So, I ran a game for newbs: ages 5 and 7 years old, with their pop (age 35+). It was a case of sharing a game to play which was not electronic. I chose to use the sample mission, Deliver the Mail.
Start: Guard Recruitment - 2 Guardmice (G and W)
Rather than throw pre-gens at the kids, I gave them an intro, asked them what sorts dangers mice would face, and started them on a path of Recruitment. I will save space–best line:
GM: “So, W, you save for winter, stand to fight, and fear the large predators; good, you have Nature 5. Okay, G. You save for winter, and stand to fight. The last question is, Do you fear owls, weasels, and wolves?”
G: “Um. Sorta, No.”
This is the 5 yr old. It killed. He just didn’t give eff about the large predators.
So, the creations became:
W, tawnyfur Guardmouse from Sprucetuck
A natural scientist, and insect wrangler, who is thoughtful and tough. He wears a dark red cloak, was apprenticed as an insect wrangler in Lockhaven. His mentor stressed fighting, so he made that his specialty, while also picking up some hunting, survival, and pathfinding. He’s particularly wise to Darkheather, and celebrations. This mouse carries a shield, but also carries bow and arrows.
G, brownfur Guardmouse from Ivydale
A natural scout, and harvester, who is a hard worker with a wolf’s snout. He wears a light green cloak, was apprenticed as an armorer in Lockhaven. His mentor stressed instruction, but he made hunting is specialty (remember, not afraid of large predators), while also practicing fighting, pathfinding, and scouting. He’s particularly wise to weeds, and Lockhaven. This mouse carries sword and shield.
Rather than having dad trudge through recruitment, since he was handling the grill and other food related tasks, I gave him an altered pre-gen to create the following:
Simon, blackfur Patrol Leader from Sprucetuck
A natural loremouse, and librarian, who is a brave, yet stoic mouse who has a keen weather sense. He wears a bright red cloak, was apprenticed as an insect wrangler in Lockhaven. His mentor stressed weather watching, and he made that his specialty, while also learning fighting, hunting, teaching, pathfinding, scouting, and survival. He’s particularly wise to weasels, poison, and rain.
Although I might be branded a heretic, I chose not to introduce BIGs to the kids and knew that dad was busy enough that it would be too much for his plate. I also ignored relationships (i.e. no parents, artisans, mentors, friends, enemies). I further truncated the process by skipping Circles and Resources questions in favor of giving base numbers.
I feel like dropping BIGs on the 5 and 7 yr old would have be workable, but I had limited time before bed. I wanted to play without too much worry. But you may see later that I got to include parents in the session.