I need help, badly
General forum
Posted on March 18, 2016, 1:27 p.m. by Mindgrind
At my school we have a Magic the Gathering club started by a friend and I, recently a card in a members deck went missing (Lighthouse Chronologist) after letting a newer player borrow his deck. That was about a week ago, and now the newer play claims he bought one, yet it has the same wear/damage as my friend card. Im stuck between a rock and a hard place; either boot him out of the club for stealing, or let him be. But theres the risk of booting an innocent person, or letting a thief continue to be a part of our club. This is a very serious matter and I need advice
Raging_Squiggle says... #3
Ask him where he bought it, when he bought it, and if he can provide proof of purchase. Otherwise, the evidence is compelling against him if the card has identical marks/wear-and-tear as the one your friend had.
Following that, if he does give you the name of a store, do some research. Call or visit the store to see if they've recently had a sale involving Lighthouse Chronologist. If they are reluctant to answer, just explain the situation that someone has possibly stolen your card and claimed to have bought it from that location, and you're hoping to find some answers.
If he fails to provide proof, confront him about it. But do so without unnecessary hostility. Give him an ultimatum, saying either give the card back, or exclude him from further games in your playgroup until he does give it back.
I personally wouldn't play with a thief, or a cheater, especially if that title is confirmed and not rumor, because that is not in the spirit of the game and shouldn't be tolerated.
That being said, Magic is also a social game, and not meant to be cutthroat or unforgiving to players who make poor life choices. If multiple people wish to play with that guy/girl, I will participate. But I will constantly keep my eyes on him and his actions, and constantly ask questions to determine he plays fairly.
I would never let him touch any of my cards or go near them again, if he is caught as a thief, and he has no right to argue otherwise because his actions gave that consequence.
People might argue/disagree with me saying "oh it's just a 9 dollar card, don't worry about it." And so on. My answer to that: it's not the price of the card, it's the fact that the stealing took place. A basic land could be stolen, and I would still do the same. Stealing in and of itself is a crime, and shouldn't be forgotten and without some sort of consequence. Granted the consequence would be more severe if the card involved is a Jace, the Mind Sculptor or a card +$100.
March 18, 2016 1:55 p.m.
Ryjo Quinn had 2 Lighthouse Chronologists in his deck, and this was an exception, as Quinn rarely lends his deck to people.
March 18, 2016 2:15 p.m.
Does Quinn box his decks or similarly contain them so that a single card getting out is unlikely? I'm no betting man, but if he does then I would bet that the guy stole his card.
March 18, 2016 2:20 p.m.
Ryjo he has a Golgari Grave-Troll box and has sleeves with a creepy smiling black dude on them.
March 18, 2016 3:49 p.m.
Hallowed_Titan says... #9
Sounds stolen. I had a "friend" do this to me. Showed off his new cards he just bought-dude I'm literally missing every one of those outta my binder....I'll be taking them back now....thanks bye.
Ryjo says... #2
How many Lighthouse Chronologists were in the deck? Can he prove he bought the card? Does the way the deck travels lend itself to cards going missing?
I think it sounds too fishy, and that coming down with an iron fist will help prevent incidents like this from happening in the future.
March 18, 2016 1:55 p.m.