Dragons are highly-intelligent reptilian creatures that—from a human perspective, at least—appear to live forever. Many different varieties of dragon exist, each with their own unique qualities, habitats, and behavior. Adolescence in dragons is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. In Galsreim, dragons and humans coexist peacefully.

Rioth knew early on he'd never be content to just sit around looking decorative and mysterious, like most of the other tinsels he knew.  Rather than waste the mystical powers that were a tinsel's birthright on frivolities, he instead chose to use his talent to make a difference in the world.  His goals are altruistic, but Rioth himself is rather unlikable—belligerent and demanding, with a habit of hounding dragons into doing whatever he wants them to.  Sorrow is his latest project—she's one of the few to bring out his softer side, and while saving Highrock Weyr might be beyond even his considerable talents, curing Sorrow's melancholy certainly isn't.