Guardian Dragons have large shields on the end of their tails. Although the shields appear to be heavy, they are light, yet nearly unbreakable. Guardian Dragons use their tail-shields, as well as their wings, to deflect attacks and protect others. Often, they will guard the eggs and hatchlings of a nest while others are away. They are generally peaceful, and will not retaliate unless necessary. They have no need to forage or hunt, as they are fed by those they protect.

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.

Once known as Shay, Worthless is one of the few male guardians in the Marble Cup Cavern. His father (and only male ancestor) Zalequinn, does not tolerate other males in his clan, so male hatchlings are all frozen, or abandoned. Shay did not like this, and as his maturity approached, he ran away and hid.

And so it came to pass that Shay reached adulthood. His father was furious. He decreed that from that day, Shay would be known as Most Worthless of Dragons, that he would never mate, and that none were to talk to him.

The clan leader, Ngula Tirea, took pity. The punishment, he stated, did not fit the crime. As Worthless' father, Zale could rename him. However, to declare the boy was to be treated as a leper for the rest of his life was not on. Reluctantly, Zale backed down, and Worthless, though little respected, did manage to form a few close friendships. The strongest and best of these was with a Winter Dragon, All Growed Up, who, like him, had never meant to reach adulthood at all.