This fortress was once the built as the center point of a network of towers and other defenses that kept the long road safe from all sorts of highway men and monsters that lurked in the darkest parts of the forest. As the years went on and the road lost its significance the dwarves abandoned the stronghold in shame as their house fell on hard times and couldn't keep it ruing, years later it was re claimed by its new residents that your party of adventurers should probably kick out and maybe turn it in to a base of operations.