Jumped into the Starter Set last night, DMing for my wife (completely new to RPGs and hesitant-but-reluctantly-willing), my daughter (completely new to RPGs but eager to give Daddy's strange hobby a shot), and uncle (new to this edition, but plays in my otherwise regular gaming group).
Cast:
Human noble fighter - daughter
High elf wizard - wife
Halfling rogue - uncle
**SPOILERS TO FOLLOW**
Standard set-up. The dwarf hires them to follow behind escorting the supply cart. They come across the dead horses and move up to investigate. Get surprised by the goblin ambush.
My daughter rolled a net '1' on initiative. By the time the goblins had their second actions (after the surprise round), she was at 0 HPs, having never gotten to take an action. When her first turn comes around, failed her first death save.
The other two continue to fight. Rogue down to 1 HP. Wizard took 4 damage.
The halfling decides to shoot at the goblins instead of make a medicine check (figuring worst case, the fighter had one more round to fail a save). On her turn, for her second death save, rolls a 1 (2 fails) and expires.
Her character died before every getting to do anything (other than a bit of roleplaying leading up to the first fight).
She asked if she was out of the game. I told her of course not. She could play another character in a few minutes. To pick one of the other 2 not chosen. Her answer? "Cool, maybe I should play the dwarf cleric so we have some healing."
By the time she read the character sheet and familiarized herself with the new character, they other two won the fight.
A short rest to bury their friend and catch their breath and the dwarf rolls up along the road on his way to town. They talk and join forces.
They follow the goblin trail to the cave. The halfling rogue sneaks up and spots the two goblin lookouts. They dispatch them with little effort and move into the cave looking for their employer.
They encounter the wolves, which proceed to start making a lot of noise, so the elf sleeps them (rolling well and putting all three to sleep). Coup de gras all around, the move further into the caverns.
The goblin on the bridge spots them, they release the flood, the halfling gets swept out by the water, injured. The goblins see the other two hung on, so release the other flood. The other two quickly join their ally outside, soaked and hurt.
As they are standing their wringing out their clothes and wondering how to proceed, a handful of nasty goblins emerge from the cave to finish them off.
Tense cliffhanger FTW...
Loved reading that. I am so glad your daughter did not get discouraged when she died and imediatly thought of taking the healer. How old is she? Either way good for her.
How did the wife enjoy herself as you described her as hesitant and reluctant. I always enjoy stories of how players and DM react and even how new people enjoy themselves.
I myself ran it last night with two experienced (one who meta games/one who RPs) a new player and a sort of player who on and off joins our game groups.... SO much fun was had. I was so impressed with the new player she took to RPing very quickly
You daughter's a real trooper! 
So, they all understood the mechanics as they were presented to them or did your group find some mechanics oddly worded/used?
But... but....
Your daughter was supposed to get discouraged, rage quit, and never play again!!!
They told me so on the interwebs!
I think your players have learned the importance of perception and caution.
It's interesting that they start the adventure with a chance to walk into an ambush. I am wondering if they should have taken this chance to warn new players about when perception may be a good idea.
I can see your daughter in a year:
DM: You wake up after an uneventful night.
Daughter: Since I've slept in my plate mail I imediately draw my sword and search the room for enemies.
DM: (does not roll any dice) you do not see anything.
Daughter: I check again.
DM: You still don't see anything, you are positive that you are alone in your panic room.
Daughter: before I get out of bed I check for traps on the floor.
DM: there are no traps, if you check agian there will still be no traps.
Daughter: Ok, I'm not going pee until I've checked the bedpan for traps and poke it with my sword to make sure it's not a mimic.
DM: Everything in the room is safe, if you don't leave your room you will never get to the adventure.
Daughter: Just to be sure I am going to poke my water basin with the ten foot pole I keep beside my bed and cast detect poison on it.
DM: It's safe, and there is no poison, we can just say that you get ready and head out.....
Daughter: Wait, I want to cast purify drink and water on the water before I drink it. I don't want to risk drinking stale water...
This continues for the rest of the session.
DocSun wrote:
kill_the_wiz_first wrote:
Thalion94518 wrote:
Wonderful story.
Are you toning down the encounters at all, to compensate for having 3 instead of the recommended 4 players?
MrHotter wrote:
Karnos wrote:
ChrisCarlson wrote:
I think MrHotter made a joke (pretty good one too) and you should put down the torches and pitchforks.
Good story Chris. Always good to bring new blood into the fold!
Thanks for sharing this, and I hope you will continue to udpate us. I love reading about the Starter adventure as I wait impatiently for mine to arrive. Also, hearing about or interacting with people new to the game is awesome!