(( You know… I’m kinda burnt out with the standard civil-war or border-war history of the Empire. It seems like the Empire can't have but one Emperor in a row, without undergoing some gigantic crisis. With all the civil wars and border wars going on, it's a wonder the Empire has the population it does. I guess the rarest thing in the Empire, these days, are kids. Geeze, even the Byzantines and Romans didn't suffer this much when an Emperor died.
Anyway, what about a completely different option. Instead of the two GW standards (one form or another of Civil War or Border War), why not something worthy of the whole idea of a new age?
So… how about this…
Marienburg, being wealthy and well connected, wants to find a new route to Cathay, with the goal of making a permanent, by-sea trade route and a trade-city on the Cathayan coastline.
As such, realizing that, while they have a vast navy, their… army is not necessarily the most experienced or even the most loyal, as coin is not the best of insurance for loyalty. Mercs are known to have the "Not-Getting-Paid-Enough-To-Die" clause in their contracts, which is quite annoying. Anyway, Marienburg diplomats come to the Empire Elector Counts to request the services of the Imperial Army… for these large, oversized, bags of "You-Really-Do-Like-Our-Independence" studies and reports, that look and feel and weigh surprisingly like Imperial Gold Sovereigns. Almost... as if... they are Imperial Gold Sovereigns... though, everyone knows that would be so crass and banal, not to mention pedestrian, of Marienburg to do that. But everyone also likes Imperial Gold Sovereigns… *cough* er, I mean, well researched and thought-provoking epistles.
In other words, Marienburg hires the most experienced human army ever, to launch a huge expedition to Cathay, with the goal of opening up a non-Elf-dominated overseas trade route, and a Marienburg-loyal city along the Cathayan coast.
This lets you include basically any Imperial Elector or province who wants a lot of gold… er… um… I mean, who wants to become intellectually stimulated by such a great amount of well funded doctrinal thesis. And, not only that, you can expand into an area that GW has, for the most part, overlooked.
Shoot, you could even have to competing expeditions… one funded by the Tileans, who wish to go overland, thus avoiding any Elf problems, and the Marienburgers, who are convinced that their navy can outdo some pointy-eared, flop-haired, effeminate-dandy Elf-sailor.
And, in doing so, you offer a "Global" campaign. Instead of the standard "Emperor Dies, Empire goes into Civil War… again" or "Emperor Dies… *insert EVIL army here* invades… again", you know can have a global event that... oddly... can help reshape how the 9th age looks. ))