Being Awesome

So as you might be able to tell from the lack of blogs, I’ve been working frantically behind the scenes to get things ready for this year’s Worldbuilders fundraiser.

The other day, as I was desperately trying to catch up on e-mail, Oot came into my office and asked if I could play.

I told him I couldn’t, that I had work to do.

(Note: This is one of the worst things about working as a writer. I’m at home, but technically, I’m at work. That means that, technically, I’m always available to play, and Oot can see that. But when he asks me to play, I have to say no. Again and again. And again. It breaks my heart.)

Anyway, after Oot negotiated for a while and failed to bargain his way into an episode of Shaun the Sheep, he found a pad of paper to play with. Then he  asked if me could borrow a pen so he could write a check.

A little mature, of course. But you have to realize that he is pretty grown up now. How grown up? Well, here’s a picture of him on his most recent birthday, dressed to the nines, aloofly telling you how old he is…

So I gave him a pen. He wrote a check, then stood up, bored with that game.

“Could you write me a letter?” I asked.

“Oh! Yeah, yeah, yeah!” he said.

Then he sat back down and scribbled onto another sheet of paper. There was a lot more going on this time. Writing a letter is a lot harder than writing a check, after all.

“What does the letter say?” I asked.

So he starts to tell me what he’s writing as he scribbles down his letter. I transcribed it onto a piece of paper here on my desk so I wouldn’t forget it.

The letter was as follows:

Dear Daddy,

Sometimes I really love you, but sometimes I don’t love you. Sometimes I do, but somethings I don’t.

Whenever you’re alone, I come to help you.

And that’s pretty awesome, because I love.

And that’s really all that needs to be said, isn’t it?

*     *     *

In other news, we’ll be launching Worldbuilders later this week, so brace yourself for the coolness.

This year we’re doing a bunch of new things. It’s exhausting and exciting at the same time. Plus exhausting. Did I mention exhausting?

One of the things we’ll be doing year is stretch goals. When donations reach 50K, 100K, 150K, etc, we’ll throw something new into the fundraiser.

So I wanted to ask: What do you think our stretch goals should be? What could we throw into the fundraiser at these various levels to act as donation incentives?

Any suggestions?

And, since I’m asking questions, how about one more….

This year, as I’ve mentioned previously on the blog, Worldbuilders is offering sponsorships to folks willing to donate at certain levels. Right now, we’ve got three levels of sponsorship: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Here’s the thing: it bugs me that the names we have for the levels are so generic. I’d like something that was a little cooler and truer to our geek heritage. But not *so* geeky that it makes us look unprofessional to potential corporate donors.

Any thoughts?

Lastly, if you’re still interested in being a part of Worldbuilders, as a donor or sponsor, it’s not too late. Just drop us a line at donations (squiggly atsign thinger) worldbuilders.org.

Later all,

pat

This entry was posted in Because I Love, day in the life, Oot, Worldbuilders 2012. By Pat110 Responses

110 Comments

  1. amalieanomaly
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:02 PM | Permalink

    Since Worldbuilders is really something you champion, I say the levels of sponsorship should be E’lir, Re’lar, and El’the.

    • Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:16 PM | Permalink

      Oooh, I like that, but then, Pat’s qualification that it not be too nerdy lest it scare off the suits….

      Apprentice, Journeyman, Master? More generically applicable to lots of different fantasy worlds/series.

      • Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:24 PM | Permalink

        Hmmm…. that’s a decent thought.

        • 123eire
          Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:55 AM | Permalink

          Beckham Scholes Giggs?

      • Tom A
        Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:08 PM | Permalink

        I support this notion

      • melischerie
        Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:06 PM | Permalink

        oooh, i like this also.

      • Peeper_j
        Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:52 PM | Permalink

        I like this very much.

  2. SunTzu
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:13 PM | Permalink

    Typist, Writer, Wordsmith.

    • Amanda
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:33 PM | Permalink

      The huge geek in me loves this one :)

  3. Viola
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:17 PM | Permalink

    I believe you already calculated a coolness meter. Why not use it here? https://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2010/01/fanmail-q-coolness/

  4. Kristi
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:23 PM | Permalink

    Love it when we learn from our children.

    My 3 year old, sitting next to making dinosaurs and dinner with clay, looked over as I was reading this and saw the photo of Oot. He asked if it was a picture of him.
    “No,” I said, it’s a little boy named Oot.”
    “Oot? He’s cute and awesome like me, can we talk to him?”
    “No, we don’t know him.”
    “I’ll invite him over and then we’ll be friends and then we can talk to him, ok?”

    3 year old minds are awesome.

    • Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:55 PM | Permalink

      And we wonder why it’s so hard to make new friends….

  5. Septimus
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:23 PM | Permalink

    E’lir, Re’lar, and El’the hands down thats the best idea I’ve seen for anything all weekend.

    • Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:27 PM | Permalink

      Unfortunately, it would only make sense to people who have read my books. The fundraiser isn’t just about me and my fans these days. It’s bigger than that.

      We don’t want to pick terms that will confuse/scare away corporate sponsors.

  6. LissyRoo
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:26 PM | Permalink

    There is always the standard.

    Legendary
    Epic
    Leet

    However I like Viola’s reference back to your prior blog. :)

  7. The Cardinal
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:26 PM | Permalink

    Maybe some famous world builders?
    Atlas
    Prometheus
    Zeus

    • Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:28 PM | Permalink

      That’s clever….

    • melischerie
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:07 PM | Permalink

      this is a pretty good one =)

    • Chuck
      Posted November 17, 2012 at 6:01 PM | Permalink

      I like the Prometheus reference, why not build off that?
      Spatk, Brand, Bonfire, Forge Or maybe BlastFurnace as the final level since those never go out :-)

  8. Aerron
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:30 PM | Permalink

    Sponsorship levels could be Sophomore, Junior, Senior
    or Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
    or other jewels of your choice.
    Catfish, Dogfish, Goldfish?
    Assistant Sponsor, Associate Sponsor, Full Sponsor

  9. Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:32 PM | Permalink

    I’d have thought the obvious thing to do would be to sub in the metals for fantasy elements – Mythril, Adamantite, and uh… You know, I’m having trouble thinking of another one.

    • Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:35 PM | Permalink

      Orichalcum? Dilithium? Octiron?

    • Jonathan
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:51 PM | Permalink

      How about Eezo, Atium, and Unobtainium?

  10. Zael
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:35 PM | Permalink

    Blackstone
    Copperfield
    Dresden

  11. neilyb
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 6:57 PM | Permalink

    Day
    Gaiman
    Whedon

    • AlphaGoon
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 10:07 PM | Permalink

      Stole my idea, but I would have gone

      Wheaton
      Day
      Pratchett

  12. Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:05 PM | Permalink

    Perhaps a DnD related system?

    Heroic, Paragon and Epic tier?

    After all everyone loves DnD!

  13. Ocean
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:07 PM | Permalink

    Associate
    Masters
    Doctorate

  14. jgsky
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:29 PM | Permalink

    Sheepishly Generous

    Ducking the flock

    Giver of Hope

    Builder of Worlds

    • TangentialMind
      Posted November 14, 2012 at 11:31 AM | Permalink

      I love “Builder of Worlds”. I’m also loving the animal themes. Sheepishly Generous seems almost insulting though…

  15. Territory
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:32 PM | Permalink

    Something slightly Geeky but still recognizable would be to follow a sort of Roman ranking system:

    Plebeian
    Equestrian
    Magistrate

    Been thinking for about an hour on this. Not an easy question, sir.

  16. kungfusinger
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:36 PM | Permalink

    Fief, King, Emperor

  17. Catalytic
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:40 PM | Permalink

    Draftsman – helps develop ideas and ways of helping out/building
    DIY Enthusiast – Has a fair crack at doing something and tries to fix whats broken (Could also be Craftsman)
    Master Builder – Builds from scratch, and builds it well

    Ta

  18. Imperium
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:40 PM | Permalink

    This is awesome. More importantly (ok, not), is that the Diablo 3 paper? That would make this even cooler…

    • Posted November 12, 2012 at 9:06 PM | Permalink

      I didn’t even realize it at the time. But yeah, it is….

      • Marcus Cox
        Posted November 15, 2012 at 1:33 PM | Permalink

        I’m not trying to get off of topic, but what is your opinion on Diablo III? Back in 2010 after a signing in Merrel Wisconsin a few friends and I hung out with you at a Culvers and we discussed how modern day video games have a long way to go in the terms of storytelling. How do you feel about the story telling in this one? I know most people don’t play Diablo for the story, but ever since that conversation I’ve been more aware of how poor most stories in video games are.

    • duke7883
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 10:22 PM | Permalink

      I came here to say the same thing because I instantly recognized it. I’m not even really into Diablo but for some reason I kept the pad beside my computer and jot notes on it all the time.

  19. Seatofkings
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 7:49 PM | Permalink

    Minion, Super Villain, Supreme Evil Overlord!

    (But that sounds a bit, well, evil)

    Padawan, Jedi, Yoda

    The Magical Realism Award, The Sword and Sorcery Award , The Epic Fantasy Award (or High Fantasy)

    • Septimus
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:51 PM | Permalink

      oooh. I like that, what about:

      Youngling
      Padawan
      Jedi

  20. D_
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:13 PM | Permalink

    I like some previous suggestions, but I’m thinking something that references the worlds built might be nice, like Mythic, Epic, Legendary, or references creation like Dreamer, Fantast, Visionary, or references building like Framer, Foreman, Arrchitect. It’s fun to play with the concept and themes.

    • rjleduc
      Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:30 PM | Permalink

      I really like:

      Mythic,
      Epic,
      Legendary

      It would be on theme, and widely appreciable.

      • D_
        Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:44 AM | Permalink

        Thanks! It is important that it be something universally appreciable.

        • D_
          Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:48 AM | Permalink

          In this format, a donor a the Mythic level would be a “Mythic Worldbuilder” and so forth.

  21. Pete C.
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:25 PM | Permalink

    Hero
    Titan
    Demi-God
    Olympian

  22. Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:35 PM | Permalink

    Since we are Worldbuilders…

    Designer
    Architect
    Worldbuilder

  23. Peeper_j
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 8:51 PM | Permalink

    Battlement
    Tower
    Pinnacle

  24. silencekit
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 9:21 PM | Permalink

    d10, d12, d20

  25. chaelek
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 9:34 PM | Permalink

    Knight
    Champion
    Hero

  26. chaelek
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 9:35 PM | Permalink

    Or,
    Champion
    Hero
    Legend.

  27. Robo
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 10:19 PM | Permalink

    Curly.
    Larry.
    AND MOE!

  28. Posted November 12, 2012 at 10:33 PM | Permalink

    I love kids at this age: in fact, here in Taiwan, I TEACH kids this age. That’s right, kindergarten starts at 3: K1, K2, K3. That’s when they’re thrown into the grand world of ESL.

    How’s this for a great prize?
    A master’s review of up-to X pages of your own writing by participating author(s) via video chat. Nothing is more valuable than great input. Perhaps even a follow-up after self-editing.

  29. PT_Nerd_FT_Tchr
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 11:00 PM | Permalink

    Since it’s for Heifer International:
    Poultry
    Sheep
    Cattle

    • Shark
      Posted November 13, 2012 at 5:01 PM | Permalink

      I really like the Heifer Project reference =)

  30. Jonathan
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 11:20 PM | Permalink

    Of the suggestions so far, I’m partial to the one that has “Worldbuilder” listed as the top rank.
    As for something cool that might be good for the fundraiser, how about auctioning off the chance to be in an episode of The Story Board? Perhaps it could be an episode specifically dedicated to getting into the trials and tribulations of becoming a published author.
    Another possible prize could be the chance to choose a topic for a future episode, along with specific authors that the winner would hope to have involved.
    (Not sure how well either of these would work in practice, but in my head they sounded really good.)

  31. Hansel
    Posted November 12, 2012 at 11:40 PM | Permalink

    Children often think the word “love” is synonymous “happy with”.

    You know your son loves you. Why are you trying to bum me out?

    • Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:16 AM | Permalink

      ???

      Why would this bum you out?

      • Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:46 AM | Permalink

        Pat,

        I don’t know what they were thinking but my first reaction was??? You don’t love your dad?!?!?!?! But that was because I hadn’t factored in 2 things:
        1) you are awesome and don’t get offended by things that in context,
        2) and this was a moment you shared with your Son that you treasured and wanted to talk about.
        3) ha jk I said two.

        If this had been posted by someone else it could have been them complaining about their child hurting their feelings (which I think is what the OP thought and I’d originally thought until I factored in 1 and 2).

        • Hansel
          Posted November 14, 2012 at 10:09 PM | Permalink

          That was totally it. I was like, “You don’t love your dad?!” I see now that clearly I was the only one who read that and got all weepy eyed.

          PS. I both hate and love that a man named “PoopOnAStick” gets me.

  32. Daniel Goldberg
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 12:16 AM | Permalink

    Here are three possible donation levels:
    1. Novella
    2. Novel
    3. Epic Jaw Dropping Don’t-Go-To-Work-For-Three-Days Fantasy Series

    Or you could do mythical creatures like:
    1. Minotaur
    2. Phoenix
    3. Dragon

    For a more realistic suggestion, and one that somewhat (barely) goes with the books you could use metals, just not the tradition gold, silver, etc. like this:
    1. Copper
    2. Nickel
    3. Iron
    People might not like being an “Iron” donor as much as being a “Platinum” donor, but I think it fits better with the genre.

  33. Holmelund
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 1:12 AM | Permalink

    Good stretch goals might be blogs.
    Especially blogs like the one you allready promsed in the Q&A session from the Rothfuss Reread i.e. Coinsystem, Map etc.

    • Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:15 AM | Permalink

      That’s a good idea…..

      • fb
        Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:20 PM | Permalink

        Yes!! An excellent idea. I vote the results of the photo contest blog! (Although I’m guessing it seriously detracts from your Wordbuilder/Oot time to put this together…)

      • TangentialMind
        Posted November 14, 2012 at 11:34 AM | Permalink

        Wooot! I agree. +1

  34. bluezone
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:14 AM | Permalink

    Pupil
    Teacher
    Professor

    Picollo
    Flute
    Tube

    Grain
    Brick
    House

    Drop
    River
    Ocean

    //Matt

  35. Oba936
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 3:09 AM | Permalink

    Well, the way I understood Worldbuilders, the Sponsors always get somekind of book as a “Thank you” so, if more donations come in Hand with more Books, why not:
    Book
    Bookshelf
    Library

    or in Combination with some previous comments:
    Knight of the Book
    Champion of the Bookshelf
    Master of the Library

    or something like that …

  36. FelixtheDragon
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:35 AM | Permalink

    Greetings,

    I think a good idea would be to let people choose the categories and the aplly the levels accordingly. If people chose a category for greek mythology then could be as someone mentioned, atlas, zeus… for the Rothfuss world, Relar… and so on for several different categories!

    Hugo

  37. Ollyver
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:46 AM | Permalink

    I don’t know about the first three, but I feel like Big Damn Heroes should be the level after Platinum…

  38. Leanne
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:51 AM | Permalink

    Hmm. That’s a bit of a head scratcher.
    Troubadour
    Minstrel
    Bard

    I’m rather taken with the Hero, Champion, Legend suggestion – has a nice fantasy theme without being overly geeky. Shouldn’t be too terrifying for uninitiated corporate types.

  39. Leanne
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:55 AM | Permalink

    Riffing further on the idea of Apprentice, Journeyman and Master – I liked it initially, but thinking on it further… If you’re trying to attract corporate sponsorship, egos need to be stroked a little bit. No one’s ego is going to be stroked by being referred to as an apprentice or journeyman.
    But who the heck would complain about being called a Hero or a Champion?
    Sure it’s not as awesome as Legend, but still pretty darn awesome.

  40. IRodman
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 5:40 AM | Permalink

    Lead
    Gold
    Mithril

    or

    Ash
    Oak
    Roan

    or

    Unicorn
    Lion
    Dragon

  41. abdsilva
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 5:47 AM | Permalink

    Hows abouts:

    Silver Star
    Golden Galaxy
    Platinum Supernova

  42. paulviz
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:06 AM | Permalink

    Noble
    Sovereign
    World Builder

    This combines the “royal” titles predominant in most fantasy fiction with the fundraiser itself.

  43. Aaron R
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 7:23 AM | Permalink

    I’ve searched a good long time for the correct word for the @ sign, and it seems like in english we just call it ‘at sign.’ Boring, indeed, but the spanish have a word for it: arroba. If you can roll the ‘rr’ when you say it, ends up being a pretty awesome word.

    I have no idea what to call your giving levels, however.

  44. christie
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 8:29 AM | Permalink

    Perhaps three levels of rings ?

  45. silencekit
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 8:32 AM | Permalink

    Minor
    Major
    Augmented

  46. cbmurphy7
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 9:07 AM | Permalink

    What if the donation level titles were additive?

    Thoughful
    Kind and Thoughtful
    Generous, Kind, and Thoughtful

  47. Bob Slidel
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 9:29 AM | Permalink

    I too like the idea of apprentice, journeyman, master as the levels. What I’d like to see as a stretch goal would be a non-spoiler chapter from book 3 (if possible) or perhaps a sample of the short story you wrote for the upcoming anthology. Barring that perhaps a few Q&A sessions scheduled in advance, for those of us who have a frustrating habit of missing them.

  48. Pirho
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 10:02 AM | Permalink

    Since we’re talking about Worldbuilding here, how about

    Crust
    Mantle
    Core
    ?

  49. trlivingston
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 10:39 AM | Permalink

    You have already built a rating system for coolness in previous blogs… so I see no reason not to continue with that theme.

    Wil Wheaton

    Felicia Day

    Neil Gaimen

    (Of course, in keeping with the book theme you may want to sub these for ground-breaking fantasy authors)

    Terry Prachett

    Terry Brooks

    Tolkien

  50. Lisa
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:18 AM | Permalink

    poultryman
    goat herder
    oxen driver

  51. IvoryDoom
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:39 AM | Permalink

    Well – you have enough ideas to consider (IMO LOL)

    I mostly just thought it was awesome that in that picture of OOT, he’s totally like “I’m 3” with one hand, and “Rock On” with the other LOL.

    And technically you did sorta play with him, you talked and told him to write you a letter. *shrug* You hooked him up with paper and pen and you had him read it to you! So good job on multitasking!

    Plus – one good thing about worldbuilders starting back up…Imagine all the box forts in your future!

  52. ericturner29
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:47 AM | Permalink

    Re: Stretch Goal Incentives

    I think people prefer experiences to stuff. Don’t get me wrong, stuff is great – but ultimately it’s just a thing and not a story someone can tell.

    People want memories:
    Offer a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to be served at your kitchen table and watch people go ape shit for it.

  53. Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:53 AM | Permalink

    Pat,

    If you found some Indie Game developers that wanted to give out free signed games (or posters) that would be pretty epic.

    Or Signed DND books. I think most of your readers tend to be a little bit on the gamer side and thus this may be pretty awesome incentive.

    For me a pic of the someone who benefited directly from the year’s World Builders would be my top pick, but I’m strange like that.

    This may also be too geeky but most everyone should recognize a few of the tiers.

    Galileo
    Euclid
    Newton
    Euler
    Watt
    Einstein

  54. ericturner29
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 11:53 AM | Permalink

    Another thought: Give somebody a sneak peek at book 3.

  55. The_Doc
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 1:34 PM | Permalink

    Bronze
    Silver
    Gold
    Simple but clear and classic.

  56. madels
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:13 PM | Permalink

    Ok, I think the levels should be named after other Fantasy/SF authors. You can go youngest to oldest (or by your own who you’d kill and eat their brains if you could absorb their talent that way scale).

  57. Posted November 13, 2012 at 2:30 PM | Permalink

    Duck
    llama
    Water Buffalo

    Or some variant thereof

  58. silencekit
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 3:27 PM | Permalink

    I would love to see some of your poetry as an incentive.

  59. jhnvnvgt
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 3:54 PM | Permalink

    If we donate $100 to get to level 1, then you institute a prize for $100K and we donate another $50, then you institute a new prize for $150K and we donate more, will that keep adding to our original tally to help us reach a higher level? I would probably do so more readily if only just for fun and end up donating more than I intended. Just curious…

  60. Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:07 PM | Permalink

    I have been contemplating some bitchin cookie jars with bears. I could actually make a couple of ’em and donate them for stretch goals.

  61. Alex
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:44 PM | Permalink

    You’re lucky! My 5 year old is writing me tickets all the time…

    For not playing or if he isn’t allowed to… lot’s of reasons to give me a fine ;-)

    Cheers, Alex.

  62. pixelbrain
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:44 PM | Permalink

    Yeah, craft-associated words might sound good. Jazzed up a little – after all, this creature was born from the hearts of geeks, and as such dances to the low thunder of airship engines and the pulse of photon torpedoes.

    I like the sounds of Dream-Founder and Architect of Change, but that might just be my imagination. Something like that.

    Regardless; good luck, Pat, and may the misers and misogynists of the world suffer awesomeness-induced radiation sickness courtesy of Worldbuilders for many years to come.

  63. cardassianscot
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 5:30 PM | Permalink

    Nova
    Supernova
    Hypernova

  64. greenchimes
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:08 PM | Permalink

    NASA Levels:
    Spacesuit
    Shuttle
    Moon Buggy

    Gamer levels:
    Player
    Moderator
    Dungeon Master

    Mario Levels:
    Mushroom
    Heart
    Star

    Library Levels:
    Reader
    Collector
    Hoarder

    Heifer Levels:
    Bee-Keeper
    Shepherd
    Farmer

  65. Posted November 13, 2012 at 10:23 PM | Permalink

    Awesome
    Plus Awesome
    Double Plus Awesome

  66. thaumaturgic
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 1:58 AM | Permalink

    I enjoy your blog. It is a real pleasure to be able to keep up with what’s going on with one of my favorite authors. Story Board episodes are great.

    Any advice for a person on the edge of trying to consider being a writer? How do I know if my creative thoughts on paper don’t look like scribbles to everyone else? (no offense to the picture of Oot’s letter above)

    A few quick ideas, maybe they will help or inspire:

    Believer, Apostle, Creator…
    Foundation, Cornerstone, Architect…
    Genuine Item, Rare Artifact, Enchanted…

  67. Rob
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 9:17 AM | Permalink

    Concerning the designations for the Worldbuilder donation levels, it could conceivably help to put your marketing hat on and choose names for the levels that may be deliberately kitsch and sufficiently superlative to set your charity apart, yet generic enough to make the corporate guys get the message. If you explain further that the names are deliberately kitsch and superlative to distinguish Worldbuilders, based on your market research of course, that may make them smile. See if these grab you . . . even if they don’t, they illustrate what I’m saying . . . .

    Benevolent Liege
    Lord High Master
    Ultimate Overlord

    • Rob
      Posted November 21, 2012 at 10:59 AM | Permalink

      Or, to take a page from James Harriet, who in turn took a page from Cecil Frances Alexander, substitute the organizations name for below . . .

      donated things bright and beautiful,
      donated creatures great and small,
      donated thing wise and wonderful,
      and Worldbuilders, we donated them all.

  68. TangentialMind
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 11:44 AM | Permalink

    Animal Alms-giver
    Patron of Peace
    Bovine Benefactor

  69. Christer
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 2:44 PM | Permalink

    Hmmm, I second the suggestions of apprentice/journeyman/master levels. As far as a donation incentive I doubt you could top making a lucky donor a beta reader for Doors of Stone :-)
    I know that would motivate me!

  70. kattiara
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 3:59 PM | Permalink

    Town Builder
    City Builder
    World Builder

    • TangentialMind
      Posted November 14, 2012 at 4:54 PM | Permalink

      +1

  71. Calamity
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:03 PM | Permalink

    If there is still time, what about:

    Dragon
    Unicorn
    Goblin

    –Or–

    Great and Powerful
    *Insert reference to another classic book here*
    *Insert reference to another another classic book here*

  72. SeekingPlumb
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 10:20 PM | Permalink

    Oot is fabulous!! I’m glad you had an opportunity to note his letter down. A moment to remember. :)

  73. Nick
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 2:35 AM | Permalink

    It’s on Diablo III paper lol.

    Reaver
    Alliance sympathist
    Browncoat

  74. The Gryffon
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 6:42 AM | Permalink

    First Tier
    Pret Tier
    Finalfron Tier

  75. pacifist
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 7:43 AM | Permalink

    stretch goal: one spot in the next “Epic D&D” game.

    Of course, for this to work there has to be a next epic D&D game some time in the future, so you’ll all have to commit to it.
    But I think there’ll be plenty of people willing to bid money to spend an afternoon geeking with a bunch of godlike author-figures

  76. Oatmeal
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 8:59 AM | Permalink

    Sooooo … for like 3 years I’ve read the name of the charity as Wordbuilders.
    I haz the dumb.

  77. Chri33tuart
    Posted November 18, 2012 at 5:08 AM | Permalink

    Perhaps a mix of generic and geek hertiage. This way the corperate donors see something they’re used to but there is still a cool geek reference:

    Bronze Goblin
    Silver Unicorn
    Golden Dragon

    Silver Street
    Golden Village
    Platinum City

    Bronze Street
    Silver City
    Golden State

    Guessing I’m a but late to the party though.

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