Old Xoblob Shop
A cloud of lavender-scented purple smoke trails out of the shop’s door as you peer inside. Every wall is painted purple, and every dusty knickknack on the shelves is dyed a deep violet. The hairless old gnome sitting cross-legged on the counter wears plum-colored robes. His cheeks are decorated with nine purple face-painted eyes.
The gnome lowers a pipe and exhales a cloud of lavender smoke before raising a hand. “Hail and well met! Come browse the shelves of the most curiously curious curio shop in the world!”
Architecture
- The shop is located on the ground floor of a tall stone-and-timber building. A broad stair leads to the second floor.
- The second floor is mostly empty, but the ceiling is 60 feet high. A narrow flight of stairs leads to the third floor.
- The third floor contains the proprietor's private chambers as well as two guestrooms. There is a bower for relaxation and an herb garden on the roof.
- The basement level is a high-ceilinged wine cellar with huge casks and a kitchen.
History
The shop was named after the beholder that was killed by the first proprietor, Dandalus Ruell. It was unclear whether Old Xoblob was actually the name of the beholder or just the part of it that Dandalus could pronounce.
In 1367 DR, during Goldenight, one of the festivals of Waukeentide, four aurumvorax found their way out of Undermountain through the shop and caused the death of several patrons of the neighboring Purple Palace. When reporting the incident to the City Watch, Dandalus suggested that the creatures' ability to breach through the shop's magical defenses constituted foul play.
In the late 15th century DR, the shop was purchased by a deep gnome who had survived the detonation of a gas spore and had acquired some of the mannerisms of a beholder, such as the drive to establish a lair. After unsuccessful attempts at renaming the shop, the gnome instead changed his own name to Xoblob and restored the shop's original name.
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