Once Tempe sits and nothing bad happens immediately afterward, Skrud will tentatively take a seat and watch the waves rolling by with wide eyes.

"Skrud wonder why all the waves flee to shore together?" He looks out to see. "Skrud thinks something out there must be yelling at them."

Tempe thinks on how to simply state things as his tail moves with the retheme of the boat. 

"My faith, of nature believes its the world and the moons. Let loose a rock from your hand it returns towards the world. One of the worlds power it is to pull. The moons have the same power they argue over who is greater. Creatures and Water, fire and other elements, are caught in the middle of this harmony. There is no fear in the water."

. 

Pepin is happy to be back on the water and let's the feeling of a boat on the waves moves through his body. Enjoying it until they reach the city.

Zenodor is happy to sit back and relax on the boat. He spends his time on the boat chatting to Skrud and the others. He tells Skrud about the city, and what he might expect to see there. At the same time, he will also use the opportunity to try to get Skrud to tell him a bit more about where Skrud and his people/clan came from, and what caused them to leave their homes to come here as an army. Presumably he must have heard some rumours or campfire stories about what's going on at home or in the army - beyond just marching because he's ordered to. 

By the time Mignon makes landfall, just North of the Laurentiis, there is a steady drizzle of rain falling. And you'll only have about an hour's travel before making camp, unless you travel by 'forced march.'

Skrud relates his home is in a forest far to the west. Now that he is not being shouted at, or surrounded by goblins caught up in the horde, he tries to explain as best as he can.

"Skrud follow his tribe. Lots of tribes join together and march East. Skrud not know goblins do this before. March long time. Then find this big city and try to raid city."

After a brief pause, during which he is looking at the ground just in front of his feet, "Skrud not know why goblins here, so far from home?" He almost seems to be asking in case you might know and provide the answer for him.

Randall:

Having quietly listened for awhile, Randall asks, "Has it always just been direction from the beings in the big black tent, or are there other locations in the camps where the goblins went for orders?"

He also adds to the others, "Given that goblins have been attacking the city, I think it likely a better idea to let Skrud find his own way well away from the city rather than bringing him into it.  If he is discovered to be a goblin, he will probably be executed as a spy regardless of what we say.  As he has accepted the Geas, he should not be a danger to us or the city."

"Skrud, if you could go live your life as you wished and not be forced to obey someone else, what would you do?" asks Randall to the goblin curiously.

Tempe thinks upon the situation his tail swinging opposite the motion of the boat.

"I think its best, not to mention the Geas in front of him." his tail twitches in anticipation in his next question. "Maybe we should come back and catch their leaders with this, no? They would go home, one tribe at a time lead by their leaders, peacefully." He looks down then up "Then, we deal with this powerful spell caster, less minions."

Randall:

”What’s this about a powerful spellcaster?” asks Randall as Tempe makes his suggestion.  “What have you learned about this?”

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

 "Then, we deal with this powerful spell caster, less minions."

 (What Spellcaster? Did I miss something?)

Quote from Touschka_ >>

Quote from Stormbringer4729 >>

 "Then, we deal with this powerful spell caster, less minions."

 (What Spellcaster? Did I miss something?)

 I think he means the assumption that it would take a powerful spellcaster to bend the will of the dragon. 

Tempe shrugs "I'm just assuming. I'd think black dragons are more reclusive and would take much persuading to do this.." He shakes his head. "I'm most likely wrong but maybe, the spell castor from the Island?" 

Pepin enjoyed the boat ride in silence and listens to what the others are saying.

Z ponders this. "Ah, you mean the horticulturist wizard who bred those Purplewraths? It is possible. Although so far we have seen no evidence of his or her involvement in the affairs on the mainland, so it would be quite a coincidence.

But I agree, it has to be a very powerful individual or group, to be able to both organise the Goblins into a single army and to enlist at least one Black Dragon, perhaps more, as their enforcers. Perhaps after we report and discuss with the Generals, we should try to make our way to find King Moocus of the Goblins. He is bound to know more of what is going on and may be able to shed some light on this mystery.  Although I suspect he will needs some persuading."

Quote from Scott_R_Simmons >>

Randall:

He also adds to the others, "Given that goblins have been attacking the city, I think it likely a better idea to let Skrud find his own way well away from the city rather than bringing him into it.  If he is discovered to be a goblin, he will probably be executed as a spy regardless of what we say.  As he has accepted the Geas, he should not be a danger to us or the city."

  "Indeed. But if we send Skrud away into the countryside, is he not as likely to be caught and lynched by the local population if he is spotted - or even spotted by the Goblin army and re-captured as a traitor? Laurentiis appears to be quite a metropolitan city. We will keep Skrud away from the masses by keeping him in our accomodation. Delzira can go out and do the shopping. I still feel that having a native Goblin may yet be of help. He may be able to tell the towns defenders details about the Goblins army, their organisation and numbers, and who else would know of their customs and homeland in case we have to track the prepetrators of all this back to their homeland." 

@Randall

"Skrud not see King Moocus much but few times he did, always go his tent or black tent. Do you think dragon lives in King Moocus tent too?" After looking down at the ground in thought about that and your last question, "You say Skrud can be tribal leader?" his eyes and mouth go wide together, "You think Skrud can be king some day?"

@Zenodor

"Skrud not want to choose where to die! Die in countryside or die in city? Skrud like the other thing where he not take orders any more. Please let Skrud live! Not Skrud fault he goblin! Skrud born this way. If Skrud have to choose where to die he pick city. That way when friends remember Skrud they can say he 1st goblin to get inside city."

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

@Randall

"Skrud not see King Moocus much but few times he did, always go his tent or black tent. Do you think dragon lives in King Moocus tent too?" After looking down at the ground in thought about that and your last question, "You say Skrud can be tribal leader?" his eyes and mouth go wide together, "You think Skrud can be king some day?"

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@Zenodor

"Skrud not want to choose where to die! Die in countryside or die in city? Skrud like the other thing where he not take orders any more. Please let Skrud live! Not Skrud fault he goblin! Skrud born this way. If Skrud have to choose where to die he pick city. That way when friends remember Skrud they can say he 1st goblin to get inside city."

"Skrud, you should not have to take orders. Especially from Moocus. We know you do not want a war with Laurentiis and you do not want to die. Would it not be better if you and the other Goblins returned home, instead of dying here fighting the humans?"

Z pauses for a moment to let this sink in.

"Kind Moocus is a bad king. He is letting Goblins die and letting the Dragons kill Goblins. I am sure the other Goblins do not want to be dragon-fodder either, or slaughtered in the siege. You and the other Goblins have seen what a small group like us can do. Imagine how many Goblins will die trying to take a whole city of powerful humans!

You told us that Goblins follow strong leaders. But leaders also need to be wise and not let their fellow Goblins die in vain. Leaders need to recognise that they should not do this. I think Skrud recognises this. That is also being strong. If you were the leader,  you could lead the Goblins back to your homeland to live in peace and not get eaten by dragons. We could even convince the humans to trade with Goblins to make your life better. Skrud is more wise than most Goblins, and we can help you. With our help, Skrud will be strong and you can remove foul King Moocus from power. Moocus does not care, but Skrud cares. You would make a much better leader for the Goblins.

Tell us, how does the process of challenging and disposing a Goblin leader work? Let us help you, as your Lieutenants, to become the new leader and lead Goblin-kind to a safer future!"

(Let me know if you need a roll for anything)

(We took teeth, horns, and various other bits from the Dragon. So I'm thinking we can make a pretty awesome outfit for Skrud to pose as the heroic challenger to the King. Obvious we keep the best bits for the dragon-scale mail and so on, but I expect there should be enough spares to decorate one little Goblin)

You can make a Persuasion roll with advantage (as you're still being friendly and the speech sounded good to Skrud).

DC to beat: 12

Persuade: 11

"Skrud not sure but usually any time someone kill King they take over. Each king try to prevent this by getting bodyguards and allies. Last king was Druzmut. He had trolls for bodyguards and old Joris was his ally."

Skrud seems eager to cooperate with whatever you suggest. You've treated him well and so far, life has never been better for him.