Turpentine Dragons are named for the oil that covers their scales. This oil resembles turpentine in odor and is mildly toxic; it will not kill but it burns to the touch and will cause illness in anyone who ingests it. Turpentine Dragons roam in large packs, often stealing food from larger dragons, though they are able to hunt for themselves if necessary. Many other breeds consider Turpentine Dragons to be pests, so they primarily breed among themselves.

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.

As a hatchling raised under the care of the human girl, Flight, Conren was often shunned by his siblings because of the smell of the essence his body naturally created. Though Flight scolded the other hatchlings, Conren remained an outsider to all his fellow hatchlings save the Hellfire hatchling, Hastork, who was also shunned because of her dangerous temper. Despite what others might think, Conren doesn't regard the other hatchlings with contempt, but rather enjoys pulling pranks and making humorous chatter with Hastork and his older brothers and sisters (adult dragons also cared for by Flight). As he grew older, Flight allowed Conren to accompany her up the tallest Mountains of Elgar, to visit her friend and fellow dragon nurturer, Ember Nuria. While there, Conren fell in love with one of Ember's dragon companions, the Ridgewing named Vyona Nuria. As an adult, Conren now lives in a cave in the tallest Mountain of Elgar and still tries to attract the female of his dreams.