I believe it was a question of speed and time.
Menisis launched a surprise attack and needed to hit his objectives (reunification of the val'Tensen lands) before (a) Milandir fully mobilized, and (b) the Emperor learned what he was doing and shut down his (totally unauthorized) invasion. In that context the pass is a straight line to the ducal capitol of Treslau. Going around takes time, extends supply lines and maybe gets you involved in holding real estate that isn't that valuable.
For all that Menisis was one of the greatest strategic thinkers of all time, I think he blew it here. My personal opinion would be that he just couldn't believe, after his initial easy victories, that 500 infantry was going to stop his essentially divinely mandated mission to reunite the val'Tensen lands and free the trapped souls in purgatory. So he underestimated the resistance. It's also possible that under the circumstances the pressure may gotten to him too, and resulted in tunnel vision.
My thoughts.
To be sure, If he time travelled and got a do over, I suspect he would have done it differently.
_________________ Eric Gorman
AKA Ambassador Tukufu, man of letters, tomb raider and Master Sword Sage . . . and Sir Szymon val'Holryn, Order of the Phoenix Formerly Sir Jaeger val'Holryn. Weilder of the Holy Avenger: Thonanos. Gave his soul to help free King Noen
Last edited by val Holryn on Fri Sep 06, 2019 10:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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