So I crafted a golden ring in the Skyforge and enchanted it with a powerful enchantment, but I can't get anyone to fight over it after dropping it in the middle of Riften.

I use Nightingale Subterfuge.

Sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the show.

Illusion is your friend.

It can be random. Two wealthy people fought over a cabbage I dropped in the Bee and Barb.

It's happened to me, as well. I dropped a cabbage in the middle of the pub and, after a threat here and there, Vulwulf Snow-Shod ran his sword through Indaryn's left shoulder. Still Maven didn't give a dung about it. Odd fellows.

I remember one time I dropped a gold diamond necklace and nobody went after it. Though they sure wanted that hide helmet.

Oh [censored], they kill each other!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJDmQ-r4HKo

This gives me an Idea on how to play a prankster character.

And man that was funny xD.

Interesting.

Kill all non-essential NPCs in the game by making them fight each other XD

I didn't realize that people picked up items you dropped. That explains where the 71 dwarven ingots I dropped in white run square went to.