So one of my grand daughter's, and one of her favorite friends, happen to be huge fans of the series Stranger Things. Because of this show, many youngster's around the world have discovered music that I listened to 37 years ago, and discovered the world of D&D.
This prompted my grand daughter to ask me if I would introduce her to the world of D&D along with her friend. Being a lifetime hardcore gamer my only answer was of course!
My new next door neighbor happens to be a teacher for 4th grade (both ten year olds just finished fourth grade) and also loves D&D and just happens to be a DM. Could I have asked for more from the D&D Gods I ask you? It was a sign I tell you! So I asked him if he wouldn't mind running us through an age appropriate introduction to the world.
Their first game was a couple of weeks ago and they seemed to really like it. So much in fact that they where willing participants to a visit at my local brick and mortar to pick out their miniature characters from the wide selection of Reaper Bones, and Wiz kids rack. The store did not disappoint and had a huge selection. They went in knowing what they wanted and we spent a good hour and 15 minutes going through everything they had until they found what they wanted. As a bonus the two little ones discovered the bazillions of D&D dice sets of all sizes and colors. How could two little girls resist not getting a tiny tube of cute little dice to boot (I told them they could only get them if I could read the numbers)!
So with their purchases in hand we set up a day to start painting them. Now mind you, these were their first miniatures ever, and have never painted before. So I set up a day to paint with "Mr. Kevin's standard table top painting school 101".
When that day arrived I was pleasantly surprised at how much they got into it. We spent a couple of hours before I told them we would have to finish another day. Man you would have thought I told them it was time to go to bed with the sun still up in the sky!
Today we got a chance to play a second game (we got about halfway through before we reached our time constraint), and since it wasn't time for them to head home they excitedly agreed to have a go at finishing their figures. Which we did. The girls painted about 80 percent of the figures all by themselves with me showing them how to do it on a test figure, or me doing one arm showing them how and then they did it on the other.
I have to say I was really taken aback by how much they are seriously into this. I don't think it will be a passing fade. Not only has it been a joy to be a part of their D&D company, it has been a pleasure teaching them how to paint and watching them blossom into the next generation of miniature hobbyists.
Without further ado, I present to you their completed table top standard figures. I am proud of what they did, and they should be also. One figure is a Female human Sorcerer, and the other a halfling Rogue. The girls know which one is theirs, but I hope you enjoy their work.
