(Pax Gladius) The Passion of the Christ

[James K.]

I brought this up over on the Deep7 Forum, but I thought this was the sort of thing that might interest readers here.

I've been doing a lot of reading about Mel Gibson's upcoming film, The Passion of the Christ, the controversy and (further) into the scholastic debate over the content of the Passion narratives themselves.  I've already touched on this on my discussion list, and will post to my blog about it, as well, but here's a game-specific take on the topic.

Doubtless when people grab a copy of Deep7's Pax Gladius, they're thinking Gladiator or (if you're like me) The Arena.  But let us not forget that Ben-Hur, another "sword 'n' sandal" epic, was also strongly tied to the Passion.  Could a group, or should a group, try to replicate this?

Interestingly enough, when Green Ronin released Testament, everyone seemed just to want to know what level Moses was, and ignored the adventuring potential of the Biblical era.      Though much later, Jerusalem and its environs circa CE 32 are rife with political machinations, threats of war and, yes, abiding religious questions.

It would easy to jigger around the Provenance Table in Pax Gladius to reflect Judea of the period, or one could simply cut directly to the chase and assign something appropriate to the players.  Imagine the possibilities: is there a GM out there with the surety of hand to run a game where players take the role of Romans in the service of Pontius Pilate, and take center stage in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus?  How would players react to this moral challenge?  Would they be offended, or could the scenario be used to actively examine one's beliefs?

Other avenues of exploration could follow players through the events leading up to, or following the crucifixion.  As I mentioned before, this was not an area in stasis, but one every bit as tension-filled and explosive as today's Israel.  Stories like these are not only radically different from the usual content of roleplaying sessions, but also depart from the simplistic moralization so often seen in religious forays into roleplay.  Dragonraid, anyone?

I don't claim to share Mel Gibson's religious views, but the uproar over the release of The Passion of the Christ set me to thinking about challenging ideas in a roleplaying context.  Make of this what you will.

[John Kim]

Imagine the possibilities: is there a GM out there with the surety of hand to run a game where players take the role of Romans in the service of Pontius Pilate, and take center stage in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus?  How would players react to this moral challenge?  Would they be offended, or could the scenario be used to actively examine one's beliefs?

Other avenues of exploration could follow players through the events leading up to, or following the crucifixion.  As I mentioned before, this was not an area in stasis, but one every bit as tension-filled and explosive as today's Israel.  Stories like these are not only radically different from the usual content of roleplaying sessions, but also depart from the simplistic moralization so often seen in religious forays into roleplay.  Dragonraid, anyone?  

Well, Dragonraid was pretty execrable from what I've seen.  I think a better example would be http://www.rollspel.com/engelsk/theway.htm">The Way and its related games -- particularly "Quo Vadis?".  These were developed at the youth works section of the Västerås Bishopric of the Church of Sweden, and it is intended for use in youth confirmation groups.  The project was endorsed of Bishop Ytterberg, financed by the Administrative Board of the Bishopric and managed by Len Howard.

[Sigurth]

Imagine the possibilities: is there a GM out there with the surety of hand to run a game where players take the role of Romans in the service of Pontius Pilate, and take center stage in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus?  How would players react to this moral challenge?  Would they be offended, or could the scenario be used to actively examine one's beliefs?.

You've just inspired me. You would need a gritty game system, a command of both Jewish and Roman history,  a knowledge of the Gospels and Acts and maybe the epistles...early Christian History, and real gusty players willing to play what it would be like. Don't know about Pax Gladius or the Arena, but TROS sans magic could work. Since I got the game system I have been toying with idea of running a historical campaign. Inspired by The Barbarians on the History Channel, I thought about having the pcs start out at the Battle of Chalons.

Now, how cool would it be to start right after the Crucifixion ala Ben Hur when his mother is miraculously healed...or during the initial persecutions in Jerusalem. Now the brainstorming starts! You could have  a 1st Century Roman Imperial campaign, Greek or Near East... with all the good fun involved...Paul's preachings, Jewish Rebellion, the emergence of the Parthians. Don't forget Nero's fire and the destruction of Pompeii by Vesuvius!

let me know how it goes...:)

[clehrich]

I suppose this goes without saying and all, but you need to be absolutely 100% certain that all your players are absolutely 100% comfortable with all this.  If there's even slight hesitation, don't do it -- players may discover wells of Sunday School Guilt dwelling deep, and this is the sort of thing that leads to fights, ended friendships, and the odd Crusade.

Chris Lehrich

[James K.]

Well, Dragonraid was pretty execrable from what I've seen.

I agree.  I mentioned it in context with the idea of overt, ham-handed moralization in religious roleplaying.  The idea of trying to take any religious issue seriously with that game...I don't think it's possible.

I think a better example would be http://www.rollspel.com/engelsk/theway.htm">The Way and its related games -- particularly "Quo Vadis?".  These were developed at the youth works section of the Västerås Bishopric of the Church of Sweden, and it is intended for use in youth confirmation groups.  The project was endorsed of Bishop Ytterberg, financed by the Administrative Board of the Bishopric and managed by Len Howard.

Not surprisingly, I've never heard of this game.  Reading the information at the provided link makes me want to see more, but there doesn't seem to be any more there.  Are there English-language copies available of Parts I and II anywhere?  I see that Part III, Ansgar, is not.

[HOT]

A good start to read would be Flavius Josephus' "The Jewish war". It tells a lot of the chaothic times around 0-50 AD. It has a certain roman bias (not to offend his patrons) although himself was jewish. You can tell he is disgusted with the Zealots, and the Pilate he describes is not one who wold have any sympathy with Jesus. Make sure you get the full and unabridged version. I know that there's an abridged version out there where "unbiblical" stuff has been edited out. His "History of the Jewish People " is also worth checking out. I think the setting is interesting enough, but I wouldn't really be interested in roleplaying a "passion-play".
Haakon

[Mithras]

I have no qualms, but then this is the UK (!) No religion here to offend.

I've run a children's game (for 10 year olds) set in the Roman Empire. I needed a set up where the PCs were fairly powerless, not have access to weapons and be able to engage in espionage (I have 10 years of cyberpunk stories to rip-off).

I came up with the game of Christian children in Rome dodging a persecution. Their parents are under arrest or executed, they are hiding out in the network of Christian brethren - essentially a secret society under attack. The ethos of the religion, and of course their 'minor'  status ensures no violence, and the threat of crucifixtion - or worse - always beckons.

We had some fun games of dodging legionnary patrols and nasty double-crosses!

But it worked out more like that great cartoon series called the STORYKEEPERS (and that's no bad thing).