It began with the finding of that cursed scythe in the mine they call Roland's Doom. Yes, that was the start of it. Before that, the Defias Brotherhood was happy with our progress in Duskwood. Before the Scythe, the terrors of this place seemed as tame as Northshire Valley.
Must be between the years of WC3 and WoW if it took place during the rise of the Defias. My sources don't have exact dates on when it happened.