I AM EVERLORE

OUR STORY - SHORT VERSION

A Little About Me

Hi, my name is David Thompson. I am a husband, father, educator, and dreamer. For nearly twenty years, I worked hard to develop a tabletop roleplaying game called EverLore, which we released in 2019. Our game was designed to promote diversity by providing positive representation for marginalized groups so all people can feel accepted and understood.

What Happened?

On October 9, 2022, a Facebook fan notified me of a company that released a roleplaying game online this year. Not only have they called their game EverLore, but they also appear to be infringing on our copyright.

Success, But More To Be Done

Our attorney has advised us that the other company has voluntarily abandoned its Petition to Trademark EverLore. As such, we no longer face a lengthy federal trial. However, we still have to pursue them to make sure they remove their "improperly" labeled products from all websites. We also have to file the appropriate legal documents to ensure ManChild, Ltd. is the sole owner of the EverLore Trademark. This news has enabled us to lower our funding request.

What Are We Seeking?

We ask for your support to raise $4,500 to pay for attorney fees, court filings, and other expenses. This will enable us to:

• Keep making great products for you

• Provide a voice for so many who often go unheard

• Show people what’s possible when you don’t give up

Please donate, then spread the word. If you share online, use #IAmEverLore. Any contributions are hugely appreciated. Thanks for being a part of this community!

OUR STORY - FULL VERSION

Where Should I Begin?

In 2019, after nearly twenty years of hard work and pouring my heart into a project, I held a product I could be proud of. My game, EverLore, a tabletop roleplaying game that I designed to promote diversity and inclusion by providing positive representation for marginalized individuals, was complete. But my work was not yet finished.

It is one thing to design a game and another to market. And so, I went about creating a website (https://www.manchildltd.com/) and several social media channels (with the username EverLoreGame). We even launched our first official weekly stream on Twitch (EverMore with EverLore). Since then, my team and I have showcased the game at craft shows, conventions, bookstores, and more.

Following the game’s release, I have had many poignant conversations with individuals that have opened up to me regarding their experiences within the gaming community. Many have thanked me for creating a fun game with an important message. Though it has been a process full of trial and error, we have developed a small fan base, which we hope to grow with time.

What I Learned?

On October 9, 2022, I was at CinCityCon. I had just made several contacts that had the potential of taking EverLore to a whole new level when I received a Facebook message from one of our fans stating that someone was trying to “steal your game’s name.” After some research, I found that not only did this new company start selling a roleplaying game online with the name EverLore in 2022, they are also using EverLore Game (which is a copy of our username EverLoreGame) as their Publisher name. They even have other wording and concepts that are very similar to my game. I discovered that they are in the process of Trademarking the name EverLore, which could preclude us from using the name, selling our products, and providing a voice for those who are often overlooked or are too often portrayed as stereotypes.

How Did I Feel?

I was overcome with a roller-coaster of emotions that day. I started out feeling great, realizing the fullness of a dream that had kept me working late into the wee hours of many a night. I sat and watched as my fifteen-year-old son (who wasn’t even born when I began working on this) ran an EverLore event for people who were engaged and having fun. I spoke with someone that was going to be able to help purchase higher-quality print books at an affordable price.

And then… and then, I felt angry that someone would do something like this. I felt unsure about what to do next. I felt confused because I thought we were too small for anyone to want to steal our idea in this manner, but clearly, I was wrong.

I was also ashamed because I felt I had let my family and my team down.

I called my team together and explained what was going on. I apologized because my fear was, I had not protected the company enough. Though I had done all I knew to do, I worried that I didn’t know enough. But we have a great team, and they have been in this process with me for many years and would hear none of my apologies. They simply said, “We’re in this together.” Buoyed by their support, I determined to do everything I could to fight this matter.

How Did I Respond?

I engaged the services of a lawyer who explained that based on the evidence, he feels we have a solid case against the other company. He believes we will successfully prosecute Trademark and Copyright litigations against the company. Fortunately, we found out about them just in time, as November 8, 2022, is the 30-day window to file a Trademark opposition formally. He has already sent a Cease-and-Desist letter to them on our behalf, but we must be prepared to proceed with a trial.

I have already paid the attorney’s retainer, but I am a self-funded small-business owner and the legal expenses are expected to be as much as $20,000 for the Trademark case. I have picked up extra work to fight this for as long as it takes, but I know it won’t be easy.

Who Am I?

I am David Thompson. I Am EverLore. I’m asking for your support so we can:

• Keep making great products for you

• Provide a voice for so many who often go unheard

• Show people what’s possible when you don’t give up

But also, because what the other company is doing is just wrong. The truth should matter, and I’m asking for your help to prove that it still does; companies can’t get away with anything they want simply because they have a lot of money.

What Can You Do?

Please donate, then spread the word. If you share online, use the hashtag #IAmEverLore. Any contributions are hugely appreciated. Thanks for being a part of this community!

What We’ll Use the Funds For?

The money raised in this fund will be used to pay for attorney fees, court filings, and other expenses that may include, but are not limited to, investigators, attorney travel, etc.

Why the hashtag #IAmEverLore?

At its core, EverLore is a fun game that is all about you. It is a nascent realm that is “Ever” evolving with tons of built-in “Lore” (mythology). But one of the main things I always strive to do is incorporate the stories and voices of others into the realm. At conventions and bookstores, our events are tailored to go beyond the standard learn-to-play sessions and provide a way for fans to feel involved with the game’s development.

Everyone who donates to this campaign, or spreads the word, is doing their part to help contribute to the vision of EverLore and will have earned the right to say I Am EverLore. In years to come, when they see our books on the shelves, they can know they are a part of EverLore’s story. They have become part of its Lore.

Why Do We Say This Game Is For You?

Our tagline for EverLore is “This Game Is For You!” because it was intentionally crafted to be a realm where players who are often overlooked find that they are seen and respected. But the beauty is that our philosophy is one of addition, not subtraction. We believe that providing players with the ability to express their fullness will only enrich the overall game experience for everyone.

Thanks for your interest. We appreciate your support!