Playing the Eastern Factions

[Mightypeon]

What are your takes and experiences on the eastern factions?
My primary one is: Mesmod makes it easier as you get acces to the pretty decent Lithunian Cav. In addition, Kiev + Lithunia + Chazaria/georgia translate in a pretty good defense. The question is: What are you ogign to do after the first consolidation phase? Expand southwards or wait for the Golden Horde?
You could go Westwards, but this usually leads to costly wars and really long borders, although taking Danemark is an option.
What are you steps as the Rus?

[garion]

get a good navy, take sweden, norway, scotland, ireland, denmark. expanding to the the south means war with the mongols, and probably if you expand to fast you'll meet the byzantines while they still got the better units, so be carefull. also rushing poland might help, and use religion to stirr up rebelion