Vampire Dragons are members of the undead. They sustain themselves by drinking the blood of others. It is said that they are only “alive” at night, and seem dead or asleep during the day, as they cannot endure sunlight for long periods of time. Vampire Dragons can only reproduce by changing the eggs of other dragons, puncturing the shell with their fangs and injecting venom that kills the baby inside.

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.

Mandurugo is deceptive and two-faced. During the day, she is kind and sweet to the other dragons in the cave. She never even frowns. However, she isn't able to step outside the shadows of the cave, for the sun burns her like a branding iron. During the night, she goes absolutely mad in the moonlight. She raids nests, steals food, and has even been known to bite eggs that have yet to hatch. Many of the other dragons despise her, but a few are entranced by her strange personality. Mandurugo's name comes from the name of a creature in the Philippines who is much like the modern-day vampire.