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."