The war began as the result of the works of the infamous gnome illusionist Glouphrie the Untrusted, who attempted to convince Bolrie, disguised as an advisor, to run for election to success King Healthorg. He claimed that Healthorg was old and weak and his son, Prince Argenthorg cared not for gnomes and would let the Gnomish Empire fall to humans. As such, he advised Bolrie, leader of the Tree Gnome Village, to attack the nearby settlement of Khazard and defeat him.