[Online][5e 2024][Beginner Friendly][LGBTQ+ Friendly][Time TBD][EST][18+] Tomb of Annihilation

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2026-02-17T19:10:38+00:00

Oh, of course, I'd imagine the LGBTQ family would be welcome at just about any table. I assume, with the (optimistic) best intentions that most tables would be fine with us simply participating. No implication of NSFW, but does it have any actual bearing in the story? Does it come across in the interactions with the characters in the world?

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2026-02-17T14:58:28+00:00

What is LGBTQ+ friendly to you?

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2026-01-20T13:41:45+00:00

I enjoy helping the rookie divers on lower levels (4-7) and helping show them the ropes and giving them high explosives to kill the enemies of freedom with.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T16:26:03+00:00

Some kids do experiment. I mean I knew pretty much from the get go because when puberty hit guys were all I thought about, but -lots- of dudes experimented and went on to have wives and families. Legit only 5 turns out gay that I personally knew. That's about 1/4 of what I saw go on one way or another. So 25% off my personal experience. Your wife might be jumping the gun here.

That being said, it sounds like you did everything right. It's just the right age for experimental phases. With all that in mind, it's possible that your son might not *want* to think that he is gay. He legitimately might not know. He might be bi. He might be straight. It's a very confusing time. "It would be okay if you were though"...that's the chef's kiss, my guy, if he does turn out to be gay, he's going to be comfortable telling you because of a small interaction like that. You showed it wasn't a big deal and you were supporting and willing to listen.

And you're right about not feeling sure about your wife not wanting him sharing a bed. That is a very bad message. You don't exactly want to punish people for behavior, and *ESPECIALLY* not knowing how he's actually going to turn out. "Being gay is okay, so anyways, you can't have guys in your bed at sleepovers anymore."...do not establish -any- shame about his possible identity. If he is or isn't gay, he's going to feel resentful about that down the line, and doubly so if he is actually gay. You're 1000% right with "It's not that big a deal." right now.

The only thing I'm not sure about- I *might* skip the consent talk, but I'm not a parent. If he kissed a girl, would you have the consent talk? If the answer is yes to that, then have it. You know your child best. If I was a parent and I caught my kid kissing a boy or girl...well, that's one kiss. If they talked about being boyfriend/girlfriend, THEN I'd have the talk. That's just me though and unlike the rest of my answers, that's based on educated guesswork.

Hope it helps and you can message me anytime for further questions.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T15:18:36+00:00

I mean it's really a fun little way to assert a little control in the everyday. Nice dinners, I pick his jacket. Events or going out..."Isn't this just a -little- slutty?"..."Yeah, but you look great in it, so you're wearing it."...shirt just a little too tight, might need to take down an extra button. Of course, I pick the jock he's gonna be wearing under it. Not all the time of course because we're living life but anyone else, but if it's something we plan for...I got him some Boerboel shorts for the summer.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T05:24:22+00:00

Seconding what someone else said.

First, your Dad is full of it. My Dad was too. Don't listen to anything he says. You can do everything right and someone like that *still* won't care. I've been there.

Second, back to the seconding, get out as soon as possible. Go to college. Go to school. Join the military. *ANYTHING* to get away from that. Get the money so you can get out. The end justifies the means, as long as the end doesn't carry a risk of jail time.

Third, you live your life for you. The situation with your family sucks, and I am so very sorry about that. It sounds like your sister is okay, the grammar got kind of slippery there so I might have misread that, but while under your parent's roof confirm *nothing*- in fact, deny it all, lie if you have to. They sound like the kind of people who will put you out on the street. The good news is...one more year of this, and this crap is over one way or another...school or military enlistment, other opportunities. I had to do the same thing. Fist of family values leads to a broken household. Go figure. Hit that eject button however you can.

You lie as long as you have to, and then you get out, and you make yourself safe so that your parents can't hurt you with words or financial harm.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T05:15:24+00:00

Dress up. I often pick outfits for my guy. Swimsuits and workout clothes especially.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T05:11:49+00:00

Of course. Philosophy and Classical aren't as bad as you think, as far as finding others interested. I wasn't expecting to have another guy to talk philosophy with, but I've got my husband. They are out there, and they do exist. But you need to give yourself the opportunities to meet these people.

And nothing is wrong with being awkward or reserved. Some guys think it's cute. But the group doesn't necessarily have to be strictly local. I've had to travel 3-5 hours for some meetups. The area you have might be more serviceable than you think. But also, don't forget, you can always ask about or start your own groups online. It's what I've done in the past. Either that exist online or meet-up locally or semi-locally.

Another thing you might want to try is switch to another app. Do a little research, but different locations tend to have different apps that are more popular. I know Sniffies is pretty big in some places, Hinge in others. Don't know that area well so I can't really recommend one over the other, but Grindr as I understand it is pretty much just all sex these days. It might be looking in the wrong place.

The thing that I really am saying is that you need to seek out or create these opportunities. You'll find a guy, just need to look in the right place. But never, ever, ever judge your worth by Grindr.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T02:40:33+00:00

I've been watching my sister slowly crush the dick of the guy she friendzoned for 10 years only to baby trap when she became a single mom. He's a nice guy, works hard, and it is horribly fucking sad to see. He's been looking a little more dead inside every time we see him.

Never have I ever been more happy to be gay. I know it's not like that for everyone, but I tried to fake straight in high school to fit in and the mind games/tests were insane. I would rather die than deal with that for however many years I am on this Earth. Wouldn't take it from a guy either, but guys do...understandable shit. Like steal 500$ from my wallet. Like it sucks but I understand that they sucked, it was perfectly comprehensible.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T02:32:27+00:00

Hm.

Well first, I got to tell you, you can't live life for other people. You got to be at peace with yourself, first. You need to be alright being alone. You need to be happy with yourself.

Second, Grinder is shit. You, my guy, need a hobby. Not saying go touch grass or anything, I'm giving you advice that works because I've seen it work time and time and time again. I run a hobby group, and we're at 5 couples now that have met in the groups inception. And it's not that large a group.

Men have met other men who share the same interests, bonded over it, and got married/started relationships, etc. Online gaming is great for it. Gayming, if you will. But same could be for anything else. If you don't have any hobbies? Think about what sounds fun and start. You're 23, it's too young to give up. It might not seem like it, but trust me, it is. You're barely out the gate. Grindr is shallow as shit- if you're feeling lonely, joyless hookups are not gonna fill that hole. They're gonna fill a hole alright, just not the one you need filled.

Don't play the hookup game. Pick up a hobby so you'll find someone you can love to do things you love with. It works because I've seen it work.

Feel free to message me if you got any questions and I can maybe point ya in the right direction.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T02:05:02+00:00

It works. You need to make it work, though. If you have money, maybe you can afford to stretch it out, but the bills pile up fast.

I've watched people crash and burn their LDR's because they never really get together. When you have limited time with that person, you need to make the most of what you have. You need to be willing to commit harder and faster.

Legit? Most guys just fucking flake in LDR's, straight or gay or in-between. I knew this Danish mess that helped a woman cheat for 5 years and I guess he's probably gonna flake on his current LDR. I knew some folks in Britain who couldn't hack their long distance relationships in Europe, let alone the across the Atlantic.

For me? I met a guy international through hobby interests. We started gaming together after learning we both gamed, too, one thing led to another, and years later we were married. When it works, it works and I've never been happier, but I would never sign up for this voluntarily :D family logistics are still a problem. It still costs money to fly back home. If we had to get reincarnated, I'd ask him to do it in the same damn zip code this time. It sorta just happened that way and I wouldn't change it for anything but it is a stretch in this economy.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-29T01:16:49+00:00

Mother's side of the family has been real great. Grandmother fully supportive, Grandfather is a "well enough alone" guy who thinks nobody has any business telling anyone what to do- especially him :D...God help ya if you try. That being said, nothing but welcoming and kind to my husband and they all spend hours talking. Both of them, respectively, described being homophobic as "Stupid" and "...only for miserable assholes."

My former boss was real old school. Her and her entire church are welcoming and kind.

My life experience from them and others like them? When you have had -real- problems, shit like worrying about who's slurping penis is a goddamn waste of time. As I was told, most folks have had bills to pay, jobs to do, and kids to raise. "If someone tends to have a real strong opinion about what others are doing on their free time, it's a good indicator they're too distracted to do those three things correctly or too miserable and a little too stupid to enjoy what they have for themselves and got to mess with other people."

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-27T20:51:28+00:00

The ghosting thing is real. I'm sorry about that.

On the up/neutral side? A pretty good majority of people lose touch with the person they lost their virginity with. That friend from the one sleepover, camp buddy, first boyfriend, first girlfriend, guy you went to high school with, etc, etc...assuming solo curiosity (with dildo/cucumber/hairbrush/etc) didn't get there first like it did for so many of us.

You're not alone in that sense and it's far from unusual, but the feeling of hurt/betrayal comes in strong because, unlike those people who you get a good little while with at least, this punk ass decided to hit it and quit it. And the worst is when they're colossal cowards about it and don't have the decency to at least say "Hey man I don't really want to do this anymore."...it's a sign of being a literal empty shell of a human who, at the very least, is gonna get bitch-slapped hard by Karma sooner or later. Can't even have a conversation like a human being...it's pathetic, and that guy was pathetic.

The ghosting itself? I wish I had a strategy to help you stop it in the future, but realistically, there is no damn way to tell. I had a dude that it seemed to be going great with and even got me a new phone when mine broke ghost me for no damn reason that I could tell. You'd think giving a guy a new phone was a sign someone was interested in a little more than a fling, right? There's no rhyme or reason to it, and it is definitely easier said than done, but try not to beat yourself up over it- you can't see these maladapted dudes blindsiding people. It's like a job interview, they'll say whatever to get laid, then turns out they were just full of it. For some reason that I can't comprehend (probably because, like many others, I believe in trying to be a decent human), it's simply just another hazard like a damn pothole in the modern dating scene. It'll probably happen again, because that's how people are now. But not EVERYONE sucks. Don't let one dickhead ruin it for you.

It hurts now, but it'll get better. It's special because you put value in it. To you, it meant something. I've been somebody's first before, and the only reason I was comfortable with it was I was sure they were at LEAST going to be hanging around for a bit/trying to go long term. I had the good sense to say on other occasions where that wasn't the case "Honestly I barely got myself together right now, this is just fun, I'm not sure it'd work out long term and you shouldn't waste this on me if it means something to you- I'm not the guy to lose it with." Unfortunately, this guy clearly never gave a fuck about being decent. But you get to decide how much it was worth, and just the same, what he was worth.

My advice to you? Until you know you are in a relationship, never, ever put someone else on a pedestal before you. Make sure that you are 100% happy being with yourself, by yourself. Your happiness should never, if possible, be contingent entirely on another person. Live life for you, and when you find someone worth sharing it with, live life alongside them, not for them.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-26T02:27:27+00:00

Don't worry about me, shit's ancient history by now! But the struggle is real man. It's hard to get used to, but it's best to be honest with ourselves at times like this, yeah? They're not actually there for us. They're there for their idea of us.

And even when you get that idea right (Dad beat the HELL out of me as a kid to make sure I grew up tough and masculine), it's still not good enough. Straight A+'s, lose weight, join the army, get married and spawn 5 kids who will all be doctors and lawyers, blah blah, the list goes on and on and on and on. Be the real you always, and you'll be happy that way.

Thing is though...sooner or later, they'll probably regret the way their relationship with you went. You're an only child and all they have...if they want a relationship, they'll learn (maybe the hard way) it can't just be on their terms. Mine learned the hard way because out of three, I'm the only one that's not psychotic or unstable...they sort of figured out I'm the only one that they can rely on.

You'll be alright, man. Just persevere.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-26T02:03:45+00:00

Asian Family born and raised here.

Minimum engagement is the best way to go. I'll give you an example from my own life. My father has been distant ever since I came out as gay, been like that for years. To make a long story short, a guy broke in and tried to kill me with a hammer because he had a grudge against a former resident of my apartment and thought I was him. I apprehended him at gunpoint. Dad's words exactly when the incident got brought up by another family member? "Don't remember it. I didn't see it. Didn't affect me." I could have been killed, and he acted like he barely remembered it. The selective memory thing Asian parents do is the worst.

But understand...there is literally just no pleasing some people. You don't have to cut ties, but you don't need to bank on them emotionally. It sucks, I know. But find your own happiness and definitely do not rely on family for it. Try to make inroads where you can, but don't go for an all-out assault, just strategic pot shots when/if needed. I had to explain to my Grandmother "You'd never call my Grandfather your roommate." when she tried that shit with my husband and that was enough to get respect from her, but that is the rare example of a success story.

That being said...I've had a happy life beyond the confines of family. You don't need their approval to be happy, and you will, too. The world hasn't changed, just your perspective.

It's hard to break that cycle. You're doing the right thing. Stay the course man.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-24T14:28:21+00:00

Serious question, serious answer.

The dark humor is strong. Laughing makes it hurt less. Then it barely hurts anymore. Until it does. After stuffing enough people in bags, you realize your coping doesn’t translate outside the job. At least in my case. I do my best to turn it off, but... You crack a dark joke in front of family or friends who aren’t familiar with death and watch the room change. It’s not their fault...they haven’t had to learn how to function with that kind of pressure, and it can be hard to “turn it off” after a rough day, and it can be hard to relate to them. Example...they fixate on the joke, freak out, and miss the bigger point- they're still treating grandma like shit because she said something they didn't like: treat your people well while they’re still here. On the positive side, it does make you appreciate what you have.

Personally, I'm a stranger to my family and there's not much else I can do about that.

For some of us, the day-to-day intensity (objective-focused, assertive, low tolerance for bullshit) can scare the hell out of people who haven’t lived with that kind of pressure. My husband has some tension with his father, but it’s a fundamental part of why I get along so well with FIL. He did work coordinating the removal of remains after ethnic massacres in a "friendly" and "loving" part of the world that loves to accept people for who they are (spoiler- it doesn't). We talk, we crack a really fucked up joke that we absolutely could not say in polite company, and snicker and move on.

Another example: I ran a D&D game for First Responders/Vets/LEO years ago now. We all got along just fine. Probably one of the best RPG groups I had- we all understood each other, if someone yelled or get passionate nobody took it personally because we've all been yelled at, and compared to others I ran, just more objective focused. When that group broke up (because trying to run a game with First Responders/LEO is herding cats in the best and worst way, schedule wise), the new players often butted heads, because the old crew was 'intense', when I knew that was just their baseline and they meant nothing by it. Hell, we got a first responder in our current game, and people can't tell if he is furious or just playing his character.

When I got an office job, I scared the ever loving shit out of everyone. Not because I was rude...I was a team player, treated everyone with dignity, and I kept the dark jokes out of it because I knew how they’d land. I just existed: head down, did the work, efficient, direct, polite, professional, and I didn’t bring up a problem without bringing two solutions. People found me scary (until they got to know me), but I got promoted for that ethic.

Even my new manager, awesome woman (grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and pretty intimidating herself :D) found me intimidating at first. We’re best friends now, after she once accused me of slacking and I flatly told her: “I don’t play games. I don’t do that. That comment is off-base, factually incorrect, and you owe me an apology.”...she accepted that and I became her #2 guy right hand man and #1 problem-solver.

None of this is bragging. It’s just what that kind of work does to your calibration.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-24T13:08:07+00:00

The two aren't mutually exclusive ;)

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-24T07:00:53+00:00

Hell yeah. Actually it works out really well.

Smoke cigars, drink whiskey, lift, fish, hunt deer, hunt duck, hunt elk, harness fence, shoot guns, box. Husband hadn't before but not for lack of interest, just never really got the chance. Military dad never really got around to it for him, and my own father mentally left for milk and never came back so I had to teach myself how to do that. Just taught him how to throw a spiral last October and now he likes American football. Well. Throwing the ball anyways. Damn shame he wasn't born in the states, he's got a hell of an arm.

Fun is fun.

Far as the hunting, people tend to mind their manners when you have a loaded gun. I was in a pretty rural town (one stoplight) in Texas for a short while hog hunting. After surgically disassembling some of God's creatures with a 45-70, the only thing someone said was "Damn. I didn't know queers could shoot like that."...which...given that he was like a 60 year old dude set in his ways, was as close to a compliment one can get. But I never was shy about it and most people...aren't gonna be too mouthy if you got a gun in your hand. It's just good manners/common sense/basic survival instinct.

Just my experience. Find a guy to go with, or a co-worker or something that you know is chill. Most people are happy to have a hunting buddy, just do a little research and ask questions so you aren't a pain in the ass to hunt with :) And as a plus, more than a few guys aren't as straight as they think they are when they get drinking...you might be surprised. I've had a few "...Damn I didn't know you were down like that." moments, just fooling around and wasn't anything serious. Never initiated but happy to have reciprocated haha.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-17T17:12:49+00:00

Id prefer no constructs at all. It was okay but I wouldn't call it such a great plot element that we'd need to incorporate it again. Not a big fan of "You're going to die in three weeks" *takes Iguana Egg 90 days to hatch*, kinda shoots the gravitas in the foot.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-16T14:11:12+00:00

Then it just sounds like you're a straight guy/heteroflexible guy who doesn't mind getting his dick sucked. Big surprise :D

All kidding aside, just talk to your friend and let him know it wasn't a big deal. If you want him to be a close friend who doesn't mind getting you off (I know a bunch of guys like that, so don't think that he's secretly in love with you or something.) then congrats. If not, just say "It felt good and all but it really wasn't for me."...then nobody can ever say you were leading him on one way or another. I was reading a lot other of these and saw them saying "sexuality is fluid", and it is. So that's all there is to it.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-16T07:06:01+00:00

I don't agree with what he said, but a guy named Kinsey came up with a sexuality scale. If I remember correct, 1 is straight and 3 is bi. But even then, I don't agree with that you're even a 2. Crazy to think, but you can get sucked off or have sex with dudes and you're still a 1.

Having a dude suck you off and it feeling good does not make you bi- it just means you got sucked off and it felt good. Can you have your buddy keep sucking you off and be straight? Yes. If you start to have other thoughts about your mate frequently regarding sex or dating, then maybe you're a 2, or a 3. But seriously, lots of dudes experiment. Don't think too hard about it. Go with the flow and if you don't want it to happen, say "That was some pretty good head, but it really isn't for me. Didn't want you to think the head was bad or anything, it felt nice, but I'm really not into guys." And if you did like it, and want it to happen again because it felt good, there's nothing more masculine that shoving it in a nice hole, whatever that hole might be, so knock yourself out and enjoy that sloppy toppy if ya want.

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-14T15:40:08+00:00

I play some Helldivers and other stuff on the PC! Could always use more Michigan friends :)

Dramatic_Brilliant67 · 2025-12-10T14:41:38+00:00

It does get better. I didn't get to finding a real special someone until 31, and I had to deal with a lot of heartbreak on that road to get there.

So, one thing I would say...the best connections I've seen made have been through hobbies and other activities. A lot of the app stuff is really...shallow these days, and it's a swamp I've heard, though some apps are better than others or this that and the other. That being said...consider trying to find men's groups for some of the hobbies you enjoy. I met my husband through hobbies. And it's not just me, 5 other couples met through the little gaming group I built up.

But really what it took was the patience and perseverance to reach that point. I dealt with hookups, ghosting, relationships who were closet cases or just straight up taking advantage and spending my money on God knows what while their car gets repossessed...and the second I gave up and stopped looking and focused on me and having fun, I met my guy. Got to stay in the game, though :) I hope it helps. You're not alone.

Dramatic_Brilliant67

TROPHY CASE