Rowland relays to Leon that he doesn't care who does the talking and relays the message he just gave to Elmo. 

...back in the Darklake District...

    After each of the representative contests have been announced and have taken their seat, Gremryl and Mikey are up to introduce themselves next.

Lord Holderhek - "And now, representing Adbar, Gremryl Stonebreaker!"  only a few in the crowd cheer...and it looks like they're heavily intoxicated already perhaps not even knowing who's on stage.

<Gremryl may introduce himself/pump up the crowd/etc. or just step up, wave a hand and sit down at the contestant table.>

Mikey stands up and yells "Who's ready to PARTYYYY!!" and then launches into a ninja break dance routine (ala the second TMNT movie) to pump up the crowd and garner support.  Performance check=11

He then turns to Grem and says "Good luck, bro!  Also...I've never really been drunk before, so do me a favor and look out for me in the aftermath.  I'll see you on the other side (gives high five)".

    The crowd loves the performance, even though by Mikey's standards, it's fairly mediocre.  Still, the crowd isn't accustomed to this new style dance and some of the younger residents even begin trying to perform some of the moves that Mikey pulled off on stage.

Gremryl tells mikey : "master Chortle, this is a sport of dwarven kings lad! Back in me days at the citadel we held these contests before and they tended to take over the city! You'll be fine lad!" He winks at him. 

To the crowd: "citizens of gracklstough! Honored I be to take part in ye contest and even thirstier I be to drink ye Ale! " 

Gremryl will then proceed to do the dwarven pop block robot dance...moves he learned while he was a young teen dwarf! 

Performance check: 

13

    The crowd cheers loudly for the robot dance, never having seen those moves before!  Gremryl knows that he could have done better...but he's satisfied with his performance as is.

Lord Holderhek - "Citizens and honored guests of Gracklstugh, I present to you a contest of champions!"  The crowd roars in anticipation.  "But first things first, Ale for everyone!"

    Again the crowd cheers loudly as mugs of ale are passed around through the crowds.  A mug of ale also comes to each contestant at the long table facing the crowd.  It's a tall mug and filled to the brim with a delicious looking, dark ale that smells lightly of chocolate and wheat.

Lord Holderhek - "We begin our first round with a legendary ale from the Dwarven city of Guantlgrym.  One said to have been first produced by King Bruenor's own magical shield, then further experimented with by only the finest brewmasters.  We call it...Bruenor ale!"  The crowd cheers wildly now.  "First one to finish their mug is awarded a point!  Ready...set...GO!"

<Gremryl and Mikey, roll a 1d20.  highest roll across the contestants is awarded a point.  Then roll a CON saving throw.  a 9 or lower will have complications towards the end of the contest...>

speed check=11

con check=19

20 speed check

19 con check

Speed Checks:

Morista: 12

Ghuldur: 12

Dormo: 18

Hemeth: 3

    No sooner than Lord Holderhek say "GO!" hsa Gremryl picked up the mug, opened his throat and power slammed the ale straight into his gullet, then not so delicately brings the mug back down onto the table with confidence.  Looking around, only Dormo was even close to matching his speed with most everyone else taking an average amount of time except Hemeth...who must have been truly enjoying his ale because he's the very last to finish by a significant amount. 

Lord Holderhek - "One point for Gremryl Stonebreaker of Adbar!" the crowd cheers for the Dwarf.

    The mugs are refreshed with another type of ale, this time light with a slightly nutty aroma.

Lord Holderhek - "This one comes to us from Mantol-Derith.  An exotic brew sure to please the tastebuds.  Ok, contestants, on your mark...get set...GO!" he says, rallying up the crowd as he does so.

<Again, roll a 1d20 and a Con saving throw>

Speed check 3

con check 13

Speed Checks:

Morista: 16

Ghuldur: 9

Dormo: 8

Hemeth: 2

Elmo approaches the clerics. 

“Hail and well met protectors of the Great Red Dragon!  I believe his mightiness be expecting an audience with us. Would ya mind showing us the way to his chamber me sacred mate? We have matters that he would be wanting to hear about.” 

Keeper of the Flame - "What business is it that you seek with the great Wyrmsmith, little one?  Are you here to offer yourself up as a dragon snack?  I'm told he has an affinity for Halflings...you wouldn't happen to be a Lightfoot Halfling would you?  He's particularly fond of those ones..." he says with a grin from beneath his hooded visage.

Leon steps forward

”Please don’t try intimidate my friend. We are here to discuss urgent business with Themberchaud. Please try to remain respectful and we will do the same.”

“Aye I be a light foot! Themberchaud Has exquisite tastes! To be halfling is to embody excellence, why would we disappoint at the dinner table either?”

performance check for the joke to win over the guards: 10

Elmo subtly  puts his hand out to Leon, indicating that he has this. 

“Leon they just be playing around. They also are keeping the great WrymSmith waiting. I tell ye in earnest that he is expecting us.  What’s the harm in letting a halfling and his chums pass ye? Either he be expecting us, and ye be stopping us.  Or he is not expecting us, and the Great Thembetchaud gets a fine snack (Elmo nudges the Cleric with his elbow, winks and laughs playfully).”

Persuasion check: 22

Keeper of the Flame - "Hahaha!  If that's all it takes to intimidate you then I fear you may indeed be nothing more than sustenance for Themberchaud, Human." to Elmo then, "Yes, I see your logic.  May you not become a snack after all, little one. The Keepers of the Flame bear you no malice and will not bar your entry as he's been expecting you.  Please, right this way."  he and two others then lead you into Themberchaud's chambers and you see.

    As the Duergar priests lead you to a building carved from the stone just outside a huge cavern entrance, the ground trembles slightly, and a thunderous voice echoes against every wall.

Themberchaud - <DM Note: Spoiler boxes only for those who speak Dwarvish.>

"Gartokkar,"

 

the voice calls as a reptilian behemoth comes into view, its scales the color of lava, its bright yellow eyes glowing in the shadows of the cave before coming into the light. 

"You didn't say I was having surfacers for dinner today." 

 

 The dragon chuckles at his own wit.  His massive body gives the distinct impression that he is overweight, indicating eating habits that don't bode well.

Keeper of the Flame - "Foreigners," the Duergar priest says with great reverence, "meet the Father of Flame, the Everburning, and the Foundry's Heart - Themberchaud, the Wyrmsmith of Gracklstugh."