Quest of the Key: Chapter One - "Help Wanted"

The Quest begins! This is the first chapter of the continuing adventure, Quest of the Key!
Quest of the Key is an animated medieval fantasy adventure series set in a world of magic, mystery, monsters, and machinery. Join a small band of brave adventurers on a quest both for riches and redemption, who find that some of the greatest treasures are not the ones you seek.
In this opening chapter we meet our diminutive heroine as she sets out for adventure...but did her adventure find her first? And who are the mysterious strangers she encounters along the way?
Quest of the Key is a fully-animated story with original characters, original settings, and original musical score, brought to you by the producers of Star Trek: Aurora. Fans of Aurora will recognize a similar sense of silliness, spectacle, and sincerity as the series progresses, and may even recognize a couple familiar faces in this very first chapter...
Join the Quest!

[@bcukdannage]

I love that T'Ling is wearing the Leonard Nimoy hat to cover her ears so they don't draw attention, whilst they find out how they got sucked into this dimensional rift. Bravo. ;)

[@Auroratrek]

The classics never get old! LOL

[@Tamalain]

Fantastic. Looking forwords to chapter 2

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Chapter 2 is in production--I'll get it out asap!

[@jeffmaesar]

Happy to see this episode coming up at last ! thanks a lot.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! It's been a long road even to get to the start, but I think things will progress more smoothly from here!

[@swager1950]

Very well done , I want more !

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! We're working on Chapter 2 now!

[@sjerrytone]

Love it! good to see you back. especially loved that cameo at 2:31 😉

[@nedt8778]

I'm glad you noticed I missed it. Spoiler*** * * * * * * * * T'Ling is even wearing the same-colored knit cap as Spock in "City on the Edge of Forever".

[@Auroratrek]

@@nedt8778 LOL--yep, it's the official Vulcan disguise!

[@nedt8778]

@@Auroratrek The funny thing is in a fantasy world pointed ears wouldn't need to be disguised.

[@Auroratrek]

@@nedt8778 LOL--true, tho you might be mistaken for a elf, and that could get awkward... ;-)

[@ziabisoh1156]

Very Impressive. The colors, the quality and so far your story is fantastic.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@centaur1a]

Quite refreshing something different from you. Looking forward toward the next chapter.😀

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Yes, a bit different from Aurora, but I think Aurora fans will recognize a similar sense of storytelling. I'll get Chapter 2 out asap!

[@007nikster2]

I love it. Looking forward to the rest!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm excited to continue the story!

[@Aurinkohirvi]

Very good! The gnome maiden has nice character in her, scared but gutsy, determined, mild mannered and soft, sailing strange waters trying to do what she has to. The armor fitting scene was funny, with the cliche "less female armor is better armor" outfit and the full plate.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Yes, I think it's fun to have characters with a range of feelings and reactions. I enjoyed presenting the armor fitting scene, partly as it's a really hidden part of most adventure stories that even the most heroic warrior or evil warlord still has to get up in the morning and decide what they're going to wear that day.

[@gabesantiago3074]

Though short in stature, her courage is towering! . . . It's been a long time in coming, but 'Quest Of The Key' was worth the wait and anticipation. Loved Chapter One! Looking forward to following Darla on her quest to high adventure and fortune! . . . Tim & Jeanette, you guys did a great job with Star Trek: Aurora, I await Chapter Two of this fantastic story. Keep up the good work, guys!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Yes, sorry for the wait, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. We're having a lot of fun with Quest, and hope other Aurora fans will too!

[@CITAP1]

Oh great, now I have to wait for part 2. I liked the cameo walking out of the tavern at the beginning. Great work.

[@Auroratrek]

Yeah, sorry animation is so slow, but Chapter 2 should be out (relatively) a lot faster! And glad you enjoyed the cameo--it just seemed right.

[@SnuffitLabs]

Just found this today. Loved the Aurora series years ago and never got the notification of this one. Very cool! I like it a lot!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to Subscribe so you get notified about the next chapter!

[@seskalarafey9285]

I like your Humor, please continue with it :)

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm always up to mixing in a bit of humor into any story!

[@georgesal-habre103]

Excellent, but i miss Aurora. Great work 😊

[@Auroratrek]

Yeah, I miss Aurora, too, but am having fun with Quest of the Key as well. I hope other Aurora fans will give it a try.

[@matthewtmarfield7861]

Well! Not what I was expecting from AuroraTrek, but FUN! Bravo!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Yes, something different, but hopefully enjoyable for Aurora fans!

[@khnum21]

Amazing work and well worth the wait, Looking forward to the next part! :D

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Sorry for the wait, but I promise Chapter 2 won't take as long to come out!

[@Americalandofthefree]

Fantastic Tim! I like this a lot. I did see a couple of things at around 2:33 that looked real familiar...seems we have a bit of time traveling side story going on there! ;-) Thanks man looks great!

[@fmlazar]

Wouldn't have been them... they never walk out of a bar that they don't get thrown out. :)

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! Yes, a little familiar... ;-)

[@Auroratrek]

@@fmlazar LOL--good point!

[@fmlazar]

@@Auroratrek At least you finished your story before Alec Peters ruined it for everyone.

[@ecoclasico]

Amazing!! I loved the design, the cameras, the animations, the body and facial gestures, and the story! Looking for the second chapter! 🙂

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! We're working on Chapter 2 now!

[@rafaelsays175]

Holy moly, I'm too excited to see this!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm really excited to have the series started!

[@zerolv30000]

Nice stuff. Got a blast of Nostalgia from the earlier 2000s animations on tv. Thank god for my late-night scrolling on the Tiamat group on facebook. Not sure why the algorithm didn't show it earlier. It should have way more likes.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Yes, I'm not sure how Facebook thinks, but it does seem to bury things very quickly sometimes. Thanks for checking it out!

[@johnbak3324]

OMG so excited! Literally been waiting years for this. Love it!

[@Auroratrek]

LOL--sorry for the wait. I promise Chapter 2 won't take as long!

[@ufiarena8334]

What an impressive film. Great props. Perfect camera work. You captured the atmosphere well. Appropriate sound quality. The looks well staged. Amazing length. Good work!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks--I'm glad you enjoyed it! And make sure to subscribe--there's lots more to come!

[@grogtrain8139]

Really looking forward to the next chapters.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Working on it now!

[@tugpsx640]

Great job thanks for sharing. Cant wait to see the rest of the adventure.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! We're looking forward to continuing the adventure!

[@barryon8706]

Very good! 6:20 got a real laugh, and I'm all kinds of intrigued for more.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks, glad you got a laugh out of it. I'm a big believer that a little comedy never hurts a story, nor does a bit of mystery! ;-)

[@NeonsStyleHD]

Awesome. Great to see you finally get the first episode finished. Looking forward to the next episode. :)

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! It feels great to have the series started. Working on Chapter 2 now!

[@EpicallyCasual]

Great stuff, I used that very outfit in my short as well :)

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!--that's high praise coming from AFK! Yes, it's a great outfit--my gnome appears to be a bit less bitey than your gnome, tho--LOL. Love the Talky Orcs and Star Wars short films--really well done, and hilarious. I encourage anyone who hasn't seen them to check them out at AFK!

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

Looking forward to more. Keep up the great work. 😊

[@questofthekey2787]

Will do!

[@ecatVids]

This is beautiful, charming, funny - was that a Dead Space helm? Stunning animation, excellent voice acting. I fear many more superlatives would go to your head. Looking forward to whatever comes next.

[@Aurinkohirvi]

Yeah voice acting was real good!

[@Auroratrek]

LOL--glad you enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to bringing out more of the story!

[@Auroratrek]

@@Aurinkohirvi Thanks! Yes, an often underappreciated part of animation, but I think Jeannette did a great job, as usual, and the actor for Garador I think sounds great.

[@MaxWriter]

Very cool. Looking forward to more.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rtyria]

Fantastic beginning. Can't wait for part 2.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! We had a lot of fun with this, and are looking forward to continuing the story!

[@Wild1221Weasel]

Excellent. Can't wait for more. Getting thrown out of bars seems to be a theme, eh? 😉 Well Until the Aurora rips into another alternate dimension that has no Federation, or Klingons, or anything else familiar and can have new adventures (hint hint) count me in.

[@Auroratrek]

LOL--well, it seems in any adventure story, there's at least an even chance that the hero will get thrown out of a bar. ;-) (But did you notice who didn't get thrown out at around 02:34?)

[@Wild1221Weasel]

@@Auroratrek Of course, including the, "Spock Branded" knit cap to hide the pointy bits. I guess there were no cross-universe Klingons to annoy, or Dwarves are more thick skinned and didn't take offense. 😀 I know I probably posted this before over the years, but Aurora is a masterpiece. I watch it periodically and it never fails to choke me up, many times. It's like some of my favorite movies. If I start it, I have to watch the whole thing. If Quest is 1/10 as good I will be thoroughly satisfied.

[@Auroratrek]

@@Wild1221Weasel Thanks! Maybe the Official Knit Cap is an opportunity for merchandising--LOL. I'm really glad you enjoyed Aurora--it means a lot to hear that from people like yourself. We plan to bring a similar sense of storytelling to Quest, so I really hope you like it, too.

[@mysticmarble94]

OMG ... We waited so long 🙀 QOTK finally arrived 👏

[@Auroratrek]

LOL--yes, sorry for the wait, but the adventure has begun, and there's no stopping it now!

[@larrygorlitz]

Awesome! Same attention to detail and clever wit we saw in Aurora. Love the barely there bikini armor homage! 😁 😅

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks, Larry! Glad to hear from Aurora fans who enjoy Quest as well. It may not be Aurora (tho, maybe a little? ), but I'm hoping Aurora fans will find it as much fun. And I did think it was important to address the bikini armor issue! ;-)

[@donlawler9510]

9th view, 2nd thumbs up, 1st comment! Been waiting... edit: tight, tight, tight!!! At the 6:10 mark... wasn't ready... laughed until tears came!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks for checking it out! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@gileadart3307]

That's beautifully done!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@Neville60001]

I like this cartoon so far, but IMHO we would have more _Star Trek: Aurora_ if it hadn't been for Alec 'Biscuit Fun Boy' Peters and his shenanigans he did in filming his own _Star Trek_ fan film, the long in gestation and not yet even stated filming _Star Trek: Axanar_ .

[@Auroratrek]

Yeah, that was really unfortunate. I hope you enjoy QotK as well, tho!

[@edmondaggabao]

I love everything about this

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@H3zzard]

I commented through the official channel upload, but yay here too.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! ;-)

[@truerelig10n59]

Great work and worth the wait!!!!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! The wait going forward won't be as long!

[@Queezbo]

I'm glad I've been waiting. This was good.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Chapter 2 will come out a lot sooner!

[@garysevenofnine]

Great work all around! Visuals, story (so far), humor, really excited to see more. I love your style so much.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm really happy to have this series started, and plan to have fun with it, and hope Aurora fans will come along for the ride!

[@eafigarella]

Nice !! Beautifully done !! Love the backgrounds !

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! It's fun "building" this world!

[@thespectre717]

Liked the reference to your aurora characters lol !!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! A little "Easter egg" for Aurora fans! ;-)

[@HeyImJerry]

the style and pacing totally reminds me of those old Point and click RPGs. Great work loved it

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@DiceDragonsGuild]

Love this and can't wait to see more!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Make sure to check out Chapter Two if you haven't already, and don't forget to subscribe!

[@johnfelixable]

I like it. Great work!

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@RPGMusicMaker]

I loved the video and it was beautifully scored, honestly! Props to the composer :) I can't wait to watch more of your projects!

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! Yes, Jon Moore was the composer, and I think he did a great job. Music is sometimes underappreciated in a production, but it adds so much.

[@BrentBowers]

You got yourself a sub! Great work!

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! We’re working on Chapter Three now!

[@EdBecnel]

This is truly amazing! The best animated fantasy movie I've seen! I can't wait to see more! Thank you so much for making such a quality movie with a great story, characters, and fantastic settings!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. We're working on the next part now. Be sure to subscribe so you'll get notified of future chapters!

[@eeduranti]

2:35 was thet Kira Carpenter leaving the tavern.

[@garysevenofnine]

I do believe it was! *Kara by the way ;)

[@Auroratrek]

Kara has been known to end up in some unusual places.... ;-)

[@garysevenofnine]

And I believe that is T'Ling as well with her! Hard to tell with the cap though which hides her "sins" 😆.

[@eeduranti]

Sorry about the name confusion it has been awhile

[@peterblood50]

WOW!!! That was superb in EVERY aspect of it's production. It's not easy keeping people engaged for even 11 minutes with home-grown animation but you not only did it but did it seemingly without effort. (Which, of course, I know was not true.) This was 11 minutes not wasted but to be cherished for it's fine artistry. More than impressive. I'm so looking forward to the next chapter. Pete

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks, Pete! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, a lot of competition for people's time these days, so one hopes to make it worth it! ;-)

[@WTFUSERNAM44]

I am in for more! That was excellent.

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! We'll get Chapter 2 out asap!

[@WTFUSERNAM44]

@@Auroratrek subscribed to catch it already!

[@Auroratrek]

@@WTFUSERNAM44 Thanks!

[@renepfluger1113]

Wow what a wonderful first chapter. I’m sure @jillbearup would have lots of fun with the armour choices 😅

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! LOL--I'm sure @jillbearup would have an opinion. I hope she'd agree with Darla's choice!

[@philippec8874]

Nicely done !😍

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Be sure to watch Chapter Two, and subscribe to make sure you hear about Chapter Three when it comes out!

[@philippec8874]

@@Auroratrek Chapter Two : Seen ! :) and subscription already done ! Now I cant wait for the next chapter ! A great adventure is on her way...

[@Auroratrek]

@@philippec8874 Great--thanks again!

[@lethalsong5585]

Nice! Eager for more!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! We're looking forward to bringing out the next chapter!

[@worldtraveler930]

Nice touch at 2:35! 🤠👍

[@Auroratrek]

LOL--caught that, did you? ;-)

[@MaKs2K5]

It looks like Baldur's Gate 1 cinematics and I love it ! Well done.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@pancorleone]

Will be giving this a watch soon! Looking forward to new episodes

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@amyloyd3097]

Just great. Good story telling and such a nice character. This is so much work. Love it!

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! Hearing that people enjoy it makes the work worth it!

[@harlequincat]

I enjoyed this. Good work. Look forward to the next chapter.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Working on Chapter 2 today!

[@worldbuildermatt]

Amazing achievement - The animation and mocap is superb!

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@sheilafrancl1423]

so many cool details, I'm impressed. Do hope you continue the story

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I'm working on the next chapter now, and hope to have it out before the end of the year.

[@3dchick]

Ok, I'm hooked. Super cool!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! We'll get Chapter 2 out asap!

[@ouchmaker93]

Wonderful

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@Acroyear4]

Very kewl!

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@Manta-82]

Loved it.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@gearhead06]

I love this.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Make sure to subscribe!

[@chessmusictheory4644]

Very nice work.

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you!

[@warpedrealityvfx1990]

Fantastic job very much enjoyed this looking forward to the chapter and much success with your project.

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it, and very much appreciate your wish for success!

[@andrewdonahue5034]

That was very enjoyable.

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! We're having fun making this, and hope people will enjoy watching it!

[@db-zc9xv]

Can't hardly wait for the next part.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! I’ll try not to make the wait too long!

[@henrique2799]

very welldone

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@NurmYokai]

Excellent. This will be a classic. When the job offers travel to a foreign land, equipment, expenses covered, and good pay? People who turn that down, have failed their intelligence roll. Been there, (done that, Not) didn't turn it down. No where near as exciting as this Quest.

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! LOL--they need a thirst for adventure! ;-)

[@alberttetley]

love your vids

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you!

[@aglimmerofhope5321]

Off to a great start. I’m definitely engaged, and patiently waiting for the continuation. Thanks for y’all’s hard work. LL&P 🖖🙂 PS - Consider posting this to reddit. Could get you a few more views. 👍

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. And certainly--spread the word! 😁

[@ofrimoran5737]

Look very promising

[@Auroratrek]

Thanks!

[@lancedaniels]

This looks and sounds very good. Thanks for posting and sharing. Are you on/do you have a Patreon account?

[@Auroratrek]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I don't think I'm quite at the Patreon level just yet--LOL--but if people like yourself and others spread the word about Quest, maybe we'll get there! 😁

[@glencabbage52]

I roffled in my mao. :D

[@Auroratrek]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@michaelpuglia2407]

Love to hear about this on our podcast- you could come on as our guest- message if interested- great work all around-

[@Auroratrek]

Love to! Let me know where to message!

[@fogwat]

2nd comment!

[@Auroratrek]

Hope you liked it!

[@sy4380]

Talisman on her hand; now things are looking serious at last. 😳

[@Auroratrek]

She went through a lot of trouble to get there...

[@blockmasterscott]

Waaaaait a second, that wasn’t Cannibal Kara and T’ling walking out of the bar was it??????

[@Auroratrek]

I won't tell if you won't tell.... ;-)

[@blockmasterscott]

@@Auroratrek Deal!