The Fall of Thistlefang Keep

If I could choose one moment where everything started going downhill, it would be when Thistlefang Keep burned.

Hoelig the Iron-smith

A turning point in the history of the northern lands of Cinder, The Fall of Thistlefang Keep ushered in the current era of The Broken Barony by starting The War of Horns. While direct reports vary, and many baronies still argue over the actual events that took place, the following is the report of the last War Mage, Leander Thornhart:

I still think about what happened that day, constantly blaming myself for what happened to Moren. I used to blame Pelliton and Rostam for everything that happened, but through my time in this cell I have come to realize that everything that happened was my fault. I allowed myself to be complacent with my position, and didn't notice anything was amiss till it was too late.
The Orcs of the Eastern Crags were beginning their yearly assault, and reports indicated that their forces were bigger that year than in recent years. General Guyomard and Sir Pelliton were sent to the front about a month before the assault to inspect the frontlines and the status. From the reports of Guyomard we saw no reason to worry, and a quick visit from me should have been enough to disperse the enemy forces, but Pelliton, and as we later came to learn, his father Rostam Louthhold were adamant in their reports that the forces were something to worry about and Guyomard was exaggerating his ability to handle it out of pride, and a visit from Moren was necessary.
Better to be safe than sorry, Moren decided he would accompany me with when I went to confront the forces, and I teleported us to the keep with his personal guard. This is where my failures begin. On arrival Pelliton met us and escorted us to Guyomard, where we discussed strategy for the battle while Moren's guard investigated the keep. After maybe an hour, during which time I did not notice anything amiss from Pelliton as he was still in the room with us, a soldier arrived to inform us of motion at the gate, and we went to observe the front.
I should have checked my mana reserves and my connection to the tower at this point, but as I said, I was foolish and had been complacent for many years. At the gate we witnessed an Orc spellcaster, who was the one later revealed to be Ghazat, Flame of Borkol. At that time his magic was still second-rate to mine, but when I attempted to raise the towers shield, my mana failed and his incantation destroyed the gate. Guyomard died protecting the Baron-Elect at this point.
After they breached the gates, we retreated into the tower with the baron's guard, who had all miraculously survived the blast. In the tower is when Pelliton decided to reveal his colors. I still cannot believe I didn't notice, but according to Pelliton as he taunted me, Ghazat had supplied him with an artifact which would drain me of my mana, his reason for betraying being Moren being chosen over Rostam. During the fight that broke out, Moren and two of his guard, I believe their names were Adder and Tacitus, fell before the remainder of his guard struck down Pelliton, which returned my mana and allowed me to teleport us back to Haerford. The other members of the guard? I don't know what happened to them, they disappeared during the chaos in the court, but I don't believe they disappeared because of any ill intentions, I mean, I did create them.
I assume you don't need anymore? It still pains me to speak of it, and everything after we arrived back at Haerford the barons know.