Does anyone have any hints on how to handle this?
2 Players really hate Player Betrayal
2 Players find it fun/interesting
1 Player finds it acceptable as long as it fits the game
2 Players don't care
The other problem is we're all friends outside of the game so we can't just ask someone to stop playing.
The main problem is the GM is quite lase fair (sp?) where as myself and a few other players consider PC betrayal one of the biggest sins in gaming. As far as actual numbers go its like this...
2 Players really hate Player Betrayal
2 Players find it fun/interesting
1 Player finds it acceptable as long as it fits the game
2 Players don't care
It sounds like the best thing to do is have all 7 talk it out. Replace whatever you want with "Player Betrayal," and it's easy to see that if anyone is uncomfortable with an aspect of the game, then that aspect should be changed. A person's comfort is more important than an easily changed plot point. But if the majority of players really want it (whatever "it" is, from PvP to what-have-you), then the minority could to along if they can tolerate it, or if it's intolerable to them, they could sit out this episode. I personally despise PvP and would rather sit it out than have to endure it, but your group consensus might be different.
It should be noted that PvP, if it is what the majority of the group wants, assumes that the PC's will respond in character to whatever happens, including unpleasant actions by an NPC or PC betrayer; essentially it makes all players treat each other as they would treat NPC's, which while interesting to some, does not make for positive group dynamics.
We did talk it out, that's how I know the numbers are what they are. We can't reach a consensus. I just want to know if anyone has any hints on how to, I dunno, deal with it better.
why did the player do it? for money? for laughs?
If it's the last of these then that's cool, but I think it'd help to explain to everyone why you don't like inter-PC conflict. If the other people involved not only understand your perspective, but your reasons for holding that perspective, maybe all of you guys can come to some sort of compromise.
One way is to retcon in a reason for the betrayal. maybe it was a doppleganger, maybe he was magically controlled, it was his evil twin, etc.
why did the player do it? for money? for laughs?
The retcon is a beautiful idea, allows him to play the character he's been playing and allows you to play with him without worrying about being betrayed again. Unless of course, he wants to play that way again. But if he says that for your sake he won't do it again then you should give him the benefit of the doubt. Friendship is bigger than one mistake, or one intentional betrayal.
Anyway, basically this person decided what would happen to all your characters by selling you. Why can you not decide to kill him? That is just as valid IMHO.
Actually I'm going to change my first statement, I wouldn't go along with it. I would let my character silently fume and then coup de grace him while it was my turn on watch. By the time he reaches for a weapon or anyone else comes to his aid he would probably be dead. If people were angry and couldn't accept what I/my PC had done then I would leave the game. After all selling one into slavery is not far from murdering them on the moral scale of things.
It may not be to their taste but they wouln't stop your PC (I should think) unless they play some sort of forgiveness freak or just abhor violence anyway (why would someone make a PC who abhored violence?).
So they could take the Vow of Nonviolence feat and get +4 to the save DC of any spell or special ability that didn't do lethal damage (or bestow negative levels, etc), and be eligible for the way overpowered Vow of Peace later. Of course, in 4e, you can just declare that any enemy you reduce to 0 HP is unconscious instead of killed, so the nonviolent party member would just be a role-playing thing without a mechanical cost or benefit.