Alright, I decided that the Kara-Khanid Khanate (whom I erroneously called "Emirate of Khiva") has converted to Zoroastrianism instead of Islam in this timeline. That way the confederation can start by diverting all its warriors to Hungary, instead of splitting them up. The tribes north of the confederation are still Muslim, however, since that direction wasn't impeded by the Sassanians.

I don't think I'll start the IC myself, since Khan Saru is planning a very reactive strategy. Also, maybe we should wait until at the very least, someone signs up as the Seljuqs. They were pretty important, to put it mildly. We should also wait for the Holy Roman Empire.