Mint colored dragons are the most peaceful of all dragons; they only eat plants unless they scavenge meat from an already dead animal. They also have no ways to attack others or defend themselves. They are much smaller than other forms of dragons since they only double in size when they mature. Mint dragons are unable to use magic and cannot fly since they lack wings. Their looks have given rise to the common insult of calling dragons “large lizards.”

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.

Mahinder is a characteristically meek mint dragon. Like a simple deer or turkey, he hides in brambles and thickets when at rest, because he doesn't feel comfortable inhabiting a cave. This dragon doesn't sleep in the same place more than once, for fear of attracting predators. Even in another dragon's cave he feels vulnerable, constantly wondering if they might cannibalize him. He rarely speaks (telepaths) with other creatures, and is worried whenever near humans. Mahinder eats whatever he can find—carrion, grass, young trees, bark, and fruit. Once every few years, he seems to transform from an unassuming mint to a confident, wing-less earth. It was in this state that he managed to mate with the tempestuous Rashed, a vine dragon. He was bedding down one evening in a thicket of blackberries, roaring throatily, when the plants around him suddenly quivered. Then, out of the earth, a beautiful, green-black female came, and they lived together for a week. Rashed later laid two eggs.