The Beginning of an Empire

The battles and struggles near Notitia would be good if you, as a GM, wish to have your player characters in on the beginning of the Empire.  Both sides, those with expanding the holding of Notitia and those who are not, are looking for mercenaries and any aid that can be given. Possible ideas if they want to help expand is to be scouts, provide protection or magic or run assassinations.  If they want to stop the expansion they can help with ambushes on supply caravans or ships coming into port, stop people from coming to aid Notitia or even try to rally outlying villages to not join willingly.