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Post by Admin Pete on May 12, 2016 15:55:12 GMT -5
Let me pose another question(s) here.
What advice would you give someone about how to play OD&D for the first time?
If they had zero rpg exposure?
If they had played a lot of modern rpgs?
If they had no knowledge of classic fantasy literature or classic films?
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Post by bestialwarlust on May 12, 2016 16:49:20 GMT -5
What advice would you give someone about how to play OD&D for the first time? If they had zero rpg exposure? Have fun first of all. Use your imagination to try things If they had played a lot of modern rpgs? don't come into the game with assumptions play the game for what it is. If they had no knowledge of classic fantasy literature or classic films? Why are you at my table?  |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on May 13, 2016 17:01:05 GMT -5
No experience? No knowledge of classic fantasy lit? Played a lot of modern games? Same answer(s).
First I ask if they ever played Cowboys and Indians. If they look shocked and murmur something about safe places, I ask them if they ever drove or flew a big empty cardboard box.
If he (it will be a he, and I'll explain) looks blank, wants an interactive first person view, or mentions "bosses" I tell him to speak to almost any girl or woman of any age.
I have never had a female human sit at my table, couch, comfy chair, or floor who didn't master the game instantly. They rarely asked about rules, especially once I told them that their characters don't know rules - but they pretty well know what they can try to do.
Once I asked a young Miss Oklahoma why goils took to the game easily, and she told me the difference between genders in one word: Barbie.
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Post by captaincrumbcake on May 13, 2016 19:19:33 GMT -5
Make sure someone in the group you're in (preferably the DM), has some experience.
To leave their skills/feats at the door, and expect to begin as the lowliest of peons.
In this day and age? I'd understand that, pre--Conan and Jackson's LotR and Hobbit movies; but now...?
Well, then I'd tell them to get the books and read them. Along with R.E. Howard's and...doze udder wuns!
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Post by Von on May 15, 2016 11:08:23 GMT -5
What advice would you give someone about how to play OD&D for the first time?
"Come along to a session and see how it works. If you're feeling up to it, we'll make you a character and fit you in somehow."
If they had zero rpg exposure?
"Come along to a session and see how it works. If you're feeling up to it, we'll make you a character and fit you in somehow."
If they had played a lot of modern rpgs?
"Come along to a session and see how it works. If you're feeling up to it, we'll make you a character and fit you in somehow."
If they had no knowledge of classic fantasy literature or classic films?
"Come along to a session and see how it works. If you're feeling up to it, we'll make you a character and fit you in somehow."
You may be detecting a theme here. I prefer inviting people to spectate an established game, which might be built up from a solo game to start with. It's easier to show than tell.
I also avoid running with only newbies. I have done my fair share of educating and training new players and more to boot. These days I have less patience and want to get on with things. One new player per two experienced players is about right for me (I prefer groups of three plus a DM - after that the Law of Five kicks in and the interpersonal interactions are too difficult for my poor autist brain to follow).
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Post by robkuntz on May 15, 2016 14:55:45 GMT -5
And once again Von proves that the essence of D&D is not derived as a HOW TO process but as HOW IT IS AT THE MOMENT OF DEPARTURE emergence.
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Post by Admin Pete on May 17, 2016 11:39:45 GMT -5
Von have an Exalt for hitting the nail on the head. If they had no knowledge of classic fantasy literature or classic films? Why are you at my table? Yeah, believe or not there are people so culturally deprived in their upbringing that they have had no exposure to fantasy. I remember a time when I was about 30, when I had spent an hour entertaining a bunch of little kids with fairy tales, I had just finished up and the meeting was over and the parents left with their kids and about a dozen singles asked me what I had been telling the kids and I said "Fairy Tales". They asserted that they had never heard any, so I stayed and told Jack and the Beanstalk, The Brave Little Tailor(or Seven at One Blow) and a couple of others to these 20-somethings. I urged them to go to the library and read up on them. No experience? No knowledge of classic fantasy lit? Played a lot of modern games? Same answer(s). First I ask if they ever played Cowboys and Indians. If they look shocked and murmur something about safe places, I ask them if they ever drove or flew a big empty cardboard box. If he (it will be a he, and I'll explain) looks blank, wants an interactive first person view, or mentions "bosses" I tell him to speak to almost any girl or woman of any age. I have never had a female human sit at my table, couch, comfy chair, or floor who didn't master the game instantly. They rarely asked about rules, especially once I told them that their characters don't know rules - but they pretty well know what they can try to do. Once I asked a young Miss Oklahoma why goils took to the game easily, and she told me the difference between genders in one word: Barbie. QFT! These days asking basic questions like these can get you tarred and feathered in the court of political correctness. One of the best players I ever had a in game was nine year old girl. (Her and her step-father to be came for about a year, then after the wedding they disappeared) She did the best job of playing a cleric that I have ever seen. Had a complete grasp of the difference between fantasy and reality (rare among some adults) and was a wit and kept the whole group entertained. My friend who was ex-military (and passed about 5 years ago from a heart attack) would laugh until he cried at some of her quips. She talked throughout the game, in character, and really made it fun for everyone. It made my job as the ref super easy. I would love to have a dozen players like that. In this day and age? I'd understand that, pre--Conan and Jackson's LotR and Hobbit movies; but now...? Well, then I'd tell them to get the books and read them. Along with R.E. Howard's and...doze udder wuns! Yeah, there are complete fantasy ignorant people even after the movies of the last 10 years or so. Always good to get them reading if they are willing. And once again Von proves that the essence of D&D is not derived as a HOW TO process but as HOW IT IS AT THE MOMENT OF DEPARTURE emergence. Exactly!
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Post by hengest on May 17, 2016 12:18:44 GMT -5
It seems to me, Admin Pete , that there are some people who remain ignorant of fantasy because of the LOTR movies by Jackson and so on. They see a trailer and note only a bunch of similar-looking bearded men crashing into things and holding swords and just write the whole genre off. I was pretty sure I had written off romantic comedies for myself (not "these are evil" but "I don't need to see any of these, ever") and indeed, many are valueless (at least IMO), but a few are real art! Also, great story about the girl who played the cleric. |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on May 17, 2016 14:14:39 GMT -5
I am shocked - just utterly shocked (fans self with nearby herring) to hear that a 9-year old cleric married her stepfather. Oh, the pain!  ? |
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Post by Admin Pete on May 17, 2016 14:43:16 GMT -5
I am shocked - just utterly shocked (fans self with nearby herring) to hear that a 9-year old cleric married her stepfather. Oh, the pain! ? Facepalm! Shakes head! rolls eyes! |
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Post by mormonyoyoman on May 18, 2016 8:21:32 GMT -5
Continuing with weird examples of young girls upstaging older players... (CAUTION! Old Man Reminiscing ahead!)
Our (then) youngest granddaughter (age 4) demanded to play in a game session. And she wanted to play a hobbit. No silly euphemisms in my games, where hobbits are hobbits and not kinders, et al. During combats, she hid behind other PCs, otherwise chattering nonsensically in character. Until they camped, and the ranger-type brought down a dear for supper. He carved chunks for each party member and they planned the next day, set up watches, and turned around to find the hobbit has consumed the rest of the deer.. which had been planned as tomorrow's provisions.
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Post by Crimhthan The Great on May 20, 2016 9:10:29 GMT -5
Come and sit in on my game and you will never look at games the same again. My players are circumnavigating the world and if you decide you would like to play, it takes on a few minutes to create a character or I have pre-gens if you would like to look through the stack and pick one.
Come and see what a living, breathing world looks like and learn what it is like to play in it.
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