It has been thirty four years since Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator of Judea, ordered the execution of a Nazarene Jew named Jesus in order to quell a riot. In those three short decades the followers of this man, called also the Christus, have spread throughout the empire, and many of them dwell in Rome herself. Although the Empire is tolerant of foreign religions, these so-called Christians are different. The political leaders surrounding the Emperor are becoming increasingly concerned.
Two giants stand out from among the Christians in Rome. One of them, a Galilean Jew named Peter, is the Bishop in charge of Christians in Rome and Italia. The other, a Roman citizen of Jewish origin named Paul, is a prolific writer and teacher who has been busy defining the doctrines of this new sect.
The teachings of Christus (the Christ, or Jewish Messiah) appeal mostly to the downtrodden: slaves, the poor, foreigners…but more than a few Romans have become followers as well. It is even rumored that some Patricians and at least one Senator are secret followers of Christus.
The Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus has ruled over the Empire for ten years, ascending to the Purple after the mysterious death (murder, most say) of Claudius. The past five years of his reign have become marked by increasingly erratic and paranoid behavior on his part. Like Tiberius before him, he sees enemies everywhere and in every circumstance. Like Caligula before him, he is rumored to be mad.
In AD 64, players will assume the role of a Christian living in Rome, or of a pagan who has come in contact with this strange new religion, and knows not quite what to make of it. Players will interact with major historical figures such as Peter, Paul, Linus, and Nero, and with each other as they seek to make their way through these exciting but uncertain times.
To both pagan and Christian alike, it feels as if dark clouds are gathering over the Eternal City. Change is coming…perhaps terrible change…
Hosted and narrated by:
Tacronicus Cornelius (Tacronicus)
Completed 03/29/15.
Scenes played: 14
License: Community License
