diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp b/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
index d9e43b80f..605de51c7 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint.cpp
@@ -101,11 +101,16 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       const auto now = llarp::time_now_ms();
       m_LastIntrosetRegenAttempt = now;
-      std::set<Introduction> introset;
-      if (!GetCurrentIntroductionsWithFilter(
-              introset, [now](const service::Introduction& intro) -> bool {
-                return not intro.ExpiresSoon(now, path::min_intro_lifetime);
+      std::set<Introduction, CompareIntroTimestamp> intros;
+      if (const auto maybe =
+              GetCurrentIntroductionsWithFilter([now](const service::Introduction& intro) -> bool {
+                return not intro.ExpiresSoon(
+                    now, path::default_lifetime - path::min_intro_lifetime);
               }))
+      {
+        intros.insert(maybe->begin(), maybe->end());
+      }
+      else
       {
         LogWarn(
             "could not publish descriptors for endpoint ",
@@ -146,9 +151,10 @@ namespace llarp
       }
 
       introSet().intros.clear();
-      for (auto& intro : introset)
+      for (auto& intro : intros)
       {
-        introSet().intros.emplace_back(std::move(intro));
+        if (introSet().intros.size() < numDesiredPaths)
+          introSet().intros.emplace_back(std::move(intro));
       }
       if (introSet().intros.empty())
       {
@@ -710,8 +716,10 @@ namespace llarp
         return false;
 
       auto next_pub = m_state->m_LastPublishAttempt
-          + (m_state->m_IntroSet.HasExpiredIntros(now) ? INTROSET_PUBLISH_RETRY_INTERVAL
-                                                       : INTROSET_PUBLISH_INTERVAL);
+          + (m_state->m_IntroSet.HasStaleIntros(
+                 now, path::default_lifetime - path::intro_path_spread)
+                 ? IntrosetPublishRetryCooldown
+                 : IntrosetPublishInterval);
 
       return now >= next_pub and m_LastIntrosetRegenAttempt + 1s <= now;
     }
@@ -739,8 +747,11 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       std::unordered_set<RouterID> exclude;
       ForEachPath([&exclude](auto path) { exclude.insert(path->Endpoint()); });
-      const auto maybe = m_router->nodedb()->GetRandom(
-          [exclude](const auto& rc) -> bool { return exclude.count(rc.pubkey) == 0; });
+      const auto maybe =
+          m_router->nodedb()->GetRandom([exclude, r = m_router](const auto& rc) -> bool {
+            return exclude.count(rc.pubkey) == 0
+                and not r->routerProfiling().IsBadForPath(rc.pubkey);
+          });
       if (not maybe.has_value())
         return std::nullopt;
       return GetHopsForBuildWithEndpoint(maybe->pubkey);
@@ -758,46 +769,27 @@ namespace llarp
       path::Builder::PathBuildStarted(path);
     }
 
-    constexpr auto MaxOutboundContextPerRemote = 4;
+    constexpr auto MaxOutboundContextPerRemote = 1;
 
     void
     Endpoint::PutNewOutboundContext(const service::IntroSet& introset, llarp_time_t left)
     {
-      Address addr{introset.addressKeys.Addr()};
+      const Address addr{introset.addressKeys.Addr()};
 
       auto& remoteSessions = m_state->m_RemoteSessions;
-      auto& serviceLookups = m_state->m_PendingServiceLookups;
 
-      if (remoteSessions.count(addr) >= MaxOutboundContextPerRemote)
+      if (remoteSessions.count(addr) < MaxOutboundContextPerRemote)
       {
-        auto itr = remoteSessions.find(addr);
-
-        auto range = serviceLookups.equal_range(addr);
-        auto i = range.first;
-        while (i != range.second)
-        {
-          itr->second->SetReadyHook(
-              [callback = i->second, addr](auto session) { callback(addr, session); }, left);
-          ++i;
-        }
-        serviceLookups.erase(addr);
-        return;
+        remoteSessions.emplace(addr, std::make_shared<OutboundContext>(introset, this));
+        LogInfo("Created New outbound context for ", addr.ToString());
       }
 
-      auto session = std::make_shared<OutboundContext>(introset, this);
-      remoteSessions.emplace(addr, session);
-      LogInfo("Created New outbound context for ", addr.ToString());
-
-      // inform pending
-      auto range = serviceLookups.equal_range(addr);
-      auto itr = range.first;
-      if (itr != range.second)
+      auto sessionRange = remoteSessions.equal_range(addr);
+      for (auto itr = sessionRange.first; itr != sessionRange.second; ++itr)
       {
-        session->SetReadyHook(
-            [callback = itr->second, addr](auto session) { callback(addr, session); }, left);
-        ++itr;
+        itr->second->AddReadyHook(
+            [addr, this](auto session) { InformPathToService(addr, session); }, left);
       }
-      serviceLookups.erase(addr);
     }
 
     void
@@ -924,7 +916,7 @@ namespace llarp
           paths.insert(path);
       });
 
-      constexpr size_t min_unique_lns_endpoints = 3;
+      constexpr size_t min_unique_lns_endpoints = 2;
 
       // not enough paths
       if (paths.size() < min_unique_lns_endpoints)
@@ -1066,11 +1058,11 @@ namespace llarp
     void
     Endpoint::QueueRecvData(RecvDataEvent ev)
     {
-      if (m_RecvQueue.full() || m_RecvQueue.empty())
+      if (m_RecvQueue.full() or m_RecvQueue.empty())
       {
-        m_router->loop()->call([this] { FlushRecvData(); });
+        m_router->loop()->call_soon([this] { FlushRecvData(); });
       }
-      m_RecvQueue.pushBack(std::move(ev));
+      m_RecvQueue.tryPushBack(std::move(ev));
     }
 
     bool
@@ -1079,13 +1071,16 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       msg->sender.UpdateAddr();
       if (not HasOutboundConvo(msg->sender.Addr()))
+      {
         PutSenderFor(msg->tag, msg->sender, true);
-      PutReplyIntroFor(msg->tag, path->intro);
-      Introduction intro;
+      }
+      Introduction intro{};
       intro.pathID = from;
       intro.router = PubKey{path->Endpoint()};
       intro.expiresAt = std::min(path->ExpireTime(), msg->introReply.expiresAt);
+      intro.latency = path->intro.latency;
       PutIntroFor(msg->tag, intro);
+      PutReplyIntroFor(msg->tag, path->intro);
       ConvoTagRX(msg->tag);
       return ProcessDataMessage(msg);
     }
@@ -1178,10 +1173,11 @@ namespace llarp
       // not applicable because we are not an exit or don't have an endpoint auth policy
       if ((not m_state->m_ExitEnabled) or m_AuthPolicy == nullptr)
         return;
-      ProtocolFrame f;
+      ProtocolFrame f{};
       f.R = AuthResultCodeAsInt(result.code);
       f.T = tag;
       f.F = path->intro.pathID;
+      f.N.Randomize();
       if (result.code == AuthResultCode::eAuthAccepted)
       {
         ProtocolMessage msg;
@@ -1189,10 +1185,7 @@ namespace llarp
         std::vector<byte_t> reason{};
         reason.resize(result.reason.size());
         std::copy_n(result.reason.c_str(), reason.size(), reason.data());
-
         msg.PutBuffer(reason);
-        f.N.Randomize();
-        f.C.Zero();
         if (m_AuthPolicy)
           msg.proto = ProtocolType::Auth;
         else
@@ -1234,6 +1227,23 @@ namespace llarp
       Sessions().erase(t);
     }
 
+    void
+    Endpoint::ResetConvoTag(ConvoTag tag, path::Path_ptr p, PathID_t from)
+    {
+      // send reset convo tag message
+      ProtocolFrame f{};
+      f.R = 1;
+      f.T = tag;
+      f.F = p->intro.pathID;
+      f.Sign(m_Identity);
+      {
+        LogWarn("invalidating convotag T=", tag);
+        RemoveConvoTag(tag);
+        m_SendQueue.tryPushBack(
+            SendEvent_t{std::make_shared<routing::PathTransferMessage>(f, from), p});
+      }
+    }
+
     bool
     Endpoint::HandleHiddenServiceFrame(path::Path_ptr p, const ProtocolFrame& frame)
     {
@@ -1253,23 +1263,7 @@ namespace llarp
       }
       if (not frame.AsyncDecryptAndVerify(Router()->loop(), p, m_Identity, this))
       {
-        LogError("Failed to decrypt protocol frame");
-        if (not frame.C.IsZero())
-        {
-          // send reset convo tag message
-          ProtocolFrame f;
-          f.R = 1;
-          f.T = frame.T;
-          f.F = p->intro.pathID;
-
-          f.Sign(m_Identity);
-          {
-            LogWarn("invalidating convotag T=", frame.T);
-            RemoveConvoTag(frame.T);
-            m_SendQueue.tryPushBack(
-                SendEvent_t{std::make_shared<routing::PathTransferMessage>(f, frame.F), p});
-          }
-        }
+        ResetConvoTag(frame.T, p, frame.F);
       }
       return true;
     }
@@ -1279,8 +1273,8 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       m_router->routerProfiling().MarkPathTimeout(p.get());
       ManualRebuild(1);
-      RegenAndPublishIntroSet();
       path::Builder::HandlePathDied(p);
+      RegenAndPublishIntroSet();
     }
 
     bool
@@ -1294,22 +1288,54 @@ namespace llarp
         const Address& addr,
         std::optional<IntroSet> introset,
         const RouterID& endpoint,
-        llarp_time_t timeLeft)
+        llarp_time_t timeLeft,
+        uint64_t relayOrder)
     {
+      // tell all our existing remote sessions about this introset update
+
       const auto now = Router()->Now();
-      auto& fails = m_state->m_ServiceLookupFails;
       auto& lookups = m_state->m_PendingServiceLookups;
+      if (introset)
+      {
+        auto& sessions = m_state->m_RemoteSessions;
+        auto range = sessions.equal_range(addr);
+        auto itr = range.first;
+        while (itr != range.second)
+        {
+          itr->second->OnIntroSetUpdate(addr, introset, endpoint, timeLeft, relayOrder);
+          // we got a successful lookup
+          if (itr->second->ReadyToSend() and not introset->IsExpired(now))
+          {
+            // inform all lookups
+            auto lookup_range = lookups.equal_range(addr);
+            auto i = lookup_range.first;
+            while (i != lookup_range.second)
+            {
+              i->second(addr, itr->second.get());
+              ++i;
+            }
+            lookups.erase(addr);
+          }
+          ++itr;
+        }
+      }
+      auto& fails = m_state->m_ServiceLookupFails;
       if (not introset or introset->IsExpired(now))
       {
         LogError(Name(), " failed to lookup ", addr.ToString(), " from ", endpoint);
         fails[endpoint] = fails[endpoint] + 1;
-        // inform one
-        auto range = lookups.equal_range(addr);
-        auto itr = range.first;
-        if (itr != range.second)
+        // inform one if applicable
+        // when relay order is non zero we can be pretty sure that it's a fail as when relay order
+        // is zero that can sometimes yield a fail because it isn't always the closets in keyspace.
+        if (relayOrder > 0)
         {
-          itr->second(addr, nullptr);
-          itr = lookups.erase(itr);
+          auto range = lookups.equal_range(addr);
+          auto itr = range.first;
+          if (itr != range.second)
+          {
+            itr->second(addr, nullptr);
+            itr = lookups.erase(itr);
+          }
         }
         return false;
       }
@@ -1334,6 +1360,20 @@ namespace llarp
       return m_state->m_OutboundSessions.count(addr) > 0;
     }
 
+    void
+    Endpoint::InformPathToService(const Address remote, OutboundContext* ctx)
+    {
+      auto& serviceLookups = m_state->m_PendingServiceLookups;
+      auto range = serviceLookups.equal_range(remote);
+      auto itr = range.first;
+      while (itr != range.second)
+      {
+        itr->second(remote, ctx);
+        ++itr;
+      }
+      serviceLookups.erase(remote);
+    }
+
     bool
     Endpoint::EnsurePathToService(const Address remote, PathEnsureHook hook, llarp_time_t timeout)
     {
@@ -1343,6 +1383,8 @@ namespace llarp
       static constexpr size_t RequestsPerLookup = 2;
 
       MarkAddressOutbound(remote);
+      // add response hook to list for address.
+      m_state->m_PendingServiceLookups.emplace(remote, hook);
 
       auto& sessions = m_state->m_RemoteSessions;
       {
@@ -1352,20 +1394,17 @@ namespace llarp
         {
           if (itr->second->ReadyToSend())
           {
-            hook(remote, itr->second.get());
+            InformPathToService(remote, itr->second.get());
             return true;
           }
           ++itr;
         }
       }
-      // add response hook to list for address.
-      m_state->m_PendingServiceLookups.emplace(remote, hook);
-
       /// check replay filter
       if (not m_IntrosetLookupFilter.Insert(remote))
         return true;
 
-      const auto paths = GetManyPathsWithUniqueEndpoints(this, NumParallelLookups);
+      const auto paths = GetManyPathsWithUniqueEndpoints(this, NumParallelLookups, remote.ToKey());
 
       using namespace std::placeholders;
       const dht::Key_t location = remote.ToKey();
@@ -1425,14 +1464,8 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     Endpoint::EnsurePathToSNode(const RouterID snode, SNodeEnsureHook h)
     {
-      static constexpr size_t MaxConcurrentSNodeSessions = 16;
       auto& nodeSessions = m_state->m_SNodeSessions;
-      if (nodeSessions.size() >= MaxConcurrentSNodeSessions)
-      {
-        // a quick client side work arround before we do proper limiting
-        LogError(Name(), " has too many snode sessions");
-        return false;
-      }
+
       using namespace std::placeholders;
       if (nodeSessions.count(snode) == 0)
       {
@@ -1799,8 +1832,7 @@ namespace llarp
                 LogError("failed to encrypt and sign");
                 return;
               }
-              self->m_SendQueue.pushBack(SendEvent_t{transfer, p});
-              ;
+              self->m_SendQueue.tryPushBack(SendEvent_t{transfer, p});
             });
             return true;
           }
@@ -1883,10 +1915,13 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     Endpoint::ShouldBuildMore(llarp_time_t now) const
     {
-      if (not path::Builder::ShouldBuildMore(now))
+      if (BuildCooldownHit(now))
+        return false;
+      const auto requiredPaths = std::max(numDesiredPaths, path::min_intro_paths);
+      if (NumInStatus(path::ePathBuilding) >= requiredPaths)
         return false;
-      return ((now - lastBuild) > path::intro_path_spread)
-          || NumInStatus(path::ePathEstablished) < path::min_intro_paths;
+      return NumPathsExistingAt(now + (path::default_lifetime - path::intro_path_spread))
+          < requiredPaths;
     }
 
     AbstractRouter*
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp b/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
index 254a46e77..b8287dab3 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint.hpp
@@ -49,12 +49,13 @@ namespace llarp
     struct OutboundContext;
 
     /// minimum interval for publishing introsets
-    static constexpr auto INTROSET_PUBLISH_INTERVAL =
-        std::chrono::milliseconds(path::default_lifetime) / 4;
+    static constexpr auto IntrosetPublishInterval = path::intro_path_spread / 2;
 
-    static constexpr auto INTROSET_PUBLISH_RETRY_INTERVAL = 5s;
+    /// how agressively should we retry publishing introset on failure
+    static constexpr auto IntrosetPublishRetryCooldown = 1s;
 
-    static constexpr auto INTROSET_LOOKUP_RETRY_COOLDOWN = 3s;
+    /// how aggressively should we retry looking up introsets
+    static constexpr auto IntrosetLookupCooldown = 250ms;
 
     struct Endpoint : public path::Builder,
                       public ILookupHolder,
@@ -330,6 +331,9 @@ namespace llarp
 
       using SNodeEnsureHook = std::function<void(const RouterID, exit::BaseSession_ptr, ConvoTag)>;
 
+      void
+      InformPathToService(const Address remote, OutboundContext* ctx);
+
       /// ensure a path to a service node by public key
       bool
       EnsurePathToSNode(const RouterID remote, SNodeEnsureHook h);
@@ -415,6 +419,9 @@ namespace llarp
       uint64_t
       GenTXID();
 
+      void
+      ResetConvoTag(ConvoTag tag, path::Path_ptr path, PathID_t from);
+
       const std::set<RouterID>&
       SnodeBlacklist() const;
 
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint_util.cpp b/llarp/service/endpoint_util.cpp
index ee0a613e7..782e2968e 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint_util.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint_util.cpp
@@ -106,6 +106,10 @@ namespace llarp
           ++itr;
         }
       }
+      for (auto& item : deadSessions)
+      {
+        item.second->Tick(now);
+      }
     }
 
     void
diff --git a/llarp/service/endpoint_util.hpp b/llarp/service/endpoint_util.hpp
index 2aa66bfd4..9b2c46965 100644
--- a/llarp/service/endpoint_util.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/endpoint_util.hpp
@@ -43,15 +43,31 @@ namespace llarp
 
     template <typename Endpoint_t>
     static path::Path::UniqueEndpointSet_t
-    GetManyPathsWithUniqueEndpoints(Endpoint_t* ep, size_t N, size_t tries = 10)
+    GetManyPathsWithUniqueEndpoints(
+        Endpoint_t* ep,
+        size_t N,
+        std::optional<dht::Key_t> maybeLocation = std::nullopt,
+        size_t tries = 10)
     {
+      std::unordered_set<RouterID> exclude;
       path::Path::UniqueEndpointSet_t paths;
       do
       {
         --tries;
-        const auto path = ep->PickRandomEstablishedPath();
+        path::Path_ptr path;
+        if (maybeLocation)
+        {
+          path = ep->GetEstablishedPathClosestTo(RouterID{maybeLocation->as_array()}, exclude);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          path = ep->PickRandomEstablishedPath();
+        }
         if (path and path->IsReady())
+        {
           paths.emplace(path);
+          exclude.insert(path->Endpoint());
+        }
       } while (tries > 0 and paths.size() < N);
       return paths;
     }
diff --git a/llarp/service/intro.cpp b/llarp/service/intro.cpp
index fd868ed0d..b7fde5556 100644
--- a/llarp/service/intro.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/intro.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       util::StatusObject obj{
           {"router", router.ToHex()},
+          {"path", pathID.ToHex()},
           {"expiresAt", to_json(expiresAt)},
           {"latency", to_json(latency)},
           {"version", uint64_t(version)}};
@@ -66,8 +67,9 @@ namespace llarp
     std::ostream&
     Introduction::print(std::ostream& stream, int level, int spaces) const
     {
+      const RouterID r{router};
       Printer printer(stream, level, spaces);
-      printer.printAttribute("k", RouterID(router));
+      printer.printAttribute("k", r.ToString());
       printer.printAttribute("l", latency.count());
       printer.printAttribute("p", pathID);
       printer.printAttribute("v", version);
diff --git a/llarp/service/intro.hpp b/llarp/service/intro.hpp
index 1fa5fd790..bd0b928de 100644
--- a/llarp/service/intro.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/intro.hpp
@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       return i.print(out, -1, -1);
     }
+
+    /// comparitor for introset timestamp
+    struct CompareIntroTimestamp
+    {
+      bool
+      operator()(const Introduction& left, const Introduction& right) const
+      {
+        return left.expiresAt > right.expiresAt;
+      }
+    };
   }  // namespace service
 }  // namespace llarp
 
diff --git a/llarp/service/intro_set.cpp b/llarp/service/intro_set.cpp
index 8bd8ae66d..ca6e58414 100644
--- a/llarp/service/intro_set.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/intro_set.cpp
@@ -351,6 +351,15 @@ namespace llarp::service
     return false;
   }
 
+  bool
+  IntroSet::HasStaleIntros(llarp_time_t now, llarp_time_t delta) const
+  {
+    for (const auto& intro : intros)
+      if (intro.ExpiresSoon(now, delta))
+        return true;
+    return false;
+  }
+
   bool
   IntroSet::IsExpired(llarp_time_t now) const
   {
diff --git a/llarp/service/intro_set.hpp b/llarp/service/intro_set.hpp
index d0fbca60a..66e88fb14 100644
--- a/llarp/service/intro_set.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/intro_set.hpp
@@ -69,6 +69,10 @@ namespace llarp
       bool
       HasExpiredIntros(llarp_time_t now) const;
 
+      /// return true if any of our intros expires soon given a delta
+      bool
+      HasStaleIntros(llarp_time_t now, llarp_time_t delta) const;
+
       bool
       IsExpired(llarp_time_t now) const;
 
diff --git a/llarp/service/outbound_context.cpp b/llarp/service/outbound_context.cpp
index 5e280115d..9837248a1 100644
--- a/llarp/service/outbound_context.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/outbound_context.cpp
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ namespace llarp
         MarkCurrentIntroBad(Now());
         ShiftIntroduction(false);
         UpdateIntroSet();
+        SwapIntros();
       }
       return true;
     }
@@ -58,17 +59,18 @@ namespace llarp
         : path::Builder{parent->Router(), OutboundContextNumPaths, parent->numHops}
         , SendContext{introset.addressKeys, {}, this, parent}
         , location{introset.addressKeys.Addr().ToKey()}
+        , addr{introset.addressKeys.Addr()}
         , currentIntroSet{introset}
 
     {
       updatingIntroSet = false;
       for (const auto& intro : introset.intros)
       {
-        if (intro.expiresAt > m_NextIntro.expiresAt)
+        if (m_NextIntro.latency == 0s or m_NextIntro.latency > intro.latency)
           m_NextIntro = intro;
       }
-
       currentConvoTag.Randomize();
+      lastShift = Now();
     }
 
     OutboundContext::~OutboundContext() = default;
@@ -151,8 +153,8 @@ namespace llarp
       }
       if (selectedIntro.router.IsZero() || selectedIntro.ExpiresSoon(now))
         return;
-      LogWarn(Name(), " shfiting intro off of ", r, " to ", RouterID(selectedIntro.router));
       m_NextIntro = selectedIntro;
+      lastShift = now;
     }
 
     void
@@ -183,7 +185,7 @@ namespace llarp
       p->SetDataHandler(util::memFn(&OutboundContext::HandleHiddenServiceFrame, this));
       p->SetDropHandler(util::memFn(&OutboundContext::HandleDataDrop, this));
       // we now have a path to the next intro, swap intros
-      if (p->Endpoint() == m_NextIntro.router or p->Endpoint() == remoteIntro.router)
+      if (p->Endpoint() == m_NextIntro.router)
         SwapIntros();
       else
       {
@@ -194,7 +196,7 @@ namespace llarp
     void
     OutboundContext::AsyncGenIntro(const llarp_buffer_t& payload, ProtocolType t)
     {
-      if (sentIntro)
+      if (generatedIntro)
         return;
       if (remoteIntro.router.IsZero())
       {
@@ -202,21 +204,14 @@ namespace llarp
         return;
       }
 
-      auto path = m_PathSet->GetPathByRouter(remoteIntro.router);
+      auto path = GetPathByRouter(remoteIntro.router);
       if (path == nullptr)
       {
-        // try parent as fallback
-        path = m_Endpoint->GetPathByRouter(remoteIntro.router);
-        if (path == nullptr)
-        {
-          if (!BuildCooldownHit(Now()))
-            BuildOneAlignedTo(remoteIntro.router);
-          LogWarn(Name(), " dropping intro frame, no path to ", remoteIntro.router);
-          return;
-        }
+        LogError(Name(), " has no path to ", remoteIntro.router, " when we should have had one");
+        return;
       }
-      sentIntro = true;
       auto frame = std::make_shared<ProtocolFrame>();
+      frame->Clear();
       auto ex = std::make_shared<AsyncKeyExchange>(
           m_Endpoint->Loop(),
           remoteIdent,
@@ -228,22 +223,28 @@ namespace llarp
           t);
 
       ex->hook = [self = shared_from_this(), path](auto frame) {
-        self->Send(std::move(frame), path);
+        if (not self->Send(std::move(frame), path))
+          return;
+        self->m_Endpoint->Loop()->call_later(100ms, [self]() { self->sentIntro = true; });
       };
 
       ex->msg.PutBuffer(payload);
       ex->msg.introReply = path->intro;
       frame->F = ex->msg.introReply.pathID;
       frame->R = 0;
+      generatedIntro = true;
+      // ensure we have a sender put for this convo tag
+      m_DataHandler->PutSenderFor(currentConvoTag, currentIntroSet.addressKeys, false);
+      // encrypt frame async
       m_Endpoint->Router()->QueueWork([ex, frame] { return AsyncKeyExchange::Encrypt(ex, frame); });
-      LogInfo("send intro frame");
+
+      LogInfo(Name(), " send intro frame T=", currentConvoTag);
     }
 
     std::string
     OutboundContext::Name() const
     {
-      return "OBContext:" + m_Endpoint->Name() + "-"
-          + currentIntroSet.addressKeys.Addr().ToString();
+      return "OBContext:" + currentIntroSet.addressKeys.Addr().ToString();
     }
 
     void
@@ -255,10 +256,9 @@ namespace llarp
         return;
       LogInfo(Name(), " updating introset");
       m_LastIntrosetUpdateAt = now;
-      const auto addr = currentIntroSet.addressKeys.Addr();
       // we want to use the parent endpoint's paths because outbound context
       // does not implement path::PathSet::HandleGotIntroMessage
-      const auto paths = GetManyPathsWithUniqueEndpoints(m_Endpoint, 2);
+      const auto paths = GetManyPathsWithUniqueEndpoints(m_Endpoint, 2, location);
       uint64_t relayOrder = 0;
       for (const auto& path : paths)
       {
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ namespace llarp
       obj["seqno"] = sequenceNo;
       obj["markedBad"] = markedBad;
       obj["lastShift"] = to_json(lastShift);
-      obj["remoteIdentity"] = remoteIdent.Addr().ToString();
+      obj["remoteIdentity"] = addr.ToString();
       obj["currentRemoteIntroset"] = currentIntroSet.ExtractStatus();
       obj["nextIntro"] = m_NextIntro.ExtractStatus();
       obj["readyToSend"] = ReadyToSend();
@@ -318,32 +318,31 @@ namespace llarp
       if (m_LookupFails > 16 || m_BuildFails > 10)
         return true;
 
-      constexpr auto InboundTrafficTimeout = 5s;
-
       if (ReadyToSend() and remoteIntro.router.IsZero())
       {
         SwapIntros();
       }
 
-      if (m_GotInboundTraffic and m_LastInboundTraffic + InboundTrafficTimeout <= now)
+      if ((remoteIntro.router.IsZero() or m_BadIntros.count(remoteIntro))
+          and GetPathByRouter(m_NextIntro.router))
+        SwapIntros();
+
+      if (m_GotInboundTraffic and m_LastInboundTraffic + sendTimeout <= now)
       {
-        if (std::chrono::abs(now - lastGoodSend) < InboundTrafficTimeout)
-        {
-          // timeout on other side
-          MarkCurrentIntroBad(now);
-        }
+        // timeout on other side
+        UpdateIntroSet();
+        MarkCurrentIntroBad(now);
+        ShiftIntroRouter(remoteIntro.router);
       }
-
-      // check for expiration
-      if (remoteIntro.ExpiresSoon(now))
+      // check for stale intros
+      // update the introset if we think we need to
+      if (currentIntroSet.HasStaleIntros(now, path::intro_path_spread))
       {
         UpdateIntroSet();
-        // shift intro if it expires "soon"
-        if (ShiftIntroduction())
-          SwapIntros();  // swap intros if we shifted
       }
       // lookup router in intro if set and unknown
-      m_Endpoint->EnsureRouterIsKnown(remoteIntro.router);
+      if (not m_NextIntro.router.IsZero())
+        m_Endpoint->EnsureRouterIsKnown(m_NextIntro.router);
       // expire bad intros
       auto itr = m_BadIntros.begin();
       while (itr != m_BadIntros.end())
@@ -354,7 +353,7 @@ namespace llarp
           ++itr;
       }
 
-      if (ReadyToSend() and m_ReadyHook)
+      if (ReadyToSend() and not m_ReadyHooks.empty())
       {
         const auto path = GetPathByRouter(remoteIntro.router);
         if (not path)
@@ -362,32 +361,40 @@ namespace llarp
           LogWarn(Name(), " ready but no path to ", remoteIntro.router, " ???");
           return true;
         }
-        m_ReadyHook(this);
-        m_ReadyHook = nullptr;
+        for (const auto& hook : m_ReadyHooks)
+          hook(this);
+        m_ReadyHooks.clear();
       }
 
-      if (lastGoodSend > 0s and now >= lastGoodSend + (sendTimeout / 2))
+      const auto timeout = std::min(lastGoodSend, m_LastInboundTraffic);
+      if (lastGoodSend > 0s and now >= timeout + (sendTimeout / 2))
       {
         // send a keep alive to keep this session alive
         KeepAlive();
       }
-
       // if we are dead return true so we are removed
-      return lastGoodSend > 0s ? (now >= lastGoodSend && now - lastGoodSend > sendTimeout)
-                               : (now >= createdAt && now - createdAt > connectTimeout);
+      return timeout > 0s ? (now >= timeout && now - timeout > sendTimeout)
+                          : (now >= createdAt && now - createdAt > connectTimeout);
     }
 
     void
-    OutboundContext::SetReadyHook(std::function<void(OutboundContext*)> hook, llarp_time_t timeout)
+    OutboundContext::AddReadyHook(std::function<void(OutboundContext*)> hook, llarp_time_t timeout)
     {
-      if (m_ReadyHook)
+      if (ReadyToSend())
+      {
+        hook(this);
         return;
-      m_ReadyHook = hook;
-      m_router->loop()->call_later(timeout, [this]() {
-        if (m_ReadyHook)
-          m_ReadyHook(nullptr);
-        m_ReadyHook = nullptr;
-      });
+      }
+      if (m_ReadyHooks.empty())
+      {
+        m_router->loop()->call_later(timeout, [this]() {
+          LogWarn(Name(), " did not obtain session in time");
+          for (const auto& hook : m_ReadyHooks)
+            hook(nullptr);
+          m_ReadyHooks.clear();
+        });
+      }
+      m_ReadyHooks.push_back(hook);
     }
 
     std::optional<std::vector<RouterContact>>
@@ -405,16 +412,22 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     OutboundContext::ShouldBuildMore(llarp_time_t now) const
     {
-      if (markedBad || not path::Builder::ShouldBuildMore(now))
+      if (markedBad or path::Builder::BuildCooldownHit(now))
         return false;
       if (NumInStatus(path::ePathBuilding) >= numDesiredPaths)
         return false;
-      llarp_time_t t = 0s;
-      ForEachPath([&t](path::Path_ptr path) {
-        if (path->IsReady())
-          t = std::max(path->ExpireTime(), t);
+
+      if (m_BadIntros.count(remoteIntro))
+        return true;
+
+      size_t numValidPaths = 0;
+      ForEachPath([now, &numValidPaths](path::Path_ptr path) {
+        if (not path->IsReady())
+          return;
+        if (not path->intro.ExpiresSoon(now, path::default_lifetime - path::intro_path_spread))
+          numValidPaths++;
       });
-      return t >= now + path::default_lifetime / 4;
+      return numValidPaths < numDesiredPaths;
     }
 
     void
@@ -430,12 +443,24 @@ namespace llarp
       m_BadIntros[intro] = now;
     }
 
+    bool
+    OutboundContext::IntroSent() const
+    {
+      return sentIntro;
+    }
+
+    bool
+    OutboundContext::IntroGenerated() const
+    {
+      return sentIntro;
+    }
+
     bool
     OutboundContext::ShiftIntroduction(bool rebuild)
     {
       bool success = false;
-      auto now = Now();
-      if (now - lastShift < MIN_SHIFT_INTERVAL)
+      const auto now = Now();
+      if (abs(now - lastShift) < shiftTimeout)
         return false;
       bool shifted = false;
       std::vector<Introduction> intros = currentIntroSet.intros;
@@ -496,7 +521,7 @@ namespace llarp
     {
       // unconditionally update introset
       UpdateIntroSet();
-      const RouterID endpoint(path->Endpoint());
+      const RouterID endpoint{path->Endpoint()};
       // if a path to our current intro died...
       if (endpoint == remoteIntro.router)
       {
@@ -506,50 +531,13 @@ namespace llarp
           if (p->Endpoint() == endpoint && p->IsReady())
             ++num;
         });
-        // if we have more than two then we are probably fine
-        if (num > 2)
-          return;
-        // if we have one working one ...
-        if (num == 1)
-        {
-          num = 0;
-          ForEachPath([&](const path::Path_ptr& p) {
-            if (p->Endpoint() == endpoint)
-              ++num;
-          });
-          // if we have 2 or more established or pending don't do anything
-          if (num > 2)
-            return;
-          BuildOneAlignedTo(endpoint);
-        }
-        else if (num == 0)
+        if (num == 0)
         {
-          // we have no paths to this router right now
-          // hop off it
-          Introduction picked;
-          // get the latest intro that isn't on that endpoint
-          for (const auto& intro : currentIntroSet.intros)
-          {
-            if (intro.router == endpoint)
-              continue;
-            if (intro.expiresAt > picked.expiresAt)
-              picked = intro;
-          }
-          // we got nothing
-          if (picked.router.IsZero())
-          {
-            return;
-          }
-          m_NextIntro = picked;
-          // check if we have a path to this router
-          num = 0;
-          ForEachPath([&](const path::Path_ptr& p) {
-            // don't count timed out paths
-            if (p->Status() != path::ePathTimeout && p->Endpoint() == m_NextIntro.router)
-              ++num;
-          });
-          // build a path if one isn't already pending build or established
-          BuildOneAlignedTo(m_NextIntro.router);
+          // we have no more paths to this endpoint so we want to pivot off of it
+          MarkCurrentIntroBad(Now());
+          ShiftIntroRouter(endpoint);
+          if (m_NextIntro.router != endpoint)
+            BuildOneAlignedTo(m_NextIntro.router);
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/llarp/service/outbound_context.hpp b/llarp/service/outbound_context.hpp
index 011aa74b8..6b5d00b84 100644
--- a/llarp/service/outbound_context.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/outbound_context.hpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace llarp
 
       /// shift the intro off the current router it is using
       void
-      ShiftIntroRouter(const RouterID remote);
+      ShiftIntroRouter(const RouterID remote) override;
 
       /// mark the current remote intro as bad
       void
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ namespace llarp
       ReadyToSend() const;
 
       void
-      SetReadyHook(std::function<void(OutboundContext*)> readyHook, llarp_time_t timeout);
+      AddReadyHook(std::function<void(OutboundContext*)> readyHook, llarp_time_t timeout);
 
       /// for exits
       void
@@ -129,19 +129,26 @@ namespace llarp
       llarp_time_t
       RTT() const;
 
+      bool
+      OnIntroSetUpdate(
+          const Address& addr,
+          std::optional<IntroSet> i,
+          const RouterID& endpoint,
+          llarp_time_t,
+          uint64_t relayOrder);
+
      private:
       /// swap remoteIntro with next intro
       void
       SwapIntros();
 
-      void
-      OnGeneratedIntroFrame(AsyncKeyExchange* k, PathID_t p);
-
       bool
-      OnIntroSetUpdate(
-          const Address& addr, std::optional<IntroSet> i, const RouterID& endpoint, llarp_time_t);
+      IntroGenerated() const override;
+      bool
+      IntroSent() const override;
 
       const dht::Key_t location;
+      const Address addr;
       uint64_t m_UpdateIntrosetTX = 0;
       IntroSet currentIntroSet;
       Introduction m_NextIntro;
@@ -151,8 +158,9 @@ namespace llarp
       uint16_t m_BuildFails = 0;
       llarp_time_t m_LastInboundTraffic = 0s;
       bool m_GotInboundTraffic = false;
+      bool generatedIntro = false;
       bool sentIntro = false;
-      std::function<void(OutboundContext*)> m_ReadyHook;
+      std::vector<std::function<void(OutboundContext*)>> m_ReadyHooks;
       llarp_time_t m_LastIntrosetUpdateAt = 0s;
     };
   }  // namespace service
diff --git a/llarp/service/protocol.cpp b/llarp/service/protocol.cpp
index f7543a3c8..89c6a09aa 100644
--- a/llarp/service/protocol.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/protocol.cpp
@@ -458,15 +458,21 @@ namespace llarp
         }
       };
       handler->Router()->QueueWork(
-          [v, msg = std::move(msg), recvPath = std::move(recvPath), callback]() {
+          [v, msg = std::move(msg), recvPath = std::move(recvPath), callback, handler]() {
+            auto resetTag = [handler, tag = v->frame.T, from = v->frame.F, path = recvPath]() {
+              handler->ResetConvoTag(tag, path, from);
+            };
+
             if (not v->frame.Verify(v->si))
             {
               LogError("Signature failure from ", v->si.Addr());
+              handler->Loop()->call_soon(resetTag);
               return;
             }
             if (not v->frame.DecryptPayloadInto(v->shared, *msg))
             {
-              LogError("failed to decrypt message");
+              LogError("failed to decrypt message from ", v->si.Addr());
+              handler->Loop()->call_soon(resetTag);
               return;
             }
             callback(msg);
diff --git a/llarp/service/protocol.hpp b/llarp/service/protocol.hpp
index 623e2afa7..f2485c3af 100644
--- a/llarp/service/protocol.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/protocol.hpp
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ namespace llarp
         version = other.version;
       }
 
-      ProtocolFrame() : routing::IMessage()
+      ProtocolFrame() : routing::IMessage{}
       {
         Clear();
       }
diff --git a/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp b/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp
index 5425839e2..06330e054 100644
--- a/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp
+++ b/llarp/service/sendcontext.cpp
@@ -26,13 +26,15 @@ namespace llarp
     bool
     SendContext::Send(std::shared_ptr<ProtocolFrame> msg, path::Path_ptr path)
     {
+      if (not path->IsReady())
+        return false;
       if (m_SendQueue.empty() or m_SendQueue.full())
       {
-        m_Endpoint->Loop()->call([this] { FlushUpstream(); });
+        m_Endpoint->Loop()->call_soon([this] { FlushUpstream(); });
       }
-      m_SendQueue.pushBack(std::make_pair(
-          std::make_shared<routing::PathTransferMessage>(*msg, remoteIntro.pathID), path));
-      return true;
+      return m_SendQueue.tryPushBack(std::make_pair(
+                 std::make_shared<routing::PathTransferMessage>(*msg, remoteIntro.pathID), path))
+          == thread::QueueReturn::Success;
     }
 
     void
@@ -84,13 +86,15 @@ namespace llarp
       auto path = m_PathSet->GetPathByRouter(remoteIntro.router);
       if (!path)
       {
-        LogWarn(m_Endpoint->Name(), " cannot encrypt and send: no path for intro ", remoteIntro);
+        ShiftIntroRouter(remoteIntro.router);
+        LogWarn(m_PathSet->Name(), " cannot encrypt and send: no path for intro ", remoteIntro);
         return;
       }
 
       if (!m_DataHandler->GetCachedSessionKeyFor(f->T, shared))
       {
-        LogWarn(m_Endpoint->Name(), " has no cached session key on session T=", f->T);
+        LogWarn(
+            m_PathSet->Name(), " could not send, has no cached session key on session T=", f->T);
         return;
       }
 
@@ -104,7 +108,7 @@ namespace llarp
       }
       else
       {
-        LogWarn(m_Endpoint->Name(), " no session T=", f->T);
+        LogWarn(m_PathSet->Name(), " could not get sequence number for session T=", f->T);
         return;
       }
       m->introReply = path->intro;
@@ -115,7 +119,7 @@ namespace llarp
       m_Endpoint->Router()->QueueWork([f, m, shared, path, this] {
         if (not f->EncryptAndSign(*m, shared, m_Endpoint->GetIdentity()))
         {
-          LogError(m_Endpoint->Name(), " failed to sign message");
+          LogError(m_PathSet->Name(), " failed to sign message");
           return;
         }
         Send(f, path);
@@ -140,11 +144,15 @@ namespace llarp
     void
     SendContext::AsyncEncryptAndSendTo(const llarp_buffer_t& data, ProtocolType protocol)
     {
-      if (lastGoodSend != 0s)
+      if (IntroSent())
       {
         EncryptAndSendTo(data, protocol);
         return;
       }
+      // have we generated the initial intro but not sent it yet? bail here so we don't cause
+      // bullshittery
+      if (IntroGenerated() and not IntroSent())
+        return;
       const auto maybe = m_Endpoint->MaybeGetAuthInfoForEndpoint(remoteIdent.Addr());
       if (maybe.has_value())
       {
diff --git a/llarp/service/sendcontext.hpp b/llarp/service/sendcontext.hpp
index 517bea988..aa38cc8b0 100644
--- a/llarp/service/sendcontext.hpp
+++ b/llarp/service/sendcontext.hpp
@@ -44,8 +44,9 @@ namespace llarp
       uint64_t sequenceNo = 0;
       llarp_time_t lastGoodSend = 0s;
       const llarp_time_t createdAt;
-      llarp_time_t sendTimeout = 40s;
-      llarp_time_t connectTimeout = 60s;
+      llarp_time_t sendTimeout = path::build_timeout * 2;
+      llarp_time_t connectTimeout = path::build_timeout * 4;
+      llarp_time_t shiftTimeout = (path::build_timeout * 5) / 2;
       llarp_time_t estimatedRTT = 0s;
       bool markedBad = false;
       using Msg_ptr = std::shared_ptr<routing::PathTransferMessage>;
@@ -62,6 +63,9 @@ namespace llarp
         return true;
       }
 
+      virtual void
+      ShiftIntroRouter(const RouterID) = 0;
+
       virtual void
       UpdateIntroSet() = 0;
 
@@ -72,6 +76,11 @@ namespace llarp
       AsyncSendAuth(std::function<void(AuthResult)> replyHandler);
 
      private:
+      virtual bool
+      IntroGenerated() const = 0;
+      virtual bool
+      IntroSent() const = 0;
+
       void
       EncryptAndSendTo(const llarp_buffer_t& payload, ProtocolType t);