The hoard: always (Surraruthru, 84 days left)

[Anastasia]

Surraruthru sits back on his hoard the next day, thinking. He needs money. Money, money, money. So much to do, so much debt.

"Hi," Elena pops in, dressed up in a set of fancy robes and carrying a staff, "Baleruk's making noise about you, I think he desires your presence."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru raises an eye ridge. "Is that so? He's barely acknowledged me since I've arrived. Well, I suppose I shall make my way there at my convenience. I'm not his dog to answer at his beck and call."

Saying so, Surraruthru meanders his way across Aurora to Baleruk, making a stop at the cafeteria.

[Anastasia]

How long are you taking?

[Iron Dragoon]

Eh, not really too long. Just a casual pace. Not hurrying, but not going out of my way to delay either.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Serith> Kotono roll for Serith < 97 > [d100=97]

Oh boy.

You reach the courtyard. Here you find Baleruk flying in circles around Aurora, and as you come out, "SURRARUTHRU!" Baleruk bellows, "Come forth, it is a matter of TREASURE!"

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru sighs and sits down in the courtyard. "Yes, yes, I'm here Baleruk. What's this about treasure?"

[Anastasia]

Baleruk lands, glittering with all the colors of the rainbow. He leans in, giant dragon head overshadowing you as he comes in close, unblinking eye gazing at you. "That there is TREASURE to be found, riches to take back to the HOARD!"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Oh? Where at? I've been busy trying to get as much done as fast as possible so I'd have more time to hunt for treasure and power. I still have to go with Balyss to Selune's gate, but if treasure is involved... I'll certainly move on it as soon as I can."

[Anastasia]

"I desire to molt gemstones," Baleruk declares, "But I need something to do that. You will retrieve this and I will give you some of the gemstones for your service."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru raises an eye ridge.

"... Molt gemstones... An interesting idea. Though it seems a bit more convoluted than needed. Why not just acquire a powerful enough elemental as a servant to simply produce them?"

[Anastasia]

Baleruk rumbles like an earthquake, "An elemental? AN ELEMENTAL?!?! An elemental's sheer power will quail before the perfect PRISMATIC BEAUTY of my PERFECT GEMSTONES!" Baleruk roars, the wind of it enough to push you back. "IT IS LIKE COMPARING SCANT GOLD DUST FROM THE BOTTOM OF A PROSPECTOR'S BAG TO A VAULT FULL OF GOLD INGOTS! THERE IS NO COMPARISON!"

[Iron Dragoon]

"There's also gem dragons. Couldn't you just find a gem dragon as a mate? Or are you trying to expand your 'glorious' being into the psionic realms as well? And how many gem scales would I be getting out of this?"

[Anastasia]

Baleruk stares at you long and hard, "Are you implying a gem dragon's scales would REMOTELY compare to mine?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"I'm implying there are other ways to accomplish this, and asking how much I'm going to get out of this. Why not do all three? Molting all year. Blech. Terrible idea. The itchiness and rubbing all the time, no thank you. Having an elemental, or group of elementals, to do it for you and a mate who can as well is much better. Molt when you wish, sure, but having others to stand above for the same thing with less inconvenience would be much better, I think."

[Anastasia]

Baleruk watches you all the while, "You do not understand the magnificence of my scales," Baleruk pouts, accuses.