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Message: <blockquote data-quote="kalani" data-source="post: 6771744" data-attributes="member: 88085">Honestly, I think that this thread has derailed from it's original point. When the OP started speaking negatively about a lifestyle he was uncomfortable with (without going into any specifics - only veiled allusions), it kind of gets people defensive. I myself have been in polyamorous relationships in the past. It rarely comes up at the table, but should the conversation touch on the subject - I would hope that I could mention it openly, in a general way, without feeling condemned for a lifestyle choice (indepth discussions take away from game time, while graphic discussions are CoC violations as AL is very PG and public play events may have children in attendance). Inclusiveness in gaming is a must. I for example, give each character and NPC I run (even in Expeditions) a handful of minor quirks (usually a voice, and one or two defining personality traits). Sometimes, that involves a different lifestyle choice, sexuality, racism, or whatever comes to mind at the time. I never draw attention to these details overtly, and instead roleplay these traits naturally. In respect to lifestyle choices, the only time this might come up is in respect to PC interactions - a gay character for example might make a few flirty comments at someone who takes their fancy, while that character might get advantage on charisma checks. On the other hand, I tend to downplay negative traits (such as racism), usually having the character seem irritated or annoyed by the character and giving them disadvantage on charisma checks, and maybe the odd comment such as a muttered "Halflings". Were a player to have strong opinions on the subject of GLBTI characters or characters with varied lifestyle choices, I would ask that they leave those opinions at the door. I always make such traits as a minor element of the character, and tend to downplay its significance at the table. In my eyes, I draw as much attention to the GLBTI characters I run as I do to the monogomous heterosexual characters - I.E, it rarely comes up but might be alluded to if the situation presents itself. I use these characters for several reasons, the least of which is inclusiveness and representation. It doesn't have to be a big thing, but whenever straight characters would engage in harmless flirting (such as with a barmaid), the GLBTI character would engage in flirting with a character of their preference. A wink, and maybe a sly comment and that is as far as I take it before moving on with the adventure. If something like that were to offend a player at my table, that individual needs to grow up IMO, as everyone deserves representation, and my reference to such is rarely more than a fleeting remark, or an ambiguously gay voice and manerisms.Tonight for example, I was running DDEX 2-5 Flames of Kythorn. In that adventure, I created a throw-away NPC in the cloak room which was ambiguously gay. His sexuality never came up, but the voice I used was an effeminate take on your stereotypical upper-class butler, and he was a little flamboyant in his manerisms. The party loved the character, and after ~5 minutes of trying to get out of checking their weapons and armor (such as one PCs great axe), we moved on with the adventure without skipping a beat.</blockquote>

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