Greetings!
Well, in my studies of ancient China, it is especially enlightening to see the contrast between Medieval Europe and Medieval China. Take the Song Empire, around the 10th or 11th centuries, A.D. The Song Empire had cities of over 1 million people, and many, many cities of hundreds of thousands of people. These cities were often highly fortified with extensive walls and towers. The Song cities were highly organized, laid out in districts, all the while being in position to maximize their resources and profitability. Apparently, the Song Empire was capitalist, with merchants of every kind coming and going, trading goods from around the world.
The major cities of the Song Empire had 24-hour business and commerce, with an vibrant nightlife, restaurants of every kind, and promoting artistry and intellectual pursuits everywhere. There were published books--novels, romance novels, books on cuisine and cooking, and more. Evidently, the Song cities were well-lit, well patrolled and guarded. The people everywhere--according to some quoted primary sources--were happy, joyful, industrious, and prosperous.
When thinking about the "Medieval World" in developing my campaigns, it has definitely been eye-opening to consider not just Medieval Europe--but Medieval China as well.
Of course, as a friend pointed out to me, embracing a Medieval Chinese theme for a campaign radically changes many of the underlying assumptions of the game. The Song Empire was clearly the most advanced society on the planet at the time, and approached many modern sensibilities, with 24-hour market-places, nightlife, restaurants, cuisine, international trade, large-scale book publishing, advanced crafting skills, artistry, well-developed theater traditions, advanced universities, paper money, an official and elaborate fashion industry, high court diplomacy, and superior technology and processes in every field. It's staggering to go down a list of all of the achievements and accomplishments of the Song Empire. All o these things were *normal* for the Song Empire.
I suppose embracing a Medieval Chinese theme would radically change many campaign assumptions. What do you think? I have been tempted, for certain. *Laughing*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK