A new beta is out, see original post for changes!

Not really. He fixed this one thing while replaying the game, but then threw a tantrum because of some other unfixed random bugs and vanished again! Is it true that he never really finished the Arcanum patch?

Well, if you really get down to it, patching never finishes, it just stops one way or another. As for Unofficial Arcanum Patch, Drog did release several versions of it among many other things like high resolution patch, high quality townmaps and high queality music packs (MP3/WAW), Extra Animations Pack (for UAP) and many others. The patch contains quite extensive collection of fixes too and is pretty much essential if you want to enjoy the game.

He just eventually stopped working on everything related to Arcanum (iirc he eventually got fed up working on it). It's not unusual really nor can I really blame him for it. Not everyone is as enduring and persistent as you ;-p (you've been working on VtMB how many years now? x-D Really appreciated as is all the work everyone else involved into it.).

Unfortunately he did not leave source files nor documentation of his work behind and no one has since taken up his mantle. I don't think there's many (if there is even anyone) in Arcanum modding scene left that could pick it up as the scene has shrunk considerably since he left (6 or so years ago I think).