If you're an adventurer in a not-at-all-derivative-of-Tolkien-honest-guv'nor fantasy campaign, then chances are you've had to fight a variety of enemies: orcs, dragons, other monsters, criminals, law and order. But what about the peasants? Nine times out of ten they're just unwashed, forelock-tugging sons of toil who provide a bit of rustic scenery and sell cheap goods. Or of course a source of ready experience if an adventure doesn't quite net you enough to advance by a level.
Let's see if we can't change your mind a little. Peasants are fed up with being shoved around, especially by fancy dans in +1 magic of firing thunderbolts out of your bum who think they're better than anyone who has to work for a living. It's time to fight back!
This article doesn't just deal with the issue of peasant revolt. As fascinating a subject as it is, I'd like to broaden the brief a bit and show how the lower orders are capable of perpetrating violence and disorder, and generally make life difficult for those who rub them up the wrong way. From this we'll get a load of adventure hooks and ideas, to be used or adapted however you see fit.
Because at the time of writing D&D 4th Edition is still a few months away and more importantly the Heathen Role-Playing Game is not yet finished, I shan't be including any stats here. You'll have to come up with your own. I imagine it shan't be too difficult. Most peasants are 1st-level or low-stat peons armed with agricultural equipment. How hard can that be?