Just a suggestion for the story. If you are starting at the start of the cycle the leveler(who I am assuming would be alric)would still be realitvly weak, and would need a fast, devoted force to start his campaigns with. So here it is...
He could use a cult devoted to alric as his first army, resurrecting them to thrall as they die. He could come from the very far east, beyond the void, or the far south, beyond the untamed lands, with troops from a different culture which he has taken control of(Do the shadow landers from glen cooks Black Company series sound familiar?)
Remember that since it is at the end of the age of light the technology would be fairly advanced, with the dwarves leading the way I'm sure.
Plot twists, like a civil war with in the empire just before the leveler shows up would be interesting.
Lastly, if you really want to get ideas for a great story I strongly suggest you read the Black Company series if you have not already.
I hope these suggestions help some.
Respectfully
Drunken Ghol
