During the Shadow War, the Mechanic mercenaries operated a hidden base in the Lowlands. To keep the base's location hidden, the Mechanics dispatch several patrols to kill enemy scouts. The base was eventually found after a team lead by Tastidian's personal slave kills a series of Mechanic patrols. After the base was located, the Empire sent its spies to scan the area for information. The spies learned that the Mechanics are working on some kind of new weapon. While most of the mercenaries are out on raids during the day, Tastidian's slave assaults the base and steals the plans for the new weapon.