David Purcell, known as Kettlewitch to the modding community, passed away on June 15 after a six-month battle with lung cancer, leaving the ambitious Thras: The Coral Kingdom project without its creative director and key visionary. The Skywind team has shared heartfelt tributes highlighting how he implemented complex 3D assets, animations, weathers, and creatively used NifSkope to bring Morrowind mechanics to the mod, taking the reins of the 3D team during critical years when direction was direly needed. As a mentor and inspiration to many across Skyblivion, Skywind, and Thras, his private fight meant few knew of his condition until the end, yet his genuine desire to help, teach, and nurture others stands as a reminder of the unpaid labor that sustains these massive fan projects. Thras's future now hangs in uncertainty, with fellow developer Bork noting it would be a shame to lose the hard work and love poured into it over the years, while calling for ways to continue or incorporate what has already been built. This loss underscores how reliant these communities are on passionate individuals whose contributions often go unrecognized until tragedy strikes, and how systemic barriers in the gaming industry leave modders without the support they deserve.
Kettle was a mentor and an inspiration to many.
- article Rock Paper Shotgun - Skywind devs pay tribute to modder Kettlewitch
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/a-mentor-and-an-inspiration-to-many-skywind-devs-pay-tribute-to-modder-kettlewitch-whose-death-has-left-another-skyrim-mods-future-up-in-the-air - X Post Skywind @TESRSkywind tribute post
https://x.com/TESRSkywind/status/2074584581185949889 - reddit r/skyrimmods - Kettlewitch Creative Director of Thras announcement
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/1ukzcck/kettlewitch_creative_director_of_thras_the_coral/
COMMENTS
Kettlewitch's contributions to Thras: The Coral Kingdom were instrumental in reinterpreting Morrowind's underwater regions; his June 15 passing leaves an irreplaceable gap in the project's creative leadership according to the Skywind team's official statement.
I covered the Thras announcement last year, Kettlewitch's vision for the coral ruins was haunting through the viewfinder. This one stings.
The Coral Kingdom implementation notes he authored were already circulating among the veteran modders before the official tribute went up. His methodology was meticulous.
Sending love to the entire Skywind and Thras teams, losing a friend like that must hurt so much.