RPG suggestion for a weekend away

[draquila]

Hi!

I'm going on a weekend away with a bunch of friends, and I was thinking of introducing tabletop RPGs to them in some of the free time that we might have. So I'm in need of a simple adventure module of some kind.

Since this is on a trip, there are some requirements:

• Minimal preparation, and equipment; I'll have pen and paper, a laptop, and some dice and that's it
• Easy to learn for people who've never played RPGs before
• A short adventure that can be played in 2-3 hours
• Ideally, free

I've been poking around with PDFs that can be found online from things like Free RPG days, but most of them seem to have quite a steep learning curve.

Any suggestions are welcome, thanks!!

 

[Mark CMG]

Ideally, free

These links might help -

The Free RPG Compendium

Free Role-Playing Games

Scifi 411 - List of Free Roleplaying Games

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/154448-free-adventure-path.html

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/310296-need-one-shot-pre-gen-game.html

 

[Mark CMG]

Thanks! But the quantity of free stuff out there is a bit overwhelming, I was hoping for a recommendation or two...

Are there systems you could run without the books and thus take advantage of just a free scenario (and not need to carry the books?)

 

[draquila]

Are there systems you could run without the books and thus take advantage of just a free scenario (and not need to carry the books?)

Not really, I'm pretty new to this myself and my only experience is with 4E, which requires a bit too much in terms of miniatures and grids and the rules are too complex for a one-shot.

I'm hoping to find something that has a really simple system (probably focusing on narrative rather than tactics) with a starter adventure included.

 

[pming]

Hiya.

Hmmm.... well, here's one "rules-light-'ish" free RPG: http://www.grippingtales.com/ . It does NOT have a 'free adventure', but based on the rules, I can't see it taking more than an hour or two to whip up something quick to take with you. I haven't tried the system myself (just read it), but it is definitly interesting in rules execution. Could be really good for an 'intro-rpg'.

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[amerigoV]

Time for you to become a Savage, my friend.

Here is an all-in-one adventure, figure flats, and test drive rules that was released for FreeRPG day:
http://www.peginc.com/Downloads/TheWildHuntDownload.pdf


If modern horror is not what you wanted, the downloads site has material organized by genre (including an nice, quick little fantasy one-pager):
Pinnacle Entertainment Group Downloads

Here is a link to a ton of more one-page adventures - a variety of genres, but heavy to Deadlands (weird west):
Savage Worlds One Sheets!

Here is a nice document that talks about how SW came to be and gives some insight on how the system runs (beyond the Test Drive Rules):
http://www.peginc.com/Downloads/SWEX/MakingofSW.pdf

Its Fast!, its Fun!, its Furious!

 

[delericho]

Any suggestions are welcome, thanks!!

Dread? You'd need a Jenga tower, but that doesn't sound like too much of a hardship.

For introducing RPGs to new players, I would generally recommend sticking with a well-known concept. So, D&D, Star Wars, Warhammer (Fantasy or 40K; only if they're familiar with those games), or Vampire/Hunter.

I would also recommend sticking with what you know, so that really does suggest D&D 4e, despite the complexities. Perhaps download "Keep on the Shadowfell", which I believe included enough of the rules to play stand-alone?

The Paizo/Pathfinder Free RPG adventure, "We be Goblins!" is a lot of fun; I suppose you could consider running that - despite the size of the rulebook, there aren't too many rules you'd need for that one adventure.

 

[Henry]

I'd say Savage Worlds - that Wild Hunt looks pretty good, and playing out a ghost story is something that a group of friends can pretty easily make the leap to.

Failing that, I'd say Risus -- It's six pages long, uses d6's, and the rules are dirt - dirt - dirt simple.

CG&D Free Downloads