First some background, me and my friends are in a D&amp;D group with me as the DM. 


Our main characters:

Dwarven: I have known him throughout my whole life and have frequently had problems with him, but we always seemed to stick together regardless. He &amp; his girlfriend were kicked from first campaign due to poor attendance and disruptive behavior

Snakeman: A socially awkward and generally negative acquaintance. I’ve been told by mutual friends that he has creepy tendencies towards some of the girls we’ve known, but I have never seen this firsthand.  


Snakeman tends to be argumentative and he conflicts with the rest of the group enough that I have to step in. Example: I was giving out free bonuses that two players had to share between themselves, Snakeman approached a newer player and told him what bonus to choose with him rather than asking him. He and this player often got into arguments, and I know the other player is a very nice person. I talk to Snakeman about his attitude in game and he says he will try to fix it.


I get a job working next to Dwarven and slowly start to open up about D&amp;D again, he says he understands why he was kicked out though we still argue a bit when I tell him that I stand by me decision even though i regret the way I did it (essentially ghosted him). He blames most of the problems I had with him on his character and his now ex-girlfriend. I decide to give him another chance and he is invited back to next campaign, but continues being slightly disruptive. 


The situation:

One session passes after my talk with Snakeman and my other friends still don’t get along with he and Dwarven. A lot of talking behind Dwarven and Snakeman’s back occurs, and I find myself having to defend their behavior even though I don’t really support it. Now, my motivation to play the game is dropping as I’m playing equal parts Dungeon Master and mediator between all of my friends. 


Eventually, I decide that I just want to play the game without drama and decide to kick Dwarven and Snakeman from the group as I am closer friends with the others. So, I call a mandatory meeting, and I call each player into a seperate room for a one on one talk where I tell them if they are staying or leaving to avoid group conflict.  


Dwarven leaves without another word, slamming my door on the way out and ghosting me at work for weeks. He leaves our discord group. 


Snakeman understands but is saddened. My friend takes this to another level and kicks him from our discord group, to which he messages me asking to be let back in. I answer honestly, saying that I don’t have the powers to do so but that I would if I could. My friend refuses to budge and claims that we are better off without him. 


I have been running the game with much more ease since and all my friends are happy with the decision, but I still feel really bad, mostly for Snakeman. Am I the asshole? A lot happened and I couldn’t fit all the info so let me know if you need more.