Yeah I remember it was not that easy to set up, but it's gotten a lot easier recently. I switched from the native to the docker install last year and was surprised to have it all back up and running in an afternoon...
I've been using jitsi meet for video calls for years now, that should work just fine.
Matrix seems a bit overkill. I think they would be better off with something like gotify.
Take a look at dontkillmyapp.com to see if your phone provider hinders your messages.
There is unified push as Google alternative as well, which works with the schildichat matrix client.
I would recommend buying used as well. Take a look at senmotic shoes. They are expensive but are also the most durable barefoot shoes I have found.
I personally think blood omen was a way better game then all those 3d sequels. I would welcome a game in that style, kinda cool story and lots of secrets to be found.
its very easy to install via docker as mentioned above. Mumble is very lightweight. You could run the server on your desktop in the background easily or even on your router, there is a package for openwrt. The sound quality is awesome, voice is e2e encrypted and bandwidth should not be a problem either for a couple of people in the chat while you are playing.
I've been using docus (izzys fdroid repo) for some time and can recommend it.
Edit: it seems it's no longer being maintained.
I would switch to jmp immediately if only it were available in Germany.
I've learned a lot about privacy/security from xmpp chatrooms, especially the room for the conversations client and the divestos chatroom. They both are kind of support chatrooms for the chat client/ android rom but privacy is often a topic and the programmers/ rom maintainers are also present and very knowledgeable. https://search.jabber.network/rooms/1
This is not bad for a start (common commands):
https://linuxblog.io/90-linux-commands-frequently-used-by-linux-sysadmins/
I host my own email on uberspace. It's a vps where you pay what you think is appropriate per month. You can install whatever you want on the vps, but they have a very good tutorial page on how to set up services. Email among them. I set it up a couple of years ago and it just works. Email is kind of pre set up as well, so should be easy enough to get working. You can enable the spam filter as well. You can also set up alias emails for every account you open up with some other provider. I name them after that provider, for example: ebay@my-domain.com
That way I always know where the spam is coming from and just delete the alias address if necessary.
If YOU try to section me Mark you will have crossed a line and I will section you, so help me...