Me and my housemate are loving the XL Mod at the moment. Adds new factions, splits up some provinces, alot of new units and refines the AI so no more cruddy armies for you to annihilate in your sleep. Also it's toned down the trading income and increased farming income. Also modifies the Morale of alot of units, makes for much better battles.

PS - I thought the Turks were one of the better factions to play with. in VI at least. Gotta love their specialist units and hybrids!