Operation: Bonds of the Earth was the result of Total War between the Banites of Bane, the conspiracy group known as AFEW, and the clerics of Grumbar, who fought tooth and nail to protect their oldest and most powerful relic, the Staff of the Marsh, which was originally used to form the city of The Howling Crag.
This battle was a "two-phase" adventure. Phase one formed Team Infiltration (later to be known as Stealth Squad)—comprised of Caoilfhoinn, Blumenthal, Chet, Maverick, Ynnis, and Aritian; while phase two formed Team Absolution—comprised of Medrash, Andif, Rowan, Edna, Red, and Grindseed.