User blog comment:Thedoucheinthenorth/The Civil War - Why it is great/@comment-5469467-20121101051603/@comment-1967485-20121102234826

Lore-wise, fresh legions were being pumped out from High Rock and Skyrim, meaning the Empire had a chance. Not to mention (Again lore-wise), Nords are amazing melee fights and Bretons can be the best battlemages. Remember half a nord legion held back the entire Thalmor retreat from the Imperial city. Taking that into account, plus any members left in the legion, the Empire had a fair chance. Mede just put his pants on his hand and then surrendered. There is no other excuse.

And no, Mede wouldn't off pounced on the idea. He was already an idiot for not trying to make peace with the Dominion. Instead, he ignored the hostile acts made by the Thalmor, like taking Valenwood by force and killing all the blade members there. Mede I could of prevented the war starting in the first place, but instead, he focused on whatever matters he had.