The New Swamp

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:25 am

The name changes finally took effect in North Fork.

Most people know the story of Abarsis the Slaughter Priest, but I'm going to relate it for the returning players and new guys.

Richard Hammes AKA Abarsis the Slaughter Priest was a DM player and former member of the now defunct alliance the Vendetta Cartel. Rich was very congenial and it was not uncommon to get multiple emails from him in a day. One day the emails just stopped. No warning, no explanation, just a sudden stop. A few weeks passed with no word from Rich, so I started investigating. Sadly, I came across a newspaper article from San Diego detailing an armed robbery where the store clerk was murdered. This store clerk just happened to be our friend Rich. There are many more details to this story that can be found on this website that included a contest memorial for Rich, along with information of his killer's eventual conviction.

To honor our friend and with the blessing of our Turf War teammates, Kat and I renamed North Fork to honor our fallen friend the Temple of Abarsis.

Come and visit us at the new memorial site and raise a glass in honor of our fallen comrades, whether imaginary or very, very real!

ArchMaster Poster Joined: Sep 13, 2006 Posts: 1020

I am proud to have been a part of this. Thanks for the post Darque.

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:42 am

Very cool. RIP, Rich.

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:06 pm

Excellent. And it coincides very nearly with the 5th anniversary of our loss of friend and alliancemate. If I get the chance I hope to run at least a partial team there just to be a part of the new Swamp Temple.

If anyone ever goes back through old posts and comes across a post made by Gameogre that was Rich and you'll see how naturally kind he was, and how he loved the game and the interactions with people about the game. You can also, if interested, look his posts up through the members list. You can recognize him as Richh10..... on the yahoo Duel2 board as well if anyone peruses that still.

God willing will see you again someday old friend R.I.P.

Advanced Expert Poster Joined: Nov 24, 2003 Posts: 181

Wow... that is extremely cool. I am also humbled/proud to be a part of this. When I was also one of our little merry band that was perfectly ok with Kat and Darque re-naming the arena cause they were regulars I had no idea this was the outcome.
Very cool... I like it and... awww hell even though it is a good year or so away.... well now I want to defend the arena and its name.... good call guys.

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:38 am

Thanks Folks.

It's a little bittersweet.

Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:55 pm

As a VC member I talked with Rich alot, he will always be missed. Good on you guys.