Dorsal Dragons are so named because they have large fins along their backs that can be raised and lowered at will. They use these fins to regulate body temperature; they raise them to cool off when they become overheated. The bright colors on the fins double as a means of attracting mates.

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.

Long ago, when the little island where the dorsal dragons lived was still very unexplored and not very populated with dragons, a warped little egg was laid. Covering the usually handsome markings of a dorsal egg were small clusters of bumps and ridges, making the egg look very unhealthy. Fearing disease or parasites, the mother of the egg drop-kicked it out of her nest and into the harsh forest. Amazingly, the little egg survived and hatched with help from feral dragons. Nins grew up to be a lonely little dorsal, roughing it in the deadly forest for a living. In an ancient dorsal language, Nins literally means "nothing", and Nins believes himself to be worth just that. He once attempted to go back to his mother, after he had figured out who she was, but she simply kicked him out again. Nins' father however, is an entirely different case. Since Nins was raised by feral dragons, his father is secretly bursting with pride that his child was strong enough to live the rogue lifestyle.