I've finally decided to invite/trick/coerce four of my old high school friends into trying D&D. Here's the roster:
Lisa is more or less a stereotypical girly-girl. Likes Disney, princesses, pink things and Orlando Bloom.
Ann is a movie buff and video gamer. Likes Disney, Final Fantasy, odd things and Orlando Bloom.
Johnny and Sara are high school sweethearts. Sara likes Gollum and 'pretty pictures' (she's a painter). And probably Orlando Bloom. Johnny is a decent guy, but I know him the least. He's somewhat uncomfortable with Lisa and Ann, but he's totally cool with me. Despite being a fan of Dawson's Creek, he's mostly a man's man.
I'm making 1st level pregens, and my question is: should I go all-out silly? For example I could name pregens "Orlando the Hottie Human Fighter," "Gollum the Creepy Halfling Rogue" and "Blondie the Elven Princess." It might make it easier for my friends to grasp their characters. Or should I just go with good ol' D&D silliness? (Cliche names & short backstories, with action-movie-style narration.)
Disney + Orlando Bloom = European gothic fantasy in my book. I'd say lean heavily on the gallant adventurers fighting evil monsters & unjust nobles aspects and let the players find their own comfort level on the silliness spectrum. Sequels & marketing aside, most of the "Disney Princesses" were stubborn-nosed fighters against injustice in their respective original movies, and the Legolas/Orlando Bloom aspect just seems to feed into that IMO.
And maybe go a bit gender-neutral in your pregens - bold knights and bastard noble scions can be female, too, not just escaped princesses & saucy barmaids. Good luck.
What little grognard can exist in a 29 year old is screaming out for drawing more from the Princess Bride....now I feel both old and young at the same time.
Fast-paced, cinematic, high fantasy with Princess Bride-esque humor sounds like a fun evening of gaming to me.
Are you using the Pathfinder Beta rules?
Thanks for your replies, I've decided on option 2. Just good-ol'-fashioned-D&D-style silly.
Are you using the Pathfinder Beta rules?
We're playing 4e.
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I recommend fast and loose with the ruleset (not familiar w/ 4e, so no help from me there) and really get them into the dice throwing, laugh-out-loud, mood.
In that vein, Princess Bride is an excellent example, as would be Pirate of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.
High-action, swashbuckling good time with clear cut enemies and goals, then you can move into whatever kind of game they seem to prefer once they have the basics down.
Personally, it sounds like a mix of genres, similar to Kingdom Hearts, would be the best possible target.
-t
Thank goodness! I echo the Princess Bride [and Stardust]. So when does this all happen?
Unfortunately, not for two more weekends. Oh well, at least I have plenty of prep time.
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I just converted a group of RPG virgins myself by cannibalising a bunch of 1st Level adventures.
Hmm, Disney Princesses, Orlando Bloom and Pretty Pictures.
Start off with a one-shot that has very straightforward characters.
Human Fighter - Square-jawed prince (7th son) trying to be more than just a pampered dandy (unlike his brothers). (Johnny) Prince Gallant
Half-Elf Rogue - Swashbuckling pirate princess trying to make it on her own. (Ann) Esmeralda Dread
Elf Cleric - Last priestess of a moon goddess in hiding from the bad guys who wrecked her temple. (Lisa) Belle Silverleaf
Human Wizard - Apprentice sea witch trying to be good against her evil step-mother's wishes. (Sara) Ariel Shellesea.
1st adventure should have very clear goals.
The Treasure of Skull Island -
The adventure begins aboard a ship headed for nearby skull island, where it is rumoured a massive treasure hoard lies. The PCs are there for different reasons.
Prince Gallant - Wants to get the treasure to prove himself.
Esmerelda Dread - Wants the treasure to buy her first ship and hire a crew.
Belle Silverleaf - Wants to find the lost holy symbol of her goddess so she can open a new temple.
Ariel Shellesea - Wants to find a book that the treasure holds detailing the history of her grandmother who was rumoured to be a good witch.
On the ship is a group of rival adventurers (the BAD GUYS) lead by none-other than Duke Von Badinoff. The PCs will kick off the adventure by racing to the shore of Skull Island (Str Checks or profession Sailor). Once they hit the shore of the island goblin cannibals will run out of the jungle and attack the PCs. Badinoff will leave the PCs to their fate running away like a big chicken. Once the PCs have defeated the goblins they'll notice the bright and shiny jewelry the goblins wear as well as a simple map showing the location of "Shiny Cave". The PCs will travel to shiny cave which is filled with goblins, fiendish pirate traps and some zombie-pirates. Once they leave the cave they'll come face to face with Badinoff who has managed to gain the goblins trust (by feeding his rival adventurers to them). The PCs will have their big showdown and if the dice rolls go well return to the ship having completed their goals.
And if all goes according to plan you'll have a great new band of D&D players ready to create their own characters for a converted Savage Tide Campaign. ^_^
Well played and simple, hats off to Dudemeister! Although it may seem easy to a veteran player, to rookies getting their feet wet in RPG's for the first time, it will be a good challenge. Just remember some old school wisdom. When the action slows down, spring an encounter. Most new players like action, especially of the sort like the movies. Remember to make some of your goblin cannibles memorable (in the same vein as some of the pirate crew in PotC Curse of the black pearl.) This may be done with an exotic weapon or a strange defect/handicap (imagine a cannible with no/or few teeth!). Also, despite the straight forwardness of the adventure, don't be afraid to leave a few threads/secrets unsolved. This can be great for discussion and "what ifs" later once the game is over. Also, good for those after the game snack runs at Dennys and such. Besides keeps them curious about what could happen if they dare to play again. Overall, I envy you. It has been about ten years since I have had the chance to initiate an entire group of non-rpg gamers. Let alone a balanced group of gender opposites. Almost all the groups I've played with have been 80-90% male with maybe 1 or 2 female gamers. I always thought it would be more interesting to have a group composed of 50/50 male to female gamers. Anyway I hope your friends and you have a great time. Good Luck!
Though Dudemeister's adventure does sound fun I'm feeling exceptionally lazy so I'm going to run Keep on the Shadowfell. Here are my pregens:
Laurana, High Elven Wizard
Laurana is princess of the Rhiannon, a mystical faerie court. Betrothed to an ancient and frumpy elven lord, she ran away from home on her wedding eve. Laurana knows that she wants a different life than a marriage of convenience, but she doesn’t know exactly what. Laurana is now traveling to Winterhaven, looking for new friends and new experiences.
Tabi, Hobbit Rogue
Tabi is a young woman on her walkabout -- a hobbit right-of-passage. Her walkabout requires her to wander the lands for a year, which she has just passed the mark for. She is now traveling to Winterhaven, which is in the general direction of her homeland Kendermore. She secretly hopes to find one more adventure before finding home.
Huma, Draconian Paladin
Huma is a silver-scaled and silver-armored knight errant. She follows the benevolent teachings of Bahamut, the Dragon Lord of Light. She has been trained to protect the innocent and to fight evil, particularly the servants of Tiamat, the Dragon Queen of Darkness. Though normally calm and collected, Huma harbors a hatred against black dragons, one of which destroyed her family and town many years ago while she was away in hermitage. Huma is now traveling to Winterhaven, following rumors of brigands and robbery.
Rothgar, Dwarven Fighter
Rothgar is a brave and loyal companion, to those few he trusts well enough to call ‘friend.’ Raised in the mountain kingdom of Thorbardin, Rothgar is now an exile. A year ago, Thorbardin was overrun and its dwarves annihilated by a horde of goblins and orcs while Rothgar was away on patrol duty. Rothgar’s burning ambition is to someday raise an army of dwarves and retake his homeland in the name of his fallen countrymen. Rothgar is now traveling to Winterhaven in search of the Hylar family, who are rumored to be looking for able-bodied dwarves.
Gothian, Tiefling Warlock
Gothian is a troubled soul. Born with two small horns and cloven feat, he was abandoned by his own parents to a parish priest. The priest taught him right from wrong, and Gothian always strives for right but something in his blood pulls his soul toward darkness. Some dark spirit has blessed (or cursed) him with magical power, for some unknown purpose. Gothian is now traveling to Winterhaven because a whispering voice in his dreams insists that he do so.
Eldred, Wood Elven Ranger
Eldred is a free spirit of the forest. He is wandering the lands, in search of a suitable wedding gift for his lover Sirabel whom he left in their wooded homeland. Eldred is quick to anger, but quick to forgive and forget. He has many acquintances, but few who he knows well enough to call ‘friend.’ Eldred is now traveling to Winterhaven, in search of a goldsmith named Sithelbek who is rumored to be of great talent.
Tanis, Half Elven Cleric
The bastard child of a wood elven vagabond and a human midwife, Tanis is a young man wise beyond his years. Never fully accepted by either of his parents’ worlds, he is familiar with the rough side of life and of human/elven nature. The clergy of the Light is the only place he has ever felt truly accepted. Tanis was recently ordained as a true priest, and is now traveling to Winterhaven to help its priest, Father Fortunatas.
...And no, I never steal names ;)
Ain't nothing wrong with that for seducing... er, corrupting... no, wait, I mean "convincing"... friends to try out D&D. :)