In desperate need of good ideas

[No Name]

So...

After two years of dating, the girlfriend is finally semi-interested in D&D. However, she's not interested in playing with the regular crew. I told her that just the two of us could play, with everything centered around her character.

I need some grand ideas for an adventure where she's the hero, something that will keep her interested and wanting more. Of course, I'm drawing a complete blank, and have been for the past three days. Help will be greatly appreciated.

The info is still a bit sketchy. Her character is still somewhat unclear, but she has some concepts. She'll be one of the "cute" races (likely elf or halfling, with a slim possibility of gnome), and her favorite classes are ranger and fighter.

She did finish Neverwinter Nights as an elven ranger (with a loving bear pet named Scruffy). And during our brief time in World of Warcraft, she played an orc warrior, but I think she chose orc because I also played an orc (I also explained to her how alliance players were nothing but backstabbing, villainous scum. That may have influenced her decision as well. )

So, where do I go with it? I'm going to hook her up with a legacy weapon (sans penalties). I can't leave her options wide open at first. The game will need some direction. Ideas anyone?


And thanks

 

[Woas]

Well, I personally do not have any suggestions for you and your situation. However, there happends to be a gem of a post over at the WotC boards that I would like to send you to. The post is titled: Lessons from DMing with my GF. I figure it seems right down your alley.

Link: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=471897

 

[FnordBear]

Well you could get ahold of some of the old Fighting Fantasy game books/novels by Steve Jackson and run her through them (satting up the baddies yourself of course)

 

[Nyaricus]

Well, try to do a re-hash of some of the elements from NWN (ie get her to play an elven ranger with a bear named scruffy) and lead her on a quest going from that. Maybe give her a stalewart companion, a Healer (from Minis Handbook) who's some sort of a DMNPC who helps her a lot. Maybe make the healer a dwarf or something, and have him banter her poor pointy-eared butt off whenever she gets injured "oh miss, why do ye have to get hurt all th'time? Oh me poor bones are afraught with worry now!" and whatnot.

Perhaps you could have the game centered around a bunch of tasteful cliches, like perhaps shes a trader from an elven forest-kingdom, and she's gone into the Duchy of XXX to trade YYY. That's when the dragon and the orcs show up She then meets her dwarven companion amidst the fighting and she should save the dwarves life, to which he says he now owes her a life debt (bonding this NPC to her, in other words). From there, they have to go halfway 'round the world, taking on many great challenges, and save this kingdom from the invading dragon and orcs.

How's that for a start?

 

[Nyaricus]

Also, since a 1 or 2 person party would have zero balance anyways, give her bear the full (druid) progression of abilities, rather than the rangers 1/2 druid level bit. Her companion needs to last!

Also, make it more about the feel, and less about the rules. That should be your biggest goal for this

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Tomb of Horrors.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Definitely tell new stories of her elven ranger and Scrufffy. And I agree with making it as good as a druid animal companion.

Actually, sit down and ask her what she liked from NWN and write down the answers. She should be able to give you a pretty good idea of what to do all by herself.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Go Gestalt! (that's from Unearthed Arcana originally, btw.) It's that much more appropriate for a group of 2, or yeah, 1.

As a general (if partial) 'fix' for Rangers, matching their 'Animal Companion level' to the Paladin's 'Turn Undead level' is a popular method.


Hm. I think Expeditious Retreat Press has released a number of solo adventures for 3rd ed. I'm not sure what they're like, but they are designed specifically for 1 player + 1 DM. . . just maybe not the Pleasure Prisons one. . .

Oh, and best of luck!

 

[Nyaricus]

Actually, sit down and ask her what she liked from NWN and write down the answers. She should be able to give you a pretty good idea of what to do all by herself.

Another good suggestion

 

[No Name]

Gestalt is a great idea, but might be too complicated for the first time. But I will increase Scruffy's power, letting her stat it out as well instead of 10s and 11s.

Thankfully, NWN has already covered a lot of bases for me. She understands how many of the feats work.

Going to read that post on wizards and look up the adventures as soon as I hit submit reply.

Btw, can you elaborate on "more about the feel, and less about the rules."

Thanks