Black Dragons are warriors. They are strong and capable in battles of force, but also ample magic users, capable of devastating opponents with their spells. Their bright eyes give them excellent night vision, which is why they generally hunt during the night.

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.

At Purefire Academy, the ability to trace one's ancestors back a dozen generations is considered far more important than magical talent, especially among the academy's leaders.  Skalfor is—outwardly, at least—the kindest of the three, even expressing sympathy for those who can claim only a paltry four generations of purely magi ancestry, for example.  Anyone swayed by his kind words into accepting his help will find themselves facing unimaginable challenges—the only way to prove themselves, according to Skalfor—and the survivors often wish they'd fled while they had the chance.  Skalfor finds joy in the suffering of others, and passing his tests only ensures he'll find different outlets for his cruelty.