"We're actually waiting on a few other folks," said Zeed. "We feel that thirteen should be enough."
"Thirteen?" you asked. "Isn't that unlucky?"
"For anyone dumb enough to attack us," said Owag.
"I agree," said Teoz. "And here they come."
The first one that came in was one of the elephant-like Loxodon.
"Ah, I hope the innkeeper has the good stuff for me," they said, in a deep bass voice.
"Already paid for," said the innkeeper. "Enjoy Berov. Least I could do for you saving my wife and children."
"You know how to treat a friend for sure," Berov said, as they came over, and accepted a glass from the innkeeper. He then looked at you. "This the rookie?"
"Khobo recommended her," said Teoz. "Hopefully that elf's right."
Berov chuckled. "He usually is." He extended his free hand. "Berov, Way of Drunken Monk."
"Taren Feldrake," you said, as you accepted it. "Friends call me Tara. Fighter, skilled with the Malamus sword."
"Good name," said Berov. "I prefer using my fists."
The next two that came in were an odd pair - one was a devil-like Tiefling, and the other was an angel-like Aasimar, who, unlike what would normally be expected, chatted like they were friends - actually, closer than that!
"This is going to be fun," said Zeed. "One's a Divine Soul Sorcerer, and the other is a warlock who gets their extra powers from a Devil - three gold says you can't guess which one is which."
"Aasimar is the Divine Soul, and the Tiefling is the one with a Fiend Patron," you said.
"And you just lost three gold," said Owag. "It's the other way around."
Your eyes bulged out. "Really?"
"Never expect the usual with us," said Teoz. "Pay Zeed."
You reluctantly take the coins out of your pouch, and hand them to the Aarakocra.
"Thank you," said Zeed. He waved at the pair. "Cain, Dano, good to have you with us."
The tiefling and aasimar sat down, and ordered their drinks, and soon began talking to Berov.
The next one that came in was a centaur, who had a pair of hand crossbows and a pair of shortswords within reach on him.
You looked at Owag. "Ranger, right?"
The tortle chuckled. "Roth's the bard - Collage of Lore."
The next few others surprised you - an Orc with a longbow, a Hobgoblin in the process of making some sort of potion, and Bugbear passing him herbs.
"Cronk the Hunter Ranger, Tovak the Alchemist Artificer, and Hovak the Circle of the Spores Druid," said Toez.
The trio nodded, and came up for their own drinks.
"You have some odd friends," you said.
"Wait until you see the other two," said Zeed.
That was when a minotaur in heavy armor came in. He looked at you. "This the rookie? Khobo must figure we needed a feminine touch or something."
"Don't you dare say that I'm weak just because I'm a woman, or because I'm human," you said.
"Didn't say that," the minotaur said. "Still, I wonder what that elf saw in you, to recommend you to us. Bozzori, Paladin of Redemption."
"I wonder if they're really as good as that elf claims that they are," said another voice.
Bozzori stepped to the side, revealing a Yuan-Ti, who had a rather large axe strapped to his back.
"Zilis," they said. "Ancestral Guardian Barbarian." They came up to you. "I've heard that you have a strong grip, and a vicious kick, but how sharp is your mind?"
"Good enough to outwit any snake that comes my way," you said.
Zilis grinned. "Let's put it to the test." He placed five gold coins on the bartop. "Five gold says that I can control you. If you can keep yourself under your own control, you take the money. If you fail, you have to kiss me."
You chuckled. "I know a bit about how your Suggestion spell works. It has to sound reasonable for me to agree to do what you want me to do it. How are you going to make me think that kissing you is reasonable?"
Zilis chuckled. "That's simple - I'll let you have the money if you kiss me."
Your eyes bulged as you heard what he said - his Suggestion did seem very Reasonable. You'd get the money if you resisted, or you'd get the money if you gave in. It seemed to be a win-win either way.
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