Failing easy speech checks?

[uglyface2]

I was doing a side quest about a blacksmith's techniques that I'd done successfully multiple times before. I had a high enough speech level where I should have easily passed the check on Henry's own experience with the forge, but this time the check failed and the smith said Henry had never been near a forge. Does anyone have any idea what might have caused this? Are speech checks RNG, too?

[danilo.schoeneberg]

There are hidden influences on the speech check. The speech check with Mikesh in Sasau should pass at level 9 and above. However, things like reputation and your charisma might have interferred.

If you have been caught doing crimes in Sasasu, or if you look like you've been dragged through the mud behind your horse, instead of riding it, it might negatively influence the speech check. Even things like a failed haggling attempt, which lowers your reputation with him might have had an impact.

[Judeo-communism]

I think there are a few cases in the game where some dialogue options are presented as checks but are actually guaranteed to fail no matter what. Like choosing a "wrong" option that cannot be saved by max stats.