Monday 28 July 2014

Role playing with a six year old.

I decided a couple of weeks ago that it was time to give role playing a go with my eldest Arthur. He is almost six now, has done two years of school and is always writing little stories and drawing comics. Also since I don't know when I have made up stories for him, with him as the hero where periodically in the story he has to tell me what he would do. No stranger to the concept then.

I then decided to give Dungeoneer, advance fighting fantasy, 1st edition a go. He rolled up a charecter, with ten for skill he was already doing well. He insisted on having points in strength, sword, spear and throwing daggers. He also took climbing, dodge and world lore. He named his charecter Bob the barbarian. A name that I guess has been used many times over the forty odd years of role playing. We then prepared to try to save the Princess from Xortan Throg.

Warning, sort of spoilers.
The trip to the secret entrance was wonderful, the book suggested some roleplay between the Prince, his general and the adventures. Arthur spent ages telling the general the best way to kill goblins and the correct manner by which to dispatch a griffon. For those that re interested, either from underneath with throwing daggers or from above with a spear, just, dropped. Said that way, a though it were final.




The encounter with the goblins was magical, when I pointed out it was likely he would be surrounded he came up with the idea of retreating to the doorway to fight them one at a time. He dodged a portcullis rescued two prisoners, one an inexperienced Mage. Climbed over swinging blades, slammed a door on a griffon, bravely stepped brought a fireball illusion and tamed a giant riding lizard. Next he and he wizard fought three orcs and an ogre with barely a scratch.


























He listened to Xortan beforehaving a close fight with the treacherous prince, which he was totally shocked about. The wizard fought Xortan with Spells and the princess helped rescue herself.

We had a great time and plan to continue he adventure. He asked if it were possible to use Bob again, he has the makings of a great adventurer.

11 comments:

  1. That's awesome! I've been considering a bit of FF with my two (eldest the same age as yours) but hadn't thought of AFF, I was just going to use one of the books. Perhaps I'll dive in sooner than I thought after reading this.

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    1. Truth be told be isn't six for another month but it made more sense than saying he was five. Due to dinner time we ran the adventure in two sessions but it didn't take long. Wilfy at 3.5 was just too young. Look forward to seeing how your lad/s cope with the tower.

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  2. I sooooooo remember this.

    Loved it back then and I can just imagine little Arthur loving every second of it.

    One very proud Uncle Snickit!

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    1. Maybe we can have a guest appearance from a cynical old mercenary in the story some day.

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    2. Why does he have to be cynical?

      Or, hang up, here's a fresh idea he could the wise old mentor type that could die towards the end of their first adventure and pop back every now and then as a ghost.........................

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    3. Because aj is the hero, cynical old mercsbhavebsomethingnto learn/relearn from the hero. Bob the barbarian isn't some moisture farm hick, he as nothing to learn.

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    4. Fair do's, I was thinking AJ not Bob, my bad!

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  3. I haven't really made up my mind about the system I'll try to introduce roleplaying to my son with. I usually just make up a basic rule set on an A4 piece of paper & wing it.

    The roleplaying FF books never came across my radar as a teen, so I have no idea how simple/complex the rule system is. I suppose it's just like the normal FF books, but with a few extra stats & rules yeah?

    Cheers

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    1. Yes sort of. To adult eyes the system is quite broken, to a kid playing it is perfect, it feels dangerous but their is only the remotest chance of being killed or failing important skill tests. This means no tears before bed time and total immersion in the story.

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  4. So cool, is 17 months too soon?

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    1. Not to soon to start telling stories with giants and ogres in. Nor to soon to ask what they old like to do in the story with simple options if they can speak well enough. Little role players in training, indoctrination? Never! Actually it is a great bonding thing.

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