Just how much of a "big deal" was Fires of Heaven back in the day?

[Silverain]

I remember hearing he had the first 50, a rogue, but was also banned on that character shortly after for trading no drop items through merchants? There was a short open letter he wrote long ago asking to come back, and I suppose that's when he made Furor. Of course, I could be mistaken as it has been years, but I think I remember reading the short letter long ago.