I have some family who are visiting for two weeks. They're beginners to D&D and probably won't be super invested, but I'll try to hook them.
I'm going to estimate that all together, I'll have six hours to play start to finish, so time is the main concern.
Thank you in advance!
They also won't want things to be too dark/graphically violent.
I'm currently considering Sunless Citadel(From Yawning Portal), Mazferoth's Mighty Dungeons (From Candlekeep Mysteries), Lab of Kwalish and Orrery of the Wanderer (from Acquisitions Incorporated). I've scanned all of them and they look fun, but I have them from a library so I can't link anything.
Not sure about the graphic violence part. If you just have 6 hours to play, I'd probably run a shorter one-shot adventure. That way, they get the fun of going through an adventure start to finish.
There are some free adventures on D&D Beyond that I think you can still claim:
The one shots are short enough that you could go through character creation with them first and then still have time to complete the whole adventure. Or do the adventure with the pre-generated characters so that everyone can jump right into playing the game. If they enjoyed the role-playing with the pre-generated characters, maybe they'd be interested in creating their own characters at the end of that one-shot. Then they're all set for their next adventure with you.
I was going to do the same as Ben and suggest Perils in Pinebrook. As he says it's got simplified rules (the character sheets are simpler, their personalities for role play is a series of tick boxes and everything is designed to only use a D20 or a D6 to reduce confusion) only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to play so it's easy to focus on, and was written specially for D&D fans to play over the holidays with family in place of breaking out the monopoly board.
Failing that the Hunt For The Lost Horn is a good call, again it's free and comes with pregenerated characters so cuts down on a lot of pre-game set up that will probably not be interesting for those who aren't already invested and if anyone has nostalgia for the 80s cartoon it ties in to that.
Other one shots that you can pick up for free that I've run for first time players successfully are these two. Both pretty light hearted with a nice blend of combat and role playing
I was reading "Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn", and it looks great. Even though we haven't played it yet, I think it's a really good option, and I'd like to play this adventure in the future too.
It's intended to be used with the 2024 rules, though.
Whenever I'm DM-ing for first-timers, I just create a homebrew one-shot that's basically a greatest hits of D&D, i.e., classic story trope (e.g., you're travelers, start in a tavern, you overhear a discussion from town folk about an item/person that disappeared under mysterious circumstances that the local authorities want recovered), that includes some travel/exploration with 1-2 classic encounters (e.g., bandit/goblin ambush, classic monster), takes place in an iconic location (e.g., cavern/dungeon/etc) that is chalked-full of icon D&D monsters (undead, ooze, possibly a demon/devil, etc.) & villains (cultists, evil cleric/warlock cult leader, etc.). I look at these sorts of games as the chance to hook people for life, so I want it to be as memorable as possible. Also, I typically have the PCs start at level 3+, so they have some cool abilities, and at least 1 flavorful magic item.
I have some family who are visiting for two weeks. They're beginners to D&D and probably won't be super invested, but I'll try to hook them.
I'm going to estimate that all together, I'll have six hours to play start to finish, so time is the main concern.
Thank you in advance!
They also won't want things to be too dark/graphically violent.
I'm currently considering Sunless Citadel(From Yawning Portal), Mazferoth's Mighty Dungeons (From Candlekeep Mysteries), Lab of Kwalish and Orrery of the Wanderer (from Acquisitions Incorporated). I've scanned all of them and they look fun, but I have them from a library so I can't link anything.
Not sure about the graphic violence part. If you just have 6 hours to play, I'd probably run a shorter one-shot adventure. That way, they get the fun of going through an adventure start to finish.
There are some free adventures on D&D Beyond that I think you can still claim:
There was even one with simplified rules: Peril in Pinebrook.
The one shots are short enough that you could go through character creation with them first and then still have time to complete the whole adventure. Or do the adventure with the pre-generated characters so that everyone can jump right into playing the game. If they enjoyed the role-playing with the pre-generated characters, maybe they'd be interested in creating their own characters at the end of that one-shot. Then they're all set for their next adventure with you.
Good luck! I hope everyone has a good time!
I was going to do the same as Ben and suggest Perils in Pinebrook. As he says it's got simplified rules (the character sheets are simpler, their personalities for role play is a series of tick boxes and everything is designed to only use a D20 or a D6 to reduce confusion) only takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to play so it's easy to focus on, and was written specially for D&D fans to play over the holidays with family in place of breaking out the monopoly board.
Failing that the Hunt For The Lost Horn is a good call, again it's free and comes with pregenerated characters so cuts down on a lot of pre-game set up that will probably not be interesting for those who aren't already invested and if anyone has nostalgia for the 80s cartoon it ties in to that.
Other one shots that you can pick up for free that I've run for first time players successfully are these two. Both pretty light hearted with a nice blend of combat and role playing
Wolves of Welton
Wild Sheep Chase
I was reading "Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn", and it looks great. Even though we haven't played it yet, I think it's a really good option, and I'd like to play this adventure in the future too.
It's intended to be used with the 2024 rules, though.
Whenever I'm DM-ing for first-timers, I just create a homebrew one-shot that's basically a greatest hits of D&D, i.e., classic story trope (e.g., you're travelers, start in a tavern, you overhear a discussion from town folk about an item/person that disappeared under mysterious circumstances that the local authorities want recovered), that includes some travel/exploration with 1-2 classic encounters (e.g., bandit/goblin ambush, classic monster), takes place in an iconic location (e.g., cavern/dungeon/etc) that is chalked-full of icon D&D monsters (undead, ooze, possibly a demon/devil, etc.) & villains (cultists, evil cleric/warlock cult leader, etc.). I look at these sorts of games as the chance to hook people for life, so I want it to be as memorable as possible. Also, I typically have the PCs start at level 3+, so they have some cool abilities, and at least 1 flavorful magic item.
Started playing AD&D in the late 70s and stopped in the mid-80s. Started immersing myself into 5e in 2023
Thanks so much guys!