Tortles

I'm pretty content with the idea of wrapping up this thread, too. A linkshell has been started for those who are interested, and that can be found here. I'm happy to chat with anyone from this thread via PM if they have anything they need to get off their chest, but at this point we're going around in circles while continuing to attract unnecessary criticism and arguments. At the end of the day, everyone has their own approaches and their own way they want to go about playing, and you gotta let people do what they want to do. I've been following along to keep an eye on the thread since I started it, but at this point I'm going to step out of it.

Your character may not, but others do. There are quite a few people playing characters in relationships, and others who would like to be in one. I've seen at least one wiki template that include social ratings for friends, partners, and love interests. So yes, it is relevant. Some people are going to ERP, and others prefer the fade-to-black approach. Either way, it's up to the players to decide what they're happy with.

FF14 characters and appearances are pretty androgenyous overall, except for a few details. With a few exceptions, everyone looks pretty metrosexual, and everyone pretty much has access to the same revealing or unrevealing armor. There's also not as much of a focus on gender roles, with plenty of female guards, male casters and the like. I only really notice gender being a thing with Miqo'te, but I haven't played through all of the content. It's interesting how often we apply our real world experiences to roleplay, even though we don't have to. Even if you don't personally care, you still have to consider how other players are going to interpret your character. I think no matter what anyone says, there's always going to be a IC-OOC bleed, and it's all right to use your character to express and feel things that you may not get to IRL. For a long time in my life, RP interactions helped with a lot of my social needs until I became more active and comfortable in person. I might even say that RPing as a gay character was part of my coming out process, almost like practice.

Yeah, it sounds challenge, especially in video games where tits are usually hanging out of armor. It's nice when you get the opportunity to work out the subleties and successfully communicate. We have a tendency to associate flamboyancy with homosexuality, and I don't really play flamboyant characters. If I did, I would be forcing myself in order to convey something using stereotypical traits, and I would prefer not to do that. I also don't like to start hitting on characters or making unprovoked sexual comments ("Wouldn't mind having an ale tonight with a pretty lad hue hue hue"). It also greatly depends on the scene you're in. In groups things tend to get a little chaotic, and there's less opportunity for successful fine details.

Truth. I have a lot of problems with a lot of LGBT organizations and events IRL for similar reasons, and there's a lot I don't care for. I try to find a balance where I can still be connected but not be so immersed that I get frustrated. In real life, I've never met gay men that I like or like me by chance, out and about among my regular interests (generic bars with friends, community events, potlucks, gamer gatherings etc.). I've only met men on websites, gay bars, or gay community events. As much as I would love to say we don't need these things, I have very little to show for avoiding them. The same has been reflected in my RP experiences over the years. FF14's Balmung community is still pretty new to me, so I can't apply my previous experiences to this game presently. And while some will say that relationships don't matter IC, I see tons of partnered characters all over the wiki, and I'm sure many of us wouldn't mind getting some of those relationships.

It's getting chipped away at, and is going to still take a long, long time.

You can also boil the bones down to make broth which is nutritious and delicious for preparing soup, making better ramen, or pretty much anything else. The power of broth. Roast a whole chicken, feed off of it for several meals. Pick the carcass apart, saving any remnants of meat that you couldn't reach before. Make a stock out of the bones (I put in bones, cartilage, the chicken juice, and a little skin, but not all. I try to include some of the fatty parts to make the soup a little ... fattier, but too much will make it too fatty. Depends on your taste). With said stock, I'll usually crockpot a soup with whatever vegetables I have and the remnants of chicken I picked out from the carcass. Rice can be a nice additive to this as well. There are plenty of good stock and soup recipes online.

Oatmeal isn't exciting, but it's fairly cheap and does a good job at feeding you. I always make savory oatmeal with a little salt and pepper, and any herbs to taste. It ends up being pretty satisfying and can go a long way.

Edit: Posted before seeing Unnamed Mercenary's post, but leaving it anyway! All right everyone. We've gotten terribly off topic. I know these are very important issues, whether race, gender, or orientation related. This isn't the place to get into it so intensely. Remember, no one is asking to be secluded or fractured off, but instead being connected with other characters who identify in the LGBT realm, as a means to meet each other, or as a means for players to meet other players who identify this way. Whatever the reason, the option is there for people. People are going to want to get together with similar people. It's human nature. I'm sure there are Au Ra-specific groups that have popped up since Heavensward launch. There are themed free companies for military characters, groups for tavern employees, whatever. Some of you may not want this, but some of us do. It's all right. If this discussion is going to continue, I would rather it be about peoples LGBT characters and their experiences, both as a character and as a player behind them. Share your advice for others who may not have played one before, or maybe give a little guidance who players who may need a little help. I want to bring this back to something peaceful.

All right folks. It's not worth arguing where or not there should be one, because there are several opinions for and against. At this point there is a linkshell up. I've added the link as an edit to the original post. Anyone interested should reach out to AquiziTC/Tenrilaux. Whether you want to meet other queer characters, or feel like you want a little safe space, come along. And if you're not interested, then you're not interested. The intent never was to get into any political debates, but to see if there was any LGBT related group, and if there was a desire for one. There is no movement going on here. I would say it's time to break down any debates and just let it go. There are always going to be different opinions and it's not worth having the frustration on the forums.

We actually are not having Tavern Night tonight due to Heavensward and all the server issues! But you're more than welcome to still stop by, there should be some folks around to role-play with! My heart breaks. I'll try to forgive all of you.

Thanks everyone. I'm planning to be at the Harbingers gathering tonight, so feel free to chat me up this evening if you're attending, or send me a message if you're online and not. I'm always open to receiving tells from people while I'm online, but I'm kind of a terrible multitasker and am getting used to organizing my chat logs. Lately I'm mostly running around doing story quests with my friend (I am but a level 38 ninja nugget, running around frozen Coerthas in a very revealing harness. Go figure, fantasy armor), but I could stand to make a little time to hang out.

It is official, OP has to make this character.

Oh, I hadn't sent many letters in this game yet and didn't realize that was the character limit. Either way, it's worth a shot. Do you have a character profile anywhere? If not, you can send me some details so I've got a starting point.

I am open to making connections for Alderique Valeriant, my main, and only character on Balmung. The wiki link in my signature has the best details about him, but some pointers on his current trajectory: He feels a bit lost, and might be looking for a new direction, possibly returning to some of his roots from his Gridania days. This could include being outdoors more, hunting, fishing, and conjury. He is still a hedonist, but may be deviating from his desires to become wealthy, and may be practicing more self control over time. Here are some things I am open to! Friends. Since joining this server, I've made a number of IC and OOC friends, and am pleased with the experience. I wouldn't mind meeting some more characters IC, preferably to get involved in more active roleplay out and about in the world, to break up some of the tavern interaction. I prefer 1-on-1 and small group RP over large events, due to textwall stress and difficulties following the activity. Lovers. I like to develop relationships with other characters by chance, most of the time, whether they be one-nighters, flings, short-term or long-term romances. Realistically I know they are not always easy to come by, so I'm pointing out that this is an interest of mine! I'm a male playing a male who is interested in males, for the record. Mentors/sparring partners. IC, Alderique is deviating a bit from his lust for gil and looking to train harder and better himself. He has begun taking conjury lessons again for the first time since he was a teenager, but would also be interested in finding some sparring partners (both for him to practice IC, and me to practice writing it). I'm open to the idea of having mentors to teach him any of the following: archery, dagger/shortsword combat (he usually has schimitars equipped), staves (for physical combat with a conjurer's staff). Employers. Alderique works all kinds of odd jobs to get by, so a few things might be up his alley. He can and has done mercenary work, though prefers to hunt and fight creatures rather than having to kill other people. He can take on delivery work if necessary, but prefers jobs that offer a high reward for his effort. He would also be open to escort work, whether to provide protection or to provide company for social events and private interaction. It should be noted, that while he would be very happy to be a charming and flirtatious host, this sort of arrangement would be non-sexual.

It helps when your character is actually what people see you as, without having to use any explanations of glamour or illusions. There are also plenty of races available to play from. Personally, I tend not to be interested in characters who deviate from these norms, as it can feel gimmicky or give me the impression that there is a lot of special snowflakery going on. That being said, there's no reason your character cannot have a strong interest or affiliation with these two species of creatures. I would avoid having been raised or adopted by either of them exclusively, but you could have been in contact with them for much of your life and even be welcome among members of their society as a friend. You might practice some of their culture or magic, and other characters of the playable races may find this aspect of you odd. I'm sure others may have some of their own advice, or maybe tidbits from their own experiences in attempting to play other races and how they were received.

Welcome! I hope the three of you are able to make some connections and immerse yourselves in this game and this crowd.

Just wanted to say this sounds like a good event! I can't commit to weekend events, but I'll keep this in mind if I'm available.

Roleplayers are always going to create events that they want, even if they aren't accurate to the world lore. There are many free companies and characters that deviate from the lore, but people want them, so they'll do them. People play characters and organizations based on their favorite books, movies, animes, and whatever. Even though we may not always agree, sometimes you just gotta let 'em roll with it. Would Eorzea have gay bars, probably not. Do we need them? No. If people want them? Sure. It sucks that you've dealt with some of those issues, and I understand what you mean. I get annoyed by the common bisexual-bashing, and tend to argue with other gay people who criticize it. I also get very annoyed when gay guys start bashing lesbians or transgender folks, even if it's just in jest. People have to be called out on it. Drama often is a problem with the gay community, but it's also a problem with roleplay communities, and that's for a number of reasons that I'm not enough of a psychologist to get into. I think it's important for members of communities to keep each other in line, and learn to see behavior that leads up to conflict, even if you're not the party being offended. People are complex, and groups are even more complex. I would prefer to see a loose network of LGBT individuals, rather than some organized coalition, the same way I'd also like a loose network of general roleplayers, or chocobo racers, or fishing buddies, or whatever.

I think many people are attracted there because the city-state is known for its wealth and prosperity. I forget a lot of details myself and tend to frequent wikis I might find. I would recommend reading as much quest material as possible, even the sidequests, because they tend to throw in snippets of lore, culture, history, etc.

I don't think it's currently important to discuss whether or not there should or should not be an organized place for LGBT characters and players. Some want it, some don't, and no one is required to participate. The community overall seems pretty inclusive, so its less of a problem than it was many years ago. No one should feel like anyone is trying to seclude themselves off from the rest of the community. Relationships can be a big part of roleplay, and I've rarely had the opportunity to play one while also playing as a homosexual character. It would be easier if I played a heterosexual character, sure. It bothers me though, because it's a little too reminiscent of playing it straight in the real world for the sake of fitting in. I struggle to include myself in roleplay situations, as I often feel like people tend to stick to their own cliques, and I don't find opportunities to comfortably include myself. I tend to go to any public event that coincides with my available play time, even if the theme doesn't have a lot to do with my characters, just for the sake of being involved. In roleplay you don't always have a lot of time to get to know people. You don't have the benefit of reading body language, or feeling any natural chemistry. I don't want to have to start hitting on characters or making comments about attraction and sexuality IC to announce myself, either. I like the idea of being introduced to other characters who, if I get along with and enjoy RPing with, I can keep their orientation in the back of my mind and be open to possibilities. Some might say that relationships don't matter so much in roleplay, but I've seen enough of it in my day to disagree. Countless weddings and love ceremonies in this game and other games I've played. You'll often see many characters sitting together, talking about their relationship or just rubbing up against each other going "Oh, it is late, are you tired, my loving love?" "Yes, dear, it has been a long day of fighting coeurls but I am so happy to be here in your arms now". The game has marriage now, and I dunno.. It might be cool to participate in a feature like that at some point? All that being said, I've also joined an artist linkshell, and am looking for a reliable generic RP linkshell for meeting people—casting a wide net. I'm also keeping an eye out for potential free companies to join. There's more to me and my character than just my orientation, but it is part of me, and it is part of my character.

The world restriction is rough. You may have to try very late at night or very early in the morning (With a US timezone in mind), and a little persistence.

It would vary from player to player. I imagine many LGBT people play LGBT characters. I do, personally, because it comes naturally to me. I'm pretty exclusively into men IRL, but I tend to play bisexual characters for the sake of being a little open. Being connected to LGBT characters and players could be helpful to someone who isn't queer IRL, but wants to play a character that is. Some people might just want a safe space where they can get advice, or unwind with others who they can talk to about related subjects with less anxiety. I'm personally not experienced with transgender characters in roleplay. I've rarely ever seen a transgender character, and I imagine that can be very challenging to do. I'm sure a network of allies could be a good resource. To each their own, really. Some may not see a point and want to participate, while others seemingly have wanted a network like this for some time.

Thanks! I'm happy to hear any suggestions for joining in on RP and getting my feet wet. In the mean time I'll be keeping my eye out for events and looking for opportunities to join in on what I might come across.