The OOTS Reprint Drive at Kickstarter: Pledge now to get exclusive rewards!

Remember when I teased that I would be announcing a plan for getting the older OOTS books back in print? Well, that plan is here.

For the next 30 days, we're going to be running a pledge drive to raise the money needed to send War and XPs, the book that has been out-of-print the longest, back to the presses for a new run. We're using a site called Kickstarter to do so. If you're not familiar with it, it's a way for self-published creators such as myself to raise money in a risk-free way, because no one gets charged for their pledge unless the entire project meets its goal. You can read more about our pledge here, including a brief discussion about how Kickstarter works.

The most important part for the average OOTS fan is that if this succeeds, all the backers will get access to a brand-new never-before-seen OOTS prequel story. Telling the tale of the paladin O-Chul and how he first joined the Sapphire Guard, this PDF file will run at least 20 pages and is drawn in beautiful bluescale to best represent life in Azure City. Here's a shot of the cover:

http://www.GiantITP.com/Images/gitpk..._Cover_7in.png

But keep in mind that while I've plotted this story, I haven't written or drawn it yet...so if the pledge fails, it may never see the light of day. Dunh dunh DUNNNNNNNH!!

I've also designed a new magnet to match the ones we've given away in the past, this time featuring Roy:

http://www.GiantITP.com/Images/gitpk...et_CloseUp.gif

And of course, you can order copies of the hopefully-soon-to-be-reprinted War and XPs. Plus, for a few fans with deep pockets, we're offering a handful of premium rewards, including original crayon drawings, autographed copies of certain books, the chance to commission another separate OOTS story with any character you choose, and even a once-in-a-lifetime walk-on cameo for your D&D character in The Order of the Stick.

I'll mostly be making progress reports using Kickstarter's update feature, but I'm going to keep this thread open for questions about the project from people who are curious. Feel free to ask about the project, Kickstarter in general, or the new story. Thanks in advance to everyone who pledges!

I wish I had the cash to pledge more, as some of those rewards are properly awesome, but I guess I'll have to stick with the $10. Poor Tarn Merrick will never become a star....
Ah, well. It's good to see these return to print, I've been looking for them for a while. Do we have any info on when we'll see the Origin of PCs come out, assuming the pledge works?

Okay, I've pledged $52 for a copy and shipping to Canada. Kickstarter's amounts are going up fast!

...

You had my money at 'O-chul'

Does this mean that all the comic pages for the next few weeks will be replaced by hour-or-longer specials featuring How the Paladin Got His Scar, with "commercial breaks" reminding us that we could get a Roy magnet? :smalltongue:

(Those things always messed up my TV-watching schedule as a kid. A lack of cable didn't help, either...)

But more seriously, if I had 500 gp $45 or more slack in my budget, I'd definitely pledge that much. Looks like I'll just have to rearrange numbers so I can squeeze out that $10...

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Originally Posted by Jzadek

Do we have any info on when we'll see the Origin of PCs come out, assuming the pledge works?

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If the drive meets the listed goal, then we'll start working toward the amount needed for On the Origin of PCs. I'll tell you how much that is when we get near it. The good news is, that book is a LOT cheaper to print than WAXP. The bad news is that its been in print longer and has been out-of-stock for less time, so not as many people will be clamoring for it. If we get the increased amount then, both books will be reprinted at the same time; this would actually be ideal, since the printer will give me a slight price break for printing multiple books at once.

If the WAXP drive succeeds but not by enough to reprint OTOPCs, then it probably won't be reprinted until after I've put out the next new OOTS book, whenever that ends up being.

Wow, between this and the new comics, you've been really busy these past few weeks. I like it!

In the immortal words of Phillip J. Fry, "Shut up and take my money!" Kickstarter is awesome, and I'm glad you've found a way to fund future projects without having to reply on donations.

Question regarding the drawings of characters (specifically the $600 pledge offer): by 'D&D' is it correct to assume that the offer is limited to generically fantasy characters as you'd find in a normal campaign, or is D&D supposed to encompass rps in general?

For example, if requested would you be willing/able to draw characters from a sci-fi/superhero/[insert other setting here] game?

At this stage I'm not asking with a particular thing in mind (haven't yet figured out how much I can afford), but the question occured to me and I thought others may wish to know the answer.

Did you say O-Chul? YES! Here, take my money! Take five thousand dollars! (Heh, yeah, like I could afford that much... oh well.)

The little comic on that page is hilarious. How long is the line in it? If it won't have a wait of more than a couple hours, I'd like to get in it.

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Originally Posted by Avaris

Question regarding the drawings of characters (specifically the $600 pledge offer): by 'D&D' is it correct to assume that the offer is limited to generically fantasy characters as you'd find in a normal campaign, or is D&D supposed to encompass rps in general?

For example, if requested would you be willing/able to draw characters from a sci-fi/superhero/[insert other setting here] game?

At this stage I'm not asking with a particular thing in mind (haven't yet figured out how much I can afford), but the question occured to me and I thought others may wish to know the answer.

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Yes, absolutely, whatever RPG characters you have in mind will be fine, as long as you're willing to explain whatever races or equipment or what have you that the other game features. Also, no characters that are the intellectual property of someone else; you can ask me to draw YOUR superheroes, but you can't ask me to draw the Justice League.

I may change the reward wording to reflect that...

Hmmm... A signed crayon drawing of Xykon and Thog is very tempting. Though I damaged DStP's front cover badly, so a new signed one would be sweet, but it's not like I put my books on display. And my money-saving gut says just go for the $10 one (which is what I went with, for now). So...conflicted... :smallfrown:

Very excited about the O-Chul story, though. Really curious to see how bluescale turns out.

EDIT: Heheh. Just noticed the mouseover text on the news page. :smallbiggrin:

e-mailed my D&D group about possibly raising up to the $600 amount to get our party drawn.

I have a question though. If we raised a bit more than $600, would it be possible to add a 7th character to the drawing (6 magnets would still be fine, but we have 7 PCs in our campaign)?

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Originally Posted by Ted The Bug

Wow, between this and the new comics, you've been really busy these past few weeks. I like it!

In the immortal words of Phillip J. Fry, "Shut up and take my money!" Kickstarter is awesome, and I'm glad you've found a way to fund future projects without having to reply on donations.

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Seconded - just plegded $70 for a signed War and XP. =D

Nooo Too late and missed the quota on the $100 mark =( So I had to settle on the $60 One (plus shipping). Rich, do you think you can find a few more of those special edition magnets around so I can up my pledge and hit it?

Another thing I would like to ask. Is it possible to try to fund the O'chul backstory as a printed book? With a new level possible? I would love to have it marked as -2 and have it on my collection.

I'm curious who pledged $1,250 & which character they picked.

Sadly that's too rich for my blood, but you'll probably get a $60 one from me.

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Originally Posted by Anarion

e-mailed my D&D group about possibly raising up to the $600 amount to get our party drawn.

I have a question though. If we raised a bit more than $600, would it be possible to add a 7th character to the drawing (6 magnets would still be fine, but we have 7 PCs in our campaign)?

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Yeah, I'm sure we can work something out on that front. Frankly, I'm not going to quibble about a 7th PC because I assumed that the 6 PC party would have 1-3 "pets" anyway (animal companions, familiars, etc.). So it's fine if you want to stretch it to seven.

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Originally Posted by YohanLeafheart

Rich, do you think you can find a few more of those special edition magnets around so I can up my pledge and hit it?

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I don't have any more, but I have calls in to some friends who might from back in the convention days. If they become available, you'll be able to switch your pledge then.

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Originally Posted by Kobold-Bard

I'm curious who pledged $1,250 & which character they picked.

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When I find out, I'll let you know. :smallsmile:

Gah, and another question, is it possible to choose more than one reward with a pledge? So for example, if I pledge $90, can I get the $60 level plus 3 of the 10$ level?

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Originally Posted by YohanLeafheart

Gah, and another question, is it possible to choose more than one reward with a pledge? So for example, if I pledge $90, can I get the $60 level plus 3 of the 10$ level?

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Similar question. If I pledge 70 & 75 (including international postage) for the WotXP & DStP ones, I can do that right?

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Originally Posted by The Giant

Yes, absolutely, whatever RPG characters you have in mind will be fine, as long as you're willing to explain whatever races or equipment or what have you that the other game features. Also, no characters that are the intellectual property of someone else; you can ask me to draw YOUR superheroes, but you can't ask me to draw the Justice League.

I may change the reward wording to reflect that...

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Thanks for the clarification. We switched to Pathfinder recently, and that was a concern of mine. But now... :smallsmile:

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Originally Posted by YohanLeafheart

Gah, and another question, is it possible to choose more than one reward with a pledge? So for example, if I pledge $90, can I get the $60 level plus 3 of the 10$ level?

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You could probably pledge multiple times.

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Originally Posted by Druness

Okay, I've pledged $52 for a copy and shipping to Canada. Kickstarter's amounts are going up fast!

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Ditto for me. However, I have an additional question.

Assuming this drive succeeds, would it be possible to bundle other (in stock) books along with the copy of War & XPs I'll be receiving, and save on some shipping costs?

EDIT: I should clarify, I mean a selection of whatever books would be available at ookoodook at the time of the drives completion. I wouldn't mind adding Snips/Snails and maybe a compilation book or two depending on what's available.

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Originally Posted by YohanLeafheart

Gah, and another question, is it possible to choose more than one reward with a pledge? So for example, if I pledge $90, can I get the $60 level plus 3 of the 10$ level?

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Unfortunately, you can't pick more than one reward or pledge multiple times from the same account. I'll have to think about how to work this idea and I'll get back to you later on it.

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Originally Posted by Kobold-Bard

Similar question. If I pledge 70 & 75 (including international postage) for the WotXP & DStP ones, I can do that right?

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If you want both, pledge for the Don't Split the Party reward, then use the messaging at Kickstarter to send me a note saying that you want the signed WAXP too. Make sure you include what country you're in. I'll get back to you with the price for both, depending on shipping concerns.

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Originally Posted by The Giant

Unfortunately, you can't pick more than one reward or pledge multiple times from the same account. I'll have to think about how to work this idea and I'll get back to you later on it.

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Thank you, I appreciate. Also, is it possible to get signed copies of other books besides War and Xp and DStP? I ask because I do not own yet the Dragon Sails and Start of Darkness, but do have DStP. So if I could get them signed through the drive I would probably do so.

Rich, a few questions if I may, mostly about pledge levels:

1. You've set the goal at $57K, which is the minimum needed to get 'War and XPs' back into print... but how many copies will get printed? could people still get "shut out"? presumably anyone who makes the $45 level pledge WILL get a copy IF it ends up being reprinted (since the $45 level includes the book.) There is no gaurantee of availability at lower pledge levels though, right?

2. Can you give us a rough estimate (either now or once we hit the "war and xps" goal) of what it will take to get the other books reprinted?

3. the $100 level is sold out, was that a mistake or did you run out of the older magnets? if you only ran out of SOME of them could you add a new level to allow the ones you do still have to be purchased?

4. I'm confused about the $1250 pledge level, everyone gets it as long as one person pays, right? (assuming this to be the case, and assuming Rich doesnt mind, could we find a large group willing to "go in on this together" to make it more manageable?)

I'm in for at least the $45 to get a copy of the reprinted book, but I'll wait to see what you (Rich) have to say about the magnets before I actually pledge, thanks!

Ach. I only wish I had 5,000 dollars. At any rate, I'm definitely going to take part in this!

Hmm. Maybe I can convince my family to help me donate if I pretend it's for my birthday...

Would the RPG character appear in a bit role (ie: in the background of a scene in the tavern), or would the character have a more important role?

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Originally Posted by MoonCat

Ach. I only wish I had 5,000 dollars. At any rate, I'm definitely going to take part in this!

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Tell me about it. My problem is that my wedding is this year. For a moment there I though about assault my wedding account to pay for it but I would be divorced in no time if I did that.

Also Rick, can I use that image on your signature to link to the drive on the site I'm an admin?

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Originally Posted by The Giant

Unfortunately, you can't pick more than one reward or pledge multiple times from the same account. I'll have to think about how to work this idea and I'll get back to you later on it.

If you want both, pledge for the Don't Split the Party reward, then use the messaging at Kickstarter to send me a note saying that you want the signed WAXP too. Make sure you include what country you're in. I'll get back to you with the price for both, depending on shipping concerns.

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Done & done. Shipping reduction would be cool if possible.

Edit:

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Originally Posted by Maxios

Would the RPG character appear in a bit role (ie: in the background of a scene in the tavern), or would the character have a more important role?

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I assume they'll get a strip where they meet & interact with the OotS members. They're the focus, with little to no story advancement in it. Sort of like Fruit Pie the Sorcerer.

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Originally Posted by Maxios

Would the RPG character appear in a bit role (ie: in the background of a scene in the tavern), or would the character have a more important role?

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and what would happen if the character would look completely out of place in whatever themed place the OoTs will be at?

I can hardly imagine Enor fitting in at Azure City, or Miko in Bleedingham, and they're actually part of the story.

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Originally Posted by YohanLeafheart

Thank you, I appreciate. Also, is it possible to get signed copies of other books besides War and Xp and DStP? I ask because I do not own yet the Dragon Sails and Start of Darkness, but do have DStP. So if I could get them signed through the drive I would probably do so.

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I may add those later, since it's been requested. I'll have to see what our stock looks like, and I want to make sure I don't bite off more autographed packages than I can chew. If I do add them, you can always change your reward level to the new package at any time (until they sell out, that is).

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Originally Posted by bluewurm

Rich, a few questions if I may, mostly about pledge levels:

1. You've set the goal at $57K, which is the minimum needed to get 'War and XPs' back into print... but how many copies will get printed? could people still get "shut out"? presumably anyone who makes the $45 level pledge WILL get a copy IF it ends up being reprinted (since the $45 level includes the book.) There is no gaurantee of availability at lower pledge levels though, right?

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The current pledge goal is for printing several thousand copies, enough to be available at least on Ookoodook for some time after the pledge is over. Hopefully, it will be enough to get them back into comic stores, too. So the chance of being completely shut out from getting a WAXP at all this year is pretty low, if the drive is successful.

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Originally Posted by bluewurm

2. Can you give us a rough estimate (either now or once we hit the "war and xps" goal) of what it will take to get the other books reprinted?

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I will definitely give that estimate once the WAXP goal has been hit, yes.

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Originally Posted by bluewurm

3. the $100 level is sold out, was that a mistake or did you run out of the older magnets? if you only ran out of SOME of them could you add a new level to allow the ones you do still have to be purchased?

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I'll have to talk to my people about our magnet stock, but I do know that Belkar was in very, very short supply.

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Originally Posted by bluewurm

4. I'm confused about the $1250 pledge level, everyone gets it as long as one person pays, right? (assuming this to be the case, and assuming Rich doesnt mind, could we find a large group willing to "go in on this together" to make it more manageable?)

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Yes, everyone who pledges gets it as long as one person pledges. And yes, it would be entirely possible to pool money together, though only one person will get the crayon drawing included. (If a group does raise the money, they can contact me and let me know how many copies of the PDF they'll need. We can probably get everyone a magnet, too, as long as it's under 50 people.)

Damn being a broke college student; I'm stuck with the $10 pledge. Sorry!

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Originally Posted by Maxios

Would the RPG character appear in a bit role (ie: in the background of a scene in the tavern), or would the character have a more important role?

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The character will be a walk-on cameo, appearing in only one strip—meaning that they will have little permanent influence on the story. They will have their name mentioned by at least one character, though, and they may have a line of dialogue if I can work it in naturally (but no promises on that part).

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Originally Posted by YohanLeafheart

Also Rick, can I use that image on your signature to link to the drive on the site I'm an admin?

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Yes, go ahead.

Sigh, Amazon - the nemesis of my credit card. For some reason that site hates it, which it has proven a dozen times over with this drive. -.-
Or possibly my bank hates Amazon for some odd reason.

Well, I'll buy the books (and hopefully the new .pdf) from Ookoodook when the time comes round - someone must do that too! :smallamused:

If I understand what Kickstarter is showing me, I managed to luck into being the last person to pledge and select the $60 signed War and XPs option.

Sweet.

This is a great and wonderful thing, Rich, and I look forward to seeing this meet and exceed its goal.

Giant, you are ON FIRE right now.

(Not literally. That would be bad.)

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Originally Posted by SaintRidley

If I understand what Kickstarter is showing me, I managed to luck into being the last person to pledge and select the $60 signed War and XPs option.

Sweet.

This is a great and wonderful thing, Rich, and I look forward to seeing this meet and exceed its goal.

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Dammit, I wanted that one. :smallsmile:

Eesh. Giant, if I may suggest something, increasing the signed book rewards may be an excellent move. It looks like lots of people want it, an extra fifteen dollars for you merely by signing the book before you send it out, and some people who already have War and XPs might go up from backing with 10 dollars to 60 just to get a signed copy(for me at least, it's just the signed copy and the O-chul book that interest me).

Sigh, if I had it I would have loved to pay to see a small story featuring Lien. But $45 is as high as I can go.

Well, there goes fourty five dollars. At least it's money well spent.

Sleeping in + Pacific time zone = autographed copies all sold out :smallfrown:

I understand you want to limit the number of copies you have to sign, but there's at least one more person interested in an autographed book.

Edna

*gasp*

Is that Miko in the background of the O-Chul book cover?

Thank you, thank you, thank you Giant! I've looked high and low for WaXP and now you come through for me :smallsmile:
I got "Paladin blues" through ebay, but it bugged me that the money I paid did not go to support you and the comic!
I hope I made up for it by pledging for the signed copy now. It's not all generosity on my part though: I have the small hope, that when it's being sent from the author, it will be seen as a "gift" rather than a "purchase" by the draconian customs people here in Denmark, as to avoid paying the added duty of 35$ :smallfurious:
Don't listen to MoonCat, if you sign more copies it will hurt my resell valu.....ermn, never mind - Seriously though: she makes a good point, seems a lot of people are willing to pay 15$ for your autograph, I say let them if it helps the drive!

I also think a few more autographed copies would be a good idea. There's no way I was the only person who donated more than planned in order to get an autographed War and XPs.

Regarding autographed books: We may add more as part of two-book packages (i.e. one copy each of WAXP and Dungeon Crawlin' Fools, for example) once I hear back about our stock. Also, anyone who has the money can still get an autographed copy with a crayon drawing.

Ultimately, the real limiter on autographs is the fact that they need to be shipped out by me, Rich, instead of the far-more-efficient folks at Ookoodook. The more I add to the pile, the more time I have to spend doing shipping instead of working on comics. But I'll try to see if I can squeeze a few more in later in the week.

I will most definitely try to donate if I get my paycheck by the end of the project, even though I'll probably never buy a printed book (shipping to my country is run by morons and crooks). Good luck with this.

I'm feeling slightly crazy at the moment and entertain the idea of signing up for one of those 250$ pledges to get the crayon-drawing and perhaps add to 300 for the book (if I can wrestle amazon into submission), I just thought of one thing.
Would we be allowed to upload a scanned copy of said crayon on the forums in a spread the joy kind of spirit, or would it be against advanced copyright rules?

I just thought it would be a fun thing to do if we were allowed to.

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Originally Posted by Elder Tsofu

I'm feeling slightly crazy at the moment and entertain the idea of signing up for one of those 250$ pledges to get the crayon-drawing and perhaps add to 300 for the book (if I can wrestle amazon into submission), I just thought of one thing.
Would we be allowed to upload a scanned copy of said crayon on the forums in a spread the joy kind of spirit, or would it be against advanced copyright rules?

I just thought it would be a fun thing to do if we were allowed to.

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Yes, absolutely! That would be totally fine. :smallsmile:

Sweet! Managed to submit my pledge just in time to score one of the last autographed copies.

Also, like some others I would be interested in adding Snips, Snails & Dragon Tales to the package and potentially saving some shipping. Would that be possible? And if yes, how much should we add to the pledge?

Bonus OotS stuff for donating to get War and XPs reprinted?

Here, have a bag of money. (Or at least what little I figure I can spare. :smallsigh:)

Zevox

Impressive. It's already at nearly a quarter there. Even after today, when all the time zones will have had their chance to rush about it, there'll still definitely be a stream of latecomers who'll be putting this all up to the goal. This is so exciting!

I was just saying on the Kickstarter page that I can't help but notice someone already bought a new story, which is awesome. Does anyone know who it is, or is that a secret?

(I'm really really hoping it's not the Guy With the Halberd...)

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Originally Posted by jidasfire

I was just saying on the Kickstarter page that I can't help but notice someone already bought a new story, which is awesome. Does anyone know who it is, or is that a secret?

(I'm really really hoping it's not the Guy With the Halberd...)

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I don't know, but if somebody with the means were to commission a StickTales version of Beowulf, I would probably fall in love with them.

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Originally Posted by jidasfire

I was just saying on the Kickstarter page that I can't help but notice someone already bought a new story, which is awesome. Does anyone know who it is, or is that a secret?

(I'm really really hoping it's not the Guy With the Halberd...)

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Originally Posted by The Giant

When I find out, I'll let you know. :smallsmile:

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As of now, we have no idea since they didn't come to the thread to tell us it was them (probably a wise decision since it'd likely lead to people wanting them to change their pick). Personally I hope it's Tsukiko, but nobody besides me seems to like her so I'm not holding my breath.

Sorry if this is a lame question, but if I pledge for 55$ (I'm from Italy), will I get War and XP, Roy's magnet AND the pdf with Ochul's story?
In this descripition , I don't see the pdf

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$45 or more
One newly printed copy of War and XPs, the third book in the Order of the Stick series, plus the Roy Greenhilt magnet, shipped anywhere in the United States. (Canada/Mexico orders, please add $7 extra to your pledge to cover shipping; international orders, add $10.)

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Originally Posted by andrechan

Sorry if this is a lame question, but if I pledge for 55$ (I'm from Italy), will I get War and XP, Roy's magnet AND the pdf with Ochul's story?
In this descripition , I don't see the pdf

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From the $10 option:

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Plus a digital PDF of the original OOTS story, "How the Paladin Got His Scar," when it is completed. (Note: All of the rewards below this include the digital download as well.)

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So yes.

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Originally Posted by andrechan

Sorry if this is a lame question, but if I pledge for 55$ (I'm from Italy), will I get War and XP, Roy's magnet AND the pdf with Ochul's story?
In this descripition , I don't see the pdf

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The ten dollar description says it is included with everything higher.

Ninja'd.

The bonus that excites me the most is the potential for additional character stories, so I'm glad Rich approves of people pooling their money together. The only question: How to organise it?

Rich, would it be appropriate to start a thread to organise people willing to sign up to try and donate enough money to get one or both of the remaining character stories?

Damn, I was hoping to get the $100 one, but those sold out fast.

Is there any chance that another level can be added between $100 and $250? If not, I'll get the $80 instead.

I'd love to do a 100 or more, but 250 is a bit steep for me so soon after the holidays.

At any rate, this is a great idea and hope this works out! WARXP is the only book I'm missing from my collection:smallsmile:

I know that your time and resources aren't infinite for this, but would you consider putting in any thing else in the 50-250 pledge ranges as this drive goes on since the $60, $65, and $100 pledge points have already all sold out?

Thanks a lot for your answers
I'm a backer now :smallsmile:
P.S I bet in two days we'll reach the goal