I have two friends starting a campaign with me soon. neither has any familiarity at all with D&D or even other high-fantasy games like WoW. While it would obviously be best to read the entire core rulebook, neither is going to realistically do that before our game in a few days, and they want a short few page document that they can read in ~30 minutes that will explain to them what the game is and how to get started. I can build their characters for them, so they just need a guide for what the game is and how to play that is comprehensive but short.
Any ideas/links?
Doesn't the CRB have a few pages at the beginning about 'What is an RPG?' and the 'core mechanic' in it? (mine isn't to hand). The GMG also has a 'cheat sheet' at the back with the basic rules on it.
When teaching new players, I've always preferred the 'learn as you go' approach.
Just tell them to grab a d20 and roll when appropriate. Ask them to describe what they want their character to do then translate that into rules yourself. This also teaches them to role play not roll play.
good luck
probably definitions of what the things mean, and a broad idea of what characters (general and specific) can do.
