"During the reign of Haldric VII, the land of Wesnoth was peaceful. Konrad I had driven off the orcs in the north. The eastern forts were quiet and almost deserted. The elves in the western forest kept to their own affairs. In the prosperous south men built new towns and farms. Then, in the spring of the ninth year the reports from the South Guard, under the command of Sir Loris, suddenly ceased. King Haldric decided to send someone to investigate.