FINALLY! - My first D&D group!

[Paul_Klein]

After playing Star Wars RPG for the past 8 months, but slowly collecting D&D books and roaming the various websites, I have finally managed to gather my first D&D group.

Me - GM
My girlfriend
Our friend



Kinda silly, I know. But on weekends, we often have nothing to do, so we spend hours sitting in coffee houses bored outta our minds. I'm pretty experienced with 3E (learned it all from Star Wars, and know preety much all the changes for D&D).

So, I decided to run them through Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Daunting, yes? I know.

My girlfriend is playing 3 characters, and our friend is playing 3 as well. I know the adventure is set for 4 PCs, but I really don't want them dying off left and right (consdiering how much love and work the two of them are putting into their main characters).

Both have never roleplayed before, but are honestly excited. I'm just gonna teach them as we play (the same way I was taught).

The party is (if you're wondering):

My girlfriend's PC's:

Delia (N., Elf Druid of Obad-Hai. 4th level)
Darci (NG., Human Cleric of Pelor. 4th level)
Lydia (N. Half-Elven Wizard of Boccob. 4th level)

Our friend's PC's:

Zex (N., Human Rogue of Obad-Hai. 4th level)
Roper (CG., Dwarven Fighter or Kord. 4th level)
Fonkin (LG., Half-Elven Paladin of Heironeous. 4th level)

PS: The name Fonkin came from the sample names for Gnomes in the PHB. When he read it aloud, the 3 of us started cracking up. Even tho he's a half-elf, he knew he had to use that name.

I really didn't have to help them out much. They gathered around my PHB and did pretty much all that themselves. They already have plans for their characters and everything. I'm just so damn proud

Tonight we do the actual character creation. And then, I'll start the adventure.

My girlfriend really likes magic, so she chose that side of the party, while our friend decided to take the more "sword and dagger" side of the party. They are treating the first character's I listed up their as their "main PC's" while the other 4 are more like NPC's (but they'll run and control them too).

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this. I'm really, really happy. What suprises me most is, these two really aren't the kind you would expect to play D&D. But when I found out how excited they we're when I sheepishly brought up the idea of having a "spare-time campaign", I was shocked (plesently so).

Thanks for reading. Wish us luck!

 

[Harlock]

Best o' luck! Sounds like you have the right attitude and drive. If it's everyone's first time, make sure you don't get too bogged down in the rules. Focus on keeping the pace of the story moving sensibly. I find that as DM keeping the players happy is what brings me the most joy. They are my friends and I consider it a mutual story we each contribute to. As DM you're kind of the editor and so you tie all the elements together to make them cohesive. I'm just really excited for you. I know how fun it is to kick off a new gaming system or campaign or new characters, and you're doing just about all of it. Again, Best Wishes and here's to many hours of fun and excitement for you and your friends!

Cheers,
Harlock

 

[Morpheus]

Visit Monte's Site

Good luck with the game! Make sure you visit http://66.175.41.187 and his message boards for some great advice on running RttToEE. It will help...


Morpheus

 

[Paul_Klein]

One step ahead of ya bud

 

[alsih2o]

congrats! huzzah to you for rounding up a group, and double huzzah for it being all newbie! give us an update after a session or 2, i would love to here their stories of horror or duck to water-ness !

 

[CrazyMage]

Hey congrats! I also just got started, with a group of ONE. Since we have to play via email/chat, that works out ok, but we're both having fun so that's all that matters.

 

[toberane]

PS: The name Fonkin came from the sample names for Gnomes in the PHB. When he read it aloud, the 3 of us started cracking up. Even tho he's a half-elf, he knew he had to use that name.

Interestingly enough, you just reminded me of a character played by a friend of mine fifteen years ago. He had a gnome (I think) named Fonkin Hoddypeaks.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Isn't the name Fonkin Hoddypeaks one of Gary Gygax's characters?

 

[Conaill]

Congratulations!

Just one tiny suggestion: if your friends are total beginners, playing three 4th level PC's each is *not* the best way to start. There's a real danger they'll get hopelessly lost in all the rules and/or start metagaming all their characters against each other (Oh, my rogue got attacked in that dark alley? Don't worry, I'll just have my fighter and paladin wander by.)

Other than that, good luck, and I hope you all have a lot of fun!

 

[Mark]

Congratulations and good luck, PK!

I'm sure you might be spending a bit of your side time fleshing out your campaign world for future games beyond RttToEE. Be sure to stop by my site and pick up some of the Freebies if you think they could help you along...