As I write this blog, our donation total stands at $308,000. So today we’re doing a few things.
1. Adding the 300K bonus to the fundraiser.
2. Announcing the 350K stretch goal.
3. Adding a few other cool pieces of miscellany to the fundraiser.
4. Extending the end date of the Worldbuilders until January 21st at Midnight.
The main reason for #4 is that part of the 300K bonus is going to be an auction, and I wanted to be able to run it for a full seven days.
This is the last extension, so make the most of it.
- Two (2) Favors from Patrick Rothfuss.
For the last several fundraisers, I’ve given away a favor. I used to refer to this as “The Golden Ticket.” But I realized that I should probably do something more fitting to my own idiom, rather than keep ripping off Roald Dahl.
So now we have a gold ring, designed by Badali Jewelry. In the fine traditions of the Maer’s court, it has my name inscribed on it.
Here’s the deal. I’m giving away two of these. One is going into an auction. The other is going into the lottery.
Details as follows.
The winner of this item will receive a gold ring redeemable for one (1) favor from Patrick Rothfuss.
Possible uses for the favor include:
Asking Pat to insert your name/likeness into a future book or story.
Asking Pat’s assistance in wooing the object of your affection, preferably from under a balcony at night.
Asking Pat to read and critique your unpublished manuscript (or your published one, if you really want.)
Asking Pat give a reading/workshop at your local library or University.
Asking Pat to give a reading/workshop at your house.
Asking Pat to give a reading/workshop in your bedroom.
Asking Pat to help you move a particularly heavy couch.
Etc.
This favor has no expiration date. It can be traded, transferred, sold, or lost. In essence, the ring *is* the favor. You give the ring back when you cash in your favor. So if you lose it, you’ve kinda fucked yourself.
The nature of this favor is fairly open-ended, though some negotiation may be necessary depending on the nature of the favor. Certain ethical or legal restrictions may apply (though not as many as you might expect.) Under no circumstances will Patrick dance for you. Carnal favors must be approved by Pat’s girlfriend in advance. If you won this favor in the auction, and for any reason Pat cannot fulfill his obligation to you, he will personally refund your winning bid in exchange for the ring.
As a side note, let me add that recently, I attended the Child’s Play charity dinner out in Seattle. Partly because I love the folks at PA with a fierce love, and partly because I like to wear a tuxedo.
(I look like I’m about to start a railroad monopoly.)
And, since I was in town, I offered up a favor just like this one for the Child’s Play Auction.
It sold for over 9000 dollars.
Admittedly, at least a couple grand of that was probably due to the tux. But still, it gives you some perspective.
So. One favor is going into the lottery where anyone can win it by donating to Heifer International on our team page.
The second one is being auctioned OVER HERE.
* * *
- 350k Stretch Goal: The Lockless Box.
This year while at Origins, I had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Robert Gifford.
What transpired between us is a subject that deserves an entire blog itself. Suffice it to say that since then our relationship has burgeoned into something magical. Something that lies somewhere in-between bromance and the love that dare not speak its name.
Robert runs Geek Chic, a confederation of woodworking artisans and geeks par-excellence. They make bespoke furniture for geeks. They make furniture so beautiful that even a rough-hewn Visigoth like myself who sleeps on a mattress on the floor cannot help but crave it.
If Worldbuilders hits 350K before January 21st, Robert has agreed to put his carpentary artificers to the task of creating the lockless box from The Wise Man’s Fear.
It will be a functional puzzle box designed by a consortium of the most profoundly crafty fuckers in existence.
If we hit 350K, Geek Chic will design the box. They will make the box. And you will be able to buy the box or win it as part of future Worldbuilders festivities.
But only if we hit 350K before January 21st.
And remember, if we hit $400,000 before January 21st, Worldbuilders will donate an extra $100,000 dollars to Heifer International.
So there’s your motivation. We’ve got one week left. Let’s spread the word.
* * *
And finally, a few more geeky items. Some for the lottery, some for auction.
Esoteric Garage made a second copper knife after the great reaction they got from me and everyone on the blog.
We’re auctioning it off here.
Since not everyone is going to need to kill something mythic. Tait and Loren designed a more practical knife for the lady who likes to be prepared for the worse.
They specifically asked that this lady’s knife be put into the lottery. As with some other items, we want to make sure that this goes to someone who really wants it, so we’ll call and ask the winner before mailing them this prize. If they don’t want it, we’ll pick names until we find someone that does.
We do this because we care. And also because we don’t want to be sued.
This year we received a letter from Wayne Enterprises.
In a separate package, we also received two copper Batarangs. The perfect gift for the sociopathic billionaire in your life. Also perfect for that hard-to-shop-for confused fanboy.
Edit: We’ve run into a couple of snags with the batarang, and have taken it down.
* * *
Fair warning: Worldbuilders is ending soon, so if you want in on the lottery make sure to donate on the Worldbuilders Team Page before January 21st. For every $10 you pitch in, you get another chance to win thousands of books, DVD’s, knives, favors, and other mythic goodies.
Also, be warned that many auctions will be ending soon. You can view all the current auctions over here.
If you want to see the other items that have been donated to Worldbuilders, or learn more about the fundraiser itself, you can head over to our main page.
