The Old Xoblob Shop was a curiosity shop in the Dock Ward of Waterdeep. It was famous for the stuffed beholder that hung above its front window by the main counter.[1][2][3]
Location[]
The shop was located at the corner of Zastrow Street and Fillet Lane,[1] two doors down from the local outlet of Aurora's Emporium.[3]
Structure[]
The shop was located in the ground floor of a tall stone-and-timber building. A broad stair led to the second floor and a hidden stair led to the basement.[3]
The second floor was mostly empty, but the ceiling was 60 feet high. A one-way gate from the second level of Undermountain was connected to this floor of the building. A narrow flight of stairs led to the third floor.[4][3]
The third floor contained the proprietor's private chambers as well as two guestrooms. There was a bower for relaxation and an herb garden on the roof.[3]
The basement level was a high-ceilinged wine cellar with huge casks and a kitchen. It also had a connection to Waterdeep's sewers.[3]
The building had a few secret areas where persons could hide from unwanted followers or the law itself.[3]
Interior[]
The shop was messy and its contents were disorganized.[2]
Atmosphere[]
Customers coming from the front door or from the second-floor gate were received with a smile by the proprietor.[4]
Services[]
The Old Xoblob Shop was famous for carrying items that were not available from Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue.[3] The owners bought and sold all sorts of trinkets, including relics from all over Toril and even other worlds.[4]
The shop also sold battle trophies from adventurers coming from Undermountain.[5]
Activities[]
In the late 15th century DR, the shop's owner acted as a spy for the Xanathar's Thieves' Guild. A scrying sensor was installed in the central eye of the stuffed beholder that showed the shop's interior to a mirror in Xanathar's hideout in Skullport.[6]
History[]
The shop was named after the beholder that was killed by the first proprietor, Dandalus Ruell.[2] It was unclear whether Old Xoblob was actually the name of the beholder or just the part of it that Dandalus could pronounce.[3]
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.[7]
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.[1]
Inhabitants[]
- Dandalus Ruell, the original owner,[3] who loved to tell visitors about his victory over the beholder.[2]
- Arathka Ruell, shopkeeper and Dandalus's wife.[3]
- Xoblob, the shop's owner as of 1492 DR.[1][note 1]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Canon material does not provide a year for the events described in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, but Christopher Perkins answered a question via Twitter and stated the year was 1492 DR. Corroborating this, Dragon Heist page 20 refers to events of Death Masks (set in 1491 DR) as being "last year". Unless a canon source contradicts this assertion, this wiki will use 1492 DR for events related to this sourcebook and Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (which is referenced on pages 5 and 98 of Dragon Heist).
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 176–179. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ed Greenwood (1991). “Campaign Guide to Undermountain”. In Steven E. Schend ed. The Ruins of Undermountain (TSR, Inc.), p. 11. ISBN 1-5607-6061-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Adventurer's Guide to the City”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 24. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 110. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 32. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.