Update #1
1227 AD to 1229 AD
John Doe, a young student pursing his Doctorate in European Studies at Oxford University, woke up to the tune of his radio at 4:00 AM in the morning. Groaning, he recalled that he had an exam in the covering one of the most turbulent periods in European history.
Opening his text book he began to prepare for his exam.
According to this text book, The Mongol Emperor, Genghis Khan died in the year 1227 AD, and a terrible civil war ensued between his four sons. The Mongol Empire, which had been the strongest Empire ever to date, had crumbled in a short year.
Thanks to this collapse, Europe both flourished and suffered...
The Rise of Spain
The Spanish Empire, perhaps the legitimate descendent of the Roman Empire, moved to capitalize on the confusion and surprisingly invaded the Carthageans to the south. Unprepared for war, Carthage quickly lost its Spanish colonies yet its mastery of the seas was the only reason why Carthage itself was saved from an invasion from the powerful Spanish bull knights. Spain has seen its population growing with more confidence each year from the successes in the war.
(Spain: -2 knight divisions, -1 galley, +1 Confidence [Satisfied], +1 IC/turn)
The Wise Pope
The Papal States, meanwhile, called for a Christendom tithe. The Papal States then became the leading scientific nation in the west after it became the first nation to discover modern physics. The Pope proclaimed it a “gift from God.” Also, there have been increased persecutions in the Papal States itself on non-Christians and many Jews and Hellenists in Rome have been burnt to death as heretics for refusing to recognize Christ. Also, imports from the silk road have been completely cut off due to actions of Dar-al-Islam and the collapse of the Mongol Empire.
(Papal States: +1 confidence [Satisified], -1 IC/turn)
Greek Frenzy
Then, over in Greece, the Greek Republic started a religious war frenzy with its military draft of its citizens to defend Greece from an invasion from the pagan threats. However, imports from the silk road have been completely cut off due to actions of Dar-al-Islam and the collapse of the Mongol Empire.
(Greek Republic: +1 confidence [Trusting], -1 IC/turn)
The Strength of Babylon
Babylon has quietly mobilized its army into the largest army in the world but faces large Islam revolts in Babylon itself. The majority of Babylonian forces have quickly moved towards the borders of Babylon and Dar-al-Islam.
(Babylon: -1 confidence)
Ambitious Dar-al-Islam
Dar-al-Islam was certainly the most active and ambitious nation during this period. They sent missionaries to Babylon, Persia, Egypt and the remains of the Mongol Empire and converted thousands of Hellenist over to Islam. Then, the caliph of Dar-al-Islam dictated that his country begin a progressive tax, which boosted his economy. However, he was just not interested in the economy. He also patronized the arts and sciences by commissioning great works of art and creating many schools of science in the world. Lastly, he helped cut off Christians from the profitable silk road and those extra profits have found their way into his pocket.
(Dar-al-Islam: +2 confidence [Respecting], +2 IC, +1 IC/turn)
Jihad!
Dar-al-Islam invades Egypt. Egypt’s military was paralyzed due to Islamic revolts within it and Julianus Cato fled Egypt after Alexandria’s fall. However, southern Egypt has managed to regroup and continues to resist the Islamic advance. Caliph Muhammed Ali has called a jihad against the "heathens of Egypt."
(Dar-al-Islam: -2 knight divisions, -1 archer division)
The Sultan...
The Sultanate of Istanbul boosted their economy with imports of grain on the silk road.
(Sultanate of Istanbul: +1 IC)
Invasion!
The Sultan’s forces ventured in the Christian country of Austria but withdrew quickly after the Austrian rallied their forces.
OOC: Good job Flyingchicken, an additional +1 IC for the sheer thoughtfulness of your orders.
Lightfang also gets a +1 IC for the amount of sarcasm in his orders.

(Not very long since we only have 5 people with orders this turn.)
