pen-and-paper tutor needed for PAX

ctishman

Okay, I love a good RPG, but up to this point, it's only been on computers and/or consoles. I have little to no experience with pen-and-paper gaming, but I'd really like to learn how to play. Would anyone be kind and patient enough to attempt to enlighten me on the finer points of the genre? I love a good storyline, I'm patient, literate and not a total moron, but I have just about 0 experience with this. If someone would be so kind as to take the time and bring another eager gamer into the fold, I would appreciate it greatly Hell, perhaps we could start a mini-tutorial session in the tabletop room or something.

Anakaris

I might be able to though my knowledge is limited to D20 and the White Wolf system. I know a little bit about other systems as I've dabbled. My suggestion: get a D&D player guide. Even the v3.0 would work as just a basic reference. I'll see what I can bring in the way of books.

ctishman

Okay. There's a gaming/comics/cards store a few blocks from where I work. I'll pick up the suggested literature tomorrow. By the way, from what I've heard, you're essentially saying that in D&D terms, you drive but unfortunately the only transmissions you're familiar with are manual and automatic. I'd be honored to learn from such as yourself. Anyone else interested in taking their first steps into the mad, mad world pen-and-paper gaming?

Red Machine D

I am a Master-level judge and DM in the RPGA. I have been playing Dungeons & Dragons since 1993. I have experience in both single-round game days and large conventions with multiple rounds and conventions. I have experience in running live-action Living Greyhawk modules and am a member of the Shield of Almor. I think I can help.

What you will want to get is the Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook v3.5, a set of gamign dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, and a percentile die), some pens, some pencils, a 3-ring binder, an overhead pen, and some plastic page protectors. A bag to hold the dice is advised. Also, a backpack to carry all of your gaming gear is advised as well.

I'll be running a couple round of the Dungeons & Dragons RPGA campaign Living Greyhawk at PAX, and I'd be happy to invite any new players to my tables.

morose

As a long time PnP RPG player myself, all that stuff that Red Machine D suggested would be great... but all you really need to learn is the rulebook, a couple dice (all the variations are nice, but just a d6 and d20 will get you a long way... you can emulate the other ones with just those two pretty easily) some pencils and paper, and (eventually) a buddy. Personally I find it hard to play without my laptop anymore since I love using Excel to keep track of my character and such.

If you just want to read the DnD rules and see what you think, you can do it all online from Wizards website (they have the complete 3.5 rules online there as part of their System Reference Document) here http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/article/srd35 However, that doesn't have the foreword and suggestions in it like the actual honest to goodness hardback Player's Handbook does. There are lots of other RPGs out there of course. DnD is probably the most widespread though, and a great place to start if you like Fantasy. Since there are many other D20 based systems now it's a good baseline to jump into something of a different genre (like Star Wars or Modern) as well.

ctishman

J'es Chrahst! I'm swimming in good ideas! Monday! Supplies! Rulebook! Bag! Dice! It shall be done.