Related situation, but somewhat reversed happened to me tonight. I was the leader on one of two teams running a Lambda trial tonight. Midway through, someone in the league asks about why Player X is just hovering by the gate. (We are inside sabotaging by this point.) Another player states, "They're just leaching." (sic) Hmmm.
I check the chat log in case I missed a tell or message saying "brb" or the like; nothing. Wait for the player to respond; nothing. Now, I've never been one to allow a freeloader without asking me first so, without thinking, I booted the alleged "leacher." Most BAF and Lambda runs are pretty fast-paced, so I didn't think much of it and got back to pulling my share after remarking that they were "gone now." In retrospect, I probably should have sent a tell to see what was up, but I didn't want to be accused of sitting around not doing my part either.
Fast forward to the end of the mish, we're fighting Maurauder, and the league leader starts the League-chat inquiry of "Who booted so-and-so?" Really? In the middle of fighting Maurauder, let's stop and get to the bottom of this crisis issue? I just kept on fighting; not a time to take a Nova Punch while in chat. A minute or so later, I get a tell from the booted individual: (something to the effect of) "Hey d-bag! I wasn't leeching, I had something come up with my kids; it was an emergency! You're a bad person who probably doesn't have kids and can't relate." Then the league leader decides to get onto league chat and lecture me on booting people.
Now I'll admit, I acted in haste when I booted said individual and stupidly listened to a sarcastic remark that someone made off-the-cuff. I felt bad for unfairly booting the person. Keep in mind that prior to responding to both the booted individual and the league leader, I had not said anything, much less any name calling. The IRONY of the situation is that both of them were ragging on me for 1) assuming someone's motivations and 2) not sending a PM to see what was going on. Yet, neither extended me the same courtesy that they were insisting on.
Lessons to remember:
1) Chew someone out in front of the league for not handing a matter with someone else privately. Got it. Check.
2) If someone is afk handling an emergency with their kids that is serious enough for them to not annouce "afk," they'll be right there at the keyboard to answer your query about why they are not participating. Got it. Check.
3) Being a team leader does not give you the right to boot people in a league. Especially, if they've been gone for half of a trial and, regardless of excuse, are not contributing. Got it. Check.
4) I am automatically an uncaring d-bag with no kids who can't relate if I don't stop in the middle of a trial to check on you prior to booting you. (Boy, will my kids be sure to be shocked by this revelation. Nice assumption, champ.) Got it. Check.
5) The next time I have any situation around my house while playing, I need not worry about being booted if I do not not give a quick "afk, brb." (sweet) Got it. Check.
6) Most importantly, it's NOT just a game! Got it. Check.
