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.

Purple Pride is a very proud dragon. Like her mate Crimson Pride, she believes Dorsal dragons are the most beautiful kind of dragons in the world. Only from time to time the two of them argue which color is best, an argument Purple wins most of the time, if only by pointing out to Crimson that his own father was a purple Dorsal.