When Water Dragons mature, they lose the ability to survive on land, entering the water permanently. They are adept swimmers and eat whatever fish are in the lake they live in. They tend to inhabit the same lake for their entire lives, although a few live in the ocean and swim all over the world.

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.

The proud patriarch of the Riverfall Clan, who make their home in a cave near a remote mountain lake, Hai-wang is dedicated to upholding peace and order among his fellow dragons. Though strict and controlling at times, he has their best interests at heart. Because he has lived in the same waters all his life, his view of the world is rather small, and he is very resistant to changes in tradition or routine. He used to dislike his clan members taking mates from outside the clan... but then he met Nadatalya Silvermoon, and decided that maybe not all outsiders were bad. Hai-wang's closest confidants are Shifuu and Qiu-Shi. He is also good friends with Maluhia. He has become a father figure to Akashi, and is very protective of her.