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Message: <blockquote data-quote="delericho" data-source="post: 5693360" data-attributes="member: 22424">Start with the PCs. Make them simple, iconic and fun. So, pirates and swashbucklers, arcane wizards (with multiple spells!), scoundrels, and noble knights. That half-Warforged psionic warrior/artificer is probably a cool character, but not really what you need here. Definitely use pregens, unless character creation is so simple you can explain and conduct it in 10 minutes (which probably hasn't been the case since BD&D).Then write a short adventure tailored for those characters. As noted up-thread, for a 'taster' game you probably want a small dungeon (5-8 rooms) with a handful of combats, at least one 'role-play' encounter, preferably an optional puzzle (that is, if the PCs solve it they get treasure; if not, no biggie), a trap/skill challenge... Try to include something specifically for each PC to do.Include at least two ways to 'solve' the adventure, to make it clear that there are PC choices - this isn't a movie. At the same time, keep the available options fairly limited, so as not to overwhelm the new player. You can always include more in later adventures.Insert a bunch of flavour details, little things to make the setting pop. Perhaps all the orcs have a particular skull tattoo except for one (who turns out to be a hostage from another tribe), or whatever. Remember: it doesn't matter if it's trite, old-hat or played out - with new players, everything that is old is new again.Include some cool treasures, preferably including at least one magic item (no matter how minor). This is the draw to get them to come back.And start the adventure with a clear hook, and with the party just inside the entrance to the dungeon.</blockquote>

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