Scalesteward
Look, I already have enough trouble trusting the fuckers in finance. Now you're telling me the best of them get hired by actual dragons?A scalesteward is the chief - and often sole - financial manager for a given dragon. Though uncommon as a role, scalestewards are typically extremely experienced accountants or otherwise have demonstrated a high level of competency and trustworthiness.
Dragons select their scalestewards on an incredibly rare basis, and in the majority of cases, the scalesteward in question has no idea that they are being potentially chosen for a lifechanging role. Still, those that accept the role when it is eventually offered find themselves in a fairly unique position of power - and also in the most demanding relationship of their lives.
Scalestewards are not a concept unique to only metallic dragons, though they are often assumed to be. Any dragon, regardless of their subspecies or alignment, has reason to wish for a competent financial manager to handle organisation matters and financial investments for their hoards, and when a trustworthy individual with competence is found to fulfil that role, they would be fools to pass up the opportunity.
The very best of the scalestewards are those who live the longest. Not only does their continued existence suggest that their draconic masters are happy with their work, but - given the length of some of their lives - it also implies that their worth is so great that they have been given immortality to continue.
Overworked by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Career
Qualifications
Imagine running the finances for an entire country. Now imagine that country is a very emotionally unstable firebreathing menace that switches moods faster than the wind switches directions. You need to be very good to manage this role.To qualify for the role of scalesteward is to prove excellence beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone particularly good with mathematics may make for a decent banker, and may even become particularly good at it. To ascend up in the financial world, though, one must be more than just a banker. Typically, strong charismatic skills are needed for those really aiming to reach the very top, as well as an astute intelligence capable of noticing patterns and the wisdom to judge risk versus reward. In a standard bank, a small failing in judgment may cause the bank to lose money or standing, but will do no harm. With a dragon's hoard, the loss of wealth could risk sending the hoard's owner into a raging frenzy.
Emerald Brilliance by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
When a dragon has heard of a candidate that may be worth poaching as a scalesteward, often through word of mouth (or rarely, by the recommendation of close mortal friends), they shall begin to stalk them.
By donning humanoid guises, they test the prospective candidate in every way they can think possible: challenging financial scenarios, tests of their morals, their strength of character, and even their bonds to life.
Most dragons will also choose to see how well their potential scalestewards will handle threats and surprises, much to the unpleasant surprise of the candidates - who still have no knowledge that they are even candidates. They carry out everything from muggings to outright attacks, testing reflexes and any magical ability that may be present.
If the candidate is particularly unlucky and fails one of these tests, the dragon - especially if chromatic - may simply end their life for the waste of time they became.
Perception
Purpose
Sir, your hoard is going to face issues soon. The recent political uprisings in Yulan Sheng are threatening the town you've claimed there. It sounds like the ARA might be intervening - I've prepared you a packet if you'd like to investigate.A scalesteward is not a simple guard, nor are they as basic as a financial manager. They are expected to function as a comprehensive source of knowledge for the entirety of a dragon's hoard - which extends well past mere gold and jewels if they are at the point of nominating a scalesteward.
This can mean that, depending on the dragon in question, they may be expected to handle financial investments on one hand, governance on another, and somehow may also need a few more hands to manage assets like adventuring parties, political dramatics, or even small children.
When one gets into the older dragons, they will find that their draconic hoards are far more than the simple golden treasure most adventurers believe them to be. Especially if we start to bring outer dragons into the discussion.
They are often trained by their master, or at least are provided with the opportunity to train, in magic and other matters relevant to their career. If the scalesteward did not have any proficiency with magic prior to their recruitment, then they are in luck: their patron is capable of granting them a sorcerer's innate arcane ability through the power that runs in their blood.
(This can be an issue for the religious types, but they tend to not be chosen due to their devotion elsewhere.)
Gilded Steward by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Argent Agent by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Alternative Names
Hoardkeeper, Warden of the Scales
Type
Financial / Trade
Demand
Luxury role; only wanted by some dragons
Species
No dragon wants to lose their scalesteward to something as basic as death, and neither do they particularly want to put in all the effort of training them only to lose half of their efficacy to age. This tends to limit their choices of scalesteward unless they locate someone particularly special (which is often). Elves, dwarves, and most native outsiders are all good candidates because of this. With that said, some look to places beyond the more standard mortals. True outsiders do not typically deign to serve dragons living on the Material Plane, but a particularly motivated devil might find the role of scalesteward to be interesting. Those dragons that live beyond the Material Plane, too, may choose to take scalestewards - and as they rarely encounter mortals, it is far more likely that theirs will be outsiders themselves. Do remember, though, that dragons are powerful beings. If a human distinguishes themselves, they may be selected as a scalesteward and given an extended lifespan by pure magical strength. It's just a little more effort.On the list of people I do not want to encounter...
Social Status
As highly competent, well-trained, and heavily prized individuals, scalestewards are seen as a true independent diplomatic force that should be interacted with very carefully, for numerous reasons. They wear their patron's colours and sigils at all times, heavily telegraphing their presence and displaying their power so that all know to be wary. Noble courts and street guards alike know to be very cautious around a scalesteward, especially if their patron is not known. Angering a scalesteward risks catching the attention of their patron, and a furious dragon is not something anyone particularly wants to deal with. One of the most socially interesting situations to occur with a scalesteward is for them to meet another dragon's scalesteward. The meeting of two incredibly powerful forces can either be devastating, if the two clash, or simply terrifying for everyone around them. Some of the strangest draconic alliances, even across the chromatic/metallic barrier, have been brokered by scalestewards who encountered each other by chance and saw the benefit in the arrangement.Oh now this is a worthy challenge.
I mean I am not surprised the top of the financial world is managing the hoard of actual dragons that said, I am with the commoner at the beginning. Fuckers all of 'em. However equally I guess it is worth remembering that this isn't necessarily a 'chosen' position so much as you are given and told that this is your life now. Cause naturally like any to rich ***wit, dragons don't take the word 'no' well. And I mean it does make sense, dragons are the truest definition of hoarder and of avarice they desire constant growth, and for that you'd likely need a financial manager. Well written Han, really interesting article, I do actually find the concept quite narratively intriguing too. Like these individuals feel equal part untouchables but also, like potentially for the right band of wanna be heroic fools (or heroes should they find a way to succeed) they might also be very much worth the risk to accost, particularly if you cannot seem to find a dragon's hideout or lair and you are trying to draw the beast out into a conflict in some way.