This breed of dragon was thought to exist only in legend. Although their name varies between cultures, they are often referred to as “Guardians of Nature.” They are able to channel the forces of fire, ice and lightning, which allows them to wield tremendous power. Seen very rarely, it is thought that they only become active when something is threatening the territory they have chosen to guard. In order to protect their chosen home, these dragons are incredibly adaptable; they have been seen everywhere from remote mountain ranges, to ancient forests, to the darkest depths of the ocean.

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.

Hartwig Kraas is unique among his kind in that he does not assume the usual role of guarding a chosen territory. This was not caused by choice, but by a serious handicap that he suffers from—he is prone to temporarily losing his powers at the most unpredictable times.

Unable to fulfill his original purpose, Hartwig once chose to roam the world to seek the meaning of his life. On a fateful night where he witnessed zombie dragons trying to attack a human settlement, he fearlessly charged into battle to defend the humans, only to be betrayed by his handicap, defeated by the zombies and almost fatally wounded. If Mage's scouts did not stumble upon him through sheer luck, his life would certainly have ended there.

As a thanks for saving his life and giving him shelter, Hartwing now works for the clan under Schlachtschwerter's care. While relegated to non-combat roles due to his handicap, he is happy nevertheless as he has finally found a purpose for himself and more importantly, a home.