Undine Dragons are named for the water spirits with which they share territory. They have close relationships with these spirits, and are able to communicate with them. In exchange for protection and respect of their mutual freshwater homes, laid eggs are often protected by a blessing. This blessing stays with the dragon into adulthood, and with it they gain potent magical abilities. Sometimes when an Undine Dragon becomes very upset, the ground at their feet may frost over or begin to steam. They have also been observed to manipulate water directly, rerouting raindrops or creating puddles from groundwater. Undine Dragons always live near forest pools, streams, or waterfalls. Both genders take equal part in the raising of young and are very good parents—though they may not remain mated after the offspring are grown.

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.

Vivanna is content to be alone, but that changes when she fishes two eggs out of the stream that borders her home. Vivanna plans to give them to the Winter tribe, but something makes her delay and finally she settles to raising the two eggs and later the two hatchlings. The Undine knows almost nothing about mothering, but Lockli and Efelna are both good hatchlings and aren't too demanding. But as Vivanna is settling into her new life as a foster mother, the winter dragons locate their missing hatchlings. Vivanna turns them over with not a word of protest, but later as she lies in her now empty nest, she can't help but miss them. It is to her great surprise and delight that the winter dragons give her permission to visit Lockli and Efelna, something that Vivanna treasures.