I enjoy a bit of musical theatre. I try to see some sort of show whenever I visit London, and I’ve seen a lot that I’ve really enjoyed. In terms of emotional impact, I really don’t want to reveal how long I spent crying after seeing Les Miserables. Like, really… I think I had other things on my mind at the time, and I was projecting, but that show really messed me up. I did love it, though.
I’ve never seen a live production of Jesus: Christ Superstar, but I’ve seen several different versions of it either via movies, TV specials, or other recordings. It’s actually something really special and I love seeing how different casts interpret characters like Judas, Caiaphas, and Herod. Herod seems to the character who can vary most in his tone and portrayal from production to production. Rik Mayall’s sneering performance was very different to the low growls of Alice Cooper or the initially-affable Josh Mostel. Here’s Mayall’s performance from the 2000 movie:
Admittedly, Mayall is not much of a singer, but he sells this song magnificently. I think Herod can go in a lot of different directions and he utterly commits to the sneer.
Let’s get into the actual point(s) I want to make; what can we learn from this show?
Part 1: Complex Characters and Motivations
In Jesus Christ Superstar, characters like Jesus and Judas are portrayed with deep, multifaceted personalities. This complexity makes them relatable and compelling. How can we incorporate this quality into our characters, whether player or non-player?
First of all, we need to develop detailed backstories for our characters. Consider their past experiences, traumas, and aspirations. For example, a character might have grown up in a war-torn land, shaping their desire for peace or vengeance. The Fate system (as used in the Dresden Files RPG) has a great framework in this in the form of its Aspect system.
Give characters conflicting goals and motivations. It’s not hugely unusual in life to have goals provided by work or by others which do not perfectly align with our own personal motivations. This can create tension and drive the narrative forward. For instance, a character might be torn between their duty to their kingdom and their love for a forbidden partner.
Ensure characters have both strengths and flaws. We’ve explored this before in relation to villains, but it applies just as much to heroes. A hero might be brave but reckless, while a villain might be ruthless but deeply loyal to their followers. These traits make characters more human and relatable.
Develop dynamic relationships between characters. Friendships, rivalries, and betrayals can add layers to the story. For example, two characters might start as allies but become adversaries due to a betrayal. This is portrayed perfectly in Judas’ song, Heaven on Their Minds, in which Judas is clearly conflicted about what Jesus originally stood for, what he has become, and the danger of their current situation. Here’s a fantastic rendition of the song by Tim Minchin:
Part 2: Moral Ambiguity
We’ve spoken about morality in RPGs before. Jesus Christ Superstar presents characters and situations in shades of grey, rather than clear-cut good or evil. This type of moral ambiguity can enhance your RPG adventures by making decisions more impactful and thought-provoking.
Players should be presented with difficult moral choices. These decisions should have significant consequences and no clear right or wrong answer. For example, players might have to choose between saving a village from a monster or protecting a valuable resource that could help in a larger conflict.
It’s a key role of the GM to ensure that choices have meaningful consequences. This can make players think carefully about their actions and feel the weight of their decisions. For instance, choosing to ally with a morally dubious character might lead to short-term gains but long-term complications. THis is fantastically conveyed in the song, Damned for All Time. Here’s the rendition from the 1973 movie:
This isn’t blood money; it’s a fee, nothing more.
To make temptation and collaboration genuinely possible, we go back to the importance of creating villains with understandable motivations. Instead of being evil for the sake of it. They might have reasons that players can empathise with, even if they don’t agree with them. A villain might be trying to save their people from a perceived threat, using extreme measures.
These sorts of ethical dilemmas should be incorporated into your story. These can challenge players’ values and beliefs, making the narrative more engaging. For example, a quest might involve deciding whether to use forbidden magic to save a loved one, knowing it could have dire consequences either immediately or somewhere down the line.
Part 3: Political Intrigue
Jesus Christ Superstar is set against a backdrop of political tension and maneuvering, which adds depth to the story. We see Judas concerned about how Jesus’ movement will draw the ire of powerful groups, and Caiaphas concerned about Rome’s view of a man being labelled King of the Jews. let’s incorporate political intrigue into our games.
This does not happen in a vacuum, of course. Create multiple factions for your game with their own goals and agendas. The 5E adventure Supplement, Dragon Heist, actually does this quite well. Players can interact with these factions, forming alliances or rivalries. For example, a kingdom might be divided between loyalists to the crown and a rebellious faction seeking independence. There may well also be a guild of merchants looking to capitalise on the instability and an insidious cult preying upon the populace.
Introduce power struggles between factions. Actually, not just between factions, but within them. That can often be a lot more interesting. This can create a dynamic and ever-changing political landscape; a living society. Players might need to navigate these struggles, choosing sides or playing factions off against each other.
Characters and factions can have hidden motives and secret agendas. Uncovering these secrets can be a key part of the adventure. For instance, a seemingly benevolent leader might be hiding a dark secret that could change the course of the story. One faction might feel threatened by the actions of player character of NPC and move against them politically, or via violence. The song, This Jesus Must Die, sees Caiaphas, Annas, and the priests talking through this very scenario. Here’s a performance from the 2022 US National Tour:
Encourage players to use diplomacy and deception to achieve their goals. Negotiating treaties, forming alliances, and betraying allies can all be part of the political intrigue. Players might need to attend a royal court, where every word and action could have significant consequences. There’s some rich potential here, just waiting to be mined.
Part 4: Emotional Arcs
The emotional journeys of the characters in Jesus Christ Superstar are central to its impact. You this most prominantly in the characters of Judas, Mary, Jesus, and Pilate. Crafting emotional arcs for your characters can make your RPG adventures far more compelling and give genuine weight to player decisions.
We need to allow characters to grow and change over the course of the adventure. This growth can be driven by their experiences and the choices they make. For example, a character might start as a naive idealist and become a hardened realist after facing numerous challenges. That’s certainly how Judas presents at the start of the show, having previously been one of Jesus’ most faithful followers before starting to worry about the direction of their movement. This is once again chronicled in the song, Heaven on Their Minds. Here’s a performance from the live concert special:
As an aside, that performance makes fantastic use of the crowd’s reaction to John Legend as Jesus to underline the point being made about adulation.
Sorry, let’s get back on topic! Give characters personal quests that tie into their emotional arcs. These quests can provide opportunities for character development and deepen the players’ connection to their characters. A character might seek to avenge a loved one or find redemption for past mistakes.
Introduce emotional conflicts that challenge characters’ beliefs and values. These conflicts can create powerful moments of drama and introspection. For instance, a character might have to choose between their duty and their love for another character, as Judas does in the song, Damned for All Time. It’s also something we see in Trial by Pilate, when Pilate is genuinely conflicted about the punishment of Jesus, showing sympathy to the point of distress as the song goes on, particularly during the giving of the lashes, but needing to keep the peace. here’s a rendition of that song from the 2000 movie:
Incorporate themes that resonate emotionally with players. Themes of sacrifice, redemption, betrayal, and forgiveness are universal and can add depth to the story. Players might face situations that force them to confront these themes, leading to memorable and impactful moments. By weaving political intrigue and emotional arcs into your RPG adventures, you can explore these themes in a way that goes beyond just combat and skill tests. What kind of political scenarios or emotional journeys are you considering for your adventure?
Part 5: The Epic and the Personal
A good RPG campaign should look to strike a crucial balance between grand events and personal quests. In Jesus Christ Superstar, the story unfolds against the backdrop of significant historical and religious events. Similarly, in your RPG, you can create a grand narrative involving large-scale events like wars, prophecies, or world-changing threats or discoveries. These events provide a sense of urgency and importance to the players’ actions.
Alongside the epic scale, the musical also focuses on the personal struggles and growth of its characters. In your RPG, you can develop personal quests for each character that tie into their backgrounds and motivations. These personal stories can run parallel to the main plot, giving players a chance to explore their characters’ depths and make the narrative more relatable.
For example, imagine a campaign where the main plot involves preventing a catastrophic war between two powerful kingdoms. While the players work towards this goal, each character might have their own personal quest, such as seeking revenge for a fallen family member, uncovering a hidden past, or striving for redemption. These personal stories can intersect with the main plot, creating a rich, multi-layered narrative.
This is done well in Jesus Christ Superstar via the characters of Judas and Mary. Both love Jesus and wish to support him in his movement, but there are complications for each character. Mary loves Jesus and wants to support him, as she expresses in the song, I Don’t Know How to Love Him. She loves him, and she wants to bring him comfort, but she’s also scared. Mel C gave a fantastic rendition of this song in 2012:
Even as Mary becomes closer to Jesus as a constant companion, this further drives a wedge between the pair and Judas. Judas was Jesus’ closest confidance and he starts to feel more distant as Mary gets closer. This jealousy and desire to be closer to Jesus is a factor in Judas’ eventual decision to betray his friend. Both Mary and Judas believe in the message that Jesus is trying to spread, but both also have personal aspirations in relation to Jesus.
Part 6: Music and Atmosphere
Just as Jesus Christ Superstar uses music to convey emotions and set the atmosphere, you can use soundtracks and ambient sounds in your RPG sessions. Music can enhance the mood of a scene, whether it’s a tense battle, a moment of sorrow, or a triumphant victory.
Background music and sound effects can make the game world feel more alive and immersive. For example, the sound of a bustling market, the eerie silence of a haunted forest, or the rhythmic drumming of an approaching army can draw players deeper into the story. They can also be used to underline specific themes or establish motifs. The song, Hosanna, establishes a sound to represent Jesus’ followers, which is then re-used elsewhere in the show, under other events, to highlight the presence or approach of the faithful. Here is that establishing song as presented in the 1973 movie:
Create playlists for different types of scenes (e.g., combat, exploration, emotional moments). Use apps or websites that provide ambient soundscapes. Some platforms allow you to mix different sounds to create a unique atmosphere for your game.
Assign specific themes or motifs to important characters or locations. This can help players quickly identify and emotionally connect with them. For example, during a climactic battle, you might play an intense, fast-paced soundtrack to heighten the tension. Conversely, during a quiet moment of reflection, a soft, melancholic tune can underscore the emotional weight of the scene. By carefully selecting and timing your music, you can significantly enhance the storytelling experience.
We spoke further about the use of music in RPGs back in August:
Part 7: Anachronisms and Modern Sensibilities
The musical is known for its intentional use of anachronisms and modern elements, blending contemporary language, attitudes, and even fashion with the ancient story of Jesus. Furthermore, productions of the musical tend to update themselves to fit the aesthetic of the time. The 1973 movie looks very different from the 2000 one, which is again quite distinct from the live concert special, and so on. This approach makes the narrative more relatable and engaging for modern audiences. Different themes are also emphasised via acting decisions and the design of sets and costumes. Characters might use modern slang or exhibit behaviors that resonate with today’s viewers, despite the historical setting. This gender-swapped performance of Damned for All Time incorporates text-messaging to give further context to Judas’ decision to betray Jesus:
The musical addresses many modern themes and issues that are relevant to contemporary society. This includes exploring the nature of fame, the impact of political movements, and the personal struggles of its characters in a way that feels current and accessible.
To emulate this in your gameplay, use contemporary language and slang in your RPG to make characters more relatable. This can help players connect with the story and characters on a personal level. Naturally, this depends on the sort of game you’re trying to create.
Incorporate themes that resonate with modern players, such as social justice, personal identity, and political intrigue. This can make the game more engaging and thought-provoking. Whilst doing this, don’t be afraid to mix elements from different time periods. For example, a fantasy setting might include steampunk technology (a la Eberron), or a historical campaign might feature characters with modern attitudes and sensibilities. This can add a unique twist to your game world and keep players intrigued.
In a medieval fantasy RPG, you might introduce a character who speaks with modern slang and has a punk rock aesthetic. This character could be a rebel leader fighting against an oppressive regime, making the struggle for freedom and justice feel more immediate and relevant to the players. Of course, if you’re group has signed up to a straight, historically-accurate setting, this should probably not be a tweak that makes it to your table. if they’re up for trying stuff out and have a slighly more anarchic experience, then go for it.
Part 8: Conclusion
Drawing inspiration from media that you love can significantly enhance your RPG adventures. In looking at a show like Jesus Christ Superstar, and by incorporating complex characters, moral ambiguity, political intrigue, emotional arcs, and a blend of epic and personal stories, you can create a rich and immersive narrative for the your group and game. Additionally, using music to set the atmosphere and blending ancient and modern elements can make your game world more engaging and relatable. These techniques can help you craft something really special that I hope will resonate deeply with your players.
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