Does a GM have a "Right" to your character?

By Meynolt, in Game Masters

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ETA: As a GM I've tried to turn a PC leaving into something beneficial for the campaign, if possible. If the player doesn't want me to use his character (never happened, ever) then I wouldn't use it. But, it can be a fun thing even while losing a party member and player. Dramatic death of a loved character? Set him up as a new resourceful NPC contact for the party? Or, the opposite. The Jedi Padawan has to leave the group? He tended to not get along with the other characters? He is SO turning to the dark side and returning as a nemesis. :)

Yeah, I was playing in a game where I realized I was really not enjoying the character and wanted to retire it and reroll. I was able to justify my departure in-setting by getting an NPC to assist the group, in return I would go work for him (which he had previously asked me to do, and made a generous offer, which I refused).

So in the end the group got the support it needed, my character left on very good terms, and I got to reroll to another character I have been enjoying more. Everyone won.

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Well... as a GM what would you do? Personally I would honor a players wishes, to me it is coming off like he is mad that I dropped, and this is his "getting back at me". I understand there are no "legal rights" but what would be considered the proper etiquette?

If you are playing with a GM that "gets back at PC's" you need to find a new GM first off. As a GM it would depend on if you character was vital to the group. Most of my players have no issue with me playing their character as they still gain XP that way and i promise not to kill them or be stupid with them. The goal of the GM isn't to screw characters over but to create a fun and memorable game.

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The most I would ever do is do some filling in the gaps between when the player isn't playing. Like "since last time your character was asked to visit the Gazenti space station".

It would be up to them if they want to add or take away minor details but just some things need to fill to make an adventure ready.

Or if a player had 2 characters (1 which isn't currently active) and say something like " the only person you could find with skill in this technology is Hebs an outlaw tech (your previous character)"

This wouldn't likely to happen often just to make things interesting or a reminder of events or to establish crossing timelines. And still always open to player suggestions as long as it isn't "my character doesn't do that think of something else". If you can't think of a solution or can't be bothered to can't complain about my attempts for trying.