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.

Brilliant was won in a game of chance—a raffle, for those devoid of the richness his previous owner had. The gleaming earth-colored egg was given to the lucky winner, Rhea, who hatched the egg and raised the brilliantly-shining bronze-colored hatchling to adulthood.

Unlike the other tinsels, Brilliant feels abandoned by her old owner. She also has an inferiority complex, as she is not nearly as shiny as any of the gold or silver tinsels. Despite Rhea's reassurances, Brilliant spends much of her time moping and watching the other dragons enviously.