I never thought much about the dark web. To me, it was just a spooky corner of the internet, filled with urban legends and exaggerated tales. But last month, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to explore.
I had always been tech-savvy, so accessing the dark web was easier than I expected. I found forums, marketplaces, and bizarre sites that looked like something straight out of a horror movie. But one night, I stumbled upon something that still haunts me: a chat room called "The Abyss."
The description was cryptic: "Talk with those who truly see." Intrigued and a bit naive, I clicked the link and entered the chat. The interface was basic, just a black screen with a list of usernames on the side and a chat window in the center.
The usernames were strange—EbonShade, SoulSeeker, _WhisperingVoid_—and they immediately started messaging me.
EbonShade: Welcome, new traveler. What do you seek?
SoulSeeker: Knowledge? Power? Or perhaps, something darker?
I hesitated before typing, "Just curious. What is this place?"
WhisperingVoid: This is a place where truths are revealed. But beware, not all truths are meant to be known.
I felt a mix of excitement and unease. Before I could respond, a new message appeared.
EbonShade: Would you like to see something truly enlightening?
My heart raced as I typed, "Yes."
A link appeared in the chat, ominously labeled "Enter the Abyss." Against my better judgment, I clicked it. My screen went black, then filled with a montage of disturbing images: old, decaying buildings, people performing strange rituals, faces twisted in terror. It was overwhelming, like a nightmare unfolding before my eyes.
When the images stopped, I found myself back in the chat room, but it was different. The usernames had changed to real names—David, Claire, Michael—and my webcam had turned on, displaying my own horrified face in the corner of the screen. Panic set in as I realized I couldn't close the window or turn off my computer.
David: Now you see. There's no turning back.
I frantically tried to unplug my computer, but the screen remained on, showing my terrified expression and the cold, emotionless faces of the others in the chat.
Claire: We know where you are.
My heart felt like it was going to explode. I grabbed my phone to call for help, but it wouldn't turn on. Suddenly, my screen flickered, and a new video feed appeared—my own apartment, seen from a perspective I didn't recognize. It was as if someone was inside, watching me.
Michael: You invited us in. Now we are everywhere.
In a frenzy, I ran to my front door and threw it open, only to be met with the empty hallway of my apartment building. No one was there. I checked every room, every closet, but I was alone.
When I returned to my computer, the chat room was gone. My screen was back to my desktop, as if nothing had happened. But I knew better. My phone buzzed, and I saw a notification for a new email from an unknown sender.
Subject: Welcome to the Abyss
Body: We are always watching.
I haven't been the same since that night. I moved to a new city, changed my name, even got a new job, but the feeling of being watched never leaves me. Sometimes, I'll catch a glimpse of a shadow in the corner of my eye, or hear a whisper when I'm alone.
One night, about a week after I moved, I woke up to the sound of my computer booting up. I had left it off, but there it was, the screen glowing in the darkness. The chat room was back, but now, the names were different: John, Emily, _Sarah_—all people I had known in my life, all who had passed away.
John: Why did you leave us?
Emily: You can never escape.
Sarah: We are part of you now.
I unplugged the computer, but the screen stayed on, showing their faces, twisted in agony and anger. I screamed and threw the computer out of my window, watching it shatter on the pavement below. The screen finally went dark, but the terror remained.
I replaced my computer, thinking it would end the nightmare. But then, the texts started. Unknown numbers, always the same message: "We are watching."
I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I see them everywhere now, in reflections, in crowds, in my dreams. If you ever find a chat room on the dark web called "The Abyss," don't enter it. Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
One evening, as I was walking home from work, I felt someone watching me. I turned around, but no one was there. Quickening my pace, I hurried to my apartment. When I entered, my phone buzzed. Another unknown number.
Text: We are here.
The lights flickered, and the temperature dropped. My breath came out in visible puffs. I grabbed a knife from the kitchen, my hands trembling. As I backed into the living room, the shadows seemed to move, coalesce, forming shapes that were almost human.
I don't know if it was a hallucination or something worse, but I heard their voices, whispering my name, promising I would never be alone again. I dropped the knife and ran to my bedroom, locking the door behind me. The whispers grew louder, more insistent.
Desperation set in. I decided to document my experience, to warn others. I started typing out this story, but the words are running out. The whispers are too loud now. I can't think. They're here, with me, in the room.
If you ever find this post, heed my warning. Do not go looking for "The Abyss." It will find you, and once it does, there is no escape.

So, I had a really emotionally abusive roommate who I had to leave in the very end of April. For reasons I won't get into here, I had to go into emergency housing because of her and completely uproot my entire side of the room at the end of the semester.
She would take her anger out on me frequently, even if I wasn't the cause of her anger. If something made her mad, she would yell at me and make the atmosphere of the room really uncomfortable. She would also say really nasty things to me if I did something she didn't like, too. For example, I unfollowed an old mutual friend of ours because they weren't treating me well and told her for transparency. She got quiet and then said "I get it, but you're really fucking stupid" and then later told me that I caused her to shut down because I "tore apart the only friends she has and she really needs support." Then after acting out like that, she would lovebomb me and tell me how she's so grateful for me, she's such a terrible friend and yet I've stuck beside her, she loves me, I'm the best friend she's ever had, stuff like that. She would also randomly buy things for me, even when I asked her not to. She wouldn't allow me to do things on my own or with other people, like dinner or other plans. The only thing she wouldn't get mad at me for going to were my classes. Her possessiveness was really bad, especially when I was with my boyfriend. She would yell at him and say "Back off! appastoebeans is MINE!! She's MY girlfriend!" I also had to file a Title IX against her, too. So, you can see why I had to leave.
Before I left, I had blocked her on absolutely everything so that she couldn't message me because she could be pretty caustic and guilt trippy over text. I was afraid of the things she would say to me and I was afraid that I'd fall for whatever she would say, so I blocked. I spent the night before I moved out somewhere else and then went to my old room to quickly move out while she was in class. Since I had her blocked, she wrote me a letter. At first, it didn't bother me but now, her words are kind of seeping in. I threw out the letter the day I moved out but I still remember a lot of what was written. She said stuff like "I don't know why you blocked me on everything because I have done nothing wrong. I'm really hurt and confused right now. Did you ever care about me at all? Was I that easy to throw away? Did almost 2 years of friendship mean anything to you at all? I don't think I can accept any kind of apology from you. Let's just be civil to each other since finals are near." I can't help but feel terribly guilty now. Especially because she thought I was coming back and apologizing. She also had a major meltdown upon seeing I moved out, publicly posted about her anger towards me online, and then tried to ask people to tell her where I was staying.
Her words just keep repeating themselves in my head and I keep feeling like a terrible person. I also keep having thoughts like, "I threw her away. I threw 2 years of friendship away. She was so confused. I hurt her. I made her panic. I ruined the friendship, not her. It all falls on me." It's just hard. It's really, really hard. If you read all of this, thank you.

If you are a DoorDash customer, please make sure to be a vigilant customer. It saves us from wasting our time and it also helps ensure that your food is not stolen.
Was making a delivery to an apartment complex that had a front gate that was locked. There were no instructions on how to get inside and they even left the unit number blank. I set the 5 min timer upon arrival and called multiple times in addition to sending a couple of text messages but no responses. Eventually left it outside the gate after the 5 mins was up. The customer called back a few mins later and was upset that it was left outside the gate where anyone who walks by could steal it to which I explained to her that I tried contacting her multiple times and each attempt was ignored and the 5 min timer also ran out to which DoorDash instructs us to take a picture and leave it there. She made an excuse that she was taking a nap and didn’t hear the phone, however that is not my problem. After the 5 min timer is up, it is out of my hand. And whatever happens to the food after that is out of my hands as well.
If you are a customer and you make a delivery through DoorDash, please make sure to keep your phone next to you at all times and be watchful/vigilant in case your dasher is having issues with the delivery and tries to contact you. Or else you unfortunately might end up in a situation like that one lady and possibly have your food stolen by a random passerby. I always keep my phone on silent but when I order through DoorDash every blue moon, I turn the ringer and text message volume up and have my phone right next to me ready to respond to any calls or text messages from my dasher. Works every time.

AITA or WIBTA - Sorry for my English it's not my language and also for the long post. I (28F) have a friend (23F) we have been friends for at least 4 years now. She has helped me at my lowerest and I have helped her though hers. We have spend nights crying and thinking no one would love us and we will be all we have. Which we agreed is the greatest. She than ended up getting back with her ex , who of course I never thought actually deserves her. But I supported her all the way with smiles, it's her choice I just need to be there for her. She ended up becoming pregnant and I was moving to another state. She wasn't happy about it as she said she would miss me alot but she was okay about it. It went on as normal and we were still best friends, her tummy grow and the baby boy was growing nicely. In that time I ended up meeting a great guy with a son and we got serious very quickly for the better. Again she wasn't really happy because it meant less time for her but she was happy I was happy. I took on the mommy role very quickly and the little boy didn't have a mom because she left my bf when the baby was 1 month old. I moved in with my bf and he proposed after a year of dating. After being engaged for about 3 months we found out we were pregnant too. Which we are so happy about. In this whole time we were still talking and being good friends and she also got engaged. Than all of a sudden she moved to the state I'm and lives a few miles away. That's when stuff started getting weird. I kept asking her when she has moving so I could help and come around to see her. She kept leaving me on read and not responding. I would then leave it because I don't want to overwhelm her. Than after 2 weeks she sends me a message and tells me off for not messaging her and she feels like I'm forgetting her. I then told her that's not the case, I have been busy and waiting for her to answer. To which she says but I just seem distancing to her. I promised I would try harder to contact her and try to see her. Then we spoke for a day properly again and I made she to answer her right away so she doesn't feel like I'm distancing her. again she left me on read and I kept sending messages to her , around 7 including voice notes. Which she never answered or listened to. And than randomly she message me saying she I never let her know how the baby is growing and she feels like my fiancé is taking me away from her. But my fiancé is excited to meet her and her fiance and baby. I then told her that and asked her how they are.I sent her a long message about the pregnant going. Then again she never answered again. So now my brother and fiancé are saying she is taking advantage of my nice and making me feel bad all the time when it's her that's not putting in effort.
So my question is WIBTA or AITA for not answering her or contacting her again after she has ghosted me yet again?
Sorry Just emotional from pregnancy and really need to vent because I really feel used and also wrong.

I had a wonderful childhood. I couldn't have asked for a better one. My parents, brother, family, ... so much love in my life.
As I got older, I started to become exposed to the harsh realities of life. The people closest to me and the ones I loved the most started to get sick and pass away. I lost my dog. Life wasnt the same. And later, was diagnosed with Crohns which had a massive impact on my life and self confidence. I felt like a lab rat.. so many tests, doctor visits, medicine, diets, needles, ... eventually extensive surgery.
Luckily, after years of torture, I made it out ok. I started to build back my confidence, and was optimistic about the future. Before I knew it, I met the love of my life. I felt so extremely lucky to have you in my life. It felt like a dream. I felt that after all that pain and loss, I had finally had something good happen to me.
As time we on, we became best friends. You confessed your love to me, said I was different than all the rest, and you saw a future with me. You expressed how special I was to you. I felt the same way.
We met eachothers families, who became so close with eachother. I truly loved your family, they felt like home. My family loved you so much... my parents loved you like a daughter, and I knew you loved them too. We had everyone's support and love. We were the golden couple. We grew and experiences so much together. Bought our first house, saw the world, new jobs, school, ... Everyone was so proud of us, and we were proud of eachother.
Somewhere along the way, you started seeking outside the relationship for attention. I knew you were very social, so at first, I was happy to see you making friends. I knew you had a difficult childhood and past, and didn't have many good friends, so I was very supportive and encouraged you to do things with your friends.
We were inseparable. Always going things together, planning trips, going on adventures. Everything was easy. We enjoyed eachothers company so much. We made eachother laugh, feel loved, and safe. We were so comfortable and open, goofy with eachother, and always so intimate.
We shared a lot of the same hobbies: plants/garden, camping, trails, video games, movies, travel, outdoors, relaxing at home, ... it didn't seem to matter what we were doing, we were happy together.
I loved making you smile and laugh. I loved seeing you happy doing what you loved, or eating a meal I'd prepare for you.
I always wanted you to have the best. Since you were in school, I provided for you. Food, toys, restaurants, trips, ... whatever you wanted. I wanted to give you the world. It felt so good to make you happy.
You would tease me and hint towards wanting to get engaged. After 3 years, it happened. We were so happy, and you were so excited and happy to share the big news. We started planning our wedding, moved into a bigger house, new jobs, everything felt good.
I never expected to love someone so much. This young woman brought so much love, happiness, and adventure into my life. She completed changed everything. Everything was so easy.. effortless.. felt right.
When we moved into your dream home, things became more stressful. The house needed a lot of work, as well as the property. Regardless, we were willing and eager to tackle projects together and were excited to make things our own.
As time went on, and school/work seemed to become more stressful for you, I was left finishing a lot of our projects and maintaining them by myself. I also stepped up and started trying to take on more of the chores and responsibilities so that you could focus on school/work and still have time to relax. I was happy to help give you some relief.
After a few months, your brother asked to be our roommate for a time. I was hesitant, but you encouraged me that it would be a good thing. He would pay and help around the house. At first, it was nice. However, as time we on, it became more and more stressful.
The stress of doing everything and having a roommate that didn't mesh well with us overwhelmed me. I knew it was temporary, so I endured it.
One day, you came home from your new job and expressed what a good day you had.. that you had the chance to work with a different doctor, and that he was very fun and nice. I was so happy to hear it, since I knew you hadn't been having good days and people had been difficult. I was glad you seemed to have a mentor.
You started to have more good days than bad, working with this person more and more. You started talking to me about them more, sharing things you learned and talked with him about. As time went on, I started to feel a bit jealous. You had been spending more time with this person than me... your shifts were long, and I hadn't been seeing you as much. You started even talking to our parents about this person.
I started to notice you texting him while we were at home together. I'd ask, and you'd happily share whatever it was you guys were talking about. One evening, you were texting this doctor late at night. I approached you about this, and expressed how it was making me feel. I felt that it had started to become too much, and wasn't appropriate. I didn't like the idea of this older married man communicating with my young fiance so much. I expressed that I was happy that you had a friend at work, but felt that it was becoming too personal and inappropriate. You tried to reassure me that you were just friends, and that he was old and married, you would never be attracted to him. I stood firm and expressed that I would like for you to only communicate while at work, or for work related matters. You agreed and assured me it was nothing.
As time went on, I noticed you would sometimes hide your phone, turn it away, flip it upside down, or turn it off as I walked by. At first, I thought it was just me being paranoid. But as time went on, it started to mess with my head... otherwise, everything was good, so I told myself it was nothing. You started to enjoy that type of work and decided to join his practice. I was happy you were able to make up your mind and find something you enjoyed. Time went on. At some point, you needed an invasive procedure done... and you requested that doctor complete it. I didn't love the idea, but you preferred to have someone do it that you trusted. After that, the doctor seemed to be a thing of the past.
As the wedding date approached, the excitement increased. We had everything planned out and we were so excited for our big day. I saw how happy you were throughout the whole process. I couldn't believe our big day was right around the corner.
Our wedding was like a dream. Everything came together so nicely. We had the best night of our lives. I loved seeing you so happy with our friends and family there to celebrate with us. We went on a wonderful honeymoon and I felt so loved and appreciated.
Once we returned home, our roommate left, and stress started to decrease dramatically in the house. I was so relieved. You finished school, graduated, and I threw you a big surprise party to celebrate. I had always put together parties for all your special occasions, and I knew you really appreciated that. After so many nights helping you study, it felt wonderful to see you walk across that stage and finally finish.
You shortly after moved to a different hospital, and seemed to really like your new job and everyone there. Life was so good...
The house and our list of responsibilities and all the maintenance was still a lot, but I felt we were quickly starting to knock things off our list.
One week, you started working a lot... I hardly saw you that week. We'd always text and check in, saying we loved eachother, missed eachother, and looked forward to seeing eachother. When the weekend finally arrived, you had mentioned your best friend invited you to join her for girl time. I realized you hadn't seen her much lately and encouraged it.
That weekend, my grandmother had been struggling. I felt alone in our big house and had wished you were there. We checked in on eachother while you were gone. I was expecting you to return one evening, so I had dinner prepared. I was hurt when you didn't arrive and decided to stay another night with your friend.
When I saw you the next morning, I was feeling pretty down. I was already sad about my grandmother, but also felt like an after thought that week. You were so happy to see me, which was nice. We had a nice evening, spent time together, .. you never stopped telling me you loved me.
The next day after work, I got home, and you seemed so cold and distant. You seemed bothered by something. I checked in, asked if you needed anything, then went about my day. It seemed like you wanted space. I checked in every few hours, and you were busy doing something on your laptop.
I prepared dinner and started watching TV. I encouraged you to take a break, eat, and relax some before bed. You joined me on the couch, but was quiet and explained that you had some work to finish.
As it got late, I went up to bed. You explained you'd be up a little longer while you finished your work. As the hours went by, I thought it was so odd that you weren't in bed yet. I knew you had to get up early... sleep was always such a priority. I got up to check on you and to get some water. You were still on your laptop.. I noticed you were looking at rooms to something. I encouraged you to get some sleep. You joined me, looking exhausted.
We cuddled, said we loved eachother, then fell asleep. The next morning, I finished getting ready for work while you slept. As I was getting ready to leave, I sae your laptop. I decided to check and see what you were looking at... another air bnb for a trip? I was curious. We shared the laptop, so I didn't feel like I was invading her privacy.
I opened the laptop and saw apartments. I was so confused. I checker her email.. apartments. I noticed she had Facebook messenger up with recent messages. I checked... my world turned upside down. Those seconds felt like eternity as my heart sounded and my stomach sank. I read a message to a friend saying she wanted a divorce, never loved me, felt like a stranger in her house, dreaded coming home to me, ... that she loved a doctor.. he's married, but his wife is a lesbian. That was easily the worst moment of my life. I panicked and didn't know what to do... I was in shock. After a few minutes, I decided to address this with you.
I quietly walked up the stairs, sat on the edge of the bed, and calmly woke you up. You were sleepy, asking why I woke up.. you still had about 30m before work. I apologized for waking you.. As I looked at you silently, I started to cry. I quietly said "I know...". "I saw the messages". She looked back at me in shock.. eyes wide in the dark. I asked if she had been having an affair. She said no.. then started to look at me as if I wad a stranger. It was a terrible feeling.
You got up to get ready for work, and said we'd talk later that evening. You left. I was standing in the driveway and felt sick. I wasn't sure if I could make it to work.. but being at the house was making me feel worse, so I left. I didn't eat anything that while day. While at work, I prepared myself for our talk.
When we both got home, you pulled up to the house and started to pack some things while I sat on the couch. When you finally joined me, you were quiet.. asked about my day, I asked about yours.. then more silence. I asked what you needed from me. You explained that you were feeling very anxious, and didn't want me to get upset. You said you were going to stay with a friend for a few days to clear your head and wanted to talk once we were both rested.
You left for almost a week while I stayed in our big empty house, taking care of our pets, and completely confused and dead inside. I hardly ate or slept. I desperately started reading and watching whatever information I could find to help explain what was happening and to prepare myself. I spent most of my time thinking, reflecting on our life. I started tonrealize how stressed I had been... and thought about all the things I should/could have done differently. I knew I treated her so well, but no one is perfect.
Looking back, I started to think about all the red flags. Love is blind. I truly loved, trusted, and cared for this person more than anyone in the world. I thought she felt the same way... I never imagined us seperating.
I started to think of that doctor she used to talk about.. and realized she probably never stopped talking to him. I started to realize that my wife had stopped opening up to me... was no longer emotional or vulnerable... her emotional? affair started to kill the emotional intimacy between us.
I was happy just to have her in my life and enjoyed just being with her... she never expressed or talked about being unhappy... if I had known, I feel certain that we could have fixed whatever was lacking. I would have met whichever needs werent being met.
Were you lonely while I was busy working hard for us? Was she bored? I would have happily planned more outings... whenever I suggested something, you expressed that you were tired or didn't show interest. I knew you enjoyed time alone, so I never felt bad doing my own thing. I figured you would tell me of you needed or felt something...
I was so confused... started to question what was real. When did this all start? Why? How? Terrible thoughts entered my mind... so many late shifts, staying the night at the hospital, leaving early to get the air bnbs ready, ...
I also realized that towards the end, you had suddenly started to listen to different music, got a nose piercing, tattoo, talked about signing up for a sport, working out, ... these were all things I knew you had wanted to do for awhile, but it was all so sudden.
Why didn't you ever communicate... I recall you expressing your concern with my stress, but nothing else. I felt that my stress was reasonable considering everything I was doing.. and knew it was temporary. I didn't ignore it though. I saw a therapist, and started making changes. Was it all too late?
When we finally spoke again, it was so nice to just see you. We sat and you were so friendly and sweet - it reassured me that everything was going to be ok. We made small talk and joked, which immediately lightened the mood. You suggested I spoke first. I expressed my feelings and how important the marriage was.. that I'd so anything to save it. I took responsibility for my side of things and expressed the changes I had made and would continue to make. When you started, you expressed that you would always cherish our time together, but we're set on divorce. That we both deserved to be truly happy. Shortly after, you left.
The days after, you started packing your things while I was at work. I was living in a big empty house, every day getting more and more empty. I was a complete mess living in hell. Her family started to reach out to me and shower me with support, apologies, and disbelief. No one could make sense of this.
After a week or so, I couldn't take it any more, so I moved to stay with my parents while we finished moving out. I attempted to stay cordile through all this. You seemed so unphased and happy... texting me and talking to me like we were still best friends.
You explained that you felt bad for saying you never loved me... that you did, but not in the way a wife should love their husband. That it could be years, but in the future, I could count on you.
As time went on, and the pain increased, I was more distant. You texted more and more. Finally, I suggested that we limit communication unless she was interested in working on our marriage.
As the days went by, you grew colder and irritated.. I started to feel like the bad guy. I know you started to feel the weight of your decisons, and starred to project onto me. Making me the bad guy made you feel better. I attempted to end things on a good note... being helpful throughout the move out process, but you were so cold. It hurt so much... 5 wonderful years tossed aside like it never mattered.
I havent talked to you in weeks... I miss my best friend, my love, your family, our pets, and the wonderful life we built. I'm left trying to pickup the pieces. I feel so lost, confused, broken, ...
The tremendous amount of support I've gotten from both sides has helped a lot. I'm seeing a therapist, reading a lot, eating more, working out, and focusing on my self. The days are getting better, but I still have days where I am a mess.
I havent been sleeping well... always tired. Waking up several times, terrible nightmares and thoughts of you being with another man... I still have believe you would be capable of all this.. of hurting me so much.
I have urges to reach out to you... wanting to fix this, that there must be a misunderstanding... there are so many things I'd like to say. I got complacent and comfortable during our time together. I stopped doing the little things as often as I used to... I never meant to hurt you, make you feel lonely, unloved, unappreciated, ... whatever it is you felt. It's difficult for me to accept that my sweet innocent wife was capable of this... surely there was a reason?? I was just so caught up in my list of things... I was working so hard for our future.
I feel like my wife was manipulated by this man... why does an older doctor (20 years older) have a lesbian wife? He doesn't love her like she seems to think... he is using her. I feel sorry for her... I know there is no future there.
I've done a lot of reading on Attachment Styles, Limerence, love addiction, and other things that come as a result of childhood trauma. I feel like a lot of this has to do with her trauma... but also her selfishness and emotional immaturity. There is nothing I can do. I just pray she figures things out on her own, finds longlasting happiness, and puts an end to this cycle.
I would love it if we were able to reconnect in the future... I still deeply love and care for her. I don't want our story to end... none of this feels right. My gut is screaming that this is all wrong. I just know we both need to work on ourselves for the time being.
One day I had it all, the next, it crashed down before my eyes. Meeting you was the best thing to happen to me... you leaving was the worst. You rushed out of my life so quickly... I wish things were different.

I had a wonderful childhood. I couldn't have asked for a better one. My parents, brother, family, ... so much love in my life.
As I got older, I started to become exposed to the harsh realities of life. The people closest to me and the ones I loved the most started to get sick and pass away. I lost my dog. Life wasnt the same. And later, was diagnosed with Crohns which had a massive impact on my life and self confidence. I felt like a lab rat.. so many tests, doctor visits, medicine, diets, needles, ... eventually extensive surgery.
Luckily, after years of torture, I made it out ok. I started to build back my confidence, and was optimistic about the future. Before I knew it, I met the love of my life. I felt so extremely lucky to have you in my life. It felt like a dream. I felt that after all that pain and loss, I had finally had something good happen to me.
As time we on, we became best friends. You confessed your love to me, said I was different than all the rest, and you saw a future with me. You expressed how special I was to you. I felt the same way.
We met eachothers families, who became so close with eachother. I truly loved your family, they felt like home. My family loved you so much... my parents loved you like a daughter, and I knew you loved them too. We had everyone's support and love. We were the golden couple. We grew and experiences so much together. Bought our first house, saw the world, new jobs, school, ... Everyone was so proud of us, and we were proud of eachother.
Somewhere along the way, you started seeking outside the relationship for attention. I knew you were very social, so at first, I was happy to see you making friends. I knew you had a difficult childhood and past, and didn't have many good friends, so I was very supportive and encouraged you to do things with your friends.
We were inseparable. Always going things together, planning trips, going on adventures. Everything was easy. We enjoyed eachothers company so much. We made eachother laugh, feel loved, and safe. We were so comfortable and open, goofy with eachother, and always so intimate.
We shared a lot of the same hobbies: plants/garden, camping, trails, video games, movies, travel, outdoors, relaxing at home, ... it didn't seem to matter what we were doing, we were happy together.
I loved making you smile and laugh. I loved seeing you happy doing what you loved, or eating a meal I'd prepare for you.
I always wanted you to have the best. Since you were in school, I provided for you. Food, toys, restaurants, trips, ... whatever you wanted. I wanted to give you the world. It felt so good to make you happy.
You would tease me and hint towards wanting to get engaged. After 3 years, it happened. We were so happy, and you were so excited and happy to share the big news. We started planning our wedding, moved into a bigger house, new jobs, everything felt good.
I never expected to love someone so much. This young woman brought so much love, happiness, and adventure into my life. She completed changed everything. Everything was so easy.. effortless.. felt right.
When we moved into your dream home, things became more stressful. The house needed a lot of work, as well as the property. Regardless, we were willing and eager to tackle projects together and were excited to make things our own.
As time went on, and school/work seemed to become more stressful for you, I was left finishing a lot of our projects and maintaining them by myself. I also stepped up and started trying to take on more of the chores and responsibilities so that you could focus on school/work and still have time to relax. I was happy to help give you some relief.
After a few months, your brother asked to be our roommate for a time. I was hesitant, but you encouraged me that it would be a good thing. He would pay and help around the house. At first, it was nice. However, as time we on, it became more and more stressful.
The stress of doing everything and having a roommate that didn't mesh well with us overwhelmed me. I knew it was temporary, so I endured it.
One day, you came home from your new job and expressed what a good day you had.. that you had the chance to work with a different doctor, and that he was very fun and nice. I was so happy to hear it, since I knew you hadn't been having good days and people had been difficult. I was glad you seemed to have a mentor.
You started to have more good days than bad, working with this person more and more. You started talking to me about them more, sharing things you learned and talked with him about. As time went on, I started to feel a bit jealous. You had been spending more time with this person than me... your shifts were long, and I hadn't been seeing you as much. You started even talking to our parents about this person.
I started to notice you texting him while we were at home together. I'd ask, and you'd happily share whatever it was you guys were talking about. One evening, you were texting this doctor late at night. I approached you about this, and expressed how it was making me feel. I felt that it had started to become too much, and wasn't appropriate. I didn't like the idea of this older married man communicating with my young fiance so much. I expressed that I was happy that you had a friend at work, but felt that it was becoming too personal and inappropriate. You tried to reassure me that you were just friends, and that he was old and married, you would never be attracted to him. I stood firm and expressed that I would like for you to only communicate while at work, or for work related matters. You agreed and assured me it was nothing.
As time went on, I noticed you would sometimes hide your phone, turn it away, flip it upside down, or turn it off as I walked by. At first, I thought it was just me being paranoid. But as time went on, it started to mess with my head... otherwise, everything was good, so I told myself it was nothing. You started to enjoy that type of work and decided to join his practice. I was happy you were able to make up your mind and find something you enjoyed. Time went on. At some point, you needed an invasive procedure done... and you requested that doctor complete it. I didn't love the idea, but you preferred to have someone do it that you trusted. After that, the doctor seemed to be a thing of the past.
As the wedding date approached, the excitement increased. We had everything planned out and we were so excited for our big day. I saw how happy you were throughout the whole process. I couldn't believe our big day was right around the corner.
Our wedding was like a dream. Everything came together so nicely. We had the best night of our lives. I loved seeing you so happy with our friends and family there to celebrate with us. We went on a wonderful honeymoon and I felt so loved and appreciated.
Once we returned home, our roommate left, and stress started to decrease dramatically in the house. I was so relieved. You finished school, graduated, and I threw you a big surprise party to celebrate. I had always put together parties for all your special occasions, and I knew you really appreciated that. After so many nights helping you study, it felt wonderful to see you walk across that stage and finally finish.
You shortly after moved to a different hospital, and seemed to really like your new job and everyone there. Life was so good...
The house and our list of responsibilities and all the maintenance was still a lot, but I felt we were quickly starting to knock things off our list.
One week, you started working a lot... I hardly saw you that week. We'd always text and check in, saying we loved eachother, missed eachother, and looked forward to seeing eachother. When the weekend finally arrived, you had mentioned your best friend invited you to join her for girl time. I realized you hadn't seen her much lately and encouraged it.
That weekend, my grandmother had been struggling. I felt alone in our big house and had wished you were there. We checked in on eachother while you were gone. I was expecting you to return one evening, so I had dinner prepared. I was hurt when you didn't arrive and decided to stay another night with your friend.
When I saw you the next morning, I was feeling pretty down. I was already sad about my grandmother, but also felt like an after thought that week. You were so happy to see me, which was nice. We had a nice evening, spent time together, .. you never stopped telling me you loved me.
The next day after work, I got home, and you seemed so cold and distant. You seemed bothered by something. I checked in, asked if you needed anything, then went about my day. It seemed like you wanted space. I checked in every few hours, and you were busy doing something on your laptop.
I prepared dinner and started watching TV. I encouraged you to take a break, eat, and relax some before bed. You joined me on the couch, but was quiet and explained that you had some work to finish.
As it got late, I went up to bed. You explained you'd be up a little longer while you finished your work. As the hours went by, I thought it was so odd that you weren't in bed yet. I knew you had to get up early... sleep was always such a priority. I got up to check on you and to get some water. You were still on your laptop.. I noticed you were looking at rooms to something. I encouraged you to get some sleep. You joined me, looking exhausted.
We cuddled, said we loved eachother, then fell asleep. The next morning, I finished getting ready for work while you slept. As I was getting ready to leave, I sae your laptop. I decided to check and see what you were looking at... another air bnb for a trip? I was curious. We shared the laptop, so I didn't feel like I was invading her privacy.
I opened the laptop and saw apartments. I was so confused. I checker her email.. apartments. I noticed she had Facebook messenger up with recent messages. I checked... my world turned upside down. Those seconds felt like eternity as my heart sounded and my stomach sank. I read a message to a friend saying she wanted a divorce, never loved me, felt like a stranger in her house, dreaded coming home to me, ... that she loved a doctor.. he's married, but his wife is a lesbian. That was easily the worst moment of my life. I panicked and didn't know what to do... I was in shock. After a few minutes, I decided to address this with you.
I quietly walked up the stairs, sat on the edge of the bed, and calmly woke you up. You were sleepy, asking why I woke up.. you still had about 30m before work. I apologized for waking you.. As I looked at you silently, I started to cry. I quietly said "I know...". "I saw the messages". She looked back at me in shock.. eyes wide in the dark. I asked if she had been having an affair. She said no.. then started to look at me as if I wad a stranger. It was a terrible feeling.
You got up to get ready for work, and said we'd talk later that evening. You left. I was standing in the driveway and felt sick. I wasn't sure if I could make it to work.. but being at the house was making me feel worse, so I left. I didn't eat anything that while day. While at work, I prepared myself for our talk.
When we both got home, you pulled up to the house and started to pack some things while I sat on the couch. When you finally joined me, you were quiet.. asked about my day, I asked about yours.. then more silence. I asked what you needed from me. You explained that you were feeling very anxious, and didn't want me to get upset. You said you were going to stay with a friend for a few days to clear your head and wanted to talk once we were both rested.
You left for almost a week while I stayed in our big empty house, taking care of our pets, and completely confused and dead inside. I hardly ate or slept. I desperately started reading and watching whatever information I could find to help explain what was happening and to prepare myself. I spent most of my time thinking, reflecting on our life. I started tonrealize how stressed I had been... and thought about all the things I should/could have done differently. I knew I treated her so well, but no one is perfect.
Looking back, I started to think about all the red flags. Love is blind. I truly loved, trusted, and cared for this person more than anyone in the world. I thought she felt the same way... I never imagined us seperating.
I started to think of that doctor she used to talk about.. and realized she probably never stopped talking to him. I started to realize that my wife had stopped opening up to me... was no longer emotional or vulnerable... her emotional? affair started to kill the emotional intimacy between us.
I was happy just to have her in my life and enjoyed just being with her... she never expressed or talked about being unhappy... if I had known, I feel certain that we could have fixed whatever was lacking. I would have met whichever needs werent being met.
Were you lonely while I was busy working hard for us? Was she bored? I would have happily planned more outings... whenever I suggested something, you expressed that you were tired or didn't show interest. I knew you enjoyed time alone, so I never felt bad doing my own thing. I figured you would tell me of you needed or felt something...
I was so confused... started to question what was real. When did this all start? Why? How? Terrible thoughts entered my mind... so many late shifts, staying the night at the hospital, leaving early to get the air bnbs ready, ...
I also realized that towards the end, you had suddenly started to listen to different music, got a nose piercing, tattoo, talked about signing up for a sport, working out, ... these were all things I knew you had wanted to do for awhile, but it was all so sudden.
Why didn't you ever communicate... I recall you expressing your concern with my stress, but nothing else. I felt that my stress was reasonable considering everything I was doing.. and knew it was temporary. I didn't ignore it though. I saw a therapist, and started making changes. Was it all too late?
When we finally spoke again, it was so nice to just see you. We sat and you were so friendly and sweet - it reassured me that everything was going to be ok. We made small talk and joked, which immediately lightened the mood. You suggested I spoke first. I expressed my feelings and how important the marriage was.. that I'd so anything to save it. I took responsibility for my side of things and expressed the changes I had made and would continue to make. When you started, you expressed that you would always cherish our time together, but we're set on divorce. That we both deserved to be truly happy. Shortly after, you left.
The days after, you started packing your things while I was at work. I was living in a big empty house, every day getting more and more empty. I was a complete mess living in hell. Her family started to reach out to me and shower me with support, apologies, and disbelief. No one could make sense of this.
After a week or so, I couldn't take it any more, so I moved to stay with my parents while we finished moving out. I attempted to stay cordile through all this. You seemed so unphased and happy... texting me and talking to me like we were still best friends.
You explained that you felt bad for saying you never loved me... that you did, but not in the way a wife should love their husband. That it could be years, but in the future, I could count on you.
As time went on, and the pain increased, I was more distant. You texted more and more. Finally, I suggested that we limit communication unless she was interested in working on our marriage.
As the days went by, you grew colder and irritated.. I started to feel like the bad guy. I know you started to feel the weight of your decisons, and starred to project onto me. Making me the bad guy made you feel better. I attempted to end things on a good note... being helpful throughout the move out process, but you were so cold. It hurt so much... 5 wonderful years tossed aside like it never mattered.
I havent talked to you in weeks... I miss my best friend, my love, your family, our pets, and the wonderful life we built. I'm left trying to pickup the pieces. I feel so lost, confused, broken, ...
The tremendous amount of support I've gotten from both sides has helped a lot. I'm seeing a therapist, reading a lot, eating more, working out, and focusing on my self. The days are getting better, but I still have days where I am a mess.
I havent been sleeping well... always tired. Waking up several times, terrible nightmares and thoughts of you being with another man... I still have believe you would be capable of all this.. of hurting me so much.
I have urges to reach out to you... wanting to fix this, that there must be a misunderstanding... there are so many things I'd like to say. I got complacent and comfortable during our time together. I stopped doing the little things as often as I used to... I never meant to hurt you, make you feel lonely, unloved, unappreciated, ... whatever it is you felt. It's difficult for me to accept that my sweet innocent wife was capable of this... surely there was a reason?? I was just so caught up in my list of things... I was working so hard for our future.
I feel like my wife was manipulated by this man... why does an older doctor (20 years older) have a lesbian wife? He doesn't love her like she seems to think... he is using her. I feel sorry for her... I know there is no future there.
I've done a lot of reading on Attachment Styles, Limerence, love addiction, and other things that come as a result of childhood trauma. I feel like a lot of this has to do with her trauma... but also her selfishness and emotional immaturity. There is nothing I can do. I just pray she figures things out on her own, finds longlasting happiness, and puts an end to this cycle.
I would love it if we were able to reconnect in the future... I still deeply love and care for her. I don't want our story to end... none of this feels right. My gut is screaming that this is all wrong. I just know we both need to work on ourselves for the time being.
One day I had it all, the next, it crashed down before my eyes. Meeting you was the best thing to happen to me... you leaving was the worst. You rushed out of my life so quickly... I wish things were different.

*Writing this out, it's dawned on me how mundane this is, but I don't have many friends, let alone gay friends, to talk to about this.*
I 34M and Joe 30M (fake name) have been dating for a couple of years. It's long distance (by UK standards), and we don't see each other as much as we want to. It's slightly depressing to say, but this is the most serious relationship I have ever been in. I honestly love him, and he has said he loves me too. In fact, the text he sent that included the half-assed breakup included that he loved me with all his heart. Basically, he is having problems with his life - his mother being the main one - and says I deserve better... I don't want "better", I want him. I told him that he needs to decide for himself if the relationship is worth it, and not use me as an excuse, as I love him and am happy with him. Not only that, but I would understand if he feels the relationship is too stressful for him as long distance is difficult, but if he gets more from being in it, we can work on things. I said that if he did decide to end it, I would accept it, but I didn't want it to end. And I am leaving him to think it over without me pressuring him.
This is where I am wondering if I should just let it go.
I know he is struggling with his life. And it results in a lack of communication from him, which is difficult for me. Examples: -I didn't know Joe had been kicked out of his mother's place (again!). -Joe also didn't tell me until 2 days after that all his friends cancelled on him for his birthday gathering. -I invited Joe to come to mine for my birthday, and he didn't respond... at all. The next message ignored the invite. But it was shortly after that I got the half-assed breakup message. Normally, I would be utterly paranoid about the lack of communication, and it's why I have never had a long relationship before, but I honestly felt secure with Joe.
What do you think? Should I have accepted the half-assed breakup, or is fighting for us a better thing to do?

​

Disclaimer: I have switched back to the main subreddit, so aside from three, maybe four of you, you’re probably missing out on some context. If you’d like to be all caught up, you can comb through the previous episodes on my profile.
Votes:
Emma - 2
Katie - 1
Props to u/Proofracer for coming up with plot points
At the campfire ceremony, Chris attempts to build suspense by reminding the campers about the safety of a marshmallow, but Heather insists he get on with it, so the moment is cut short. Chris calls on Shawn, Zoey and Max before tossing them all a marshmallow. He then gives Owen and Heather one each, leaving Emma and Katie. Both Emma and Heather shoot angry looks at Katie, making her feel a tad worried, but Chris gives her the last marshmallow and deems Emma eliminated, causing her to have an outburst at Heather.
Emma: I knew I couldn’t trust you! You’re a backstabbing snake!
Heather: Please, as if I’d betray you this early. If I had any say, you’d still be here for a few more weeks.
Emma: Then, how?
Katie: It’s not just me who’d been fed up with how mean you’ve become. We don’t want a second Heather on this team. No offense.
Heather: Offense taken.
As Emma walks the dock of shame and the rest of the Screaming Gophers disperse, Chris turns to the camera to say his outro.
Chris: Will Max finally do something actually evil? How much longer can Heather keep her alliance afloat? And what will Damien do once he finds out about Bunny’s replacement? Find out next time, on Total Drama Island!
In-world votes:
Emma - Katie, Owen, Max, Shawn
Katie - Heather, Zoey, Emma
Basic Straining
The episode opens with Duncan using his knife to carve a skull into the wall of the Bass cabin when Axel exits the cabin. She scoffs at him, but before she can leave, Duncan attempts to apologize for how he’s treated her in the past. Axel stops to think for a second, but she sees through Duncan’s lie and leaves anyway.
Confessional:
Duncan: Of course I didn’t mean what I said to Axel, but Trent and Sammy are too loyal to one another, and Damien’s essentially attached himself to Dawn. Sadly this means that Axel is the only person I have a chance to ally with, so I need to get back on her good side.
Meanwhile at the Gophers cabin, Katie is sitting dejectedly on the front steps when Owen comes over to cheer her up.
Owen: Are you still bummed out about poisoning me? It’s okay, I know it was an accident.
Katie: That’s only half the problem. Emma got so mad at me for it, and now apparently I brought a cursed item to the team.
Owen: You mean your tiki souvenir? Are you sure it’s cursed?
Katie: Apparently it’s from Boney Island, so I’d say it’s pretty cursed.
Owen: Well, you don’t have to get rid of it, if that’s what you’re worried about. It may be cursed, but it’s still yours. I say you should keep it to remember this show by.
Katie: Thanks Big-O.
Owen: You know what? Let's prove Emma wrong. If you try your best this time, I’m sure you’d do way better at the challenge than you think!
Just then, the loudspeakers turn on, but instead of Chris, it’s Chef Hatchet who orders the campers to meet him at the docks for their next challenge. At the docks, Chef is dressed in a military uniform and starts barking orders at the campers about fixing their forms, with the one exception being Axel, whose form he deems “surprisingly average”. Chef then goes over today’s challenge. The teams will go through Chef’s grueling boot camp and drop out one by one until the last person remaining wins immunity for their team. Heather asks Chef what happened to Chris, but he ignores it and starts going over further rules, like how everyone will have to address him as Master Chief, and that no one eats or sleeps unless he says so.
Confessional:
Axel: I was never trained in the military, but I’m adept in most fields of work Master Chief could go over, so this will be a breeze.
For the first part of the boot camp, each team must carry a canoe, and will continue to do so until someone drops out and rings a bell on the dock. Owen and Trent each make a remark about how easy the challenge sounds, but by noon, everyone is starting to feel the heat.
Chris and Chef are sitting on top of the canoes while taunting the campers about missing lunch. This causes Owen to think about quitting, but Max catches on and tells him not to.
The Bass are still holding up strong, so Duncan tries to talk to Axel again. He says that he knows she hates him, but they’re both stuck between the two couples and need each other. This causes Axel to angrily reply that she’d take her chances with the others over him, leaving Duncan beginning to get annoyed. However, Trent overhears the conversation and begins to look worried.
As night rolls through, the campers are all tired, especially Owen, who has fallen asleep with his arms still holding onto the canoe. Chef is recalling a story from his military days, and Heather asks him what war he was in, causing him to shout at her. Heather then turns to Shawn and tries to strike up a conversation with him.
Heather: Hey Zombie Boy, how do you feel about joining my alliance?
Shawn: Wait what? You’re kidding, right?
Heather: You and Emma were friends, yes?
Shawn: Sure, but that doesn’t mean I trust you. What happened to getting payback on me for locking you in the freezer?
Heather: You could trust me if you were in my alliance. With Emma gone, I’m missing a member of the alliance, and if you join, you won’t be in as bad a spot as you are now.
Shawn: Oh, and what is that supposed to mean?
Heather: Think about it. I didn’t vote Emma off, she got herself eliminated. If the team knew you worked with her, maybe they’d vote you out too. Especially since you’re such a big threat without any allies. With me, I could protect you, plus I won’t plot against you anymore.
Shawn: You were plotting against me?
Heather: That’s besides the point. Just think about it.
Later, Chef has finished bragging about his line of duty just in time for Max to decide he isn’t going to stand in one spot anymore. Much to his teammate’s dismay, he walks down the dock and rings the bell, thus allowing the contestants to drop their canoes. Chef insults Max through his megaphone before ordering everyone else to go to the mess hall to eat dinner, getting Owen excited.
In the cafeteria, Chef announces that everyone will get only ten minutes to eat before he starts night training, which gains him a lot of complaints. Damien asks him where the food is, and Chef gestures to a row of trash cans filled with leftover garbage from breakfast, which only causes more complaining. Owen, however, doesn’t discriminate against the disgusting food and eats some anyway. Chris then invites Chef to eat at the craft services tent, leaving the teams to themselves.
Trent meets with Sammy and tells her about what he heard between Duncan and Axel. He says that Duncan has a point and that since nobody really likes Duncan, Axel would be the deciding vote between them and Dawn and Damien. Hearing this, Sammy comes up with an idea, and suggests winning Axel over ahead of time so that she’s with them. Trent likes the idea, so Sammy goes over to talk with Axel. They have a friendly conversation, and Sammy offers Axel the least disgusting food she can find in the trash, to which Axel declines. Sammy then returns to Trent to talk about other ways to win Axel over.
Damien was watching Sammy’s conversation with Axel, and realises what she and Trent were trying to do, so he walks over to Dawn to talk with her.
Damien: I hate to say this, but we’re going to have to start getting extra votes against Trent and Sammy
Dawn: But why? Wouldn’t we just vote Duncan?
Damien: No, that’s not- I mean, after Duncan’s gone, all that’s left of the Killer Bass is us, them, and Axel. And I think they know that too, because they’re trying to bond with her.
Dawn: Yes, Axel is stuck in between the four of us. I’m not very worried though. I’m good friends with her.
Damien: I know, but we should start getting closer so that if need be, Axel will vote with us instead of them.
Damien then digs through the trash and finds a carrot that is half eaten, but otherwise clean. He decides to save it for Bunny, before noticing that Dawn looks unsure of something. He asks her what’s wrong and she brushes it off as having missed Bunny while it was gone. Damien is happy with this answer and tells Dawn that he knew she and Bunny would get along well, but this only makes her feel worse.
Confessional:
Dawn: Bunny left Damien, but I still don’t know why Duncan found a replacement. Duncan is not to be trusted, but I don’t know how to break the news to Damien that Bunny’s really gone.
We then cut to the next part of the boot camp, which is to repeat Chef’s suspiciously Triller-esque dance routine. The dancing goes on for a while until it’s interrupted when Duncan shuts off the music. Chef angrily asks him what he’s doing so Duncan reminds him about how once someone drops out the training ends. Chef says that they’ll be done when he says they’re done, before forcing Duncan to do push-ups.
Next up, write a three hundred word essay about how much you love Chef, being eliminated if you fall asleep or fail to reach the minimum word count. Owen and Katie are discussing ways to pad out their essays while cracking jokes to make each other laugh. Seeing the two of them bonding, Shawn turns back to his own essay looking a little less confident.
Duncan takes a break from doing the challenge to try and persuade Axel to join him again. She snaps at him and tells him to get lost, but Duncan mentions Shawn, which gets her attention.
Duncan: Let’s face it, everybody knows you like Shawn.
Axel: So? If you want to mock me about it, expect a fight!
Duncan: No, I’m saying that you two are pathetic. Neither one of you ever makes a move! Watching you two is like watching a car crash in slow motion.
Axel: (Sarcastically) Thanks for the advice, Dr. Love.
Duncan: You need a wingman, badly. So it’s going to be me.
Axel: Why would I ever listen to you?
Duncan: Because if you and Shawn are ever going to be a thing, you need me.
Axel: Fine. But if you pull anything you’ll leave this island in a cast.
Duncan gets Axel to close the deal with a handshake before returning back to working on the challenge. Later, Chef returns to pick up the essays, and eliminates both Trent and Zoey for falling asleep. As for everyone else, their essays meet the requirement, although Duncan’s is just one sentence with 289 verys in between. On his way out of the cafeteria, Chef slips in a puddle of Owen’s drool from him being half asleep, and Duncan offers to clean him off. This causes Chef to yell at him again, and the rest of the Bass stop Duncan from saying anything more, lest he get them all in trouble.
The next evening, the training continues, as Chef forces the campers to run an obstacle course until everyone can do it in less than a minute. As they climb a wooden wall, Axel asks Duncan for advice and he tells her she should get Shawn’s attention by showing off her survival skills in the course. Axel takes the advice and waits for Shawn to reach the top of the wall before jumping off and doing acrobatic tricks in midair. This catches Shawn’s eye, who shows off some tricks of his own in return.
The obstacle course causes trouble for some of the other campers, as Owen gets stuck while jumping through a tire, getting him eliminated. On top of that, Damien falls flat on his face when climbing the wall. He pukes up some mud, and is coughing and sputtering, so Chef eliminates him too and sends him to the infirmary.
After going through a montage of campers falling into the mud or otherwise failing, we see Katie struggle to clear a rope swing. She remembers what Owen told her and tries it again, only to clear it easily. She cheers for herself before continuing to run the course.
While crawling through the mud, Sammy reaches a deep spot and starts sinking. Duncan passes while mocking her, only to come across an angry Chef. He gives Duncan more pushups, but Duncan just thanks Chef before kissing him on the nose. This sends Chef off the edge and he announces that Duncan will spend the rest of the night in solitary confinement in the boathouse. This causes everyone to gasp, but Duncan asks how bad it could be, before we cut to him sitting in the boathouse regretting that comment.
In the cafeteria, the contestants remaining in the boot camp are being fed rock hard gruel. Dawn sits down next to Axel, intending to win her over, but Axel is the one to talk first. She explains to Dawn how Duncan is working as a wingman for her and Shawn, and while Dawn is happy for Axel, she reminds her about how Duncan is untrustworthy. She talks about how he replaced Bunny when it left Damien, and that she thinks he has a secret agenda behind everything. Axel agrees with Dawn but leaves to get more advice from Duncan anyway.
Heather finds the gruel Chef has served her to be well past unappetizing, and chooses to instead try to persuade Shawn again. She points out how close Owen, Katie and Max have become, and that since she still has Zoey, they’ll go after him first. After careful consideration, Shawn caves and agrees to work with her. But he specifies that while he will do what’s required for her to protect him, he will not associate himself as a member of her alliance. Despite this, Heather is still pleased by the news, and leaves to get some sleep.
In the boathouse, Axel finds Duncan sweeping the floors to pass the time.
Duncan: Did you get General Crazy angry at you too?
Axel: No, I’m here so you can make good on our deal. What’s some more advice you have?
Duncan: Really? You can’t be so desperate that you need my help for every single thing.
Axel: Then what do you want me to do then? This was entirely your idea!
Duncan: Just ask Shawn out. Maybe set up a date or something. But if you just sit there and don’t talk to him I promise you that nothing good will happen. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to mess with Chef.
Duncan then leaves despite Chef’s orders and heads towards the craft services tent, leaving Axel behind wondering what she could do.
In the Gophers cabin, Katie visits Owen, who congratulates her on doing so well in the boot camp. Katie is ecstatic at her performance and thanks him for giving her the pep talk. Max, while also happy for Katie, insists that “Evil has better things to do than make friends” as he works on something secret in his bunk bed. Owen tells Katie that he thinks she can win the entire challenge, but to this Katie is still a bit skeptical.
The remaining Bass return to their cabin to find Trent and Damien playing cards on the front steps, and inside Dawn finds various snacks left in a big pile on her bed. She’s confused how it got there, but is happy to finally find something edible, so she invites everybody on both teams to hang out and eat the food. As the eleven of them dig in, they discuss how insane Chef is for making them do full on combat training, with only Shawn, Axel, and surprisingly Katie enjoying the challenge. Eventually the relaxation is ruined when Chef barges in and orders everyone in the Killer Bass to line up outside. He announces that the food they were dining on was stolen from the craft services tent, and that he was tipped off that it was one of them because the perpetrator left a raw bass in the fridge. Dawn confesses that she found it on her bed, but before she can explain herself Chef automatically eliminates her from the boot camp and confiscates the rest of the food.
Chef starts the last part of the boot camp the next morning, which is to hang upside-down from a tree until only one person is left. The last campers left are Sammy, Duncan and Axel for the Bass, and Shawn, Heather and Katie for the Gophers. Axel confronts Duncan about what he did, and he admits he stole Chris and Chef’s food, left a bass behind as a calling card and dumped the food on the first bed he found. Axel is pissed at him for getting Dawn in trouble with Chef and cuts the deal between them, causing Duncan to tell her that he never really cared.
Confessional:
Duncan: Okay, maybe I went a little too far, but I’ve always found a way to stay in the game. Surely this will be no different, right?
Chef rants about the side effects of being upside down, and as he goes over each one, someone gets it, causing them to fall off the tree. Eventually it’s down to Axel and Katie, with Dawn cheering on Axel while Owen motivates Katie. Axel looks between Dawn and Duncan, and is visibly conflicted, while Katie’s starting to get dizzy. But just as she’s about to fall, Axel jumps off first, meaning the Screaming Gophers win. Katie then falls off the tree before being enveloped in a bear hug by Owen. Chef congratulates Katie, saying he’d go to war with her anytime, but she gets mixed messages from the complement.
Duncan scolds Axel, saying she lost the challenge for them. But she snaps at him in front of everyone.
Axel: You are not fit to be on this island! You essentially threw two challenges, ridiculed me the entire game, and now got Dawn disqualified just because you wanted to prank Chef! So excuse me if I want you out!
Duncan snaps back at her before storming off, and for the first time in a while, Axel looks relieved. Dawn then comes up to her with Damien telling her that she did the right thing. Afterwards, Damien asks Dawn if she only said that to get Axel on their side, gaining an annoyed look from her. Seeing this, he backtracks and says that they should help Axel like real friends, and is relieved when Dawn nods her head in agreement.
Vote off a Killer Bass and come up with any plot points you want to see later.

I (f22) have been with my fiancé (m23) for 7 years. I’ll call him jack. Jack and I met in highschool. We were each others first bodies, and jack is still my only body. Once graduated jack decided to join military. I was sad but it was only army National gaurd so I knew he’d be home often and I just had to stick it out for l deployments. we get our own apartment & adopt a senior pitt bull! we commonly spend our nights watching youtube and anime, playing games on the computer and loving eachother (or so i thought)
2022 he leaves for a year long deployment. I wait loyally. He ghosted me all deployment saying it was a military thing because they’re so busy all day. I took the benefit of the doubt because I don’t know shit about military. He called me one time on thanksgiving. I could see he would be on his phone overseas but never to message me , I was muted. TW- SELF HARM actually tried to OD and performed a lot of self harm while he was gone due to the fact that he ghosted me without reason. I was up night after night delerious wondering why.. losing so much weight, being in pain and heartbroken.
Anyway . He came home and for the last year we were regular best friends again. I cooked, cleaned, all the housewife shit but on another note, we woke up together, played video games & watched anime together everyday. we went gambling together lol, dates every other damn day, car rides.
Anyway he had to leave 2 weeks ago to Trinidad for his annual National gaurd 2 weeks. He left. He promised never again will he ghost, and he promised nothing would happen. He talked about the date we were gonna go on when he comes home on the 15th.
he leaves for trinidad for 2 weeks - No suprise, he ghosted. He was sent out to Trinidad and was working and “busy” but I had a gut feeling something was weird. The 15th comes, and he’s now not even traceable on life 360. On the 16th, I Started to worry. I assumed maybe they worked a little more out in Trinidad. On the morning of the 17th, I text his sergeant, asking when they would be home. Sergeant told me they arrived home early morning on the 15th. Wow.
So I had no idea where he was at . He finally text me saying he’s at a guys house. He said “I don’t want to talk about it, I’ll be home tomorrow.” He doesn’t have friends. We share the same 4 guy friends and we were all looking for him. i was freaking out and crying until he came home the next day. He comes home the next day like he said. I was crying when he came through the door . He was staring at me cold and rash. He said we’re done cause he wasn’t “happy for a while now”. He told me I can still stay at his apartment, but we’re single. Heartbroken and confused, I go about my night . I come back to the apartment around 1am. I get in bed and he kisses my forhead. He said I’ll be back I’m going to get some food.
I secretly turned his location back on. My app shows him pull up to some house down the street. I immediately drove there . Best believe his truck was right parked outside the house it said he was at. I knock on the door crazy af . He comes outside pale, and tells me I have to leave. I busted into her house and screamed “he has a fiancé of 7 years he’s cheating on me” he covers my mouth and drags me out. He tells me to leave he says “I met her on deployment you have to go this isn’t right, I told her we broke up” “YEA YOUVE BEEN SEEING HER ALL WEEK . YOU CHEATED AND BROKEUP WITH ME DAYS LATER. WE WERE TOGETHER 7 years” i screamed this so she could hear it. She had a suprised reaction. My fiancé was saying he didn’t even know me. I’m not gonna lie I keyed his new tundra truck on the way out.
how he met her - he admitted to “mentally breaking up with me months ago” just not “telling me that part” FUCK YOU! he said she’s in his unit and he’s had a crush on her but made his move in trinidad by letting her know of his crush on her. they flew home together on the 15th and he gave her a ride from the airport, and asked her if he could stay the night .
NOW - he is letting me continue to live at the apartment with him. because he let me QUIT my job last week and admitted to taking care of me so i can study for a better career. now i’m single with no job. I spoke to the girl he cheated on me with 1 on 1 and turns out of course he was lying about a lot including him telling her he broke up with me months ago. so she left him and said she won’t be seeing him anymore . she’s pretty nice and genuinely apologetic. anyway he’s been moping around the apartment and i don’t know what to do or how to act. He was crying in his bed last night when i was about to go out with a friend and i felt bad. my head is fucked with i can’t tell if he’s sad about what he did or sad that he lost her. i personally am a little bit over it already , because cheating is one of those things where i just straight will hate and be disgusted by you . that being said , is it smart of me to continue speaking to him? i’ve known him since he was 15 he has a fucked up family (drugs & alc) and no friends. i told him regardless of what he did i’ll still be a friend for him. what would you do and how would you act as the roomate? i won’t lie we’ve cried and hugged a few times but that’s cause we know it’s over .

Throughout our marriage, my partner and I have not had many big arguments or problems. We generally get along well and quickly get over small disagreements. I would say we have a fairly normal relationship, with nothing to hide from each other and 100% trust. We only have each other and do everything together.
**First Argument:**
Recently, we started trying new things and becoming more outgoing. My partner just started a new job and loves her coworkers. Her workplace has a volleyball team that plays for fun every week. We were never involved in extracurricular activities at work or school, so this was new and exciting for us, especially for her, as she had always wanted to do sports and finally found a group she enjoyed being around. I was happy for her because, for the longest time, we had been trying to find something she would enjoy doing.
During the first week, we had such a blast that we decided to participate every week. The second week, she was really looking forward to it, but it coincided with my sister's graduation. I expected the day to be dedicated to the graduation, with a plan to attend the ceremony and then go out to eat with the family (this was not discussed, but I assumed it would be better to focus on the graduation and didn't even consider volleyball).
Right before we left for the ceremony, my partner told me she was putting on her volleyball shorts under her dress so we could play volleyball right after the ceremony and then go to dinner. This is where the tension started. I felt that since the schedule was tight, we shouldn't try to squeeze in volleyball and told her there was always next week. I also dislike being late and keeping people waiting, even though it was at a buffet. She said she wanted to go and that the buffet wasn't that important.
I thought squeezing in volleyball for even 15 minutes was too much. We were both angry, but we agreed to go to volleyball for a bit, even though it was just for 15 minutes. I told her I wasn't going to play because I wasn't dressed for it and was too mad to see anyone, so I just sat at the bar. Fifteen minutes turned into 30, and I called her, telling her we had to go because we were already late and I was really hungry. We made it to the buffet, but when we got home, we started to discuss what happened.
We argued, and she told me she still felt she was right and that I was overreacting. She said I didn't care about her happiness and that she had finally found something she loved doing. I argued that it was ridiculous to try and squeeze volleyball in after the ceremony and then be late to the buffet by 30 minutes. She started crying, and we went back and forth. This was the first time she filled out and printed divorce papers for me to look at. We had fights before where we discussed whether we were right for each other because we thought differently about certain situations, but it had never escalated to divorce papers. We talked it out some more, made up, and put the argument behind us.
**Second Argument:**
We recently purchased a house and agreed to let my 24M cousin live in one of our extra rooms. He pays us rent, and we felt bad for him since he didn't have parents and had been living alone before moving in with us. Also, the rent would help with the mortgage. Though he can be an idiot at times, he is on good terms with both my wife and me. He is almost the perfect tenant: clean, organized, and respectful. However, he has an eating habit he is unaware of and no one has told him about.
He tends to eat things and leave one piece for someone else to finish and clean up after him, or he eats too much, not leaving enough food for my wife and me. Whenever I catch him doing this, I remind him that other people live in the house too and he cannot eat so much at once. He tends to skip breakfast and lunch, so he gets very hungry by dinner and eats whatever he can find. I have had this talk with him a few times, and he understands he has a problem, but it's not the end of the world. Meanwhile, my wife is growing more frustrated with him but doesn't say anything, slowly distancing herself from him.
Yesterday was the day of the argument. My cousin said he would cook for us, and I told my wife on the phone that he was cooking. He went out to get groceries, but my wife didn't want to eat his food due to the growing tension with him. We feel he doesn't buy enough groceries for himself, but when we confront him, he tries to cook for us and scrambles to buy groceries because he feels bad. My wife got home from work, and I prepared some food for dinner, just enough for us two and maybe my cousin since he was out buying groceries for all of us. We had agreed to start making less food so my cousin would not eat so much at dinner, kind of portioning for him.
My wife prepared two bowls of what I was cooking and did not put out a portion for my cousin. She said to not make one as a message that we are not cooking for him anymore. I told her that would be awkward and suggested preparing a small bowl for him so it wouldn't be awkward when he got back since he was out and expected to be cooking for us. I think it is kind of cruel, even though he has upset us with his habit. She thinks it's okay and that she is right. After that, we went on a walk and argued like the last time. She said her job was to worry about her husband and not another man. and then told me that if I was so worried about him getting a bowl why didnt I make one for him? She has been upset with my cousin about his eating habits and other annoying things, and this was her way of telling him we are not cooking for him anymore. I argued that I would have handled it differently to make it less awkward, like preparing a small bowl and then talking to him afterward about buying his own groceries and not cooking for us anymore from now on. She again stated that she was right, also bringing up the last argument and saying I'm overreacting and making it more than it is and that even if I got up and tried to make him a bowl she would be mad at me too because she valued our dinner time together(even though it would have been a quick thing to do, but I backed down because afraid I would upset her) and said that I always try to be the nice and decent person while she is always the bad person.
I feel stuck in the middle because I'm always the mediator in these arguments and feel like our arguments are always at this level of intensity. How do I handle these types of arguments?

As the title says, God has been speaking to me pretty frequently and sending me messages. I believe He wants me to share many of these messages with others, which I very much want to do, but there are a few problems that have held me back.
The first being that I have never been the greatest speaker, and suffer from a great deal of social (and general) anxiety. I find it very difficult to express myself, and oftentimes feel like I've said the "wrong thing" and will think back extensively to previous conversations very much to my own detriment.
The second problem is platform/venue. I am unsure of where/how to share these messages. Am I to share them on video platforms such as TikTok or Youtube? Are the messages meant to be written/typed and posted on a forum site like reddit, and if so what would an appropriate subreddit be that allows that? Should I start a blog? I feel like He is leading me to an online-based method of sharing.
The remaining issues are low self-esteem, feeling unworthy to receive and deliver the messages He is asking me to share, and maybe a bit of imposter syndrome?
I have never liked the way I look (I'm considered "morbidly obese" by my BMI, but if I tell people that they tell me to stop talking down to myself because I am "definitely not morbidly obese") and being multi-racial and having hair that is difficult to manage is a big part of why I don't leave the house most days.
I am a mom and my family is low income, so I can't afford to have it done, and I personally do not have hours to commit to my hair-care routine. I would say that about 99% of the time my hair is messy, sticking up and out in all directions, and I am typically wearing a baggy t-shirt adorned with glistening gems of toddler snot, spaghetti sauce, and sometimes even doodoo, if I'm lucky....
That being said, I don't think it would be respectful to record video messages sent from God looking the way I do most days. I know that may seem superficial or shallow, but hopefully not unreasonable? I don't know, I feel like at the very least, if I went that route, I'd like to look clean and presentable.
I feel like this is a big task for someone like me. My background isn't very holy. I was raised in and experienced some pretty dark places and some pretty low lows in life, many times by choice. My testimony is the type that needs to be censored. So I don't feel like I am good enough to deliver messages from The Most High on His behalf.
What if my interpretation is wrong? I don't want to lean on my own understanding, I want to do His will... So I'm torn between thinking, "Am I being pretentious in thinking that God really wants *me* to do this?", but also feeling like God is rolling his eyes at me as I'm typing this, because I can almost hear Him saying, "In how many more ways do I have to tell you the same thing for you to know that, yes, that is what I'm asking of you, and for you to do it?"
Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone experienced any similar situations? I have really been struggling with this. And advice or suggestions would be seriously appreciated.

Apologies in advance, I’ve no real people to tell this to, and it’s been weighing on my mind forever.
We met on an online chat room and started dating approximately 5 months ago, and at the very beginning it was fantastic. We were the same age, liked the same things, had the same humour and pursued the same field of academia. We were long distance, both science students, and we had made plans to someday move in with one another. Since she lived in the US and I in the UK, she stringently made it clear she couldn’t come to me, and that was fine. She had to take care of her mother and I offered to help her irregardless of the cost to me. When you’re in love with someone, your own needs pale compared to the other person. Because of how good it was, she would voice how she feared I’d ever leave her and I reassured her countless times that I would never, that I’d always love her. One of her friends, we'll call O, and I spoke and he was worried that because of her relationship, she’d be more preoccupied with me instead of their friendship and I reassured him that it didn’t matter what she did, their friendship was valuable to both of them and I wouldn’t stand in the way of it.
However a month in, and she began to change considerably. She became noticeably different, where we’d call every night, she began calling every 2 nights, or 3, and less frequently too. Her mood around me would change drastically, and she said it was because of a fatigue illness she had. And that was ok, I let it happen. People can be sick, right? That’s fine, as a partner I would be there for her. Some days she found it difficult to communicate the fact she loved me at all, and told me not to say it a lot since she couldn’t feel that way back at the time.
She would drive me to the point of hurting myself, she knew how much the promises of us living together meant to me, so she would sometimes say that she didn’t want that anymore. And all the time I felt dreadful. I blamed myself for it all, was I not doing enough? I had sent her almost £2,000 of my own money since she said she was poor. She knew how to get it out from me too, she would exploit my generous nature by saying she didn’t want it, but when I offered she would brighten up and shower me with the words she previously said she couldn’t. She also, crucially, told me not to say a word about our relationship to any of our immediate friends. She said that she didn’t want our relationship details to split apart a small friend group (that included O, who I'd been sent photos where he derided me and said that it wasn't fair that she talked to me more than him - which I forgave since he might've had the wrong impression or something).
One night, she had an episode and snapped at me, saying that we’d break up because she couldn’t be a partner to me anymore. She said it was unfair how I would move over to her, knowing she couldn’t do the same to me. And I stayed and comforted her, I was determined to salvage it because I genuinely loved her with all my heart. That night, she was rushed to the hospital because of the episode, and I was terrified. I stayed with her all night, didn’t sleep at all because of the difference in time zones, and I sent her money for the cab back. And the next day, she said it was a mistake breaking up with me and that she wanted to stay together because she still loved me. I was overjoyed.
Then, she became even more distant. She would find small things in my mannerisms and call me out on them, such as me making jokes or not understanding certain things about life. One incident got so bad I had to leave the call midway because of how she would rant and curse me out for simply not understanding the subject matter we were discussing. Then, one day, we were in a collective call with the aforementioned friend group, and she barely paid me any notice, mostly interacting with O and ignoring me completely. I sent her a message where all I did was ask about how she was, and she broke it off again, this time for good. During the time we got back together, I had sent her another ~£300.
The next few weeks are a blur, since several instances of my personal life started going south. I had finals coming up, a pillar of my community had passed away, my mother had been found to have a tumor in her uterus, my two siblings and my father both got sick - all of this on top of the excruciating pain of a break up.O was messaging me, saying how lucky I was to have had her to begin with and that I somehow met her standards in a way to comfort me. She kept reiterating she wanted us to be friends, and a part of me still loved her. I'm someone who tries to see the good in everyone, so I made up excuses to forgive her. I think she knew about this, because she'd send me memes with captions like "where my hug at" and so on. So I told her about my situation, and she pressed about information about my mother. I told her I mentally wasn't prepared to handle any of these, since I was in a pit of my own sorrow, but she pressed. Once I told her, she alleged I faked the entire thing. She said that when we were dating, she'd noticed "inconsistencies" about my statements (but for some reason never brought them up) then attempted to hammer in the fact I was a liar by stating that the details I had given surrounding diagnostic criteria and the treatment methods were widely different to what she knew - irrespective of the fact that we both lived in different countries.
Once I asked her to bring up the inconsistencies she mentioned, she did, and I debunked them instantly. One such as how whenever she argued back with me I always changed my opinions to match hers, which I said was because I'm genuinely not an argumentative person and would prefer not to argue with someone I cared so much about. She said that the chill attitude I had suddenly changed when it was revealed someone was verbally abusing her - as if it wasn't my responsibility at the time to defend my GF.
I sent her proof of everything, but she ignored. She said that if I couldn't justify why I was so supposedly inconsistent surrounding my own mother's potential cancer, she'd cut me off for good, and she gave me a day. Bearing in mind that I had told her multiple times I wasn't in the best space of mind to talk about any of this, and despite the fact that we lived in different countries. She refused to take any of these explanations.
So, I opened up to a friend about her abusing me, he then told someone (L) he trusted about how she was abusive to me and the response was immediate. L must've shared what I said to her friends, and I was shown L saying that there was no way my ex could ever have done any of these things. Within an instant, O was screaming in my DMs about how horrible of a person I was to even insinuate she had abused me, and he took measures to get me removed from every one of our communities despite him even admitting it was wrong.
To put icing on the shit covered cake this was, immediately after our breakup, everything she said she couldn't do when we were in a relationship, she was doing to O behind my back. She was video calling him on the regular, telling him aspects about our relationship, showing him our private messages behind my back despite her vehemently insisting to me not to do that exact thing.
Nobody came to me for my side of the story, simply because nobody believed she could ever do such a thing, and I was punished for merely speaking out about my abuse to people I believed I could trust.

Hi! First and foremost, thanks for your interest and I apologize in advance for how long this is, I like to be thorough. I want to start this off with some important things regarding playing at my digital table. My games are all inclusive both OOC and IC, that means both the players and the inhabitants of the game world will be varied. There will be cultural and ethnic diversity, there will be people with physical disabilities, there will be LBGTQ+ characters, the game may very well (see: likely) explore mental health, gender identity, and any number of things. My games are a safe place and I take that promise very seriously. I cannot stress this enough; bigotry of any kind will not be tolerated. There won’t be a warning, there won’t be a compromise, you’ll be out of the game, period. If you can’t manage this, then please save everyone some time and just don’t read further.
Now with that said, let’s discuss the beautiful game of D&D and this campaign and how I DM my games. My games are presented less as a static sequence of events and more of threads in the world that can be followed in any order. In a shorter campaign like this one there has to be a little more structure than a longer campaign, but this is not a railroad. Whatever ending we find to this campaign, we will find it together. Whether that’s the traditional fight the BBEG, talk them down, or join their side and plunge the world into chaos, it’s all on the table.
This campaign is set in the homebrew world that I have created and in truth I am using the campaign to explore individual parts of the world and hopefully expand upon the lore, add new NPCs, sure up any shortcomings, etc. Not because I’m publishing an adventure or anything, just because I really enjoy worldbuilding and having player choices affect the world going forward.
I like to incorporate backstories into the plot, I want everyone to have a chance to really feel a part of the story, not just along for the ride. This is also limited in a shorter campaign like this, but we can work together to give you something to identify with in this world. Whether it be directly connected to a figure in your backstory or just incorporating a theme or dynamic that resonates with your character, let’s find a way. If you give me something to work with, I promise I will find a way. This is a collaborative story, let’s create something hauntingly beautiful together.
There will be a session 0 to go over lines and veils, character creation, as well as just getting comfortable with one another. If there is a need for it to go over additional character creation, getting more acquainted with one another, or anything else we can also have a session 0.5. The point is that we are all comfortable when we begin play. Without any further ado, let’s finally get to the campaign details!
Campaign: Homebrew
System: D&D 5e
Players Needed: I already have some players, looking for 3-4 more.
Ratio: My games tend to lean more towards the RP heavy side of things though I do mix in combat. There are very few potential combat encounters that can't be solved in another way via talking, parlaying, or creativity. The amount of combat is dependent on the group as a whole. I would say in terms of planned potential combat that it will be a 60:40 or even 70:30 lean towards RP.
Scheduling: Bi-Weekly Wednesday 7pm-11pm CST, for 6-12 sessions. There is a chance this goes longer depending on RP, but I believe it will fit into 12 sessions. There’s no hard start date, just when we get the right players we will start scheduling, but it will be within a few weeks.
Software: Discord for voice, Foundry for VTT, D&D Beyond for character creation.

Character Creation:

• This campaign can work with players starting at level 3 or level 5. It will be decided by a group vote on which we start at. This allows for the characters to have some level of experience and renown but not be adventurers of legend (yet).
• All characters get a free feat. The caveat here is that if you pick a newer background that grants a feat, you don’t get an additional feat.
• Play the character you want, don’t worry about party composition. It’s my job as DM to worry about balancing the game, items, and encounters around party composition.
• Interparty conflict is fine and makes for good RP, deliberately obtuse characters designed for the sole purpose of being antagonistic to the party are not.
• All official content is allowed and most 3^rd party content is as well. If you want to use some homebrew content, send it to me so I can review it to ensure it’s balanced.
• We roll for stats. 4d6kh3, drop the full set if under 72 unless you just want to keep them. Rolled in D&D Beyond. I trust my players to not lie about rolls or to try to re-roll 20 times for ideal stats. If I find that I can’t trust you to be honest then we just can’t play together.

Setting:

Welcome to Elysiia, the year is 756 PSC - or Post-Second Cataclysm - and Elysiia is a vibrant planet. Long gone are the days of the Primordials’ dominion over the lands, gone also is the War of Gods, sealed away thousands of years ago. From the ashes of a bygone era has risen a thriving land with many diverse people. From the displaced Feylands of Remcourt - home to fey descendant creatures and prison to incorporeal creatures unfortunate enough to be caught behind it's barrier - to the Flying City of Arigon, floating among the clouds interweaving magic, nature, and technology.
Our story, however, begins in the lands of Morroch, born after the splitting of the worlds by the World Serpent. It is said that Morroch was a point of direct impact of the World’s Serpent’s bite, leaving behind the most diverse array of biomes on Elysiia, much of it incorporated with serrated mountains and rolling hills. There is much to explore here including the northern region belonging primarily to the Stone Giants of Thulkna who call the Crimson Peaks – given their name because of the reddish color of the soil – home. Let us not forget the western seaboard of the Tilltona Coast, cliff-lined coasts with treacherous waters and frequent storms, home of the Storm Giants of the nation of Salleria.
For this story, we explore the Decayed Heights of the western region of Morroch. A brutal and unforgiving arid desert dominated by three powerful tribes: the Jeswye, renown for their connection to fire and abilities as blacksmiths and warriors; the Sandstriders, Lizardfolk who traverse the vast desert with ease, trading, and maintaining the fragile peace; and the Ironhoof Tribe, fierce warriors who thrive in the storm-battered coastal regions of the Decayed Heights.
Recently, the long-standing tension between the Jeswye and the Ironhoof has escalated to the brink of war, threatening the stability of the entire region and crucial trade routes that allow for safe passage through an otherwise inhospitable region. The campaign will begin in the floating bustling trade city of Vespera, located off the coast of the Decayed Heights. Here the characters have received a request from a representative of the Merchant’s Guild to meet to discuss a lucrative opportunity that is for the betterment of the world.
More world info and campaign info will be given before character creation and upon request (I will never turn down an opportunity to talk about lore and worldbuilding).
Who am I? My players typically call me Hex or simply Chris (he/him)

• 33
• DMing for 4 years
• I work in tech so I like to try to do cool tech shit with my VTT.
• I’m a power nerd and love a bit of everything. Anime, comics, rp, tech, ttrpg (obviously), video games, writing, wrestling.
• For me D&D is a collaborative storytelling experience. I’m not out to murder your PCs or make things overly difficult for the sake of making you sweat.
• If I had to rate my skillset as a DM I’d say I’m very good at improv and storytelling but I don’t have a huge vocal range so I won’t be mesmerizing you with a unique voice for each NPC. I do what I can.
• These games are designed for me to experiment with technology, new in-game locales, cultures, etc. and as such some aspects are generated on the go or in the case of technology might experience some technical difficulties.
• Rule of cool. Yes the rules have a place, no we won’t be throwing them completely out. But if something is creative and feasible to at least attempt, yeah you can roll for it. If it’s not feasible I won’t even ask for a roll.

In closing, I’ve attached a google form below to fill out. I hate forms that make trying to get into a D&D game feel like a job interview so I’ve tried to stray away from that as much as possible. I don’t care how much experience you have, be it you’re entirely new or a 20 year vet. But comments, messages, and chat requests can often get missed so this helps me make sure I’ve seen everyone’s submissions. If you've made it this far, thank you so much for your time and patience.
If the post is not marked closed, I am still reviewing submissions.
https://forms.gle/5E1Qm2ghAU73gNGN8

tl:dr—I don’t understand providers and plans as well as I thought I did. I’m being charged double what my buyback is, and want to look at my options. Is this normal now, and what success has anyone had with solar and electricity plans in Texas?
Context: I live on the gulf coast in Texas and really needed to find ways to make my electricity more affordable. In addition to adding a Smart Control thermostat, we also decided to get panels. They were finished installed and connected this March. However, I thought I understood the way the panels and service from my provider would work, but I absolutely did not as I’m still deep in the ridiculous rabbit hole of how providers don’t allow for good rates on buyback anymore it seems. I’ve done as much looking around as I could at companies, reviews, older Reddit /Solar experiences, and I just want to have feedback on the current rates and experiences.
My current provider, Reliant, is charging .11/kWh for import, and buying back at .05/kWh. My first month be provided about 100 kWh more than we used, yet our credit towards the bill was around $40, leaving a $70 bill. The panels were installed by a third party company and we pay a little over $200 for 5 years to own the system.
Now I didn’t expect a “free” usage from my provider once the bills came around, but this is just ridiculous. And that first month was us covering our entire usage, but it won’t always be this way. Like right now, it’s very cloudy and we aren’t producing enough to match our usage. Did providers seriously nerf the buyback rates to continue their profits in the growing solar market? Because paying $20k for an electric bill to be marginally reduced is absurd. The fault is mine for not fully researching before I jumped in, I usually am more vigilant than this. I’ve talked with a rep at Gexa that claimed they had a 1:1 buyback and rollovers. I saw Octopus claimed the same, and TXU. But I’m skeptical based on reviews. I feel like this is a repeat of what happened with cellphone companies once text messaging became “free”.
What should I expect for plans and from what companies? I want to switch to something better, but I also understand that I’m still gonna be charged something. I’m also still learning terminology, so if you could explain some of those that I may not understand, that would be appreciated.

I had my 4th date with this guy on Sunday. Prior to that, I was traveling for a month and texted him when I got back to let him know and ask how he'd been. We texted for a week before making plans and I noticed his responses overall seemed a little slower than usual. He was never a speedy texter to begin with, usually taking at least a few hours, but there were a couple times he'd take close to 24. He did reply quicker when I asked him out though. It came up then that the reason for his slower replies, and why he couldn't meet until the end of the week, was because his uncle recently got surgery and he had to go over basically everyday during/after work to care for him. His uncle lives in a more rural area, so there's a lot of outdoor, strenuous tasks he needed to help out with. As a result, he hasn't been hanging out with anyone and he normally sees friends frequently.
We got dinner on Sunday. Since he planned and paid for the first 3 dates, I wanted to take care of this 4th but he insisted on paying for that too. He also asked about going somewhere else for dessert after, which he let me pay for. He understandably seemed a bit more tired than usual, but otherwise the vibes were more or less the same as always. At the end, he walked me to my train station and told me to text him when I got home, which I did and he replied that he had too.
So far, we've only had dinner dates so I felt it was time we have an activity date. I told him before going to bed at midnight that tonight was fun, let's do an activity next time. He hasn't replied yet but he has read receipts on and I saw he "read" the message at noon yesterday. He tries not to leave me on read but sometimes he does open my message, gets distracted by something and doesn't reply until later. So seeing he "read" my message didn't immediately ring any alarm bells but it's now close to 24 hours since he "read" it and there still hasn't been a response. I know he's at his uncle's again this week, so I'm not sure if I should just give him until tonight or tomorrow to reply, or if I should take it as he's not interested enough.

Hi,
I need some advice on how to reform the bond I had with a friend. I'm in a relationship and hook-up with a friend. Background story, this guy and I became friends for about 2-3 years now. We always good conversations. Never awkward or made a move on each other. Fast forward to now, we spontaneously had a fling.
He said I was being flirty and he decided to make moves and there were some attractions - but he doesn't know if the attraction is to me or the idea of exploring. The next morning, I was in his arm while he was caressing me. And after we got up, he was still giving kisses and touching me, which IDK if that's normal cause I usually don't have one night flings. Then I went home and we acted like everything was fine. Except, now I want more of his touches. I tried to ask to talk about the night cause I didn't understand why he suddenly wanted to do it with me. He was telling me he's busy, etc. Then we went to an event together and he hugged me like normal. That screwed up with my mind.
Then finally, we had a talk and he tells me that we shouldn't continue because he doesn't think we'll have a relationship and don't want to invest time into exploring that. And that he's generally a person that is afraid to catch feelings. Might explain why he doesn't want to continue.
So after our talk, he kind of left my messages on read. But I also sent an additional message asking about something casual, and he didn't even read the message. Why would he do that? Is our friendship fked? I thought he'd want more sex since he actually finished quickly. He doesn't seem to want to be friends with benefit.
I don't want to be in a relationship with him. I just want him to respond and be normal again. I also want him to want me. But I already sent him a message, and I don't wanna keep sending it cause he might just continue to leave my messages unread. And that will hurt my pride even more.... So. Somebody give me their wisdom please cause I keep thinking about him and how I want more, how I want to go back to normal even if we don't continue the fling, how I want him to talk to me again. Do I give him space? What if space pushes our friendship away? So many questions. I'm new to this hookup thing.
Thanks!

I can't get over the thought of what I should have done differently. Last weekend my boyfriend came to the same festival where I was with his friends. I noticed on the first night that something about him seemed "off." I left the scene, and later my friend told me he had said, "I want to kill myself, don't tell my girlfriend." We had a little argument, after which he yelled in my face that he wanted to kill himself. He then ran away and a couple of hours later sent me a picture from the emergency room bed with the caption, "Sorry, I tried to kill myself. Enjoy life."
I was shocked because there had been no signs of this. He had been depressed since last fall, and it affected me as well. I was in shock and said I couldn't handle this anymore. After that, we exchanged messages throughout the night, and then he sent pictures from a highway telling me he is not going to live without me. He said he was about to jump in front of a truck. I talked him out of it and said that if he promised to get help, I definitely wanted to stay with him. He promised never to do this again and wanted to get himself better. We said we loved each other so much, and he promised to be sober the next festival day. After that police took him to first aid station which he left almost immediately, because he’s friends had called 911.
The next day, we talked about it a little. However, due to my shock, I couldn't talk much, but we agreed to discuss it later. At some point, I noticed he was buying alcoholic drinks. I got angry with him because he had promised to stay sober. I said, ”you can't drink any alcohol in this state, so why are you doing this?” He mumbled something like, "in this situation, there is no other option." We argued and yelled at each other. He has normally been the calmest person in the world and hates violence, but when he yelled right in my face, I was really scared he would attack me. There was so much hate in his eyes that I feel like I couldn’t recognize that person anymore.
At some point during the argument, he yelled, "Thanks to you. Now I'm going to kill myself" and ran off. I immediately went to find his friends to get help with the situation. A moment later, he sent me a picture from the train tracks. The caption read, "Goodbye." I tried to persuade him to leave, but he insisted he wouldn't, that he had nothing, and that he was mentally ill. At this point, I called emergency services, and when I tried to call him immediately after that, his phone was off.
The police called me an hour after the situation and said that my boyfriend had already passed away just before I called emergency services. I'm completely shattered because I blame myself for this. Why didn't I force him to leave the festival? Why didn't I take him to the emergency room for the third time? This questioning is the worst thing about the whole situation. On the other hand, I try to be compassionate; he never expressed how bad his situation had gotten. Still, I will never get over this.

I have a birthday today 🥳
My narcissistic ex behaved badly the day after Valentine’s Day, so I left. I hoped he would change, and that’s what he was communicating to me. He apologized for his bad behavior (for the 1000th time 🤦🏻‍♂️), and I thought, "Well, you love him and promised never to leave him," so I struggled for weeks until he decided that his “narcissistic” traits and freedoms (hookups) were more important than me.
I was crushed and heartbroken because he was so mean and sarcastic, and put me through hell, but always insisted he would change and how much he loved me. For everyone out there - look for actions, not words!
After that, I sent him paragraphs explaining what he caused and how much he hurt me, only to get small or no response. So I cried and suffered, but then... I stood up (you can’t wear a crown with your head down) and I decided that never again will any man treat me with disrespect. I did nothing wrong and I deserve to be loved and treated with respect. The last time I saw him, I told him it was the last time he would see me.
Fast forward to the weeks after, he tried to “establish any form of connection.” NO REACTION from my side.
He blew up trips we bought - fine, I will survive (I felt very sad but didn’t show it to the public who knows him). He canceled my trip ticket shortly before my birthday even though he still had plenty of time ahead - fine, I wouldn’t have gone with him anyway.
So, I was very surprised when he sent me an email today congratulating me on my birthday and wishing me all the best, ending with “much love (his name).🤦🏻‍♂️”
To be honest, I would have preferred he not write me. He is blocked everywhere else, so the message was clear. I think he realizes that I was the good one and that finding a man like me could be difficult, but it’s his problem now.
Stay proud and be happy. We got this ;)

I have a birthday today 🥳
My narcissistic ex behaved badly the day after Valentine’s Day, so I left. I hoped he would change, and that’s what he was communicating to me. He apologized for his bad behavior (for the 1000th time 🤦🏻‍♂️), and I thought, "Well, you love him and promised never to leave him," so I struggled for weeks until he decided that his “narcissistic” traits and freedoms (hookups) were more important than me.
I was crushed and heartbroken because he was so mean and sarcastic, and put me through hell, but always insisted he would change and how much he loved me. For everyone out there - look for actions, not words!
After that, I sent him paragraphs explaining what he caused and how much he hurt me, only to get small or no response. So I cried and suffered, but then... I stood up (you can’t wear a crown with your head down) and I decided that never again will any man treat me with disrespect. I did nothing wrong and I deserve to be loved and treated with respect. The last time I saw him, I told him it was the last time he would see me.
Fast forward to the weeks after, he tried to “establish any form of connection.” NO REACTION from my side.
He blew up trips we bought - fine, I will survive (I felt very sad but didn’t show it to the public who knows him). He canceled my trip ticket shortly before my birthday even though he still had plenty of time ahead - fine, I wouldn’t have gone with him anyway.
So, I was very surprised when he sent me an email today congratulating me on my birthday and wishing me all the best, ending with “much love (his name).🤦🏻‍♂️”
To be honest, I would have preferred he not write me. He is blocked everywhere else, so the message was clear. I think he realizes that I was the good one and that finding a man like me could be difficult, but it’s his problem now.
Stay proud and be happy. We got this ;)

I have a birthday today 🥳
My narcissistic ex behaved badly the day after Valentine’s Day, so I left. I hoped he would change, and that’s what he was communicating to me. He apologized for his bad behavior (for the 1000th time 🤦🏻‍♂️), and I thought, "Well, you love him and promised never to leave him," so I struggled for weeks until he decided that his “narcissistic” traits and freedoms (hookups) were more important than me.
I was crushed and heartbroken because he was so mean and sarcastic, and put me through hell, but always insisted he would change and how much he loved me. For everyone out there - look for actions, not words!
After that, I sent him paragraphs explaining what he caused and how much he hurt me, only to get small or no response. So I cried and suffered, but then... I stood up (you can’t wear a crown with your head down) and I decided that never again will any man treat me with disrespect. I did nothing wrong and I deserve to be loved and treated with respect. The last time I saw him, I told him it was the last time he would see me.
Fast forward to the weeks after, he tried to “establish any form of connection.” NO REACTION from my side.
He blew up trips we bought - fine, I will survive (I felt very sad but didn’t show it to the public who knows him). He canceled my trip ticket shortly before my birthday even though he still had plenty of time ahead - fine, I wouldn’t have gone with him anyway.
So, I was very surprised when he sent me an email today congratulating me on my birthday and wishing me all the best, ending with “much love (his name).🤦🏻‍♂️”
To be honest, I would have preferred he not write me. He is blocked everywhere else, so the message was clear. I think he realizes that I was the good one and that finding a man like me could be difficult, but it’s his problem now.
Stay proud and be happy. We got this ;)

Video Guide

TL;DW:

It's about that time of year again. Every so often, we add another 1000 or so people to this subreddit and many of them want to fly with a wingman but aren't sure how to accomplish that.
Despite my best efforts to explain it just about everywhere I can find places for text, the message doesn't get through to everyone.
So, after neglecting it for a LONG time, I finally sat down to just make a whole ass video dedicated to finding a wingman to fly Sim with.
Flying with a buddy on comms can turn a good night of flying into a GREAT night of flying. Being saved by your friend is an awesome feeling, only really surpassed by being able to return the favor!
Unfortunately, Reddit is not a great tool for live interactions. It is simply too slow, operating in the realm of hours; but you need somebody to fly with NOW!
So, we have a Discord
You might hear people calling this the "WingalingDragon" discord... but I assure you, it doesn't belong to me. I may have built it, and I might manage it... but I didn't make it to serve my selfish purposes. I built it for YOU! It is OUR Discord.
The Discord requires no membership, registration, following commitment, nor for you to be in a squadron. I refuse all monetization and sponsorship efforts. I have also removed my name from the server to remove any sense of bias or fandom.
Users from all over WT who enjoy Sim find themselves there, because it is the largest single Discord for WarThunder Sim... and if you're looking for people who want to fly with a mic... that is where most of them are!
But how do you get to flying with them?

THERE IS A "LOOKING FOR GROUP" (LFG) FUNCTION!

The Discord itself doesn't subscribe to the usual "mass notifications" of other servers. I will never @everyone you. EVERYTHING IS OPT-IN ONLY!!!
This means if you want to hear notifications of people forming groups to fly... all you've got to do is head to the #lfg-roles-looking-for-group section and select the appropriate roles that fit your need.
You aquire these roles by reacting to the appropriate category that matches what you want to do!
There is all sorts of stuff (ground Sim, air Sim, IL2, DCS, etc... and more can always be added if the community wants it!)
Once you have the roles, you're free to use them to shout out into the ether. This will allow tons of other users, who have also opted-in, to hear your call and respond.
Just don't spam the roles, please! (This annoys people and degrades the system for everyone)

Listen for LFG calls!

However you want to do this. I've got discord on my phone with notifications. So I get a little message everytime somebody makes a call. I'm not always available to fly... but when I am, I try to hop in with them. So if you see other users flying... don't hesitate to jump in!
But what if nobody is flying or the people flying aren't doing what you want to do?
Just send out your own LFG call to the server and describe what you're after!

Okay, I made an LFG call... now what?

This next step is HYPER-CRITICAL. You have to make it super easy for people to find you... you do that by making yourself available.
CREATE YOUR OWN VOICE CHANNEL!
The discord can host an unlimited amount of Voice Channels. It expands and contracts in real time based on demand.
To create a voice channel, you simply go to the game category that you're playing (WT, IL2, DCS) and click the

HUB - Join to create

This will force our bot to open your voice channel and move you into it. Once that is done, the bot will also make you the moderator of your voice channel. This means YOU ARE THE BOSS!
You can set the rules in your VC however you see fit. Want to limit the users? Force Push to talk? Make yourself a priority speaker? Kick somebody out if they're being annoying? Whatever... up to you. If it is your VC, you're in charge.
If people don't like your VC, they can leave and make their own VC.
Once you've made a VC and sent a LFG call, you simply give our community time to hear and respond. Remember that it takes time for people to boot up their PCs, patch their game, hook up their VR headsets... so don't expect people to jump in instantly. Just get to flying and hang out in your VC while you wait for a wingman.
The more people we get familiar with LFG and signed up, and the more users we have using the system correctly... the better it works for everyone!
Keep in mind that not everyone will have your aircraft, nation, or tier... so if you're having trouble finding people to fly something super specific... try to be flexible with your LFG calls.
"I'm flying EC8 right now, but I'll fly whatever you want. I just want to fly with a wingman"
Stuff like that will go a long way toward getting people to show up!
After you've had your fun and are ready to Hangar your planes for the night... simply disconnect from the VC and the bot will come behind you after a minute to clean up and close down all the empty VCs. So no need for you to do janitorial duty, it is all taken care of for you!
Another great way to find and meet the community is to show up to our regularly scheduled community events, held on our Event Discord
These are more causal custom games where we all just dick around in big ass formations and have a good time recreating history or amassing fantastic raids. That is our sister server, run by the familiar Krab_Nation. We are always looking for community input on events to build and fly... so if you have thoughts on that stuff, share them on the event discord!
That's about all there is to it. It's not terribly complicated, but it isn't common knowledge.

IF YOU SEE PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO FIND A FRIEND TO FLY WITH

Please take the time to explain the discord to them, or direct them to me so I can do so!
Let's face it guys... Sim is just more fun with a big group of people. The more people we can get flying together, the more fun we can all have.
Being able to create lobbies... or have awesome coordinated battles shouldn't be some streamer privilege... so I've worked really hard to give as many tools as I can to the community so that they can enjoy sorties the same way I do... with a sky FULL of like minded pilots who want to fly, fight, and win! EVERYONE has the power to get involved and watch somebody else's six. Don't fly alone!

TL;DR:

Go to Discord
Navigate to #lfg-role-looking-for-group
Select the tags that fit your needs.
Listen for other people calling out tags, and join their voice channels
Or
Send out a message mentioning the appropriate @LFG tag THEN create a voice channel by clicking
HUB - Join to create
This will force a bot to create a voice channel for you and the bot will move you into it.
Fly around while connected to voice channel and greet any new pilots who pop in to say hello.
Have fun!
^o7
-Dragon

Well met, weary traveler! Welcome to my humble abode. Be it Fate or your own searching that led you here, be certain that you will not leave my place without clarity or a lighter heart. Beware though, as the cards will tell only the truth, they will not lie or deceive you, be it if you are ready to hear the answers or not. Step in and ask what heavies your soul!
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