Adam T. Smith had some sad news for the Ultima Dragons today:

Sad news. We lost one of our own this morning. A great Ultima fan and an even better person. Justin Eckblad aka Black Dragon, we’re gonna miss you buddy.

Sad news indeed. I didn’t know the good Mr. Eckblad myself, but I gather that he was a very active and pivotal member of the Dragons. Indeed, if Cran Gallara’s recollection of events rings true, he may well have been the reason we all go by our Dragon names:

Black Dragon (Justin Eckblad) once told me that it was his idea for our club to have Dragon names… without him, we’d still be calling ourselves PUFF16512 and so on. I will remember him as the most cheerful, most enthusiastic Dragon.

So, for those of you who will be attending the Ultima Dragons 25th Anniversary Bash, something will definitely be done to honour his memory.

The First Age of Update: Codex Dragon herself brings something to our attention:

@UltimaCodex There is a memorial fund too http://t.co/7qkpZ0rAi0

— Felicia Day (@feliciaday) January 20, 2015

And, indeed, there is just such a fund:

It would seem that the good Mr. Eckblad, Black Dragon, touched a large number of lives by his joy and example. If you’re at all able, then, you may wish to pay things forward some and chip in to help his family as they struggle with this loss.