Is this the type of thing that would be good for someone that has never played a pen & paper RPG before?

yes!

Do we make our own characters or do we have to play pregens?

Oh, that's excellent! I'm going to try to get the night off. Hope to see you guys there.

I believe there are pregens or you can make your own character. I'll see if I can dig any info on level of play and what the pregens might be.

I still haven't got the kit. I emailed wizards but hopefully we have enough time for DMs to be prepared.

Here is the info from Wizards:

Character Creation: You may create a 1st-level character in the standard method using any published Wizards of the Coast 4th Edition D&D® books, with the following restrictions. Races: You may only choose a race that has received a full write-up, such as presented in the Player?s Handbook series. Other Information: You cannot start play with magic items (consumables are OK, if you can afford them).

There will also be 6 pregenerated characters.

Got my package in the mail today there are some pretty cool surprises in it. The fast play characters are: Human Paladin, Half Elf, Cleric, Githzerai Monk, Drow Warlock, Tiefling Psion, Ef Ranger.

I was able to get my shift switched, so I should be able to come short of something crazy happening at work.

Doug and I are running games, that means 6 people have signed up to play (plus 1 maybe), leaving 6 spots open. I know that Tanios, Chris, Jay are all planning on playing as well, so we might have as many as 10 for Wednesday. I'm getting excited about this!

Actually, Dale is. I'm playing :-)

Renown points are given out for various reasons during play, but there some ways to jump start your point total. Use the Character Builder from WOTC, use a PHB3 race/class, use a PHB3 feat.

When you hit 10 you get a Delver card when the night ends. At the end of the season (12 weeks) those with 30 or more points qualify for an Explorer card, 50 points qualifies you for an Adventurer card. These give you extra actions or let you ignore damage, similar to LFR cards.

As I mentioned , this is my first time. What do I need to bring? Dice? Do I need my own copy of the handbook? Etc.

I think for one session, if you just want to try it out, you can probably get away with just a pen, some paper and a set of dice. If you want to play regularly, you'll need a Player's Handbook. Having a mini to represent your character never hurts either, but you can probably bum one off of someone.

For those of you wondering we have three DMs ready to run for Wednesday. We do have enough kits to have more DMs run, but someone will have to volunteer to run.

No prescribed parties and pre-gen characters are available but you can bring your own too.

If you are in it for the long haul and to get Renown or Rewards or whatever they call it for your character, WotC actually gives you bonus points for using the character builder and taking classes and races from PHB3 too... anyone have any wilden, shardmind, or minotaur PC minis lol... (just kiddin', I'm good...)

I was actually thinking of throwing together a minotaur brawling fighter for the occasion.

To be specific: you get points for using the character builder, points for using a PHB3 class or race, and using a PHB3 feat.

I've been down to Harborside on the bus before; not too hard a trip, but depending on how late we run, it may be harder getting back.

Check out maps.google.com; they have a trip planner function where you can put in the destination and start point, what time you want to leave or arrive at, and if you want to walk or use public transportation or take a car and it'll give you directions and stuff.

Patrick, the #3 bus goes right by the Harborside campus and right up Warwick Avenue past the Game Shop. It's located at the far end of the plaza where the Newport Creamery is and across the street from the plaza with the AutoZone and Ocean State Job Lot. Look at the address on Google Maps to confirm it. If you can get yourself there, Encounters should be over probably around nine or ten (at the latest).

Worst case scenario, if you can get yourself there and the buses are either (for some strange reason) not running or the next bus isn't for over an hour, I can probably give you a ride back as the Harborside campus (the dorms right?) isn't far off my beaten path.

You'll have fun :P

you gotta love how WotC wil give you extra Renown points for making a character with the PHB 3 and on the Character builder, yet havnt updated the classes from the PHB 3 on the character builder....unreal.

According to the WOTC website the PHB 3 release today, meaning if they are on top of their game we should see an update to the character creator today. I'm not holding my breath.

Agreed. I wont hold my breath either, knowing WOTC's track record. But theyre going to have some really pissed people if they dont get it out on time lol.

Unfortunately, Karate on Wednesdays means no Wednesday night D&D Encounters for me...