Ode to the heroes, vanquisher of puzzles

Question

These heroes, although not as rare as you might think as a new one is born every 2 weeks, are precious gems appreciated by all. Sometimes all you can do is stare at them, other times you can't help but cheer them.

This ode is not only about these heroes though, but also about their vanquishers!
Their knowledge accumulated herein, forms a word that unites us all.

Oh mighty aspiring heroes, absorb the following knowledge and find the message! This important message must be exchanged with everyone for it needs many readers!

• Mighty hero, why have you fallen to such a monstrous beast. Loved by all you were. To teach us history is all you wanted. Never shall I forget the first quote of Mr. Joseph you taught us. Sorry only may I say that I have forgotten his family name.
• Oh fallen hero, master of images and Russian dolls, how cheered you were, until the time of your demise came fourth.
• Praising oneself is far from honorable, but a hero nonetheless you were. Everyone looked up to you. You were known for your love of animals, especially that one rare bird.
• Your vanity is insatiable and come back from the dead have you, to be looked upon you wanted, only to be vanquished once more disguised as a master of patterns. The five letter word that was your last still echos into your fading consciousness.
• Our last hero was a master of words. His words could really speak to us. The one who slayed him should be ashamed, for all he wanted was to play. I regret to say that I have forgotten the name of this unforgettable hero, all I can recall is the third letter.

HINT

Each hint gives 1 letter, the order is important.

Answer 1

The final answer is:

STACK

____

One is born every 2 weeks
Sometimes all you can do is stare at them, other times you can't help but cheer them.

They are the Fortnightly Topic Challenges, whose puzzles are then tallied for highest views (stares) and highest votes (cheers).

The first bullet point is for -

Fortnightly Topic Challenge #14: History
"Loved by all" says look at highest-voted: And the rest is hstr! by IAmInPLS.
  ("fallen to such a monstrous beast" references that this puzzle was solved by Beastly Gerbil.) The "quote of Mr. Joseph" references
  'Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don't let our people have guns.
  Why should we let them have ideas?' - Joseph Stalin
so gives STALIN

The second bullet point is for -

Fortnightly Topic Challenge #26: Rebus
"images and Russian dolls" references Rematry oshkabus by Sp3000,
  which combines both in its name.
That puzzle's answer is RECTIFIED — of which we take the fourth.

The third bullet point is for -

Fortnightly Topic Challenge #22: Animals
"Everyone looked up to you" says look at most viewed: My friend is quite silly by stack reader.
  ("Praising oneself" references that this puzzle was set by OP.)
The rare bird reference points to the ALBATROSS in that puzzle.

The fourth bullet point is for -

Fortnightly Topic Challenge #20: Pattern
"To be looked upon" says look at most viewed: Find the secret word by stack reader.
  ("Your vanity is insatiable..." references that this puzzle was again set by OP.)
"five letter word that was your last" is the puzzle answer, MAGIC — of which we take the last.

The fifth bullet point is for -

Fortnightly Topic Challenge #25: Wordplay
"His words could really speak to us" references I never knew my words could speak!
  by Ankoganit — which was most favorited.
The vanquisher is ANKOGANIT — of which we take the third.
  (The "heroes" are the FTC topics, and "vanquishers" the winners; should "the name of this unforgettable hero" refer to a vanquisher instead?)

Assemble what we've found, and it gives

STACK