Doing it for the kids: an RPG Tale

Prior entries on this site have established the staff of the AV Room as avid fans of role playing games.  RPGs are an excellent means of developing the imagination.  My current endeavor is an ambitious effort to introduce the nuances of role playing to a group of youngsters under the age of twelve.

In the past I would spend about two weeks of review before starting the latest installment of our 26 year old campaign. Having experience players gives the game master a solid foundation on which to build and also the flexibility to change things as needed. For the newest campaign I must plot as much in advance as possible.

When I finish I’ll have spent about 6 months planning out every detail.  I’ve developed a system were they start as 0-level characters who haven’t fully developed their attributes or skills and through game play they will develop both to first level and character age 15. I want to cover several weeks a session so I plan on having them plot how juggle apprenticeships with studies and practice will be covered in minimal rolls based on time management charts, i.e. did they get there chores done in time to go to class.  On their days off work they can do what they want.

To keep them occupied I’ve created detailed city maps and their surrounding terrain. There are hundreds of NPCs with complex social groups governments, secret societies and new character classes.  The ruins of the old city or liberally sprinkled with oodles of hidden goodies.  And I’m plotting encounters galore.  This will be my best thought out storyline for a campaign ever!

While there are lots of antagonist to keep the young players engaged I have to face my own enemy; boredom.  I have to compete with RPG progeny: the video game.  I will have to paint the most vivid pictures in their minds.  So I’m enlisting Herbie’s art skills to help flesh out their characters as well as the parents to guide them though the mechanics and maximize their fun.

The ultimate goal is fun.  For me fun will be the satisfaction of the player recounting game moments fondly.  Now I just have to convince a group of tweens that sitting around a table rolling dice is fun.

-CJ