diff --git a/llarp/ev/ev.hpp b/llarp/ev/ev.hpp
index c46449450..b759f25d7 100644
--- a/llarp/ev/ev.hpp
+++ b/llarp/ev/ev.hpp
@@ -712,7 +712,6 @@ struct llarp_fd_promise
 struct llarp_ev_loop
 {
   byte_t readbuf[EV_READ_BUF_SZ] = {0};
-  llarp_time_t _now              = 0;
 
   virtual bool
   init() = 0;
@@ -726,13 +725,12 @@ struct llarp_ev_loop
   virtual void
   update_time()
   {
-    _now = llarp::time_now_ms();
   }
 
   virtual llarp_time_t
   time_now() const
   {
-    return _now;
+    return llarp::time_now_ms();
   }
 
   virtual void
diff --git a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp
index 7ea06f025..b003e76bb 100644
--- a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp
+++ b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.cpp
@@ -798,6 +798,7 @@ namespace libuv
   void
   Loop::update_time()
   {
+    llarp_ev_loop::update_time();
     uv_update_time(&m_Impl);
   }
 
@@ -807,12 +808,6 @@ namespace libuv
     return m_Run.load();
   }
 
-  llarp_time_t
-  Loop::time_now() const
-  {
-    return llarp::time_now_ms();
-  }
-
   bool
   Loop::tcp_connect(llarp_tcp_connecter* tcp, const sockaddr* addr)
   {
diff --git a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp
index 2a75c9977..d5c86845b 100644
--- a/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp
+++ b/llarp/ev/ev_libuv.hpp
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ namespace libuv
     void
     update_time() override;
 
-    llarp_time_t
-    time_now() const override;
-
     /// return false on socket error (non blocking)
     bool
     tcp_connect(llarp_tcp_connecter* tcp, const sockaddr* addr) override;
diff --git a/llarp/path/path.cpp b/llarp/path/path.cpp
index 4f1014f81..975ba028b 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path.cpp
@@ -320,11 +320,14 @@ namespace llarp
 
       if(_status == ePathBuilding)
       {
+        if(buildStarted == 0)
+          return;
         if(now >= buildStarted)
         {
-          auto dlt = now - buildStarted;
+          const auto dlt = now - buildStarted;
           if(dlt >= path::build_timeout)
           {
+            LogWarn(Name(), " waited for ", dlt, "ms and no path was built");
             r->routerProfiling().MarkPathFail(this);
             EnterState(ePathExpired, now);
             return;
@@ -350,6 +353,7 @@ namespace llarp
           const auto delay = now - m_LastRecvMessage;
           if(m_CheckForDead && m_CheckForDead(shared_from_this(), delay))
           {
+            LogWarn(Name(), " waited for ", dlt, "ms and path is unresponsive");
             r->routerProfiling().MarkPathFail(this);
             EnterState(ePathTimeout, now);
           }
@@ -358,6 +362,7 @@ namespace llarp
         {
           if(m_CheckForDead && m_CheckForDead(shared_from_this(), dlt))
           {
+            LogWarn(Name(), " waited for ", dlt, "ms and path looks dead");
             r->routerProfiling().MarkPathFail(this);
             EnterState(ePathTimeout, now);
           }
@@ -433,11 +438,12 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       if(_status == ePathFailed)
         return true;
-      if(_status == ePathEstablished || _status == ePathTimeout)
-        return now >= ExpireTime();
       if(_status == ePathBuilding)
         return false;
-
+      if(_status == ePathEstablished || _status == ePathTimeout)
+      {
+        return now >= ExpireTime();
+      }
       return true;
     }
 
@@ -574,7 +580,7 @@ namespace llarp
     Path::HandlePathConfirmMessage(AbstractRouter* r)
     {
       LogDebug("Path Build Confirm, path: ", HopsString());
-      auto now = r->Now();
+      const auto now = llarp::time_now_ms();
       if(_status == ePathBuilding)
       {
         // finish initializing introduction
diff --git a/llarp/path/path.hpp b/llarp/path/path.hpp
index a2705e0fe..966e2f399 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path.hpp
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace llarp
 
       service::Introduction intro;
 
-      llarp_time_t buildStarted;
+      llarp_time_t buildStarted = 0;
 
       Path(const std::vector< RouterContact >& routers, PathSet* parent,
            PathRole startingRoles);
diff --git a/llarp/path/path_context.cpp b/llarp/path/path_context.cpp
index ff2c02622..f48dc4382 100644
--- a/llarp/path/path_context.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/path_context.cpp
@@ -295,15 +295,8 @@ namespace llarp
             ++itr;
         }
       }
-      {
-        SyncOwnedPathsMap_t::Lock_t lock(&m_OurPaths.first);
-        auto& map = m_OurPaths.second;
-        for(auto& item : map)
-        {
-          item.second->ExpirePaths(now);
-        }
-      }
     }
+
     routing::MessageHandler_ptr
     PathContext::GetHandler(const PathID_t& id)
     {
diff --git a/llarp/path/pathbuilder.cpp b/llarp/path/pathbuilder.cpp
index b67b018d4..c4f67c565 100644
--- a/llarp/path/pathbuilder.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/pathbuilder.cpp
@@ -162,13 +162,13 @@ namespace llarp
       lastBuild          = 0;
     }
 
-    void
-    Builder::Tick(llarp_time_t now)
+    void Builder::Tick(llarp_time_t)
     {
+      const auto now = llarp::time_now_ms();
       ExpirePaths(now);
       if(ShouldBuildMore(now))
         BuildOne();
-      TickPaths(now, m_router);
+      TickPaths(m_router);
       if(m_BuildStats.attempts > 50)
       {
         if(m_BuildStats.SuccsessRatio() <= BuildStats::MinGoodRatio
@@ -281,7 +281,9 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       if(IsStopped())
         return false;
-      return PathSet::ShouldBuildMore(now) && !BuildCooldownHit(now);
+      if(BuildCooldownHit(now))
+        return false;
+      return PathSet::ShouldBuildMore(now);
     }
 
     void
@@ -426,11 +428,12 @@ namespace llarp
       // async generate keys
       auto ctx     = std::make_shared< AsyncPathKeyExchangeContext >();
       ctx->router  = m_router;
-      ctx->pathset = GetSelf();
-      auto path    = std::make_shared< path::Path >(hops, this, roles);
+      auto self    = GetSelf();
+      ctx->pathset = self;
+      auto path    = std::make_shared< path::Path >(hops, self.get(), roles);
       LogInfo(Name(), " build ", path->HopsString());
       path->SetBuildResultHook(
-          [this](Path_ptr p) { this->HandlePathBuilt(p); });
+          [self](Path_ptr p) { self->HandlePathBuilt(p); });
       ctx->AsyncGenerateKeys(path, m_router->logic(), m_router->threadpool(),
                              &PathBuilderKeysGenerated);
     }
diff --git a/llarp/path/pathset.cpp b/llarp/path/pathset.cpp
index b7555e895..d8929866f 100644
--- a/llarp/path/pathset.cpp
+++ b/llarp/path/pathset.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <dht/messages/pubintro.hpp>
 #include <path/path.hpp>
 #include <routing/dht_message.hpp>
+#include <router/abstractrouter.hpp>
 
 namespace llarp
 {
@@ -17,10 +18,10 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       (void)now;
       const auto building = NumInStatus(ePathBuilding);
-      if(building > numPaths)
+      if(building >= numPaths)
         return false;
       const auto established = NumInStatus(ePathEstablished);
-      return established <= numPaths;
+      return established < numPaths;
     }
 
     bool
@@ -61,8 +62,9 @@ namespace llarp
     }
 
     void
-    PathSet::TickPaths(llarp_time_t now, AbstractRouter* r)
+    PathSet::TickPaths(AbstractRouter* r)
     {
+      const auto now = llarp::time_now_ms();
       Lock_t l(&m_PathsMutex);
       for(auto& item : m_Paths)
       {
@@ -80,7 +82,9 @@ namespace llarp
       while(itr != m_Paths.end())
       {
         if(itr->second->Expired(now))
+        {
           itr = m_Paths.erase(itr);
+        }
         else
           ++itr;
       }
@@ -221,9 +225,14 @@ namespace llarp
     PathSet::AddPath(Path_ptr path)
     {
       Lock_t l(&m_PathsMutex);
-      auto upstream = path->Upstream();  // RouterID
-      auto RXID     = path->RXID();      // PathID
-      m_Paths.emplace(std::make_pair(upstream, RXID), std::move(path));
+      const auto upstream = path->Upstream();  // RouterID
+      const auto RXID     = path->RXID();      // PathID
+      if(not m_Paths.emplace(std::make_pair(upstream, RXID), path).second)
+      {
+        LogError(Name(),
+                 " failed to add own path, duplicate info wtf? upstream=",
+                 upstream, " rxid=", RXID);
+      }
     }
 
     void
diff --git a/llarp/path/pathset.hpp b/llarp/path/pathset.hpp
index 13bb13aa2..1da9a30ce 100644
--- a/llarp/path/pathset.hpp
+++ b/llarp/path/pathset.hpp
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ namespace llarp
       BuildStats m_BuildStats;
 
       void
-      TickPaths(llarp_time_t now, AbstractRouter* r);
+      TickPaths(AbstractRouter* r);
 
       using PathInfo_t = std::pair< RouterID, PathID_t >;
 
@@ -299,10 +299,20 @@ namespace llarp
           return RouterID::Hash()(i.first) ^ PathID_t::Hash()(i.second);
         }
       };
-      using Mtx_t  = util::NullMutex;
-      using Lock_t = util::NullLock;
-      using PathMap_t =
-          std::unordered_map< PathInfo_t, Path_ptr, PathInfoHash >;
+
+      struct PathInfoEquals
+      {
+        bool
+        operator()(const PathInfo_t& left, const PathInfo_t& right) const
+        {
+          return left.first == right.first && left.second == right.second;
+        }
+      };
+
+      using Mtx_t     = util::NullMutex;
+      using Lock_t    = util::NullLock;
+      using PathMap_t = std::unordered_map< PathInfo_t, Path_ptr, PathInfoHash,
+                                            PathInfoEquals >;
       mutable Mtx_t m_PathsMutex;
       PathMap_t m_Paths;
     };
diff --git a/llarp/router/router.cpp b/llarp/router/router.cpp
index ea5c95e3d..20c06cefb 100644
--- a/llarp/router/router.cpp
+++ b/llarp/router/router.cpp
@@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ namespace llarp
     if(_stopping)
       return;
     // LogDebug("tick router");
-    auto now = Now();
+    const auto now = Now();
 
     routerProfiling().Tick();
 
@@ -698,8 +698,6 @@ namespace llarp
         return !_rcLookupHandler.RemoteIsAllowed(rc.pubkey);
       });
     }
-    // expire paths
-    paths.ExpirePaths(now);
 
     _linkManager.CheckPersistingSessions(now);
 
@@ -726,12 +724,9 @@ namespace llarp
       _outboundSessionMaker.ConnectToRandomRouters(dlt, now);
     }
 
-    if(!isSvcNode)
-    {
-      _hiddenServiceContext.Tick(now);
-    }
-
+    _hiddenServiceContext.Tick(now);
     _exitContext.Tick(now);
+
     if(rpcCaller)
       rpcCaller->Tick(now);
     // save profiles async
@@ -752,6 +747,8 @@ namespace llarp
     _dht->impl->Nodes()->RemoveIf([&peersWeHave](const dht::Key_t &k) -> bool {
       return peersWeHave.count(k) == 0;
     });
+    // expire paths
+    paths.ExpirePaths(now);
   }  // namespace llarp
 
   bool
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp b/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
index b39414e98..327d2a6cf 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
@@ -67,13 +67,13 @@ namespace llarp
     }
 
     void
-    Endpoint::RegenAndPublishIntroSet(llarp_time_t now, bool forceRebuild)
+    Endpoint::RegenAndPublishIntroSet(bool forceRebuild)
     {
+      const auto now = llarp::time_now_ms();
       std::set< Introduction > I;
       if(!GetCurrentIntroductionsWithFilter(
              I, [now](const service::Introduction& intro) -> bool {
-               return now < intro.expiresAt
-                   && intro.expiresAt - now > (2 * 60 * 1000);
+               return not intro.ExpiresSoon(now, 2 * 60 * 1000);
              }))
       {
         LogWarn("could not publish descriptors for endpoint ", Name(),
@@ -169,13 +169,14 @@ namespace llarp
     }
 
     void
-    Endpoint::Tick(llarp_time_t now)
+    Endpoint::Tick(llarp_time_t)
     {
+      const auto now = llarp::time_now_ms();
       path::Builder::Tick(now);
       // publish descriptors
       if(ShouldPublishDescriptors(now))
       {
-        RegenAndPublishIntroSet(now);
+        RegenAndPublishIntroSet();
       }
 
       // expire snode sessions
@@ -542,7 +543,7 @@ namespace llarp
       auto now = Now();
       if(ShouldPublishDescriptors(now))
       {
-        RegenAndPublishIntroSet(now);
+        RegenAndPublishIntroSet();
       }
       else if(NumInStatus(path::ePathEstablished) < 3)
       {
@@ -581,8 +582,6 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     Endpoint::ShouldPublishDescriptors(llarp_time_t now) const
     {
-      if(NumInStatus(path::ePathEstablished) < 3)
-        return false;
       // make sure we have all paths that are established
       // in our introset
       size_t numNotInIntroset = 0;
@@ -597,7 +596,7 @@ namespace llarp
         ++numNotInIntroset;
       });
 
-      auto lastpub = m_state->m_LastPublishAttempt;
+      const auto lastpub = m_state->m_LastPublishAttempt;
       if(m_state->m_IntroSet.HasExpiredIntros(now) || numNotInIntroset > 1)
       {
         return now - lastpub >= INTROSET_PUBLISH_RETRY_INTERVAL;
@@ -905,7 +904,7 @@ namespace llarp
 
     void Endpoint::HandlePathDied(path::Path_ptr)
     {
-      RegenAndPublishIntroSet(Now(), true);
+      RegenAndPublishIntroSet(true);
     }
 
     bool
@@ -1227,6 +1226,8 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     Endpoint::ShouldBuildMore(llarp_time_t now) const
     {
+      if(path::Builder::BuildCooldownHit(now))
+        return false;
       const bool should = path::Builder::ShouldBuildMore(now);
       // determine newest intro
       Introduction intro;
@@ -1235,12 +1236,13 @@ namespace llarp
       // time from now that the newest intro expires at
       if(intro.ExpiresSoon(now))
         return should;
+
       const auto dlt = now - (intro.expiresAt - path::default_lifetime);
+
       return should
           || (  // try spacing tunnel builds out evenly in time
                  (dlt >= (path::default_lifetime / 4))
-                 && (NumInStatus(path::ePathBuilding) < numPaths)
-                 && !path::Builder::BuildCooldownHit(now));
+                 && (NumInStatus(path::ePathBuilding) < numPaths));
     }
 
     std::shared_ptr< Logic >
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp b/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
index 68b088e01..0dd858cc7 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ namespace llarp
       SupportsV6() const = 0;
 
       void
-      RegenAndPublishIntroSet(llarp_time_t now, bool forceRebuild = false);
+      RegenAndPublishIntroSet(bool forceRebuild = false);
 
       IServiceLookup*
       GenerateLookupByTag(const Tag& tag);
diff --git a/llarp/service/intro.cpp b/llarp/service/intro.cpp
index fbebce544..deaf49e86 100644
--- a/llarp/service/intro.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/intro.cpp
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       Printer printer(stream, level, spaces);
       printer.printAttribute("k", RouterID(router));
+      printer.printAttribute("l", latency);
       printer.printAttribute("p", pathID);
       printer.printAttribute("v", version);
       printer.printAttribute("x", expiresAt);
diff --git a/llarp/util/time.cpp b/llarp/util/time.cpp
index 74ce674ae..db199ef41 100644
--- a/llarp/util/time.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/time.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 #include <util/time.hpp>
+#include <chrono>
+#include <util/logging/logger.hpp>
 
 namespace llarp
 {
+  using Clock_t = std::chrono::system_clock;
+
   template < typename Res >
   static llarp_time_t
   time_since_epoch()
@@ -18,6 +22,28 @@ namespace llarp
   llarp_time_t
   time_now_ms()
   {
-    return llarp::time_since_epoch< std::chrono::milliseconds >();
+    static llarp_time_t lastTime = 0;
+    auto t = llarp::time_since_epoch< std::chrono::milliseconds >();
+    if(t <= lastTime)
+    {
+      return lastTime;
+    }
+    if(lastTime == 0)
+    {
+      lastTime = t;
+    }
+    const auto dlt = t - lastTime;
+    if(dlt > 5000)
+    {
+      // big timeskip
+      printf("big timeskip %ld ms\n", dlt);
+      t        = lastTime;
+      lastTime = 0;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      lastTime = t;
+    }
+    return t;
   }
 }  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/util/time.hpp b/llarp/util/time.hpp
index f29c50ff4..17820190f 100644
--- a/llarp/util/time.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/time.hpp
@@ -3,12 +3,8 @@
 
 #include <util/types.hpp>
 
-#include <chrono>
-
 namespace llarp
 {
-  using Clock_t = std::chrono::system_clock;
-
   llarp_time_t
   time_now_ms();
 }  // namespace llarp