Tempe looks on and shrugs, he wonders if Neforakx was the influencer or the influenced

 "I know the greater of my kinds magic, say its soul, can influence the world around it. For some distance. It would take great magic to control such as this one." Tempe ritual casts detect magic to see if there are any devices or auras on the dragon.

Randall will help with getting scales for Pepin’s armor and also take enough to get a shield for himself.

Petcan tries to point out the dragon's heartstrings to whomever is harvesting this monster. He knows nothing about the actual practicalities involved, but he dreams about being able to say he performed with a lute using dragon's heartstrings on the bowl. 

After the harvesting of Neforakx (and a possible short rest?) you begin making your way back to the city (or a safer distance for a long rest?).

At first you don't see Skrud the goblin, he was also absent during the dragon fight, but after a few quick minutes of travel he comes running up from behind, "Wait! Wait for Skrud! Don't forget Skrud! Skrud is coming too!"

Petcan looks at Skrud with equal parts curiosity and doubt

"Ah, Skrud! I am glad that you escaped the chaos and destruction, and am happy you would still be with us. Follow us, I am sure we can provide you with food and shelter where we are going."

Z also offers him a bite of his rations and some water. 

Turning to the rest of the party, he says "Let us make our way to Mignon and back to the city."

Randall:

Having put the important bits of the dragon corpse into his bag of holding, Randall is more than happy to return to Mignon.  He uses a Sending spell to let their ride know they are on their way.

Once they are out of sight of the enemy camp, he relaxes a bit and reads the scroll he was just given as he walks.

The scroll is actually a map with a smaller scroll rolled up inside it.

The smaller scroll reads:

'When time permits, follow the map to the old elvish temple. A quarter mile to the North a deep pit leads to a buried treasure room. Located amongst the treasure is a small wooden coffer that I require. Any other items are fair game to either retrieve or leave undisturbed as you deem appropriate at the time.'

(do we recognise the area of the map? Is it near where we are now (i.e. detour possible) or is it somewhere we should probably head later as a separate trip?)

It is an unfamiliar area that is designated on the map and you should probably head there later as a separate trip.

Petcan clears his throat. "Maybe if we go back into the city, we'll have some results. Maybe some of the horde will disband and depart. Enough to open negotiations." 

On the trip back to the boat the wind begins to pick up a little, and by the time you reach the boat it is now windy enough to blow a hat off of your head. Also, a light rain begins to fall.

Mignon is surprised to see you now have a goblin in tow and as he points at Skrud he asks, "Prisoner?"

"And should I ask what all that is," referring to the horns, scales, claws etc. that are being carried by several of you.

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Mignon is surprised to see you now have a goblin in tow and as he points at Skrud he asks, "Prisoner?"

 Zenodor pauses for a moment, looking puzzled. "No, not a prisoner. A new friend, I hope - although I fear the folk in the city may be a little wary of him. Let us maybe try to avoid crowds when we get there. He can stay at our dwelling with Delzira"

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

"And should I ask what all that is," referring to the horns, scales, claws etc. that are being carried by several of you.

Z's face broadens into a wide grin. "That, my friend is all that is left of a black dragon which we think was part of the driving force behind the Goblin army. Certainly this is a new development, which we need to discuss with the General and his aides. So let us make haste."

"We should find away to disguise Skrud. Maybe to look like a halfling. It would avoid problems." Tempe says with concern.

"Hmmm. Yes, you may well be right about that. But I think we can probably do something to disguise him." Z digs around in his pack to find the Disguise Kit he carries, and any bits of clothing that could be used to disguise/hide Skrud. He then tries his best to hide his identity as a Goblin. (Should I roll anything?)

While traveling back to the city he will also try to question Skrud a little further. "So Skrud. Tell me, did you know that it was a Dragon in the tent? Have you seen a Dragon around the camp, or maybe around your home area before? Have you heard any rumours or campfire stories perhaps?"

Tempe shrugs "If we had magic hat, maybe?"

Tempe thinks upon the size of the black tent and the dragon.

Insight 5

((I think the Dragon parts were in the bag of holding?))

Pepin is wondering why a Black dragon was at the head of a goblin army.

Zenodor is also pondering this, but wondering if perhaps it's more of an enforcer rather than the head of the army. And why did it not take part in the fighting? Surely an adult black dragon would have been a powerful ally to turn the tide of battle during the siege. Was the dragon held in reserve? Or just there to control the Goblins? And is it actually the only dragon, or are there more? So many unanswered questions.

Quietly and to himself, be also is still wondering about the dragon's curse, and whether it is real.

@Zenodor

Your disguise kit and you're fashioning the disguise for Skrud... your Stealth roll.

"Skrud get disguise? Skrud can help. Once in city Skrud steal what you want. Skrud not get caught."

@Pepin

Thought maybe only your stuff was in there, but it makes sense for all of it to be carried by the guy with the bag of holding. So Mignon doesn't ask about stuff he doesn't see... just a small retcon.

"Yeah, once we get back I'll leave it up to you all to sneak a goblin into the city. Just in case something goes wrong."

"Skrud not go to black tent! Not know about black dragon! When you fight black dragon Skrud run and hide! Dragon not eat Skrud!"

When you all clamber into the vessel Skrud looks a little hesitant at first.

"Boat not sink? You not afraid of sea monsters?" The little goblin scampers in and hunkers down on the floor, holding fast to a seat rather than sitting on it.

"Skrud never been on a boat or ship before?" Tempe says with genuine curiosity, while boarding and tapping the seat next to him. As a gesture to Skrud. "With small boats, it's best to sit."