Gemshard Dragons are small, gregarious, expressive easterns, living in large clans high in the jungle canopy. Their bodies are covered in tiny, gem-like scales that shimmer in direct light, and each dragon has a unique pattern of markings on the forked spade of its tail. Though Gemshard Easterns cannot fly, they often leap from springy branches high into the sky on sunny days and perform acrobatic spins and twirls to entertain themselves. When the weather turns foul, they pile up together on sturdy tree limbs and interlock the forks of their tails with others to keep warm and dry.

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.

Azureleap, Berryjewel, and Jadeswirl grew up together (and, through divination discovered that their lineages are identical, though they're not biologically related) and consider themselves brothers. They're a trio of Gemshards, one of each color, thick as thieves and twice as tricky. They once thought that nothing on Valkemare or beyond could ever come between them, and then as it often happens, they met a girl who changed everything. Scarletlace, a Heartstealing dragoness, had captured the hearts of all three brothers, however despite his best efforts Azureleap was devastated when she chose Berryjewel to be her mate. Unlike Jadeswirl, he's had the most trouble moving on, and skulks about the treetops feeling sorry for himself.