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.

Schyarin is a miracle dragon. The clan searched for many weeks to find eggs with the colored stripes of a dorsal dragon. In fact, two such eggs were found before Schyarin's. The first egg did not hatch. The second reached hatchling stage and was greatly lamented when it, too, did not survive. The whole clan vowed that three tries were enough; if this last egg did not mature, they would mourn and give up the hope that they would ever find a dorsal dragon of their own. Schyarin is well-aware of this, and is slightly irritated by the protective air of the other dragons. They wish to keep him safe from harm, but he wishes only to be viewed as another dragon, not some miracle creature.