War of the Silver Marches (Vengence of the Iron Dwarf)

The War of the Silver Marches was a conflict against orcs that took place in the Silver Marches in the Year of the Iron Dwarf's Vengeance.

History The drow wizard Tsabrak Xorlarrin channeled the Darkening upon the Silver Marches under the orders of Lolth in order to prepare for the war.   Soon, in the fall of 1484 DR, the drow minions of Quenthel Baenre incited the frost giants of the Shining White and two white dragons, Arauthator and Aurbangras, to ally with the orcs of the Kingdom of Many-Arrows, where the warmonger Hartusk gained the power.   So a large army of orcs and drow, supported by frost giants and white dragons, assaulted the Silver Marches in the War of the Silver Marches.   Nesmé was destroyed by an orc horde led by Tiago Baenre riding the white dragon Arauthator and Sundabar was conquered by an orc army commanded by the warlord Hartusk and renamed Hartusk Keep. All dwarfholds in the area—Citadel Adbar, Citadel Felbarr, and Mithril Hall—and later also Silverymoon were besieged.   During the Battle of the Cold Vale, Bromm, one of the twin kings of Citadel Adbar, was tricked by the half-drow Doum'wielle Armgo and beheaded by Hartusk.   At last, in the spring of 1485 DR, Bruenor managed to unite all the dwarven forces to retake the River Surbrin bridge from the forces of Many-Arrows. In the sky above the battle, Drizzt Do'Urden and Afafrenfere on the copper dragons Ilnezhara and Tazmikella confronted Tiago Baenre and Tos'un Armgo on the white dragons Arauthator and Aurbangras, leaving Tos'un and Aurbangras dead and Arauthator in retreat.   Then, in Flamerule, Bruenor used the dwarven Ritual of the March and managed to conquer Dark Arrow Keep, restoring it to Lorgru, its proper ruler, and defeating Hartusk's remaining armies.   Vengence of the Iron Dwarf - Bruenor rallies the dwarven kingdoms under his banner and defeats the orcs, ending the War of the Silver Marches.   At last, with the backing of Jarlaxle, using Drizzt as a conduit, the turncoat drow archmage Gromph Baenre dispelled the Darkening, disguising the act as the power of Mielikki.