Envy-Proofin’ Yer Group Before Resentment Takes Root
Lad, envy’s a slow poison. It don’t come swingin’ through the door like a bugbear with an axe — nah, it creeps in quiet, like damp under yer boots. One day you’re laughin’ with the party, and the next you’re starin’ at the bard’s new magic lute like it’s the reason yer life’s gone sideways.
Envy ain’t just bad manners at the table — it’s rot in the beams. Left alone, it’ll warp the whole structure until every roll, every reward, every bit o’ praise feels like a slight against ya. And once it gets hold, it’s harder to dig out than a stubborn tick on a mountain goat.
The Cure Starts with Lookin’ Inward
Before ya start thinkin’ “if only I had what they’ve got,” take a hard look at yerself. Are ya pullin’ yer weight? Are ya playin’ the character ya built with purpose, or just wishin’ they were someone else? Remember — in a good game, every role matters. The quiet support o’ a clever cleric can turn a disaster into a victory, same as a flashy crit.
Want to sharpen yer table skills? Start with Yer Cleric Ain’t a Walkin’ Health Potion — it’ll remind ya that what ya bring to the table ain’t just about damage or loot.
Buildin’ a Table Where Envy Starves
Envy feeds on silence and distance. Break that up with honest praise. When the paladin takes a blow meant for ya, say so. When the rogue pulls off a clever trick, tip yer hat. The more we lift each other, the less room there is for petty grumblin’.
And if yer thinkin’ that sounds like soft work, think again. It takes more guts to give someone else the spotlight than it does to grab it for yerself.
Take a page from The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens — sometimes, yer best move is to shut yer gob and let someone else shine.
If the Rot’s Already Set In
If the envy’s already startin’ to bite, ya got two roads. One, address it plain with the player or GM — no theatrics, no finger-pointin’, just speak yer mind like a grown dwarf. Or two, shift yer focus. Put more o’ yer attention on what the group is buildin’ instead of what you’re gettin’.
Read If No One Trusts Ya, That’s Not a Roleplay Choice — That’s a Problem to understand how much trust is worth at the table. Spoiler: it’s worth more than any magic bauble or shiny blade.
And if all else fails? Well lad, When the Table’s Full — But It Feels Empty might just tell ya when it’s time to find a new hearth to sit at. Not every table’s worth savin’.
FAQ
Q: What if I’m not the one feelin’ envious, but I see it in another player?
A: Call it out kindly. Sometimes folk don’t even see they’re doin’ it. A bit o’ honest talk early can save months o’ simmerin’ bad blood.
Q: Should I ever just ignore envy and hope it goes away?
A: Lad, envy ignored is envy fed. It’ll only grow fatter while yer lookin’ the other way.
Q: Can the GM fix envy in a player?
A: A GM can set the tone, but they can’t change what’s in yer heart. That’s on ya.
