Thanks, guys!
Normal mode was buttery smoove, but I only got shards, energies, a dupe chest with a crappy all STR roll, and the damn Swordbreaker I didn't want.
We decided to run HM, and GRIP once again saved the day with his hunter solo of the abyss, we cheesed the bridge without incident, and ran the hallway. Deathsinger was a bit of a hurdle, but we took her down after a few brave souls suicide rocketed her. We ultimately had too many 31s to get Crota's shield down fast enough, and ended up quitting at Crota. To add insult to injury, all I ended up with was a few shards and energies.
If any kind level 32 souls would be willing to carry a 31 or two through a HM Crota kill only later this week or this weekend, it'd be appreciated.
Anyway, thanks again to the raid crew. Crota broke our will, but it I think a good time was had by all.