Tri-Horn Wyverns are a mountainous species, living in high altitude areas among rocks and snow. The rough and rugged climate has bred a tough and hardened species, prepared to do battle with both the elements and other creatures. Their most distinctive feature is the three-horned crest mounted upon their head, for which they were named; these toughened spikes are powerful weapons, used to battle against predators, prey and fellow Tri-Horn Wyverns. Both males and females of this species fight for territory and resources, and wear scars with pride. However, Tri-Horn wyverns have a soft side beneath their many spikes. They work in loyal packs, of which they are deeply protective; if one can gain their trust, Tri-Horn wyverns can be powerful allies through the mountains.

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.

After the failed rebellion of the Districts against the tyranny of the Capitol, the President of Circenses decreed an annual tournament to be held in which sixteen tributes, two from each district, would be locked in an arena, only one of them allowed to leave it alive. These are the Starving Games.

The beginning of the Games was a bloodbath. Craftsman, Luxury, Blacksmith, Gadget, they all made for the Cornucopia, a stash of food, weapons and tools in the middle of the arena. Needle knew better than to go for it, heading away from it instead. Her first victim was the Water dragon Seaweed, from District Four. Vulnerable on land, he was crawling towards the river as fast as he could. He never made it. Night brought her another kill, the Moonstone Orb, plainly visible in the moonlight. Assuming half of the dragons in the Cornucopia had not survived, Needle's chances of winning the first Starving Games were looking better and better indeed.