A Brief Interlude IV: The Fall of Malgen's Keep

As Told by Tarran Kratys, XIV Lord of the Westmarch

In the days of Malgen, First Lord of the Westmarch, the western frontier was a dangerous place - much more so than it is today. Monstrous creatures that roamed the Crimson Steppes continuously poured into Perrinwall threatening the lives of the early settlers. From his seat in Malgen's Keep in the pass through the Greycloak Mountains, Lord Malgen turned back these hordes time and again. The very stones of Malgen's Keep and those who dwelt within became the stuff of legends. Malgen's renown grew to such an extent that the Duke of Perrinwall came to visit him and congratulate him on his many successes.

Brehaus attacks Malgen and his warriors at the Battle
of the Smoulderng Skies

Unfortunately, the Duke's visit was discovered by a warband of savage monsters lead by Brehaus, a Fire Giant of immense power. They attacked the Duke upon his arrival, before he could reach the safety of the walls of Malgen's Keep. Seeing his liege lord in peril, Malgen, his wizard companion Zelligar and their men rode out to meet the horde and protect the duke. The battle, in later years named the Battle of the Smouldering Skies, was ferocious and bloody, and in the end the Duke managed to make good his escape. But Malgen, Zelligar and their men were not so lucky. Acting as a rearguard protecting the Duke's escape, their forces were vastly outnumbered. They fought bravely and secured the Duke's continued reign, though the price of such was their very lives. Malgen himself was the last to fall, brought low by the mighty sword of Brehaus.

Since that time, fell creatures have attended the battlements of Malgen's Keep, overlooking the only pass between the Westmarch and the Crimson Steppes. So entrenched are they in their demesne that the men of the Westmarch have been unable to unseat them for over 500 years. The keep itself is not only of symbolic importance to the lands of Perrinwall, it is of strategic importance as well. I fear that dark days are ahead of us and that if the keep is not retaken, and retaken soon all of Perrinwall could be in dire peril.