Nifft said:
Okay, so how much extra loot do you want to give them? (In terms of GP.)
-- N
I believe that the point here is not to pad out the treasure gained for this particular encounter, but rather general ideas of what to do with the carcass of a big dragon once it's slain.
I second the draconomicon for the general armor/weapon/alchemical items. There was also a Dragon article some months back about the obscure uses for dragon parts.
The hide could be used for anything you'd make from tough leather. Obviously armor, but also harnessing, tents, clothing, or I bet you could use it to cover the thatch on a small roof to waterproof a house. Don't forget the wing membrane leather.
For the bones, look up ways that fishing communities would use the washed up skeleton of a whale. not only weapons, but also tools, implements, jewelry. Use horns, claws, teeth and bones to make things like drinking vessels and cutlery. Make sled runners for winter. Use the ribs to build structures like houses, boats, fences. Give it to the local artisans to carve into figurines or make scrimshaw, and polished bone jewelry is always fashionable.
Sure you could use the intestines as casing for giant sausages, but considering how catgut was used as string, they would surely make strong rope. Sinew would be very tough and stretchy. Harvest the fat for tallow. Bladders have long been used as waterproof bags, and think of how big a dragon's bladder would be.
Which leaves the meat and guts. Considering that you're thinking of practical things to do with the carcass rather than give it a blessing and a burial, I don't see why it wouldn't be eaten. Have a feast, then butcher it all as quickly as possible and either salt the meat or smoke it. Dragon jerky for everyone! Feed the town dogs on the organ meats.
Whatever's left over should probably be burned for disposal, and when it's ash, spread it in the fields.
Of course, a lot of this is stuff that a town or village could do with the body, rather than adventurers, but you get the idea. Of course, since dragons are sentient beings, a lot of it might be considered barbaric, in which case you wouldnt be harvesting anything from the dragon at all, and would instead want to burn the body and bury the ashes like you would any person you killed.
