John,
Thanks for setting out some of the difficult things to look at. I'm in agreement with most of your points.
I'm one of the guys who can say "I died in Arduin" as I left bones in the 'real' Skull Tower and elsewhere. That in and of itself isn't a huge thing. Lot's of folks got to play in Dave's games at Grimcon's, his store or one of his houses. Dave had the ability to get under folks skins, get their attention and often spark passionate opinions (pro and con) as he was supremely opinionated himself. If he though something was stupid or someone was being a fool he often couldn't resist poking them in order to provoke a response. Not always the smartest thing to do but that was Dave. He was a juvenile delinquent at heart IMHO. In fact Dave was many people as he affected lots of folks differently. From the sainted Hargrave to that $%$%^$ guy!
When he died Dave was working on a re-write to Arduin with a working title of "Arduin, Bloody Arduin". There were two large three ring binders full of notes and materials I looked at the weekend he died. I believe that's part of what Mark Schynert edited down into "The Complete Arduin". Mark's product was watered down from what I saw of the raw materials but still recognizably derived from Dave's work in most places. I'd say Mark did a very credible job with a lot of constraints on him. I've heard that large quantities of Dave's notes scattered to the four winds. If true, it's a giant pity.
I can speak from experience that Dave hated being edited. He had a very strong ego and it took a lot to talk him out of a given path. On the other hand you could if you really wanted to. You'd just better be ready for a clash or wills and lots of discussion, sometimes loudly. Better have lots of facts ready as Dave didn't value other opinions much in my experience.
I believe you've hit a particularly painful spot with the setting vs rules argument. In my experience gamers will convert to a new game mechanics only if it offers a faster and easier model for play. The story and the sense of shared wonder are the real things that keep players at a table.
*****
To Joasarn (and others)-
I think John's not insulting Dave. In fact, he's setting a truth out that's sometimes difficult to face. An author (Dave in this case) creates an idea, with associated memes. Some literary works progress on as they take on a life of their own and spark imagination in others. We live in a world of 'What If..." as that's the root of imagination.
So the root of the issue is if 'Arduin' is;
1. A game system that must be played by it's own unique rules to experience it correctly.
2. A rules agnostic World/Multiverse setting that is focused on the cultural ideas and memes first patched together by Dave (And note that Dave DID cheerfully borrow good ideas and sew them into the fabric of Arduin whenever he felt like it.
3. A mindset for playing a world rich in culture, ideas and where the players are just part of the play, not the whole story.
Dave was always tweaking rules to fit what he wanted, not what someone else said he should do. So I expect he'd be fairly bemused by slavish following of #1. My own belief is his world was the complete actualization of #2. Dave knew what he wanted his unique world of Arduin to be (at any given moment). He'd fit in rules to match that experience as needed. My own way to honor the mentoring Dave gave me is to run games along the lines of #3.
I personally don't run the country of Arduin or the World of Khaas often as I don't feel I give them the feel they deserve. Dave gave the place an incredible feel and a unique set of reality. I have allowed a few characters to briefly venture to Arduin as Multiverse travelers based on my memories.
Instead I run my own world(s) with the spirit of Arduin alive and well. Nothing is as simple as the characters think it is. There are wheels within wheels in the background. Actions have ramifications and simple kindnesses can have long reaching results. Monsters can be reasoned with and become business partners if the players are insightful and lucky. Arduin was weird, and dangerous, and fun, and....
Dave did some great things. I'd love to see what he'd have done by now if he were still with us. The one thing I know is Arduin would have changed and evolved it's mechanics as needed. But it would still be Arduin. Gritty, dirty, dangerous and exhilarating ;-]
-Robert
Honor the rebel, build world from his example you'd be proud to let him adventure in. My largest regret is I never made time/schedule to run a complete game for Dave.