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.

Rusty Gears is a young Bronze Tinsel dragon. He lives in a secluded part of his clan's cave with his teacher, Clockwork Fixmore the Gold Tinsel. He is his apprentice, and Clockwork teaches him about fixing clocks and other mechanical things. Even though he isn't nearly as skilled as Clockwork at fixing clocks, he is nearly an expert at welding metal with Voltie, who provides the fire with her lightning energy. He is very inquisitive, and loves learning anything he possibly can about mechanics, he is pretty hyper, and he is always hungry. He likes watching humans fix things with Clockwork. His mate, Ivy Bloom, is a Vine dragon, but hasn't attempted to kill him yet.