So I had an idea that I was going to storm the Jarl's palace in Whiterun, kill everyone inside, then take over the city. I walked up to him while he was sitting in his throne and thought I should test how strong he was first. I pull back and arrow and *thwack*, right through the face, blood on the back of his chair and everything. I expected to find out just how many people would come to his aid, but no, he just sat there staring at me like an idiot. I let a few more fly into his face (and crotch for lols) before he was down to almost nil. The last shot caused him to flip around on his chair like he was going to die, but hen he calmly sits back down and continues staring at me. Future shots do nothing but waste arrows. Thinking my game was bugged, I shoot the dark elf chick next to him and all hell breaks loose. The next 5 minutes was a Benny Hill-esque sequence of me running around the room trying to shoot the guards until the Jarl finally takes me out with his flame-sword.

Next time I'm going to try picking his pocket instead and see if I can take his sword.

He's an essential NPC, he won't die. I'm not sure why the guards didn't react when you shot him though.

Are all the Jarls essential? Cause I was thinking of taking Elisif for my bride, but if she doesn't cooperate...