What do you do when your Kickstarter launches in a few days, and you have a camping trip that you scheduled months before? Well, if you're me, you incorporate your trip into your promotion.
For the 6 days leading up to our Kickstarter launch, I’ve been live tweeting an imaginary expedition to find the Black Suit of Death with the hashtag #FindBSD. I’ve collected all the tweets here into one story, told in several tweets.
To prepare for the imminent @kickstarter launch, I will be spending 4 days in the Arizona desert searching for signs of the @BlkSuitOfDeath
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 13, 2016
We have arrived at base camp. Spirits are high as we begin our search for signs of the @BlkSuitOfDeath.#FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 15, 2016
As the light faded, we heard the sound of a flute in the distance. Likely some tribe of natives nearby. We hope they are friendly. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 15, 2016
Strange sounds and frigid temperatures made sleep elusive for most of the team, but our resolve remains strong. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 15, 2016
Someone spelled "Kill" wrong. #FindBSD pic.twitter.com/zLNHwYQ9sI
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 15, 2016
Professor Schmidt thinks this primitive trail marker is a sign we're going the right direction. #FindBSD pic.twitter.com/SjhOkYdZiI
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 15, 2016
We have hiked since early morning with no sign of @BlkSuitOfDeath. Jenkins sprained his ankle. Nothing else to report.
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 15, 2016
#FindBSD
Howling winds & strong rainfall last night. One of our shelters collapsed. It seems nature has set her will against us. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 16, 2016
1 of our guides disappeared in the night. Schmidt suspects the natives. Jenkins thinks Schmidt is a racist. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 16, 2016
Jenkins says he spotted a large jack rabbit. Our guide says they are dangerous & we should leave the area. Superstitious nonsense. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
Strange ruins spotted in the distance. We should reach them tomorrow, & investigate further. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
Morale is low as we face another frigid night. Now the howling winds are joined by the unnerving calls of the coyote.#FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
Coyote howls are making sleep difficult. It's as if a thousand lunatics are laughing in concert. Schmidt is increasingly agitated #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
One of our porters started mumbling, "the coyotes, they call to me!" & then ran off into the night with half our gear on his back. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
The porter who ran off had half our food.
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
Schmidt & Jenkins arguing over how to divide our remaining rations. #FindBSD
We reached the ruins. Interesting, but still no sign of @BlkSuitOfDeath. Morale is low as supplies dwindle. #FindBSD pic.twitter.com/MQBPUKwF8Z
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
Found remains of our porter. Appears to have been torn apart by a wild beast. Guide blames jack rabbits, but I suspect #BSDwasHere#FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 17, 2016
More jack rabbits spotted. Our guide is suggesting we abandon the expedition. I think the danger is exaggerated. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 18, 2016
Our guide says he is leaving, with or without us. Jenkins, Schmidt, & myself have resolved to continue on, unafraid of rabbits. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 18, 2016
Schmidt is complaining about having to cary his share of our remaining supplies. Jenkins is growning increasingly agitated with him #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 18, 2016
We were wrong about the jack rabbits. Horribly, horribly wrong. We should have listened to the advice of our guide. #hubris #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 18, 2016
Soon after our numbers dwindled to 3, the rabbits attacked. Schmidt took the worst of it. He is alive, but missing a leg. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 18, 2016
The rabbits seem to be toying with us, softening us up for the kill. Schmidt is delirious from his wounds. I doubt he will survive. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
The coyotes howl in concert with Schmidt's pitiful groans. Jenkins is covered in blood after fighting the rabbits off with a shovel #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
I couldn't stand the sound of Schmidt's moaning any longer, so I took the shovel from Jenkins and put an end to him. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
The rabbits have given us some reprieve while they feast on Schmidt's remains. Jenkins is limping badly from his sprained ankle. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
We are trudging back to civilization, but the rabbits have resumed their attacks. They are relentless. Path is narrow & tetcherous. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
Jenkins slipped while fending off a rabbit. He now clings to a tree root jutting from the cliff face. I will attempt a rescue. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
I've fashioned a harness from Paracord & cloth from my sleeping bag. I'm going to repel down the cliff face to rescue Jenkins. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
Sorry for the recent typos, but I'm running for my life from killer jack rabbits. What do you expect? #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
Before I could reach Jenkins the root he clung to began to crack. I could see on his face he knew he was doomed. #FindBSD
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
Before he plunged to his death Jenkins spoke his final words: "The @kickstarter must succeed!" #FindBSD #FundBSD https://t.co/5dZZQVLXKF
— E. R. Ellsworth (@EREllsworth) April 19, 2016
Follow @BlkSuitOfDeath