Oh, yes, Strongbow is terribly important to the relationships and action inside the story, as well as to constructing the culture and society so as to enable metaphorical resonance to the real world, as well as appealing in his own right for his motivations and struggles.

We cannot well do without Strongbow and what he represents, including when he seems to be standing in the way of developments. I doubt I'll ever forget that letter, dismissing Strongbow... the letter-writer actually said, as if it were an insult that proved his dismissal, that Strongbow was a "Republican" -- which could have prompted a genuine insight, if the letter-writer had been more conscious. Strongbow's traditionalism is not blind; it is just, fair and cautious from experience -- rules are made by survivors to pass on how to avoid the fates of the fallen -- and is a necessary and appropriate challenge to untested new ideas.

:-) I do love EQ. I hardly play in it anymore, but oh! there were days. And years. :-)