I am the Head DM responsible for making the decision to remove Creo and Hera from the DM group. The DM Team in general had no feedback on the matter and should not be held accountable, as I was the one to make the choice knowing the consequences that will result. I know quite well how much these DMs have given their all to the players, and how their removals will affect the community and staff. Because of this knowledge, it upset me to go through with the decision as much as it had upset some of you to read and wonder why talented and passionate DMs were let go.
If I had the choice to go back to that point, I will do it again. Why?
As a Head DM, one of my primary responsibilities towards this server is protecting the people who play here regardless whether they are players or staff, and this responsibility takes many forms. Sometimes that means writing and updating rules that I'd prefer not to have in a more personal gaming session. Sometimes that means having to choose between the bad or the worse options. Sometimes that means removing a popular DM, and sometimes that means remaining silent and vague in the face of (rightfully) upset and angry comments.
Former HDM Narshe phrased it more succinctly in his retirement thread:
DM Narshe wrote:You're usually the bad guy who has to say "No" or make a "lesser of two evils" decision that SOMEONE will be upset with somewhere. Just part of the job.
It's simply part of the job, and if I wished to be popular and/or well-liked in the server I have better options than being a Head DM.
That being said, sometimes we administrators make mistakes, even in removals, so all DMs who have been removed have the option to appeal their removal and defend themselves, and on rare occasions removals have been overturned. It may be a difficult process for all involved even if a removal was overturned, but protecting players and staff comes first even if it means preemptive removals and heartache. That's our main responsibility towards the server.
I doubt the above will answer all the questions you may have, but as the proverbial smoking firearm I believe in a form of explanation towards the players in this server. I'm writing this as a message and not to seek a discussion validating or condemning my actions or anyone else's, so this topic will be closed. Other administrators can elaborate if they wish to, but otherwise I do not wish to detract from the other topics that already suffice the need for discussion.
If you wish to speak with me regardless, you know where my inbox is. I'll listen.
