Meeting Your Heroes

**"Meeting Your Heroes"** is Episode one of Sword AF.

*Everyone....roll for initiative. The journey is just beginning.*

## Synopsis

The Age of Heroes has ended and mercenary groups have become obsolete. A particular group, the Banner of the Unkillable Spirit has called a meeting of four of those one-time adventurers to a tavern in Seraphel for a new job. Bug, a blue goblin cleric arrives at Chester's Tavern, he is eager for a new adventure. Soon after the halfling Delores Paradise arrives, she's a bit confused but certainly happy to be there. The brooding and handsome Koda Amakiir arrives fashionably late, he is disappointed by the atmosphere but ready to get to work. Finally, well past the time of arrival, Fernie, the warforged arrives yelling "ALCHOL!"

Krungdar the Bloodsmyth, taking note of the heroes, gathers them around a table to inform them of their new mission and the new job of the group, they are now Just a Delivery Service. Their first mission? Deliver a stone tablet to the Gren Del Marshes. The group take the job, a bit uncertain of what this new life and new career could look like, but willing to work for the coin. Krungdar has arranged for Gunthar a member of Just a Delivery Service, to transport the crew out to the marshes.

Gunthar, the Centaur, summons his Destrier and harnesses it to his cart, surprising the crew, for some reason. Bug, who gets easily motion sick, claims shotgun and Gunthar allows him to ride on his flank, the two spend the ride connecting on an emotional level. Fernie takes up most of the back, he and Koda spend the ride playing I-spy, Fernie gets most of the guess correct, save the last one where Koda confuses him by rhyming Girl with Squirrel. Delores spends most of the ride knitting and thinking about Gunthar's body.

During their trip they encounter those four adventurers who make fun of them for taking the delivery job while they were able to secure one of the few mercenary missions, defeating an evil kraken. Harassed and bullied, the crew become determined to do a good job on their mission, not letting the jerks get in their way. They make fantastic time to the maritime forest that is home to Gren del.

They arrive at night to a dark and lush marine layer. Upon arrival Gunthar informs the others that he will need to change the wheels of the wagon for it to traverse the marsh. The Four heroes decided to disembark. Delores offers to help but comes on a little strong with the innuendo. Gunthar rejects her offer. Fernie gets distracted and walks off into the forest, Bug follows after, Delores worried Fernie might fall off a mountain goes with them. Koda busies himself with a scroll and wanders around in the same direction, seemingly distracted. Gunthar, a little miffed, keeps working on the wagon wheel.

As they walk along the Delores begins to sense a familiar presence, all about the trees seem to be moving, and not with the wind, they are not alone. But, when she looks back Fernie is face deep in mud and Bug are Koda are trying to help him back up, they are distracted and surrounded.

A branch creature scratches Delores, messing up her hair, she retaliates with her dagger, killing it with a clean stab, she collects a dryad splinter from its remains. Another branch attacks Koda, hurting his arm, he uses Shocking Grasp frying it in a shock of lightning, the creature screams as it dies. A pair of dryads step out from the shadows, Koda quips, eliciting claps from Fernie. The dryads point screaming furiously at Fernie, one rushes him, it strikes Fernie harshly, the second dryad steps out and Enchants Fernie enthralling him with a Fae Charm. Bug amps himself up and then attempts to shoot the dryad with his crossbow, but fumbles and manages to land the bolt in his shoe, pining his foot to the ground. The dryad that has enthralled Fernie commands him to protect her, and so he does, striking the dryad that him, hitting her with a solid swing, but missing with the other. Delores fires an eldritch blast but it sails by, the other dryad attacks her, with its shillelagh arm, smashing her on the head. Koda casts bladesong attacking while singing a high energy song, cutting the dryad that was attacking Delores making fit all to its knees, Bug smashes it with his light hammer, killing it and annoying Koda. The final dryad strikes at Bug but misses, Fernie manages to break free from the spell, and transforms into his war mode attacking the creature with a spinning attack, it takes the hit to the face, and Delores finishes it off with a powerful Eldritch blast.

Gunthar appears as the four heroes catch their breath, he had been watching, he wanted to see what they could do, he gives Delores and Fernie health potions to treat their woods. Its only a few hours after Sunset and they decide to continue on to Gren Del to make their morning delivery Early. On the way Koda confronts Bug stealing his kill and Delores tries t deflate the situation with a patronizing remark, annoying Bug.

They arrive at the wooden walls of Gren Del. The four leave Gunthar with the horse and wagon, Bug leads the way to the Gate. Fernie notices two figures bussing with anticipation at the top of the battlements, he calls out and is interrupted by one of them leaping from the top, he introduces himself with a flair as Rum Pum, The Greeter of the Gates, a Bullywug. Delores' interest is peeked, Rum Pum reciprocates. The other figure calls out, he is Crawley, The Opener of the Gates, Rum Pum gives him the okay and the four heroes are let inside. They see a wonderful festival, sparkingling lightbullywugs s, dancing, and children running and playing, food of all kinds, given out freely koda asks for one of the treats, from Gimme, Maker of the Treats. Rum Pum leads them deep into the town, leaving his post, and taking a job from Chumo, Bringer of the visitors inside. Delores and Rum Pum attempt flirting resulting in Tummo, bringer of lotion showing up to squirt a bit of lotion at Rum Pum. The people of the crowded streets move aside to allow a much larger Bullywug through. The Bullywugs bow to him and the four heroes do the same out of respect, he introduces himself as Garland, Shaman of our civilaztion, keeper of our culture, and reader of tomes. He tells them that they are early in a serious tone.

## Trivia

* On the Youtube Video Damein Haas Commented:

## Gallery

Chanse McCrary as Koda AmakiirShayne Topp as FernieAmanda Lehan-Canto as Delores ParadiseAngela Giarratana as BugFernie's Nat 1The Dryads Attack"I wanted that one""Don't Trust The creepy Wooden Tree Girl"Fernie is EntrancedDelores Destroys the final DryadBug's Nat 1Bug's Crossbow Messed upGunthar helps Delores with her Hair