>Every time I think they're getting better because of a few >impressive villagers (say Meushen, Grolgthus, Goapa, Lobo, etc) I >witness something that puts me off again (no names mentioned).

Thanks. My $0.02 on Rio(From my villagers point of view). When he was around, he was a good addition to the village, reliable, and willing to die for the cause. (From my other characters point of view) He was a multikilling prick, who would drop the same naked person 3 or 4 times in a row (One of my big BIG pet peeves on a mud where each death permanently negatively affects your character).

From a players perspective, I have to say I didn't think his use to the village outweighed his lack of ability to log in. I've seen people who were useful additions, not just to the village but to other cabals, booted for being on more than he was. Yes when he was there he was useful, yes in the past he had "paid his dues" in time and effort. However, how useful is a soldier in an army thats AWOL 99% of the time? You can't count on them to be there, and that more than anything is why I think he should have been retired to the Old Villagers home long before his death.

All in all, when he was around he played well and with heart, even if he was dropping the same naked person over and over. Thats just ruthlessly killing the enemies of the village. It's not MY style, and I don't like it, but I can see the motivation behind it. Whats done is done, for good or ill he was a villager till the end, and I think that, more than anything is what he should be remembered for. It's pointless to rehash his playing times and usefulness vs. time online.