Balloon Dragons are so named because they are filled with a gas that makes them almost lighter than air, similar to balloons. However, they are not prone to bursting, as they are covered in tough skin and can deflate themselves if necessary. In addition, they generally are slow moving. They use their gas bladders to float to the tops of trees, where food is more abundant. They can shift their weight from their backs to their fronts, allowing them to reach leaves and fruit.

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.

Lightwing is a very reserved and, somewhat strange dragon. He was found as an abandoned hatchling by Blessed Star, curled on the cold stone floor of a distant cave. He was thin and hadn't eaten for several days, and had lost so much energy that he could not even summon the energy to float around like a happy little balloon hatchling should. Blessed healed him, but didn't want to leave him all alone, so she took the little baby dragon home to her mate. They both tended to him without stopping, knowing he had only a few hours to live.

He grew into a healthy adult, but never fully recovered from his trauma. Now, instead of being able to speak, he can only make strange moaning sounds. Lightwing is forever grateful to Blessed Star, for whom he has an almost filial respect.