The self-proclaimed Count Braken, leader of one of the many small princedoms of the Border Princes, owed much of his success to the chance discovery of a vast hoard of gold and gems. These riches were discovered in an old, Goblin-infested, ruined fort in the foothills of The Vaults.[1a]
Since that chance discovery, the count has used his newfound wealth to rebuild the fort, employing the latest (if expensive) techniques straight from Tilea. He also used his money to expand his princedom, and soon trade was flourishing.[1a]
Little did the count realise that a clan of Dwarfs living in the mountains of The Vaults were the descendants of those who had lived in the fortress in ancient times. Soon, tales of the count's success fell upon Dwarf ears. Braken was outraged when gruff Dwarf envoys arrived at his court, demanding that the riches he had liberated be handed over to them. The Dwarfs were thrown out of the count's court empty-handed and vowed revenge.[1a]
Before long, the dispossessed Dwarf clan had mobilised and was marching upon the count's castle. When Braken heard that the Dwarfs were on the march, he quite sensibly sent out a scouting force. The commander of the scouts decided to occupy an old watchtower on the border of the count's domain so they could relay information when the Dwarf army had been spotted.[1a]
When the scouts had nearly reached the old watchtower, they were shocked at how quickly the Dwarfs had marched from their mountain dwelling. The race was on for the scouts to reach the watchtower in time to light the beacon and warn the count at Braken Keep.[1a]
This battle was fought between the vanguard elements of the Dwarf army, commanded by the Dwarf Lord Grimbold, and the scouting force sent out from Braken Keep under the command of Hauptman Anders.[1a]