The Leonids have been expanding around the peninsula in the last few decades and have established fortifications along trade routes and near protected harbors. Warprides have been harrassing caravans between the Dwarven Holds in the Rock Serpent Mountains and some of the free cities like New Wayland and Tiresia. Without the supplies earned in trade from these free ports the Dwarven Holds would lose an important source of food and lumber.
Emissaries have been sent by King Thargold Hardgrin of StoneGate to the commander of forces within Bloodsea Castle to begin talks to correct the harrassing of dwarven trade delegations on a free road to Market Point. He received his emissaries' heads in a large basket a few weeks later. This greivous affront is obviously meant to enrage and goad the stubborn and honor-bound dwarves into a fight.
—description from the publisher