Campaign Help - PCs in diplomatic mission

[ClarkKent07]

So I'm running a campaign where I want to give the PCs a non-combat based goal/mission.

They need to retrieve an item that is being held by a dragon (open to suggestions).

My thoughts are to have this dragon insist that the PCs work to negotiate peace between two tribal groups that worship the dragon as a diety.

I will create some type of conflict between the two tribes and create a number of modifiers that the PCs can earn based on interactions, favors they do, etc.

Thoughts?

My only real issue is something the PCs would likely never question, but that I do.

Why would the dragon want/need them to do this instead of himself?

Any thoughts feedback appreciated.

[EWHM]

Why do gods have priests to promulgate their instructions and their will? Frankly, because micromanaging everything is a pain in the neck. The answer for your dragon is much the same. Consider also this:
chances are he really doesn't care all that much about this item that the pc's want. But he can't just give it up to a heavily armed band of mercenaries, that just wouldn't square with his ego. But he COULD hire them for something he doesn't care an awful lot about (these two insignificant tribes that recognize his greatness). An awful lot of negotiation is about face-saving.

[ClarkKent07]

EWHM -

Excellent point! Again my players would never even question his motivation, but my OCD demands complete/logical story lines.

And truth be told this item means literally nothing to the dragon, he just happens to have it in his possession.

Now I feel much better about the whole concept...