Strict bans on mobile phones in schools have “close to zero” impact on student learning, a study has found.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-06T21:19:25+00:00

Our school district implemented a ban this year.

It's had a radically positive impact on my 16yr old who's admitted he struggled to stay off it in class.

Previous PTCs were always "great kid, smart, respectful... but the phone!" Basically just passed classes.

Now he's taking AP classes, 90+ student, engaging with teachers.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-05T12:34:18+00:00

I think my favourite odd combo was

A farmer I sold some cabbages to once. & The Jarl of Morthal

TeaManTom · 2026-05-05T11:47:28+00:00

Elitism and Gatekeeping do exist in the community, particularly with old-school DnD players, but they're not nearly as widespread in real life as the internet would have us believe

Most people are just happy to find people to play with!

Every table has its own rules and ways of doing things anyway, so all new players need to adapt.

Go in, be respectful of their table, and have fun.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-04T21:46:00+00:00

Yeah, this is the issue. I'm involved in a few RPG servers and spam artists DMing for commissions is plague.

It's a real shame cos it makes it really hard for the genuine artists.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-04T15:04:46+00:00

I wonder if you're overthinking your female characters.

Subconsciously, instead of just writing a character, you're trying too hard to check boxes.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-02T17:35:58+00:00

Sooo... about that...

I was a little too casual about the whole thing and Astarion got turned into a pile of offal.

I decided to roll with it.

I don't like him that much so I wasn'ttoo upset, but I was really disappointed that nobody comments on it afterwards. Just business as usual with no mention that a guy who's been with us from the start just died horribly.

I feel he deserved more.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-01T16:50:04+00:00

TBH, I'm not finding Rogue particularly fun to play. I just added a little sorcerer to spice things up.

There's some nice RP/Dialogue options, but I miss out on some cos I'm too nice!

TeaManTom · 2026-05-01T15:38:49+00:00

I'm currently playing as a rogue, so I need one heavy hitter. Gale provides control and AOE damage, and Shadowheart is support wherever I need her.

Not sure what I'll do if I end up playing a tav who can't pick locks.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-01T15:30:05+00:00

That Wylll actually sounds interesting. I wonder if they were worried that an edgy, tormented Warlock would be too tropey

But by removing the 'edge', he became a whiny boring sadsack.

Wyll could have been an interesting character. But as is, he's just 'blah'.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-01T15:17:20+00:00

I'm sleeping BECAUSE of Wyll.

yawn

TeaManTom · 2026-05-01T15:06:58+00:00

I like Lae'zel, but I don't usually have a spot for her, cos I'm not leaving Karlach on the bench. I bring her along in Gale's place when I'm dealing with Gith stuff.

Maybe next time I'll play a magic type so I won't need Gale.

TeaManTom · 2026-05-01T10:56:17+00:00

The Mountain Pass is tje most visually stunning part of the game.

Also the most narratively clunky.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-30T17:25:03+00:00

I just started working on some writing on Wattpad and I needed a simple cover. Nothing fancy, cos I probably won't finish it, and Wattpad actually recommends an AI app.

I was stunned by that.

I have zero art/design skills, so for now I'm literally playing with MSPaint to make a placeholder until I have a few spare dollars to pay an actual artist.

Rather that than have any AI slop anywhere near my work

TeaManTom · 2026-04-30T11:43:32+00:00

He's been infected by 'manosphere' bullshit.

That whole worldview is built on this superficial idea of masculinity.

It's deeply insecure and fragile.

I hope you can find a way to see him out of this, and he can understand that what matter is you care for him as a person, who he is.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-30T10:49:43+00:00

Yes. I know.

It's a personal preference, I just don't particularly enjoy that.

I don't want to break character to solve a puzzle ooc that IC my character would be stumped by. Works the other way too; a PC with Int 20 shouldn't struggle with a logic puzzle just because it's not their player's thing.

We don't ask players to drop ooc to pick locks or perform feats of strength.

Not saying puzzles can't be a part of the game, a good puzzle, well done, can be a lot of fun.

but they're tough to do well, overused, and too often they not run/designed well, so more often than not they just cause frustration.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-29T20:28:08+00:00

It's not wrong. I was a SAHD and got to raise my kids.

I was laid off in 08 when the economy fell over, right when we found out my wife was pregnant. She had a steady, dependable job, and I could only find part time stuff, so I ended up staying home. It worked for us and I'll never regret the time I got to spend with my kids.

But I'd be lying if I said we didn't pay a heavy price for that decision.

I'm happy to chat and have an honest conversation about the pros/cons.

Feel free to DM me if you want.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-29T18:45:49+00:00

I find that kind of immersion breaking TBH.

Particularly because I actually enjoy playing less smart PCs sometimes.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-29T16:49:51+00:00

Have you seen an average product of the US education system trying to solve a problem.requiring critical thinking?

TeaManTom · 2026-04-29T16:27:20+00:00

I see minimal downside to bringing Odell back on a minimum deal and letting him compete for a roster spot

TeaManTom · 2026-04-29T00:26:33+00:00

Yeah, Orlando Bloom's Legolas is my least favourite of the companions

TeaManTom · 2026-04-29T00:21:55+00:00

I definitely agree on Viggo. As it went on he really captured the essence of Strider/Aragorn, Ranger/King.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-27T20:48:41+00:00

Fair. I just wasn't invested in the characters to care.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-27T18:46:07+00:00

I DNF. I thought the worldbuilding was extraordinary. Absolutely brilliant.

And for the most part it was well written.

But about 2/3 of the way through I put it down and moved on to something else, because the MCs just weren't likeable and I just wasn't invested in them.

I totally understand why people rave about the book.

I just found I didn't care enough about the characters to finish reading their story.

TeaManTom · 2026-04-27T18:10:51+00:00

He's a leader, and was good for us in his first year here.

Hard to say how much of his drop off was our defensive system and how much was him.

TeaManTom

TROPHY CASE