maintainer

backbone bulwark linchpin pillar

anchor brace buttress crutch prop sinew staff standby stay strength supporter sustainer upholder

good right arm right-hand person

adherent advocate ally angel apologist backbone backer benefactor champion cohort comforter confederate coworker defender disciple endorser espouser exponent expounder fan follower friend helper mainstay partisan patron pillar preserver prop proponent satellite second sponsor stalwart stay subscriber sustainer tower of strength upholder well-wisher

enemy foe