Esmerelda is questing! Episode 1/25

It's the beginning of Fall. At the edge of Autumn Forest lives a family of shy and placid spiders going about their daily lives in peace and harmony, together with their pet cat.

Esmerelda, an old friend, comes visiting, and she gets to talking about taking a trip, and asks Spidey to come along! Spidey is a little afraid, as arachnids tend to have a bad rep, which is highly undeserved, so he is justifiably nervous about the notion of gallivanting around the countryside!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 2/25

While considering Esmerelda's trip, Spidey invites Esmerelda inside for tea and cookies. Esmerelda is curious about the picture on Spidey's wall. Spidey explains the costumed fox is his best buddy in the whole wide world, and he would like to visit him on their trip if possible?

Spidey pointed out they could come back by Halloween, so he could celebrate with his family... Spidey loves giving out candies on All Hallows Eve. He encourages Esmerelda to sample some of his Halloween cookies, which he plans to give out too (hopefully a fresher batch!).

Esmerelda stays the night so they can start their trip early next morning!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 3/25

Esmerelda and Spidey arise early, pack their meagre belongings (neither is a hoarder of personal possessions, unlike some hoomans), and they set off.

Spidey brings along his pet cat Whiskers, and a good supply of his Halloween cookies, and they wave goodbye to his family as they set off...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 4/25

Upon clearing the forest, Spidey gets excited when he spots his BFF's house, asking Esmerelda if his BFF can tag along with them? The more the merrier!

As they approach BFF's house, Spidey asks Esmerelda what the actual purpose of their trip is?

But Esmerelda just smiles, and whispers, "all will be revealed later..." Hmmmm

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 5/25

Intrigued by the mystery, BFF agrees to tag along with them! Esmerelda tells them the first place they'll visit will be the tavern in town, where they'll get their first clue what this trip is all about.

From this point onwards they'll be sleeping rough, out in the wilds, when night time falls (or was that Falls?).

Knowing Spidey is curious about everything, Esmerelda can feel Spidey's excitement building already!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 6/25

Arriving in town, our troupe feel like all eyes are staring at them, and they wonder why?

But the pub is just ahead, and they all feel ready for refreshments, as the opportunity to rest their tired paws lures them inside...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 7/25

Music blares from the jukebox in the crowded pub! Everypet seems to be having a good time! U-N-T-I-L, all of a sudden, the bartender makes an announcement!

"As you all know, it's a tradition this time of year for us to play the Cursed Challenge once more...

"There's a haunted castle deep in the Forbidden Forest behind this town...

"Rumour has it that there's a witch living there, who feasts on people once a year...in Autumn, near All Hallows Eve...

"She's believed to be hiding a lot of treasures in that castle! People who go looking for it never return.

"What happens to them?"

"So, to those of you seeking adventure, spine-tingling thrills, glory and fortune - we dare you to take up this challenge! And whoever brings back the treasure will be doubly rewarded handsomely, and have the bragging rights for being the only pet in history to conquer this Cursed Challenge!!!

"There are NO rules! Anything goes during the Challenge! But you must be back here 2 days before Halloween, with proof. We bid all challengers the best of luck, and hope to see one of you again this time!"

Arachnids have naturally big boggly eyes, and Spidey's were almost popping out of his head, which is most of his body anyway...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 8/25

Our troupe left the pub and raced towards the Forbidden Forest at breakneck speed! At the entrance to The Forest , they finally pause, knowing full well their venture into this challenge might be the last thing any of them do. But taking courage from one another, they march ever onward.

"I wonder why this forest is forbidden?" Thinks Spidey to himself...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 9/25

Our troupe happens upon a strange looking-glass, with a stray cat guarding it, in the middle of their path. A sign says "drink me". Our troupe members look at this apparition dubiously, so the stray cat brags that this drink will protect them throughout their journey - but it's not free! Whisker's tummy is grumbling. He craves sustenance. Anything to fill his rumbly tummy...

After assessing the risks, the troupe decide to accept the drink, and offer the stray cat some cookies from Spidey's sack.

Spidey and BFF sip the drink first and immediately feel weird burning sensations. So Whiskers refuses to drink it, watching them wriggling about in discomfort!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 10/25

With a loud poof, the stray cat disappears! AND Spidey turns into a much tinier version of himself. AND BFF grows as tall as the tree behind him.

"Oh no," thinks Spidey, "this is a disaster! I can no longer carry my sack, and somepet might step on little ol' me and crush me!"

Hearing the troupe's distress, two nearby bats flutter up to Spidey and tell him to crawl straight to the nearby lake, there to seek out the crystal owls that see all and know all...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 11/25

Paws pounding the turf, our troupe make a beeline for the lake, drawn on by the bright light atop a ghostly translucent tree. 3 translucent owls and 3 mini owls perch in the tree, keeping their own ghostly vigil.

"Excuse me," whispers Spidey, barely able to be heard because he's so tiny.

So BFF opens his mouth and scares himself when his vocal cords bellow "H-E-L-L-O!"

The tree shakes as all six owls sing out in symphony Whoo? Whoo? Whoo? Whoo? Whoo? Whoo? "We are The Whoos! We guard this lake! What, What, What, What, What, What do you want?"

In his new big booming voice, BFF explains their predicament, rather liking the sound of his own new voice!

The Whoos reply, "Drink from this lake, and those of you deemed worthy shall be revived. But it won't happen fast, or when you expect it to.

"Three days and three nights shall pass, before any regain their original form. So tread carefully (or thread carefully if you are an arachnid) on your journey, for the transformation will happen if and when it happens."

Relieved by this news, Spidey asks BFF to reward the Whoos with assorted cookies, because the cookies are too big for Spidey himself to wrestle from the sack.

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 12/25

Exhausted from trooping to the lake, our troupe move a little way off and lay down to rest, with Spidey hanging onto his cookie sack, to prevent the ever-hungry Whiskers from eating them all!

Drifting off to sleep, Spidey whispers to BFF, "Tonight should count as the first of the three nights, right?"

But the only reply Spidey receives is a thunderous snore, so he too falls asleep, to escape the awful noise!!!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 13/25

Feeling refreshed after a sound sleep - plenty of snoring sound, that is - our troupe troops ever onwards, with Spidey hitching a ride on Whisker's hat to keep up.

"Do you think I look a bit bigger than last night?" Spidey asks BFF.

"No," said BFF, "but Whisker's belly certainly does look bigger this morning!"

Just as Spidey begins pondering whether cookies might help him regain his normal glorious stature, our troupe spot a sign nailed to a tree that says "CASTLE."

As our troupe follows the sign, Spidey fervently hopes he'll be big enough to defend himself before they reach the castle, but BFF points out he is big enough to defend all of them, and wonders what possible advantages being tiny might give Spidey?

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 14/25

As the sun dips and dusk falls, Spidey also takes a tumble from Whisker's hat, and BFF feels Spidey's sack getting heavier.

BFF shouts out that he thinks "Spidey is getting a bit bigger," at exactly the same time Spidey exclaims that "BFF looks a little smaller now!" Both of them do a happy dance, while Whiskers feels relieved Spidey is no longer hitchin' a ride on his hat!

But as the sun sinks, the temperature drops rapidly. The troupe members all feel the fur on the back of their necks stand up, with cold and with fear, as they each spy the menacing figures lurking in the forest, and a strange green mist rises all around them, sinking into their very beings.

With little legs pumping and paws pounding the ground, our troupe hightails it out of there, just as fast as their paws will take them!!!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 15/25

The troupe doesn't quit pounding the turf until they reach a clearing, where everypet falls to the ground, exhausted and out of breath!

"I think I left my exoskeleton back there," murmured Spidey. "I guess we'd better get some shuteye now, because it's the second night after the lake, so perhaps we'll be back to our normal sizes tomorrow?"

But, as usual, the only replies Spidey received were loud snores - from Whiskers as well as BFF tonight!

"Well, no cookies for you tonight, Whiskers," yawns Spidey, gazing at the auroras as he joins his friends in the Land of Nod...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 16/25

Our troupe awake to the sound of a burbling brook. Spidey checks his reflection, fairly sure he is slightly larger this morning, although not quite his normal glorious stature yet...

Our troupe try to get their bearings, wondering how far they are from the castle after their burst of speed the night before?

Spidey and BFF bathe quickly in the babbling brook, while Whiskers looks on with distaste, wishing somepet would catch him a gingerbread fish, instead of wasting so much time washing away their toe jam!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 17/25

When our troupe troops on, they find a very peculiar tree. "Are those some of my Halloween cookies hanging on it?" wonders Spidey. "Yes, I'm sure they are! But this is most bizarre! That's my secret family recipe, so how did those cookies get here?"

BFF and Whiskers ignore Spidey, too busy harvesting Halloween cookies! Then a beautiful purple butterfly flies up and whispers to Spidey "approaching Castle... beware... Scary Fayre... be brave... and don't lose your curiosity or your cookies..." before flying on.

"Did you hear that?" Spidey asks his friends. "Whatever did she mean?"

But the friends were too busy stuffing their faces to even realise Spidey was talking to them. Spidey sincerely hoped they'd regain their wits soon, as tonight was the final night of the Whoos prediction, and Spidey had a sneaking suspicion their transformations will align with taking the Cursed Challenge...

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 18/25

That 3rd night while Spidey was about to go to sleep (with less noise from BFF snores ... maybe because he's smaller than before), he recalled the day and how none of them changed sizes ...

Then fog started to descend. It was very chilly that night.

As Spidey was about to fall asleep, from the corner of his almost closed eye lids, he saw some mythical creatures flying and floating about the tree trunk near where they were sleeping.

"I must be dreaming," he thought to himself, and drifted off to sleep.

But it wasn't a dream! The mythical creatures were really there, putting up signs on the tree trunk.

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 19/25

Early next morning when the fog had lifted, they woke up to loud noises. Voila, what do you know ... they're both back to their regular sizes! Whiskers saw nothing to celebrate about unless Spidey gave him some cookies.

After celebrating their size change, they notice the "hello" and "good-bye " signs on the tree trunks. They also notice mysterious creatures hiding behind them.

"Well I guess we're not welcome here ... let's move on. I can feel we're almost there!" said Spidey.

BFF was wondering why anyone would post hello and goodbye signs? Whiskers just ate his cookie and strolled on.

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 20/25

Spidey is alarmed. "What is this? An abandoned fairground? I never knew we had a fairground in our county. Did you know BFF? It looks so old ... I wonder what happened to it? Oh no, Scary Fayre! That's what the butterfly whispered to me while both of you were gobbling at the cookie tree. Does that mean we're almost there? Are we nearing the castle?"

BFF wondered what those animals were doing there.

"What animals?" asked Spidey.

"You know, the ones in those purple tents and at the ticket counter."

"Those aren't animals. They look like mannequins. I think they're called pettequins! They are all the rage in the animal fashion industry!"

"Do you want to go on a ride on the carousel?" asked BFF.

"No way, the butterfly told me to thread carefully ... it might not be safe anyway."

"I'll go look for a map at the ticket counter."

Spidey found an old fairground pamphlet with the layout of the whole playground. He saw the land next to it was where the castle was located. Happy news, indeed!

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 21/25

Using the pamphlet as a guide, they walk and walk, and walk some more. By the time they can see the castle, it is already night time. They're contemplating whether to spend the night here or power through. The castle looks a bit menacing from where they stand.

Spidey decides he wants to power through. Once they get to the castle compound, they can rest and enter the castle in the morning.

Whiskers was way ahead of them, strolling towards the castle.

"I thought I saw a dragon behind the castle when lightning struck," Spidey said to himself.

As they were approaching the castle, whispering voices on the wind said "please don't go ... please don't go."

"Did you hear that?" Spidey asked BFF.

This time BFF answered "yes, yes, I heard it too! Should we continue?"

"Be brave", Spidey said. "I never told you this before, but ever since we left the pub in town a few days ago, I never believed this castle was cursed or haunted. I truly want to get to the bottom of this so-called cursed challenge."

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 22/25

They arrived at the castle just after dawn. Who did they see waiting for them there? It was none other than Esmerelda! They were so excited to see her and started talking all at once, telling her about their recent adventures.

Spidey stopped suddenly when he saw a dragon behind the iron gate next to the castle; "so I was not hallucinating last night when I thought I saw a dragon behind the castle!"

Not to be outdone, BFF started boasting about the time he was transformed, and was tall as the tree in the forest. "I wished someone would make a stuffed toy out of me in giant size, because I do look good if I say so myself!"

They asked Esmerelda how she was able to get there ahead of them, as the last place they saw her was at the tavern in the town.

"I intended to meet you all at the castle. So after I had finished my errands, I took a different route and came straight to the castle."

Spidey was glad to have Esmerelda with them, especially on the final leg of this cursed challenge. "Now all we have to do is go inside, get the treasure and head back to the tavern for our reward, right? Let's go!!!"

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 23/25

As they were walking through the hallway of the castle, Spidey noticed it looked old, uninhabited and dilapidated. Even from outside, it smelled of damp, mold and rotting wood. He wondered whether there really was a witch living in it.

As they were walking, BFF noticed an entrance to the dungeon and urged them to try it. "Where else can a treasure be?" he asked.

There was a large door at the bottom of the stairs. As they pushed it together, it opened with a loud and ominous creak. Spidey's senses tingled with excitement, as he was sure they would find the treasure there.

As their eyes adjusted to the gloomy ambience of the dungeon, they saw a treasure chest in the corner. Using a candle they found on the floor, they slowly approached the chest. Whiskers jumped ahead and stood next to the chest waiting for them.

Slowly they pushed the heavy lid off the chest. Filled with excitement and dread, they peeked inside and saw many colourful candies!

"This is the treasure?" yelled BFF. "Is this a joke? What's going on here?"

Spidey smiled, and said "I love it! This candy looks delicious. The bartender did say we get to keep the treasure we found, right? I can use this during Halloween to give to kids doing 'trick or treat'."

A ghostly character who had been watching them all the time revealed itself, and said they were to present themselves at the throne room with their treasure.

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 24/25

As they entered the throne room, they saw many suspicious characters gathered near the throne.

"I bet you the witch is the green one with the hooded cape and staff in her hand!" whispered BFF.

"I think it's the scary looking creature behind the pink blob thingy," said Esmerelda.

While they were arguing and guessing who could be the witch, the sweet fairy-like creature in the middle smiled at them and spoke.

"Welcome to my castle! I see you have succeeded in finding the treasure. I hope you like it, it's all yours! We all love Halloween and dress in costumes every day. This part of the forest used to be thriving with a great community. Since we loved Halloween, we built the Scary Fayre for everyone to enjoy; but it was abandoned when people moved to the city. I hope when you go back, you will tell people the truth about us. Hopefully we can all work together to restore the Scary Fayre to its glory days. Before you leave, I would like to give you a token of friendship. Please open the scroll, and see what awaits you when you go home."

Spidey opened the scroll. He saw an image of a house that look exactly like BFF's house. What could this mean?

Esmerelda explained she had been working with the castle folks, bringing Spidey here not only to tell him about the Scary Fayre, but also to give him a house similar to BFF's, to thank him for always enjoying Halloween.

Esmerelda is questing! Episode 25/25

After a hearty lunch at the castle, they bid farewell to the castle folk, and promised to return soon. They left feeling full and contented, then made their journey home.

During their leisurely walk, Spidey asked Esmerelda if she was the one who had planted all the cookies at the bare tree. Esmerelda admitted this and explained how, after the tavern, she doubled back to Spidey's house to get the cookies and set the whole thing up. All those creatures they met along the way had played along as well, including the bartender at the tavern. she knew Spidey's curiosity would bring him to where they are now.

Spidey said he enjoyed the whole adventure, because he got to spend time with BFF too! There was no need for them to stop in town now, so they continued home. BFF said goodbye when they reached his home, then they continued on to Spidey's house.

Signs of Autumn were everywhere; leaves were falling, and at the spot where the tree trunk home had stood, the witches brew boot house was now Spidey's own. He could see his family already settling in comfortably, and Whiskers selecting his favourite spot. The candies were all laid in front of the house with time to spare before trick or treat began in 2 day's time.

As Esmerelda was about to leave, Spidey gave him 20 GM as a token of friendship and appreciation for all she had done.

"You know what, we could easily make this adventure a yearly thing for everyone to enjoy. The proceeds can be used to rebuild the Scary Fayre!" said Spidey.
Esmerelda has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also take part!