This is possibly only my second or third post to the world forum in the 18 months I have been on TribalWars.
I have read this topic with a mixture of sadness for his RL losses, sadness for the loss this game has also now suffered, but great joy and admiration for a man who became, in my opinion, the greatest Tribal leader on W29, if not on all worlds.
I feel I am well placed to comment on this, since 18 months ago, Damage and I were Barons of the newly formed TLA on the new (ish) W29. We were both new to the game and operating under a Duke who had acheived some success on another world. That Duke left, In Feb 2009, I think it was and the two of us (plus there was a third Baron at the time, Yessstim) agreed that I should take over as Duke, since I had until then been leading the diplomatic arrangements and had made a number of sucessful early contacts. He operated as my Baron but was really a joint leader with me, right up until the eventual masterstroke when TLA merged with LoD, formed the one and only family tribe of Arisen and declared war on -emp-. At that time, TLA came under three way management with myself, Damageboi and Ddukes. Between the three of us we had totally outflanked and out manuevred -emp-.
RL takes its toll on all of us, and I was required to take a back seat over in Arisen at which point Damageboi effectively took over TLA fully and started on the road to the greatness he achieved with TLA.
I am proud to say that I have always been in that one single family tribe, skipping between TLA and Arisen as needed, and was always proud to serve under him. Early on, we both understood that the way to greatness in this game is not through individual size, but through tribal strength. We firmly believed that you get what you give, and if you give love and respect, then this is mirrored right back at you. TLA was based on this mutual respect model, despite what some of those who left TLA may say. I feel that respect in this game cannot be demanded, but must be earned. Damageboi earned RESPECT in spades from all who have played alongside and even against him, and W29 has lost a shining light this week.
SV