Why TRF is in fact a microcasm of Ancient China
Posts: 4291
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 11:01am
Anyone who is familiar with the games Dynasty Warriors or Romance of the three kingdoms might have some idea of what I'm talking about, as will anyone who has actually studied the historical period around roughly 200 A.D. known as the Three Kingdoms era of China.

At about this time in history, China was split between three kingdoms - Wei, Wu, and Shu - after the fall of the corrupted Han Dynasty ushered in an age of chaos. Now, right there we are reminded of the fall of the Republic when it became the Empire, and the current situation where the three large powers are TNO, BDE, and GC.

But the similarities do not end there. Each of the kingdoms from that time period closely resembles one of the three strongest factions here; Wei was known as a cruel and conquering kingdom whose leaders had a throttling hold on all power (TNO). Wu was a self-obsessed kingdom dedicated to serving the will of the ruling Sun family (BDE). Shu was a small but prosperous kingdom led by men of legendary virtue, such as Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang (GC).

Even the historical figures themselves have some correlation between characters here. It would take forever to list all of them, but here are some matches for Shu/GC

Liu Bei - Regrad
Liu Bei is still known today in a similar light as King Arthur is seen in England, only that Liu Bei is a clearly defined and recorded historical figure. Known as a man of honor and integrity, he proved this fact through his accomplishments, and the region he ruled still makes use of many of the roads, dams, and techniques he created. Regrad is the leader of the Coalition, and is also a crusading warrior. Although perhaps not yet as legendary as Liu Bei, for the purpose of this they are definetly a close enough match.

Guan Yu - Jan Dondana
Guan Yu was reputed to be a legendary fighter, and was a sworn brother and comrade to Liu Bei. Together, along with Zhang Fei, they founded Shu and fought it's enemies for years before his eventual death when betrayed by Wu(BDE). Jan Dondana was one of the three founding leaders of the Coalition, along with his rebels, and even fit the fact that Guan Yu left Wei (TNO) upon deciding they had not as much virtue or honour as the promise of the kingdom of Shu did.

Zhang Fei - Teebo
This is probably the least accurate match, but then, someone has to be Zhang Fei and Teebo isn't here to complain. Zhang Fei was a legendary warrior and a legendary drunk, but he was also a sworn brother to Liu Bei and fought along side him to form Shu. Teebo was one of the three to form the Coalition, and thus fills this historical position. Plus, he never did say what happened to his character, so maybe he's off drunk somewhere.

Zhuge Liang - Joren Logan
Zhuge Liang was known as a brilliant strategist and tactician, as well as a scholar of great repute. He joined Shu when impressed by the virtue of Liu Bei, and led them to many victories. Joren Logan is the closest match amongst GC, as he is probably our best military commander, and his strategies are probably the best we can get. Also, the fact that he acts somewhat as an outsider with the Praetorian Guard in the Unknown Regions is somewhat similar to the free reign and power granted to Zhuge Liang.

Zhaou Yun - Fraktusk
Zhaou Yun was a great warrior, so great he was made one of an elite group of generals by Liu Bei. At first, he found no master virtuous enough for him to serve, until eventually he met the young king of Shu in battle, and was impressed by his character. He was known as a noble and loyal man. Fraktusk is a Jedi, and thus serves whoever he feels deserves his service. The Coalition is honoured to be worthy of the strength of a Jedi, as it means they are worthy of his virtues as well.
Posts: 4291
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 11:30am
There are even more parallels between Wei and TNO, some of which are below:

Cao Cao - Palpetine
Cao Cao ruled Wei in the very early days of it's existence, before the formation of the other two kingdoms. Known as an iron hard ruler who brooked no opposition he manipulated the chaos following the fall of the Han Dynasty to claim power over most of the North, including the Imperial capitol. It's pretty clear why this makes him Palpetine.

Cao Pi - Daemon Hyfe
Cao Pi ruled Wei in the Three Kingdoms era, and was an even more ambitious and cruel man then his father. Daemon Hyfe rules TNO now after the death of Palpetine, and rules over an Empire perhaps even stronger then the one Palpetine had.

Sima Yi - Simon Kaine
Sima Yi was Cao Pi's strategist and Prime Minister. A scheming, cunning man, he was the equal of the greatest strategists of the other two kingdoms, and led Wei perhaps even more then Cao Pi. Near the end of the era, he masterminded the conquest of Shu and Wu, and finally overthrew the Cao rulers, setting up the Jin Dynasty which would rule China in the next age. Simon Kaine is of course TNO's greatest general and leader, and there has often been questions as to wether he seeks to replace Daeom Hyfe in power.

Zhen Ji - Drayson
Zhen Ji originally served the egotistical lord Yuan Shao, but met Cao Pi in battle who immeadietly married her. She went on to serve Wei and Cao Pi loyally. I'm pretty sure Drayson used to be part of the Holy Something Empire which folded in battle to TNO, and she joined them. Althogh not married to Hyfe, she appears to serve him and TNO in much the same way that Zhen Ji joined and served Wei. Maybe.
Posts: 1913
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 11:32am
Indeed, that is quite cool. Some of the character matches are a little stretch, but hey, it would be rather freaky if they weren't.

You spelt my name wrong, though. It's FRAKUTSK. You and Leia always spell it wrong *sigh*.
Posts: 5387
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 12:25pm
I liked the theory when you explained it on AIM. Bravado, Dolash.
Posts: 455
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 1:22pm
That was actually pretty interesting.
Posts: 3599
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 2:01pm
Hey Dolash do you have the strategy game based on this period?

'Golden throne' I think its called..

I don't know anyone else who has it, buts its a great little game, plus it sounds like you have an interest in it.

You get to pick which kingdom and which warlord, you wish to serve.
Posts: 2558
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 2:01pm
And Irtar is the nameless soldier that gets an arrow through his head! It's all too perfect!
Posts: 228
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 2:03pm
Inspired after you finished Jade Empire, huh?
Posts: 3599
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 2:27pm
woah!... its Hex!

What brings you around these here parts stranger!... :P

(should go and see Hyfe's Celebration III pics he put up at VC)

Anyway, how the fudge are you?
Posts: 35
  • Posted On: May 26 2005 2:34pm
And I am a nobody. *sigh* Well, I should be used to it by now. No wait, I am like Lu Bu....... because.......I said so