b>Hock and Shop</b>
It was the name that had drawn Shad in as he had maundered for a spell in the waning light of the afternoon.
"Hock and Shop"
That was all. He had nothing to hock and was not about to shop. But who could resist taking a peek inside to see what had been hocked and might later be ... unshopped?
The proprietor was all smiles when the paladin had entered. The wrinkles on his face seemed to smile as well.
"You here to hock? You here to shop? You hear to hock it and then shop it? I'm Mr. Flinge and I run this here hockery and shoppery."
It was clear to Shad that the man liked to hear himself talk. As he ran his eyes over the countless counters and displays, reliably in locked glass cabinets, he heard the smooth, slippery voice of Mr. Flinge pouring over him, drenching him with unasked for utterances.
"Oh, that watch's a beaut' -- solid gold chain -- keeps the time like nobody's business -- some sad sap somewhere doesn't have a second to his name..."
"Got your eye on that ring, do you, now? -- like the cluster of sapphires, eh? -- why, just like your icon -- somebody's face must have lit up every time the wearer of that ring had called out to him..."
It was then that Shad knew without even having to sense it. This man was evil. These treasures had traveled a dark road to be hocked here.
He looked at Mr. Flinge. Mr. Flinge grinned back at him. He knew that he knew and he didn't care.
Narwell
Last edited by CaptainHellrazor, August 11 2025 11:17:50. Open game article. You can edit it once you log in.