Creating Fantasy Role Playing Worlds Using the Period of Spring and Autumn

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Within the History of our world few time periods are so interesting as that of the Period of Spring and Autumn in China. A period lasting just under 300 hundred years from the 8th century BC to the 5th century BC this was one of the points of major growth in China. For despite or perhaps because of the often bloody internal struggles and assassinations within China it was during that much of Chinese culture and thought took root, from Sun Tzu to Confucius this period of time belied the bloodiness of that time, for through this wisdom, poetry, and beauty where found.

For a Fantasy Role Playing Game this period can offer some of the best inspiration for world and regional creation. For the possibilities for players to have a massive impact on the world you create is limitless as is the opportunity for them to meet interesting characters and gain interesting quests. The governmental system of the period is perhaps much to blame for how horrific the struggles were and so it is important to take note of this.

During the Period the nation of China was figuratively run by the Zhou Dynasty, however as they ruled the Empire they where driven from their capital and forced to move their capital to a region where they had a minimal amount of control. This made them dependent on Dukes for support. With China divided into a number of states of varying size this meant that the Zhou quickly lost control all together. Larger states began absorbing smaller states with the claim that they where protecting them. During this time period China was united through practical considerations and traditions rather through a single ruler, or a set of rulers which got along. For although the Dukes met and talked or would occasionally talk to the Emperor they did not have to listen to the outcomes of either any more then nations need to listen to the UN now (and perhaps less). Politics in general where based on a complex set of treaties and beliefs.  Eventually twelve Dukes did rise to greater power and so they would meet and discuss then enforce, but this again did not stop them from working against each other or against smaller states.

Within a fantasy world and RPG Games such a system would easily maintain interest for each kingdom in such an area would have need of adventurers, and there would be a constant flux of power which the players could exploit and alter as they saw fit. Further this time period would lead to many interesting thought forms that the players could take advantage of, for it was during this time period that many of the nobles would loose status and so would be forced to work as peasants gaining rank and position through talents. They would however have the opportunity to be educated, sometimes very well. Confucius was one of the many thinkers who came out of this system. Within a role playing game the opportunity to have so many philosophers, thinkers, artists, and in the case of fantasy wizards forced to work as cowherds (as Confucius was) could provide many interesting opportunities including giving the players a background. Being from a noble family which is trying to regain its position could for example give the players a constant series of quests with an actual final goal. 

Sun Tzu was another noble that lost his home and position during this period, and it was of course the huge number of wars occurring at this time that provided him with the opportunity to study for "The Art of War." This shows that many of the intelligent thinkers of the time did indeed find their living through engaging in the wars around them. This perhaps is closer to the what the players would likely do, however having one of the players play a pacifist, or having an NPC pacifist (or near pacifist, able to fight but must avoid real harm) could add a new dimension to your role playing game.