Guardian Dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian Dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

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.

Kione's first memory is of losing his sibling, an unnamed dragon who perished before it could hatch, out in the treacherous wilds. The experience has affected him strongly throughout his life, and at times he seems almost obsessed with his quest to protect and raise eggs and young dragons that become separated from their parents. Though he has grown into a proud and elegant dragon, he refuses to seek a mate, devoting all his time to his rescued dragonlets. He remains deeply attached to his first ever "child", Leilin, whom he still tends to think of as a hatchling, albeit one that has grown inexplicably large.