Stop Blanket-Blaming the Game Master by Seth Skorkowsky

TL;DW(atch): It's up to both players and the GM (not just the GM) to ensure a great roleplaying experience! I encourage you to watch, Seth does some great videos about the roles and behaviors of players and GMs (warts and all).

Basic D&D with Teenagers

Years ago, I tried to get my kids into D&D. I think any gamer parent worth their salt wants to make some attempt to pass on the love of the hobby to their offspring.

But one of the funny things about love is that it can't be truly faked. Sure, you can try, but just as with romance, you can eventually tell when someone isn't reciprocating the love of roleplaying.

I wasn't too heartbroken when it came to my kids being disinterested in tabletop roleplaying. The hobby is still fun for me personally, and different strokes for different folks, right? 

Years passed, and along came Stranger Things, with its 80's nostalgia (even for those who were born long after that decade ended). The show has helped to buoy D&D into the popular consciousness as a viable pastime rather than just a joke. And lo and behold, my kids came to me of their own volition and excitedly asked me if I would run some D&D for them! Well, of course I obliged! In addition, there's a neighbor kid who wants in on the fun. 

So my son, daughter, and the neighbor kid have been introduced by your truly to the wonders and horrors and Barrowmaze! I'm using the B/X D&D rules using a mix of products, including the original books, OSE, and Labyrinth Lord products/materials.

My daughter the budding visual artist has been doing character portraits for her own PC as well as for her brother and the neighbor (here's her character, the magic-user Gylbart the Gallant):

So far, the group seems to be having a blast, as am I! I've definitely kept things as accessible and light-hearted as possible. These are teenagers we're talking about, after all. But here and there, things get "real" and they fear for their PC's lives when the monsters swarm and the hit points start dropping! 

I'll be checking in soon with some highlights of our sessions!