I personally like the idea of a big battle and the "reboot" - a possible explanation that natural discontent, coupled with a severely reduced treasury and military, has forced the Empire to break into smaller states, giving independance to places such as Egypt, Armenia, Georgia, and the Balkans, while keeping something akin to "watchdog" states (those still directly under control of the Empire) next to them or, if say WF wins the battle, two Empires, one centered around Georgia/Armenia and one in Greece/Thrace with much of Anatolia and Outremer falling back to the rebel's. I don't know really, but that's what I am seeing and it's not like their isn't a historical precendt to it, and it may get House competition back - the Two Empires still have the same Megas, and still share the same Senate.