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#1 Rule - Keep'em poor and hungry...you'll be glad you did :)

And I agree with the above.

Use the Core rulebook like a supplement. Don't introduce it like 'here's a whole bunch of new you have to learn' but keep moving them in that direction as a reward little by little. There's plenty of material to keep them busy and there are some who never completely convert over to the full rules but a good GM learns to tinker with things and make them fit. All the material works with the BB...you might have to alter something here and there but if it keeps for a happy gaming group you might be surprised. As they see the potential for their characters to grow they might beat you to introducing the full rules themselves.

Most important: Have Fun!

(Don't forget to download all the goodies here for the BB if you haven't already...and the 2 free pdf zines can add a big boost of ideas to build your first campaign with)


Wizards present unique opportunities to grow as a GM. It's not a case of just throwing a few beasties at him.

Think mini-quest with an apprentice fighter npc or even intrigue within a city setting. Guild interaction is always good for a Wizard. Perhaps he has been entrusted to run an errand and has the item stolen from him and he must retrieve and deliver it before anyone finds out. And being an Elf it can have something to do with family or ruling house.

Build the adventure around his abilities, skills and talents. He will learn to use all of his character and not just end up wanting to launch fireballs all the time :)

If this is something you think he might really get into take a few minutes and rough out the area you would play 5 sessions in. Just general notes. You never know, they might just be ready to go again sooner than you think!

(This might come in handy if he catches on. I found this to be a very useful toolset - http://critical-hits.com/2011/03/04/the-5x5-method-compendium/ )

Hope that helps.


I was never into over the top, but used the little things to make the players dig deeper. If you approach a man sitting against a wall with a poncho style garment covering his face and ask him a question you might get a mumble or you might get a fight...or you might just get a Strider :)

As for the players, key off of what they read or watch. It comes much easier for someone who has watched things like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings to look to characters for inspiration on developing their PC personality. Maybe even suggest doing some films and books together.

Gaming isn't just about rolling dice. It's literary, it's social, it's performance...it is happening all the time. It's why you will often hear it referred to as a lifestyle. You never know when something will come along to use later (I am NEVER without pen and paper)

As a one shot film I suggest 13th Warrior as a classic example of an adventure (I've often commented on the film being a module my first DM ran years ago). LotR of course and the film King Arthur has some excellent scenes (the frozen lake battle is a favorite in my house).

Just remember to let folks play in their comfort zone and don't be shy if someone has taken his drunken fighter character a little to far so as to make others uncomfortable. First a verbal 'ease up a bit' and then, oh, maybe a session spent in the local jail for drunk in public :)