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6 months ago ::
Dec 10, 2012 - 7:39AM
#1
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Hi all,
I recently played Descent 2 with my kids (9 and 7 year old) and my wife. Idea was to play a D&D like game without having to put together a whole campaign. However its not really D&D - its really a comeptitive game. Last year we had a lot of success with the Ravenloft series of games but again its not D&D.
So I want to play real D&D with my kids. A single adventure over a couple sessions will be fine. Before that we played the Heroes of Hesoid as well. Any recomendations of anything I can buy off the shelf that would be kid suitable with little to no modificaiton?
I own all the 4e core books and some others but I havent touched them since release so I need to relearn 4e as well. But thats fine. I've been playing D&D in some vein for 30 years. Its more looking for something with minimal prep time and a good story. A 1e updated to 4e module would be perfect if any are around?
Thanks in advance.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 10, 2012 - 1:16PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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Check this out: www.livingforgottenrealms.com/That has a large collection of individual modules sorted by series to get you as much or as little as you need. You want to play for 1-2 sessions? Pick up a single module and you are good to go. Like that session and want to do more? Pick up something else from the same series (Personally I like the CALI series a lot) and keep on keeping on. Why I recommend this: 1) They are free. So if you don't like them you just spent the price of downloading a 50page PDF. 2) They have very concise and detailed rules. There is a lot of stuff about tournament play and rules for characters, but playing at home you can throw all of them out the window. 3) Each module gives you everything you need to run the game for anything in that same tier of play. So you can play any mod in any order as long as you are within the same tier (Heroic Lv1-10, Paragon 11-20) 4) Did I mention they were free? Downsides: 1) Some of the older modules are formatted awkwardly. 2) The modules are designed for 5 players, so you might have to tone them down a little bit for 3 players. Shouldn't be that hard though. After they reach 3rd or 4th level you can lower the adventure level instead of taking out enemies and be perfectly ok for good. 3) [2] already hinted at this, but AL 2 can be a little tough sometimes for new players. Just remember you can tone them down, or give them a higher level helper PC (like a leader of some kind) who won't steal the spotlight but will help the PCs get through the story.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out hereSpoiler:
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Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here
If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here
Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
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6 months ago ::
Dec 10, 2012 - 4:42PM
#3
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Thank you very much!
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6 months ago ::
Dec 10, 2012 - 5:45PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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Thank you very much!
Any time.
If you have any specific questions about a module feel free to toss me a PM. I've run enough LFR now that I feel confidant helping others get into the swing of things.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out hereSpoiler:
Show
Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here
If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here
Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
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6 months ago ::
Dec 10, 2012 - 8:41PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Sep 29, 2009
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Also I think WOTC has printed lore type books for children.
I know I have seen a book about faries (that is consistant with 4E feywild)
Matyr mentioned the idea of an NPC guide/healer to help out. The book DMG2 has rules for companions that are cool and helpfull but not good enough to overshadow the PCs.
The sea looks at the stabillity of the mountian and sighs.
The mountian watches the freedom of the sea and cries.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 10, 2012 - 8:53PM
#6
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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Also I think WOTC has printed lore type books for children.
I know I have seen a book about faries (that is consistant with 4E feywild)
Matyr mentioned the idea of an NPC guide/healer to help out. The book DMG2 has rules for companions that are cool and helpfull but not good enough to overshadow the PCs.
blech. Just make a real character but make it an enabler. My favorite to do this is a Pixie Lazylord as they just float around, heal and grant attacks.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out hereSpoiler:
Show
Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here
If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here
Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 1:58AM
#7
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The Kick Starter ended just recently so it's months away yet, but Story Realms seems to fit the bill perfectly. It's basically a roleplaying game disguised as a board game. Each of its modules is made of discrete encounters that you can mix and match, creating your own stories. The game also includes guidelines for writing your own encounters. That's why I'm hoping to use it to introduce my board game-loving family to roleplaying.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 7:12AM
#8
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Yep, I backed it for that reason specifically. I have used boardgames to introduce my kids to D&D indirectly (my wife plays D&D so no need to "convert" her). I started with the 1981 Dungeon! and TSR Fantasy Forest. Then moved on to Heroscape D&D expansions, then Drizzt (as written) and Wrath of Ashardalon (modified with a leveling option and turned into a mini-campaign based on the original module). Now its time for the real thing  I remebered I had the Essentials line, pulled them out and had a read. Sounds like this is exactly what I want. Ran my daughter through the intro and she loved it (Elven Wizard). My son is keen to play the solo adventure but we ran out of time. I expect he will end up being a fighter. My wife will probably be a cleric. I will probably play an NPC/companion type character. Any suggestions on a monster/companion that fits the rogue bill? Would prefer something a bit more kid friendly and fun than just a plain old NPC. For example if they had no fighter I was going to introduce an Owlbear as a pet/companion to be the fighter. If they needed a mage, maybe a faeri caster. But not sure what to use for a rogue.
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 9:29AM
#9
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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Yep, I backed it for that reason specifically. I have used boardgames to introduce my kids to D&D indirectly (my wife plays D&D so no need to "convert" her). I started with the 1981 Dungeon! and TSR Fantasy Forest. Then moved on to Heroscape D&D expansions, then Drizzt (as written) and Wrath of Ashardalon (modified with a leveling option and turned into a mini-campaign based on the original module). Now its time for the real thing
I remebered I had the Essentials line, pulled them out and had a read. Sounds like this is exactly what I want. Ran my daughter through the intro and she loved it (Elven Wizard). My son is keen to play the solo adventure but we ran out of time. I expect he will end up being a fighter. My wife will probably be a cleric. I will probably play an NPC/companion type character.
Any suggestions on a monster/companion that fits the rogue bill? Would prefer something a bit more kid friendly and fun than just a plain old NPC. For example if they had no fighter I was going to introduce an Owlbear as a pet/companion to be the fighter. If they needed a mage, maybe a faeri caster. But not sure what to use for a rogue.
Intelligent blink-dog. Or half blink-dog half-dire wolf.
Currently working on making a Dex based defender. Check it out hereSpoiler:
Show
Need a few pre-generated characters for a one-shot you are running? Want to get a baseline for what an effective build for a class you aren't familiar with? Check out the Pregen thread here
If ever you are interested what it sounds like to be at my table check out my blog and podcast here
Also, I've recently done an episode on "Refluffing". You can check that out here
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6 months ago ::
Dec 14, 2012 - 9:40AM
#10
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The Binder Warlock in Heros of Shadow has options for guardian pets that you might want to look at.
Otherwise, you can always take any monster you want, and give it a cute description.
Colors
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Bow down, my subjects, for I am your master! Yesss.....
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For some reason, none of my friends were surprised by this...
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