The 2019 Maintaining the Tower Fundraiser!

Discussion in 'Site Announcements' started by Elia LePhant, Oct 1, 2019.

  1. Elia LePhant

    Elia LePhant Aes Sedai Director of Community Outreach Historian

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    [​IMG]

    Hail Tar Valoners!
    The Tower is mysteriously sinking, and we need your help! We're calling on the Ogier to help us straighten the Tower before it disappears into the ground. Become an Ogier by making a donation to the Fundraiser and donning your custom edited Ogier avatar and sig badge!
    Follow the story of the sinking and saving of the Tower of Tar Valon, as it progresses on our way to our fundraising goal of $3,000!
    Prologue:
    Books crashed down from unbalanced bookshelves, and Stasia Sedai winced as she ran toward the staircase leading down to the 13th Depository. The White Tower gave an ominous rumbling as the ground dipped beneath Stasia’s feet. “Oh goodness gracious, what is happening?! I told Elia Sedai not to open that blasted book!” One side of the Tower was visibly sinking, giving everything a lopsided appearance outside of the windows. Leira Sedai cut Stasia off, grabbing her arm with anxiety. “Do you know what is going on? The Tower is sinking!” Stasia pointed downward and gave Leira an ominous glance. “Elia opened the book.” Leira gasped and clutched her shawl closer. “Not THAT book?!” Stasia nodded, mouth in a grimace. “I’m afraid so. Please run and tell First Chair Eluial Sedai to alert the rest of the Tower. I must go to the 13th Depository and see what must be done.” Stasia started descending the stairs into darkness, as Leira looked on in consternation. “Oh do be careful! You know what that book can do!”

    Atreyu Gaidin was outside training with Analiese Gaidin, the new Company Commander of San d’ma Shadar. They raised their swords, ready for another practice round, when the ground rumbled and started to shake. Analiese Gaidin pointed in shock behind Atreyu, “Is the Tower… sinking?” Atreyu spun around, and saw to his horror that one side of the Tower was indeed sinking right into the ground.

    Cahalan Sedai and Nymala Sedai were sitting out in the gardens, drinking tea from identical mugs with the words “Stranger Things” painted on the side. Perhaps it was an Aiel joke? Cahalan Sedai was writing in a journal titled “Mafia” when Nymala Sedai spoke. “Hmm, First Selector, your tea is… vibrating. Look at the surface!” Cahalan Sedai lifted her head and peered at the fluttering surface of the tea. “So it is, Sister. It’s almost as if a giant beast is stomping upon the ground coming toward us.” Suddenly the ground began to vibrate more intensely, and their mugs toppled over, spilling their tea upon the table. Nymala jumped up and spun around, looking toward the Tower. “Cahalan, the Tower is sinking. Stranger Things, indeed!”

    In the Yellow Halls, Elania Sedai walked precariously down the inclined hallway, gripping the banister tight. The Tower had stopped sinking, for now, and Elania needed to rally the Yellows to go check for any injured.

    In the Amyrlin’s quarters, Serinia Sedai had been working hard on various treaties and important things of that sort. The Amyrlin, Rhed, and the Keeper, Lireina Sedai, were away on “secret business,” and it was up to Serinia Sedai to hold down the fort while they were away. After the Tower stopped trembling and the floor stopped moving, Serinia jumped into action. Only seconds passed before a crowd of people rushed into the Amyrlin’s office. “Mother what do we do?! The Tower is sinking!” They saw Serinia standing serenely by the desk, hands folded calmly before her waist. They wanted with bated breath. “The Mother is away right now, on a mission of vital importance. We will do what we must. Now calm yourselves, and call upon the Ogier! We must fix the Tower!”

    TO BE CONTINUED...


    Welcome to the 2019 Maintaining the Tower Fundraiser!
    This fundraiser will run from October 1 - October 31.


    What is this Fundraiser? This is our main fundraising event that we hold annually. Funds collected during this event cover all operational costs associated with TarValon.Net, such as our server, keeping the site ad-free, our wonderful Wiki Library, annual awards, events, and our unique Robert Jordan Memorial Scholarships! These services are entirely funded through our membership, and every donation counts. Whether you have $3, $30, or $300 to spare, your donations will go toward helping our community continue to thrive.

    How do I donate? There are two ways to donate for this Fundraiser: Using PayPal, and mailing a personal check if you are within the USA. Remember with either option to please include:
    • Your Tower Username
    • A note indicating your donation is for the Fundraiser

    PayPal
    >>Link to PayPal Here!<<
    Please send your donation to payable@tarvalon.net and remember to include in the notes section your Tower Name and the 2019 Fundraiser. (Example: Elia LePhant for the 2019 Fundraiser.)

    Personal Checks
    If you are within the USA you may send a personal check. Please include a note with your Tower Username and that the donation is for the 2019 Fundraiser. Make your check out to TarValon.Net, Inc. and mail to:

    TarValon.Net, Inc.
    C/O Amanda Beckman
    1541 County Road 3631
    Lamar, AR 72846
    USA

    Why is your Tower Name so important? We track our donors annually, both for our Avendesora program, and our annual reports. We also like to do prize drawings from the donor pool at the end of the Fundraiser!


    Graphics for the Fundraiser:
    Every person who donates to this Fundraiser will get a custom edited Ogier version of their Tower avatar! You will receive a PM from Elia LePhant when your avatar is ready. :)

    Sig Badge -
    [​IMG]

    Sig Banner -
    [​IMG]

    Prizes:
    As we reach our fundraising mileposts, another prize will be added to the prize pool. If we meet our $3,000 fundraising goal, then the Grand Prize will be added!

    Milepost 1: $600
    • $20 Pizza Gift Card & Pizza Socks
    Milepost 2: $1,200
    • $20 Pizza Gift Card & Pizza Socks
    Milepost 3: $1,800
    • $20 Pizza Gift Card & Pizza Socks
    Milepost 4: $2,400
    • $20 Pizza Gift Card & Pizza Socks
    Milepost 5: $3,000
    • Grand Prize ~ A private pizza party with the Amyrlins (Rhed and Serinia) at Anniversary Party 2020!

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2019
  2. Leira Galene

    Leira Galene Mafia Admin Aes Sedai Forum Moderator

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    Woohoo!
     
  3. Stasia t'Andrei

    Stasia t'Andrei Aes Sedai

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    Elia :nono

    :lol
     
  4. Erin al'Denael

    Erin al'Denael Ban Hammer, Scourge of Spambots Everywhere Aes Sedai Mistress of Novices & Recruits

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    Pi-zza, pi-zza, pi-zza!
     
  5. Analiese Sinclaer

    Analiese Sinclaer Gaidin Company Commander of San d'ma Shadar

    Joined:
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    That was awesome!
     
  6. Maibella ni Rhoiden t'al'Varrak

    Maibella ni Rhoiden t'al'Varrak Aes Sedai TVT Editor Forum Moderator

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    I'm excited! :joy
     
  7. Elia LePhant

    Elia LePhant Aes Sedai Director of Community Outreach Historian

    Joined:
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    Update! We have reached $300, which is halfway to our first Milepost! :joy

    Thank you so much for all donations so far. Y'all are AWESOME. :D

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Leala al'Dareis

    Leala al'Dareis Aes Sedai

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    10% there already! :joy
     
  9. Rhed al'Tere

    Rhed al'Tere Mother Amyrlin Seat

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    Thank you to everyone who’s already donated!

    Please remember that small donations matter too — in fact, I plan to match every donation $10 and under (before PayPal fees) at the end of the month. Can only afford $5? Great! I’ll match it.

    If you get any entertainment from TarValon.Net, or if you’ve played a game or ten of mafia, or if you’ve found a chosen family here, please consider donating. Again, even $5 will help us reach our goal and ensure the Tower remains standing.
     
  10. Erin al'Denael

    Erin al'Denael Ban Hammer, Scourge of Spambots Everywhere Aes Sedai Mistress of Novices & Recruits

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    ...I made a donation, cackling because I thought MWAHAHAHAH, RHED'S GOING TO MATCH IT but I didn't read the amount. :lol If I go make another donation, this time of $10, does that count for your matching plan or nah? :p
     
  11. Rhed al'Tere

    Rhed al'Tere Mother Amyrlin Seat

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    It would count!
     
  12. Karassa Souladrin

    Karassa Souladrin Aes Sedai

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    New Haven, CT
    I totes forgot to put my name n such on my donation. But since it came from karassa at gmail, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
     
  13. Elia LePhant

    Elia LePhant Aes Sedai Director of Community Outreach Historian

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    WOW!! Y'all are incredible! :joy We are already passed our first Milepost, and only $200 away from our second Milepost of $1200. :D

    [​IMG]

    Since we have reached our first Milepost of $600, another chapter will be revealed in the story of the mysterious sinking of the Tower. :shifty

    Milepost #1 Chapter:
    Serinia Sedai stepped out of the Waygate, and waited as several Ogier Builders followed behind her. The meeting with the Ogier Elders in Stedding Yontiang had been successful, although the careful deliberation of the Elders had taken longer than expected. Stedding Yontiang only had four Builders to spare to help the Tower, but they had promised to spread the word to other Stedding to send their Builders as soon as possible. Serinia knew that four Ogier could accomplish wonders, but they couldn’t save the Tower alone. Everyone in Tar Valon would need to help in order to buy time for the remaining Ogier to arrive. She hoped the instructions she had left for the Hall had already been put in motion…

    Roheryn Sedai used the Power to blast a hole in the ground, sending mounds of dirt into the air. The Green Ajah had been tasked with using the Power to dig up the foundation of the Tower, on the opposite side of what was mysteriously sinking into the ground. Architects in the City had explained this would make it easier to lift the Tower back to a standing position. The Novices and Recruits worked alongside the Green Ajah, helping to move the loose dirt and rock after the Greens skillfully ripped apart the earth. Roh grinned as the ground exploded around her. She couldn’t deny it was a fun job.

    Siera Sedai read her instructions from the Hall. The Gray Ajah needed to use their scales to meticulously calculate how off-balance the Tower was every day. Although the sinking had slowed, the Grays could confirm that it was still falling lower as time passed. A firm knock sounded at Siera Sedai’s study. “Enter,” she said and Ilverin Sedai opened the door and strode in to the room. “Everything is ready for you, Head Clerk.” Siera nodded and put on her cloak as they walked out into the hallway. It was time for her to speak to the Mayor of Tar Valon.

    The lights in the narrow tunnel flickered and went out. Sela Sedai wove Fire and Air to create a small ball of light above her head. She stood warily before the glowing door of the 13th Depository. There was a faint breeze that ruffled her purple hair - which was strange considering she was deep underground, below the Tower. When Eluial had rushed into her private library, yelling about how that fool Elia had opened that cursed book, Sela knew she had to act quickly. Leira had told them that Stasia had gone to the 13th Depository after the incident first occurred, but she had not returned. Sela gripped a small angreal in the shape of Cavalier King Charles puppy, and took a steadying breath. She pushed the door open…


    TO BE CONTINUED.
     
  14. Leala al'Dareis

    Leala al'Dareis Aes Sedai

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    Nice, guys!! This is so awesome!! :joy
     
  15. Cahalan Sothron

    Cahalan Sothron Aes Sedai Head of the Blue Ajah

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    Perfect
     
  16. Elania al'Manir

    Elania al'Manir Aes Sedai Forum Moderator

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    I'm loving the story that goes along with this!
     
  17. Cassie Dainar

    Cassie Dainar Darth Dainar Shatayan Aes Sedai

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    It helps that I know a bunch of people’s real names Karassa. There are quite a few that can get away with forgetting to put tower names on stuff without me having to do research. :D
     
  18. Calen Velervron

    Calen Velervron Gaidin

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    I have faith that @Eluial Aldaran will solve this problem... I’ll hold her books
     
  19. Stasia t'Andrei

    Stasia t'Andrei Aes Sedai

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    Y’all had better donate so I can find out what happens to me :eek :lol
     
  20. Eluial Aldaran

    Eluial Aldaran Aes Sedai Head of the Brown Ajah

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    ELIA! HOW COULD YOU?!
     
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