What, me worry?
Ariak has objectives to rebuild the database. He needs to test it. He has certain objectives that are different than the developers. Just because he left doesn't mean he's not a powerful ally of yours. If he can convert his db to HQ, and you can convert it back, then his work is to the benefit of all. If not, be glad that he's getting some work done, and we can thank him for his time.
He was faithful to the cause of the developers when many people quit. Give him time. I'm sure he loves you guys and will do whatever he can to make his database totally badass and universally usable.
About giving blind faith to only God, that's crap. I don't have faith in any god, but I have faith in the company I work for. They're good people with good objectives who fall on bad times. It's not always about profit (manager objectives) and it's not always about employee happiness or raises. We do what's best for us all. I can see Shawn doing that all day. He just wants a good emulator (his objective) and to make us all happy (like he should care, but he does). There's a lot of talented people here, waiting for the machine to start rolling again. And if everyone jumps ship, the ship is going to sink. We don't need too many database programmers when there's no emulator working. Ariak's departure is for the best. At least he left without a big scene, without burning all of his bridges. He's done nothing wrong to any of us, and he's done much good.
As for the emulator dying, that won't happen. Shawn, keep it alive and stifled if that's what it takes. Stick it in your pocket for a rainy day, and forget the drama. Remember the good times, the first time you made a mob, or the first character you made. In my opinion, it's better to tank and bleed than to let the whole party flee to ruin. This emulator will return in force after EQ 2 comes out. Believe me. When Everquest becomes a stable, final version, and the updates become minor, making the DB will be nothing. There won't be triple redundant coding. Code it once, get it working, distribute. Letting it die is just foolish. Enough people are addicted to this game that Verant will tap them for all the money they're worth over and over with new games, new fees... It becomes the next tobacco. You have the experience. You have the knowledge. You have succeeded in emulation before.
What happened to all the support? People are getting tired. They're getting bored. It happens. But the emulator can't die unless everyone gives up, including Shawn and Hogie, Lurker and Kaiyodo, and sorry to say, Ariak and the hardcore believers. But he's still emulating, just elsewhere. This project will resurrect itself when the time is right. For now, be patient and keep an ear out.
Good job so far to all the emulator designers, the people with recommendations, and the people who keep a positive attitude about this. I think you do great work for ungrateful people. You love what you do, and I'm amazed at what you can accomplish. This isn't just about whether EQEMU will survive. It should be about how to make it survive. For now, let's just sit back and bleed. Verant and bugs in software are the real opposition. Ignore the drama, and be patient, relaxed. Be glad we got to see this project even exist.
Retarded development doesn't equal death.