Relating to my campaign idea . . . this conflict starting at the beginning of season 4 of DS9, and ending within the first 1/4 of seaon 5 . . . what type of campaign setting can I create? Will there be tension on the border prior to the Klingons moving into the Cardassian Union? Or will be it a sudden polorization with factions trapped on one side of the border ot the other? Will there be open hostilities on the entire border, or will there be hot and cold spots? What level of raiding will both sides conduct? How will each side treat those stuck within their side of the line of control when the firing starts? How much of the Klingon Imperial Fleet be in CU, and how much will be conducting operations on the Federation-Klingon front? Are there Great Houses conducting their own private wars into Federation space, outside of the normal attack axis of the Empire? How long would it take for the Federation to secure its line of control? Are there any major retreats, on either side? What of assistance of client races under the Klingon Empire?
From my understanding atleast 12 months of the war is hot (starting with The Way of the Warrior), with it starting to cool down after Apocolypse Rising, but not ending until sometime after . . . Nor the Battle to the Strong
All this would be in prelude to the upcoming Dominion War . . . but it will also get them use to a combat environment in the Federation.