Long-time member, long-time lurker here. I have known so many of your names since I was a wee child. I cannot fathom what it's been like to have the pleasure of being even the slightest bit a part of this community. You all have kept this great game alive, pouring your hearts into something that tickles the hearts of so many nostalgic souls. I really wish I were more active and that I go to know a lot more of you, but it's so hard to do or get into (Hiveworkshop app when?). You're all idols to me and reading your names or seeing your conversations is like watching celebrity gossip.
It's crazy how a lot of you are still so active from General Frank, my personal HERO so many years ago (I love the tanks, but the old Bloodelf models are as engraved in my memory as Kael'thas himself). Tauer, who I loved to follow on all of his development of the Horde models. I even got to briefly talk to him, he helped me get into modeling! I'm taking a class for it next quarter, but he probably has no idea how much it meant for him to help the bit he did. Mr. Goblin, the icon king! OutsiderXE with the best custom campaigns I've ever played (please blizzard)! Ujimasa Hojo, anyone else still play his map series? I love them. Deolrin, who I remember working on the Second War campaign... I don't know whatever came of that, but it has so many great models to play with. I never made anything worthwhile with these models but they were like toys in my hand as a child. And Retera and Bribe? Get outa here! You two must've singlehandedly evolved Warcraft III modding into what it is today. I'm sure I'm missing out on a lot of backstories, a lot of your own personal inspirations, but these are names I know like TV show characters, haha. I could go on and on, and there are still names on the tip of my tongue, but...
Of course, thank you to Ralle for keeping us all together. Even the outsiders like me, who drop in on a daily basis and don't say anything. You're a hero and all of those who help you deserve as much praise. All of the staff who help you and community members who pump out content. I remember the days when Stefan.K was just beginning to create models, and it's so nice that even still this is a community people are coming into and joining. Here's to another 17 years!