PS: I'm 14.
D&D grew out of a group of friends playing miniatures-based war simulations in their basement (the game was called Chainmail, by the way); having a group of friends is still the best way to play it - particularly at your age. Grab a few friends (and perhaps a couple friends of friends) and have a go.
Alternately, you can check with the comic store where you purchased your books. Please note the "comic store" (or Friendly Local Gaming Shop (aka FLGS), as it tends to be known around here) bit here; you're unlikely to find any sort of community or regular sponsored roleplaying events at Barnes and Noble... Your FLGS may have regular game days, or it may support a community bulletin board to help you meet other gamers. Be aware, however, that your parents may be less than enthusiastic about this option.
While on the subject of parents... ask Mom, Dad, an aunt or uncle, or older cousin if they are interested in playing this new game with you. You may find that Dad has a copy of the AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide tucked away in the attic somewhere...
Failing that, there are lots of ways to play online. However, play-by-post forum-based games move slowly and have a tendency to fall apart quickly. They can, however, be a great way to learn the basics of the game mechanics. I believe there is a pBp game section somewhere on these boards. I spend a lot of time over at Myth Weavers. Feel free to pop over and say hi.
Overly simplistically:
DnD was version 1
ADnD was version 2
DnD 3.0 was version 3
DnD 3.5 was a revision of 3
DnD 4.0 is the latest edition of the game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons for a history lesson
To play DnD (esp in 4e) all you need is Players Handbook (PHB) and a Monster Manual (MM); in previous editions of DnD the Dungeon Master Guide (DMG) was almost necessary players as well as DMs; in 4th that has been lessened to quite an extent. However, the DMG is always useful.
4e is far and above the least complex of all the DnD systems (this is not a bad thing!).
As for dice; dice are fairly cheep no matter what. What you need are: a d4, a d6, a d8, d10, a d12, and a d20 (the numbers refer to the number of sides); most hobby stores will sell sets of dice, and if you can convince your parents to order something for you online there are many hobby sites that sell Bags-o-Dice (which rock since you'll have all dice you'll ever need).
And welcome to the fantastic world of Dungeons and Dragons; now you really do get to slay dragons and save the princess; just like in those books and the imaginary games you (okay maybe just me) played as wee child.
bleh, in alabama its about football, grilling or swiming, theres no roleplaying, im pretty sure there is only one hobby store and its in bermingham (around 50 miles away.) except for books-a-million which is about 15-20 miles away, Ill try there.
Good luck with finding players and welcome to the hobby.
Finding people to game with is all about one word. Persistence. Be prepared to be let down sometimes. It's not always easy to find people with an open mind who are willing to try and play D&D. My advice to you is to look into finding a group that are already playing and seeing if you can join them.
I suggest this for a couple reasons.
1. They will probably have a better understanding of the rules and will be able to help you understand as well.
2. It's difficult enough to be a new player to the game, but if you are forming a group of people to play for the first time, you will probably be forced to take up the mantle of Dungeon Master for your group. This is a daunting task, even for people that have already played before. Being DM it is much more important to be familiar with the rules of play and to have an understanding of how those rules can be used.
3. Joining a preset group means that you don't have to look for any more players. (Which can be a pain sometimes).
How to go about looking for a group is another matter though. As you are 14 I'm sure you're aware of how careful you have to be about trying to meet people online. Please be cautious in trying to meet folks to game with. If the people are much older than yourself, make an arrangement for your parents to meet them first. I know you said they don't like the game, but having them talk to the person about how they run their game as far as what they consider to be acceptable for a minor to hear is probably a good idea. Also, if your parents see that the people you're going to be hanging with are just decent people looking to have a little fun playing a game, they might ease up on allowing you to play.
As for where to look for a group, try places like the local college, or high school. Some places like this already have established games clubs. Also, local libraries or youth organizations sometimes have social clubs or meeting groups that you could look for fellow players at. Remember that your average gamer is into things like comics, sci-fi, and general "geeky" stuff. (Be proud of your inner geek!)
Also, if the opportunity to attend any of the conventions that pass through Birmingham come about, take up that chance. Cons are one of the best places to meet new players.
And remember, persistence, persistence, persistence. Keep trying, because when you do find a group and you enjoy the game, it's magic.
First of all, welcome to the game! Feel free to drop on by the Inn for an ale sometime!
Finding people to game with is all about one word. Persistence. Be prepared to be let down sometimes. It's not always easy to find people with an open mind who are willing to try and play D&D. My advice to you is to look into finding a group that are already playing and seeing if you can join them.
I suggest this for a couple reasons.
1. They will probably have a better understanding of the rules and will be able to help you understand as well.
2. It's difficult enough to be a new player to the game, but if you are forming a group of people to play for the first time, you will probably be forced to take up the mantle of Dungeon Master for your group. This is a daunting task, even for people that have already played before. Being DM it is much more important to be familiar with the rules of play and to have an understanding of how those rules can be used.
3. Joining a preset group means that you don't have to look for any more players. (Which can be a pain sometimes).
How to go about looking for a group is another matter though. As you are 14 I'm sure you're aware of how careful you have to be about trying to meet people online. Please be cautious in trying to meet folks to game with. If the people are much older than yourself, make an arrangement for your parents to meet them first. I know you said they don't like the game, but having them talk to the person about how they run their game as far as what they consider to be acceptable for a minor to hear is probably a good idea. Also, if your parents see that the people you're going to be hanging with are just decent people looking to have a little fun playing a game, they might ease up on allowing you to play.
As for where to look for a group, try places like the local college, or high school. Some places like this already have established games clubs. Also, local libraries or youth organizations sometimes have social clubs or meeting groups that you could look for fellow players at. Remember that your average gamer is into things like comics, sci-fi, and general "geeky" stuff. (Be proud of your inner geek!)
Also, if the opportunity to attend any of the conventions that pass through Birmingham come about, take up that chance. Cons are one of the best places to meet new players.
And remember, persistence, persistence, persistence. Keep trying, because when you do find a group and you enjoy the game, it's magic.
Wow.... Thank you? um, about Birmingham, its probably best to wait a few years when I can drive, before going somewhere like that, because I look Really young and mom probably wouldn't like me going somewhere like that at my age, and about the thing finding players, k lets start from the start. Im home schooled, have been all my life, im the youngest of 4 children, they have all been home schooled all there life, our family is shoot first ask questions later, so I highly doubt mom/dad would like anything to do with me meeting anyone or even them meeting anyone, so until collage Ill probably lay off that. But my mom said that next year if I study math this summer (im not the best at it.) She and Dad will allow me to go to public school, until then its studying math, and cutting grass all the way, anyone know why the players handbook cost 70 something bucks? not like it comes with a built in laptop...
at least I don't think. lol
Went to products in the main D&D website, could you link me a buying place of monster guide player handbook and dm guide? (So I can bookmark em for when I have money.)
Try amazon.com. They have a good deal on the 4th edition core set (players guide, dm guide, and monster manual).
$70? Where do you get that figure from? It's $35.
He was quoting the price for the deluxe book price. They are leather bound you know so they think that they can double the price on us.
He was quoting the price for the deluxe book price. They are leather bound you know so they think that they can double the price on us.
Oh I was? ok Ill get the cheap version.
(Im not made of money here :/ sadly... or id just cut off a finger and use it ^.^
PS: anyone else notice the problems with the forums lately?
It's a little complicated at first, so you might want to skim through the User's Guide, but once you get used to it, it's a great way to be able to play. The site can be found here.
Welcome to the game!
This weekend ill get dungeons and dragons, thats certain. second this weekend im going to flordia, third, ill be going to public school, thats certain. forth todays my birthday.
Now for bad news: I will not be going to the school near me because were moving, not sure where to yet, second, I checked the local gaming store and the play naruto the card game, and magic: the gathering, but not D&D they said they might soon, but no word on when.
And now the questions, one: do you need the moster manual and the players handbook to play or just the players handbook? and also hows the best way to convey that you want to play D&D? (at school) should I post a note on the bulliten board or should I just twiddle my thumbs and mess with D&D dice untill someone asks me if I play?
PS: another good thing is that for my birthday my mom is going to give me 30-40 bucks and my grandma already gave me 20 so I should be abile to get the players handbook some dice, and perhaps maybe even the monster manual.
phew- that was long winded... lol
Players Handbook - Has all the information regarding character creation, game rules, and the like. Personally as a player it is all you need.
Dungeon Master's Guide - Everything you need to create an adventure, it has tips on managing groups of people to managing groups of monsters.
Monster Manual - A sort of younger sibling to the DM Guide, contains an obscene amount of monsters you can juggle around with and look at.
Now, the confronting people about it in school.
I'll be blunt, (I think it comes from being British) BUT don't take this as solid gold across the world I'm just passing on what I've learnt at my school (I'm 16, 17 next year). Not many people see "geeky" kids with an even look, be prepared for (at the most) some jip from the "popular kid crowd", however if you've got stiff upper lip and general interest in something (which in my mind is a perfect start to anything) then I think all you need to do is pass the word around.
I'll also reinforce something (I think) someone said previously, be patient. Let the world unfold before you as you spread your interest in table-top games, hell if your the sort, teach others. It's the best way to go about it!
Other than that, best of luck with your future and welcome to the world of D&D
.-Ben
Second, if your dad tells you that DND is demonic, I am assuming that your family is religious. Bring the game to your church and get the minister to examine it; as long as he is not an idiot he will find nothing wrong with it. I've heard many stories of churches supporting DND and even organizing DND groups because of the values that the game promotes.
1) DND is good for math skills. You are constantly adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers, especially if you're DM. If you use a battle mat it improves your spatial intelligence and develops an aptitude for geometry. Constantly rolling dice also promotes well-developed probability skills.
2) DND is good for english skills. To play the game properly you have to be able to read the books properly, and understand a higher level of english than is normal for your age. The words "polymorph" and "chromatic," for example, do not show up in middle school English classes.
3) DND is good for social skills. The game is a social event and basically cannot be played on your own. The style of game that is encouraged even in the books promotes leadership, compromise, and co-existance.
This is not an exhaustive list. I could ramble on endlessly about the many hundreds of ways that DND promotes self-improvement, but the points I have listed above are ones that I believe are especially significant in your situation. You said yourself that you have bad math skills. Why not spend your time rolling dice and adding numbers? You are home-schooled; why not do this with friends? You are young and do not yet have well-developed grasp of the english language; why not develop it? Explain these points to your parents!
Also, on the subject of finding players, just ask around. Join a group if you have to; a nearby public school probably hosts a plethora of groups, teams, and clubs where you can meet people. Failing that, try the library, your church, your neighbourhood, or anywhere else that you can meet people. If your friends go to public school then they probably know other people than you; convince them to play and get them to bring some friends. Even if your original friend backs out after a few sessions, your group will already have started and you can continue meeting with the other people. You could even put up a notice at a nearby school with your phone number on it.
Lots of have heard about DND, and most of them are actually willing to give it a try. Reach out!
DnD was version 1
ADnD was version 2
DnD 3.0 was version 3
DnD 3.5 was a revision of 3
DnD 4.0 is the latest edition of the game.
Sorry, but an old geezer like me couldn't let this one pass, considering I have played every version and as much as I would like to forget AD&D 2nd edition it too has its place.
First, there was the original D&D boxed set, then came Advanced D&D, then the dark days of AD&D 2nd edition, then third edition, and 3.5 and now 4.0. I don't think they counted original D&D in their numbering scheme.
Chronologically it was:
Dungeons and Dragons
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, 2nd edition
Dungeons and Dragons, 3rd edition
Dungeons and Dragons 3.5
Dungeons and Dragons 4.0
So, really D&D 4.0 is the sixth incarnation of Dungeons and Dragons not counting the Basic D&D branch of the family.
Maybe you'll write the next "Running with Scissors."
Luck.