I know this is NOT a server for political debate, so don't make this thread into one.

I only wanted to know if, or how, a gay/lesbian type character should be played. I was only curious as I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before someone come up with a really good character concept that happens to involve a same sex preference.

I'm not sure if ANY of the D&D campaigns ever allowed for such things, and if not then it is fine to say that EfU (since it is part of the Forgotten Realms campaign) does not support such characters simply because D&D made no rules for or against it.

I know that cyber sex or any of it's derivatives are explicity BANNED on EfU, but that doesn't mean a gay/lesbian character can't flirt or otherwise express relationship interest in another character.

I was just simply wondering, or perhaps forcing the DM's to think privately anyway, what the policy would be on someone creating such a character.

Please don't turn this into a damn flame war about the current political platforms in the U.S. and other countries on this subject and if you have a comment directly about the morality/ethics/purpose/future of such real-life activities, please leave them off this thread.

A characters sexuality, lack of or proliferation of, is something that should really be considered. That said, it shouldn't really be the main point of the character, but should flow into their other thoughts and beliefs.

Race, for example. Like the typical Sun elf, would they view breeding outside their own race as anaethema? Would it be tolerated with amusement, actively or passively discouraged? Would a relationship be tolerated, or discouraged, while a casual flirtation might be overlooked?

Half-breeds have particular problems here. Do they seek out those like them, those who understand, or do they exalt one half of their natures at the expense of their other half? All of these questions lead from their outlook on their race - they could even have formed them, led that way by someone they had an infatuation or affair with, to a side of their heritage they'd barely felt.

Outlook and alignment? More fertile grounds. Religion, too; a follower of Sune and of Malar, even if both the same alignment, will likely have very different views on beauty, romance, and how to go about sating the desires for that. Opposing faiths, especially if they're both active faiths (as Banites and Tormtar almost always are) lead to either beautiful drama or terrible angst.

That's all by the by with the original question. I don't believe there's any actual stigma with same-sex relationships in the Realms - of course, we're hardly in the cosmopolitan lights now, and even the gender-neutrality of the realms is very much kicked with a heavy shoe by paladins and blackguards both. People revert very much to type in the Underdark, and it's lovely to watch.

If it's justified, well-played and good - go for it. The same is true of anything.

Your character's sexuality is cool one way or the other, just be respectful of other players and if you have the urge to be kissing up on other people's characters you should find another medium for that type of creativity.

Bisexuality and open sexual liscense is very common in the Realms. Read some of the stuff Ed Greenwood has said about it.

The only issue is that the books tend to go for PG or G ratings while Greenwood's creation is a solid NR-17 in sexual behavior. Elminster has had threesomes, and is polygamous, there are sexual orgies in the bath houses of Arabel, prostitution is legal everywhere you go, sexual slavery common in drow cities and Mulhorandi harems.

That said, I've played one character that was openly lesbian and just played her as a normal person who fancied girls. I can't see that too different or even radical in a world where you can date outside your species even.

As long as you're not engaging in graphic cybor sex, it certainly wouldn't bother my ability to play here.

Your character's sexuality is cool one way or the other, just be respectful of other players and if you have the urge to be kissing up on other people's characters you should find another medium for that type of creativity.

For those who don't know (Because certain DMs stripped my respective title, causing a divide of emotion between the EfU and Kinky Kingdom servers) Kinky Kingdom is always willing to open it's arms to those of curious sexual preference. Be sure to drop [DM] Back_Door_Rush a tell sometime, I'll be sure to say hi! :O)

I had also been wondering about this... not because of the FR setting so much, but more the DM policy on it. I was quite serious on another thread where I said "I'm so going to play a transvestite PC" after a transvestite NPC got "fixed" as a bug.

Anywho. Expect some interesting future concepts to emerge.

Err... been there done that already with a character that's now dead. It was never planned, but developed in game and went from there. It wasn't common knowledge until Madcaddies feral halfling broadcast it in a sending, but it can and does happen.

There was some great RP out of it, especially when the partner died tragically - high tragedy and a sad death came of it, but it was great fun at the time.

Oh, and from what I've read about some races such as elves, bisexuality is almost the norm. :roll:

Well yeah, Elves are bisexual, sup. Gnomes are kinky. This is my contribution to the topic.

I <3 Halfling chicks.

Romance is a natural side to explore in an RP enviornment if carried out tastefully and doesn;t become the primary focus of your character.

My longest running character had a long courtship and engagement, was married and recently has become a widower - whilst this hasn't been primary to the character development it has had a large impact and help to add depth to him.

I have noticed that most relationships between characters develop unaturally quickly with characters meeting falling in love and being married within a week or two game time which to me seems a little odd.

Romance side can be good for invovling a lot of characters - I am sure a lot of peopel know of the fight between th characters Kaddaz and my Character Danielle - many peoepl were pulle dinto this and helped to get the fighting parties back on the same side and it polarised a lot of characters and the after effects are still being fealt - there can be a lot of spice and drama added which can spill into good roleplay for charatesr around them as well.

Cheers

As long as people handle any matter involving their character maturely, I, nor any DM, will ever have any cause for complaint.