If you’ve been following any of the Ultima Dragons haunts over the last day or so, you’ve probably already seen this. But, in case you haven’t: there’s now a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the Ultima Dragons 25th Anniversary Bash.

More than just a party, the Ultima Dragons 25th Anniversary Bash is a celebration of an entire online culture. We were one of the first communities to emerge from the early Internet, and our roots go even further back! It is this beginning, as a gaming club of Prodigy, that we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of today. Many factions of Ultima fans formed there in 1992, but only the Ultima Dragons survived.

And here’s the details on The Bash itself:

“We’re going to Disneyland!” This decision was as random as the UDIC itself. We’re bringing together Dragons from all over the world, many of whom are friends but have never met in person before, at the Happiest Place on Earth. The party will be kid-friendly, and all Dragons, their friends and family, and fans of the Ultima Dragons are invited. Those who have made the games we’re fans of have also been fans of US for almost as long as we’ve been around, so we’re inviting everyone who worked for Origin Systems or who currently works for Portalarium, the company currently making Shroud of the Avatar, the Ultimas’ spiritual successor.

To that end we’re renting a “Fellowship Hall” in the Disneyland Hotel for the weekend of February 25th and 26th. You’ll get to meet Origin Systems veterans Richard Garriott, Denis Loubet, and Dr. Cat, play games with Dragons and by Dragons, try out various Ultima games, and participate in some Ultima-inspired activities.

Featuring:

• A rare in-person appearance by our elusive founder Gold Dragon, Doug Ricket himself!
• A musical performance by the Dragons’ new favorite band, Space Bards aka Recap!
• Ex-Originite panel!
• Learning with Linguistic: Linguistic Dragon teaches Gargish!
• Spun Virtues: Auora, expert yarn crafter, demonstrates her spinning skills, and creates a keepsake for one pledger to take home!
• Guardian Sound-alike Contest: Try your pipes at recreating the Ultima series’ baddest villain!
• Dragon-themed crafts for kids!
• A special presentation with Lord British, aka Richard Garriott!
• And more!

Additionally, many Dragons will choose to spend much of Sunday in Disneyland itself, and Monday in its sister park, California Adventure. Sign up for the Meal Package for fancy foodstuffs for breakfasts Saturday and Sunday, Saturday buffet dinner, and the Saturday pizza picnic. We’ll also meet in the Disneyland Hotel picnic area for lunch on Sunday to partake in our traditional repast of Cinnabons (along with some tasty Schlotzsky’s sandwiches), included for free to all those pledging “Dragon” or above, or as an add-on for “Serpent” level.

Basically, this crowdfunding campaign is being held to both gauge interest in the event, and to help address its up-front costs:

If the Kickstarter is unsuccessful, some Dragons are still planning to gather at Disney, but could be far more expensive and fewer would be able to attend. We won’t have the Fellowship Hall to meet and play games in. Plus we’d have no Lord British presentation, no Origin panel, no goodies, no musical performance, no crafts for the kids, fewer special guests, and no great content to share with everyone who can’t go.

So, if you’re at all interested in seeing the 25th Anniversary Bash happen, do consider donating to this particular Kickstarter campaign.