De-Virginizing my Friends: Super Silly or Just D&D Silly

[Tequila Sunrise]

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.)

 

[kitsune9]

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.)

I think it will be a matter of taste. Since no one really knows your friends' personalities, it's hard to make this call. Probably go with D&D silly is my guess, but it's just a guess.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Hmm... Personally I think one of the best ways to bring them in is to have them make up their own characters (not mechanically wise though (unless they really want to)). I find for lots of people coming into the game making up a character however they wish is a big pull into D&D. You can then take the characters and either help or do entirely the mechanical side. I think too this would allow you to judge how silly the game will be based on how silly the characters are.

 

[Dire Bare]

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.)

Personally, I hate silly. But either way, I'd let the players at least name their own characters. If I sat down to a game and was handed "Orlando the Hottie Human Fighter" versus "Theodred, warrior", it would probably affect significantly my first impressions of the game/experience. Either way, I wouldn't feel much connection to the character unless I got a chance to "make him my own", which to me is an important aspect of D&D.

What edition are you playing? If you are playing 4th Edition, and have a D&DI subscription, I'd let them create their own characters on the Character Builder. Heck, even if I didn't have a D&DI sub, I'd download the free demo version (which is very complete) and still let them create their own characters. Hecker, I'd even want them to roll up characters on their own if all we had were actual pencils, paper, and dice!

Earlier editions are complex enough I could see creating some pregens, but 4th is simple enough I'd let them roll their own.

 

[Dausuul]

Personally, I hate silly. But either way, I'd let the players at least name their own characters. If I sat down to a game and was handed "Orlando the Hottie Human Fighter" versus "Theodred, warrior", it would probably affect significantly my first impressions of the game/experience. Either way, I wouldn't feel much connection to the character unless I got a chance to "make him my own", which to me is an important aspect of D&D.

I tend to agree with this. My suggestion: Create a set of (relatively serious) pregen characters, with one character tailored to each player as best you can manage. Tell them these are some sample characters; they can play them as written, take them and tweak them as they see fit, or make their own from scratch.

Another thing that might help is a familiar setting, so they can feel they're connected to the game world. From what you say, it sounds like everyone is probably fairly well acquainted with the Lord of the Rings. Maybe something set in some corner of Middle-Earth? Of course, that depends on how you feel about running it.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Thanks for your replies. I think I'll go with just-good-'ol-cliche-D&D silliness. Having my friends make their own PCs is not a possibility; I have limited books/computers and some of them have short attention spans. Also, the first session might be my one and only chance to convert them, so I want to get right to the playing. I'll write up a few standard pregens, with short optional personalities/motivations and go from there.

PS: Running a Middle Earth game would likely involve my friends ignoring all plot hooks in order to find Legolas, me trying to explain that he left for Valinor, and then the PCs violently commandeering a ship to get there. Hm, actually, that might be a fun adventure.

 

[Bumbles]

Put a handsome blond elf in your game.

Then kill him mercilessly.

Bwa-ahahah!

 

[Dausuul]

Put a handsome blond elf in your game.

Then kill him mercilessly.

Bwa-ahahah!

Nah, let them find him. Then you can sit back and watch the PCs fight over him. The art of low-stress DMing consists of getting the players to do the work for you.

 

[Noumenon]

I've heard it's better to play it straight as the DM and let the group bring the humor. You know they will. Letting them pick the names is a great idea. You might also want to let them pick their outfits. Animal companions are always cute, horses are good, and Color Spray is a pretty, nonviolent spell.

 

[Brandigan]

Exactly. I think it would be a better representation of the game as well. Play it straight and let the players dictate the silliness. I've always been a advocate of players making their own characters in the past but with the more complex rules and younger, video game junkie players it's better to make it quicker and easier. Too much writing, reading and basic math make their eyes glaze over!
But overall, if the foundation of the campaign design is more serious, I think the players will be more immersed. I don't try to manufacture humor into it, let that come naturally. It always does and that's one of the best parts of the game. Have fun!