Even rats have their place, and Shemm is a useful one. Known in some circles as one of the more reliable fences of property of dubious ownership, he's also an avid gatherer of information, employing a small army of street urchins who regularly bring him scraps of news in exchange for a bit of coin or food.

Shemm is quite careful to stay just on the right side of the law (at least when anyone's looking), so that he can at least plausibly deny direct involvement in anything blatantly criminal. This half-fiction means that sometimes more reputable citizens, perhaps even an anxious watcher, might turn to him when desparate for the kind of help or information that only someone from the underbelly of Bree can provide.

His known associates are Ewley, of Hog's gang, and Hog himself, though he's not a member of that gang. Shemm is willing to work with or sell for just about anyone, as long as the coin is good - and he styles himself an "independent businessman."

Those who mov in shadier circles or enquire among them will learn mainly that Shemm is known at least by sight as a fence and good source of information. A good go-to person for that sort of thing, though it comes with the down-side of actually having to deal with the creep.