[larsdangly]

If you want to encourage a group of new people at a meet-and-greet style gaming setting (like a store with tables or a bar that does board games), I highly recommend you use one of the more interesting looking roll out rubber battle mats (like, hexagonal arena or octopus lair), and draw people in for a scenario that really shows off the fun that comes from diverse, crazy encounters. I have never seen someone walk away without a smile from something involving a couple of crazily mixed-and-matched teams, like a fighter, a wizard and a giant vs. a pair of goblins, a 4 hex dragon and a big slime. Weird victory conditions are also another way to engage new players.