Kal sticks his foot in it
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
Kal sits around while Harp tries to do his best at sweet talking the dwarves. Underneath his calm exterior he is boiling. Why did they have to go through this? He had won the combat. These dwarves owed Harp and him. Why was the ½ orc dancing around the questions that needed answered. After the first round of drinks, but before the food has been brought, Kal leans forward and motions for Bordin to come closer. When the dwarf is close enough so that only he and Harp can easily hear Kal asks his question "We're here on a mission from our kingdom that required we acquire something long ago entrusted to the king. If this current king is rightly and proper, then we will speak with him, get what we came for, and be on our way."
"However, if there's serious doubt among the Dwarves as to the veracity of his claims or as to the manner of the previous king's death, then we shall be honor bound to help the Dwarven Kingdoms, as best we can, right those wrongs. So tell us straight. Is the current king the rightful and proper heir or is there doubt among the people?" Kal finishes and watches Bordin's face.
The dwarf's eyes go thin with anger. His left hand slowly crushes the pewter ale mug it had been holding, spilling ale over the table. He leans an inch closer to the elf his voice deadly low "Boy..." The other dwarves seem not to notice but Harp does. He leans in quickly "Kal, relax. This is a time for drinking and eating. Ragnar has taken the appropriate steps to get an audience with the King and we should let proper procedure take its course. Bordin, you'll have to excuse my elf friend over here. He's not even 150 years old and sometimes still lets his youthful energy get the better of him." (Diplomacy check DC15, 20+0=20, success).
Bordin's eyes stay locked on Kal's for a few seconds more and then he turns to Harp "Aye, I've met more than a few hot headed youngsters in the army. Usually have to beat the sass out of 'm." He turns back to Kal, his voice still chilly "Barden is the right and proper heir. The old King's death was unfortunate but only a fool would accuse Dar of anything out of line." Bordin's emphasis on the word fool gets his feelings for the elf across. The dwarf stands up and tosses several gold pieces on the table "Here, this should cover the rest of your meal and a good bottle of wine. I don't think my friends and I have the stomach for any more." The other three dwarves look questioningly at Bordin but he signals them to leave and they do. As he is about to follow them he turns to Harp and Kal "You, half orc, would be welcome at the grounds if you were alone." With that he leaves the pub.
OODM: Kal got lucky that Harp rolled a natural 20 on the diplomacy check, otherwise there was going to be a brawl
From: Kevin
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
Harp seethes as Bordin and the other dwarves march away, the money sitting on the table. "Damn it, Kal, when are you gonna learn to keep your mouth shut!!!" he says to the elf.
How would you have liked it if me, a 1/2 orc, and some dwarves and humans came into the elf homeland and started questioning if the current king or queen was legitimate?? You would have challenged him in a second. So, here we are, in the middle of a dwarf kingdom, us two, having drinks and talking, and learning things, and you go an challange the kings right to the throne. I should bust you one across the head just for good measure - if I thought you would jump out of the way. Now, go get me another drink while I cool off and then we can talk about what we did learn."
From: Derek
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
Wow, Harp's getting a backbone!
From: Kevin
Subject: Kal sticks his foot in it
OOC: I don't know about a back bone, but he was actually getting some useful information, and that is very far from his strong suit. He now knows that there is someone who was the previous kings Steward. If anyone would know who might want to have a change of kings, it would be him.