Siege of Asarathos (concept)
The majority of the final decade of the Imperial Civil War was characterized by a long stalemate in Opakhasia, as the Aeschraeist forces were unable to breach the Axiaotheist defensive line in the north, preventing any serious attempt at an invasion of Asiupoli. On the other hand, Axiaotheist forces were similarly stymied in their Siege of Tinitida, traditionally the 'gateway' to Etepezea from the east.
This state of affairs would change in 1199 IS when, displeased with the lack of progess being made, Aautokratir Aeschraes himself arrived at the frontline. Alongside his Magi Nycenea 'the Void Walker' and Yind 'the Fairest Witch', Aeschraes tore apart the walls of Asarathos with a blast of pure force.
The fall of the fortress was seen as an opportunity by Aeschraes' commanders to make a name for themselves as the first to set foot in Aironoi. Incompetent leadership under Arch-Legan Kryla Katharitanox along with infighting amongst Aeschraes's senior military leadership (a tactic often employed by Aeschraes, who faced constant paranoia that his leading generals would plan a coup were they not so preoccupied with one another) meant that in their excitement to finally break through they had left almost all lands between the Pass of Mountain-Kings and the fortifications across the straits from Asiupoli almost completely defenseless. Furthermore, Katharitanox had ordered nearly every single auxiliary unit of Battle Magi north with hopes to use them to rapidly overturn any further fortresses along the northern bay.
This rash march to the north resulted in the creation of openings in the Aeschraeist lines, which were taken advantage of by Axiaothea in the ensuing Western Incursion.