A cozy little bar not far off the Entertainment District's main thoroughfare. The Boiling Hag represented the middle-ground of Tideswallow's hospitality. Not great, but by no means bad. And this level of quality applied to just about every aspect of it.

The building.
The beer.
The food.
And the company.

It seemed a wide assortment of the district's middle class citizens and out-of-towners gathered here on most nights. No one was ever turned away.

The Hag was already starting to pick up. Several dozen people, mostly human, but with a few other races scattered in, were spread out across a dozen large and small tables. It was a good sized tavern, two stories tall with a kitchen and an open second floor that looked out and down on the main floor. Despite the two floors of tables, the building itself wasn't that large. The second story was really only a half-floor. No rooms for rent here.

It looked like an elvish minstrel was setting up with his mandolin at a small, low stage in the corner. Shivom smirked.

He found a stool near the end of the bar with a few empty stools on either side. In his experience, they'd probably stay empty. That was fine. He wanted a private moment with the bartender anyway.

A sullen looking, half-armed half-orc wearing a leather apron approached him from the other side of the bar. Shivom thought it unusual that a bartender would be sullen, but he'd be pissed at the world too if he had to get along with one and a half arms. Whatever calamity took the half-orc's arm didn't result in a windfall or he wouldn't be pouring beers in a tavern. The bartender cocked an eyebrow inquisitively at Shivom, but said nothing.

"You Uzul?" said Shivom <orcish>.
"Yeah," replied the one-armed half-orc, in a questioning tone <orcish>.
"I just came in on the Essex Whale. Got a room over at the Dryad and I'm looking for a friend of mine named Gokror. He said you could get a message to him," said Shivom <orcish>.
"What's he need to know?" asked Uzul <orcish>.
"Just let him know Shivom is in town and I'm staying at the Dryad for now. He can find me there in the mornings. I sleep late," said Shivom. "Or I can meet him here." <orcish>
"No problem" replied Uzul. "You gonna stay and drink?" <orcish>
"Yeah, what's good?" asked Shivom. <orcish>
"Snake River Stout, if you're drinking beer," said Uzul. <orcish>
"Fine, I'll have that," said Shivom. <orcish>

Shivom spun on his stool and surveyed the room.

Beside Uzul, nearly everyone else present seems almost mundane by comparison. A group of gnomes is gambling at one fo the booths in one corner of the tavern’s large, high-ceilinged main room. A small gathering of what look to be adventurers are loudly trying to one up each others’ tales of glory over a round of stouts at a trio of tables in the center of the room. A old red tiefling man in a duster and wide-brimmed trail hate and little green tiefling girl In mismatched leathers and bandages are seated at a a side table picking at some of the meals the bar has to offer. A pair of drow, both males dressed in sailors gear, are seated near the door, discussing some of the trade coming through.

A few small alcoves rest just off to the side of the main chamber, cut off from view by curtains. Occasionally you see barmaid wander into one with a platter or round of drinks, only to emerge empty handed a few minutes later. You suspect this is where these private booths are specifically made for groups of 4 or 5, judging by the number of drinks being brought to each.

Beyond that, the bar is surprisingly sparse for this point in the day. This seems like a part of town that likes its drink. This tavern may be just out of the way enough that its only deals with small groups at any given time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:21, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Shivom continued to observe the main room of the Hag. The elven minstrel eventually started playing on the small corner stage.

Across from the bar was a large stone fireplace that dominated the room. But what caught Shivom's eye was the mismatched pair of tieflings. He continued to watch them while engaged in intermittent conversation with Uzul. Over the next couple hours Shivom collected Uzul's opinion on the social scene of Tideswallow; bars, taverns, inns, bands, whores and everything else social.

He'd been in enough bars that he knew not to get drunk, especially when drinking alone in an unfamiliar one. The fact that Uzul was becoming an ally and the general demeanor of the tavern was friendly wasn't enough to encourage carelessness. But that didn't stop Shivom from tipping generously with every drink.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 4):
You spend the next hour or so people-watching, with a few particular individuals keeping your interest more than others.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

OOC: Perception check.
15:55, Today: Shivom Grozvog rolled 15 using 1d20+4 ((11)).

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 6):

While you continue to scan the room, your eyes come back time and time again to the pair of tieflings at the table ivy the wall.

Getting a better look at them, you are able to make out many more details than your initial glance allowed. The older is a man appearing to be in his late 50s or early 60s, as you’d first assumed. His hair is a mix of black and white which falls down just past his shoulders. A short-cropped beard of similar shades runs along the outline of his face. His clothes are that of a traveler from the midlands, regions north of here around the middle of the continent, much closer to Tenebria. Specifically this is the sort of getup you’d imagine a typical cattle-driver might wear. A long brown duster, a dark wide-brimmed hat that’s been modified to allow his horns to pierce through, a brown leather vest over a white cotton shirt. Two crisscrossing bandoliers are strapped over his chest, their loops containing what appear to be numerous small vials holding a liquids in a wide array of colors. A pointed metal cane with an orb of violet glass set into the front of its handle rests against the booth at his side. From just beneath his hat you can barely make out his eyes, two featureless panes of violet light; no pupils or irises visible within them. His tail rests at the edge of the seat, long, smooth, and tipped with a stinger similar to that which you’ve seen on scorpions and imps in the past. Across his bare forearms all the way up to the black fingerless gloves he wears, there is a strange spread of scrawled lines in various colors that might be tattoos.

The younger is a girl of about 9 or 10. Likely his daughter or ward, judging by the way they are conversing. She has light green skin, dark green hair, and blood red eyes that are similarly featureless. She wears bandages beneath all of her clothing, extending down her arms and legs to cover any exposed skin, while more proceed up her neck to cover the features of her face up to the nose. Her actual clothing is a simple assortment of light leather armor, shorts, heigh-boots, and gloves similar to the older tiefling’s. A cloak with its hood pulled up covers her horns and the top of her head; draping down  her back so far that it likely reaches practically to her ankles when she is standing.

As best you can tell, the two are simply discussing the city. Talking about things the girl wants to see. The city park is brought up multiple times. The older scolds her a bit for hardly touching her food, prompting her to quickly finish what’s in front of her in a rapid series of bites more akin to a snake swallowing its prey whole than an actual bite-and-chew motion. Beyond appearances, they seem oddly ordinary; if somewhat unfamiliar with the town. The older speaks in a deep midlands drawl, while the younger is barely audible over the noise of the crowd around you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:34, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Shivom, beer in hand, approaches the table with the tieflings.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help noticing. Your daughter is obviously heavily bandaged. Is she injured? I might be able to help with that, said Shivom.

If they seem receptive, he sits at their table.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 8):

There is a pause in their conversation before you sense a sudden heaviness to the air around you. The older man doesn’t bother looking up at you, but from under the brim of his hat you hear his gruff, carefully-paced words come out in that same slow midlands drawl.
“Friend, you oughta have a damn good reason for interrupting our meal. And far as I’m concerned, you eyeing up my daughter ain’t gonna cut it...”

Once the initial threat is out in the open and he considers your words a bit more, he simply nods to the girl. She looks up at you and pulls down the bandages covering her face a bit. Beneath is perfectly ordinary, untarnished, green skin. Her face is fairly plain-looking for a tiefling, just the typical face of a child, in your experience. When she opens her mouth to speak, however, you can’t help but notice the numerous rows of needle-like teeth stretching much too far back into her mouth. You also note that she lacks her father’s accent and verbal mannerisms
“I’m okay, mister. These are just for show mostly. So folks don’t bother me.”

He holds a hand out toward her palm up as if to say to you “Ya see?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:10, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

"Easy bud, there's no need to get surly. And it looked like your daughter was finished with her food anyway," said Shivom. "I'll leave you alone then."

Clearly they weren't receptive, so Shivom turns and will walk back to the bar if not stopped, having never tried to sit down.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 10):

After a about twenty minutes of very little happening throughout the tavern you begin to grow tired of people-watching. It is around this time that the same ominous presence begins to settle over you, sending the hair at the base of your head bristling. You turn to find the tiefling man sitting down beside you at the bar. Looking a bit passed him, you can see his daughter still back at the booth, now violently jabbing at her food with a fork as subtly as possible.

“Look uh... I apologize if I was a bit... short with ya back there. We’ve been on the road for a while now and folks ain’t exactly been the most... welcoming, let’s say, of people like us. I get ya were just trying to be neighborly. So whatever your drinking, the next one’s on me.”
He passes a gold piece to the wide-eyed bartender who stares at it greedily a moment, snatches it up without a word, and immediately rushes off to pour you another drink.

“Can’t help but feel you ain’t from around here; what with you actually offering to help with something and all. You just passing through or there something here for ya?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:47, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

"I get the unwelcoming bit, experienced it some myself. Although probably not to your extent," said Shivom. "And you're right that I'm not from around here. This is a good sized city. Plenty of opportunity. You know, if you still haven't found a room for the night you might try the Sleeping Dryad, a few blocks over. They rented to me with no issues."

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 12):

He nods slowly.
“That right? We just might do that... Word of advice. Lock your door before you turn in. Entertainment District’s bright and lively and all, but there’s some strange folk wandering the streets mixed in with the revelers. Could be someone with no connections here, someone who won’t be missed, might make for an easy target. Specially if that someone’s alone.”

He claps you on the shoulder and gets up to leave, aiming to collect the girl and head out by the look of things.

As he goes, he adds almost off-handedly: “And steer clear of the woods outside of town. Nothing good’s coming from that way.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:05, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

"Well nice to meet you and thanks for the drink. I'm Shivom, didn't catch your name..."

Shivom extends his hand.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 14):

Without looking back at you he simply says: “It’s uh... it’s Ale. And likewise.”

With that, he heads off toward the door. He walks with a heavy limp on his right side, using the cane for support. The sharpened point of its tip leaves little divots in the floorboards with each step, but you can’t imagine the barman cares much after the surprising windfall the tiefling’s patronage was just now.

The girl leaps out of the booth and joins him as he passes by. She turns and gives you a polite wave as they leave through the front door.

Shivom waves back to the girl, then turns back to the bar and his conversation with Uzul. As he finishes his beer, Shivom looks around. If things are dying down he will say good night to Uzul and head out. Heeding the old tiefling's advice, he stays alert on the way back to the Sleeping Dryad Inn.

Arriving at the Boiling Hag a little earlier in the day this time, Shivom is able to find a seat on the upper deck looking out over the street. He takes a seat at one of the stools along the railing with a good view of the street below. He waits here while he watches the the foot traffic get heavier in the Entertainment District as the day progresses.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 17):

From his perch above the somewhat quiet streets, you have an excellent view of the comings and goings of this entire end of the district. You quickly find that the Entertainment District really does live up to its reputation of being a nocturnal hotspot; but during the day there is surprisingly little activity to note.

 Carts full of wine and spirits make their way through the street, delivering their bounties to the various bars, taverns, and mead halls found along their routes. Most of the ones you’ve visited have had distilleries built in, but you suspect this is how the businesses are able to cater to such a wide range of tastes the city demands.

Food carts likewise make a similar run; bringing meat, eggs, fresh vegetables, and fruits to the establishments that pay for their service.

A group of children dart here and there, their leader suddenly pulling out a small fistful of firecrackers, which he hands to one of his companions to light and throw. They wind up going off underneath one of the food carts, spooking the horse pulling it and causing it run off down the street while its owner is still busy speaking with the owner of the inn they had been delivering too. He rushes off after it, promising to give the kids a thrashing they’ll never forget when he gets back. They immediately head off in the opposite direction back toward the town square.

You also eventually spot Ale and his daughter making their way toward the Town Square. They’re rather hard to miss.

Beyond this little bit of excitement, there is surprisingly little to see. For what is easily the city’s most interesting fairway at night, daytime in the Entertainment district brings with it a certain sense of melancholy and disappointment. As though a physical manifestation of the fact that good times can only last for so long.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:50, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

After watching the outside traffic for awhile, Shivom goes inside and sits at the bar. He engages in casual conversation with Uzul, the bartender, off and on for several hours as Uzul's work pace allows. Shivom attempts to discern Uzul's motivations and vulnerabilities. This is from casual conversation without pressing too hard or risking alienating Uzul.

Insight check:

23:13, Today: Shivom Grozvog rolled 9 using 1d20+4 ((5)).

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 19):

For such a seemingly open bartender, he’s surprisingly hard to read... you suspect working with the public for so long has given him a lot of opportunity to create a bit of a mask for himself to keep his actual thoughts, feelings, and interests sealed away pretty tightly during business hours.

From what little you gather, questions about his arm don’t go over too well.

You decide to give up on this prospect just as a few new faces shuffle into the tavern. None you recognize. A human man in dockworker’s clothes with a heavy bit of bruising about his face and arms. A tabaxi woman with a small half-dead-looking salamander clinging to her shoulder. The two drow gentlemen who were here the previous night; likely come to begin today’s drinking a bit early. A somewhat stubby-looking goliath man in a cloak and hood, who comes and takes the seat next to you and orders a shot of whiskey. A trio of halflings boisterously discussing some trade deal they just finished up in the Town Square. A fairly typical crowd for this time of day, you’d wager.

Shivom ponders the goliath's choice of whiskey.

OOC: Is it good or bad quality, name brand, off brand, etc.?

Distilling roll with proficiency in brewers tools (closest/only mechanic for distilling?)
I don't know what underlying stat is applicable.

23:41, Today: Shivom Grozvog rolled 17 using 1d20 ((17)).

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 21):

It’s a good brand... A very good brand. One you are quite familiar with in fact. It was the favorite of a close colleague of yours. A contact with a certain organization here in the city, and a dear “friend” whom you’ve not seen in ages now...

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 21):

Without a word, he very subtly sets his payment down on the counter. Uzul comes over, collects, looks at it a moment, then pockets all but one of the coins. A pewter piece is left on the counter as the goliath gets up and heads out the front door. Uzul, likewise, goes back to what he was doing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:50, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

Is that Gokror in disguise?

Perception: 00:50, Today: Shivom Grozvog rolled 20 using 1d20+4 ((16)).

Shivom looks closely at the pewter piece.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:52, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 24):

You are certain the man you just saw was too short to be a goliath of the age he appeared. And the choice of whiskey has you questioning it further. Not the type of thing a random civilian would come in, pay 3 silver pieces for, and then immediately leave after downing it all at once...

The pewter piece you notice have a simple half-sun,, half-silhouetted circle on one side. Cautiously flipping it over, the other side reads in tiny lettering “Alleyway. 5 minutes. Alone.”

As soon as the words have registered in your head, the coin becomes a blank pewter slug, coin shaped but otherwise useless.

Shivom leaves the bar immediately and walks a short circuitous route to the alley and approaches from a different direction. He is in the alley in 5 minutes and unaccompanied.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 26):

The alley is empty.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:05, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

01:06, Today: Shivom Grozvog rolled 15 using 1d20+4 ((11)).

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 28):

Someone is directly behind you, likely followed you into the alleyway when you entered. It was a subtle move, bu you’re trained for this sort of thing. You catch some small give just as they close in on you.

Shivom continues walking and pauses in a shadowed area or a doorway with cobwebs or other indicators of disuse. Then turns to look at this person.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 30):

The other person follows you to that point and stops. A familiar voice comes from behind you.
“Four minutes, 48 seconds... You’re getting sloppy.”

Shivom grins. "Almost always better to be early than late. How've you been?"

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 32):

“Long as it ain’t in bed, aye.” Without a word, the half-orc pulls you in, grasps your wrist and pats you on the back. “Not bad. Not bad. But look at you! Back in town a couple days and already drowning your sorrows in the middle of the day? Tideswallow ain’t treatin’ ya that bad, is it, Mr. World Traveler?”

Gokror looks about how you remember him now that the illusion is gone. Tall, powerfully-built, not particularly bright in appearance. Just the way he liked to look. Figured it helped throw people off their guard until it came time for him to show just how clever he could be. You can now see the jet-black leathers and fancy magic pin of the Sunless clearly visible on him. Not exactly the best attire to be walking around in in plain daylight, but you assume the illusion he was using makes up for that.

“So what’s your plan from here? Stickin’ around awhile or just passing through? Either way I got a job or two that might suit ya. Just depends on your timeframe.”

"Actually, this town is growing on me. I think I'm gonna stay awhile. Looks like there's lots of opportunities here," said Shivom. "It looks like you're pretty connected and I have a lot of questions for you. But first, what's the best way to get ahold of you and how long can you talk now?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

Being new to town and unfamiliar with the rhythm of the quarter, Shivom will trust Gokror's judgment that this is a lightly traveled alley. Nevertheless, he will occasionally glance upward at the roofline and at the various ends of the alley to see if anyone is approaching.

OOC: I'll let DM roll the Perception check on that if there is one to be made. Perception +4 or passive perception 14.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 34):

“Heading to a job right now, as it would happen, so not too long; but I’ll be around. You making a home for yourself at the Hag?”

He looks around, inspecting the alleyway as you do. “Seems a good enough spot to work out of. I’ll stop in every now and then to check up on ya. If your desperate, down in the Roe there’s a bar called the Sunless Solarium. Ya can find me there once in a while, but more importantly ya can find folks that can find me. Won’t be the friendliest lot, but you tell em I sent ya and it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.”

"Yeah, staying at the Dryad, hanging out at the Hag. But I don't like to work where I play," Shivom said. "Any suggestions on a cabaret that might be interested in my spin on entertaining? You know my style."

"I'm thinking of developing some other lines of work too," Shivom continued. "Is there anything you guys are lacking info on? I'm sure you've got a pretty good network, but there are always areas that need development. Gaps that you haven't quite covered. Anything in particular I should keep alert to? Bouncing around bars and nightclubs I always bump into people that hear things, Shivom grinned.

"Also," he added, "it seems like this is kind of a rowdy waterfront town. If I find some good fighters to promote, you got any ideas of where I could get them into fights that aren't rigged too bad?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 37):

“Couldn’t hurt to check around. You’ve always had a knack for knowing how to get under the right folks’ skin, after all.”
He thinks on it a moment.
“The Seaman down at the waterfront could be just the sort of thing you’re looking for. For both sides of the coin. Got a heavy bit of a traffic from less savory sorts who also just happen to appreciate some good depreciation. Play the crowds right and ya might find more than just a bit of silver in your tip jar by the end of the night, if ya catch my drift. Ask for Mortimer at the bar. He’ll set ya up. Tell em you’re coming in to get out of the sun for a bit.”

"Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll check that place out," replied Shivom. "I'll keep talking to people and pick up what I pick up then, but if you folks are interested in some more specific, targeted info, let me know."

Shivom shakes Gokror's hand and looks around. "Take it easy, bud. Good seeing you again."

Unless Gokror has something more significant to say, Shivom heads out of the alley.

In reply to Shivom Grozvog (msg # 39):

“Likewise, pal... don’t go doing anything that’ll get ya stabbed or nothing.”

With that, he vanishes into the shadows further down the alleyway. You are quite confident there is a secret door somewhere down that way, as he seems to utterly cease to exist after just a few steps into the darkness.

With that, you are left to your own devices once more.

With it still being mid-day, Shivom ponders this information. "It would probably be easier to talk to this guy when they aren't crazy busy during the evening. I'll head on over there now."