Shylok’s Arbitrary Curio Shop
Shylok’s Arbitrary Curio Shop
“Everything is available here. And everything has it’s price.”
Somewhere in a populous city, as you walk down an unassuming street wondering where in the world you can find whatever it is you’re looking for, you suddenly notice an unassuming shop you’ve never seen before. There’s no sign designating a name. Just an “open” sign on the door. The windows are dark and you can’t see inside. Yet you can’t help yourself; your curiosity gets the better of you. You open the door and walk in.
Welcome to Shylok’s Arbitrary Curio Shop.
The shop is loaded from wall to wall and ceiling to floor with all kinds of things. There are rows and rows of shelves and bins filled with all sorts of items from nick-knacks to tools to books to... whatever! Pretty much anything that you’re looking for is available here , both magical and non-magical. There are no weapons though (“The mind is the only weapon a true warrior needs”, is a well known Shylok quote). Patrons aren’t sure, but they feel the shop must be bigger than it appears to be from the outside to hold as much stuff as it does.
Previous patrons all say that Shylok himself waits before revealing himself; giving patrons time to look around. When someone has found something that interests them, Shylok is suddenly there, ready to talk about whatever it is that has piqued their mind’s interest, and to make a deal.
Shylok himself is a mystery. He is a man, but other than that you really can’t tell anything about him. He is bald with pale skin. The most aware among his customers notice that he actually has no hair anywhere on his body, including eyebrows. He’s taller than a dwarf, but not as tall as an elf. He has an even, baritone voice that has no discernible accent. He wears a plain grey tunic that goes to the floor, with wide sleeves that he keeps his hands in, crossed in front of his body, until it’s time to make the deal. There are records of encounters with his shop dating back to longer than any being could naturally live. Yet Shylok seems to never age. When asked direct questions about himself, he gives very indirect answers. Asked how old he is he says, “Old enough to have acquired all these items.” If asked where he is from he simply replies, “Not from here.” He does not have a significant other and tells people who inquire, “The shop, and the needs of it’s patrons, are my one true love.”
The shop is not actually named Shylok’s Arbitrary Curio Shop. Truth be told, no one really knows the name of the shop. Someone at some time just started calling it that and the name stuck. If asked, Shylok simply replies, “I am Shylok, and this is my shop.”
Most of the time, Shylok is happy to buy or sell his items for money or things. But there have been reports from some who say that sometimes... when it’s a particularly special, unique or personal item... Shylok will trade in the abstract; Some claim to have traded dreams; some claim to have traded memories; some have traded passions. People also claim to have received these same things as payment for items sold to the shop. One man, burdened with night terrors, sold a locket to the shop in exchange for a week’s worth of peaceful sleep. “I’ve never slept that well again”, he said forlornly.
Most patrons have never been able to set foot into the shop again. They leave and then return the next day only to find a brick wall; or the shop that actually resides in that spot. Owners of those shops always claimed to have been open they day Shylok’s shop was in their location, and always have customers who will back that claim. Those lucky enough to find the shop again always find it somewhere else. On another street, or maybe even in a different city altogether. But it always looks the same, or so they say.
Does Shylok’s really exist? Maybe it’s just a tale that has taken on a life of it’s own; A fable told to kids that has grown to something more.
Or maybe... One day... You’ll be out tying to find that one particular item... And you’ll turn a corner...
More Posts from Richcsigs and Others
I predicted that, but then gave up on it.
A month ago, this was exactly how I thought the Punk/Reigns/Rollins match would end. But then the whole "You owe me a favor" stuff started. And they were pushing this possiblility on the pre-show so hard, I thought for sure there was no way it would happen. And then Punk got a vdeo package AND a band playing him to the ring and I was sure his victory was a given.
Umm... Gotta take my first answer?
What’s been on my mind?
For the past 36 hours, only one question has been on my mind.
With everything he had... With the life he lead... If Anthony Bourdain couldn’t be happy...
Then what hope have I?
Important stuff here.
Do your PCs love getting loot? Do you like sowing chaos in your campaign? Well then, Dungeon Masters, look no further than Jay’s Dumb D&D Items! Remastered and tweaked by the incredible @currycurrie, this table provides a random selection of truly stupid and entertaining items well-suited for heroes and villains alike. Happy adventuring!
(PDF) + (Imgur)
Pup interrupts soccer match, gives interview.
I love this game!
“For untold ages the Elves reveled in the bounty of their mother Earth, and their world was brightened by idyllic songs of beauty, peace and love.” Wizards was a 1982 board game from Avalon Hill by Thomas and Coral Mosbø, with the hex map and chits you would expect from the publisher of Panzer Blitz, but with predominantly nonviolent themes, goals of “relearning the rites of the Magical Orders" and “performing good deeds,” art by Coral that reviewers usually described as New Age, and a quote from Yes to introduce the rules, beneath “The Messenger of Hope” modeled on Yes’ Jon Anderson.
Wrestlemania 41 Night Two predictions
√ Woman's World Championship Triple Threat Match: (c) Iyo Sky defeats Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair. Iyo has been pretty much ignored by the other two competitors leading up to this match, which will continue during this match too. Iyo pins Rhea so the "Rhea can't beat Iyo" story can continue. Plus it also keeps the "Bianca has never been pinned or submitted at Wrestelmania" story going too.
√ Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre defeats Damian Priest. The sad part is both of these guys desperately need a win. But I think Paul HHH has decided that Priest is not main event worthy and with this loss will be dropping back down to the mid card. If this match opens the night, then maybe Priest wins. But I don't think so.
√ Intercontinental Fatal Four-Way Match: Dominik Mysterio defeats (c) Bron Breaker, Penta & Finn Balor. It's time to move Dom up. He's still great on the mike and his in ring work has improved greatly. Either Dom pins Pinn Balor or Balor hits his move on Penta only for Dom to attack him and steal the pin. This leads to the break up of the Judgement Day and gets the title off of Bron without him losing so he can move up the card.
√ Randy Orton Open Challenge Match: Despite who his opponent is, Randy is taking the win here. The next PLE is taking place in St. Louis, Randy's hometown, so he'll be challenging the winner of Rhodes/Cena there. Rumor is his opponent will be the returning Rusev (thanks for the spoiler Big E) or maybe Solo Sikoa. I hope it's not Rusev. He should return on the RAM or SAM and certainly shouldn't take a loss in his return match.
√ Logan Paul defeats AJ Styles. Short and to the point, Logan hasn't won in quite a while and AJ, nearing the end of his career, can take the loss. My prediction for who's in the Prime bottle this year is Karrion Kross.
X Woman's World Tag Team Title Match: (c) Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defeat Lyra Valkyria and a mystery partner (most likely Becky Lynch). I don't think Becky is coming back full time, which is why I'm picking the champs to retain. I suppose they could do a thing where Becky is just "filling in" for Bayley and then Bayley becomes the co-champion. But I think the champs win with Shenanigans which makes Aldis put the match on the SAM with a suddenly healed Bayley and they win them there.
√ Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena beats (c) Cody Rhodes. This match will be loaded with shenanigans. But Cena winning is the much more interesting option. Then he takes on Randy at Backlash (in Randy's home town), then CM Punk at Money In The Bank (c'mon, this HAS to happen). I'll be honest, I have no idea what they'll do with Cody afterwords, but I'm intrigued to find out. Also, Cody got pretty boo'd on Smackdown by the Las Vegas crowd. Curious to see if that will continue tonight.
The Bell of Trivial Knowledge
Bell, Uncommon
This item appears to be a normal bell. It’s shape, color & material it is made from can be chosen by the DM. If Detect Magic is cast on it, it detects as the school of Divination.
The magic only works when the bell is rung by a creature who can speak. When rung, the ringer of the bell suddenly stiffens and gets a blank look on their face. They then speak aloud a true bit of trivia. The trivia can be about the world the game takes place in, or about a race or class or whatever the DM pleases. For example, a character could ring the bell and then suddenly spout, “The great hero Phineaus Stevens once fought and defeated 20 kobalds all by himself.” Or, “The people of the town of Bandel are very religious and will always great people by saying ‘The blessings of Savrus be with you.’ Just saying ‘hello’ is considered rude.”
The bell does not need to be attuned. The bell will work 1d12 times and recharges every sunrise.
Optional Rule: When a player rings the bell, have the player roll a d20. On the result of a 20, the player speaks a true major secret of the world (about the creation, a currently unknown force of evil building, etc). On the roll of a 1, the player speaks a true secret about themselves. The DM can choose the secret or let the player choose. If they roll an 18 or 19, the trivia revealed is about their current situation. For example, if they’re in a pub about to get dinner, the ringer of the bell may say, “The leg of lamb is especially tasty tonight.” Or if they’re about to open a door in a dungeon and ring the bell, the bell ringer might say, “There are 5 orcs behind this door.”
Tips for living alone
Buy a bat (I have my old color guard rifle) or similar. Keep it in your room/near your bed.
Get a lock for your bedroom door.
If you’re moving into a new place, change the locks. Who knows who had a key to your place before you.
Keep your phone/a phone in your room.
Get a weather alert system set up. App, weather call, little weather radio that tells you about major weather events.
Adopt a pet
Wave at your neighbors. Take note of the ones that make you uneasy. Watch out for kids always.
Be nice to your mail person. No matter what.
If you choose to drink/etc alone, unplug your wifi router. You’ll thank me.
Have extra seating. People sit when they visit. Your one comfy chair is great for you. Not so great for you + grandma + ur five cousins, your aunt, and a couple others.
Learn the self-Heimlich
When you take a shower, bring your phone to the bathroom in case you fall your phone is no longer halfway across the house, it’s just on your counter
Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Idk what else
Reading Pile Pt. 5
Astro City Volume 09: Through Open Doors One of my favorite series! I've loved it since it began in the '90s. This volume collects the 1st six issues from when the series moved from Image to DC/Vertigo. Contains what is probably my favorite Astro City story ("On The Sidelines"). Highly recommend. DC/Vertigo - Hardcover $24.99, Softcover $16.99
Booster Gold Volume 01: The Big Fall Collects the first 12 issues of the 1980s series. This was one of the first DC books I got into when I started collecting (mainly because it had just started) and I loved it then. Rereading it now... it's not that good. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad. There a lot of great ideas in this series. It was one of the first comics to tackle the "super-hero as superstar" idea (in modern parlance, he'd probably be considered an influencer). But this is clearly a first effort by Dan Jurgans. There are hints of the writer he'll become though. Plus the art is good. DC Comics - Hardcover $39.99 (Out Of Print), Kindle $9.99
Jessica Jones: Pulse, The Complete* Collection When Alias (the comic) came to an end, Brian Bendis pretty much stated that he had told all of the stories he could under the Max label, mainly because there were characters Marvel wouldn't let him use in an "adult" book. The concept is, after having helped him find his adoptive daughter (during the Alias series), J. Jonah Jameson hires Jessica to be a consultant for a weekly supplement on super-heroes (called "The Pulse"). Since she's pregnant and needs the health insurance, she takes the job. * - While called "The Complete Collection", it is actually missing issue #10 which was a House Of M crossover issue and focused on Hawkeye and didn't have Jessica in it at all. It does include New Avengers (2005) Annual #1, the issue where Jessica & Luke get married. Marvel - Softcover $34.99 (Out of print), Kindle $8.99
My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies: A Criminal Novelette I love the Brubaker/Phillips line of books ("Kill Or Be Killed" being my favorite), but this one didn't hit for me. Not bad, it just didn't grab me as their stories usually do. The story takes place in a rehab center. That is until Elle decides she's had enough of the place and convinces Skip to join her in escaping. The story then follows the two teens as they rob stores & fall in love. There is a nice twist ending though. Image - Hardcover $16.99, Softcover $12.99 (both out of print), Kindle $10.99
No theme, no plan. Just what's going through my head at any time that I want to write about.
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