- The Forming Of A Quest -

[LaCabra (Soda) 1519]

OOC: Keep in mind that this is a short story that Bili has written. The quest may or may not exist, but the map surely does. It's up to you to ask him.

IC:

A clean, newly written leather back book sits in the loft of Bili's burrow. As you visit or sneak into his home, its thick bindings grab your attention. Opening the book, you come to see intricate, curly writing. You begin to read:

-The Tale of Dolby by Bili Hollowmead -

Dolby was just a wee lad, only twenty-four years old when this adventure occurred. He was a curious Halfling, who enoyed delving into places he shouldn't. Fathers would often threaten him for peeping through their daughters' windows. But Dolby did not care, for he was a strange one.

For some reason, this Dolby liked dark places. Whether it be small caves, or the unlit forests to the South of Branborough. Many days, he would hide in these places, and catch the crawling creatures that lived inside. Whether it be a sulking centipede, or a jittery squirrel, he would proceed to capture them. With this love of darkness, along came another fantasy; treasure.

Dolby loved treasure more than anything in the world. He was a greedy young man, and for this reason, he was disliked by the majority of the townsfolk. He was well known for his thievery of jewels, necklaces, and other trinkets. Some say that he tried to steal Sheriff Lobo's legendary shovel at one point. Gold and shining rubies were common thoughts in Dolby's little mind.

During a prosperous festival at Branborough, whilst lurking in the night, Dolby happened to overhear a storyteller off in the firelight, surrounded by a group of eager listeners. Naturally, Dolby slinked his way over, listening closely after hearing the words, "Gold, emeralds, fortune, coins!" and many more treasure-like objects that appealed to him. He slowly pressed forwards, listening closely to the storyteller's words.

"These valuables can all be found deep in a cave inside the Blackwood Forest, just a mile or two southwards." the bearded old storyteller said.

Dolby had already set off towards the hauntingly dark woods, before he could hear the old man's wrning. "Beware of the beast that lives inside, young fellows... For it will protect the treasure at all costs!" Dolby still would have gone, had he heard the danger that wa to come, for his lust of gold was too great.

As he trudged his way through the many hills of the Vale, leading to the forest, Dolby whistled a crude tune depicting a very famous brothel-maiden from the big city, Arethor. He chuckled, as he said, "HA! I coul' win 'er over with all o' this money I'll be gettin'... An' she will please me very well, as a matter o' fact!" He grinned maliciously once more, only thinking of the woman for his low desires.

Not much time passed, before the dark trees of Blackwood began to speckle the hills. They were tall, gaunt, thin, and of course, dark. Each one seemed to have claws that were ancient, and tore at the night sky. Every step Dolby took, the forest got darker and darker. On one occasion, an owl hooted in the blackness, sending shivers up Dolby's spine. Even this night would frighten young Dolby Hairychest.

After what seemed like an eternity, the sun began to climb its way up the horizon. Although it did not shine at full power in the forest, occasional beams found themselves peeking through the treetops. This light was just what Dolby needed to search for the legendary cave that the storyteller spoke of. Slowly, but surely, Dolby progresses through the dim, overgrown trees.

He wandered until about noon-time, before he came upon a clearing filled with dead grass, and a muddy pond. Upon the edge of the pond, were many rocks that led to an open hole in the earth. Strewn around the mouth of the cave were twinkling, golden coins. Thick webs were also abundant in the opening of the cave. Dolby, sleep deprived, yet exited at his disovery, ran over to the cave's maw. As he b ent over to pick one of the coins up, exhaustion took over his body, and he fell to the ground.

It may have been morning, or it may have been night, but Dolby did not know. When he woke, he ws in a well lit room, with low ceilings and a small puddle. The walls seemed to be carved of stone, etched into the very earth. "It might have been a burrow," Dolby thought, "If it were not so cold!"

The air in the small room was chilling, sending shivers down Dolby's spine at every breath he took. Dolby pulled his jacket close to his body, and jammed his thumbs into his armpit. He exhaled, and a plume of steam emitted from his mouth and nose. Frowning in discomfort, Dolby stepped forward and plopped down by the puddle nearby.

This brought his gaze to the other side of the room, where a sturdy chest sat, its lid open, and its insides overflowing with golden coins. A smile erupted onto Dolby's face, as he now noticed that trinkets and medallions were scattered all across the floor. Warmth crept into his fingertips, as he began stuffing the nearest items of value into his pocket. "Oh deary, this be grander than tha' brothel-maiden 'erself!" he shouted, "I shoul' jus' stay 'ere!"

Dolby crawled towards the chest, rubies shining attractively from it. As he reached his hand towards the treasure, the light that once illuminated the room burnt out. The chill of fear returned into his body, rendering his movement useless for a few moments. He was, in a sense, frozen in fear. Something heavy began making a scuttling noise from above, so Dolby flicked his view upwards.

There, in the dim light of this cave, were eight twinkling orbs, constantly moving. They seemed to grow larger and more ominous, as they moved towards Dolby. Something wet dripped onto his forehead, before a sharp pain split through his neck. Dolby, once more, fell asleep.

As he opened his eyes later, Dolby instantly began to struggle. He felt constricted, as if something were tied around him. Assuming this would be correct, as he was spun in the great thick spider string of the monstrous beast that haunted him. Dolby cried out in fear, feeling as claustrophobic as one can. Tears rolled down his eyes, as the heavy scuttling appeared once more. This time, it approached from behind.

Nobody heard the chilling screams of Dolby that night, as he was consumed by the creature that lived in the cave of Blackwood Forest.

Dolby, sadly, was forgotten. Time passed in Branborough, months, in fact. Many rains fell, before a mysterious map was discovered under one of the mattresses in the Drunken Sheep Inn by a young Halfling named Bili Hollowmead. At his curiousity of this map, which showed a dark cave in the Blackwood Forest, Bili began to display this map around to his friends.

It then grew in popularity, becoming a mystery to those in the Vale. Would this unknown cave hold something new and intriguing inside of it?

Yes. Yes, it would.

[An Old Salt 33]

Excellent story my friend.

[LaCabra (Soda) 1519]

( It means a lot to hear that, dude. Thanks so much! :) )

[Scarlet Kaiser 89]

*Arabella at last finished reading the tale, enjoying it despite the unfortunate circumstance that Dolby found himself in. Arabella looks about for where the owner of the leather-bound book but fails to find the anyone in the burrow. She wished to bring the book with her but she didn't desire to steal it either. Arabella frowns and reluctantly leaves the book be, having to be satisfied that she was able to read the story. She begins to ponder for a moment if the events of the book actually happened.