I agree, within a specific period of the DE's existence they were great. But I dont agree that it was Rinenud who caused their apparent demise. I would even tend to say Rinenud was one of (at least unknown to me) few who was honest OOCly.
Now, I wouldnt dare to hypothesize if the DE's success was based on OOCish shadiness or covering honesty, even if that, I confess, might have had some impression of superiority.