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(TL:DR My wife who has been anti PnP gaming has started playing due to the ease of the Beginner Box rules, and the whole family has enjoyed the game.)
Wanted to make a post along with the others on here thanking Paizo for the Beginner box. It has helped make a dream of mine come true. Sit back and have a listen to my tale.
16 years ago, I married the daughter of my first GM. Now, you might think this a great thing, but unfortunately, she blamed PnP roleplaying games for the lack of time she spent with her divorced father growing up. So when I married her, I ended up having to choose between having a peaceful marriage, or gaming nights. I chose peace.
Fast forward 15 years. We've played multiple MMO games togeather, I've gotten her sucked into multiple fantasy series via audiobooks (not much of a reader), and we have a bi weekly board game session with my kids, her father(my old GM) and his wife.
One week, her father's wife wasn't able to make it, and while waiting around deciding on what to play, I brought up the idea of my pathfinder beginner box. "Everyone gets premade characters, it's ready to go, we just pop it open and play." I said. (I had gone through the box front to back to be ready for just this moment) After a little waffling, she agreed and I busted out the box.
The session went excellently, with only a few minor hiccups. My 12 year old son decided that he wanted to play the wizard, which my father in law grudgingly allowed (he always played mages in games he was in), and everyone had to deal with his hyperactivity and general grabbyness, but by the time my wife had to head to work, everyone had had a good time and were ready and willing to finish up the adventure the next session.
Over the next 2 weeks, I did some side work on the adventure. First job was to be ready for the FiL's wife to come to the session, so following the BB rules setup, I made up a BB character sheet for Amiri, who I knew would appeal to her interests. I also took my daughter, who played Merisiel, aside, and ran her through a little midnight burglary so she could explore her skills, and understand what she can do (not to mention a minor betrayal for character development). I also did a minor adventure for my son, so he could explore what his spells can do, and how to use cone spells, and help him understand his skills as well.
By the next session, we were up and ready, and I had a minor introductory mission for Amiri's player as well. After that, they finished up the Black Fang dungeon. King Fatmouth was beaten, but escaped, and Black Fang was wounded, but also escaped. Plenty of fun adventures ready to go.
All of them had a good time, and are ready to play again. I've tempted all of them with what can be done with full characters, and even my wife is interested in seeing what Druid's have to offer later.
So again, thanks for the great product, and thanks for giving me a gaming day back again.
Nice, and I can imagine that she probably plays the pixie just like you'd expect one to be also. My Father in law played the ever suffering rock of the team when dealing with my son, it was entertaining to everyone at the table.
That's a great story, I'm happy you were able to reach a happy compromise with your partner. :D My own marriage has been put under stress by my gaming in the past, but my wife would never consider playing with our son and I.
Heh, it wasn't easy, believe me. Notice it took 15 years to work out. Minor pokes here and there, a half joking offer to have us all sit down and play. Never a push, just asking here and there. Biggest thing has been just letting her have her opinions and not trying too hard.
Great story, dude, and I'm glad your family enjoyed playing. :)
Great to hear stories like this, I posted one like this a few weeks ago. Today I will use the beginner box to introduce my daughter and wife (who has not rpg'ed for more then ten years) to the game.
My sons are still a bit too young to start playing (nearly 3 and just turned 5) but my wife has said she's interested in playing over Christmas if we get time, so I am busy re-reading the Beginners Box to get ready.