Trying to Promote

[Wbweather]

So, this weekend, in an effort to promote The One Ring, I drove to both of the big games stores I know of in the Kansas City area. I wanted to see if they carried any of the TOR books or if they had any knowledge of the game. The guy at the first store could only pull himself away from setting up a Warhammer table long enough to tell me if they had it it would be in the card game section. I asked him if they would have any interest in having me run a game for their customers sometime. He told me that I could run any game I wanted there, but left it up to me to find players.

The second store was a bit more helpful. They didn't carry The One Ring, but said if I wanted they could order it. I explained that I was wanting to promote it and wondered if I could host a game. Well, they are hosting a city wide RPG convention in 2 weeks and said I could run as many games as I wanted.

So now I think I am going to do just that. Unfortunately, I am slightly terrified, having only played online and would consider myself a novice RPGer at best. I couldn't tell the difference between D&D, pathfinder, or Numenera to save my life. So any of you guys more experienced at this want to give me some advice?

Oh, and I think I will run Zedturtle's Theft of the Moon.

[Pangea]

You seem to really want to do this, so you'll do fine, I am sure.
Otherwise, I'd just say that the more you read and prepare your adventure, the better it will be for you (have stats and info' and such available, and not have to look things up).
Enthusiasm, plus some stress, means you won't be bored, and will run a nice game!

[jamesrbrown]

To start, I would check out azrapse's online character generator to help new players create characters. Also, that's a great way to store characters so that they don't end up losing their papers.

After that, use the Loremaster's Screen if you have one. It will really help you!

[Jon Hodgson]

So, this weekend, in an effort to promote The One Ring, I drove to both of the big games stores I know of in the Kansas City area. I wanted to see if they carried any of the TOR books or if they had any knowledge of the game. The guy at the first store could only pull himself away from setting up a Warhammer table long enough to tell me if they had it it would be in the card game section. I asked him if they would have any interest in having me run a game for their customers sometime. He told me that I could run any game I wanted there, but left it up to me to find players.

The second store was a bit more helpful. They didn't carry The One Ring, but said if I wanted they could order it. I explained that I was wanting to promote it and wondered if I could host a game. Well, they are hosting a city wide RPG convention in 2 weeks and said I could run as many games as I wanted.

So now I think I am going to do just that. Unfortunately, I am slightly terrified, having only played online and would consider myself a novice RPGer at best. I couldn't tell the difference between D&D, pathfinder, or Numenera to save my life. So any of you guys more experienced at this want to give me some advice?

Oh, and I think I will run Zedturtle's Theft of the Moon.

If there's anything we can do from here to help drop me a PM.

[zedturtle]

I'd recommend using the pregens that come with Theft, they are designed to work well with that adventure.

Other than that, take it slow. Introduce yourself, allow everyone to introduce themselves (briefly: first name, character name) and tell folks you're going to introduce them to the game.

Talk about the rules briefly before each section. Talk about how to make skill rolls and then launch into the festival. When it's time for the interviews, break out of character for a moment and talk about Encounters. Same thing for the next two sections.

You'll do fine. No one has a perfect game; don't beat yourself up if you misremember something or have to rewind a bit.

[Falenthal]

Talk about the rules briefly before each section. Talk about how to make skill rolls and then launch into the festival. When it's time for the interviews, break out of character for a moment and talk about Encounters. Same thing for the next two sections.

That's important: don't tell the players about skills, Hope, Travel, Combat,... all together before starting the game.
At the beginning, just tell them how to roll a skill (Feat die + number of Success die), how to read the 6s, Gandalf and Eye, and spending Hope points. You may also tell them that Traits help them autosucceed in easy tasks, and that they're an important part of who their character is.

That's more than enough to begin with (Skills, Rolls, Hope, Traits).

Tell them about Encounters, Travels and Combat only when they happen during the adventure.

If you don't have them, I think that Voidstate's Battle and Travel Mat help understand a lot how both mechanics work.

But, in the end, don't worry too much about getting the mechanics right: TOR is more about a feeling and narrative than about mechanics.

[barefoottourguide]

Use theft of moon. If yoy would like my supplement to it, message me. Just be excited, say yes to everything but make sure the players understand what it is to be a tolkein hero.
Garrett

[zedturtle]

Use theft of moon. If yoy would like my supplement to it, message me. Just be excited, say yes to everything but make sure the players understand what it is to be a tolkein hero.
Garrett

I would, of course, be interested in the supplement.

[Wbweather]

Yes, please send me the supplement.

I think it should go well. I appreciate the advice on going slow and introducing rules as they are used in the game. I generally can handle myself well in front of groups as I instruct people every day at work. I actually am looking forward to this. I use Voidstate's travel and battle maps in my online games, although I would have forgotten to print them out. I'll make certain to do that.

I'll post how it goes, of course.

[Blubbo Baggins]

Yeah, let us know how it goes!

If you will have a power outlet, I suggest finding some appropriate/thematic music, and playing it. Not only does it add nice ambiance, but you can "cue" players about how the situation feels.

For the Theft of the Moon, it will definitely add to the feeling of a festival with some nice madrigal music in the background.

I have a bunch of resources I am happy to send:
LM scratch sheet
TOR Combat Reference
Player Cheat Sheets
Stance Cards (very helpful for players when declaring combat stance, for them to remember and see what their options are in that stance, and the TNs to hit/be hit)