is standing there waiting for the heroes to arrive, telling you "I followed (evil badguy) after he stole (village heirloom) but I can't get any further! You have to stop him!"

And if he was able to get through on his own, why the hell wasn't he looting all the treasure on his way, why are the traps not disarmed, and why are other path impediments (secret doors, switches etc. etc.) not activated/revealed???